[Big Dog]

Well, my phone/isp company took a dump - seems they aren't there anymore! Oh well, they hadn't been very good - made it easy to decide to switch and get DSL. Still gotta upgrade the computer to make proper use of the improvements - need more memory!
I hope NRAJOE has been behaving himself . . .

Now, to catch up on some forum reading!

Had to go into "run silent" mode at work too - the new management don't like us surfing the net.

[NRAJOE]

I'd been wondering where you were!

[jerry]

Glad you were able to fight your way back. Hey, how is the DSL? Is it more consistent? I think my dial up makes my PC look like it needs an excorcism at times. I cuss the puter, get off line and everything runs ok. Seems to happen at peak hours, ie. it's ok at 0520 right now, but 5 in the eve is a bear. I think when this contract is up I'm going to try it or cable.

[Dale]

Hey Big Dog....welcome back, dude.

What kind of additional memory do ya need/are talking about for DSL?

I've been thinking of it and I have an older IBM Aptiva and now I'm wondering if I might need that extra memory. too.

I already have Directv satelite for the TV and they have a package here where you can hook the computer to the same dish.

[Rufus Rhastus J]

Glad you're back. Joe has been good. Why would you ask?
As to the possible demonic possesion of your computer, at times, it's been my experiance that, with dial-up, the level of pain is directly in ratio to the IP's server capity. AOL, for instance, would drop me if I took too long to read something. other times, not. I got this verion of compuserve, though not actually compuserve, which is not real popular but, amoung the advantages is lower cost than any of the others and, though still dial-up and slower that DSL, I never get dropped and, as an experement, i left it online and went to bed, then went to work and returned to find I was still online! I thought that was cool after my experiance with the evil AOL!:nod:

[Big Dog]

The system is still a bit slow, but the techie assured me the additional memory would speed things up. Only got 32MB, and the install said it was below their recommended level - need about 64MB or more. I've been needing to do some upgrading anyway - a bigger C-drive would be nice - only got a 10GB, and I like collecting pics. I also need a better graphics card - some newer games don't like my 3D AGP card and won't load properly.
But, it sure beats the non-CD equipped 486 I had last year . . .

The really nice thing is, with DSL I can use the phone and still be surfing the net. Got my first call while setting up my E-mail page. Now get this . . . it was a guy wanting me to switch to his small local service - two hours after signing on with Sprint! Where do these bottom-crawlers come from? I had a small local service - nice and cheap. Service was spotty. Been there, done that, won't do it again.

[Oxford]

Hey Big Dog...Welcome back! Are you still hanging out with the FL DOE?:cheer:

[Big Dog]

Hi Oxford,
Yep, still here pounding out code for the Ejucashun Sistum!
We're doing a major redevelopment of one of our applications, with a too-short deadline - means lots of OT. No pay for the OT, just comp time.

[Oxford]

Hey BD!.....I thought comp time was ruled out by the IRS? Of course, if you're wkg under contract there could be no limit on hours.

Is the FL DOE scruitinizing the "No Child Left Behind" fed law? In MO this has been disasterous. I'm wondering if this will eventually go away if enough state DOE's resist???

Regardless, keep punching those keys, and glad you're finally back on g&g.

Ox

[Big Dog]

Oxford, yep, Brother Jeb is embracing the "No Child Left Behind" thing whole-heartedly. That boy has caused us no end of problems, at every level of State Government. He gets his bright ideas, and wants them implemented "right now"! Everything IT related is getting more automated - they can cut back more positions and make it look like they are saving money. In reality, the fancy automated systems are less user-friendly and more troublesome than the "old systems".
Well, that's "progress", I guess.
I'm already checking into other employment options, just in case.

[PAPA G]

get all the (palmetto) bugs worked out yet???

[Oxford]

BD...I'm not at all surprised about Jeb trying to look good for his brother's sake.

You're probably right about IT. As new systems are developed, it will result in reduced personnel needs but be less user friendly, as you said.

Also, the saving in salaries reduced will be offset by increased fixed expenses in equipment and software/hardware managers. Now if you could just latch on to one of those positions...:right: