I understand that RL gets in the way and that posting time gets slow, but please let me know if you are quitting, it is only courtesy.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 22:28, Tue 07 Jan 2014.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 1):

Have we lost some players recently?  Have not heard from Zeelzeel Shadowspear recently ...

Sorry, not leaving per say but have a lot on my plate right now.

In reply to Zeelzeel Shadowspear (msg # 3):

That is expected. Gaming is what we do while waiting for RL to get interesting. Lost several of the original players; Dreusthan,Hallic and Theodoric, all people I went to college with. It happens, and all of them either bogged by career changes or a desire to play at the actual tabletop.

AFK Friday - Sunday

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 5):

Ty

And again this Friday - Sunday.

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 7):

no prob> new map up.

Posting will be sporadic for the following week.  Going on vacation but will have laptop with me so may be able to post here and there.

I will be largely out of pocket Friday morning through Sunday afternoon.

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 10):

TY

FYI I will be out of town starting tonight until Tuesday, and am not sure if I will be able to check in or post until I'm back.

In reply to Danos (msg # 12):

Ty. I will move you along with oren and co?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 13):

That would be great, thanks.

In reply to Danos (msg # 14):

I may be low on posting myself this weekend with some family outings for Samhain

I've been busy with work and I'm going camping this weekend.  I'll try to make sure I'm all caught up tomorrow before I take off.

(Same for Stark and Syrik)

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 16):

Thanks Jessie!

I'm back and have been trying to get caught up with everything.  I'll be at a conference most of next week as well, so expect delays in my posts.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 18):

I will be on vacation with my wife from Friday through the 10th, so I will be out of pocket for most of that time.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 19):

Enjoy!

 I will be Traveling from 11 July thru 19 July. I expect to have some connectivity at times and will post accordingly. There may be periods of several days when I cannot.  Forewarned is Forearmed ;-)

GM, That is going to affect multiple Characters I fear.

In reply to Oly (msg # 21):

Thank you for the heads up

I will be out of town from June 29 to at least July 9 and off line.

In reply to Sorsha (msg # 23):

Thanks!

In reply to Narrator (msg # 24):

My stuff is all moved, but there may still be occasional missed days due to organizing, remodeling, etc.  Shouldn't be longer than single days without notice (I hope).

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 25):

No problem .  There will be a lot of description in your thread that you can catch up with it easily.

Hi, I am back.

Narrator - I'll be on vacation starting today until Sat Aug 1.  I should be able to keep up on my phone, but my posting will be limited to short phrases.

In reply to Tarnan Darranich (msg # 28):

Thanks for the heads up

I'm back!

I'll be travelling for work over the next few days.  It's unlikely I'll be back on before Friday.
I think we're pretty much done anyway.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 31):

See you over the weekend then

I will be traveling so i wont be able to post till tuesday next week.

In reply to Gigi Nivens (msg # 33):

Thank you!

Probably won't be able to post over Thanksgiving - Thursday-Sunday.

I expect many folks will be gone over those 4 days... so the rest of us will just try and get you in as much hot water as we can during that period ;-)

In reply to Johan Stark (msg # 36):

Christine starts the cauldron boiling...

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 37):

I will be working, and posting on Thursday and Friday, but might  not be on Saturday.

There was a death in my wife's family, so Huey and Grimbo will be mostly unavailable Friday-Sunday for the trip to the funeral.

While I'm posting in this thread, I'll be nearly completely incommunicado the 23rd-26th. My wife has informed me I'm not taking my laptop to the beach :)

In reply to Huey Thumper (msg # 39):

Sorry to hear 8f your loss, and enjoy the beach

Thanks. They weren't close, but her father can't attend, so we are.

And we will!

Hi, just wanted to say that I will likely be incommunicado for the next 8 days due to travel. I hope everyone has a happy holiday!

In reply to Danos (msg # 42):

I think we should all hold off for a week or so

Well a few dayz anyway...

I'll (Ardenas and Mario) be home through the holidays, but I won't monopolize -- if no one else is posting, I'll tend to let things lie.

Ditto.

Me doo

In reply to Oly (msg # 47):

Be away   for a day, back monday for sure

Technical difficulties, back Thursday or Friday.

In reply to Aoife (msg # 49):

Ok

Mostly away this weekend.

Mostly away this weekend.

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 52):

Ok thanks!

In reply to Narrator (msg # 53):

Folks, in a couple of days I will be heading off to work on a boat for several weeks. Contact is open ended at this time, but there may be days without internet access, so if I suddenly dissapear for a few days or post at unusual hour (even bu Australian time) please understand why!

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 54):

I hope that's as awesome as it sounds.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 55):

I'm travelling for work all next week, so I may not be able to check posts every day.  Just depends on when the higher ups stop buying drinks.

