To Be

Yesterday, I ran across an article on IBM's devWorks site regarding BeOS as a Web Development platform.

Trying to promote itself as an operating system geared toward broadband multimedia producers, BeOS was gaining popularity a few years ago until management screw-ups, an all-proprietary file system and sagging Internet Applicance sales doomed the company to a quiet exit.

However, like followers of the NeXT, Amiga and Atari systems, BeOS has a growing legion of zealots.

I jumped over to the BeOS site and discovered that the current version (BeOS 5) installs as an application on most Win9x/Me/2000 machines. Best of all, the Personal edition is completely free.

I installed it last night and, after some initial video card problems, got it running in less than 10 minutes. The interface uses some familiar componenets of Mac, NeXT and PC architecture to it, but the icons really set it apart.

If you're interested, BeOS Personal is available from be.com. A growing collection of applications, drivers and contributors can be found at BeBits.com, and for all the latest news and discussion on BeOS, go to BeNews.com.

Speak To Me, Brother

I've always had the highest regard for Elvis Costello and his prodigious ability to pen the perfect tune. (Still to this day, Veronica V1 V2 and Shipbuilding V1 pull the appropriate strings)

However, today he reached even loftier heights when I discovered that he started out as a computer programmer before recording his first tracks back in 1977.

In a reverse turn from the eminent Mr. Costello, I made a living as a musician before spending the last 6 years in high tech.

Recently, my good friend Derek, while maintaining a connection to this new economy, returned to that band to resume his duties as a rock-solid drummer.

So, with attempts at starting my own high tech firm falling on hard times, I've spent the last couple of days wondering: What should I do now?

When It Rains...

Now my work computer is acting wonky. I was having problems connecting to the Internet due to some obscure TCP/IP snafu.

After spending 3 hours working on the system with a blowtorch and a pair of pliers, it works intermittently. This episode has certainly highlighted how incredibly dependant I have become on an Internet connection.

Hell, I even get antsy when I visit someone's house if they don't have a connection.

What if I have to look something up? I worry to myself.

Vandals!

Whoever is responsible for hacking my system this past weekend, I hope you're happy.

After wreaking havoc on my poor machine, this anonymous miscreant left the system unable to shutdown or restart. Any attempt to install a virus scanner is met with a barrage of Invalid Page Faults and rather frightening warning messages like: Try that again, and I'll clear your bank account, sucker.

This is one pissed off hacker.

No, the system couldn't be saved.

Yes, I think the hard drive is toast.

Yes, I now have a firewall.

Time Off

Those of you that have never been to Whistler Resort should really take some time off and visit. It's a fantastic retreat in the mountains of British Columbia and one of the world's best Skiing and Snowboarding destinations.

I'll be spending a couple of days enjoying the beauty as the guest of a friend of mine, who invested wisely in his younger years.

Bastard.

Forward This Message!

More people need to read this: How to Not Be a Sucker

Opportunity

Hear that? It's the familiar knocking which I have ignored so many times. A chance to have the type of job I've always wanted.

I really want to take a crack at this, I know I'd be great at it. I'm waiting for the phone to ring so I can tell them what they're missing.

I don't want to say what it is just now...I want to avoid the jinx.

I'll let you know.

Wish me luck.

Better and Not

Having seen the face of Pain on Thursday night, I have simply been trying to recover these last four days.

Today, I went into the office (where I am now) hoping to retrieve my computer so that I could work from home. Although that is proving to be more of a challenge than I first expected.

First, the machine that I wanted to take home has all but given up booting. I spent far too long trying to fix a worsening problem. I opted for a second machine and headed out to drive home.

Now the car won't start. I think it is because I am dangerously low on gas due to the gas gauge being broken for the last few months.

It's also raining a few cats and dogs out there for the first time in about 3 weeks. Typical.

To top it off, the closest gas station to my work is at least 8 blocks from here. Do you think I brought a rain jacket with me? Of course not! I drove the car today!

So, I'm about to leave on a rain-soaked trek to a gas station in order to convince some suspicious, pimply faced, never got a grade better than C, 19-year old punk that No, I don't want to *buy* the gas can, I just need to borrow it for 15 minutes and Yes, I'll return it and Fine, here's my worthless Visa card to hold until then.

And I still feel like crap.

Pain Imposed Diet

Last night, I went out with a friend of mine to the local Red Robin to hang out and chat for a while.

Because of my less-than-premium digestive apparatus, I am fairly restricted as to what I can eat. Among the many things that can bring on a gastro-intestinal meltdown are fried/greasy foods, anything with excessive cream or dairy and anything containing mayo.

Well, I must have been suffering from anterograde amnesia, because I ordered the Deep Fried Cheese Sticks, a greasy Bacon Burger and fries.

Needless to say, I spent last night suffering through severe abdominal pain and lower back spasms, finding only 5 minutes of sleep from pure exhaustion. I have never been so uncomfortable in my life.

Derek will remember a trip we took down to Seattle that had similar tragic consequences after I splurged on pastries at an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.

I'll never eat Napoleans again. The horror!

Random Scans

This is my ring.

I had to scan it with a flatbed scanner because I have no digital camera.

Send money.

New Addition

I've known Thao for about a little more than a year, and the one thing I can say about her is that she's sneaky.

Not creeping around and watching you in private moments or hiding extra bits of beef jerky, not that kind of sneaky. No, I'm talking about her personality.

When you first meet Thao, she seems a bit shy, kind of quiet and someone you wouldn't need to worry about. But watch out! Once you get to know her, you'll find her to be someone with a sharp pen.

Anyway, I enjoy her writings, so she's the newest addition to my list of people I like to visit.

Say hello to Thao.

Weary

It has been a long week, and an even longer couple of days. I'm ready for the weekend to begin but, much to my dismay, it's almost half over.

Time seems to fly past me when I am trying to get something done, but my memory stretches on for hours, making each day seem like an eternity.

Tomorrow is going to be my first real "no work" day in months. I am not going to have anything to do with technology at all, save for maybe my bank card.

With my luck, though, the day will shoot by so fast, I won't remember it on Monday.

Fortune Cookie

The fortune cookie I got with my lunch today says:

Act now for good results in the Spring.

How long has that cookie been sitting there?

Shame

Just finishing up for the day, I'm heading home so that I can watch the final episode of Survivor II.

Sad, I know.

Recently though, I spent the good part of 2 days learning the lyrics to Barenaked Ladies' One Week, complete with perfect cadence.

Too much time on my hands? Maybe.

May 1st - So Soon?

Well, Sam was right.

When I signed up to take part in the May 1st Reboot, she e-mailed me saying I'd never get it done in time. There had been various failed attempts by me to redesign this site over the last year, and this would be no different.

I soldiered on, thinking that I would get a flash of inspiration any minute now, leading to a groundbreaking new wave in Web Design.

Well, amongst the concerns of my company losing it's religion, the looming tax deadline (I managed to get my return to the tax office 8 minutes before midnight), the playoffs and that damned Black and White, inspiration just didn't strike.

So, I slapped together a different look, spending a lavish 30 minutes working on it. You can tell, can't you?

Next time, I'll listen to Sam.