Daniel B: I will be online later. bye
Daniel B left chat session
moved to room Meeting Place
changed username to Ms. Rin
Ms. Rin left chat session
moved to room Meeting Place
changed username to Ms. Rin
(Ms. Rin gives Ms. Rin a yummy bar of chocolate.)
(Ms. Rin's head explodes!)
(Ms. Rin Giggles)
(Ms. Rin gives Ms. Rin a can of Diet Coke.) Ms. Rin: ick...don't know why I'm drinking this tuff
moved to room Meeting Place
changed username to rich-c Ms. Rin: hi Uncle Richard rich-c: hi Erin, what are you doing here? Ms. Rin: thought I'd stop by when I checked on the cats rich-c: I assume you're borrowing Pam's computer while she's away? Ms. Rin: in the middle of laundry so I won't be too long Ms. Rin: yes...it's nice to have complete control of the keyboard rich-c: yes, I'd sort of guessed you'd be there looking at teh cats primarily Ms. Rin: :-) rich-c: well, you'll just have to get your own computer one of these days Ms. Rin: yes sooner than later I hop....Garth is hoping to build one then meet Pam and I in St. Thomas Ms. Rin: have to figure out whne though rich-c: OK, just don't let him get carried away - you can do an awful lot with a very simple computer Ms. Rin: I've told him to KISS Ms. Rin: well, without the stupid part rich-c: true, but it's so easy to go sort of wild, especially on other people's money Ms. Rin: oh I know.....I think he is going to use most of the parts he already has laying about then I will contribute further....so luckily it will be my choice at that point rich-c: right off teh top, you have to decide whether you want a computer for your needs now or one good for 4 to 5 years total Ms. Rin: if he suggests something that he says I need that I don't know what it is I will ask you and you can let me know if it is entirely essential Ms. Rin: he has a way of saying how important something is and it really isn't so rich-c: there's limitations - older computers may not have USB support, or AGP, or space for enough memory or wrong type of memory Ms. Rin: I'll see if I can get more information on the parts and let you know rich-c: I bought mine at the end of 2001 and it still has lots of time left in it
moved to room Meeting Place rich-c: but I paid a premium for a really great motherboard (like about $170 instead of $70) and a case with room for six drives+
changed username to Dr.D. Ms. Rin: hi Rich rich-c: hello Rich, just talking to Rin about her getting a computer Dr.D.: Hello all. Dr.D.: Rin is getting a computer? Ms. Rin: well, it's in the works rich-c: sooner or later - we're talking about buying strategies and what she has to think about Dr.D.: Someday soon, then. Ms. Rin: I was just telling Uncle Richard that if my brother suggests something as he is building it and says it is essential that I will ask Uncle R for his advice....to see if it really is essential Dr.D.: Gigahertz Pentium is probably not necessary. rich-c: I would discourage any Intel CPU or too high a speed AMD Ms. Rin: ok I'll make a note rich-c: I've metnioned my feelings on motherboard and case Dr.D.: Your brother wouldn't steer you wrong, now, would he? Dr.D.: (as in trying to get a big sales commission) :-) rich-c: well, the young folk tend to get taken in with hype and grow big eyes Ms. Rin: I don't think he would but his idea of essential is not always everyone elses :-) rich-c: Garth is pretty sharp but at his age experience is limited Dr.D.: It is true, though, that the more you get today, the longer it wil be useful in future. rich-c: yes, that's so up to a point Dr.D.: My 486 was super top-of-the-line in 1993, and didn't become really obsolete until about 2000. Ms. Rin: wow....good lifespan rich-c: and some stuff you just automatically get teh latest - it's hard to buy a hard disc under 80 gig now, ATA100 or 133, and 7200 rpm Dr.D.: But that also was because I put a super-expensive operating system on it, Windows NT 4.0, that had a long lifespan. Dr.D.: I am sure that if you had to use the 486 right now, you would be irritated at how slow it is. rich-c: I doubt Rin will ever need more than a small percentage of an 80 gig disc and ATA66. 