EMAIL - I publish email sometimes. If you send me an email and you want privacy, say so, I will respect that. If I don't know that you want your email address published, then I won't. Be aware, though, that I am (usually) human and make mistakes.

Good Morning to you. Unlike Tom up in Vancouver, we are having absolutely stunning weather down here. This is (of course) why I am sitting inside, blinds drawn, writing at the computer. Heh. But really I haven't worked all that hard this weekend (though it seems like it). I slept very, very late, two days in a row - now I begin to feel a bit rested. Today I woke at about 6, and dozed off and on until about 7:30. If I hadn't gotten up then, I would have destroyed this day as well. Too much sleep, and the motivational part of my brain never ever wakes up.

* * * * * * *

Memorial Day. A "Moment of Remembrance", silence lasting one minute, has been called for 15:00 local (in each time zone) today, by the guy in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Excuse me please. I want to think about a couple of people, and how to phrase what I want to say...

I have known no one who physically died in a war. I was too young for Vietnam, really too young to even know the people that came from our area that went, and died. The casualties of war I am familiar with are those who came back, with shattered lives, broken minds, habits of chemical dependency and other problems. Even though alive, these men and women are not the young individuals who went to implement the policies of the old men in DC, nor even, ever, the people they could have become. In our moments of thought today for fallen comrades, friends and family, forget not those still among us who are fighting the internal demons as a result of their willingness to fight for their country. Thank you. All of you.

* * * * * * *

In the mail today, I drew another response out of the exchange with Steve Swickard.

Date: Sun, 28 May 2000 23:03:19 -0600 (MDT)
From: Ken Scott 
To: [email protected]
Subject: Long lines and Mutt

Hey Brian,

Just reading through your exchange with Steve, a fellow resident of
Colorado Springs, and your mention of the one huge line per paragraph that
Outlook Express and other HTML mailers inflict on the world.

Mutt has a shortcut to help you deal with the problem. As you have
probably noticed, when you are editing a reply in Mutt, you are actually
using Vim for your editor. Using Vim, you can set your line length to
something reasonable like 72 or 76 characters (:set tw=72), highlight the
offending lines (Shift-V, then nav commands to select a block of text),
then use gq to reformat the selected lines. The lines will be wrapped to
the correct length, and quoting will be preserved. 

Hope this helps in the fight against everything,

Ken Scott

-- 
><>   Ken Scott   [email protected]   http://www.pcisys.net/~kscott   
                                                                      
              This is the day that the Lord has made;             
              I will rejoice and be glad in it!          -- Psalm 118:24  

On Sun, May 28, 2000 at 11:03:19PM -0600, Ken Scott wrote:
[snick]
> Mutt has a shortcut to help you deal with the problem. As you have
[snack]

Thanks. Tried it in sample reply on Steve's first message from yesterday. 
Works like a charm. (Of course it did, but if I practice it once or twice, 
then I am several times as likely to remember that a solution exists, 
and maybe even what it is {grin} ). 

I had even read about this in my travels through Vim for the book, but 
hadn't come across a direct need for it, so the technique dropped out of 
the sieve I refer to fondly as "my mind". Thanks again for the heads up - 
I *really* appreciate every help I can get.

As for fighting everything... Hmmm. Well, perhaps not fighting. More 
whining, unfortunately. Of course, then, when I use Outlook 2K at 
work (Tom and Bo's book by my side), I have it set up for plain text, 
wrapped (if only I could remember how I did that ... later this week)

And the before / after shots of Mutt are bracketed left and right at the start of today's post. Cool use for a feature that I didn't understand the purpose of. But then, village idiocy, dontchaknow. Off to the races. Back later, probably. TTFN.

I was right. I'm back. Heh. Been working on killing processes, and documenting the killing process, if you catch my drift. Now we've got Eric Clapton singing the blues, perfect accompaniment for this item, found on Slashdot... A gent by the name of Allan Konrad invented Client-Server database access over a network or something like that. Apparently he's started by suing somebody, claiming he owns the html POST and GET methods they are using to access data... Here's the kicker - his patent was granted last October. I have tried to read the patent - it makes Obfuscated C Code appear as clear as crystal. Talk about convoluted. Especially interesting in the context of Tim O'Reilly's conversation with POD Dickenson (which I found yesterday, also on Slashdot). Wheehooo. You know, if you want a blocking patent, then shouldn't you try and beat the competition to the punch, rather than missing the boat by several years?

"3.3 Remote Learning Object 

A Remote Database Object system where Desired Utility Service comprises 
a database, where each record in the database comprises a record key, 
data elements (Subject Matter) containing data to present information to be 
taught (text, still or video images, audio, etc.), data elements (Question) 
containing a question or an assignment about the Subject Matter, data 
elements (Scoring) containing instructions to Remote Host to evaluate the 
User's response to a Question, data elements containing pointers to 
subsequent records that should be presented to student based upon 
Scoring of a previous Question."

