Re: Official Statement
J. van Baardwijk wrote: I must have done something wrong somewhere along the way... :-) You don't have to keep apologising again and again. Try stopping these repetitive posts. HUGE GRIN Regards, Ray. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Osama's letter to America
Ronn! Blankenship wrote: Just imagine that the only faces you ever get to see are those of bearded men . . . Hey, what's wrong with bearded men??? I resemble that remark. Anyway, why would you want to see bearded women?? Regards, Ray. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Kids (was Re: Silly mice )
Ronn! Blankenship wrote: I Told You Kids Not To Go Outside Our Back Yard Maru I wish mine would listen to this instruction! I spent about 3 hours chasing our new kid for miles up and down the road, through barbed wire and electric fences, up and down the hills (they're bloody steep around here). Had to give up the chase, as I had school reports to write that just could not be delayed any further. Eventually the farmer up the road managed to trap him in his hayshed, hogtie him, and bring him back to us in the boot (trunk for Usans) of his car. Thought for a while I'd wasted the A$40 (US%20) I'd paid for it at the local Sunday market this morning :-) Just kidding, Ray. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Official Statement
At 01:49 08-12-2002 -0500, you wrote: I think codifying The Rules only invites people to skirt them, and to be honest I think that is pretty much what you attempted to do. You argue like a defense lawyer about what is right and what is wrong, when it is really a pretty simple thing for most people. OK, here's where I disagree with you, Rob. If for no other reason than to be fair, the rules really need to establish in advance whether typical moderation will be indefinite or temporary -- or if it will last until a change in behavior is forthcoming etc. I don't think it needs to be terribly specific, but it does need to let people know they're not being shunned indefinitely. I must agree with Jon; I think that there really should be some document that at least states a few basic things such as: - what kinds of behaviour will not be accepted - what steps can/will be taken in case something unacceptable happens - if sanctions are taken against a member, how long they will last. I also think it should be formally established that sanctions may only be taken after the list has discussed the matter and has given its approval. This should prevent current and future listowners from becoming judge, jury and executioner. Keywords here are accountability and transparency. That of course raises the question of how to deal with listowners who themselves misbehave, especially if his/her fellow listowners support him/her. Any suggestions? We've lost many people over the past few years, some to their own stubborn-ness and others to their own desire to enjoy being a part of a grand discussion not peppered with flamewars and bickering. Brin-L goes on without their voices, but I think each one is missed. :-( Well, if you insist, we could try to track down Kyle and ask him to return... :-) Salam Alaikum / Sholom Aleichem. The phrase means: Peace be with you in both Hebrew and Arabic and I return the sentiment tenfold. Ahem. If you know the meaning of those words, than you should also know (and use) the appropriate response to them (Alaikum Salam in Arabic, Aleichem Hashalom in Hebrew). Just thought I should mention that. Jeroen Speaker of many tongues van Baardwijk LEGAL NOTICE: By replying to this message, you understand and accept that your replies (both on-list and off-list) may be published on-line and in any other form, and that I cannot and shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences (monetary and otherwise) this may have for you. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Brin: Starflight without Warp Drive
Transcript of an interview from Science Fiction Age magazine. participants: David Brin, Robert L. Forward, and Jonathan Vos Post Sorry if this has been posted before :-) http://www.sff.net/people/Geoffrey.Landis/stl.htp ___ Gary L. Nunn Delaware Ohio When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. -African proverb ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: brin-l.com
At 01:51 08-12-2002 -0500, Jon Gabriel wrote: So. what's the deal? Is it still for sale? Well, it *does* say that the auction will be closed if no new bid is received within one month of the latest bid. The latest bid dates back to Dec. 1, 2002, 08:06:54 GMT, so anyone who wants to make a bid still has till the end of the year to do so. (Highest bid sofar is USD 30.) Even if and when I put the original content back up before then, the auction will remain open till the end of the year; in that case I will add a notice about it to the main page. Jeroen Nomen dominii habeo ergo sum van Baardwijk LEGAL NOTICE: By replying to this message, you understand and accept that your replies (both on-list and off-list) may be published on-line and in any other form, and that I cannot and shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences (monetary and otherwise) this may have for you. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Official Statement
At 22:32 08-12-2002 +1100, Ray Ludenia wrote: I must have done something wrong somewhere along the way... :-) You don't have to keep apologising again and again. Try stopping these repetitive posts. HUGE GRIN That was not an apology, that was an observation. :-) Jeroen Gotta explain *everything* to them Aussies van Baardwijk LEGAL NOTICE: By replying to this message, you understand and accept that your replies (both on-list and off-list) may be published on-line and in any other form, and that I cannot and shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences (monetary and otherwise) this may have for you. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Osama's letter to America
At 22:58 08-12-2002 +1100, Ray Ludenia wrote: Just imagine that the only faces you ever get to see are those of bearded men . . . Hey, what's wrong with bearded men??? I resemble that remark. Anyway, why would you want to see bearded women?? Why would you not want to see bearded women? In the time of travelling freak shows, people would *pay money* to see bearded women... Jeroen -- who right now has a scruffy beard but no suspenders and no smug expression LEGAL NOTICE: By replying to this message, you understand and accept that your replies (both on-list and off-list) may be published on-line and in any other form, and that I cannot and shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences (monetary and otherwise) this may have for you. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Kids (was Re: Silly mice )
At 11:36 PM 12/8/02 +1100, Ray Ludenia wrote: Ronn! Blankenship wrote: I Told You Kids Not To Go Outside Our Back Yard Maru FWIW, kid is US slang for child. I wish mine would listen to this instruction! I spent about 3 hours chasing our new kid for miles up and down the road, through barbed wire and electric fences, up and down the hills (they're bloody steep around here). Had to give up the chase, as I had school reports to write that just could not be delayed any further. Eventually the farmer up the road managed to trap him in his hayshed, hogtie him, and bring him back to us in the boot (trunk for Usans) of his car. (You _sure_ you aren't talking about a child?) :-b Two Peoples Divided By A Common Language Maru --Ronn! :) I always knew that I would see the first man on the Moon. I never dreamed that I would see the last. --Dr. Jerry Pournelle ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Brin: Starflight without Warp Drive
