Warren, I will answer this on the list, but we need to take anything else personal to private email. I my email address should be listed as yours is when I reply.
I started computing with the IBM 650, in 1957. UNC Chapel Hill had a Univac 1108 in 1957, the same time frame that I was an NC State College Junior. Cobol was just barely in the planning stages by Admiral Grace Hopper in the late 50s if I recall correctly. Fortran and Algol 58 were nearly the only high level languages available. I never did much beyond Fortran until 1978 when the computer program at my college opened and I found myself teaching Fortran to freshmen, project based Fortran programming to second semester students, and assembly to sophmores. My university received an NSF grant under SDIP (Strengthening Developing Institutions Program) that funded faculty salaries to enable the faculty member to return to a University for 'retreading' where there is an exisitng program and the faculty are already teaching in the new field but without training. After 2 quarters at the University of Tennessee, I returned to teach most of the undergraduate courses in computer science. Much of what I know today is self taught. I installed and managed at least 3 different platforms for computing in this department. (Apple II/Corvus shared disk; AT&T 3b2 systems with a Gandalf port contention box; 386 EISA machines on a LAN that I installed about 2 miles of thin-net cable; and two of the earliest Linux servers -- 0.96 Kernel with Net-1 by Fred van Kempen, then with Debian 0.96 and most of the following. Then they hired student system administrators, and I just advised.) After students began to have their own machines, they frequently knew more about Windows and Linux for that matter than I did or do. I have not had anything to do with administration of Department machines since my move from full time to half time teaching in the Phased Retirment program about 5 years ago. I fully retired in December and my wife of not-quite 20 years passed away while I was grading my last set of final exams. I have been existing since then by playing my double bass, singing in the community chorus, and attending Toast Masters' meetings and competitions. And did I mention playing my double bass? But teaching is the one thing that I do well, and I like doing it. I teach one student double bass. You should feel free to ask me any questions. I cannot guarantee to know the answers, but I will try. Warm Regards David Teague, http://cs.wcu.edu/~dbt Advocating Free Software and Double Bass tuned in fifths www.dennismasuzzo.com; www.silviodallatorre.com www.joelquarrington.com/; For information on Red Mitchell, http://home.teleport.com/~mimuma/; www.larryholloway.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Warren Simmons" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, July 03, 2005 1:51 PM Subject: Re: [users] [moderated] > At 08:29 AM 7/3/2005, you wrote: > >Roderick quotes Marty: > > > > > On Sat, 2005-07-02 at 19:52 -0400, Marty wrote: > > > > I've been trying to install version 2.0 in a dell computer with windows > > Hi David, > > You did a great job of explaining how to install > that program. I know since I just did it yesterday. > My biggest mistake was installing it from my download > folder. No problem, I have the OOo stuff in a folder > on my desktop so that the several icons are reduced > to just a folder. > > Your concern about detail is great, and I understand > why you feel that way. On the other hand, you should > be congratulated for taking the time to cover the > bases as you did. > > For all I know about software and computers, each day > presents a challenge figuring out the what, where, how, and > who of windows and the various ways software is > installed. Some people have a great know how at making > installs, and some have so much to cover they rush the > details. The details OOo had were extensive, but I had > to look hard for advice on whether to remove my 1.3 > version first. In any case, I give the people at OOo > a hand at the job they have done. > > I know, I'm gabby. Sorry about that, but when I spot > someone I believe can help me in my time of frustration > I try to get acquainted. That way I can go directly to > someone I respect. > > My background in computing is far less professional than > anyone learning it today, but I do have a few good > ideas and mainly solve my own problems. In short, I'm > 81, began on computers with a class on programming the > Univac I, and became the software guy on the purchasing > task after spending 13 years working mainly on the > CODASYL COBOL project. Our company was an early user, > and I taught COBOL 60 to our various computer programming > groups. Beyond that, I've learned one or two other > languages, and have not done any programming, but part > of my COBOL participation was on the Data Base Task > Group. I am somewhat familiar with IDS and variations, but > don't use any data system except the one that comes with > the software. The PC is much more difficult for me to > follow than the UI. I have to rely on chance, and meeting > people like yourself who demonstrate knowledge I could > tap when I need help. > > As I said, I go on and on, but that gives you the picture > of why I wrote to you. > > Warren Simmons > --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