Strikes me that putting something like adaptive testing in new words doesn't make it a worthy part of a patentable, non-obvious, non-trivial, never been done before kind of thing, eh? Problem is that the whole document reads like this. Ooooh. Here's another one...

"3.5 Remote Collaboration Object 

A Remote Database Object system where Desired Utility Service further 
comprises asynchronous editing, peer-review, real-time interactive 
service, and distribution."

Hmmm. So now he's patented Slashdot. Heh. This guy has been a grad student at Cal for the last several years, and I really, really hope that the lawsuit stuff I am reading about is a huge joke, because if I read this right, then it doesn't matter that Al Gore invented the Internet - he (Al) neglected to patent it, now A. Konrad appears to own it. Double hmmmm. Oh, well, G'night. (Oh, BTW, his email address is [email protected], you may want to ask him about this yourself - I did, and am eagerly awaiting his response. Given the Slashdot effect, I seriously doubt I'll be hearing from him, though).

First order of business:

Two years ago, we got married - I haven't regretted a single minute. I shan't speak for her, though {grin}. When I am with Marcia, I am happy. I couldn't ask for more. Thanks, baby.

* * * * *

In other news, there is very little - email hasn't returned to normal levels, and probably won't for a couple of days until the holiday stretchers are back in Dodge. I have been amusing myself looking at the Orb Designs statistics page for this month, towards the bottom of the page is the list of search strings that people used to find this site. The number one hit: DeCSS. Heh. Given the fact that I pulled the code when the preliminary injunction was granted, that's too bad. Several of the others apparently have to do with cracking various bits of software, such as Protel, Orcad, Electronic Workbench... hmmm. I don't think I've ever written about cracking software, except in a negative sense. Here's my favorite search string: "fish heads rolly-polly". {SEG} Maybe we ought to hook that person up with the one who was searching for "beastiality ftp"

Have an interesting day, and we'll see you either later or tomorrow - depends on how the day goes. TTFN

Slightly later addition - thoughtless of me, really - If you haven't visited Marcia's site recently, now would be a good time, don't you think?

16:15 - Howdy. Just a brief drop in to update you on a few key bits of information. My anniversary present is an Intellimouse Optical. Not sure what the difference (aside from USD20) between Optical and Explorer - I couldn't find any on the box when I bought it... Heh. But really, installed it, works just fine in both Win and Linux. What? Oh, the trick to using a wheel mouse with Linux. Installers hate wheel mice, hate'm with a passion. Haven't found but one (OpenLinux eDesktop 2.4) that likes wheel mice.

That's OK. Install using a default PS/2 mouse setup (sorry, USB mice are for a later column, when I can try it out... {g}). Then, after the installation is complete, then go to the XF86Config file (where ever it is, varies by distribution, usually either in /etc or /etc/X11, go down to the pointer section, and change the "PS/2" to "IMPS/2", now the wheel is recognized. Then there's a utility called imwheel... haven't played with that one yet. My major use for the wheel is as a third button to open links in a new window - my preferred browsing method.

Yes, you in the back, your question again, please? Oh, yes, of course there's an anniversary present for Marcia - I am cooking a special supper for us, candles, flowers, the works. Gee, sure hope she isn't reading this, or there goes my surprise.. {SEG}. Table's set, flowers are staged, I have to go start food prep - can't be here playing with the hardware and send her out for the Colonel, now can I?

Good morning, folks. Nothing at all new at the moment - we snuggled, watched a movie (Phantom Menace - you know, one of those romantical chick-flicks), and retired relatively early. Lovely anniversary evening. Now up and at it for the next working day. Sigh.

Got some update mail from Mr. Swickard...

Hi Brian,

    Thought that I would send you an update on my ppp problems. First
though I must mention that I am unable to access your web site at this
time. It is currently about 3:55AM MST 31 May.  I have no problems
accessing any other web sites so it would appear to be a problem at your
end....

    I am composing this e-mail with Netscape Communicator 4.7 Linux
version. I am connected at 26,400bps now. I was able to figure this out
on my own as after reading the HOWTO and in the book (Running Linux ) I
was still lost. Going on the theory that it had to be a simple mistake
on my part I went back into the PPP configuration menu and changed the
max speed down. I have reliably used 230,xxx before on the 33.6K under
windows as I was told that with all of the compression the speed could
approach this,,,,,yea right.... Anyway thanks for answering my e-mails.
I am in fact utilizing Kppp and other then the low connect speed it
actually connected on the first try. After reading in the linux.mandrake
newsgroup it seems that a lot of people are unable to connect at all.  I
feel somewhat elated that I was able to make this work but to be honest
it was fairly easy and I have always configured my own ppp connections
under Windows going back to 3.1.