Expect my posting to be late and infrequent for the next eight days.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 56):

Thanks!

Away this weekend.

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 58):

Have a good holiday

Away Thursday - Sunday.

Back

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 61):

Good to have you back

In reply to Narrator (msg # 62):

moving back to indiana tonight or tomorrow. it won't keep me offline, but i might be making my posts at different, earlier times in the day, until i can get my own wifi set up in my new place.

In reply to Iskander (msg # 63):

Thanks

Mostly away again this weekend.

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 65):

Ok. Be well. Should have a little action next week

In reply to Narrator (msg # 66):

I will be away from midday Thursday through Sunday, so keep the posting rate down til monday, except in OOC

I'm away for a surprise appendectomy, actually had it done today.  Will be posting from my phone until later this week.

Swift recovery!

In reply to Gorgath (msg # 68):

Just hate those sorts of surprises... get well quickly...

In reply to Gorgath (msg # 68):

Feel better!

Largely away this weekend.

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 72):

Nasty, had out in the middle of exams!

Starting on the 1st and going through the 6th, I'll be unavailable for most of the weekend.  I'm working a convention, doing prep work, post work, etc.  I might jump on somewhere in there, but expect me to be gone the whole time.

That is pretty much me this weekend.

In reply to Hitomi (msg # 75):

Jessie, enjoy NTGC, you too Hitomi, if that's   where you are going to be. You might  meet up!

I will be mostly out of touch Friday - Monday ... will post if I can....

In reply to Oly (msg # 77):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_8KR-n2fBQ xD

Neither really resembles me ...

In reply to Narrator (msg # 76):

Phoenix ComiCon actually.  Thank you.  I did enjoy it.  Now I need the 30+ hours of sleep I didn't get.

In reply to Oly (msg # 79):

I am back as well, having visited USS Iowa and USS Midway. Well worth the trip...

In reply to Oly (msg # 81):

Cool

In reply to Narrator (msg # 82):

Jealous here...

Very sore knees and calves here... we covered all the lower half of Iowa, firing computers, boilers, engines, turbo-generators, fire rooms ... to the shaft alleys...  up to the 02 level for Communications (send and receive are on different levels, neither compartment is small), the anchor winches, CEC (the old CIC) and the Captains sea cabin once used b FDR ... do you have any idea of how many ladders that encompasses?

USS Midway is a very well presented museum... LOTS to look at, again, lots of ladders, but some elevators added to allow the handicapped reasonable access. Our only mistake was trying to do it all in a weekend.

Sorry I haven't been posting, I am on vacation and will be until the end of the week.

xD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fQESUBMwGg

Going to be busy for a bit. Few days. Maybe a week. Work stuff.

In reply to Jin (msg # 87):

Ok. We can slow the next bit.

You can just NPC me for a week. I don't want to slow the pace.

So it'll be a week of kinder, gentler Jin?  Not sure that group could survive it!

hahahahaaaaaa!

m' back.

Awww, and I was next on the list for free backrubs from Jin!
This message was last edited by the player at 18:04, Fri 26 Aug 2016.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 93):

I am traveling  all next week, I will be only checking in occasionally. Please avail yourselves of the occ in my
absense.

Busy day at work. I'll try to get a post out this evening.

I'm off to my cousin's wedding this weekend. I may not get a post out Friday and I will not be back until Sunday night. I should be able to pick things up on Monday.

In reply to Beodir Nalas-Radin (msg # 96):

Ok just got new players for Harlan and Reanna

Work is murder. Gonna be super busy.

I'll be offline through Sunday, then traveling for work until Wednesday. See you soon!

Working through the weekend. Hope to be back Monday.

In reply to Oren (msg # 100):

Steaming to an area of negligible internet reception for the next three weeks. I will post when I can. Sorry for inconvenience.

I've been offline far more over the past week and a half than I thought I would be, probably should've announced leave time since I was taking care of family business.
However, it seems like I wasn't needed during that time, so we're good!

I think I will need to bow out of this game. Apparently, my life has gotten too busy to give it the focus it deserves. Thanks for gaming with me.

 baddabum bum bum....and another one bites the dust!

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 104):

Be well Beodir. And that leaves very few PC's in the Ogrekin's expedition

I will be out from July 3 to July 11 probably with out access. GM can move me along if needed.

In reply to Sorsha (msg # 106):

Thank you! Enjoy the vacay (if it is)

While fiddling with GCA and DFRPG data files over the past two weeks, I've been trying to be very diligent on checking in and posting when needed.

However, I'm gearing up for my trip to Strategicon/Gateway 2017 which is 9-1 through 9-4 in LA.

I'll be sporadic over the next few days, then gone for a few, then hopefully catching up before the following weekend.

