h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Sorry to hear about JR.

Alji

I've been around the other boards, but this looks like the best place to write a short tribute.

JR was a small beacon of friendliness in an impersonal cyberworld. If you look at the "roll call" thread you may see what I mean. I had been off and away doing other things, when I remembered I hadn't spoken to JR or any of the other QQN crowd (except the Doc) for months. The QQN page looked derelict too, so I thought I'd post a message to see if anyone was still around.

Two minutes later JR replied.

Even though nobody had used this page for many months, he logged into h2g2 and checked it every day just in case anyone did.

JR may have been somewhat reclusive in the real world, but I will miss him in the virtual one.

Rest in peace, John.


Icy North

Hi, Icy. Thanks for your comments. Most are on QQR as the mod, TNM is kinda part of JR's crowd as was. All the arrangements have been posted there and I think TNM will read out tributes from QQN and The Oldie from those who aren't at the 'do'. I shall point her at your message.

toxx (Doc)

Thanks Alji. He was a super guy but, at the same time, possibly the planet's most stubborn old git!

toxx

'possibly the planet's most stubborn old git!'

No Toxx, that's me!


Alji

J.R. has answered a few questions for me on the threads for which I thank him.

Rest in peace J.R.

Hi TM. Sorry about the delay, but my phone line was vandalised. I too can answer questions about PCs. I've been using them a lot longer than JR had. We both had experience with mainframes etc.

Icy is pretty nifty on programming, I think. Dunno how he feels about answering questions. I can also do philosophy to degree level at least, psychology to PhD, and a lot of science to maybe a bit above A level.

toxx

Dammit Alji; you didn't know JR. We begged and pleaded with him to get medical attention for over a year. He doesn't appear to have done so even when his foot was precariously close to the proverbial bucket. He pegged out within reach of a phone.

There's stubborn, and then there was JR. Maybe you inherit the title now. Somehow, I doubt it.

toxx

My programming skills are getting rustier by the minute so you'd better ask me before I forget! Maths a speciality too.


Hi Toxx,

How are things? Did you get down to JR's service?

Hi Icy. Wish I'd been able to make it, but my agoraphobia was pretty bad at the time as JR would have appreciated, being a fellow sufferer. Four folks from QQR went. Apparently the humanist service was enjoyed. JR's taste in music: Miles, Zappa etc.

I was a part contributor to the flowers. I wanted to send a cactus - about right for the ornery ol' git; or some magic mushrooms - summink he was quite keen on. Don't think the others exactly approved. Hey, it was fun asking.

Maths! How are you on the possibility of an actual infinite? I've discussed this so much that maybe you've already said. Pro tem I remain resident in room 'infinity-x' in Hilbert's Hotel.

toxx

I'll have a read up on the infinity thing - (I've got an OU tape I haven't watched yet). Sounds like a philosophical debate to me. A more interesting question would be what would you do with it if you knew what it actually was?

I really enjoyed this story on the subject, from Tony Benn's diaries of all places. His grandson asked him something like "Granddad - is 186,000 the biggest number in the world?" TB replied, "Ah, but what about 186,001?". The boy exclaimed, "Gosh, I was close, wasn't I?"

Cheers, Icy