4500 rpm would serve fine Dr.D.: Who knows, she might keep a bunch of songs or movies on it :-) rich-c: but if the minimum is excessive, what to you do? visit the antique shop? Ms. Rin: all I do is chat and email....I hardly ever even search Dr.D.: Or all her E-mail. rich-c: oh, I'm an email pack rat and can't start to use a block big enough to be visible on my 40 gig drive Ms. Rin: I'm old fashioned when it comes to movies and music Ms. Rin: well sort of but I prefer DVD and CD's Dr.D.: You have a 35 mm projector at home? Ms. Rin: not that old fashioned I guess Ms. Rin: I don't think so :-) Ms. Rin: hehe rich-c: hey, I'm still using vinyl and tape - ever have a working beta VCR (though I use a VHS now)\ Dr.D.: The Film Society has some spare ones...for emergency use. Ms. Rin: Our Beta still works...all except the record button Dr.D.: And our dual portable 16 mm projectors for away missions when we have to use an alternate venue. Ms. Rin: one of my favourite childhood movies is taped on Beta Dr.D.: Is blank Beta tape still available? rich-c: you know, a beta vcr and old Commodore 64 monitor and you've got a fully functional tv setup (+ antenna, of course) Dr.D.: Which movie? Ms. Rin: "The Secret of NIMH" Dr.D.: Ooooh, very nice one. Ms. Rin: yeah.....I was old for my age.....love that movie Dr.D.: Don Bluth's best, alas, it was all downhill from there. rich-c: bet you can find all the beta tape you want on eBay Ms. Rin: probably Dr.D.: I remember having a B.A.S.I.C. meeting at a member's house, George Harpster. Ms. Rin: it was too bad they stopped making them....they were of more quality Dr.D.: (There's a name I haven't thought of for a while) rich-c: anyway, Rin, first decide what you want to do, then if you want to buy for the future or the present Dr.D.: He had an entire wall, not unlike your computer room wall, Richard :-) of stuff on Beta. Dr.D.: Floor to ceiling. rich-c: sheesh! Ms. Rin: well I would like the present....can always work on the future later :-) Dr.D.: This was in 1991, I am pretty sure. rich-c: maybe we should just loan you my P166MMX - you can certainly search and chat with it rich-c: it has a 2.1 gig drive that isnt even connected, and an 8.4 gig drive that's little used, if I recall Ms. Rin: what year software can it take? Ms. Rin: (if I'm asking what I think I'm asking) Ms. Rin: :-S Dr.D.: Windows XYZ PDQ. rich-c: depends on what you want - if you'd like open source, you can have just about anything you want Ms. Rin: hehe Ms. Rin: so '98 would work on it....or I suppose the better question is....what's on it now? Dr.D.: I don't think a *nix distribution would be a good place for Rin to start. Dr.D.: No offense (braving the Wrath of the Red-Head), but I don't think you're techie enough for it. Ms. Rin: none taken Ms. Rin: I know my limitations Dr.D.: And it would require some care and feeding, if you will. Dr.D.: Not that you couldn't do it, just maybe more than your would want to be involved with at this point. Dr.D.: You need an internet appliance :-) rich-c: I was not thinking of putting her on and flavour of *nix, Rich Ms. Rin: I'm pretty good at figuring things out.......but I wouldn't want to blow up someone else's computer :-) rich-c: give me a second to check something Ms. Rin: internet appliance, yes...hehe Dr.D.: The ADAM was the WebTV of the 1980s. Dr.D.: Yukon! Oh, hes gone, he's gone!!!!
