A note in passing
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While I've been tinkering this evening, I went ahead and removed the link to Steven Den Beste's USS Clueless website. I (and I suspect a lot of other people) had been hoping that after a lengthy break, he might feel moved to start writing again. A few days ago, he posted a note to those of us who kept checking back regularly, to the effect that we might as well quit. Den Beste seems to be one of those people who makes a decision and sticks to it, so I removed the link. Thankfully, his old essays are still available, and as a sort of novice anime fan, I'm glad he's writing about anime now at Chizumatic.

by Cziltang 
Posted: Thursday, November 18 2004 11:04:55 PM

Just another tricky day...
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'This is no social crisis, just another tricky day for you.'

I'm not sure why this line from The Who popped into my mind this evening. I've actually been listening to Steely Dan, but there it is anyway. Perhaps it is this nonsense of getting used to a new computer. Or maybe it is the free-associative state I've drifted into after my last dose of cough syrup.

I've been having a lot of computer problems that I just haven't been able to work around. Software upgrades that just eat up too much of the processing capacity of the computer, Anti-virus problems, and all of it at least partly due to a 500 mhz Pentium computer and a Windows 98 operating system that was beginning to get a bit glitchy. So, I finally broke down and bought a new computer. I knew my old one was an antique, but I didn't really realize just how out of date it really was. When I went into the store I was mildly amused to see that the cheapest one they had carried a 2.5 ghz processor.

Anyway, so far I like my new computer. I'm having a bit of a problem getting used to Windows XP, and there is a bunch of software I don't have a clue about, and I'm having a heck of a time finding all the "automatic" features Gates & Co. have included. I'm a bit paranoid and don't like my computer connecting to the internet and downloading things without me at least pretending to know what it is doing. Now comes the process of moving all the stuff I want to keep from the old computer to the new one. At least now I can listen to music and work at the same time. On the old beast if I tried to listen to music while writing I got an instantaneous interruption with every keystroke (which can be kind of fun if you can type in a nice steady rhythm...).

Now that I have working equipment again, and have at least some of my software transferred over, I should be able to get back to writing somewhat more regularly. I had some comments about the election lined out, but I don't really see a need to flesh them out at this point, so I guess I'll be going back to the more mundane.

by Cziltang 
Posted: Thursday, November 18 2004 10:27:42 PM

Food for Thought
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I've been missing for quite a while. Not that anyone has suffered because of it, but I know there are a few folks out there who check in occasionally.

I've been spending a lot of time writing what, for lack of a better term, could be called "Corrections 101" essays for my work website. I continue to be amazed at the impact posting material on the work website has on my staff. I can talk with a staff member about a concept and their eyes glaze over with the "bunny in the headlights" look, but if I post the same material on the website they read and digest the material and fall all over themselves asking questions and making comments that tell me they really understood. I'm not trying to denigrate them in any way, I'm just fascinated by the difference in comprehension for in-person vs.web based dissemination.

I've also been having a lot of computer problems. I think I've cleared up most of the gunk, junk and garbage, but am still not sure my anti-virus software is working correctly. So, I'm being a bit careful. On the up side, the Head Rat and I have decided it is finally time to junk this relic, so in the next couple of weeks I should be upgrading the whole mess. That will also be the time to spring for high-speed internet.

If anyone out there has any experience with products like the Tablet PC, I would sure like to hear some feedback. We are considering getting a couple of them for my staff at work. I think the idea is viable, and I think I saw one of the political pundits on MSNBC using one about 3:00 AM this morning.

There is plenty of political commentary out there, and I don't think I have anything unique to say at this point, but I did find this article from Samizdata interesting. The basic point is that if the Electoral Votes were divided up now like they were in 1960, Kerry would have won. "...This is indicative of a potential long-term problem for the Democrats: they are strongest in the parts of the country that aren't growing anymore."

 

by Cziltang 
Posted: Wednesday, November 03 2004 07:56:39 PM