So long, and thanks for all the Mud

Subject: Or, Parkes's farewell to his 'Cat
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 10:55 AM

Well, not quite so long (or farewell) ... my contract runs out at the beginning of March, and I shall be stuck with my slower-than-a-speeding-bullet dial-up connection at home, or fortnightly access to the library's broadband machines. I thought I'd take a leaf out of Roger the Skiffler's book and give enough notice for anyone who suddenly thinks of something urgent they want to tell or ask me to ... er, tell or ask me it.

It's been a lot of fun (and a fair bit of other things too, at times), and now it will be, well, maybe as much fun, but a lot less often. So, to all my pals -- and any enemies I might have collected on the way -- thanks for everything, friends. I shall drop in when I get the chance. And who knows, I might get a job where they're as lenient about internet use as they are here.

Steve

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 11:11 AM

F2S broadband is cheaper than some dialups. If the problem is your BT line however that is harder to overcome.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 11:33 AM

Cable broadband is much cheaper, faster and infinitely more reliable than BT. And you get a free phoneline (well, it needs to be as it's hardly ever working). About £30 a month including a didgy-telly box. Which means you can watch BBC4 concerts if you're in. Which I never am.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: open mike
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 12:27 PM

plenty of us access the cat strictly thru dial up..
no reason to hang it up.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Azizi
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 01:01 PM

Yes, Open Mike, I'm one of the dial up Catters.

It's a pain in the you know what, but it beats not having access at all.

So Steve Parkes, there's no need to say farewell!


Ms. Azizi

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Alice
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 02:04 PM

No need to say goodbye. Dial up here, and if you want to read it, the wait is worth it, as you know, Steve.

Alice

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 02:18 PM

Once a fortnight in the library for Internet access? That sounds a pretty run-down library. Round our way you could be on every day, no problem.

Make a fuss. Write to your local paper and your MP - remember there's an election soon, and that's the kind of thing they like to get their teeth into.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 02:19 PM

I'd get the internet over morse-code if I had to...

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 02:24 PM

Yes, a fair number of us insist on living the "blow up your TV, throw away your paper, move to the country and build you a home" lifestyle. Dialup is about all we can get living in the boondocks. I've never had any problem with it as far as the Mudcat goes. It sucks for downloads, streaming audio or video, animation, and sites with a lot of graphics. But for a mostly text site like the Mudcat it works okay. I am having a wee problem getting some of the longer threads to load, even with the "by page" or "descending order" option, but I think it's because I need more RAM, not due to the connection. I'm glad that Max has never allowed direct posting of photos, only links to them. I've been to some forums where practically every post has a photo appended and it takes forever for a page to load.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 02:32 PM

Well, the internet is a visual medium... and if yer gonna access it with stone tools and bear skins, you have to expect to only recieve the thin end of the wedge...

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 03:14 PM

Maybe I could briefly interrupt this discourse about the nuts and bolts and bits of string that hold Mudcat together to say that I've read many of your posts with interest, Steve, and I've appreciated your input. I hope you find soe way to stay in touch, albeit from a distance.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 03:29 PM

Me, too, Fionn. Join us when you are able, Steve. Thanks for letting us know what's going on and good luck with finding other work, if that's what you desire.

kat

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 03:32 PM

Darn, we'll let you on for an hour a day, each and every day, and that's only because we don't have a lot of PCs for the access (additions are being planned).

There are other solutions, though....

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 03:40 PM

I like dialup because it seems to be safer from invasion by hackers. Apparently the computers that are online all the time and that have one identity in The System are more vulnerable than mine.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Peace
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 03:50 PM

Please stick around, Steve.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Big Mick
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 04:11 PM

I want to join the chorus, Steve. You are and excellent Mudcatter and you would be sorely missed. I hope you find a way to stick around. We would be poorer for your absence.

All the best,

Mick

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 04:13 PM

Yes indeed, the Internet is (primarily) a visual medium. And the written or printed word is still the most important means of visual communication, in a variety of media, including the Internet, and is likely to remain so for the forseeable future.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 04:36 PM

At least until someone perfects the direct neural interface!

:-)

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 04:42 PM

They ain't getting anywhere near my Central Nervous System!

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 04:48 PM

Maybe I could just chip into this natter about the nuts and bolts and bits of string that hold Mudcat together, to say I've read many of your posts with interest Steve. I've appreciated your input, and I hope you find some way to keep in touch - albeit from a distance!

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: semi-submersible
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 04:49 PM

I'm on dial-up. I often look over the list fairly fast, opening interesting-looking threads "in background," then I disconnect until I've read a bunch. Then I reconnect, click a bunch of links, and repeat the process (at least until the browser crashes due to too many open windows...)

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 06:15 PM

Stay with us, Steve, and get Firefox! The tabbing facility is ideal for opening all the threads that look interesting, reading them offline, typing a post and going online again to send it. I sometimes have twenty or twenty-five tabs open at once, still Firefox doesn't crash (which Netscape used to do with clockwork regularity). You'll do it. Just wait till the withdrawal symptoms set in!