moved to room Meeting Place Dr.D.: <line from Rudolph>
changed username to rich-c Ms. Rin: haha...yes I remember Dr.D.: That was interesting, Richard. rich-c: sorry 'bout that, folks - fell off teh board Ms. Rin: no prob Dr.D.: Hopefully not off your chair or something. rich-c: anyway, try this URL: http://gnuwin.epfl.ch/en/index.html Dr.D.: In Czechoslovakia? rich-c: you will find a free full suite of superb software for all flavours of Windows, all free Dr.D.: Or China, rather. rich-c: ch + cantonia helvetica Dr.D.: What is .ch. Dr.D.: Switzerland? Ms. Rin: ok I'll try it tonight....I know how long it takes Pam's computer to load and I don't want to interrupt the chat :-) rich-c: bingo rich-c: yes - I fell off because I needed to open another copy of IE to get that, and didn't rich-c: you can't rich-c: sorry Dr.D.: What sort of antediluvian thing is Pam running? rich-c: you can't get the software, Rin, it's an ISO image that has to be downloaded to a CD and may overflow that Dr.D.: Does it look like it came from the Flintstones? Ms. Rin: I don't know but remember Wednesday when we were looking at the ADAMcon photos....it slowed everything way down rich-c: but with my DSL connection even downloading 750 megs can be realistic and I have a burner rich-c: Pam has an IBM P2 400 - think it's P2 Dr.D.: Then a 166 MHz machine would be even more sluggish...maybe not a good solution. rich-c: well, that was her modem speed, Rin, not teh computer - the computer is fast Ms. Rin: true, but if my brother has difficulties in getting a computer to me it will sustain me :-) rich-c: hell, even a 386-16 can outrun a 56K modem Dr.D.: He is in Windsor, right? Ms. Rin: but I need to talk to Garth about that before I make a decision Ms. Rin: yes Ms. Rin: he is planning a trip to watch car racing in St. Thomas the first w/e of May Ms. Rin: but something may have come up that he can't rich-c: server speeds can also be an issue Dr.D.: Where is St. Thomas WRT Toronto? Ms. Rin: near London Ms. Rin: 2 hours rich-c: it's well down the road past London - about 120 miles at a guess Ms. Rin: approx Ms. Rin: it'll be meeting in the middle Dr.D.: Ooh, like a drug buy or something :-) rich-c: yes, Windsor is about 4+ hours down the road rich-c: anyway, Rich, did you copy that URL I gave Rin? Ms. Rin: something like that yeah :-) Dr.D.: Just a minute... rich-c: if you need a repeat, it's http://gnuwin.epfl.ch/en/index.html Dr.D.: I grabbed it, Richard. rich-c: I would be obliged if at some time when convenient you'd take a look at it and offer an opinion Dr.D.: Okay, will do. Dr.D.: Let me mail it to myself so it doesn't get lost. rich-c: my 166 is currently still st up with Win95 but has an unused partition where another OS can be insalled Dr.D.: done. rich-c: in fact if I recall I still have Win3.1 on it in one partition rich-c: and since it uses Partition Magic I can juggle partitions at will Dr.D.: Win3.1 still runs on the 486. Ms. Rin: BRB Dr.D.: I have to reboot it in DOS mode to use ADAMem or ColEm anyway. rich-c: I'm sure Win 3.1 would even run on my current machine - but would it be worth the effort? Dr.D.: Depends if there are Win3.1-only apps that you want to run. rich-c: you don't use the Windows front end for AdamEm? Dr.D.: I have it for historical interest. Dr.D.: Nope. Ms. Rin: back Dr.D.: The 486 is barely usable for the WinNT stuff. rich-c: I took my time adjusting from 3.1 to 95 and did find there were apps where I liked the 3.1 version better Dr.D.: I hear a car door slamming...Christina must be home. rich-c: but since I found all the zippy freeware one can get, that has become rather less of an issue ;-) rich-c: would you believe I have Star Office complete and have never used it? Dr.D.: I don't think I have ever used StarOffice. rich-c: it's by a Euro firm originally, picked up by Sun for *nix then ported Ms. Rin: what is *nix? rich-c: it's a full suite equal to MS Office Dr.D.: Unix. rich-c: any flavour of Unix including Linux Dr.D.: The * is to avoid trademark lawsuit from AT&T :-)\ Ms. Rin: ohhhhh.....now I get it :-) Dr.D.: Also a * as a wildcard character, matches anything... Dr.D.: So Unix, Linux, Minix, Ultrix, Solaris...etc. Ms. Rin: not as many pages back now :-) rich-c: anyway, Star Office has gone commercial with Sun, but is still improved freeware as Open Office rich-c: it and GIMP are two base apps in the freeware bundle I mentioned Dr.D.: Yes, Open Office, now I remember. rich-c: GIMP is Graphic Interface Management Program, challenges Abode Photoshop Dr.D.: I tried to install GIMP on my Mac OS X system, and it barfed...it wouldn't do any of the common file formats, GIF, TIFF, JPEG! Dr.D.: Some library it couldn't find...I couldn't track down why...so I gave up.
