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#61
General Discussion / Re: Total solar eclipse, April...
Last post by Jason - April 02, 2024, 09:44:29 PMFingers crossed! I received my eclipse glasses today along with the masks. Both appear to be good quality. I shared a link to the website here and on Facebook and somebody ordered. If it was from here, thank you! They gave me a $5 discount on my next order. I didn't even know they did that.
#62
General Discussion / Re: Creating a Christmas Linux...
Last post by buster - April 02, 2024, 09:29:15 AMChapter 11: Doing the outside connections and finally testing
I put the glass wall on the side of the case and gazed through it at the work we had finished so far. Maybe I was old fashioned, but I didn't see the point of the transparency. Maybe this is a trend and in the future we'll have transparent toasters and automobiles.
Anyway, having speculated on glass sides, I put the finished product near the monitor.
"Now," I said to the twins, "we have the outside connections to do. One of you bring the mouse, and one the keyboard." When they stood quietly waiting beside me I told them to look at the connector part.
"Can you see any slots that might hold those?"
They looked at the top front of the case. Good enough for now I thought.
"There are two black slots and one blue one," said Emmie with a question in her tone. "They look about right."
"Use the black ones. Flip the connector over if you can see it wont fit." And so the keyboard and the mouse were connected.
"Eddie, find the cable that comes from the little TV on the desk. The TV is our monitor."
And he rummaged around behind in some more mess and came up with the cable. I took the cable and showed the end to Emmie and asked her to crawl around behind the case and see if she could find something it might fit in, which she did with alarming speed.
"Eddie, hold the light, and Emmie point with your finger." I leaned over and put the cable in. "Now pick up that blue cable that comes out of the wall and see if you can see the spot it goes."
I guess this was like 'Finding Elmo' to them. Eddie saw the spot after both of them looked for a longer time than they had on the other searches. With this cable I connected the Bell contraption upstairs to the case myself.
"So we'll be connected to the Internet if the computer works, and now there is only the power cable, and I'll do that."
And the Christmas Mint Computer was assembled and connected. Next came the test.
*
"I'll get Aunt Mar," and Emmie rushed out of the room and up the stairs.
"Why would we want your Aunt here? It might not work you know."
Eddie assumed a ridiculously pompous pose and said, " No big deal. We learn through our mistakes you know." I wondered who had given him that bit of wisdom, and who was he imitating with the pose?
When the four of us were in position, I asked who should be allowed to start the machine. Both said Aunt Mar immediately. Sadly I had to face that fact that she was always the favourite. I wasn't even considered to be in the running. I was relegated to taking a few pictures while Marilyn, centre stage, standing between E&E, punched the button and smiled, and the screen glowed into life.
The Christmas Computer was alive and well, and I sent some pictures to their Mom's phone, and the kids hugged Marilyn.
Tomorrow: Chapter 12: Cloning in Linux – a work around for the feeble minded
I put the glass wall on the side of the case and gazed through it at the work we had finished so far. Maybe I was old fashioned, but I didn't see the point of the transparency. Maybe this is a trend and in the future we'll have transparent toasters and automobiles.
Anyway, having speculated on glass sides, I put the finished product near the monitor.
"Now," I said to the twins, "we have the outside connections to do. One of you bring the mouse, and one the keyboard." When they stood quietly waiting beside me I told them to look at the connector part.
"Can you see any slots that might hold those?"
They looked at the top front of the case. Good enough for now I thought.
"There are two black slots and one blue one," said Emmie with a question in her tone. "They look about right."
"Use the black ones. Flip the connector over if you can see it wont fit." And so the keyboard and the mouse were connected.
"Eddie, find the cable that comes from the little TV on the desk. The TV is our monitor."
And he rummaged around behind in some more mess and came up with the cable. I took the cable and showed the end to Emmie and asked her to crawl around behind the case and see if she could find something it might fit in, which she did with alarming speed.
"Eddie, hold the light, and Emmie point with your finger." I leaned over and put the cable in. "Now pick up that blue cable that comes out of the wall and see if you can see the spot it goes."
I guess this was like 'Finding Elmo' to them. Eddie saw the spot after both of them looked for a longer time than they had on the other searches. With this cable I connected the Bell contraption upstairs to the case myself.
"So we'll be connected to the Internet if the computer works, and now there is only the power cable, and I'll do that."
And the Christmas Mint Computer was assembled and connected. Next came the test.
*
"I'll get Aunt Mar," and Emmie rushed out of the room and up the stairs.
"Why would we want your Aunt here? It might not work you know."
Eddie assumed a ridiculously pompous pose and said, " No big deal. We learn through our mistakes you know." I wondered who had given him that bit of wisdom, and who was he imitating with the pose?
