Journal Entries
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The Richest Man I Know.
Posted Mar 8, 2005
The Richest Man I Know.
I know this guy that has a real successful business.
After talking to him the other day I realized a few interesting
things about life in general. We were shooting the breeze one
afternoon and I chided him that he was the richest man I know.
“I’d only get rich if I sold it all,” he said…
Now I’ve observed him over a fortnight of years and have seen
many things happen to him, good and bad. However one thing that
never changes about him is that he likes to have fun and wants everyone
around him to have the same. So here he is now after a quarter century
with six and a half dozen or so people working in his company still
making sure everyone is having a good time. That’s pretty good.
From my point of view he’s having the time of his life.
If you are living what you love to do, isn’t that what its all about?
Wouldn’t that be worth far more than mere mammon?
Well, after watching years of his generosity and continued success
I know one thing anyway. If he did sell it he might get a lot of money
but he sure wouldn’t be rich anymore. That would be like selling a
priceless treasure for a meal.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Mar 8, 2005
Who needs a PC?
Posted Jun 29, 2001
People often come to me and asked me for advice on what kind of computer (PC) to buy. In a way it's not unlike the purchase of a microwave oven, television, or a Mr. Defense Home Nuclear Missile Security System. In other words get a good idea about what you want the thing to do before you end up being sold way too many things you don't need.
The whole PC industry seems to be going in the same direction as television did in the late 60's to now. For example when my dear old Dad finally broke down and got a color TV they were still at that point where you had to fiddle with them a bit to get them to work properly. I still remember my dad spending lots of time behind our set pulling things out and putting them back in. He'd emerge every few minutes with smeared glasses, sweaty forehead, bloodied knuckles and constrained expression on his face as if he had been constipated for the better part of his life.
That is where computers are today. If you didn't have the moxie to fix it back then you were at the mercy of the TV repairman. We all know the picture that conjures up... Here's mine... He's got an enormous box of tools with all sorts of electrical looking gadgets and gripping thingies. He's got cigar breath and B.O. And of course the telltale butt crack...
He's usually friendly but not on your list of persons you are most likely to hang out with. The only difference between now and then really, is the repairman. Now we have squeaky voiced, sarcastic little "men" with a penchant for psychologically torturing all persons non technical. They have a real knack for making you feel insignificant and yet at the same time giving you the idea that the world as we know it would end without them.
You know who I mean. They are usually the last guy you talk to at tech support after you've exhausted all the junior tech phone answerers with Chinese or Indian accents.
Very rare are the jolly computer people that smile and laugh and make people feel good about themselves and their pc problems. Oh that reminds me, the last Friday in July is National System Administrator Day. So if you have a computer person that keeps your system intact and answers all your questions in a non condescending fashion, that is a day to reward them. I'm not sure but I've heard they prefer large amounts of cash or large amounts of time at secluded tropical resorts. Don't bother with presents that have company logos on them though, because all that stuff is piled up in the back of his office already. At least that's what I've heard anyway.
So, what computer should you buy? Last years model on sale. It will be outdated in a year or so anyway. In a few years the PC will probably become as cheap as a television is now. What kind of microwave? One that can actually pop a bag of corn and boil water. As for the home security system? I prefer a barking dog and a 12 gauge pump. If the dog doesn't scare them, the sound of the action closing surely will.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Jun 29, 2001
Mouse Lint
Posted Mar 28, 2001
DON'T PANIC
Tiny bits of advice for life in the Universe.
By Agnes Microbe,
Hitchhiker's Guide Field Researcher 141498
Lint and its Virtues April 2001
The dictionary says:
The fluffy bits of fiber that result when friction comes into contact with many materials. To keep it simple, lets say clothes. The places it is found can be as diverse as the materials it comes from. Such as...
Belly button or navel lint, (we'll pretend this includes in this writing all varieties found on the human body).
Pocket lint and sock lint are closely related to dryer lint. Pocket lint will contain things that are not from clothing but carried in them. For instance gum, rust, ink, dried worms, sand, or that green crud that grows on old coppers.
Sock lint will include anything stepped in or found in a shoe, use your imagination...
