Jane’s trying to make the files behave for all the e-books and line us up to try a different and perhaps more stable download source-site. She got to bed at 2, because my signup for the aforesaid site (helping her out, of course) went seriously awry—my fault—and caused a lot of hassle.
I’ve agreed to run the integrity check on all the files she’s producing, all the e-books and stories, in effect. So I need to get onto said site—to which she has to get me access, today—and check them, then redirect Closed Circles pointers to grab those files instead of the ones where they have been.
Waiting for that to land in files, I do some major outlining on the ending for Peacemaker. I get about halfway.
Then Josh sends me the Protector copyedits, and they’re really very good, but—there are some things that need re-correcting, and it means scanning the whole book for problems.
All day on that…I send that off. He’s not in his office. Good thing I saved copies.
well, that took until about 3. I decide to brave the new download situation and find my way into the new storage and check out Heavy Time. We’re pretty good. Some 2-3 problems, but what book hasn’t? I think what I have to do now is write the very simple code to put it instead of the current file on Closed Circle…but I want to ask Jane and she’s been busy.
Meanwhile—her computer closed down, failing to save an hour’s work. [It’s not necessarily hardware, except in the sense that book design can push a program hard, and sometimes we overstress the system.] An hour’s work lost. She’s remarkably sane, considering.
I decided not to trouble her with a question. Lunch was simple. I need to fix supper. I’m really braindead, but I have still an evening of code-copying and page-scanning. And I forgot a dose of my eye meds. I’ll need to get that.
The good news is the eyes have stopped being flaming red and the whites are white even after I wake up in the morning. THis is good.
The bad news is I’m really s’posed to be taking it easy, but hey, it’s a day in the life of…the galleys just made eit more complicated than usual…
Here is a stupid question that just occurred to me- is it helpful to you to be on the other side of the continent from your editors from the editing perspective? You have a real head start on a 24 hour turn around.
Just a quick note of thanks to the three of you for starting Closed Circle. I’ve purchased a few items, and your instructions on how to download them onto a Kindle were perfectly clear and worked as advertised. Won’t have time to read them until near the end of the year, but that’s a different matter.
I really like knowing that the purchase price goes to the authors.
Thank you all for sharing your creativity with us, your readers!
Kafryn
Thanks, and welcome, Kafryn!
Well, the distance makes quick contact on a problem a bit more problematic: getting hold of each other by phone is not as easy as from Oklahoma.
I’ve got a laptop here that shuts down after a few minutes. A bad (obstructed?) fan, probably. It’d be just too big a job to dismantle everything for replacing it.
I know everything is going mobile these days, but there are some advantages to using desktops–big fans! 😉
Guessing I’m gonna be getting some quality computer time for the next couple weeks. 🙂 OPB ran a trailer for a program Saturday showing a bunch of grandfathers in bright yellow suits singing their “doo-wop” hits of the 50’s. Don’t understand that. Does that appeal to the Masterpiece Theatre audience? Well, I’ve still got my local classical music radio station! (allclassical.org streaming)
Try this, a technique given me by a Dell repairman: turn OFF the computer, totally. Wait til the fan stops running. Then take a powerful vacuum and place it over the ventilation grid for the fan, usually at the back of the laptop. This may suck out any pet hair and other stuff that’s gotten in there.
If it does, you’re cured.
After that didn’t work, I also tried a blast of “canned air”, though I agree sucking it out is far better than blowing it who knows where.
Sigh. Bummer. I hope maybe alternately applying both may help. Either that or the heat sink/fan combo needs replacing. Not too hard to do—I had to have this done on my 2004 vintage machine.
Downloaded the maintenance manual. I’d have to remove the keyboard to get in. Then there’s the question of whether I can find a replacement anyplace than IBM. It’s a 1.6GHz P4, and old–the battery is toast–so it hasn’t gotten anywhere near the top of my list.
Oh, I forgot… No question if I were to go in that far, and considering its age, it would be replacement, not cleaning!
I’ve done surgery on quite a few of my laptops. As long as you carefully keep your screws in a container, take notes on what goes where, and have clear instructions, it’s not bad at all: everything in there plugs into something else, and good eyesight and very small screwdrivers are a good thing.
Sure, no question that I could do it. Been playing with this stuff for ages. (Built my IMSAI in ’76, started a dual processor in early ’80’s. [consulting old computer log… yup, 4/24/82]) It can be done, but given the moribund battery it’s just not the best use of my time. I’ve got the last third of a novel to draft 😉 and a new version of my Linux system to get running.
Ah, good choice.
Oh, indeed so!!! From one little incident, no more than a minute of real-time, that popped into my head some time after reading a favorite series ;), then volunteering to be a “shelf-reader” at the local library that kept reminding me of it, embellishing it, when I straightened a certain author’s books, I set-to. Been to the other side of space with “people” I barely knew (who turn out to be quite a respectable crew), and now wondering about what’s gonna happen when we get home–I’m sure it ain’t gonna be pretty, somebody’s gonna die! 🙁
I bought a six pack of canned air this week. There is something very, very odd about buying cans of compressed air! It feels like you’re buying the Emperor’s New Clothes. (Which leads to all sorts of questions about the nature of your relationship to the Emperor, hahaha!) Well, the six pack was cheaper than before, and if it solves my problem, it’s worth it.
If you’re looking for some cool entertainment, try:
The Woodsongs Old-Time Radio Hour, which airs on many PBS TV and radio stations, and is available as a free podcast in either audio or video. Available through their website or through iTunes or other podcatchers. woodsongs.org They have primarily folk and bluegrass, but they have also had several other genres.
Another podcast: 99% Invisible, hosted by Roman Mars. (Yes, really.) His podcast focuses on the unusual in design and in general. He comes up with some marvellously creative topics. It’s always interesting, and it’s short, typically 15 minutes or less. The most recent episode was on Cowloon Walled City in Hong Kong. He’s had shows about Bucky Fuller’s geodesic domes, pneumatic tubes, just many odd and remarkable things. One of my favorite podcasts.
I’d also recommend Abigail Washburn to anyone who likes both American and Chinese music. Ms. Washburn has both modern and traditional folk styles and original music. She sings in English and Chinese (Mandarin). It seems she began as a poli sci major, but became fascinated with Mandarin Chines, became fluent, and started singing. Her music can be very contemporary or very old-style. I don’t speak Mandarin, but the music is beautiful.
Happy Thanksgiving!