When the four of us were in position, I asked who should be allowed to start the machine. Both said Aunt Mar immediately. Sadly I had to face that fact that she was always the favourite. I wasn't even considered to be in the running. I was relegated to taking a few pictures while Marilyn, centre stage, standing between E&E, punched the button and smiled, and the screen glowed into life.
The Christmas Computer was alive and well, and I sent some pictures to their Mom's phone, and the kids hugged Marilyn.
Tomorrow: Chapter 12: Cloning in Linux – a work around for the feeble minded
#63
General Discussion / Re: Total solar eclipse, April...
Last post by William - April 01, 2024, 06:24:41 PMLong range weather forecast says, "Mostly Sunny" for Cobourg and Port Hope area, and "Mostly Cloudy" for Toronto, Niagara, and Lake Erie side.
#64
General Discussion / Re: Total solar eclipse, April...
Last post by Jason - March 30, 2024, 10:05:37 PMJust to be safe, I ordered a cheap pair of Eclipse glasses from PPE Supply. They're a Canadian company and were on the list of approved dealers. While Temu's products are generally good, I should be more careful. I wouldn't rely on dollar store medical masks so I shouldn't trust anything health-related from them, either. Thanks for reminding me of this, Bill.
The cost was $16 for a pair of cardboard glasses and shipping was $10 for Expedited Parcel. They also sell masks so I grabbed some while I was there. They have Canadian and imported varieties of masks and are fully certified by Health Canada to ensure those imported also meet the standards.
The cost was $16 for a pair of cardboard glasses and shipping was $10 for Expedited Parcel. They also sell masks so I grabbed some while I was there. They have Canadian and imported varieties of masks and are fully certified by Health Canada to ensure those imported also meet the standards.
#65
General Discussion / Re: Total solar eclipse, April...
Last post by Jason - March 30, 2024, 09:13:13 PMQuote from: ssfc72 on March 26, 2024, 04:01:53 AMBe careful with those solar viewers from Temu, Jason. Anything from Temu is highly suspect as being poor quality or fake.
Thanks, Bill. The Planetary Society website also has the same suggestions and an approved list of sellers. One of the tips to check for safety is to wear them on a sunny day and note if you see anything. Looking through them is impossible. Looks completely reflective on the outside, black as space from the inside. But thanks for the warning.
#66
General Discussion / Re: Creating a Christmas Linux...
Last post by Jason - March 30, 2024, 08:51:53 PMDude! I just finished the first two chapters. I was trying to set aside some time to look at it. I see now that you've already posted nine more! Slow down and give a middle-aged guy time before the next installment. 
But seriously, I'm enjoying the story thus far. I see that wine is already playing a large role. Is this a foreshadowing or does it reflect what you were doing when you wrote the chapter? I guess I'll find out soon. I'd say keep going but you already have.
I'll proceed when my headspace is clearer. I hate to blase through without being able to appreciate your prose. However, it's already piqued my interest so I'll be on the other chapters soon enough.
But seriously, I'm enjoying the story thus far. I see that wine is already playing a large role. Is this a foreshadowing or does it reflect what you were doing when you wrote the chapter? I guess I'll find out soon. I'd say keep going but you already have.
I'll proceed when my headspace is clearer. I hate to blase through without being able to appreciate your prose. However, it's already piqued my interest so I'll be on the other chapters soon enough.
#67
General Discussion / Re: Creating a Christmas Linux...
Last post by buster - March 30, 2024, 09:15:12 AMChapter 10: Recalling how things go together inside the case
I knew right away the distinct sound of these steps coming down the stairs, first one pair and then another. My sanctuary was being invaded.
"Hi Uncle Bus. This room is a mess." This was spoken by a young female voice.
"Hi Uncle Bus. Whatcha doin?" This was spoken by a young male voice.
I sighed. "Hi E&E. I thought you were helping Aunt Mar."
"Boring," said one or the other, I can't remember which.
"Putting groceries away is useful and necessary. And now that you are almost as tall as your Aunt, you can help."
The voice that hadn't already said boring, said, "Boring."
"Why are you here?"
"Mom sent us over," said Emmie.
I tried to explain. "You know that we're not really related to you. We're not actually your aunt and uncle."
"Wrong," said Eddie. "Mom has explained that on Saturdays she needs some rest, and on Saturdays we are totally related."
I put my head back and looked at the ceiling, noting a small spider. Maybe this arachnid was interested in computers, or maybe she was resting upside down doing spider yoga. It would be awesome to be able to walk across the ceiling. Or just hang there. As a human I mean. I doubt it's interesting to be a spider, spinning webs and having to eat, without even salt and pepper, bugs. And forget about Ketchup.