(Ms. Rin gives Dr.D. a yummy bar of chocolate.) Dr.D.: Yes, it is a Photoshop workalike. rich-c: didn't know that GIMP had ever been ported to teh Mac Dr.D.: OS X has a BSD Unix core. Dr.D.: Yum, chocolate...
(Dr.D. gives Ms. Rin some poutine.) rich-c: right - I'd forgotten that.... Dr.D.: Maybe not as tasty as chocolate, but it was on the menu. Dr.D.: I also had to install X11 window manager to even get it to run, that was also no picnic. Ms. Rin: it's all good......and dinner before dessert is something I have to keep in mind....bad habit
moved to room Meeting Place rich-c: let's say if it drove you to giving up, it must have been a real challenge
changed username to Daniel B Daniel B: Ha-aH! Ms. Rin: hi Daniel rich-c: btw, you haven't given us a report on your leg Ms. Rin: oh yes how is it? Dr.D.: Leg update: Daniel B: bonjour mes amis, bonjour! Dr.D.: Hello Daniel. rich-c: hey, bienvenue, Daniel Dr.D.: Friday was a very bad day. rich-c: oh dear - what went wrong? Dr.D.: I woke up feeling like I had been beaten with a stick, everything in my whole body hurt. rich-c: great heavens - any idea of the cause? Dr.D.: The leg hurt just because, the rest was the exertion of walking about 1000 meters the day before on crutches around campus. Ms. Rin: hopefully you're getting some rest today rich-c: a kilometer on crutches? you gotta be outa yer mind! Dr.D.: Our campus is big, there are lots of places I have to go, Richard. Dr.D.: It was the last day of class, I had to be there. rich-c: face it, you've got an excuse to take it easy for a bit - let the world indulge you for a change Dr.D.: No easy rest until the Egg Hunt is done with, next Sunday. rich-c: nuts - tell them if they want you, send Security with a wheelchair ;-) Dr.D.: I didn't make it in to work until about 11:15 AM, and that only because our weekly lab meeting was at noon. Dr.D.: I had to wait for the pain meds to kick in in the morning, I just went back to bed for the morning. rich-c: they should count their blessings when you show at all, and offer all indulgence necessary to make it easy on you Ms. Rin: I agree Dr.D.: And I was unable to get anyone to staff the robot lab last night, and Christina needed the other car to get home from softball practice, and Joan was working evening shift...so I just stayed on campus until midnight, from 6-12 in the robot lab. Dr.D.: A few students came, they were quiet, so I could sit still. rich-c: I know duty calls and you're inclined to answer, but sometimes you have to take your time about it Dr.D.: I had Christina bring her sisters down to visit, and they brought me supper about 8:20 PM. rich-c: nuts - lock the door and grab some zzzzs Dr.D.: I ate and visited with them for about an hour. Dr.D.: Today I am absolutely not going down to campus. Ms. Rin: good for you rich-c: I should bloody well hope not! rich-c: and don't move out your door tomorrow either Dr.D.: I did get work done there last night, I made 9 new replacement motors with LEGO plates on them, in case of breakage. Dr.D.: Our spares were all gone. Dr.D.: Tonight someone is doing the 6-9 slot. Dr.D.: And tomorrow is the final noon-midnight extra session, after which the lab is CLOSED until the Egg Hunt. Dr.D.: But I am not running any of those sessions, either. Ms. Rin: good rich-c: there should be more someones filling more slots for you too Ms. Rin: you can't have this interrupting your recovery Dr.D.: My co-instructor is taking the 12-3 slot on Sunday...but...he is really (sadly) not so competent to fix and troubleshoot. Dr.D.: I am taking a risk by skipping the final session, because invariably stuff breaks that the staff and students can't fix, only me. Dr.D.: But I don't want to be there if I can possibly avoid it. rich-c: they just have to respect the fact that htere are times you can't be there rich-c: what would they do if you came down with something contaigious that requireed quarantine? rich-c: by tehv way, Daniel, I know you're quiet but realize you are there Daniel B: yes Daniel B: I'm here rich-c: and yes, I did get your email though I havent had time to look at the attachment yet Dr.D.: hold a minute.... rich-c: does it run in Windows or AdamEm? Ms. Rin: I read your email Daniels sounds fun :-) Daniel B: maybe you