I had just finished a quick rewrite on “Fallen Angel #13,” was about to save it so I could then send it off…and my computer cut out. One moment working, the next, a paperweight.
Three screaming calls to Glenn later, and he was on his way to lend his technical expertise. So the computer’s up and running now although, as I noted, I didn’t get much done.
Oh, for any interested, there’s a 25 question interview up with me over in the Pulse at comicon.com.
PAD
• 
Hi Peter.
I sure hope you use a mac and not a PC. If not, please get one.
Aprils fools is a day late Joe…. because only a fool would pay for an overpriced, underpowered, and highly limited “computer” made by Apple.
I dunno, “not crashing” seems a fairly good thing to spend money on…
Anyway, what you need is Linux and OpenOffice 🙂
…and to find the “Autosave” option on whatever word processor you’re using…
Oh, let us drop Mac vs PC right now. I rarely declare anything on this board, but I am putting my foot down on this one.
We are a two system house. I have a bunch of Macs, Powerbooks, and Imacs to my name including the original portable Apple or as we called it, the luggable.
Peter was raised on IBM and PCs so those are the machines he is more confortable with. I was MIS for the Borders I worked for and I know quite a bit about PCs since I have had to deal with them over time. So for me there is no debate on this issue. I prefer my Apple machines but can work on just about anything if I have to.
Peter will tell you that if his computer does something wacky, his first call is to me so I can assess if there is anything I can do. If not, then the call goes out to the Wunderkind Mr. Hauman.
That is “Comfortable” not “confortable” darn this typing before the coffee kicks in……Off to get more java juice.
Like Kathleen, I use Macs because I work with PC’s and don’t want to put up with them at home too. 🙂
But one thing my work taught me is that *the* most difficult task is trying to force a person used to PC’s to start using a Mac. It’s possible, but imagine this: PAD makes his living on his PC, and has for years, so he’s used to it. If he’s forced to use a Mac, poor Kathleen will be his frustrated, on-call tech support 24/7.
The lesson is, if PAD wants to go for a change of computing platform one day, he’ll do so when he’s ready. Maybe he’ll like it, maybe he won’t, but the best way to do it is by choice, not by force.
I prefer Macs myself. But to be honest, I can and do use a PC. My laptop is a Windows machine.
Still, Before Windows 95 came along, I would rather cut off my arm than use a PC.
PAD,
Was the rewrite you decided to do or was it something DC wanted you to do?
BTW did you get a new editor on Fallen Angel?
The PC/Mac debate aside (I, too, am bi-platform), I wanted to thank PAD for his answer to question #25. My husband, also a freelance writer working his way into the comic industry, is the primary caregiver for our three-year old, Nicholas. It’s really nice to hear about dads who take care of their kids and work from home. 🙂
The PC/Mac debate aside (I, too, am bi-platform), I wanted to thank PAD for his answer to question #25. My husband, also a freelance writer working his way into the comic industry, is the primary caregiver for our three-year old, Nicholas. I know there are dads out there who assume a reverse role, but it’s always really nice to actually *read* about dads who take care of their kids and work from home. 🙂
Peter, many word processing programs have an option to AUTOMATICALLY SAVE the document you’re working on. They typically let you save your work every few minutes. I think Microsoft Word defaults to autosaving every half hour–once activated. I prefer every 5 minutes since trying to recreate a half hour of work, a mindset . . . annoying.
Ironically, a similar situation happened to Sarah Jessica Parker on SEX IN THE CITY. Her iMac crashed and she learned the hard way the value of backing up.
— Ken from Chicago
P.S. As for PC vs Mac, two words: “Only Amiga”.
The PC/Mac debate aside (I, too, am bi-platform), I wanted to thank PAD for his answer to question #25.
I think women that are bi-platform are so hot.
I pretty much laugh at the PC vs. Mac debate these days.
I’ve used almost every version of Windows since 3.1, and I never would have believed XP could be this stable until I started using it.
It just isn’t even a valid argument anymore. 🙂
You know, Mr. D, since your computer is literally your life and your work, it might pay you to have some kind of automated backup. And I don’t simply mean something to remind you to write things to a disk. I mean a completely separate system that, once a day, archives all your files and saves them to a hard drive on a separate, isolated system on a UPS. That way, you’ll only have 24 hours of work (at worst) lost. You might get it to work off your home network. I’m willing to bet there are even commercial firms that will do it, but they probably charge enormous prices for secure services.
P.S. As for PC vs Mac, two words: “Only Amiga”.
Oh, man, I miss my Amiga!
Actually, I still have mine (the Amiga 2000) stored in a closet somewhere. And I have been known to take it out every once in a while to play Sim City or the Rocket Man game.
*sigh*
david
I work with computers. Hëll, I make my living off of personal computers. Macs, PCs, (Windows and Linux… and at one time OS/2)…
and I can say this:
They suck.
The computer is a machine. A disposable tool. Of course they’re gonna break. They’re designed to do so. Why else would you need an upgrade?
Travis
(Who’s trying to leave the business and go into Book Editing or Technical Writing.)
“Oh, man, I miss my Amiga!”
I’m with ya there. I’ve got an Amiga 500 and still get a hankering to pull it out to play “It Came From the Desert” and “Rocket Ranger” and “Wings.” Loved those Cinemaware games.
Gotta get the emulator up and running on this thing some long weekend.
Even further off-topic: Boo to “Wonderfalls” getting cancelled and thanks to the folks on this board for getting me to watch it before I lost the chance.
I’m with ya there. I’ve got an Amiga 500 and still get a hankering to pull it out to play “It Came From the Desert” and “Rocket Ranger” and “Wings.” Loved those Cinemaware games.
Rocket Rangers! That’s what it was! Great stuff. However, I don’t miss putting diskettes in, taking diskettes out, putting diskettes in…. ad naseum.
Even further off-topic: Boo to “Wonderfalls” getting cancelled and thanks to the folks on this board for getting me to watch it before I lost the chance.
It’s cancelled already? Man, wasn’t that faster than Miracles cancellation a couple years back??
Here’s a part of an article from Cinescape today regarding the cancellation, david:
Four episodes of the Fox series aired on the network. Last week the network shuffled the series from its original Friday night slot to Thursdays, but the move put the struggling series up against the powerhouse competition of THE APPRENTICE and CSI.
*chuckle* A show, on Fox, on Friday night. Yeah, it was destined for failure.
Yeah, two of the things I keep telling myself not to get involved with – TV shows on FOX Fridays (Brimstone and Freakylinks, anyone?) and ABC (the Already Been Cancelled network).
Four episodes of the Fox series aired on the network.
Putting it mildly, Fox sucks. I used to enjoy their programs, but if they keep pulling stunts like this… grrrrrrrrr. It’s starting to seem that the WB and UPN have more entertainment value.
And if I was going to pitch something to Fox that was somewhat different than what’s out there, I’d have to think twice about it.
david