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October 14, 1997 - Tuesday
----------------
There was a show on ABC Saturday night, called "C-16 Bomber" about the
"good guys" (FBI) against a "bad guy" (a talk-show host).
The fundamental "moral" of this story was that the talk-show host had
"conspired" to create and exploit a fake bomb threat in order to boost
ratings. At the end of the show, the FBI agents "walked out the front
door" -- instead of the back -- to a cheering crowd of reporters.
I make no claims of any hidden agenda, but this show DOES follow a new
trend in news and entertainment; an exstensive number of stories about
not trusting "small" news agencies, individual reporters -- and most
ESPECIALLY, not to trust the Internet....
This REAL "Freedom of Speech" phenomenon seems to have those symbiotes
in both the government and in large media organizations VERY
defensive of their dominance in today's world of that "dangerous"
INTERNET....
_____
MORE ABOUT THE NEW BRYX PORN* productions: I mentioned that our next
production is being done with "5-channel dolby-compaible surround
sound." This choice of phrase was very deliberate so as to avoid
violating the Dolby trademark.
BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD that to obtain an actual license to be able to
feature this AS "Dolby" surround sound may be fairly easy and
inexpensive....
THE BIGGER NEWS is the way the VIDEO ITSELF will be produced for both
surround-type ***_V_I_D_E_O_*** and for Virtual Reality 3-D video.
More later....
-----
*Note: Despite some inaccurate and out-of-date posters still displayed
in some U.S. post offices, PORNOGRAPHY -- production, sale and
distribution (INCLUDING through the mails), is totally and completely
legal. So-called "OBSCENITTY", is what is not allowed....
-----------------------------------------------------------
ON A DIFFERENT TOPIC, I remember how it felt when I realized that I
wasn't the only Gay person in the world.
Nowdays, it is approaching the point where being Gay is about as
exciting and as controversial as being a dentist...but as you can see
from the last several reports here, it is still quite easy to feel
"alone" when dealing with governments and bureaucracies.
I'm now re-reading "Atlas Shrugged" to help me get out of this
"regulatory bullshit induced funk." Here is an excerpt:
A newspaper clipping fluttered down to the floor. It was an
editorial which his secretary had marked with an angry slash
in red pencil. It was entitled "Equalization of Opportunity."
He had to read it: there had been too much talk about this
issue in the last three months, ominously too much.
He read it, with the sound of voices and forced laugher
coming from downstairs, reminding him that the guests were
arriving, that the party had started and that he would face
the bitter, reproachful glances of his family when he came
down.
The editorial said that at a time of dwindling production,
shrinking markets and vanishing opportunities to make a
living, it was unfair to let one man hoard several business
enterprises, while others had none; it was destructive to let
a few corner all the resources, leaving others no chance;
competition was essential to society, and it was society's
duty to see that no competitor ever rose beyond the range of
anybody who wanted to compete with him. The editorial predict-
ed the passage of a bill which had been proposed, a bill
forbidding any person or corporation to own more than one
business concern.
Wesley Mouch, his Washington man, had told Reardon not to
worry; the fight would be stiff, he had said, but the bill
would be defeated. Reardon understood nothing about that kind
of fight. He left it to Mouch and his staff. He could barely
find time to skim through their reports from Washington and
to sign the checks which Mouch requested for the battle.
Reardon did not believe that the bilol would pass. He was
incapable of believing it. Having dealt with the clean reality
of metals, technology, production all of his life, he had
acquired the conviction that one had to concern oneself with
the rational, not the insane -- that one had to seek that
which was right, because the right answer always won -- that
the senseless, the wrong, the monstrously unjust could not
work, could not succeed, could do nothing but defeat itself.
A battle against a thing such as that billl seemed preposter-
ous and faintly embarrassing to him, as if he were suddenly
asked to compete with a man who calculated steel mixtures by
the formulas of numerology.
He had told himself that the issue was dangerous. But the
loudest screaming of the most hysterical editorial roused no
emotion in him -- while a variation of a decimal point in a
laboratory report on a test of Reardon Metal made him leap to
his feet in eagerness or apprehension. He had no energy for
anything else.
From "Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand.
------------------------------------
IDIOT TEACHERS {TEACHING IDIOTS?}
--------------
THE N.E.A. ("National teacher Enrichment Association") seems to be
running a media spin operation against "unlicensed teachers".
The widely publicized reports unquestionably try to say that those who
are "teaching without a license" are generally less competent than the
NEA/unionized/licensed teachers.
But they can't really say BECAUSE THEY HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RESISTED ANY
REQUIREMENT FOR TESTING TEACHERS!!!
Two of my BEST teachers ever were "unlicensed" -- and I taught for
several years under these same provisions. And when I quit, the parents
involved thought it was from residual problems with the school
administrator -- and offered to have her replaced if I would "just say
on".
THE NEA JUST WANTS MORE MONEY FOR ITS MEMBERS by keeping the supply
of teachers limited. After all, if it was COMPETENCE they were after,
wouldn't they test for it...?
========================================================================
October 13, 1997 - Monday
----------------
NEW PORN STUFF!!!
Work has started on the next BRYX Muscle-Porn Video.