At 07:39 AM 12/8/02 -0500, Gary Nunn wrote: Transcript of an interview from Science Fiction Age magazine. participants: David Brin, Robert L. Forward, and Jonathan Vos Post Sorry if this has been posted before :-) Well, I didn't see a date listed when the interview took place, so I must assume it took place at least several months ago, or else this truly would be at least 33% Ghost-post . . . --Ronn! :) I always knew that I would see the first man on the Moon. I never dreamed that I would see the last. --Dr. Jerry Pournelle ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Kids (was Re: Silly mice )
I had kid in Spain once, very yummy. Went well with some red wine. Mike V. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Osama's letter to America
At 01:58 PM 12/8/02 +0100, J. van Baardwijk wrote: At 22:58 08-12-2002 +1100, Ray Ludenia wrote: To be picky, _I_ wrote the following line: Just imagine that the only faces you ever get to see are those of bearded men . . . Hey, what's wrong with bearded men??? I resemble that remark. Nothing wrong with bearded men. However, my comment was directed toward the possibility that there would be no other options. Variety is the spice of life, and all that, you know . . . Anyway, why would you want to see bearded women?? Why would you not want to see bearded women? In the time of travelling freak shows, people would *pay money* to see bearded women... Which leads to another question: in countries where Islamic law is enforced, do bearded women have to veil their faces? Enquiring Minds Want To Know Maru --Ronn! :) I always knew that I would see the first man on the Moon. I never dreamed that I would see the last. --Dr. Jerry Pournelle ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Kids (was Re: Silly mice )
At 23:36 08-12-2002 +1100, Ray Ludenia wrote: Had to give up the chase, as I had school reports to write that just could not be delayed any further. Aha, so *that* is the latest excuse for being out of shape! GRIN Jeroen Why run when you can drive? van Baardwijk LEGAL NOTICE: By replying to this message, you understand and accept that your replies (both on-list and off-list) may be published on-line and in any other form, and that I cannot and shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences (monetary and otherwise) this may have for you. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Official Statement
J. van Baardwijk wrote: I must agree with Jon; I think that there really should be some document that at least states a few basic things such as: - what kinds of behaviour will not be accepted - what steps can/will be taken in case something unacceptable happens - if sanctions are taken against a member, how long they will last. Reasonable points, but should be kept fairly general ie not a highly detailed and specific list of transgressions and detailed penalties. I also think it should be formally established that sanctions may only be taken after the list has discussed the matter and has given its approval. This should prevent current and future listowners from becoming judge, jury and executioner. Keywords here are accountability and transparency. Please no! I don't want endless arguments and bickering about any specific cases. As long as there is a clear statement by the list manager(s) giving reasons and remedies, then that should be it. If they clearly over-step the mark, then I am sure there would be no stopping ferocious reaction to their decisions. As long as they are reasonable, even if we disagree to some extent, I would rather not have the list cluttered with endless discussions about this. I would think we have had enough of that already. That of course raises the question of how to deal with listowners who themselves misbehave, especially if his/her fellow listowners support him/her. Any suggestions? If there is widespread belief this has happened, I would think we would raise an almighty ruckus. If enough of us felt strongly that misbehaviour had occurred, then one of the remedies available to us is to desert this list and set up an alternative venue, and transfer to that. All my comments do place a great deal of reliance and trust in the list managers, but so far I have not seen much to worry about. Because of your dispute Jeroen, I can see where you may have some reservations about this :-) Regards, Ray. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Kids (was Re: Silly mice )
Ronn! Blankenship wrote: At 11:36 PM 12/8/02 +1100, Ray Ludenia wrote: Ronn! Blankenship wrote: I Told You Kids Not To Go Outside Our Back Yard Maru FWIW, kid is US slang for child. Two Peoples Divided By A Common Language Maru Same here, of course. As I said earlier, just kidding! Except when I checked the on-line dictionary for kidding, one meaning of this was to bring forth a young goat. I guess both senses of the word were appropriate! Regards, Ray. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Week 13 Picks
For the year, I am still doing well at 119-73 (.620) even though the Upset Special fell through Chad Morton's arms on Monday night as the Jets fell to the Raiders. This week's Picks: Even though Tampa crushed the Falcons in Atlanta earlier this season, and should do it again now that they are at home and reeling from an upset in New Orleans, with the Falcons remaining opponents being Seattle and Detroit at home, followed by a road trip to a Cleveland team that figures to be eliminated from the playoffs by the last week of the season, the Falcons know that this is the biggest game they have left this year. so, since I can hardly abandon the Super Bowl express now, the pick is FALCONS! Meanwhile, there are a string of other division remathces this week. Give me the BILLS in Drew Bledsoe's homecoming (and look for the Bills to then loose to San Diego or Green Bay to be knocked out of the playoff race - what can I say, I'm a Bills fan. :)On the other hand, give me MartyBall and the CHARGERS to upset the Raiders again. Likewise, the TITANS will redux their upset road win on their home turf. In other games St. Louis lost at Kansas City in their prime, and now the Rams are reeling. So, I'll give the slight edge to the CHIEFS... and Terrell Owens will probably refrain from his antics, but the NINERS will still win over Dallas. In a bit of an upset, I think that the RAVENS upsend the Saints on the now-frozen tundra in Baltimore, and while I'm at it, why not take the REDSKINS over the imploding and very-injured Giants. In the who-knows, who-cares department, Carolina got their upset last week, which must mean that it is the BENGALS turn this week.The victims of that Upset, the BROWNS will turn it around by upending Jacksonville.On the other side of the country, Arizona is presumably the first team to lose by 49 points and then be a Vegas favorits the next week. Give me the LIONS who have about one less injury than the Cardinals. Upset Special time - everyone is picking the Seahawks to win, but I don't see it. Give me AJ Feely and the EAGLES in Seattle.The true UPSET SPECIAL is the TEXANS getting their second franchise road win as the Zone Blitz scheme of Dom Capers befuddles Kordell Stewart. On Sunday night, look for the Vikings to run for the bus against the PACKERS, as they cover a big spread against the Vikings. On Monday night, it certainly isn't Marino-vs.