Sunday, December 16, 2012

THE STORY SO FAR: PART 101

WE HAVE LIFT-OFF—AND AN EXCESS OF CABLES

File:First flight2.jpg

The above photo features the Wright brothers’ first flight. Orville was at the controls and the aircraft flew 120 feet in 12 seconds on December 17 1903. That was scarcely an impressive distance, but subsequent progress was truly astonishing. All in all, it’s a fascinating story.

Yes, I do know that “Lift-off” really applies to rocketry, but I was searching for a metaphor to match my cheerful mood, and “We have lift-off” seemed to fit the bill. Good grief, the effects of the dreaded bug seem to be receding and my strength is coming back; the cats from hell are gone; and I am gradually getting Spinnaker to work the way I want it to. True, there is still a long way to go, but currently I’m feeling like Orville—and it’s a wonderful feeling after a difficult few months.

Yesterday, I got my second monitor up and running so I can now have reference material up on one screen and write on the other. The only trouble is that I have had to put the second monitor on the right instead of on the left—where it normally goes—because my mouse wouldn’t cooperate otherwise. I’m sure there is a solution to that; but, so far, it has eluded me. Meanwhile, I’m wondering if the right might not be better after all. I pay a great deal of attention to the layout and ergonomics of my work area and find the effort well rewarded. Writers tend to be nutty about such things—which is scarcely surprising given the amount of time we spend in such surroundings; not to mention the peculiar qualities of our respective personalities.

I’m truly amazed at the number of cables I seem to be finding. I seem to have more cables than gadgets. Do cables procreate? One can but wonder. Actually, I think it is more a case of my detaching some device as no longer being necessary without bothering to crawl around the floor to remove the cable. Very human, but the end result is confusing.

What do I have attached to Spinnaker?

  • Second monitor – Samsung
  • Wireless laser mouse – a Logitech
  • Altec Lansing mono speaker
  • Seagate 500GB external hard drive for backup
  • Brother Duplex Laser Printer
  • Epson Workforce Inkjet Printer
  • Seiko Smart Label Printer
  • LinkSys Phone Adapter
  • Yeti Microphone
  • Belkin USB hub
  • LinkSys Wireless Network Router

Eleven peripherals—and that is before factoring in thumb drives. Mind-boggling!

 

Orso Clip Art

 

 

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