I will be away Sep 4-12th, with uncertain access to internet. Please feel free to NPC Goran and Danos during that time to keep things moving.

Hurricanes gonna hit sometime tomorrow night/sunday morning... so if I stop posting that's why.


[EDIT]
That would be Jareth, Jednesa, Stenet, and Ulo.
[/EDIT]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:02, Fri 08 Sept 2017.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 110):

Wishing you safe time and constant internet!

If it's anything like the last hurricane to us (Florida) I won't even notice it.  If it's like Charley and Frances (much more likely) I may be without power for a week or two.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 112):

Stay dry and good luck!

Good luck with that Jareth!

Another reason why I'm back in the heart land.

Isn't that where boredom goes to die?

Anyway, as can be seen, yet another of God's Wrath has failed to wipe me from this earth.  But two and a half days without power (and thus blessed a/c)... it came close.

No power/no AC sucks.  Glad you're still with us to tell the tale.

I could live without A/C for a couple days a lot more easily than I could live without internet.

Depends on where you are ... Dareos is in Phoenix I think ... A/C there is a greater necessity.

I was tempted to skip getting online today.  But I'm too dog tired* to bother moving all my furniture about (long-term plan**)... so I"m lazying about online instead.

* 2 nights with pretty much no sleep + busted my ass doing clean-up yard work in the sun all day.
** Work is still without power so I have tomorrow off.  I'll move all my furniture about then.


I'm in Orlando, FL.  Hot as balls down here.

In reply to Jareth Mooncalled (msg # 120):

LOL ... PHX was 110º today ... It's not hot until the polish melts off your shoes.

Let's not forget that 95 in Orlando is hotter than 110 in Phoenix.  Humidity is a bitch.

Humidity nonwithstabding, glad you are safe.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 122):

LoL... haven't been to Phoenix I see ... land of canals (draining the Colorado River into drinking water etc.) and swimming pools, well watered lawns. It's not 90% humidity, but it sure makes the place damnably uncomfortable. I've lived in the 95º & 95% ... it's unpleasant too, but Phoenix is it's own little hell. Still don't understand why people live there.

We make jokes about people coming out of work in the afternoon to find their car overheating ... people have been known to park a ¼ mile or more from a door, just to park in some shade.

In reply to Oly (msg # 124):

Yeah, like any place that's at least somewhat inhospitable, it takes the right kind of person to endure it.
120 degree heat for a month or so doesn't bother me much (I don't work outdoors though), and we're not prone to any of the other natural catastrophes while still having the benefit of being a huge city.
I can hit Disneyland, the ocean, Mexico, Las Vegas, AZ Snowbowl, or Lake Havasu in a few hours if I wanted to.

Well Florida doesn't see many haboobs!

I once drove through Arizona on my way from Socorro, NM to Los Angeles (actually to the I-40/I-5 interchange, a little east of LA).  I think we went past Phoenix, but if we got off the freeway, it was for gas or lunch -- and it was in October.  Nights outside Socorro had been cool enough to call for a coat the two days previous.

So, no, the way you mean, I haven't been to Phoenix.

Had a good friend from Socorro many years ago...  unfortunately no longer with us.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 127):

Do you live in Socorro Ardenas?



Neither does Arizona really.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:49, Fri 15 Sept 2017.

No, I was visiting for the Enchanted Skies star party in 1998.  Had my barely-finished home built 8" Dobson Newtonian in the back of my van, going home from a serendipitous side-by-side comparison with a 10" Schmidt-Cassegrain (mine gave identical view, took a bit longer to put on target than the computer controlled big money unit), when I rolled past Phoenix.

I'm going to be intermittent to absent... Family Emergency.

Godspeed. Hope everything is alright!

We'll keep the ogres warm for you.  ;)

Thanks Ardenas... nothing worse than Cold Ogres.  I think things are better now... have my wife back from the Hospital ... no more 100 mile each way drives, thank God. What could have been horrible is merely a small adjustment to meds... a Blessing to be sure!

welcome back

Amen!

A small adjustment to meds could be a major emergency, if it isn't done promptly and correctly.  My partner is dependent on meds, too, though we're seemingly a lot closer to medical care.  That's offset by a doc who seems to completely not care...

In reply to Oly (msg # 134):

I am glad she is ok!

Thanks all; We have closer medical care ... but when you show stroke symptoms, you get medivac'd to the big city hospital's really quickly. It's quite complex, with several things in confluence causing the problem, but a slight adjustment should prevent any further issues, we and the Neurologists think/hope.

In reply to Oly (msg # 139):

I am on vacation the next two weeks. This weekend I will be out and about with ny wife, Monday-Friday I will be posting often and early, but the week after I will be traveling and posting irregularly.