And all the best for finding a new job.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: annamill
Date: 07 Feb 05 - 06:34 PM

Is the problem the cost of the telephone line? I have AT&T and I pay about $11 per month for a computer line that just is a simple line without all the junk, like call-waiting, call-back, etc. I just use it for my computer. I also pay $11.95 for my connection thru AT&T.

I find it just as fast as my old DSL. That's why I keep it.

I hope this helps to keep you on Mudcat.

Annamill (assuming you are in the USA?)

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Mudlark
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 02:03 AM

Another dial-up patron here, Steve, usually receiving at around 24K. As Bee Dubya says, movies and sound are pretty much beyond my patience, but not the Mudcat. I hope you stick around.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Peace
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 02:06 AM

"and any enemies I might have collected on the way"

You'd be really hard-pressed to find one of them anywhere here, Steve. I would like to say again, please stick around.

Bruce Murdoch

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Kaleea
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 02:12 AM

What ever did we do before the internet? Oh yeah. We played Music? Just play some Music while you're waiting for your dial up to dial up the ol' Cat.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 03:45 AM

Like me, Steve, I'm sure you'll be back eventually! At least to see if anyone remembers your birthday in June (?)!!!!
Tara a bit.
RtS

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 06:53 AM

I may wait till July, Roger!

Well, I'm almost embarrassed by all the nice things you guys are saying -- I feel I ought to stay away at least a little while to justify my prompting you in the first place. The main problem with my internet access is paying the extra for a faster connection. Up till now it's simply been a matter of too much meanness and not enough incentive; when I'm gainfully employed again I'll reconsider -- we'll reconsider, I should say. At present, my BT servce only costs 1.5 pence a minute (1p at weekends); the cable system here in Milton Keynes was revolutionary when it was installed in the 70s -- the previous system was one of string and tin cans -- but it's hopelessly outdated nowadays, and doesn't do broadband, or even digital tv; the library is open at the normal times and days (whatever they are), but it's a few miles away, so it's a bike ride, which depends on the weather.

But I shall look in whenever I get the chance, never fear!

Steve

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 Feb 05 - 06:20 PM

Do check out F2S - about £15 per month broadband.

Do not fall for tiscali or AOL

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:23 AM

Here we are then: last day at work (for the moment) for me! Au revoir, auf wiedersehen, arrivederci, hasta la vista, TTFN ...

Steve

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:28 AM

Good Luck Steve, I'm sure we'll see you around, the addiction will beat you.¦¬]
Giok

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:31 AM

You could always move to a more civilised area.... : )

See you soon.

LTS

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 09:20 AM

Best of luck, Steve.
Don't be a stranger, y'hear (strange, yes, but not a stranger!).
Let us know how you get on.

Rts

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Amos
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 09:50 AM

Verizon now offers a cell-linked modem card which acts like an Airport and provides high-speed cell and satellite linkage to the Internet to the computer anywhere in cellular range, for a reasonable price here int he states anyway. I don't know the details but I have seen the technology in action.

A

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: PoppaGator
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 10:14 AM

Last day on the job, huh, Steve? Too bad.

As many other have mentioned, text-based sites like Mudcat are among the best prospects for enjoying a slow dial-up internet connection, so I hope you try to drop in at least occasionally.

I find it interesting that your main concern about the expiration of your contract is not unemployment, but just loss of your broadband access. I wish I were that well-fixed and/or condfident about finding the enxt job ~ good for you!

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Azizi
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 12:02 PM

Steve, there is life after the work you were used to doing ends.

Been there, done that.

Hope you still come to that 'Cat-by any means necessary!

In this transition period, remember to be good to yourself!


Azizi

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 12:04 PM

See ya down the road Steve!

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Amos
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 12:07 PM

Stay loose, man, and take Azizi's advice about being good to yourself.

A

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Peace
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 03:27 PM

Be good Steve.

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Mar 05 - 04:04 PM

Keep looking in whenever and however Steve. You've had many friends here for a long time and as you can see, we will all miss you. Look forward to whenever we can have you!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 01:54 PM

A quick 'Hi' from Parkes Towers in beautiful downtown MK. I can't get used to lying in bed (although I'm making the effort). As soon as I get organised, I'll (re-)start on scanning all my negatives and digitising all my 78s. And then they'll find me a job, I suppose. Meantime, I'm listening to my digital radio, courtesy of my ex-colleagues.

Thanks for all the good wishes, and I'll stay intouch, never fear!

Steve

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: Big Mick
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 02:23 PM

Steve, nothing personal, but even Catspaw is being civil. This isn't natural, and if it doesn't stop the sun may blink out of existence. That would leave a black hole and we can't have that. Come to think of it, Mudcat without you is a black hole. Well ...... shit .... now I am starting this shit. Steve, bite me.

:^)

Mick

Subject: RE: So long, and thanks for all the Mud
From: GUEST,Steve Parkes
Date: 15 Mar 05 - 01:26 PM

Sure Mick -- stick something out and I'll sink my teeth in!