-McMahon to preserve the perfect season. Instead, its Fiedler/Lucas vs. Miller/Chandler, depending on who is able to suit up. Hardly has the same ring to it. I think we saw the last gasp of the Bears last week in the first half against the arch-rival Packers, so I'll look for the DOLPHINS to win big, I think. JDG ___ John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] People everywhere want to say what they think; choose who will govern them; worship as they please; educate their children -- male and female; own property; and enjoy the benefits of their labor. These values of freedom are right and true for every person, in every society -- and the duty of protecting these values against their enemies is the common calling of freedom-loving people across the globe and across the ages. -US National Security Policy, 2002 ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Kids (was Re: Silly mice )
J. van Baardwijk wrote: At 23:36 08-12-2002 +1100, Ray Ludenia wrote: Had to give up the chase, as I had school reports to write that just could not be delayed any further. Aha, so *that* is the latest excuse for being out of shape! GRIN Jeroen Why run when you can drive? van Baardwijk Actually yesterday I did a lot of (bad) driving...on the golf course :-) Not to mention spitting chips, shanking irons, putting on greens (not salad ones), making bogies etc. Regards, Ray. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Week 13 Picks - corrected
For the year, I am still doing well at 119-73 (.620) even though the Upset Special fell through Chad Morton's arms on Monday night as the Jets fell to the Raiders. This week's Picks: Even though Tampa crushed the Falcons in Atlanta earlier this season, and should do it again now that they are at home and reeling from an upset in New Orleans, with the Falcons remaining opponents being Seattle and Detroit at home, followed by a road trip to a Cleveland team that figures to be eliminated from the playoffs by the last week of the season, the Falcons know that this is the biggest game they have left this year. so, since I can hardly abandon the Super Bowl express now, the pick is FALCONS! Meanwhile, there are a string of other division remathces this week. Give me the BILLS in Drew Bledsoe's homecoming (and look for the Bills to then loose to San Diego or Green Bay to be knocked out of the playoff race - what can I say, I'm a Bills fan. :)On the other hand, give me MartyBall and the CHARGERS to upset the Raiders again. Likewise, the TITANS will redux their upset road win on their home turf. In other games St. Louis lost at Kansas City in their prime, and now the Rams are reeling. So, I'll give the slight edge to the CHIEFS... and Terrell Owens will probably refrain from his antics, but the NINERS will still win over Dallas. In a bit of an upset, I think that the RAVENS upsend the Saints on the now-frozen tundra in Baltimore, and while I'm at it, why not take the REDSKINS over the imploding and very-injured Giants. In New York, two teams who suffered heart-breaking losses meet, give me the JETS at home, I think. In the who-knows, who-cares department, Carolina got their upset last week, which must mean that it is the BENGALS turn this week.The victims of that Upset, the BROWNS will turn it around by upending Jacksonville.On the other side of the country, Arizona is presumably the first team to lose by 49 points and then be a Vegas favorits the next week. Give me the LIONS who have about one less injury than the Cardinals. Upset Special time - everyone is picking the Seahawks to win, but I don't see it. Give me AJ Feely and the EAGLES in Seattle.The true UPSET SPECIAL is the TEXANS getting their second franchise road win as the Zone Blitz scheme of Dom Capers befuddles Kordell Stewart. On Sunday night, look for the Vikings to run for the bus against the PACKERS, as they cover a big spread against the Vikings. On Monday night, it certainly isn't Marino-vs.-McMahon to preserve the perfect season. Instead, its Fiedler/Lucas vs. Miller/Chandler, depending on who is able to suit up. Hardly has the same ring to it. I think we saw the last gasp of the Bears last week in the first half against the arch-rival Packers, so I'll look for the DOLPHINS to win big. JDG ___ John D. Giorgis - [EMAIL PROTECTED] People everywhere want to say what they think; choose who will govern them; worship as they please; educate their children -- male and female; own property; and enjoy the benefits of their labor. These values of freedom are right and true for every person, in every society -- and the duty of protecting these values against their enemies is the common calling of freedom-loving people across the globe and across the ages. -US National Security Policy, 2002 ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Official Statement
- Original Message - From: Jon Gabriel [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 12:49 AM Subject: RE: Official Statement From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Robert Seeberger Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 7:34 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; J. van Baardwijk Subject: Re: Official Statement I dont think so..no not at all. I think we are all adults here and know right from wrong. If you cant seem to get a handle on it, the maybe Sonja can help you since she seems to have a pretty good head on her shoulders. I think codifying The Rules only invites people to skirt them, and to be honest I think that is pretty much what you attempted to do. You argue like a defense lawyer about what is right and what is wrong, when it is really a pretty simple thing for most people. OK, here's where I disagree with you, Rob. If for no other reason than to be fair, the rules really need to establish in advance whether typical moderation will be indefinite or temporary -- or if it will last until a change in behavior is forthcoming etc. A change in behavior should be the pivotal reason for a change of status in either direction. I do not think that we are into punishment here, nor do we want to establish anyone as civil authorities. We only want to keep the peace and protect the list itself. I dont think we want to build jails (or any analogue of jails ). I think that all we ever want to do is to show a person that a. they are disrupting the list b. it wont be tolerated I f a person is still uncooperative, they can be banned. *If we look back into recent history, this process may have saved a lot of bandwidth in regards to Mark, in that he would have clearly been shown what would and what would not be tolerated. *Moderation is a filter through which true incorrigables can be seperated from dissenters. I don't think it needs to be terribly specific, but it does need to let people know they're not being shunned indefinitely. I disagree with Jeroen's methods: demands, etc., but he did have one very good point: AFAIK, he was never