I'm travelling in europe for the next couple of weeks

I expect to be online enough to post regularly, but if i slow down then that is the reason.
Feel free to just NPC HAveron if he's holding anything up and i'll make posts as and when possible.

I haven't been able to post much lately and I don't see that changing much, my daughter is now 1 1/2 and taking all of my free time. I think I am going to have to bow out of this game.

Thanks for all the fun.

Nodwin
Stringfellow

Sorry to see you go.

You've already been missed man.

Are you adverse to someone taking up the character? (not me, I'm already in that group obviously)

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 142):

Thank you for being here Nodwin. May your daughter grow to roll dice with pride.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 145):

Thanks for letting us know. Kids are so much fun! My daughter is 3 now...

Come on back once she's ... what 8?  Is that a good age for introducing them to rpgs? ... You'll have only missed like a week of the Junior's time.  :P

lol! 4 years = 3 days

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 148):

Im going to give Nodwin to Balir in about a week. Do you want me to give you a placeholder character so you can just drop in?

Not far wrong.  I built Ardenas in May 2015.  I think it's been three weeks for him, maybe four.  Call it  week a year, unless there's something complex going on.

sorry i've been so busy

This message was deleted by the player at 22:07, Wed 27 Mar 2019.

Jareth's first post was in September 20th 2015, 6 months and 3 years ago.  It's roughly 4 days in his life since...
Jednesa's first post was March 23rd 2016, almost exactly 3 years ago.  It's also been 4 days in her life since.

In reply to James (msg # 151):

It would be good to see you back! I know midterms are coming up, let me know when you have some slack time and we can get you and Percival back in action.

lets do it

In reply to James (msg # 155):

Are you good to go now, or sliding into midterms?

In reply to Narrator (msg # 156):

Finals are at the end of April, so I'm good

Well, you've assigned me Nodwin.  I haven't read up on his threads yet.  It's spring break for the rest of the family, and I have been extra busy holding down the fort.  It should happen this weekend, I work Sunday and expect it to be slow.

Of course, I have totally dared Murphy to come hunting me now...

In reply to Nodwin Zideqick (msg # 158):

As long as it is not O'Reilly.  He was the guy that said Murphy was an optimist...

Murphy was an optimist.  He thought that only things that can go wrong, will.

A positively bright and sunny outlook he had.

I'm working a convention and then moving.

So I'll be out of touch for at least the next four days (23rd - 26th) but likely not back until the 28th.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 162):

Enjoy the con, have a painless move.

I will be away from this Saturday for nine days, returning on Monday. There is a slight chance I'll have internet access, but I cannot guarantee it.

In reply to Darius Kopaki (msg # 164):

We will just be awarding pints and uch.

I will be away starting Monday, and return on Friday, 2019-09-13.

In reply to Darius Kopaki (msg # 166):

Hopefully everyone will be back in town...

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 162):

I'm leaving in the morning for a convention in Los Angeles.  I'll be back on Monday.  I'll likely be unable to post during the weekend.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 168):

Thanks. Have fun!

In reply to Narrator (msg # 169):

Just a heads up. I expect I will have somewhat reduced activity between the 25 Sep and 08 Oct, and then much reduced activity, probably none at all, from the 10th Oct until the 9th Dec.Sorry for any inconvenience that may cause. Please feel free to NPC my characters in that time if they hold up any threads (But please don't kill them!)

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 170):

Npcing them should be easy: fireball everything, and double tap anyone fornicating.

Going asea?
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:26, Sun 22 Sept 2019.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 171):

Yeah, all awash!

Oooohhh... a submarine? Yuck.

Had to move abruptly, too many problems at the house, and if I'd stayed, I'd most likely wind up in prison for assault, or worse. I may be MIA for a bit, but once I get wifi set up at ma's, I'll bring back in the game! Sorry ya'll

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 174):

Just take 5hat time to save for a place with a better set of roomates. Sorry you had to deal with jackholes like that.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 175):

i've moved all my stuff out of my original place, and i'm gonna play some hardball tactics and see how it plays out. good thing i have both diplomacy and intimidation skills. xD
me and the current roomy are both giving our ultimatums to the land lord, and threaten him with code, and we're withholding rent, until we
see the electricity repaired, and repaired right. no meatball jobs!
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Tue 19 Nov 2019.

Them angry pixie tunnels are serious business!  They can start fires if you let them get loose!

Very important!! Check your state and local laws to be sure, but in most states, just withholding the rent puts the landlord within rights to evict you and send all the remaining rent due for your lease period into collection.  What you're likely required to do is put the rent amount into an escrow account to be paid to the landlord when repairs are completed, often less a pro-rata deduction for the period when the premises were legally uninhabitable (i.e. unsafe due to electrical faults or fire code violations, lacking electrical, water or sewer service due to landlord's negligence or malfeasance, etc.).