Maybe I should have told E&E what's on the ceiling and they would have left and never come back. I rethought that. If they never came back I'd miss them for sure. I'll tell them when they become teenagers. I'll import even more spiders.
"So I'm building a desktop computer from all those parts over there." The parts were spread out over a small table I'd imported from the TV room. "And stay away from all of them unless I send you for something."
"How can you work down here? It's so messy." This was Emmie of course.
"It's kind of dark." This was the rational voice of Eddie.
"First task for Eddie. Go upstairs and get the emergency light below the microwave. Lift it out of its charger and bring it down please. And remember to carry it carefully." This sort of task still pleased him and off he went.
"Emmie, go over there and bring back..." and she went and brought back the Gigabyte motherboard.
"How did you know what to bring back?"
"Well it's the biggest, so it has to go in first." Hard to argue with that. And Eddie came in.
While I watched him enter, and after taking the board from Emmie, I carelessly stuck it in the case and said,"So I'll show you how this goes in." Unfortunately it didn't fit.
Eddie looked at it a moment. "Rotate it 180 degrees. Now it should fit."
"I was just testing to see if you two could figure that out."
There was silence for a bit and finally Emmie said, "I doubt that."
*
The next step was pleasant for me. I just had to hold the bright light. They loved using the magnetic screwdriver to carefully lower the screws in and turn until each had a snug fit. They took turns. When I do it I'm always fishing about later for dropped screws. They never dropped one. And so the motherboard was now securely in place.
"That's great," I congratulated. "You two are almost as good as I am."
After a silent pause Emmie said, "We were perfect. The word 'almost' seems wrong to me."
*
"The power unit, the big thing that looks like an octopus. That's what goes in next," and I pointed. Eddie went and brought it back. "And bring the bag of screws Emmie. We have to make sure we have enough that fit."
They put them in with nimble fingers to test, and took them out and made a little pile. They had one too many.
Eddie looked at me when I questioned him about the extra. "The extra will be needed if we lose one." And he got a 'you dummy' look on his face. I was a little offended.
So I was relegated to holding the unit in place, they put in the screws, and it was quickly and efficiently done. They made me feel redundant.
*
Finding where cables go is always hit and miss for me. It's not as if any of us do this sort of thing each day. But connecting the old hard drive for power and then to the motherboard were skills still somewhere in my brain. Power to the motherboard was straightforward after a think, and the motherboard connection was soon in place. I like that generally if the connectors fit they are in the correct spot, if they don't fit they are in the wrong place. And to finish off the inside work, the new case had some wires already in place that could only fit easily in one spot on the motherboard. They were for the little lights that come on when you turn on the computer, or the red one that flashes during updates. There may have been something else but I don't remember. It seemed to me we were hooked up inside.
(There will be no post on Sunday or Monday. Tuesday the story will continue.)
Chapter 11: Doing the outside connections and finally testing
I knew right away the distinct sound of these steps coming down the stairs, first one pair and then another. My sanctuary was being invaded.
"Hi Uncle Bus. This room is a mess." This was spoken by a young female voice.
"Hi Uncle Bus. Whatcha doin?" This was spoken by a young male voice.
I sighed. "Hi E&E. I thought you were helping Aunt Mar."
"Boring," said one or the other, I can't remember which.
"Putting groceries away is useful and necessary. And now that you are almost as tall as your Aunt, you can help."
The voice that hadn't already said boring, said, "Boring."
"Why are you here?"
"Mom sent us over," said Emmie.
I tried to explain. "You know that we're not really related to you. We're not actually your aunt and uncle."
"Wrong," said Eddie. "Mom has explained that on Saturdays she needs some rest, and on Saturdays we are totally related."
I put my head back and looked at the ceiling, noting a small spider. Maybe this arachnid was interested in computers, or maybe she was resting upside down doing spider yoga. It would be awesome to be able to walk across the ceiling. Or just hang there. As a human I mean. I doubt it's interesting to be a spider, spinning webs and having to eat, without even salt and pepper, bugs. And forget about Ketchup.
Maybe I should have told E&E what's on the ceiling and they would have left and never come back. I rethought that. If they never came back I'd miss them for sure. I'll tell them when they become teenagers. I'll import even more spiders.
"So I'm building a desktop computer from all those parts over there." The parts were spread out over a small table I'd imported from the TV room. "And stay away from all of them unless I send you for something."
"How can you work down here? It's so messy." This was Emmie of course.
"It's kind of dark." This was the rational voice of Eddie.
"First task for Eddie. Go upstairs and get the emergency light below the microwave. Lift it out of its charger and bring it down please. And remember to carry it carefully." This sort of task still pleased him and off he went.