And dryer lint, everyone knows what that is. But, I'll bet you didn't know that in the middle of the 20th century dryer lint was actually a status symbol. If there was lint on ones clothing it could be assumed that they could afford a dryer. This disappeared rather quickly however with the creation of Laundromats. So, by now you are wondering, "what is with all this postulation of lint?" I'll continue...
There is a new lint that we have to deal with here in the dawn of the third millennium. It will also probably be unheard of in a decade with the advancement of technology.
Mouse lint...
Through the continuous gyrations of the rubber coated steel ball in its base, the common computer mouse creates its own style of lint. And it is also comprised of every type of matter that comes into contact with the mousepad... Dandruff, (insert favorite beverage name here), sweat, candy fragments, or that tiny green thing you sneezed out a few minutes ago and haven't found yet. It all goes into the little hole in the mouse base for lint processing.
The remedy...
Remove the cover on the mouse's base and clean out the lint. Use a Q-tip dampened with alcohol or a blunt tweezers. Take care not to injure mousie's internal organs. Clean off the ball and put it back together while reciting this sacred mantra...
Mouse! Mouse!
I love you so much!
You sit on my desk,
And respond to my touch.
You make clicking noises,
When I press on you.
You never need feeding,
You don't even poo.
The latter poem isn't mine but I don't know who wrote it and if it's yours please please tell me and not the BBC.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Mar 28, 2001
Viruses or Virii
Posted Dec 21, 2000
DONT PANIC
Tiny bits of advice for life in the Universe.
By Agnes Microbe,
Hitchhikers Guide Field Researcher 141498 Dec. 20,2000
In the last couple of months I have come across a few virus attacks in my email. Only one of them was really nasty, it deleted every picture file on the hard drive. (thank the gods for backups.) Other viruses, (or virii), rend the computer system inoperable. Up to this point, (in ten years or so), I have never really come across many viruses at all. However, in the last week Ive been hit twice.
Whats an emailer to do?
First, dont panic, these things are meant to make people afraid and to spread fear and chaos through the masses.
Second, if you get an email from someone you never heard of, dont open it. Delete it right away. Even especially those that promise youve won 23 bazillion dollars, and so on. Others to watch for are emails with attachments ending in exe, scr, or vbs.
Example: dwarf4you.scr or the recently famous navidad.exe
Third, purchase a copy of anti-virus software and update it and your Windows software regularly. Norton or McAfee have fine products. Ask your local computer person for details.
Last, backup backup and then backup your data. In other words, if you want to keep your stuff safe, make backups. This may sound redundant but, if you want to keep your stuff safe, make backups. Oh yes, if you want to keep your stuff safe, make backups. You have been warned.
Why do people do this sort of thing? Who knows? Probably bored or hateful or vindictive. At any rate its a shame that their talents are wasted on such a negative pursuit.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Dec 21, 2000
Viruses or Virii
Posted Dec 21, 2000
DON’T PANIC
Tiny bits of advice for life in the Universe.
By Agnes Microbe,
Hitchhiker’s Guide Field Researcher 141498 Dec. 20,2000
In the last couple of months I have come across a few virus attacks in my email. Only one of them was really nasty, it deleted every picture file on the hard drive. (thank the gods for backups.) Other viruses, (or virii), rend the computer system inoperable. Up to this point, (in ten years or so), I have never really come across many viruses at all. However, in the last week I’ve been hit twice.
What’s an emailer to do?
First, don’t panic, these things are meant to make people afraid and to spread fear and chaos through the masses.
Second, if you get an email from someone you never heard of, don’t open it. Delete it right away. Even especially those that promise you’ve won 23 bazillion dollars, and so on. Others to watch for are emails with attachments ending in exe, scr, or vbs.
Example: dwarf4you.scr or the recently famous navidad.exe
Third, purchase a copy of anti-virus software and update it and your Windows software regularly. Norton or McAfee have fine products. Ask your local computer person for details.
Last, backup backup and then backup your data. In other words, if you want to keep your stuff safe, make backups. This may sound redundant but, if you want to keep your stuff safe, make backups. Oh yes, if you want to keep your stuff safe, make backups. You have been warned.
Why do people do this sort of thing? Who knows? Probably bored or hateful or vindictive. At any rate its a shame that their talents are wasted on such a negative pursuit.
Discuss this Journal entry [1]
Latest reply: Dec 21, 2000
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Agnes Microbe
Researcher U141498
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