The important point here is that you need to be able to prove you had the rent to pay on or before the date it was due, and still have it available at all times from then until the situation is resolved.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 178):

we'll just report it to code, for the unsafe conditions, and the failure to maintain the property. and if worst comes to worst, abandon ship! i'm current on my rent, up to this month, and have my receipts.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:44, Wed 20 Nov 2019.

Once we're settled back in town (resolving money, points, etc) Dareos is going to take a break from adventuring to start cultivating a stronger following of his religion.

While he's doing that, his player will be away as well on his own hiatus.


I've had fun with the groups I've adventured with. Hope to see you all when I/we return.

In reply to Dareos Madrigar (msg # 180):

Be well Jessie! It has been good having you here!

Duty calls, I will be away for who knows how long on active duty.

In reply to Ryojin (msg # 182):

I salute you Andre!

In reply to Ryojin (msg # 182):

I would ask where, but no chance of meeting with all the current restrictions!

Thank you for your service.  That goes for all the service people.

Many of us have been there and done that, we will save you a spot for whenever you get back and feel like rejoining.

The next couple weeks I'm going to be short on time.

In reply to Berry (msg # 187):

Thank you Berry

My father went into the hospital this morning.  I may have more or less time to post depending on how he does.

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 189):

attend to him as best you are able. that absolutely comes first.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 190):

Just a heads up: I will have very limited connectivity for the next three weeks, and for the next 8 weeks after that, work will be crazy, so expect a slow-down in my posting, but I will try to keep up.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 191):

Thank you

I'll be visiting my family for a few days. I should be back by Wednesday.

In reply to Jendrich (msg # 193):

Thank you, be safe@

In reply to Narrator (msg # 194):

Just a heads up. On Monday we will be setting off for four weeks with work. It is likely that I will not be able to post regularly, if at all, during that time. Sorry for the inconvenience.

On vacation next week.  While I should be on, posting may be irregular depending on many factors (principally safety).

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 196):

From this Sunday Australian Time I may be a bit more scarce than usual for two weeks, as I am spending time with family!

sorry I've been ridiculously busy - the end of the final semester has meant a ton of work and job searching (the job searching hasn't been going too well, unfortunately).

I'll be crazy busy till Independence Day! (July 4th)

In reply to Berry (msg # 199):

I will post for you and Gareth when you get back!

OK, I am going to be scarce on and off as I have two of my son's getting married this month and the other sons coming home to attend. I'll do what I can and try to keep all aware of potential blank spots.

In reply to Oly (msg # 201):

did they pick the same month so famiky would only have to travel once?

No, not at all ...one in Arizona and one in Texas.

In reply to Oly (msg # 203):

ugh that is a bit of traveling!

Yup, but could be worse, at least I can drive.

I'll be scarce  from Tuesday the 19th through Monday the 25th due to a little trip to Dallas, Texas for the second wedding.

That will also apply for:
Adept Yisslitheniss
Aethul
Brodak
Jocelyn
Lazrael
Mellarill
Razael
Sparky
Syvanus
Thorg
Urrun

as well as Johan Stark and Azrael, both of whom are mostly retired characters.

You have 13 char on here. Oh my, that's a lot!

Yes! And they all like you ;-)  LoL

Some are much less involved or on ice. Others are very active.

In reply to Oly (msg # 208):

Well I'm still thrilled for rediscovering GURPS after not having played it for several years.

Anyway, I hope the trip and the wedding are smooth and perfect.

Thank You, I do too.

OK, So after tomorrow I'll have limited connectivity and time to post for a week as I am heading to Texas to my youngest son's wedding Celebration. It's the Covid thing, married in October but now the big celebration.

That will also apply for:
Adept Yisslitheniss
Aethul
Brodak
Jocelyn
Lazrael
Mellarill
Razael
Sparky
Syvanus
Thorg
Urrun

In reply to Oly (msg # 211):

have a great time!

Thanks, but it looks like a thunder run both ways.

Vacation without i-net 19th apr - 24th apr

In reply to Marcus Blackthorn (msg # 214):

vacation without posting may 1-9th

In reply to Narrator (msg # 215):

Haveron will be away for a week

I'm gonna be really busy for the next two weeks. Just assume I'm following along behind the group?

In reply to Berry (msg # 217):

thanks for the heads-up

My power is out, thanks to Ian, and I have only cell data Internet for my phone.  Plus, screen keyboards suck.  Tree over power lines, so it might be a couple days before I'm back on.

Best of Luck Ardenas, Hope they get it sorted quickly.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 219):

hope you get the power back soon!