"Emmie, go over there and bring back..." and she went and brought back the Gigabyte motherboard.
"How did you know what to bring back?"
"Well it's the biggest, so it has to go in first." Hard to argue with that. And Eddie came in.
While I watched him enter, and after taking the board from Emmie, I carelessly stuck it in the case and said,"So I'll show you how this goes in." Unfortunately it didn't fit.
Eddie looked at it a moment. "Rotate it 180 degrees. Now it should fit."
"I was just testing to see if you two could figure that out."
There was silence for a bit and finally Emmie said, "I doubt that."
*
The next step was pleasant for me. I just had to hold the bright light. They loved using the magnetic screwdriver to carefully lower the screws in and turn until each had a snug fit. They took turns. When I do it I'm always fishing about later for dropped screws. They never dropped one. And so the motherboard was now securely in place.
"That's great," I congratulated. "You two are almost as good as I am."
After a silent pause Emmie said, "We were perfect. The word 'almost' seems wrong to me."
*
"The power unit, the big thing that looks like an octopus. That's what goes in next," and I pointed. Eddie went and brought it back. "And bring the bag of screws Emmie. We have to make sure we have enough that fit."
They put them in with nimble fingers to test, and took them out and made a little pile. They had one too many.
Eddie looked at me when I questioned him about the extra. "The extra will be needed if we lose one." And he got a 'you dummy' look on his face. I was a little offended.
So I was relegated to holding the unit in place, they put in the screws, and it was quickly and efficiently done. They made me feel redundant.
*
Finding where cables go is always hit and miss for me. It's not as if any of us do this sort of thing each day. But connecting the old hard drive for power and then to the motherboard were skills still somewhere in my brain. Power to the motherboard was straightforward after a think, and the motherboard connection was soon in place. I like that generally if the connectors fit they are in the correct spot, if they don't fit they are in the wrong place. And to finish off the inside work, the new case had some wires already in place that could only fit easily in one spot on the motherboard. They were for the little lights that come on when you turn on the computer, or the red one that flashes during updates. There may have been something else but I don't remember. It seemed to me we were hooked up inside.
(There will be no post on Sunday or Monday. Tuesday the story will continue.)
Chapter 11: Doing the outside connections and finally testing
#68
General Discussion / Re: Creating a Christmas Linux...
Last post by buster - March 29, 2024, 09:17:27 AMChapter 8: The Recalcitrant Bolt
"My kingdom for a horse!" I could have yelled. It is a dramatic line in the play, and I faced a dramatic moment. Nothing was worth doing with the computer unless the bolt could be removed. So start with the bolt.
Richard III thought he had it bad. All he ended up doing was dying, and it was a long time ago so it doesn't really matter. But I had a motherboard I couldn't seat because of a tiny bolt. I had thought, optimistically it turned out, simple snips could solve the problem. But a glance at any motherboard shows metal in groves winding all over the surface, and a scrape with snips on any of these metal trails could prove disastrous. I would have risked it if the bolt was not so tight to the surface on both sides.
I tried a variety of tiny screwdrivers, even one for eye glasses. They just made the hole in the top of the bolt smoother and deeper.
The only solution would require nerves of steel, which I had never been famous for. But then as my dad always said, "Faint heart never won the fair maiden."
But first a sandwich, a walk around the block even though it was cold, a sit by the window, and a bit of reading. Delay is the only weapon a coward has sometimes.
*
The laundry room has its share of mess as well as the computer work room, it's just a different type of mess, with different components in the clutter. What useful things it does have are various pieces of scrap wood and many tools not arranged in an orderly manner.
The ski bench has a good solid surface and it has an electrical outlet for running power tools and charging batteries. My first task was to build a platform of short pieces of wood that I could stretch out the patient on before the surgery. I tested the stability of the motherboard on the wood by pressing with fingers and it was solid. Everything looked stable, and the only thing I had to do now was to find my heavy drill, position it above the motherboard, hold if firmly, and lower it in such a way that it didn't rip great gaping holes in this thing of delicacy lying peacefully below the descending danger
.
The bolt had a tiny depression in the top from other people who had used a tiny screwdriver attempting to remove it, fortunately without success or I wouldn't own it now. All I had to do was locate the drill and a tiny drill bit, and work out a method to keep the heavy drill stable and under control. All too soon everything was ready and the challenge was before me. Now or never I supposed. The old pro against this feeble not even usable bolt. My intelligence against its stubbornness. It didn't stand a chance.
*
I pulled the stool over, sat, and confirmed the drill was turning in the right direction, having unhappy memories of having thrown the sliding direction switch in the wrong direction, maybe more than a few times. I decided wide apart elbows would provide the most reliable body stance so I picked up the drill, and placed my elbows but still felt uncomfortable.