prefer a gif file? rich-c: depends - if the one you sent runs in the emulator, I'd find a gif easier to handle Dr.D.: Back. Daniel B: I sent a powerpaint file (.pp) Daniel B: not a rom file. Dr.D.: If you want to see how much time I have spent in the robot lab...extra time...take a look at rich-c: remember that now I have DSL file size is not an issue for me Dr.D.: http://www.eecs.cwru.edu/courses/lego375/oldextra.html Dr.D.: That's the list of the past extra sessions. rich-c: I have never tried running Powerpaint in the emulator, nor am I sure how to get stuff into the emulator from Windows rich-c: OK, Rich, control-c'd it Dr.D.: Somewhere I have my disk image of PowerPaint for the Emulator, it works okay. rich-c: I'll go look Dr.D.: But the viewer program is the easiest way to look at .pp files. rich-c: that's an impressive list, Rich - who are the others, graduate assistants? Dr.D.: They are course alumni who help out. Dr.D.: Except Hillel Chiel, who is my co-instructor. Dr.D.: But that is how much non-class time is needed for this course... rich-c: seems like you have quite a jg United Nations there rich-c: at least by Cleveland standards... Dr.D.: I have done about 42 hours' worth of extra sessions this semester. rich-c: considering your basic workload, that's an awful lot Dr.D.: I know <downcast> Dr.D.: But this fall may be the last of the robot course. rich-c: Daniel, did you see Guy's note about the Emulator website? Daniel B: Marcel's web page? yes Dr.D.: My teaching duties may be reassigned to be more mainline Biology. Daniel B: Im worrying what is going on rich-c: that's a mixed blessing - it has helped keep your operation useful rich-c: well, as long as there is a website, we're OK, whether it is the original or a backup Dr.D.: Yes...but my co-instructors are a bit worried about the loss of their teaching gravy train, as it were. Daniel B: I sent a GIF file to the ADAMCON mailing list now Dr.D.: The administrative credit for co-instructors is 50%. Dr.D.: Well folks, I need to go start supper. rich-c: so good for you, not so good for them Dr.D.: Yes Richard. Dr.D.: The workload distribution is always about 90%-10%. rich-c: OK but for heavens sake, take care of that leg and stay off it, hear? Dr.D.: "Yes Uncle Richard" <said in whiny kiddie monotone> :-) rich-c: we want a much healthier report from you on Wednesday Ms. Rin: haha Dr.D.: I am not leaving the house tonight if I can help it. Ms. Rin: funny Rich Dr.D.: Not the meds, no Darvocet today, only ibuprofen. Dr.D.: So it is my natural weirdness. rich-c: less kill that qualification unless the place is on fire or something Dr.D.: Christina can drive to the store for anything we might need etc. Dr.D.: All right, I am closing hailing frequencies for today. Ms. Rin: see you Wednesday Rich rich-c: one thing my hip doctor told me - don't be a hero, use the meds, that's what they are for Dr.D.: Good-bye Richard, Daniel, and Ms. Rin. rich-c: bye for now, Rich Dr.D.: Off to the galley....<poof>
Dr.D. left chat session Daniel B: oops... too late! (goodbye Dr.D) rich-c: I do wish Rich would not push himself so hard - I understand why he does it, but do not approve Ms. Rin: I know.....but he's so dedicated....it's just ingrained Ms. Rin: he really needs time to relax Daniel B: I think he's old enough to know his limits. Ms. Rin: time to himself rich-c: yes, and long=term that is a dubious blessing for all concerned rich-c: it's great to be hugely productive - but not so great to burn out early rich-c: he is not one to sit still and idle happily Ms. Rin: that's the hard part when you're someone like Rich.....he has to make everybody happy.....no matter what Ms. Rin: sigh Ms. Rin: anyway...I should probably do get my laundry rich-c: he has a very strong sense of duty - sometimes like at the moment too strong Ms. Rin: it's very, very true.... rich-c: right, guess the puddy-tats are content now Ms. Rin: I think they are....had some company anyway Ms. Rin: :-) rich-c: anyway, if you want to discuss computer matters, let us know Ms. Rin: I will I'll see if I can talk to Garth and se what he has in mind rich-c: right, it is a hard decision to make Ms. Rin: have a good evening Uncle Richard....see you online Wednesday Ms. Rin: bye Daniel Daniel B: bye Erin