I had a (robo)call from Duke Energy on Saturday, estimating that they'd have our power restored by 11:45 PM EDT on Sunday.  This afternoon around 4:15, the power came on.  About 4:30, I got a call from Duke Energy apologizing for the change in estimate and giving the exact same estimated time of power restoration.  I'm sure I'll get a call tomorrow morning (since they don't call after 9:00 PM or before 8:00 AM) confirming that the power has been restored...

Half an hour of disconnecting the inverter from the car (maintaining water circulation and heat for my partner's reef aquarium, getting the UPS boxes back where they belonged (the ones that power my partner's computers, my computer, and the 3D printer ran the aquarium the first couple hours the power was down), and waiting for the cable modem to find the internet service again, and everything was back.  It looks like the contents of the refrigerator stayed about as cool as they would in a camping icebox (less than 48 hours without power and door opened only once in that time); the freezer partially thawed some items, so we'll have stuff that stuck together, but everything should still be edible.

And I'll be catching up here over the next hour or so.

I am glad you got it all back!

Thanks.  Due to UPS on all the computers, we had orderly shutdowns all around.

Mine will run my computer (and internet modem/router) through about an hour power drop, but if it's off more than ten minutes or so we shut down and transfer the battery units to the aquarium (and we don't need to run the heater unless it's down overnight, so that draws a good bit less than a computer).  Partner's UPS has a bigger battery than mine, but two iMacs and a Mac Mini (plus their monitors, one of which is a Wacom tablet screen) draw a bit more power than my single computer, which automatically shuts down BOINC tasks when on battery so goes to a pretty low idle draw.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 224):

I am going on vacation and will be afk for a week

Sounds very reasonable... hopefully your family gets some rest and recuperation.

I'll be traveling for the next week or so.

In reply to Berry (msg # 227):

be safe and enjoy

In reply to Narrator (msg # 228):

Oly messaged me to say his internet line has been cut, and is restricted to phone posting on very rare occasions until it is rectified. It seems unlikely to be before next Friday though.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Fri 02 Dec 2022.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 229):

aw crap

I am good now, fixed faster than they saidthey could ... for how long? Not sure, but so long as they keep the idiots with back hoes away!

I've got computer problems -- main desktop machine failed an upgrade and wouldn't boot after, now after being turned off for almost 24 hours it won't even power on.  Looks like a power supply problem is the first issue to solve.

I've got a laptop (with a hazardously outdated operating system, but it works) -- problem is, my current character sheets are only on the desktop machine and I've been remiss in updating the ones stored here.  So, I can get in here and play, more or less, but I may be a little fuzzy on what I'm carrying, how exhausted/wounded characters are, etc.

I'll try to continue to check in, but it's likely to be Christmas weekend before I have everything fixed.

This affects Ardenas Barehand, Aldous Hack, Chou-Zhen Mou, Frog sisters, Mario Crowfoot, and Virgilio Hohlfeld.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 232):

yikes! I hope you are able to recover everything else on that computer.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 232):

I had a similar thing a couple of months ago. It was the main power cable.
Worth checking before stripping things down again!
Lots cheaper to fix than the other options

My data's safe, boss -- I learned LONG ago to partition my storage and put the data in different volumes from the operating system.  I just have to get to it -- get the machine to start up again, and then fix the operating system.


Thanks for the suggestion, Hannatti; I think I have a spare power cable around so I'll be sure to check that before I spend $80-$85 on a power supply.

You're very welcome!
Good luck

Maybe let me know how it goes?

I'll update here.  Gotta dig up that cord...

Okay, it wasn't the power cord; I'm currently running a new power supply with the same old power cord (because it's a PITA to crawl under my desk to thread a new one to the UPS).

And for future reference, the only practical difference between a 500W and 700W power supply is number of 12V accessory connectors.  Each one of those connectors has the same current limit, so if you haven't upgraded your motherboard, video card, or case fan (that runs on direct power supply connection, unlike mine that piggybacks on an old school hard disk power connector), there's nothing gained by going to a higher rated power supply vs. the old one (if it failed, it was probably just component aging or power condition related component damage -- in my case, the dead one had run almost continuously for about six years since my last hardware rebuild, three or four of those years before I got a UPS).

Anyway, the machine is back up; after installing the power supply I had to rerun the Kubuntu 22.04 installer (three times, as it turned out; something damaged my boot loader, then Boot Repair erased a bunch of stuff so I reinstalled to be sure I wasn't missing anything critical, and both of those times I had the wrong username so my old desktop settings and such weren't picked up).

But now I have everything working, my SeaMonkey bookmarks were preserved (meaning that config file, at least, wasn't harmed), and I've gotten critical items reinstalled.  I'll probably be finding and reinstalling third party software I need for the next several weeks, depending how frequently I use a particular package, but the core is done.