Decidedly awkward.
I brought my elbows closer together and wiggled a bit until they rested solidly on the ski bench, both hands on the heavy portable drill, holding it steadily in the air. Having a new computer or not depended on my having ice in my veins, or some such thing. Putting computers together from less than perfect parts is an unappreciated skill in our society. Just pointing this out.
I put the drill bit in the tiny hole, got comfortable and motionless, and squeezed the trigger ever so slightly. The bolt disintegrated immediately, and fell through. A totally unworthy adversary. A pall of disappointment descended. There had been a 'burrr' of sound from the drill and it was all over. No drama, excitement, or sense of achievement. What was the worry all about?
Still, I lifted the drill, blew on the bit like a cowboy blowing smoke from his six-shooter, and relaxed. All that anxiety for nothing.
Chapter 9: The Gathering of Parts
In every older computer enthusiast's home there is a sacred large plastic container filled with the litter from previous battles with old computers. Spouses must be constantly reminded that this accumulation of parts is not to be thrown out. It is very valuable, we say, though that is not really true at all. In the plastic container will be found power case cords that apparent keep breeding in captivity, mice that sort of work and are used in an emergency, remote mice that have no little pieces that plug into the laptop, as these have been safely stored somewhere now forgotten, audio chords that haven't been used in at least a decade, and speakers that can't be used because they have no electrical amplification and don't work anymore in the modern era. Correction. A bit of sound might come out, so they could be used maybe as the largest earphones on the planet. There are also keyboards that have one key that doesn't function, but that could be used as long as the non-functioning letter isn't an 'e'. I also have a router that generally works.
In the sacred plastic container I found a box about the size of a pizza box that used to have a motherboard in it. What it still had were lovely yellow cables to connect SSDs to motherboards, and various other odds and ends.
But it didn't have a little bag of tiny screws of various sizes that would connect the motherboard to the side of the case. I found two in a cup with the pencils and one behind the old computer desk, but no more. Because these were so necessary and small, they had been carefully stored in a mysterious place, so mysterious that a spell had been cast and I couldn't remember where it was.
I did have a reasonable wire in mouse and keyboard from deceased computers. But I needed to find the little plastic bag. I had the magnetic screwdriver that fits the head of the screws, and these magnetic drivers are in the same category as sliced bread as far as I'm concerned. Don't go to the computer assembly room without one. But I didn't have the little shiny things. Duct Tape wouldn't do this job.
*
Three o'clock in the morning is an odd time to remember where something is. I figure the protective spell over its hiding place became weak at night and didn't keep the location unknowable. Immediately I got quietly out of bed, making sure not to awaken the potential spell caster, and went straight to the bag in my top dresser drawer. It was not far away and it definitely was not in the basement. So I put the bag of screws where I would see it, right beside my toothbrush, went back to bed, and slept soundly. The gathering of parts was complete.
(And just in time for E&E's visit.)
Chapter 10: Recalling how things go together inside the case
"My kingdom for a horse!" I could have yelled. It is a dramatic line in the play, and I faced a dramatic moment. Nothing was worth doing with the computer unless the bolt could be removed. So start with the bolt.
Richard III thought he had it bad. All he ended up doing was dying, and it was a long time ago so it doesn't really matter. But I had a motherboard I couldn't seat because of a tiny bolt. I had thought, optimistically it turned out, simple snips could solve the problem. But a glance at any motherboard shows metal in groves winding all over the surface, and a scrape with snips on any of these metal trails could prove disastrous. I would have risked it if the bolt was not so tight to the surface on both sides.
I tried a variety of tiny screwdrivers, even one for eye glasses. They just made the hole in the top of the bolt smoother and deeper.
The only solution would require nerves of steel, which I had never been famous for. But then as my dad always said, "Faint heart never won the fair maiden."
But first a sandwich, a walk around the block even though it was cold, a sit by the window, and a bit of reading. Delay is the only weapon a coward has sometimes.
*
The laundry room has its share of mess as well as the computer work room, it's just a different type of mess, with different components in the clutter. What useful things it does have are various pieces of scrap wood and many tools not arranged in an orderly manner.
The ski bench has a good solid surface and it has an electrical outlet for running power tools and charging batteries. My first task was to build a platform of short pieces of wood that I could stretch out the patient on before the surgery. I tested the stability of the motherboard on the wood by pressing with fingers and it was solid. Everything looked stable, and the only thing I had to do now was to find my heavy drill, position it above the motherboard, hold if firmly, and lower it in such a way that it didn't rip great gaping holes in this thing of delicacy lying peacefully below the descending danger
.