This will be the FIRST PORN VIDEO WITH 5-CHANNEL DOLBY-COMPATIBLE
SURROUND SOUND!
There are several other breakthroughs -- not yet seen in either
so-called "legit" or in porn videos -- they'll be announced soon...!
______
UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE MOMENT:
"This movement, long before intercostal paralysis is complete, is
annoying to the surgeon working in the abdomen. He may complain that
the patient is 'pushing' and may attempt, to alleviate the condition
by deepening the anethesia, resulting in aggravation on the part of
surgeon and consternation on the part of the anesthetist when the
patient suddenly stops breathing."
ST 31-91B "US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES MEDICAL HANDBOOK"
-----------
More Muscle stuff....
I've had several requests for some sort of "Gallery" to be placed on the
BRYX website, but I have not yet decided what to do.
At the moment, I'm considering a small gallery that changes only a few
times each year -- AND WILL HAVE STRONG ENCODED COPYRIGHT PROTECTION.
Keep checking this "Today's News" area for updates....
========================================================================
October 10, 1997 - Friday
----------------
Some would call it hopeless. Some would call it stupid.
Others would recognize it as a task that needs to be done...both
as hopeless and as stupid as Gay rights USED to be considered.
Those of you who have been following this column know that FAR MORE
than most, I believe that ANY of what we call "government" today is
inevitably the problem.
The "stupidity" comes from my honesty. Even though I know these people
in government can (illegally!) harrass me and make my life difficult
when I have to deal with them in the future, I am going to publish
those instances of government abuse and/or stupidity that I experience
-- while hoping that the government officials and workers involved
have the decency to accept this as an intellectual exposition --
especially given the fact they may respond here....
_____
The City of Palm Springs (the "Government") is "helping" protect me.
HA! You KNOW how the government "helps"....
A building inspector "just happened to be in the area" and saw the
roofing truck which was both repairing and increasing the insulation
value (R-value) of the roof. This can significantly reduce cooling
costs in the summer.
The inspector, "Becky", explained to me how her work was "helping" me
-- that the city was concerned that the additional roof thickness would
not "bind" properly to the original roof and would "float off".
The tag the inspector issued:
1. Stopped the work
2. Required double the permit price (and)
3. Demanded samples of the old roof and the new roof material.
(You can view a copy of this tag at www.bryx.com/govbs001.gif
I immediately asked if the concern was whether the materials would bond,
why there wasn't a request for a sample of the bonding material.
Becky told me this was because "they could get the information from the
manufacuter's numbers".
I asked why the same information could not be had for the roofing
material ITSELF from these same "manufacturer's numbers".
The answer? "That the city doesn't necessarily know what the original
material numbers were."
That sounded reasonable until I asked why they didn't also need the
other materials to perform whatever tests were required.
The answer? "Well we don't actually do any tests."
HUH? HUH? HUH????????????
They insist they need the material. They don't know what the numbers
are -- yet they cannot test the material when they get it!
WHY DO THEY NEED THIS MATERIAL? They can't get the number and they
can't test. DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE????
_____
The icing on the cake was the HOURS it took them to find the forms
needed for this new bureaucratic obstacle....
------------------
I welcome the City of Palm Springs to tell me where my ANY of my
conclusions here are in error. Just send me e-mail with the details
and a phone number that can be verified prior to publicatiion....
------------------
SPASTIC BB TRAINING still seems to be the rule...(see last post.)
------------------
QUOTE FOR NOW:
How government is justified: From "Henry Martyn" by L. Neil Smith:
"You argue that you protect civilization from predation. Yet what do I
owe a protector," Henrry Martyn demanded, "who keeps his part of the
bargain -- a bargain, I might add, which I had no part in arranging, to
which I was never offered a chance to consent or refrain from
consenting -- with confiscation and conscription, the very predation
you claim to protect me from, in short, with nothing but the bargain's
betrayal?" From the ambassador a series of half-articulate mutterings
was audible. For his own part, the Executor-General opened his mouth to
offer one of the many conventional answers upon the subject. "Not to
mention endless sophistries," Henry Martyn added before he could speak,
"designed to redefine that lattermost word away?"
Daimler-Wilkinson closed his mouth. Henry Martyn lifted the coverlet,
swung his legs across the divan, and rose to his feet. "What have I
left," he asked, "to offer a defender who defends me -- from enemies he
made for me -- by taking more away than they could? What am I free to
say of a liberator who defends liberty by placing it in protective
custody?"
"Henry Martyn" by L. Neil Smith. ISBN 0-812-50550-6.
========================================================================
October 6, 1997 - Monday
---------------
Spastic training.
It's the only way that I can describe my training schedule now. Thanks
to my CTS (Carpel Tunnel Syndrome), **AND** my "cured"/"not-cured"
status, I'm never sure if I'm going to be able to bench 375 -- or ZERO
pounds...this is very frustrating.
I guess it's more walk/jog/treadmill for me at the moment...I just
got a call from a friend in L.A. today and had to admit that it was cold
in Palm Springs today -- it only got up to 96 deg F with clear, blue
skies....
========================================================================
October 4, 1997
---------------
I've been putting off telling this story for a while as it is both
difficult and in some ways embarassing...but it must be told.