Sounds like a good job done well. Congrats!!

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 238):

Job well done!

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 240):

impressive and beyond my skillset!

Honestly, every time I upgrade this, it borders on exceeding my skillset.  Linux isn't really designed for "users" as much as for "gurus" and it doesn't hold your hand the way Windows does.  Then again, it doesn't look over your shoulder the way Windows might, or decide it knows better than you how you want your computer to look or act (like both Windows and Mac do).

And yet, somehow, every time I ask for advice on why the upgrade doesn't work, all I get is "it works perfectly if you only use software in the Ubuntu repositories" followed by "well, if you choose to use software from third parties, it's up to you to determine if it'll work."  Also, "the upgrader is tested to be flawless with only repository packages."

Near as I can figure, every one of these individualists is just like the next; none of them use, say, Vuescan to get images from film to hard disk, or want/need the newest version of Skype instead of the one supplied by the repositories (which in the past has gotten so far out of date before the OS loses support that it can't even log in).

Which is to say, this is more like driving an old farm truck that requires significant banging stuff under the hood with a hammer, than like even driving a reasonably new Ford, never mind a brand new Lexus.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 242):

Linux systems are all the same so much more stable when you get it right though.

But they aren't "all the same".  Even the clones use different apps, one guy writes novels and has Organon installed, another guy does a lot of digital art so has Inkscape as well as GIMP (from a Snap, because the one in the repo is years out of date), or runs a VM with a cracked Windows 10/11 inside to be able to use a pirated copy of Photoshop.

"We can't test against every third party app, we don't have the resources Microsoft has and can't control what you're allowed to install like Apple tries to."

Hell, they even make it near impossible for someone who isn't a developer to file a bug report, asking for details like system logs I don't even know where to find (instead of automating that as part of the automatic crash reporter -- which asks for the same things).

Sometimes it seems like Canonical is trying to create a closed ecosystem like MacOS or iOS -- and completely failing at it.  Other times, it seems like the Wild West and my Peacemaker has just jammed up from too much powder fouling on the pivot pin...

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 244):

Pretty sure Linux still has programs, not apps...but software is unique for all computers. Even Mac systems have different software...

As I remember, Mac and Windows just crashed, and did not bother sending a bug report half the time. With Linux, just reboot, and you are good to go...the autosave does most of the rest. I don't want to talk about the hours and days lost on Microsoft machines because a crash locked me out of the backup forever...

I made the decision to abandon Windows when XP was still "supported" but after I had to remove the FBI Moneypak malware a second time.  I actually made the jump after determining that my (then) one "killer app", the client for There.com, could be installed and run well under Wine (there never was an official There client for any platform except Windows).  Since I'm not much of a gamer, other games not running well on Linux wasn't ever a big deal, and now most Steam games can run under Steam's Proton flavor of Wine even if they don't have an actual Linux version.

I've never really taken to VMs, though.  If I can't run it natively in Kubuntu, I probably won't bother.  Hence I haven't played another game from Cyan Worlds since Uru (which does/did run well under Wine).  I've also never really mastered the process of figuring out what Winetricks are needed to make a Windows app run well, so I pretty well stick to stuff that's been tested and the tricks worked out -- but again, since I'm not much of a "gamer" it rarely matters to me.

On the other hand, Vuescan (controls my Epson scanner, for which there has never been Linux software from Epson) is critical, along with GIMP and sometimes Inkscape.  Also GCS, but I've already got that up and running (along with full access to my character sheets again).

Semantically, "app" is short for "application" which every operating system has -- and to paraphrase grade school geometry, every application is a program, but not all programs are applications.

Well, there's no question now that I have a hardware problem; I was getting well along in restoring my preferred setup (slightly modified by stuff that was changed or eliminated in the new Kubuntu version), and then this morning the computer started spontaneously restarting.  I thought it was a thermal problem, so I throttled my BOINC distributed computing tasks, and when the problem recurred again, I unplugged everything external to the tower, hauled it out on the front porch, and used a dog dryer to blow (almost) all the dust out of it.

After which it wouldn't start; the front panel power light and graphics card show-off lighting comes on, the fans run, and the platter hard drive spins up (I can hear it), but POST doesn't complete.

I suspect either the new power supply is defective (unlikely, but possible) or the six year old motherboard has crapped out.  Not looking forward to $500 or more to replace MB, CPU, CPU cooler, and RAM (RAM may not need replaced if the new MB can used DDR3 1600).  Unfortunately, I have no way to test whether it's MB or power supply other than replace stuff until it works.

So, I'll be back on the laptop for, at a guess, at least a week.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 247):
Ouch! poor you

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 247):

Is there a shop around that can test it for you? A few $$ for solid knowledge of what you need to fix/replace is worth it probably.