told how long the moderation would last and IMHO, under normal circumstances that's wrong. Basicly, I dont believe we need rules so much as the establishment of a guiding philosophy. Rules bind you, they are a sword that cuts both ways. And I for one, would like the listowners to have the leeway to practice and use good judgement. Rules are hard and fast, but a philosophy can be more flexible. Generally we call our current philosophy The Guidelines. We discourage the use of expletives on the list, yet there are times when their use is entirely appropriate, shift/masked or not. This list has been too much fun and too interesting to let it go to hell... I think a lot of us, myself included, have been waiting for it to get *back* from hell. It's been a nasty year to be an active Brinneller. :-( I agree, and while i think a Jeroen-less list is a diminished list, do not think life would go on for the rest of us without you. We've lost many people over the past few years, some to their own stubborn-ness and others to their own desire to enjoy being a part of a grand discussion not peppered with flamewars and bickering. Brin-L goes on without their voices, but I think each one is missed. :-( It would be a terrible shame to lose anyone else for any reason, but it would be especially disappointing and sad for us to lose Jeroen. He has poured a *lot* of time, love and energy into this place. I'm glad he's changed his mind. By the same token I believe that losing JDG would be tragic also, so please refrain from requests that others be banned or moderated. Coming from you after the last few weeks, it would leave quite a bad taste. Or, rather than calling for it onlist, which seems to promote intense arguments and flamewars, can we suggest that such subjects be taken up with the listowners privately and *calmly*? I agree in general. I wanted to go on record as saying that I dont like members bitching about one another and that there are good reasons why they shouldnt. Let me go on record again: I think complaining about other listmembers should be recognised as grounds for moderation. (of course I'm talking about constant bitching, not justifiable complaints.) Saying 'don't discuss it' seems too much like 'we'll welcome you back as long as you keep your mouth shut'. By the same token, the last thing I think any of us wants is to rehash these arguments on the list *again!* If you disagree Rob, please jump in! :) I know we want to put this behind us Sometimes its better to keep some opinions under your hat ( you can bet that I dont say everything I think at all times). G Note to self: adopt this policy ;-) If you start feeling like saying things that might cause trouble, you can always email me first and see
Re: Official Statement
Jeroen van Baardwijk wrote: I also urge the list to discuss the matter of list policy, so that we can reach a list-wide agreement on what behaviour will and will not be tolerated, and what steps should be taken if and when something happens that this list deems unacceptable. IMHO, only a clear and well-documented list policy may prevent mayhem like these last few weeks from happening again. Er, we have one? JoAnne's Etiquette Guidelines? Or has that changed? They used to be up on your site, IIRC, but of course that's gone now. But they were certainly useful as a roadmap to unacceptable behavior. The only thing I'd add to them is: No reposting private messages to other people without the permission of the original sender - with or without disclaimer sigs. grin I have an intense distaste for this practice. I've never *once* seen any good come of it. The golden rule is *always* Attack the post, not the poster. I find it very useful to have guidelines rather than rules. Everyone steps over the line at one point or another, and none of us want to get dinged every time we make an off-color joke in the heat of an arguement. It's when violating the guidelines becomes routine that it becomes upsetting. Kat Feete 'I've gone to hundreds of fortune-tellers' parlors, and have been told thousands of things, but nobody ever told me I was a policewoman getting ready to arrest her.' -- New York City Detective ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Official Statement
At 11:32 08-12-2002 -0500, Kat Feete wrote: I also urge the list to discuss the matter of list policy, so that we can reach a list-wide agreement on what behaviour will and will not be tolerated, and what steps should be taken if and when something happens that this list deems unacceptable. IMHO, only a clear and well-documented list policy may prevent mayhem like these last few weeks from happening again. Er, we have one? JoAnne's Etiquette Guidelines? Or has that changed? The Etiquette Guidelines indicate what would be considered (in)appropriate behaviour, but only say that the listowners have the right to remove someone who misbehaves. They do not mention what action should be taken in case of which type of misbehaviour, and do not mention how long a sanction should last. The current version would be a good starting point, but it could use some amendments. They used to be up on your site, IIRC, but of course that's gone now. They will be back in the near future. Jeroen Architectus Websiticum van Baardwijk LEGAL NOTICE: By replying to this message, you understand and accept that your replies (both on-list and off-list) may be published on-line and in any other form, and that I cannot and shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences (monetary and otherwise) this may have for you. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Official Statement
Ray Ludenia wrote: I must have done something wrong somewhere along the way... :-) You don't have to keep apologising again and again. Try stopping these repetitive posts. HUGE GRIN I know you weren't but serious do you think posting repetitive messages is such a bad behaviour that those that do it must be moderated? /serious Alberto Monteiro ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Stag Film Serenade
Sonja wrote: Is that how those rather unusual shot's in some of the current pop videos are made. I mean the ones where the whole picture is frozen and then the camera pans around the artist? And those where the artist keeps moving while the whole picture is frozen and the camera pans around him? Nope, that process was called Bullet-cam by its inventors. The DVD of The Matrix has a very good explanation of this. Basically, several cameras surround the subject and each camera shoots a single frame, either simultaneously or in very quick sequential order depending on the desired effect, and the backgrounds are filled in via computer. Or something like that. Reggie Bautista :-) _ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Ospreys have seen MY EYES
Marvin wrote: See? Ron Jeremy (and doughnuts) make anything better. And that's why he's the crown Hedgehog of porn. Jim replied: And the healing begins, thanks to fried dough and dirty movies. You know, there has to be a clever yet dirty joke that one could make in a thread involving a male porn star and doughnuts, but I think the ease of the setup has shorted my brain. :) Too... many... possibilities... Can't... handle... the strain... :-) Reggie Bautista _ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Ospreys (Was: RE: Admin: Server access blocked)