The description here is as accurate and literal as I can possibly
make it -- essentially documentary in nature:
-----
As you can guess from reading my September 30, 1997 entry I haven't
had an easy time recently. The pressure became so intense that one
night I just tossed a few computers and clothes into the car and drove
at random away from home.
(I call this "credit-card camping" as anything I forget is purchased
on the road....)
My departure was at about midnight, and on one of these small two-lane
state highways I met only two other cars...ultimately wending my way to
a small town that had provided me relaxation in situations similar to
this in the past: Needles, California -- population 9,320.
From a previous visit, I knew that only one hotel had the older analog
phone system that made it easy to connect by modem to computer.
To get to this hotel I had to take a different freeway exit from my
previous visit. This alternate road took me past a (chain) hotel that
had a sign prominently featuring something like "The End is Near; Free
Bible, Phone & Cable-TV."
When, at about 4:30am I arrived at the desk to check-in, something
similar to "GAYDAR" lets me pick up on "born-agains". [When I was in
college -- still trying to keep my parents "happy", I was in the
folk-rock group that played during the services. Three years of this
developed my "born-again christian" radar to a fine degree.
And the desk clerk was clearly of this ilk.
I have an ability/tendancy to adapt in an almost chameleon-like fashion
to those around me, and as exhauted as I was at this early morning hour,
I did so -- adapting my speech and mannerisms -- without thinking and
without any attempt to deceive.
I only realized that I was doing this "adaptive thing" when the clerk
was INSISTENT that "You must be here on business so you can get a
discount", and so notated the sign-up card.
After five hours of deep sleep I woke -- and was troubled by these events
of the night before, and of the previous few weeks.
Additionally, only a few days previously, a friend of mine (who had just
acquired a "new" used car) had been the beneficiary of a free oil change
"because of the fish sysmbol on the trunk." I cannot help but wonder if
this "christian" attitude would be extended to someone with the Gay flag
displayed in the same location....
I wanted to speak to "one of these others".
I wanted to UNDERSTAND -- as understanding frequently leads to acceptance.
And that is exceptionally difficult for me as an Atheist.
I want to "not hate" people -- this is feeling is very foreign to me, but
I felt myself drifitng in this direction....
-----------
It was time for drastic action.
I ACTUALLY LOOKED UP "CHURCHES" IN THE YELLOW PAGES, and choose one of
the two catholic churches that was in the local calling area...it had a
326- prefix. St. Ann's of "something something something"....
-----------
After finally getting through the hour-long busy-signal, the conversation
went something like this:
Hello.
Hello?
Hello...um, I need to speak to someone there about a problem.
What KIND of a problem? It isn't FINANCIAL, is it?
No, no. It's personal. Are you a minister?
Yes. (Laughter) Of a sorts....
What do you mean? Are you an ordained priest in the Catholic Church?
Yes. Hang on a moment. Where are you?
I'm a traveler here in Needles -- I'm registered at a hotel.
[EIGHT LONG MINUTES (ON HOLD) LATER:]
-------------------------------------
Hello?
Yes, I was trying to speak with someone about a personal problem -- was
that you?
[Same voice] Yes. So what's your problem?
Would it possible to meet in person?
Can't you tell me over the phone?
I can try, but it may be a bit awkward...it's kind of hard to explain, and
I hope you'll forgive the negative sound of this, but I'm trying very hard
not to hate "born-again" christians. I've just had several bad experiences,
and it is not in my nature to hate -- can you help me?
Are you catholic?
I was raised as a catholic, but am now an Athiest.
Tell me more.
****[At this point I related my experience on the old CompuServe forum, my
experience checking in, and the experience at the service station.]****
[His first response....]
Well you never know what kind of people you meet on the Internet.
But I've known these people for years and years -- and many of us have met
in person! I KNOW these people, and they're GOOD people.
Well I would never meet or deal with people over the Internet like this.
[Note: This from a priest who would not meet in person -- but rather wanted
to deal over the phone!]
I went on to complain about the "disease of Millenialitis" that seems to
overcome many; I explained the selective treatment I received on the
forum and the hurt that it caused me.
I was taking the "guts up" move of being completely open.
QUITE ABRUPTLY, my concerns were interrupted with the following:
"From what you've said I can tell you are 'in tune with the Universe' as
the sun, moon and stars are lining up to tell us something special as the
end of this millenia approaches.
"So get in touch with whatever higher source you pray to.
"I've got to run now, but 'May the Force be with you'."
------------
Obviously this priest doesn't know the difference between "Atheist" and
"Agnostic", completely reversed my comments on "Millenialitis" -- while
providing no help to my main reason in calling.
The abrupt and cold dismissal in the middle of a personnally difficult
time -- a time when I "baring all" -- told me once again the nature of
religion -- and the damage it can and does cause in today's world and
today's politics.
"God" forgive, if I had had "financial difficulties" -- if I couldn't
tithe, I wasn't worth the time....
-------------
This whole "forum thing" has really sunk its claws into me -- and the
"Viking" in me is going to fight back using every tool available. From
CompuServe management, to GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Anti-Defamation
league), to "breach of contract" -- I reviewed the "rules"
that applied to the old forum. The promise was made that the rules would be
enforced "consistently". We know they have not been.