The bolt had a tiny depression in the top from other people who had used a tiny screwdriver attempting to remove it, fortunately without success or I wouldn't own it now. All I had to do was locate the drill and a tiny drill bit, and work out a method to keep the heavy drill stable and under control. All too soon everything was ready and the challenge was before me. Now or never I supposed. The old pro against this feeble not even usable bolt. My intelligence against its stubbornness. It didn't stand a chance.
*
I pulled the stool over, sat, and confirmed the drill was turning in the right direction, having unhappy memories of having thrown the sliding direction switch in the wrong direction, maybe more than a few times. I decided wide apart elbows would provide the most reliable body stance so I picked up the drill, and placed my elbows but still felt uncomfortable.
Decidedly awkward.
I brought my elbows closer together and wiggled a bit until they rested solidly on the ski bench, both hands on the heavy portable drill, holding it steadily in the air. Having a new computer or not depended on my having ice in my veins, or some such thing. Putting computers together from less than perfect parts is an unappreciated skill in our society. Just pointing this out.
I put the drill bit in the tiny hole, got comfortable and motionless, and squeezed the trigger ever so slightly. The bolt disintegrated immediately, and fell through. A totally unworthy adversary. A pall of disappointment descended. There had been a 'burrr' of sound from the drill and it was all over. No drama, excitement, or sense of achievement. What was the worry all about?
Still, I lifted the drill, blew on the bit like a cowboy blowing smoke from his six-shooter, and relaxed. All that anxiety for nothing.
Chapter 9: The Gathering of Parts
In every older computer enthusiast's home there is a sacred large plastic container filled with the litter from previous battles with old computers. Spouses must be constantly reminded that this accumulation of parts is not to be thrown out. It is very valuable, we say, though that is not really true at all. In the plastic container will be found power case cords that apparent keep breeding in captivity, mice that sort of work and are used in an emergency, remote mice that have no little pieces that plug into the laptop, as these have been safely stored somewhere now forgotten, audio chords that haven't been used in at least a decade, and speakers that can't be used because they have no electrical amplification and don't work anymore in the modern era. Correction. A bit of sound might come out, so they could be used maybe as the largest earphones on the planet. There are also keyboards that have one key that doesn't function, but that could be used as long as the non-functioning letter isn't an 'e'. I also have a router that generally works.
In the sacred plastic container I found a box about the size of a pizza box that used to have a motherboard in it. What it still had were lovely yellow cables to connect SSDs to motherboards, and various other odds and ends.
But it didn't have a little bag of tiny screws of various sizes that would connect the motherboard to the side of the case. I found two in a cup with the pencils and one behind the old computer desk, but no more. Because these were so necessary and small, they had been carefully stored in a mysterious place, so mysterious that a spell had been cast and I couldn't remember where it was.
I did have a reasonable wire in mouse and keyboard from deceased computers. But I needed to find the little plastic bag. I had the magnetic screwdriver that fits the head of the screws, and these magnetic drivers are in the same category as sliced bread as far as I'm concerned. Don't go to the computer assembly room without one. But I didn't have the little shiny things. Duct Tape wouldn't do this job.
*
Three o'clock in the morning is an odd time to remember where something is. I figure the protective spell over its hiding place became weak at night and didn't keep the location unknowable. Immediately I got quietly out of bed, making sure not to awaken the potential spell caster, and went straight to the bag in my top dresser drawer. It was not far away and it definitely was not in the basement. So I put the bag of screws where I would see it, right beside my toothbrush, went back to bed, and slept soundly. The gathering of parts was complete.
(And just in time for E&E's visit.)
Chapter 10: Recalling how things go together inside the case
#69
General Discussion / Re: Creating a Christmas Linux...
Last post by buster - March 28, 2024, 11:30:40 AMChapter 7: A Surprise Gift from Ms Hui Yin Tao
The day after Boxing Day, while I was spreading peanut butter on my toast, Marilyn's voice came from the living room. "There's a brown truck in front of our driveway."
Together we looked for awhile through the front window at nothing happening. It reminded me of a meeting I had been sent to while still a teacher, and the unwise presenter had stopped the film to emphasize for some reason a beautiful flower. Nothing else was going on as we looked. I don't remember the purpose of the meeting, or what he said about the flower. It seemed nothing memorable was taking place. I do remember the very best part of his presentation though. The audience came alive when the projector's hot light burned a hole in the film, and on the screen we saw the flower catch fire and disappear. It was awesome.