Jon wrote: In an attempt to answer this post, I did an I Feel Lucky search for Hacking Defined on Google: From the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12143_15425-35430--,00.ht ml Hacking Defined The reintroduction technique, called hacking, includes collecting chicks from the wild at five to six weeks old and placing them in hack boxes until they are ready to fly. DNR staff will feed the birds released from the hack sites while they learn to fly and catch fish on their own. Male ospreys generally return to nest at the site at which they learned to fly. Females will follow males to their nesting grounds. Ospreys usually do not nest until they are three years old. They will migrate to South America in the fall and may not be seen again in the Maple River or Kensington Metro Park areas until they are ready to nest. LOL *grin* Who knew? Not what I originally meant, but made me laugh. :) Jon GSV Is there a weekly award for the wildest subject change? There should be, cuz I think I just won it. :-) I officially nominate Jon for the Thead Creep of the Week Award. Wait a minute, something doesn't sound quite right about that... ;-) Anyway, thanks for the laugh. Reggie Bautista _ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Official Statement
At 20:13 07-12-2002 -0500, William Taylor wrote: What does the winner get for the magic numbered post? The usual prize: a free one-year subscription to Brin-L. But as this is a special occassion, we'll throw in a bonus prize: a 50% discount on the exit fee if the winner leaves Brin-L within that year. Jeroen Tight budget van Baardwijk LEGAL NOTICE: By replying to this message, you understand and accept that your replies (both on-list and off-list) may be published on-line and in any other form, and that I cannot and shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences (monetary and otherwise) this may have for you. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: understanding Lexmark business strategy
Gary wrote: Has anyone ever used the cartridge refill kits? Ronn! replied: Yes. (Not on a Lexmark, if that makes any difference.) I've had pretty good results. I do recommend that one carry out the procedure over the sink, however. I've always had trouble with bubbles in the ink. Any advice? Reggie Bautista _ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: understanding Lexmark business strategy
At 15:50 08-12-2002 -0600, Reggie Bautista wrote: I've always had trouble with bubbles in the ink. Any advice? Buy a laserprinter? :-) Jeroen Simple solutions van Baardwijk LEGAL NOTICE: By replying to this message, you understand and accept that your replies (both on-list and off-list) may be published on-line and in any other form, and that I cannot and shall not be held responsible for any negative consequences (monetary and otherwise) this may have for you. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Stag Film Serenade
-Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Reggie Bautista ... Nope, that process was called Bullet-cam by its inventors. The DVD of The Matrix has a very good explanation of this. Basically, several cameras surround the subject and each camera shoots a single frame, either simultaneously or in very quick sequential order depending on the desired effect, and the backgrounds are filled in via computer. Or something like that. For live action, this uses an array of mirrors. It's a somewhat low-tech solution, although synchronization takes some higher tech. Nick ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: I Robot, NOT
William Taylor wrote: _Nightfall_ Adam replied: That movie Did Not Happen. Anyone that claims it did is the victim of a mass delusion. You must trust me on this, lest ye fall into the abyss. THERE WAS NO MOVIE OF NIGHTFALL. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along. And strangely enough, they skipped from Star Trek IV to Star Trek VI. Reggie Bautista _ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: I Robot, NOT
Alberto (I think) wrote: _Starship Troopers_-the-movie is a Masterpiece!!! One of the best movies ever made!!! Can we assume you are kidding? Please? If not, can we assume you've never read the book and that's why you liked that piece of film-making dreck? :-) Reggie Bautista I've actually read through your Heinlein time-lein Maru _ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: I Robot, NOT
In a message dated 12/8/2002 4:14:36 PM US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: THERE WAS NO MOVIE OF NIGHTFALL. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along. And strangely enough, they skipped from Star Trek IV to Star Trek VI. Reggie Bautista Skipped? Ran like bloody blazes from IV to VI, I'd say. As to movies of The Next Generation, I still can't believe the first movie wasn't about the Dyson Sphere, which, by Federation law, Scotty owns William Taylor - Ask any Ferengi lawyer. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Starship Trooper
- Original Message - From: Reggie Bautista [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 5:13 PM Subject: Re: I Robot, NOT Alberto (I think) wrote: _Starship Troopers_-the-movie is a Masterpiece!!! One of the best movies ever made!!! Can we assume you are kidding? Please? If not, can we assume you've never read the book and that's why you liked that piece of film-making dreck? :-) Personally, I think the movie is superior to the book. The book takes itself seriously. Heinlein actually believed in the theme of Starship Trooper. He also believed in incest, yuck. I really like some of his works, like the Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but I only enjoyed his later stuff and Starship Trooper with a clothespin. Dan M. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
RE: Ospreys have seen MY EYES
Reggie Bautista wrote: You know, there has to be a clever yet dirty joke that one could make in a thread involving a male porn star and doughnuts, but I think the ease of the setup has shorted my brain. :) Too... many... possibilities... Can't... handle... the strain... I know! It was like traveling through hyperspace on a toboggan. Even Lucky Kaa couldn't have navigated all those possibilities. :) Jim ___ Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com The most personalized portal on the Web! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Starship Trooper
Dan Minette wrote: ... Alberto (I think) wrote: _Starship Troopers_-the-movie is a Masterpiece!!! One of the best movies ever made!!! Can we assume you are kidding? Please? If not, can we assume you've never read the book and that's why you liked that piece of film-making dreck? :-) Personally, I think the movie is superior to the book. The book takes itself seriously. I agree. The movie is actually pretty good, you just have to watch it the right way. View it as a propaganda film produced by a state so warlike that only soldiers can vote... ---David Meteor shower. The Bugs sent it! ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Starship Trooper