For those CompuServe forum members that are reading this, I apologize
for bringing this painful time up again -- but the pain has never left
for me.
A pain that is so instense that I, as an Athiest, actually stoop to
dealing with the catholic church -- the same church that just apologized
to the Jewish people for failing to speak up during the Holocaust --
while failing to extend this apology to Gays and Gypsies who were also
victims.
It's too bad that it has taken the church so long to tell parents to
love their Gay children -- regardless of the scriptures. How many lives
have been hurt because of this omission and delay?
Extremely and Sincerely yours,
Gregg Strom
=======================================================================
October 2, 1997
---------------
WOW!
I hadn't realized how large the back issues of "Today's News" had
become. I'll be splitting it up into different sections by year....
_____
Q. What is the translation for "MIR"?
A. Microsoft In Russia.
_____
BUT SERIOUSLY, I had been asked by a close friend, "What about the MIR?"
My answer was that the majority of the basic science had been done, that
we now know the human body NEEDS gravity, and that any long-term mission
will have to simulate same.
My answer, after hearing a politician state essentially the same is VERY
different. This politico mentioned that "we weren't getting any
SCIENCE, as we are just lurching from one emergency to another" -- which
made me realize what we WERE getting -- the skills required to be able
to cope with EXACTLY this situation; the abiltiy to deal with
emergency after emergency.
This skill is essenti9al for our future in space.
Watching a Star Trek captian yell, "Red Alert!" just doesn't quite deal
with reality....
_____
CULTURE SHOCK
It seems that the address of the "BRYX-House" is becoming singulary
responsible for "culture shock" here in Palm Springs. All of us here
seem to have the absolutely ABSURD idea that people should show up
at promised times and accomplish promised objectives.
Hopefully, our endurance will outlast the massive lethargy that seems
to be considered acceptable here.
*** UPDATE: I HAVE DECIDED TO P0ST A SIGN ON THE FRONT DOOR:
***
*** WARNING: THE PEOPLE AT THIS LOCATION ARE COMPLETELY UNREASONABLE,
*** AS IT IS EXPECTED THAT THOSE WHO MAKE APPOINTMENTS WILL SHOW UP
*** ON-TIME -- AND EVEN ON THE RIGHT DAY! FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT
*** IN THE IMMEDIATE TERMINATION OF ANY BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT THAT HAS
*** BEEN ESTABLISHED. THESE PEOPLE ARE **SO** UNREASONABLE THAT THEY
*** ACTUALLY EXPECT PRODUCTS PURCHASED IN THE COMPUTER INDUSTRY TO WORK!
*** (THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO DRIVE SEVERAL C0MPANIES CRAZY ENOUGH WITH
*** THIS EXPECTATION THAT $7000.00 LAPTOP COMPUTERS HAVE BEEN GRANTED
*** RETURN STATUS.
*** SO DESPITE THE PALM SPRINGS REPUTATION OF INCOMPLETE WORK AND
*** MISSED APPOINTMENTS, THE CRAZY PEOPLE HERE STILL EXPECT THOSE WITH
*** WHOM THEY DEAL TO RESPECT THE VALUE OF THEIR TIME, AS THEY RESPEECT
*** THE VALUE OF OTHER'S TIME.
_____
NEW COMPUTER
I LOVE my "Libretto". For those of you not familiar with this
semi-palmtop, it is about the size of a VHS cassette, has a GREAT
active-matrix display, and a small, but fully touch-typeable keyboard.
The "mouse" is beside the screen and is operated by thumb, while your
index and middle fingers rest on the main and alternate (L&R) mouse
buttons respectively. It operates (groan!) Windows 95.
It's what I'm using to write this column.
But unfortunately, the rechargeable battery is only good for 1.5 hours,
while my DOS palmtop of the same size will go for 20 hours on a set of
4 AA batteries....
_____
COMPUTER RETIREMENT
I'm finally getting to retire my poor old T4400C...it's only been
around the world about 4 times. (Its funtions will be picked up by
the Libretto and the Winbook....)
In "retirement", it will serve as a "pre-processor" for multiple web-
cam's, serve as a local dial-up BBS here in Palm Springs, and as an
emergency web-server....
_____
THE HIDDEN MESSAGE:
There have been several shocked media reports in the last few days on
"youth violence".
I cannot but help notice the following: That students are given daily
messages that physical control and solutions are acceptable.
Solutions such as forcing students to submit to searches, metal
detectors and the forcible invasion of privacy into lockers, etc. --
not to mention armed guards.
While any SPECIFIC school may not use these means, our national media
makes it known that these so-called "solutions" are widespread and
have been deemed "acceptable" by the courts.
Is it any wonder that students reply in kind with guns and knives when
force is what is used by adults to "solve" problems?
You've heard me quote Benjamin Franklin when he said that those who would
give up a little bit of freedom for security get neither. I say this
once again....
=======================================================================
September 30, 1997 [plus or minus]
------------------
PERSONAL, BRYX SYSTEM, POLITICAL
--------------------------------
PERSONAL
--------
I just got word two nights ago that my godfather had died. This affected
me in a way that no other family member's passing had.
