Back to Book news

Thanks for suffering through the trials and tribulations with the Web site. It's back up and running with a few wounds but will last until I get the new site configured. TechRestore kept their promise. I had the DualMac back home on Monday. I restored the data from the external backup drive, going back to a date three days before the old drive started failing, and as far as I can tell it's all there. There's an old adage in the computer world. "The machine is a mechanical device, and all things mechanical fail". It's not if, or maybe, but when. ALWAYS, THAT'S ALWAYS, BACK UP YOUR STUFF. Don't think you are immune. One day, when you are into something important, and don't save your work, that machine will fail. Then, who do you blame?

We'll get back to the book now. I'm into the fourth chapter, laying the ground work for two major problems that will have a big impact on the police team and the town. That's all I'll give you right now but stay tuned. If it all flows together, as I think it will, the conclusion will be gang busters!

Alls well. (I hope)

After my goof on the shipment the 'puter finally got to Tech Restore, and I got a phone call this morning. The problem is the hard drive, which failed. I asked them to upgrade from the original 160 gig drive to 250 gigs which gives me more room at faster speed (I think). The machine will be shipped back tonight (Friday) which means I should have it Monday. It will take a day to rebuild it all from the Iomega external hard drive back up I use but it should be a straight restore. I could have had DR (Data Restore, another California company) transfer it all but that's a different operation, would have delayed the return, and cost $95 per hour, $195 minimum. I decided to DIY this one.

That's where I stand now. We're on the return leg of a frustrating trip, and should be back up, and running, in a few days.

A little hiccup now and then keeps life interesting. Yeah. Right!

The trouble eases

It never ceases to amaze me. I think I mentioned in a previous post that I used TechRestore in a previous life. At that time they did everything, for a fee, to get the broken thing to their facility. This time they did do half of the part dealing with FedEx. They got the return box to me. Last time the FedEx man showed up early the next morning, took the machine, and was off. I filled out the form telling them what the problem is, I put the disfunctional 'puter in the box, and I waited for the FedEx man to show up. I waited two days. I called TechRestore. I was supposed to arrainge the pickup on my own. That was not mentioned in the directions. Once I got this straight, I called FedEx, they scheduled the pickup, and the truck pulled up in the driveway two hours later. The 'puter is on it's way to get a fixup. We lost five days and I expect it will be a week, next Wednesday, before I get it back.

I can't blaim others for expecting me to follow their diredtions when there are no directions. I can blame me for not picking up the phone, and asking what's what. The saga continues...

The Braves are still losing so that part hasn't improved...

We in Mo trouble

The FedEx truck didn't show up today which means it will be Monday, at the earliest, to ship the DualMac to California. This will probably add three days to the "Up and running" date. And, today, the Braves were stomped 10 to zip so all is going as normal for me. A slump is a slump but it sure gets frustrating. It could be worse. It could be raining. Let me check the Weather..... Guess what?

How about leaving a comment here to keep me company? I'm lonely.

We in trouble now!

It has NOT been a good week for computing around here. First, I made what I thought was the right move, to replace the old '06 version of the Web software with the '09 update. I assumed, as is my usual deficient acceptance of reality, that those who write and publish code for us lesser mortals, know what they are doing, and put forth a bug-free product. Wrong. After redoing the whole Web site base it turns out that the new program will trash the opening screen when viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE).

Since it is estimated that 70% of all callers are using IE, the program that comes with Windows, as their Web browser, this cuts them out of my caller list. Frustrating for them. Exasperating for me. But I was trying everything I could think of to remedy the mess.

Next, and this one really has me scratching my head. The high-end MacBook laptop I use to build and update the Web site turns into a door stop. Right before my eyes, as I was attempting to get the screen problem fixed, parts of the software began locking up. I rebooted after several failures but it continued to get worse. At the end the machine would boot up, get to a point, and then set there with the cursor blinking at me as if to say "Take that novice". This happened at about 5:00 AM and , with watery, red eyes, I staggered off to bed.

Calling around town I rediscovered what I already knew. Mention repair of a Mac to any of our local experts and they lapse into either laughter or pity. I had some trouble with an older Mac a few years back and went to TechRestore, a Compton, California operation and had super support and quick turn-around so that's where I went today. These folks have a contract with FedEx and send a truck to pick up the machine, furnishing the carton to ship it, get one day delivery to their factory, fix it in one day, if possible, and one day return shipping. That first repair was for a cracked screen and it was back to me five days from initial pickup. I think this fix will be for a drive problem at most, or a quick tweak of software anomalies, I hope.

That's where I'm at right now. I can't make any announcements on the Web site so I will post notes here, on this Blog, to keep everyone informed. With any luck, I'll have the Web site back up and running soon. To get direct access here:

http://powerstrace.blogspot.com

Baseball. The high.

I can't believe it. Last year, 2008, the Atlanta Braves couldn't hold a lead, they would blow it somehow in the late innings. In 2009 they are unbeaten, overpowering last years World Series Champs with two-hit pitching by D. Lowe and the long ball, three home runs before the Philly fans were able to boo anyone.

The chance to go 162 - 0 is alive. Disney may need to start preparing for the unbelievable season.

It doesn't take much to get me going....

April update

I finally got my stuff together and finalized three chapters. This was the necessary, and boring, part to bring those who haven't read the first two books, up to date, and understand what is taking place five years on down the road. I didn't try to fill in all of the blanks, but enough to carry the story forward. Now, I can get into the new story-line. The fun starts here. I have an outline, somewhat, but will let the characters carry the load until they stray and lose the way.

I have received a couple of suggestions about where to take the characters in this book but, to be honest, some things are way off the chart. I don't mind, and usually instigate, off the wall situations just to see if I can get out of the fix but, really, decapitation of a main player was a bit much. I'm not a "Texas Chainsaw" type. I cringe at a hang nail.

The Braves begin the new baseball season next week so there goes the evenings. I have settled into a late-night routine, when the house is quiet, and the dogs don't sit there staring at me, begging for attention or a lap to nap in. Spoiled? Of course not. I've said for years that in my next life, I want to come back as my wifes dog. Pampered luxury all the way.

Keep following 'Twitter" on the right side bar here to get daily entries on what I'm doing. Most of that is nonsense but it gives me a break, lets me float. Whatever that means.