on 8/12/02 11:33 pm, Dan Minette at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: - Original Message - From: Reggie Bautista [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 5:13 PM Subject: Re: I Robot, NOT Alberto (I think) wrote: _Starship Troopers_-the-movie is a Masterpiece!!! One of the best movies ever made!!! Can we assume you are kidding? Please? If not, can we assume you've never read the book and that's why you liked that piece of film-making dreck? :-) Personally, I think the movie is superior to the book. The book takes itself seriously. Heinlein actually believed in the theme of Starship Trooper. He also believed in incest, yuck. I really like some of his works, like the Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but I only enjoyed his later stuff and Starship Trooper with a clothespin. Later than what? _The Moon is a Harsh Mistress_ (1966) is the last good book he wrote (except possibly _Friday_ (1982)). As for _Starship Troopers_ (1959), Samuel R Delany (award-winning gay black sf author and professor of Comparative Literature) has written about its homoerotic content. (He had an epiphany when he read it, and his own first sf novel _The Jewels of Aptor_ was published in 1962, when he was 20. (He won his first Nebula for Babel-17 in 1966.) -- William T Goodall Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web : http://www.wtgab.demon.co.uk Blog : http://radio.weblogs.com/0111221/ Misuse of IMPs leads to strange, difficult-to-diagnose bugs. - Anguish et al. Cocoa Programming ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Starship Trooper
David Hobby wrote: Dan Minette wrote: Personally, I think the movie is superior to the book. The book takes itself seriously. I agree. The movie is actually pretty good, you just have to watch it the right way. View it as a propaganda film produced by a state so warlike that only soldiers can vote... I view it as a P.O.S. that you couldn't pay me to see again. Paul Verhoeven (sp?) is the Lizzie Borden of satire. I've seen 7th-grade film projects that were better, and that's if I count the shower scene with Denise Richards' boobies. The book, though - it's an interesting thought-experiment. Did Heinlein actually believe in the philosophies espoused by Johnny Rico? Maybe, some of them, but I'm almost always willing to separate the author from the book. I enjoyed it the day in 5th grade I pulled it off the shelf, and I've enjoyed it ever since. First piece of SF I ever read, so I've got a sentimental attachment. Adam C. Lipscomb [EMAIL PROTECTED] Silence. I am watching television. - Spider Jerusalem ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Bye until tomorrow
Julia Thompson wrote: I'm going to be leaving Dan Sammy to each other's tender mercies until late tomorrow afternoon, and spending the night in a hotel to have some time to myself. :) I'll be be back to checking e-mail sometime tomorrow evening, possibly not until Sammy's gone to bed (and possibly not until the football game is over -- just wish I could remember who was playing to know if I should be looking forward to that or not) I'm back, and I'm interested in tonight's football game, and I think I'm coming down with a cold. :P So this is probably it from me for the evening, but there are a few messages I've marked for later reply, so you'll probably hear some from me tomorrow. :) Julia ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Starship Trooper
- Original Message - From: William T Goodall [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: BRIN-L [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 7:47 PM Subject: Re: Starship Trooper on 8/12/02 11:33 pm, Dan Minette at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: - Original Message - From: Reggie Bautista [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 5:13 PM Subject: Re: I Robot, NOT Alberto (I think) wrote: _Starship Troopers_-the-movie is a Masterpiece!!! One of the best movies ever made!!! Can we assume you are kidding? Please? If not, can we assume you've never read the book and that's why you liked that piece of film-making dreck? :-) Personally, I think the movie is superior to the book. The book takes itself seriously. Heinlein actually believed in the theme of Starship Trooper. He also believed in incest, yuck. I really like some of his works, like the Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but I only enjoyed his later stuff and Starship Trooper with a clothespin. Later than what? _The Moon is a Harsh Mistress_ (1966) is the last good book Sorry, backwards. I meant that I didn't care much for his late stuff, which had incest as a good idea. I was going to write things one way and wrote it another, and inverted my point. :-) Dan M. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Starship Trooper
on 9/12/02 1:57 am, Dan Minette at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Sorry, backwards. I meant that I didn't care much for his late stuff, which had incest as a good idea. I was going to write things one way and wrote it another, and inverted my point. :-) So what do you think of _Stranger in a Strange Land_ (1961) - and I haven't read the unexpurgated version of (1990) ? (I thought it was bollocks, and I can't see the longer version being better.) -- William T Goodall Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web : http://www.wtgab.demon.co.uk Blog : http://radio.weblogs.com/0111221/ Putting an infinite number of monkeys at an infinite number of keyboards will _not_ result in the greatest work of all time. Just look at Windows. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Starship Troopers [was: I Robot, NOT]
Reggie Bautista wrote: Alberto (I think) wrote: Yes. _Starship Troopers_-the-movie is a Masterpiece!!! One of the best movies ever made!!! Can we assume you are kidding? No. If not, can we assume you've never read the book and that's why you liked that piece of film-making dreck? :-) No. Alberto Monteiro ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Dont Mess With Texas
A jury on Thursday handed a life prison sentence to a Texas man who shot and killed a longtime friend he accused of drinking the last beer in his refrigerator. Jurors deliberated for less than two hours before passing the sentence on Steven Brasher, 42, for the murder of Willie Lawson, 39, on Nov. 5 last year. There was only two beers left, so I took one, and I told Willie not to take my last beer, Brasher said in a taped statement that was played during the trial. Testimony showed Brasher shot Lawson in the head with a pistol after the two began arguing over the missing beer. Brasher maintained the shooting was an accident. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2cid=573ncid=573e=2u=/nm/2002 1206/od_nm/odd_beer_dc xponent My Beer Maru rob ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Dont Mess With Texas
In a message dated 12/8/2002 8:35:18 PM US Mountain Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: A jury on Thursday handed a life prison sentence to a Texas man who shot and killed a longtime friend he accused of drinking the last beer in his refrigerator. To that yellow bellied half assed effort of a web page: How dare you feed us this story without telling us the brand name! God man think of the advertising! Only our beer is worth killing for. With everyone else's beer it's just a wound shot. Where's a NFL football player when you need one? I need a Sharpie to write a letter of complaint on this beer bottle. William Taylor - Talk about a silver bullet. ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