    Now for a new problem that has reared its head. I connect no problem
but once connected I am unable to launch any programs either on the
desktop or via the K menu or any other of the menu's. I am using KDE.
This includes any Internet programs like Netscape. To further confuse
the mystery, if I first launch Netscape then connect online Netscape as
you can see here works.

    It seems that I can only access programs that were previously
running before connecting to my ISP. So if you have any ideas on this
I'd appreciate hearing if you have time of course and I will continue to
work this problem here.

    Brian thanks for your help  to date. Back to trouble shooting now.
Oh and for some heresy, I miss Outlook for e-mail.
Later

Steve Swickard
[email protected]

As I check the logs, I note that we apparently have had a 6 hour
blackout of connectivity - no log entries between 2347 last night and
0610 this morning.  Well, the line is (relatively) cheap, and there
certainly isn't an SLA in place... 

Regarding no-launch on programs after kppp is connected - that's very,
very odd. Have you checked the Mandrake mailing lists? Well, anyway. you
can start programs from command line (open terminal window...) etc? Try
starting in Gnome or one of the other WMs, and run kppp explicitly from
a command line instead of from a window - let's try to isolate the
behaviour.

NP - I am happy to pretend to help. Oh, and I like Outlook in general,
nice set of features, just a little too entangled with the native OS,
and a little too helpful (ready to run programs without permission), but
much of that can be fixed.

There's also mail from Barbara Thompson, and others in the PBI account - I'm simply going to have to forward that to work, and check it there, as I am flat out of time. Have a great day!

In the various trades, we refer to this as a "non-starter". A lovely double entendre, in my case, since the day ground to a halt, and the truck never started (at least for a few hours). After a jumpstart, and a consultation at the place of repair (our local Precision Tune - we are VERY happy with these guys, even though they give us such terrible news sometimes), it is determined that the battery and alternater have functionally flown south for the summer - a very odd thing to have done, quite out of season, and not to be tolerated. In the process of setting up to flush the coolant system, a leaking intake manifold gasket manifested itself. Sigh. Well, there goes all thought of a laptop for working with summer travels.

The good news is that I am at home today, working on edits for the current chapter - sheesh, I have been having such trouble with this. Really, the difficulty is what to leave out - we haven't got 4000 pages with which to work, and no time to write that amount, either. Anyways, best I get back to it - Have to earn some extra money to pay for this damn truck.

Quickly, good morning. Lots to do and little time. The truck won't be ready until later today. That said, I have to drop Marcia at work shortly, then toodle off in the correct direction myself. Got some good bits into the book yesterday, including doing yet another complete re-install of OpenLInux. Not because I broke anything, or because something didn't work -- I wanted to confirm a couple of choices in the installer, and on a whim checked this: USB Intellimouse Optical works on install, with OpenLinux eDesktop 2.4. This is a good thing.

I learned a couple of other interesting things yesterday, which I will have to reserve for later today. From the mailbag this morning: closure with Steve...

Hi Brian,

    I just wanted to let you know that thanks to your suggestion, i.e...
check the Mandrake news list I was able to finally find a solution to my
problem. A quit recap, I reported that upon connection to my dialup ISP
I was unable to launch any applications off the desktop (KDE) or through
the K-menu, but those applications including Internet apps would in fact
work if already open. Yes very strange problem. It seems that there is a
flag in the kppp setup screen that sets local host to remote host. Not
sure what  this really does except that maybe I am only allowed to
access programs on remote host??? I toggled this option off and
everything seems to be working now.  Oh I want to correct a past
transgression on my part sorry I am late but "Happy Anniversary" and I
wish you many more to come. .
Once again a great site I read now everyday.
Have a very nice day

Steve Swickard
[email protected]

Although I didn't know about this option on kppp, it sorta makes sense (except
the defaulting to "ON" part. Many unix/linux machines are setup to run in a
client/server environment, where their box is simply a display for processing
that happens on the other end of the pipe.

That's, for instance, how I do my web updates - I ssh across the network into
my server box, and run the app (Bluefish) from the server, with the display
exported to my local machine. This means that I can do this from here or from
work, with equal ease.

Which dialog box / tab form does that appear on in Kppp - I can't find it in my
version? This is a good tidbit of information, I just need to be able to locate
and replicate it.

Thanks very much for your coming by regularly, and for your participation -
this is what working with Linux is about. (Actually it is what living life is
about - helping others where possible...) Take care.

Have a great day, all. Send me winning lottery numbers - we're gonna need them {grin}! TTFN.

Still haven't heard from Allan Konrad? I haven't either. Hmmm. I did hear from Caldera today - Had a nice chat with Jeff in Tech Support. Hopefully there will be some fruitful interchange over the next weeks.

