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

Work has slowed down quite nicely since the boat gallery opened - though I still haven't quite finished the boat gallery webpages (oops) I shall let you know when they are up so you can admire my handiwork at both html and exhibition work (ha ha - my input was miniscule).

Just getting down to some normal work stuff really - the collection database is supposed to be my actual proper job, but currently I am writing the guidebook to the boat gallery (on sale soon at a Dover Museum near you), and have just been assigned to research some domestic interior/design history for our big summer exhibition (this is quite scary - my degree is in art history, but we didn't cover Anglo-Saxon interior design - and I have forgotten everything I learnt anyway), and also I have to draft some notes for our collection management 5-year plan and - blimey, I'm going to be so busy next week. It's all quite exciting stuff really.

Work is great at the moment, actually

Gosh, you seem to have your work cut out for you, don't you?

I'm stuck right now waiting for some development material to arrive. I otherwise have virtually nothing to do (which could also be a source of stress in itself).

I have purchased three games for my PC so far. The first one crashes from time to time but I made it to the end. The second one destroyed my hard drive and I had to reinstall Win98 and Linux (as I mentioned earlier). The third one, although it doesn't destory my hard drive, crashes constantly and I can't get anywhere in it. I think my sound driver is to blame. Welcome to Windows. Where did you want to go today?

You wouldn't have thought they'd be able to get away with such a stranglehold in the market with such a shockingly dodgy product. I can't imagine how they do it. If anything else (e.g. a vcr or tv, or a car for instance) broke so often and caused so many problems with products designed to go with it - I mean what if 2/3rds of your DVDs just decided not to play or just f**k about with the player - it wouldn't be tolerated.

Just shocking - I think somebody should sue

Given the amount of money and the number of lawyers that Microsoft has at its disposal, I think _everybody_ would have to sue in order to stand a chance.

Damn, I think there might be something worng with my new computer. I bought a fourth game and, although it's playable, it still crashes from time to time just like the other three games.

I suppose I'll have to go buy Norton Utilities or something now. These new fangled computers are quite the money pits, aren't they?

Surely someone of your intelligence and technical knowledge can ascertain the problem from 50 paces.

Sounds like either sound or video drivers to me

Yes, well I'm neither a hardware guy nor a Windows guy. All my previous programming experience has been on console systems (Genesis, SNES, PSX, Saturn). The only reason I suspect it to be the sound driver is it is the only DirectX driver that isn't certified by Microsoft. All of my drivers are now updated to the most recent versions available, but no improvement. I'm starting to think my memory SIMM may be bad.

It wouldn't surprise me if Windows deliberately caused subtle crashing if it detected a non-certified driver.

But surely they wouldn't sink to such devious technical skullduggery? Any joy yet?

I'm feeling a little overworked at the mo. I didn't realise there was so much work invovled in all my little projects - but there is not enough hours in the day. And my college work starts again today (after about a months break between units) - blimey.

Crikey - what a tiring day I've had today.

One of those annoying days which you spend doing loads and loads with a net result of absolutely nothing. Tried to get through to a handful of people, none of which answered their phones; then a very long meeting which ended up more like a slanging match with everyone trying to offload more work onto everyone else (good result for me though, as I somehow managed to duck most of the bucks being passed )

But, blimey, am I tired now?

(ans. Yes)

Random question - do you get the same ads at the top of your h2g2 window as we do? i assume you do.

Microsoft resort to skullduggery? Heavens, no! They'd never do something like that to stay on top with unreliable software.

Still no joy, although I'm currently enjoying Might and Magic VII (in-between crashes) and it's devouring most of my leisure time (which is why I haven't been on h2g2 with the staggering frequency I once enjoyed).

I agree that there just isn't enough hours in the day. After all my daily naps are taken into account, there's almost no time left to play Might and Magic, it seems.

I took this test on the internet ( http://www.emode.com/tests/dog2.html ) to see what kind of dog I would be (if I were a dog). Here's what it came back with:

<>

Funny thing is that, in a couple of places, it's not too far off.

Yes, I get the same ads you do, with prices in pounds and everything (referring to that action ad). Adforce, the company that sources the advertisements, has a set of ads geared towards the site, and not the individual using the site, although cookies can allow web tracking which can steer some advertising in the direction of the stuff you look at most often.

Well - apart from wanting more to be a cat - I took the test, and I am a PUG

"You are most like a PUG. You are a lot of dog wrapped in a small package. Your witty humor and undeniable charm puts you at the top of everyone's list. You are blessed with both intelligence and an infectious personality. You are a happy breed who has perfect manners, yet still has a playful and mischievous side. You are admired and respected by all who know you. "

I liked the bit about intelligence and infectious personality

Well, they were certainly right about the "mischievous" part. I can vouch for that.

Thank you, honey. I thought the pug description was pretty fair - but then I would, wouldn't I. I mean, I answered the questions the way I wanted to, so sort of expected a favourable answer...

I am only a little mischevious though

I still laugh over that "You treacherous beast" comment of yours.

may I quote you :

"but I'm pretty sure that we appreciate eccentricity and irony over here as well. Perhaps, with this 'weevil' nonsense, nobody quite 'gets' where I'm coming from, if you know what I mean. I know Frizzychick understands what it's all about, because she started it all..."

Now please read the last sentenc and digest thoroughly...

Now are you or are you not a treacherous beast....

Lol

Lordy, that's funny.

Perhaps I was mildly treacherous there, but then, I was more likely a simply being mischievous.

Ah, an admission of guilt (even if it is only mild guilt) - you might have thought it a little innocent mischeiviousness, but my reputation is at stake!

And how could you shirk your responsibilty as Founder of All This Weevil Nonsense?

Look, I'm not shirking. I was only having a bit of fun with something you'd said on your page. Really, I was hoping you'd read it just so I could read your reply (and a memorable reply it was, at that).

I would never shirk my responsibilities toward my little weevil pals.

Most humble apologies for such a low-down dirty accusation - deep in my heart I jknow you only mean the best for your weevil hoards