Re: Brin: Starflight without Warp Drive
At 07:39 AM 12/8/02 -0500, Gary Nunn wrote: Transcript of an interview from Science Fiction Age magazine. participants: David Brin, Robert L. Forward, and Jonathan Vos Post Sorry if this has been posted before :-) Well, I didn't see a date listed when the interview took place, so I must assume it took place at least several months ago, or else this truly would be at least 33% Ghost-post . . . Actually, about 5-10 years ago ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
IBM creates tiniest transistor for silicon chips
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?floc=FF-PLS-PLSid=1209000200 0246059dt=20021209000200w=RTRcoview= International Business Machines Corp. will announce on Monday the smallest ever working silicon transistor to serve as the nerve center in electronics ranging from televisions to PCs and cars. For the past 30 years the industry has been shrinking microprocessors -- the brains of computers -- and other chip components to put more function into smaller and smaller cell phones and other computing devices. Transistors, basically the on-off switches that regulate the flow of electronic signals used for computing and other processes, are key parts of the chip. Reducing the size of the on-off switch in the transistor, known in the industry as gate length, boosts chip performance and speed, and lowers manufacturing cost and power consumption, IBM said. The proof-of-concept transistor measures six nanometers -- about 20,000 times smaller than the width of a single human hair, according to IBM. That's at least 10 times smaller than transistors in use today, which range between 60 to 90 nanometers, said Meikei Ieong, a researcher on the IBM project. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Each generation of such scaled devices has historically reduced the cost of doing some function by about 25 percent per year, said Juri Matisoo, vice president of technology for the Semiconductor Industry Assocation trade group. So what it means, basically, is that things are going to get a lot cheaper and that you'll be able to do things that aren't possible today, from a point of view of performance, such as language translation, Matisoo said. You could conceive of cell phones that automatically translate from one language to another, he added. However, it could be 10 years or more before the teeny transistors find their way into products on store shelves, Matisoo said. First, researchers must figure out how to handle the increased heat that is generated when more transistors are packed into a smaller area. You could pack 100 times as many of these transistors in the space of one of today's transistors, said Matisoo. So, it's a big jump forward. As they get smaller, transistors also are more difficult to turn on and off, so IBM is working on complementary research into how to flip the switches faster, Ieong said. This allows us to be ahead of the game on boosting performance of chips, he said. It opens up a new research area for us that wasn't possible in the past. The six-nanometer transistor IBM has developed functions in that it can switch on and off, but has not been proven to work in a device yet, according to Ieong. IBM will present a paper on the research at the International Electron Devices Meeting being held this week in San Francisco. xponent Brain Insertion Maru rob ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
NASA: Water Is Everywhere on Mars
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?floc=FF-APO-1501idq=/ff/stor y/0001%2F20021208%2F222144578.htmsc=1501 New observations by a NASA spacecraft orbiting Mars show a planet rich in water, but suggests that for billions of years it has done little other than remain frozen in the soil. The finding challenges theories that Mars was once a warm, wet place hospitable to life. Instead, the current Martian surface - a cold, dusty and overwhelmingly dry place - may have been the norm for much of the planet's history, scientists said Sunday during a briefing at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union. ``Mars may have water, but it's cold,'' said Philip Christensen, of Arizona State University, Tempe. ``It's there, but it can't do much.'' Since NASA's 2001 Mars Odyssey satellite arrived in orbit around the planet more than a year ago, it has turned up evidence that there is lots of ice mixed in its soil, buried as little as 18 inches from the surface, said William Boynton, of the University of Arizona, Tucson. Spread across the planet, the amount of water is not huge by Earth standards - it's the equivalent of about two Lake Michigans. In places, however, ice makes up 70 percent of the soil by volume, a significant concentration. ``It's a lot of ice,'' Boynton said. Previously, scientists speculated that large amounts of water once moved about Mars, falling as precipitation to the surface, where it flowed in rivers and streams to pool in lakes, perhaps even oceans. Odyssey and the Global Surveyor have been remotely prospecting for the telltale traces of minerals that might have formed in such environments. Surveyor has found significant deposits of one such mineral, called hematite, at a location NASA may visit next year with a pair of rovers it intends to launch. But Odyssey has yet to find other such minerals and has turned up minerals present in volcanic rocks that, on Earth at least, are quickly weathered by water. That suggests the water on Mars has largely stayed put. Even if it did flow on the surface of Mars, carving the river channels visible to this day, it probably only did so for brief periods of time, Christensen said. Scientists allow that life may have gained a toehold below the surface of Mars, in spots warm enough to melt the ice that peppers its soil. xponent But Not A Drop To Drink Maru rob ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
New Theory Say Mars Never Had Oceans
http://channels.netscape.com/ns/news/story.jsp?floc=FF-APO-1501idq=/ff/stor y/0001%2F20021205%2F142249165.htmsc=1501 Mars never had oceans as some researchers have claimed, but instead is a cold, dry planet that was pounded by water-bearing asteroids and showered with scalding rain that carved vast gullies and valleys. This suggests the Red Planet was a less than favorable place for life as we know it, a new study claims. The study, appearing this week in the journal Science, sheds new light on a continuing debate by Mars researchers about how much water there was on Mars, where did it go and how did it form the planet's intricate pattern of canyons, river beds and deltas. Using Mars photos and computer simulations, researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder concluded that immense asteroids pounded Mars some 3.6 billion years ago, bringing vast quantities of water to the young planet and releasing powerful shock waves of heat that melted existing underground deposits of ice. Owen B. Toon, senior author of the study, said at least 25 craters on Mars were gouged out by asteroids 60 to 150 miles in diameter. The impact of such large space rocks would have propelled into the atmosphere millions of tons of superheated rock vapor and melted ice. It also would have unleashed a blast wave heated to more than 4,000 degrees and blanketed the