This event happened immediately (during?) the nastiness described below
regarding the CompuServe Bodybuilding forum.
Needless to say, this has been a very rough time.
I had been scheduled to go to Europe a week ago Tuesday, but with the
new roommate moving in (pornstar "Bill Marlowe"), and with the
slower-than-expected orgainization of my five businesses and all the
associated paperwork, things have been delayed.
"Healer Seven", who runs the "7's Lair" forum here is trying DESPERATELY
to get some peace (piece?) and quiet by getting me out of here, and I
**DO** need a break, so Monday night, I'll be leaving on a 2-4 day road
trip around the Western states....
BRYX SYSTEM
-----------
See "POLITICS TWO" below for details on the HARASSMENT being suffered at
the hands of local GTE people. Our system is currently in a "rented
closet" at a friends home while we resolve this issue.
It is my opinion that THE GTE ACTIONS ARE ILLEGAL FOR MORE THAN ONE
REASON -- one of which being that they are expecting customers to pay
for capital improvements -- instead of their stockholders.
WATCH FOR BRYX INTERNATIONAL legislation designed to prevent this
(current) monopoly abuse and to return power to the market and to the
consumer....
It is because of the limited number of lines available in our "rented
closet" that all access is via the Internet and there are currently no
dial-up nodes.
EVEN IF WE MUST REMAIN "IN THE CLOSET", we will have modem access
restored before the end of the year.
POLITICS ONE
------------
I never knew until now, why an Internet Gay Activist group had listed
me and my posts on the CompuServe Bodybuilding forum as "political
activist".
I now know.
This has been a very difficult time for me (your sysop) for a number of
reasons...a group of (reported to be) "born-again christians" has
implemented a long-term plan to remove me from the Bodybuilding forum on
CompuServe.
I went into "emotional shock".
At first, from being sepatated from my many friends there...and then
from the MASSIVE abandonment by virtually ALL of the major
contributors to this forum.
If this had been the result of a simple difference of opinion over the
nature of the forum, I would be less upset -- however the overt and
obvious agenda that was reported as the reason so many "regulars"
abandoned this area has prompted me to seek redress on several levels:
1. The forum "owner", Allan Stevens, (allegedly -- from a reliable
source), one of these "conspiring christians" has violated his OWN
RULES in the operation of the forum.
2. The so-called "rules" were blatantly enforced SELECTIVELY against Gay
participants in this Bodybuilding forum.
3. Allan (apparently) condoned the illegal use of CompuServe accounts BY
HIS RELATIVES in an attempt to create an atmosphere of acceptance for
these repressive and (imo) illegal actions.
4. Allan misrepresented both my actions, and those other forum members
to the point of actionably libleous statements.
AND THE LIST goes on and on.
I will be posting in this "Today's News" section "privacy protected"
transcripts of the wonderful support I received from my many friends
on that forum. (Names and minor details changed to protect the
innocent and the guilty....)
IMPORTANT!!!
It was revealed by two other Members -- who had worked as sysops on
other CompuServe forums, that even to "lurk" -- and merely view
messages -- puts money into Allan's "christianity of hate" pockets.
Please don't!!!
I will also be contacting groups such as GLAAD, private attorneys --
and CompuServe management (soon to be AOL!) to right these wrongs.
_____
This forum provided me -- and the Gay and Bodybulding communities with
a place to show BOTH sides of an issue -- to show that we are "real"
people sharing many universal hopes and dreams of other Bodybuilders --
an opportunity that has now been blocked by religious zealots for whom
"the ends justifies the means".
Several OTHER forum Members made the comparision of this action to those
of NAZI Germany in WWII -- an analogy that seemed to hit home --
especially considering the number of justifications and denials that
various forum sysops tried to present; tried (without success) to excuse
this action.
--------------------------
POLITICS TWO
------------
While chronologically first, it is emotionally second.
I am also apparently suffering at the hands
of "born-again's" here in Palm Springs -- most likely in the local GTE
phone company, but also possibly in the "community development"
department of the City of Palm Springs.
Not only have I been denied phon e service I was previously promised,
but SOMEONE in the phone company reported to the city that there was
"probably a business that would disrupt the neighborhood" at my address.
I am not behaving like a "good little consumer" and reporting my
complaints to the PUC (Public Utilities Commission), but am, rather,
proposing DIRECTLY to my state representatives legislation that would
change the laws under which this current monopoly operates.
I am fortunate in that my documentation of the abuse of power by the
phone company (GTE) is ***SO*** detailed, complete, and irrefutable
that GTE would have to buy (outright!) dozens of legislators to prevent
this information from becoming public....
--------------------------
--------------------------
ON A MORE PLEASANT NOTE, the move to our new location in Palm Springs is
almost complete -- and has proved VERY rewarding!
(More details, later....)
=======================================================================
July 3, 1997 - Thursday
------------
We hired a con$ultant to help u$ get BRYX-World online -- but we think
the expen$e will be well worth it.... As we expected, the basic
foundation and outline of the "world" is CRITICAL to long-term growth
and flexibility.
The schedule is to have it online BEFORE the move to Palm Springs --
which is less than 3-4 weeks from now.