In reply to Oly (msg # 249):

yeoch! my pc is starting to slow down and sputter a little, and I need to back it up.

In reply to Narrator (msg # 250):

China's prewar attack on important computers in the West, obviously! Gareth is not a conspiracy theorist at all...

Yes, there is -- but they're closed today only open weekdays when I'm at work, so I'm going to have to depend on my partner to call them for an appointment and then take the box up there (thirty miles/fifty kilometers) when they're open, or set the appointment for Saturday so I can go myself...

The other bad news is motherboards that use this CPU (AMD Fx8350 = AM3 or AM3+ socket) are "obsolete" and relatively uncommon now (other than eBay), and few if any of the ones that are available new have four memory slots (I have 32 GB, but it's 4x 8 GB DIMMs because this board only supports 8 GB per slot) -- most have only 2 slots, expecting 16 GB or even 32 GB DIMMs to get to larger memory capacity.  So, if I have to upgrade to a Ryzen CPU, I'm looking at $100-$150 for the motherboard, $200-$500 for CPU, $150 or so for 32 GB of DDR4 RAM, $70 for a CPU cooler (if not included in a bundle, and at least a full weekend day to install.

I did spot a "certified refurb" of my exact motherboard on NewEgg for under $70, I think I'll go ahead and get that just to have a spare even if this turns out to be a defective power supply -- I've got performance enough for three or four more years with this hardware.

PC is brokzored. Phone not optimal. Will return when fixed. Zombie if needed. Balir always attacks.
PC fixored. Balir is back.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Wed 04 Jan 2023.

Well, the relatively nearby computer repair shop doesn't work on "custom built" machines -- so apparently, if it's not a Mac or brand-name PC, it doesn't deserve to be fixed.  I've got a replacement motherboard on the way, but it's coming from China (10-20 days from today, after answering one of their literally eight emails over 24 hours from placing the order to confirm I have the CPU I used to search the board, never mind it's an exact same model replacement for the old one).

If that doesn't fix it I can get another power supply in two or three days from Amazon, so I should be fully back up before the end of February, but between then and now, I can't even run GCS (won't start on this machine, my Linux is too old and I'm not going to consider upgrading this one while the other isn't working).

In reply to Balir Ironhide (msg # 253):

Welcome back, Balir!

@GM - I have a nasty stomach bug and expect it will be day
 or two before I'm back in your games. NPC me if need be. Sorry but this is really doing a number on me

In reply to Hannatti (msg # 256):

feel better

Following up -- my desktop computer appears to be fixed.  New motherboard let it boot again; fresh thermal paste has lowered CPU temperature significantly, and the operating system seems fine, though I'm still restoring some third-party applications.  Getting things back to normal has almost worked its way down to fixing the menus.

Good news is, the motherboard cost only about $70 plus tax; bad news is it took two weeks to come from China (original estimate was two to six weeks, so I'm not complaining).  And the next time I have a problem like this, I'll probably have to spend $500 to upgrade CPU, motherboard, and RAM (this old DDR3 won't work with motherboards that can use a Ryzen), because "tested, refurbished" boards for AMD Fx processors likely won't be available in 3-4 years or longer.

In reply to Ardenas Barehand (msg # 258):

dang!

Well, compare that cost to buying a new ATX tower computer (these days, that's mostly a "gaming tower"), typically much more than that for a "bare bones" system with no hard disk or video card, and a decently performing full system (without OS, ready to install Linux) is likely to run to twice that or more (a decent video card can run above $500).

Since I don't live in my parents' basement and therefore have to earn my own money and pay my own bills, saving several hundred dollars by rebuilding is very preferable to spending that money (that otherwise can go for things like lenses and other camera equipment, film and chemicals, etc.).

I will be out 23 Feb until early next week, date is indeterminate.

That  includes the Adept, Aethul, Brodak, Jocelyn Lemru, Mellarill, Sparky , Syvanus, Thorg and Urrun, plus some others not active at the moment.

I have returned...

In reply to Oly (msg # 262):

Welcome back!

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 263):

gping on vacay starting tomorrow, be back the 27th or so

In reply to Narrator (msg # 264):

Note of warning, from 30 Oct to 20 Dec I will have very uncertain internet connectivity. There may be weeks when I will be unable to post.

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 265):

In reply to Christine Bjorn (msg # 265):
Duly noted, I wish you smooth sailing,

I', going to be traveling for the next few days

In reply to Berry (msg # 268):

Thanks for the heads up

I will be away from the 12th to the following week for surgery, not exactly sure when I will get back to posting as all my many characters.

Potentially away from up to two weeks as well. Work related, uncertain connectivity.

travel safely!

Thank you. Stay healthy!