The UPS sign was clear, but the knowledge that the original English family in Seattle who had started the now massive company over a hundred years ago had children named Ursula, Penelope and Severus has faded with time. The connection to the company name is obvious, though after I explained this, Marilyn made a derogatory noise sort of like a snort. I was somewhat offended. I do think my story is better than the real one. I am finding more and more that my family doesn't believe me as much as they used to. Strangers do. A friend of mine in Port Hope, a friend who doesn't get taken in, told me once I should take advantage of this skill. He said I could have made a lot of money as a pastor.
Finally a man wearing lots of clothes got out of the truck with a package and walked through the dusting of snow from overnight. I opened the front door and the hall temperature dropped to killing levels. He handed me a package a little larger than a shoe box and said 'here', turned quickly and scooted back to the truck which I assumed was warm.
Brilliant repartee this morning with Marilyn's snort and the deliver man's 'here'.
The package had a return address on it. I thought I knew from the text who the sender was, but written in the corner was the name that confirmed it. Hui Yin Tao. This was my Christmas present. And she had put a return address on the front so we now knew where she was living, which we had never known before. This was a surprise for both of us. I couldn't believe how close she was. Why Peterborough? And the address was so easy to remember.
I opened it quickly and found a lovely blue box. Inside was a gorgeous glass flower vase of swirling mixed greens and thin strands of dark blue. It was very beautiful and I would guess very expensive. I grinned, which was a mistake.
"Why are you grinning, and who is it from?"
Remembering the text I confidently said, "It's from your friend Ms Tao."
"My friend?" And she looked at me. "Then why why wasn't my name on the gift box?"
I knew how to handle this. "You know how the people from the far east are mysterious. It's hard to unravel why her affection for you would result in a present for me. We Westerners just don't understand their subtleties." I smiled innocently.
"But being the Westerner that I am, I do recognize, with my life experiences, and my clever mind, I do easily recognize sentences that are obviously horse-poop when I hear them. Is that the best you can do?"
I gave her the vase and said, "Here, I'm sure this is for you. Why would she send me a flower vase?"
Why indeed. I should have examined the vase more carefully before handing it over. And maybe I should have accidentally let it slip and smash on the floor. Built right into the glass was a plaque that said 'For flowers to honour happy memories of repairing old computer together'.
This refers to the time Ms Tao found an old style hard drive in my junk room. (That was described in Adventures with a 10 Year Old Desktop Trilogy - Book Three). And ever since she has believed that the two of us contributed equally to the improvement of that resurrected machine. But that's not the important part. Marilyn's knowledge of that togetherness in the junk room was not something I had shared. But I understood instantly that Ms Tao had shared, probably on one of those sunny summer days when the two of them had chatted endlessly on the front deck. And a side effect of the presence of the gorgeous Ms Tao on our deck was that our status increased immensely on the street. Many people walked over ostensibly to talk, but mostly to see this exotic creature up close. (The men walking dogs were the most comical, according to Marilyn. They didn't know how to start a conversation, and Ms Tao didn't choose to start anything, letting them stumble and suffer until they went away.)
"Was that the time Ms Tao said to you 'You sometimes very simple, for old person' because you... Just a minute. I wrote something else down. It should be on my dresser."
So I had to face the fact that Ms Tao had told her!
Marilyn came back reading and laughing. "I knew I'd kept it. Here's what she wrote:
"I see Buster in coffee shop when good son buy laptop. He very old and hairy."
Marilyn's mood darkened suddenly. Her eyebrows migrated skyward so high she was in danger of pulling the rest of her face off its moorings. "She was here with you and you never said anything?"
My mind working really frantically was interrupted by Marilyn's sudden laughter.
"Just to be clear, we are talking about the Ms Tao with the red lips you follow as she speaks, the same woman who wears unbelievable skirts that show nothing, but reveal everything as she moves, the woman who may be the most beautiful you have every seen, and you didn't tell me because..." More laughter. "Listen old and hairy man, 'for someone who has been around as long as you have, you have quite a simple mind.' Did she not write or say that?" Her comments and laughing did not make me happy, but at least Marilyn didn't throw things. Thank heaven for small mercies as my mother used to say.
Marilyn it seems is very tolerant, or convinced I couldn't charm even a woman with very bad eyes. The ability to charm seems to be one of those things that I left somewhere years ago, maybe on a park bench.
Tomorrow: Chapter 8: The Recalcitrant Bolt
The day after Boxing Day, while I was spreading peanut butter on my toast, Marilyn's voice came from the living room. "There's a brown truck in front of our driveway."
Together we looked for awhile through the front window at nothing happening. It reminded me of a meeting I had been sent to while still a teacher, and the unwise presenter had stopped the film to emphasize for some reason a beautiful flower. Nothing else was going on as we looked. I don't remember the purpose of the meeting, or what he said about the flower. It seemed nothing memorable was taking place. I do remember the very best part of his presentation though. The audience came alive when the projector's hot light burned a hole in the film, and on the screen we saw the flower catch fire and disappear. It was awesome.