Side Note: I am trying to locate some "older" technology that will allow
us to retain our L.A. numbers...there USED to exist "statistical
multiplexors" that have several dial-up modems combined into a single
phone line -- the rely on the "statistics" of data flow -- that there
is a period of download, then a period of viewing for different users of
the system so that a single line can be shared without noticable loss of
performance. (speed)
We'll keep you posted....
=======================================================================
July 2, 1997 - Wednesday
------------
Again, on MS-NBC: "A report today shows that today's youth are healthier
and smarter than ever before. So why are they taking more drugs?"
Hmmmm.....
=======================================================================
July 1, 1997 - Tuesday
------------
Supreme court decision STILL allowed the Brady gun-control bill...so I
thought of OTHER statutes we might have:
-
A 5-day waiting peroid before someone is allowed to join a new religion.
This would give time to determine if this person is of such a mental
state to be a potential "cult-member"....
-
A 5-day waiting period before allowing someone to invoke their fourth
amendment rights -- to make sure "they have nothing to hide".
-
A 5-day waiting peroid before being able to ask for a jury trial -- to
give a single judge the chance to rule solo....
-
Side note: Do you want to be judged by 12 people who weren't smart
enough to be able to get out of Jury Duty?
-----
Brian Willian and MS-NBS Stupidity:
"The MIR Space-station changed its orientation to keep its SOLAR BATTERIES
charged."
Gee. Where can I buy a "Solar-battery". I'd LOVE to save up some
California sunshine!
But, sadly, what I think they meant to say was "Solar panels were oriented
to recharge the batteries."
"SOLAR BATTERIES". Sheesh!
-----
Scary. Real, real scary!
The Supreme Court has decided that anyone ACCUSED (not found guilty!) of a
"sex-crime" can be detained indefinently based upon their "likelihood of
committing the same crime again".
-----
Of course we cheer the FREE SPEECH win at the court -- we just wish more
people would decide that we don't need this artifice called "government".
[Read "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" by Robert A. Heinlien.]
=======================================================================
June 20, 1997 - Saturday
-------------
This is the day before the Gay Pride parade here in Los Angeles. It is
also the day when I take a few moments to keep you up-to-date on the
happenings here at BRYX.
Most exciting: We've gone into escrow on the BRYX-House in Palm Springs.
This is a different property from the one mentioned earlier, but a
property that will serve as, well, if not better -- as a "Bodybuider
House". (Including TWO outdoor areas that are ideal for an outdoor gym,
a "fire pit" that can easily be converted to a "meat grill" BBQ, a
combination pool and 12-jet jacuzzi, etc., etc., etc...)
We are running BEHIND in our schedule to post PRELIMINARY "BRYX-World"
VRML stuff, but AHEAD of schedule in our target for the first "public
release".
We are more than happy with the contribution's in the "7's Lair" forum,
and fully expect the same from the new "Curmudgeon's Cave".
We are now shipping videos -- and those who placed these early orders
will receive FREE the "fixed up" `version currently in the lab for
technical fixes.
It is a busy, busy and exciting time. We hope you appreciate and enjoy
these developments as much as we do!
=======================================================================
May 17, 1997 - Saturday
------------
Today seems to be a VERY important day.
We just took delivery on a new and (FINALLY) **powerful** laptop.
As I'm known for my 24 hour workday, I expect to be MUCH more productive
with a 166MHz pentium than with the 25MHz 486 I had been using for all
my on-the-road work...not to mention the external 2.1GB hard-drive that
had to S-L-O-W-L-L-L-L-Y connect through the parallel port....
-----
More movement on the house (no, not an earthquake<g>) of which I cannnot
determine its nature -- up, down, good, bad, sideways or out to the
"red-shift limit"....
-----
We FINALLY got the POSTCARD UPGRADE process online. This will save this
(FREE) system considerable costs -- while speeding up service to our
International Members.
For those of you who travel a lot, next time you're in Europe, try sending
about half of your postcards in an envelope and about half in the normal
fashion.
I think you'll be surprised at the average difference in delivery time!
-----
The new VRML v2.00 software from IDS looks GREAT!!!! They finally put
together an "acceptable" manual and included more than a three page
tutorial for this naescent field!
-----
While in Palm Spring house hunting, I managed to make it to the gym
TWICE A DAY for two out of the four days (three nights) that I was
there. I **LOVE** those 70-80 degree crystal-clear nights....
=======================================================================
May 14, 1997 - Wednesday
------------
More news on the "BRYX-House" after a VERY IMPORTANT news item....
CNN Headline News reported today that UNITED AIRLINES is spearheading
an effort to overturn the San Francisco domestic partners law that states
that any business doing business with the city must provide the same
benefits to same-sex couples as to hetero-sexual couples.
This AFTER they had agreed to implement the requirements of this law
after a moderate delay!
The claim by UNITED AIRLINES (and 24 others that have joined in the
suit) is that supposedly FEDERAL LAW should override any LOCAL LAW.
This is known as a "specious arguement" -- in other words, BULL SHIT.
UNITED AIRLINES for **years** paid the locally required BOSTON FUEL TAX
and still pays the City of Los Angeles (and others) for landing rights,
etc.
