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| The Granite Newsletter |
Another month, another edition of the Granite Newsletter. Don't miss our regular article Tech Talk, submitted by resident guru Kevin Rattai. If you'd like to make suggestions to him for his next article, or just say hello, e-mail him at krattai@granite.mb.ca. John Scott, a local writer, has submitted his second short article for publication this month. Beware Torontonians - this article is not for you.
Alrighty, Monkey # 13 here.
This edition, I'd like to talk about downloading and installing new
software. There are definately a few things to keep in mind.
First, if you are deciding to download and install software, remember it is always a good idea to have any important files backed up and stored on floppy disk or zip drive.
Second, the download will usually take you longer than going to the store and purchasing the software. Be patient. And, it is common for downloads to be interrupted for one reason or another. If this happens before the download is complete, you will need to download it again.
Third, when throwing ones and zeros (computer code) over vast distances using a telephone cord, it's amazing it works to begin with. It is possible for a file to become corrupt and not install properly, or not install at all. A small error could allow the program to be installed, but not to work correctly.
Fourth, you are downloading software from an unknown source, using a system which has about as much security as an airplane without a parachute. It's secure enough, although things can go wrong. Also, even if you're getting the software from a well known vendor such as MicroSoft, this software is often called beta software and can cause as much damage as a virus on your computer.
So, after having said all that, definitely feel free to download and install software on your computer to "try before you buy", so long as you are aware of what can go wrong.
Speaking of installing software. Just a reminder that it is illegal to download, install, and run software on the Granite server computers. Whether or not you have your own web space, please read the Subscriber Agreement regarding your use of Granite Internet Services.
Site of the month: download.com
Recently, my old high school in Pointe Claire, Québec, had a reunion. In order to communicate with each other one of the grads set up a mail list on the Internet. It differs from a newsgroup in that instead of posting a message in a location accessed by anyone interested, we submit our email addresses to a central host - our's is located in Nova Scotia. Everyone who wants to post a message sends it to this location which distributes it to each subscriber's email address.
Well, apparently a large proportion of the graduating class ended up in Central
Canada's black hole we lovingly refer to as Toronto. It seems that some of my
ex-classmates in "central Canada" sometimes like to refer to themselves as being
in "the center of the universe". Of course, its all part of the good-natured
banter that travels across cyberspace. I however, like to refer to it as "the
bull's-eye of the universe". It is so easy to take shots at them as they present
such an easy target. I mean, 25 million Canadians can't be all wrong by choosing
not to live there. But centre of the universe? Centre of Canada? And I thought
all along that the longitudinal centre (96-48-35) of this country was a line
running north/south just a few miles east of Winnipeg, from the Minnesota/Manitoba
border all the way towards Axel Heiberg Island near the northern tip of Canada on
Ellesmere Island. Of course this means the geographical center of Canada is
around Gjoa Haven N.W.T.- more than just a short drive from Mississauga.
Then again, the centre of North America (and in some minds that would mean the centre of the universe) is a couple hours drive southwest of here in Rugby, North Dakota. Hmmm. When you come to think of it, Torontonians are the only ones asserting all this center stuff. I guess that would make them "self-centered".
But if T.O. is the place where everything is happenin' why have so many Canadians chosen not to live there? I mean, what's stopping us from shelling out 3 or 4 hundred thousand for a nice little bungalow on the outskirts of this urban paradise? We're talking Canadian currency here so it really isn't a whole lot of money. And after you buy it you inherit the pleasure of sitting on the 401 or any of the other "expressway" parking lots while on your way to work for hours, days or even weeks. Or maybe you'll only be an hour bus and GO-Train ride from work. Wow! If you are really lucky you can get a neat little cottage a couple hours north of Don Mills (unless you're on the highway on a weekend in which case you add 2 or 3 hours to your travel time). A cheap one will only set you back ½ a million or so (Canadian). I guess because I earn substantially less than Bill Gates or Mike Piazza I find these prices just a bit more than I can or want to afford.
Yeah, maybe all this was going through my head when I said I would help a friend install windows at some cottages up at Flanders and Bird Lakes in Nopiming Park. I took a couple of days off my regular work routine for a working holiday. It was tough - you know - take out a window, put in a window, throw the line into the water. Take out a window, put in a window, go out in the canoe. This went on all day long! I couldn't handle the pace. The worst part was waking up at dawn at Flanders Lake and driving the 2 or 3 miles over the winding, hilly road to Bird Lake to work. Rush hour? Even stopping for the Moose was a pain in the¼ask me now what lifestyle I prefer. I think its pretty obvious - and most of us made the right choice.
Don't get me wrong, I actually like Toronto and find its citizens remarkably friendly for a city its size but for now let's allow Torontonians to go on believing that they live in the Bull's-eye¼er.. ah..centre of this here universe wherever that is - but we know that we're much better off right here in mb.ca. We can thank our lucky stars - after all we're right in the middle of them.
The Whiteshell Provincial Park has a few new sites on line. Check out Lumber One Building Supplies for all you lumber, hardware and even groceries this time of year. West Hawk Lake Resort features that beautiful location and the resort. Falcon Beach Riding Stables have been given a new look this month with upgraded Rates and Services. Brereton Lake Resort has also received a new look with updated rates. To learn more about the Whiteshell Provincial Park, or get to links to all Whieshell park sites, visit that site a www.whiteshell.mb.ca.
1. You wake up at 3 am to go to the bathroom and stop to check your e-mail on the way back to bed.
2. You name your children eudora, cis and dotcom.
3 You turn off your modem and get this awful empty feeling, as if you just pulled the plug on a loved one.
4 You spend half of the plane trip with your laptop on your lap...and your child in the overhead compartment.
5. You decide to stay in college for an additional year or two, just for the free internet access.
6. You laugh at people with 14.4-baud modems.
7. You start using smileys in your snail mail.
8. You find yourself typing "com" after every period when using a word processor.com
9. You refer to going to the bathroom as downloading.
10. You can't call your mother...she doesn't have a modem. 11. You check your mail. It says "no new messages." So you check it again.
12. You don't know what gender three of your closest friends are, because they have neutral screen names and you never bothered to ask.
13. You move into a new house and decide to netscape before you landscape.
14. You tell the cab driver you live at http://1000.edison.garden/house/brick.html
15. You start tilting your head sideways to smile.
16. After reading this message, you immediately e-mail it to a friend.
Network Manager’s Report
Problems
INTERNET - MBnet had some minor router problems (unsure if this affected us). Bell Canada did some maintenance on their fiber optics lines and switches that created poor performance at times.
LAC DU BONNET - MTS moved the cable that came into the building on October 14, 1998 from 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM. All services were affected. On October 27, 1998 the main link to Winnipeg was to be upgraded but technical problems caused a short outage from about 3:30 PM to 3:45 PM. Another attempt to upgrade the main link to Winnipeg caused a short outage on October 30, 1998 from 7:45 AM to 8:05 AM. The link was not upgraded because of technical problems. Some minor problems with V.90 modems. We are waiting on a firmware upgrade from the manufacture.
WHITEMOUTH - Some minor problems with V.90 modems. We are waiting on a firmware upgrade from the manufacturer.
Upgrades
LAC DU BONNET - The link to Winnipeg is being upgraded. We are waiting for MTS to solve some technical issues. The upgrade will most likely occur in the first week of November. Modem firmware will be upgrade when available.
WHITEMOUTH - Granite is looking at options for adding more lines. The service Granite requested from MTS over a month ago, is not available.
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