Of Mice and Machines

A couple of folks have actually asked me WHY there have been no recent GRUDGE Reports.

The reason is simple; my computer hasn't been working! Or at least not much! I'd guestimate that 50% of the past two months, I have been 'down'.

Two months ago, it was the fan and power supply. I no sooner got that repaired when disaster really hit; my one and only Hard Drive started failing, sector by sector, day by day.

The offending Hard Drive has been replaced with a larger (80G), and hopefully, more reliable product.

One would think that this would solve all, huh. Not so! Though I had good back ups, they are data only! (I DID lose some data.) Which means I have to install, configure, transfer data, PROGRAM by PROGRAM, which I'm still in the process of doing! Ackkkkkkkk!!!

To those who'd like to see The GRUDGE Report more often; I am still in need of good, used, and cheap: second Hard Drive, a Surfboard Cable Modem, an external CD-W, a back-up monitor, a laptop, a color Palm, and/or a full second desktop system! If you have any of this stuff for sale, please email me...

In the meantime, my machine is now functioning! So here's to more of The Grudge Report!!! And to the ops of 3.840; I'm listening & reporting again!

Now, what all of this all has to do with 'mice' is moot as my NEW optical mouse works great!

On The Right Hand Of ???

I first noticed the change between one and two weeks ago. Perhaps it happened during that week when my computer was down (not being one of those folks that have 17 of 'em, as Artie not so subtly brags he has!)

But, I digress... The thing is, there is a difference on www.HamCams.com . If anyone has noticed it, I haven't heard about it, either on air, via email, or on our list http://groups.yahoo.com/group/3840HamFans/ (New members always welcome!).

The exit of Karen Larrimore w6so has occurred without a whimper, compared to her solar flare entrance a few short months ago! An event much heralded, welcomed by Art Bell w6obb.

Karen Larrimore w6so, can still be heard on 3840 once in awhile in the early evenings (usually long before Art's golden voice hits the ethers.)

Hmmm. Could this be because Artie is now as cold as ice to Karen, that is, even if he is polite enough to respond, which he often isn't. I mean, is there a reason for this??? OTHER than the OBVIOUS??? )

Anyway, as soon as I returned with a working computer, (thanks to a local HAM), I checked out www.HamCams.com . I noticed right away that Karen's picture 'spot' had moved from it's month's long position just to the right of, and beside, Art Bell's top row middle position to mid-way down the page. Then, a few days later, I noticed there was NO pic spot for Karen at all! And so it's been ever since. I know because I check.

The 'line-up' was thus: Top row, Paul w7mag (www.HamCams.com owner and neighbor/friend of Art), Artie, and Karen. Paul to the left of Artie, Karen to the right.

It would seem that Karen has lost her 'Right hand of Art' status! (Not that she ever 'requested' it.) But, who will take her place??? Does she want it back??? (Hard to imagine as she's so seldom on frequency anymore.) Did she ever want it to begin with???

Perhaps Karen is again on vacation? Or is there now 'infighting' behind the scenes for this 'coveted' position? Of course, Artie has the only say in this matter.

But, ahhh, the questions left by a flash in the pan...

QRZ???

It would seem that at least SOME of the moderators of the 'open' forums on www.qrz.com are a little ticked with some of the HAMS, their accusations, paranoia, veiled threats, and out and out hostility towards each other. (Like this is NEW?)

(Boy, some folks just don't recognize fun when it falls in their laps!)

Warnings are being issued left and right. 'Discipline' actions are being instigated against some of the 'frequent' posters (any relation here to 'frequent flyers', hmmm?) There are 'whispered' rumors that several of the 'posters' may even be banned! (Heavens!) Emails are being posted, copied, forwarded. Phone calls are being made...

k6euy has even said his 'good-byes' to that venerable HAM site!

All this tempest in the teapot BS, brings to my attention still once more, how very important FREE SPEECH is to most people!

I am not a HAM, I am a SWL. I am not a registered member of QRZ. Therefore, I have NOT read their Guidelines or TOS.

I did read some of the threads in question on QRZ. There was no profanity, nor threats of violence. So I don't understand WHY these folks would be 'disciplined' or banned by QRZ moderators. I certainly understand WHY they would not go back to such a place!

THEY are all (HAMS & SWL'S) welcome to www.3840HamFans.com (where they can sign up for our Yahoo Mailing List. A place where freedom of speech is limited only to the basics: NO gratuitous profanity or violence or threats of same!

And if you're just not into Mailing Lists??? Ask me nice, and if there's enough interest, I will put up a 3840HamFans Forum FOR YOUR USE!