I have choosen not to fly UNITED AIRLINES in the future for both their
reneging on their agreement with the city, and for their denial of equal
treatment for same-sex couples -- something that IBM HAS VOLUNTARILY
OFFERED!
Make your own decision.
-----
The "BRYX-House" that was going into escrow went out as fast as we got
the INSPECTION REPORT.
Not much was wrong.
Only the roof, the electrical, the plumbing, the short life-expectancy
of the air conditioning, the inappropriate placement and lack of venting
of the water heater, the pool deck drain that didn't work, the electrical
that may not be adequete for the safety of high-tech equipment, the
contouring that would have all water run into the house, the siding on the
large room that went all the way to ground level -- instead of the six
inch gap to avoid pest damage, and the possibility that the slab was below
street level.
Nothing that several ten's of thousands of dollars wouldn't (easily?)
fix....<groan!>
=======================================================================
May 9, 1997 - Friday
-----------
Today at 10:20 am Los Angeles Time, I went into escrow for the BRYX-House
residence here in Palm Springs.
The front exterior of the house is virtually 100% GORGEOUS BRYX (er,
..."BRICKS"...) with room for 1. The BRYX production facilities and
MY room; two small bedrooms to rent out to two other model/escort/
Bodybuilders and the old "master" bedroom to rent out to either a third
BB or a BB "couple"....
It comes with a completely refurbished pool, a huge space for a semi-
enclosed `(three sides) outdoor gym -- right off the pool, and the entire
HUGE property is completely enclosed and "privacy/nudity" proof!
Needless to say, I **am** excited.
More later.
=======================================================================
May 3, 1997 - Saturday
-----------
Just installed the VIDEO DIGITIZER and VIDEO EDIT SYSTEM on the multi-media
desktop...and am VERY excited about the capabilities.
Not only are we going to bring adult productions up another notch or two,
but this stuff looks efficient enough to allow us to put together a bunch
of our "scripted but undone" projects...including at least one WORKOUT
VIDEO for serious MASS GAINS....
-----
And... it is time to revise BOTH our website and the ONLINE SERVICE --
both have "just growed" enough to make them a bit akward to navigate, so
it's time for a major "ground up" redesign.
If those three paragraphs don't explain how busy we are at BRYX --
NOTHING will!!!
=======================================================================
April 27, 1997 - Sunday
--------------
Only politicians could fuck up the wonderful concept of being a
"volunteer" by introducing the oxymoron of "compulsory volunteerism".
The big conference held in Philadelphia this weekend brought this
concept ("CON-cept"?) to the fore by suggesting that high school
students be REQUIRED to "volunteer" to graduate.
At least one school district has denied GRADUATION to one student who,
because of family responsibilities, was unable to "manditorily volunteer".
This meeting of the political elite also decided that it would be a
good idea if those in public housing, also be required to "volunteer" --
or loose their home.
This not only cheapens the word, but imposes burdens on many who are
unable to spare the time for "mandatory volunteering".
=======================================================================
April 25, 1997 - Friday
--------------
I shouldn't be writing this. I should still be working on one of the
'zillion projects here at BRYX....
We just got in our VIDEO EDITING SUITE and are installing it now...we
received our VRML (Virtual Reality Modeling Language) designer for
building "BRYX-World" and not only had it up and running, but had
learned it well enough to A) teach an artist how to use it and B) teach
the tech support department at the company that designed it how to do
TWO different techniques!
We are also changing the form we mail out to make the processing and the
time through the postal service shorter -- by changing it to a postcard.
For those who still require the sealed form, that option will remain
available.
We have a TON of EXCLUSIVE Bodybuilding pictures that are about to be put
online taken at various contests around California in the last month or
so...WATCH FOR THEM!
=======================================================================
April 15, 1997 - Wednesday
--------------
There is something very wrong. You can see from yesterday's NEWS that
I am not particularly impressed with what is happening in Washington,
D.C. -- actually I'm DISGUSTED with what that "inside the beltway" group
wants to do in dividing this land into neighbor against neighbor.
And as evidence, I offer my stomach.... (Some Background:)
For several years I reported and filmed local news -- including such
overwhelmingly intense scenes as a particular traffic accident that sticks
in my mind...a crash between a VW "Beetle" and a Ford station wagon...the
occupants of the wagon were untouched...I saw the fireman in their full-
asbestos suit trying to get to what appeared to be an empty VW...until I
realized that what I had mistaken for the back of bucket seats, was in
fact -- human bodies engulfed in flames.
It is against this background that I tell you that the stress of filing
out my tax forms today made me physically ill -- I did make it to the
bathroom in time, but not by much.
This thing called government, paid for by our labors, is so sick, so
twisted, and so corrupt that any right-minded person should feel the same
upon being called to support it....
=======================================================================
April 14, 1997 - Tuesday
--------------
The Palm Springs Slut House Hunt is looking good again!
There are SEVERAL hot possibilities that I'm looking at right now....
BUT, on to "Today's News"....
We continue to put additional catalog pages onto the public WWW site
-- and shortley will have posted the UNCENSORED catalog for the upgraded
BRYXx Members....