Ms. Rin left chat session rich-c: bye tyhen Erin rich-c: Daniel, your email just arrived Daniel B: great rich-c: I shall take a look at it more or less as soon as I get offline Daniel B: It took me 3 days to draw this picture. I hope you like it. rich-c: I am sure we all will and that you will get some positive feedback on Wednesday rich-c: who knows, maybe I may get adventurous and see if I can view it in Powerpaint rich-c: though I do not know how to get it into the emulator rich-c: cut and paste, maybe, from the Eudora attach file? rich-c: or unzip into the emlator? Daniel B: May I suggest to load the PP file with BMP2PP? Daniel B: or with my CVPAINT software? rich-c: what is BMP2PP - is that a DOS or Emulator file? Daniel B: Marcel de Kogel's BMP<->PP converter rich-c: don't think I have your CVPaint, Daniel Daniel B: there is a version for Windows Daniel B: http://www.geocities.com/newcoleco/bmp2pp11.zip Daniel B: http://www.geocities.com/newcoleco/cvpaint17.zip rich-c: right - my problem is that when I'm in the Emulator, it can't see the rest of teh computer (or won't admit it) rich-c: anyway I've logged the URLs there rich-c: your scroll demo just arrived, btw Daniel B: Now, If nobody talk about my e-mails this wednesday, I quit. =P rich-c: I will make a note, see if we can keep them stirred up rich-c: the problem is there are so many personal problems around this week Daniel B: yes, and I have problems too. Daniel B: but, it's not important rich-c: there's Rich's leg, Bob and I with heart trouble, Judy's finger, Pam looking for a job, Ron with his mother; so many rich-c: so you do - you are on a job hunt whre we're hoping you'll get the right thing soon rich-c: that first breakaway after school is a very stressful time Daniel B: I modified my "CV" a little bit. Maybe this new version will works better. rich-c: yes - all you can do is make the best possible case for yourself rich-c: and don't scant your command of English; it is much better than you think rich-c: if you can keep up in an English chat the way you do, you are handling the language very well Daniel B: Well, my "coleco" experience give me this opportunity to learn english with guys likt you. rich-c: quite - it means you get twice-weekly practice, and all spontaneous - you have mastered a major challenge so brag about it Daniel B: I'm writing an e-mail to Marcel de Kogel. He sent me only one e-mail in one year. rich-c: if his website is off line he may be having ISP problems - rich-c: still, if the email bounces, that tells you something too Daniel B: in the past, the emails didn't bounces. Daniel B: we will see if it bounce now rich-c: usually emails do get through, but they can fail for reasons good or otherwise rich-c: wow - just got a big server delay here rich-c: if it does get through you can ask him when the Emulator server will be up again Daniel B: if he reply my email, yes rich-c: yes, it is still up to him to answer rich-c: who knows, maybe he's in the p[rocess of moving to Brazil, or something ;-) rich-c: since his native language is Dutch, and he likely has Portuguese, what does he use corresponding with you? Daniel B: he wanted me to speak to him in french rich-c: did you oblige or find English worked better? Daniel B: a kind of knowledge exchange rich-c: yes, it is a way to practice Daniel B: he's answering me in english but he also learned french. rich-c: the Europeans are much more aware of the advantages of multilingualism than North Americans rich-c: slows things down for both of you, but the knowledge gained is likely worth it Daniel B: it's the domination of the english language here. and english is the language most people learn to be "international". rich-c: yes, English has sort of displaced Latin as the "lingua franca" of cross language talk rich-c: English dominates aviation, much science, information technology and I suspect international finance Daniel B: well, it will be 5 o'clock in a couple of minutes. talk to you wednesday. :) rich-c: right - time for dinner - see you Wednesday then rich-c: au revoir! Daniel B: chow!
rich-c left chat session
Daniel B left chat session
moved to room Meeting Place
changed username to Harvie Powis
moved to room Meeting Place
changed username to rich-c