Got a spam last night and followed the link to a place called LIFTWARE. Can you figure it out from the name? Sure, I could too, but I wanted to see just how brash these people are - Do you believe $125 for Office 2K Pro? Me, neither. Hmmm. When I start to delve a little deeper into the store, to see who else they're ripping off, they request (and instruct me on how to turn on) JavaScript. Hmmm again... bye-bye. Speaking of last night - Thank you! Another record-setting month, this one in every measured category. Nearly 200M in total traffic, and over 9000 page views. Wow.

Also last night, I tried working with OpenSSH, once again. In previous versions, I had problems with the X11 Forwarding, and compatibliity issues interoperating with commercial SSH servers. Now, with version 2.0 out, compatibility with SSH 2.0 is claimed, along with more stable behaviour. Indeed, SSH functions perform as advertised, once I figured out the more restrictive defaults, and how to enable those features that I desire.

However, I was not able to make scp (secure copy, which uses an ssh-encrypted tunnel to copy files from system to system) work properly. Most probably my fault, but I hadn't nearly enough time to play with it, as there's lots of money writing to be done. Wouldn't be a problem, except scp is a critical part of my backup strategy: Everything critical gets tarred and bzipped (a better compression than gzip), then sent off over the Internet to Tom's place. Plus it goes over to Grendel and onto tape nightly, plus a weekly backup to CDRW. Do you suppose that's sufficient? When I blew up my machine last time, the fastest restore was from Tom's, which is why I added Grendel and tape into the mix (as the CDRW was safe at work).

That said, I really must get to writing. I must have been a slacker, since I am not nearly as far along as I would like. Later.

Happy Friday! It actually is a Friday, since we're getting away from computers, electricity and whatnot for the weekend. This means a 20 hour workday today, of course, between work and getting most of 18 into shape for Tom to finish off over the weekend, but overall, I am pleased, I think. Ask me after three days away from the keyboard. The reality check is, of course, the bookmark events of getting the truck out of hock yesterday (we may need to get really used to tent living if this keeps up) and a visit to Sweeney Todd next week. The good news is there's always something new to whine about {grin}. No stunning emails to hide my lack of talent behind, so I'll simply post this joke that Marcia sent me, and head off to work. TTFN.

Three beggars are begging on the mall in downtown San 
Jose.

The first one wrote "beg" on his broken steel cup and he 
received ten bucks after one day.

The second one wrote "beg.com" on his cup and after one 
day he received hundreds of thousand dollars. Someone 
even wanted to take him to NASDAQ.

The third one wrote "ebeg" on his cup. Both IBM and HP 
sent vice-presidents to talk to him about a strategic 
alliance and offered him free hardware and professional 
consulting, while Larry Ellison claimed on CNBC that 
ebeg uses 95% Oracle technology, and i2 announced 
begTradeMatrix, a b2b industry portal to offer supply 
chain integration with the beggar.

Cisco just announced that virtually all ebeg traffic 
runs over their equipment.

I wrote an absolutely stunning evening post. The dog ate it. I don't know whose dog. Probably just a squirrel in dog's clothing. In between starting to write it, and now, two events happened - Pizza, and killing the shell process that I was running the editor out of. Sigh.

I did manage to register for LinuxWorld Expo and Conference, though it was a bit of an uphill battle, since the website said registration prior to July 14 was free, and promptly tried to charge me US$25. Hmmm. So I called the tollfree, and sat on hold, past some *really strange* on-hold type announcements from the voicemail system. Then I was allowed to speak to a real live clueless person. I mean, so clue-challenged that when I described how the website registration was broken, she offered to register me on the web. Sigh. After much backing and forthing, during which I passed telephone damaging levels of sarcasm through the mouthpiece (cracking up everyone in the office around me), it was determined that Clueless (who shall remain nameless) was actually going to be no help at all. I just, just stopped myself from asking her what she was being paid to do...

Now the online registration thing is fixed, so maybe after the web team got through laughing as they listened to the tape of my call, they actually went and fixed it. Hey. Good job. Now I have to write the last two sections for Chapter 18. TTYL.

Briefly, briefly. We're out of town camping in Big Sur this weekend, as previously noted. This is excellent timing, since if the truck breaks one more time, a tent may be all that we can afford... Affordable housing??? The median home price here in Santa Clara Valley is up over $500K! Cardboard homes on postage stamp sized lots are going for a million two, just because they're in Palo Alto. Sheesh. Sorry, I shouldn't have gotten started on that one. Whuff. Chuff. OK.

Neighbors will be watering the farm for us (if we're lucky, killing a squirrel or two, Rocky be damned) - THANKS!. Ya'll have a lovely weekend, keep an eye on the other Daynoter's for me, and we'll return Monday afternoon. TTFN.


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Out of town.


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