entire planet with heated rock several hundred feet thick. ``The atmosphere would be hotter than a self-cleaning oven,'' said Toon. ``When the water was released from the atmosphere, it would fall as scalding rain.'' The blanket of hot rocks ``would be a global thing, causing rivers to form anywhere. The ice would be melting all over the planet,'' he said. Based on the erosion features on Mars, the researchers estimated that after a major impact, more than 150 feet of water would flow in some areas, carving the riverine features. By some calculations, they said, there could be many decades with rainfall of 6 feet per year. Between impacts, Toon said, Mars would eventually cool, turning again into a dry, chilled planet with water present only as subsurface ice. ``We believe these events caused short periods of a warm and wet climate, but overall, we think Mars has been cold and dry for the majority of its history,'' said co-author Teresa Segura. Toon said that since the moist and warm periods were short, the conditions were not favorable for life to evolve on the planet's surface. Peter H. Smith, a University of Arizona planetary scientist, said that if warmth and liquid water were available on Mars only episodically, ``then you have a pretty gloomy picture for life.'' But he said there were other forces on the planet, particularly volcanic action, that may have created subsurface pools of water where microscopic life could have lived. ``In my opinion, they haven't closed the book on the prospects for the evolution of life on Mars,'' said Smith. He applauded the study, saying, ``Assuming their calculations are correct, this must have happened on Mars.'' Ronald Greeley, a planetary researcher at Arizona State University, said the study by Toon, Segura and others ``has the potential to tie together several loose ends regarding Mars surface history.'' Water ejected into the atmosphere by asteroid impacts, he said, ``could account for many of the apparently water-eroded features.'' However, Greeley said the study ``doesn't put a nail in the coffin'' for evolution of life on Mars. Like Smith, he said hydrothermal systems powered by volcanic action and subsurface brine pools could still exist and would be favorable for the evolution of life. xponent Dry Maru rob ___ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
The Wow Signal Examined
http://www.space.com/searchforlife/seti_shostak_wow_021205.html Of the many maybe's that SETI has turned up in its four-decade history, none is better known than the one that was discovered in August, 1977, in Columbus, Ohio. The famous Wow signal was found as part of a long-running sky survey conducted with Ohio State University's Big Ear radio telescope. The Wow signal's unusual nomenclature connotes both the surprise of the discovery and its sox-knocking strength (60 Janskys in a 10 KHz channel, which is more than 50 thousand times more incoming energy than the minimum signal that would register as a hit for today's Project Phoenix.) But is the Wow signal's notoriety merely the triumph of marketing over substance? Could this momentary cosmic burp have really been ET, or was it just random terrestrial interference dressed up with a sexy moniker? For a decade, Robert Gray, a long-time, independent SETI researcher from Chicago, has been trying to find out. Gray, like many others, was attracted by an intriguing feature of the Wow signal: the manner in which it rose and fell over the course of 72 seconds. Why is this interesting? Just this: the Ohio State survey kept the telescope fixed, letting the Earth's daily spin rotate the heavens through its narrow beam. The beam, of course, was the elongated patch of sky to which the telescope was sensitive - the direction from which it could pick up cosmic signals. The sensitivity was greatest at the center of the beam, falling off to either side. So as a celestial radio source passed by, it first rose in apparent intensity as Earth's rotation brought it into the beam, reached a peak in the beam center, and then faded away. Given the size of the Ohio State beam, this rise and fall should take 72 seconds. And for the Wow signal, it did. Now contrast this with what you'd expect if the telescope had merely been briefly flooded by an interfering terrestrial signal. The intensity would suddenly switch full on, and then, sometime later, switch off. Even if the interference was due to a low-Earth orbit satellite, a source that might cause a rise and fall in intensity, you wouldn't expect it to fortuitously last for 72 seconds. For these reasons, the Wow signal gets high marks for being a credible candidate for SETI. On the other hand, there are some aspects of this seductive signal that nudge it toward a lower grade. The Ohio State telescope actually used two beams, situated side-by-side on the sky. Any cosmic source would therefore be seen first in one (for 72 seconds) and then - roughly 3 minutes later - in the other (also 72 seconds.) The Wow signal failed this simple test. It came on gangbusters in one beam, but was a no-show in the other: suspicious and disheartening. But as Gray and others have realized, this odd, one-beam behavior could be caused by an alien transmission that simply went off the air during the 3 minutes between beams. Maybe ET went on vacation, or took an extended lunch break. If the putative aliens permanently shut down their transmitter, then there's no chance of ever hearing the Wow signal again. Like a single sighting of the Loch Ness monster, we would never be able to prove what it was. But if the signal is periodic - if, for example, the aliens are using a rotating radio beacon that sweeps the star-studded strata of the Milky Way once every five minutes or every five hours - then we could hope to find it by just looking again. Robert Gray has looked again. And again. In the last decade, Gray and his colleagues have used the Harvard META SETI system and then the Very Large Array (VLA) to search for a reappearance of the Wow signal. The experiment at the VLA, in particular, was an impressive effort, as it was far more sensitive than the original Ohio State equipment and covered more of the band. Neither attempt succeeded in retrieving the signal, however. Gray realized that he might be the victim of insufficient patience. The longest of his reobservations had been 22 minutes. What if the aliens' beacon flashed less often than once every 22 minutes? What if their transmitter was fixed to the home planet, rotating (and flashing) once every 20 or 30 hours? In the October 20 issue of The Astrophysical Journal, Gray and Simon Ellingsen, of Australia's University of Tasmania, report on new observations (partially supported by the SETI Institute) designed to test this idea. Their new try was made at the 26-meter radio telescope in Hobart, Tasmania. This southern hemisphere instrument could continuously follow for most of a day the patch of sky (in the constellation of Sagittarius) where the Big Ear was pointing when it found the 'Wow' signal. They made six 14-hour observations, and even though their telescope was rather smaller than the venerable Ohio State antenna, they still had sufficient sensitivity to find signals only 5% as strong as Wow's 1977 intensity. They also covered five times as much of the radio dial as the original Big Ear