The UPS sign was clear, but the knowledge that the original English family in Seattle who had started the now massive company over a hundred years ago had children named Ursula, Penelope and Severus has faded with time. The connection to the company name is obvious, though after I explained this, Marilyn made a derogatory noise sort of like a snort. I was somewhat offended. I do think my story is better than the real one. I am finding more and more that my family doesn't believe me as much as they used to. Strangers do. A friend of mine in Port Hope, a friend who doesn't get taken in, told me once I should take advantage of this skill. He said I could have made a lot of money as a pastor.
Finally a man wearing lots of clothes got out of the truck with a package and walked through the dusting of snow from overnight. I opened the front door and the hall temperature dropped to killing levels. He handed me a package a little larger than a shoe box and said 'here', turned quickly and scooted back to the truck which I assumed was warm.
Brilliant repartee this morning with Marilyn's snort and the deliver man's 'here'.
The package had a return address on it. I thought I knew from the text who the sender was, but written in the corner was the name that confirmed it. Hui Yin Tao. This was my Christmas present. And she had put a return address on the front so we now knew where she was living, which we had never known before. This was a surprise for both of us. I couldn't believe how close she was. Why Peterborough? And the address was so easy to remember.
I opened it quickly and found a lovely blue box. Inside was a gorgeous glass flower vase of swirling mixed greens and thin strands of dark blue. It was very beautiful and I would guess very expensive. I grinned, which was a mistake.
"Why are you grinning, and who is it from?"
Remembering the text I confidently said, "It's from your friend Ms Tao."
"My friend?" And she looked at me. "Then why why wasn't my name on the gift box?"
I knew how to handle this. "You know how the people from the far east are mysterious. It's hard to unravel why her affection for you would result in a present for me. We Westerners just don't understand their subtleties." I smiled innocently.
"But being the Westerner that I am, I do recognize, with my life experiences, and my clever mind, I do easily recognize sentences that are obviously horse-poop when I hear them. Is that the best you can do?"
I gave her the vase and said, "Here, I'm sure this is for you. Why would she send me a flower vase?"
Why indeed. I should have examined the vase more carefully before handing it over. And maybe I should have accidentally let it slip and smash on the floor. Built right into the glass was a plaque that said 'For flowers to honour happy memories of repairing old computer together'.
This refers to the time Ms Tao found an old style hard drive in my junk room. (That was described in Adventures with a 10 Year Old Desktop Trilogy - Book Three). And ever since she has believed that the two of us contributed equally to the improvement of that resurrected machine. But that's not the important part. Marilyn's knowledge of that togetherness in the junk room was not something I had shared. But I understood instantly that Ms Tao had shared, probably on one of those sunny summer days when the two of them had chatted endlessly on the front deck. And a side effect of the presence of the gorgeous Ms Tao on our deck was that our status increased immensely on the street. Many people walked over ostensibly to talk, but mostly to see this exotic creature up close. (The men walking dogs were the most comical, according to Marilyn. They didn't know how to start a conversation, and Ms Tao didn't choose to start anything, letting them stumble and suffer until they went away.)
"Was that the time Ms Tao said to you 'You sometimes very simple, for old person' because you... Just a minute. I wrote something else down. It should be on my dresser."
So I had to face the fact that Ms Tao had told her!
Marilyn came back reading and laughing. "I knew I'd kept it. Here's what she wrote:
"I see Buster in coffee shop when good son buy laptop. He very old and hairy."
Marilyn's mood darkened suddenly. Her eyebrows migrated skyward so high she was in danger of pulling the rest of her face off its moorings. "She was here with you and you never said anything?"
My mind working really frantically was interrupted by Marilyn's sudden laughter.
"Just to be clear, we are talking about the Ms Tao with the red lips you follow as she speaks, the same woman who wears unbelievable skirts that show nothing, but reveal everything as she moves, the woman who may be the most beautiful you have every seen, and you didn't tell me because..." More laughter. "Listen old and hairy man, 'for someone who has been around as long as you have, you have quite a simple mind.' Did she not write or say that?" Her comments and laughing did not make me happy, but at least Marilyn didn't throw things. Thank heaven for small mercies as my mother used to say.
Marilyn it seems is very tolerant, or convinced I couldn't charm even a woman with very bad eyes. The ability to charm seems to be one of those things that I left somewhere years ago, maybe on a park bench.
Tomorrow: Chapter 8: The Recalcitrant Bolt
#70
General Discussion / Re: Creating a Christmas Linux...
Last post by ssfc72 - March 27, 2024, 07:45:53 PMThe suspense is getting intense. :-)