Home One

Cutter's Log – Stardate 8002.02.21
Current Song – That's The Way of the World (Earth, Wind and Fire)


THE NEW COMPUTER IS HERE!!!!

ThinkCentre M55 (TCE Vision)
8811-FHU

Pentium 4D 3.0 Ghz CPU
1G DDR2 RAM (I'll get the other 1G ram later)
160G SATA Hard Drive
CDRW/DVD drive
Onboard Video
Onboard Audio
10/100/1000 Ethernet
6 USB 2.0 Ports
Windows XP

Hanns-G monitor

Speakers, mouse and keyboard

$582 and change


I bought it at the downtown computer store (Unique Computer), where my old dead one sits in a junk pile. Part paychecks, part blackjack winnings.

I spent about a day trying to figure out where to plug it in at. The computer sits on my desk in the upstairs landing. There is a chance I may get the whole “den” moved into my bedroom. After all, the computer takes up 5/6 of my desk space. I've got other things laying on the floor next to steps, and I've got to move them soon. I took the power surge from our old computer and I had difficulty realizing that I didn't have any three-prong outlets upstairs. I didn't know there were such things as three-prong-into-two-prong resistors (they cost 33 cents).

At first it appeared that the power surge was not working. Then I found an on-off switch on the back of the computer tower. Duh!

After about an hour walking around it, I downloaded the “cheap” version of Microsoft Office, which is OfficeSuite. It's useful. I'm typing this blog entry on it.

The last couple of ingredients are the Internet and Anti-Virus software. I'm next to a phone jack, but I want to know if everything's okay before I use it. So I'm still using the Sterling Library as a temporary Internet watering hole.

All's okay. I just have to get used to this keyboard. I have to break it in, especially the “enter” key because it feels like two fingers have to press it in order to work.

Well, kind of.

There. Just had to press it harder.

I'm going to have to get used to the new “backspace” key. It is the same size as a keyboard letter key. Sometimes when I'm typing I hit the middle of the key. On this thing, where I would usually press is the backspace and \ and key. The keyboard also has feature keys at the top.

When I get the two necessities, I'm prepared to make this “Home One” when it comes to NISB functions.

I've got a lot of stuff to pick up!

I'm going too fast

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.90.21
Current Song - Wonderful Christmas Time (Paul McCartney)

I had a bunch of columns to write this month, but I'm realizing that I'm going too fast. I'm going to try to slow down and schedule myself some quality time.

Last computer use at SVCC

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.50.21
Current Song - Turn Your Love Around (George Benson)

I got an hour-and-a-half before I'm pried away from the computers at Sauk. After today, I only have the library to do things.

The computer fund has started. But first I have to tend to my car because I think a tire rod is bent. Then I got two bad lights. Then I can think about my Christmas list. I just need some seclusion right now to begin thinking - and area sports schedules. And money. And a computer. And patience. I still have a column to write, but I left my scandisc at home.

I hope to be on here more than I can imagine.

Busy Columnizing

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.40.21
Current Song - How do the Fools Survive (Doobie Brothers)

Got a couple of columns to put up:

Sterling's new media advances
IHSGD's 1,000 milestone


Not a good day for me on the road. The roads SUCK!!!! I ran into a ditch on Pearl City road. Lucky for me, only some minor cosmetic damage. I delivered Chronicles all over the county and eastern Jo Daviess. I had planned to go to a wrestling meet and Cherry Valley Mall, but I want to get these written up first.

Off I go!

Putting Together a schedule

Cutter's Log - Stardate 8002.20.21
Current Song - Roll With The Changes (REO Speedwagon)

I had a fun night at work Sunday. Hardly anyone showed up and I was left getting things done in a hurry. That left time for me to come up with some column ideas.

I've been trying to go the column route lately, so that prospecting writers can use their know-how in the technological perspective to relish in the deadline world. That doesn't mean I don't know how to beat a deadline. Been there, done that. But I haven't done something like that in quite some time. If only I had a laptop and preparation, I would be able to excel in this world. But that' s a luxury I do not have at this time, and I probably won't get until all necessities are accomplished.

With that being said, I'm going to ask my parents if a plan will work out: I would buy the desktop computer, and they would pay the Internet bill for some time before each of us goes back to paying. I don't know if I have the money to buy the big hulk of tubes, but I'm definately saving up for this.

I'm trying to hurry up and get one because this is my last couple of days here at Highland before Christmas break. Sauk closes either this week or next. With both of these places closed, I only have the library to do work for an hour a day!!!

Thus, I'm going to write a bit this week and hopefully post them within the first half of this month.

Here's your sneak peek:

Sterling's Advancement in new medium
Immaculate Conception - football enrollment
IHSGD @ 1,000 schools
Fall Sports Wrapper
Dvorak Invitational Newcomers
Bertrand Q&A?