...It is entertaining watching Washington, D.C. implode upon itself --
waiting for Newt Gingrich to call for an investigation of Janet Reno --
and hoping that she has the guts and "fuck all" attitude to start an
investigation OF NEWT!!!
After all, it is well known that Newt violated his agreement with the
ethics committee -- as documented on recorded cellular phone
conversations....
Janet has the chance to show the world that congress isn't the ONLY
political group/agency to initiate unwarrented harrasement of other
groups/agencies....
-----
I will be relating shortley some of the hilarious, scary, and ill-
educated reparte' that I've experience on the "Republican Forum" on
CompuServe -- a place where many people state that they believe the
BIBLE (which "the bible"?) should be the basis for the laws of this
country -- ignoring the first amendment....
More to cum!
=======================================================================
March 31, 1997 - Monday
--------------
Unanswered question: YES!
We will be putting the FULL ADULT VERSION of the BRYX catalog online for
those who have upgraded to full BRYX access....
-----
FOR ONCE, we seem to be at the right point "on the curve"... We are
*just now* receiving request by people to receive their Internet Mail
through BRYX.COM.
And we are just about set up to handle this (for a VERY minimal charge
on a per yearly basis!) Watch for announcements in the near future....
=======================================================================
March 30, 1997 - Wednesday thru Sunday
--------------
Carpel Tunnel is now a bit better -- I can allow myself to type about
10,000 characters (5 pages) per day.
The BRYX Catalog ("Censored Internet Version") is now online!
Regarding the "UFO Suicides"...the media has it ALL WRONG! It is
really because....
They were all APPLE USERS!
-----
ANYWAY, we are still trying to make the "REPLY" function work on the
forums -- "WebLines" is not being too responsive to our questions.... Some
of the problem is their lack of expertise in communicating well in the
techinical world.
As someone with extensive experience in tech writing, I wish they would
get this problem under control....
=======================================================================
March 18, 1997 - LONG AGO thru Tuesday
--------------
If you're wondering why there hasn't been any NEW "Today's News" in the
last several weeks, there were two problems:
1. Carpel Tunnel Syndrome made it HELL to type... and
2. WE ARE NOW SIGNING UP MEMBERS AT A RATE OF 1,800 A MONTH!!!!
This new load (just last week) caused our system to crash a couple times
each day, but fortunately the recovery is fast enough that people using
WWW/Internet access, often didn't know anything had gone wrong!
I ***MUST*** laugh at those pages with the "xxx,000 People have visited
since...." "hit counters" on their webpages -- we are seeing several
thousand a day!
[I just noticed I've bee using a lot of excalmation marks ("!") -- I
think the circumstances make that acceptable....]
ANYWAY, we are going "full speed ahead" with getting the BRYX Catalog
Online -- with two versions. One will be censored for normal Internet
access and the other will SHOW ALL XXX-action for Members who have
upgraded to BRYXx access.
We are also starting the "Real Virtual BRYX-World", so you should be able
to do "walk throughs" shortley!
FINALLY, the majority of our Members prefer the EZ-Browser access -- which
is a NEW interface, with the usual bugs that come from new products.
The guy who makes this product (Called "WebLines"), is working as fast as
he can to make it all work and has been WONDERFULLY responsive -- unlike
our basline product company "Galacticomm". I have taken recently to
labeling them "Galacti-con" as they want to ignore basic business laws and
morals, so as those embodied in the Uniform Commercial Code!!!
SO EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING, and don't be surprised if changes happen
every day or so. We are talking "Internet Years", after all....
=======================================================================
February 13-17, 1997 - Thursday thru Monday
--------------------
So this is what Healer Seven does behind my back--pre-announced his
"7'sLair"....
YOU SHOULD SEE HIM SWEATING now as I made him sit there and stare at
the screen for five minutes.<vbeg>
I was expecting to have more frequent postings here in TODAY'S NEWS, but
between my hands and the heavy duty remodeling on the web page I had more
than a "full plate".
If you haven't checked out our remodeled web pages, you should do so as
there have been many changes and one exciting new announcement:
At the present time, the only way to let other people on the system
know that you are here is to fill out your REGISTRY entry. We have
been considering getting one of the multi-media type regristries that
are available but are not thrilled with their lack of special and ex-
citing features.
NEW AND EXCITING is the way we want things here at BRYX so we went
FAR beyond a simple "registry"....we are creating BRYXworld for
our Members.
This world features everything a man could need... From the gym,
football field and other sports facilities to residential areas,
bars and a sports arena/live theatre....
In this BRYXworld you can post your own image or choose from
available drawings. (The images can be a GIF or as a moving AVI
file, etc. and you may modify the drawings if you wish!)
Other Members can click on your image to find out any details you
choose to reveal about yourself! (If you have access to the
Internet, this is on our PARTICIPATE page; if you are reading this
through the BBS, download files PLANS05.GIF, PLANS08.GIF and
PLANS24.GIF.)
As you will see from these images we are starting from the very
beginning and would appreciate any skills other BRYX Members can
have fun contributing to this project.
HAVE A FANTASY about running a bar, coaching a football team,
wrestling team, or flaunting your own leather designs? now is
your chance to make that fantasy real in BRYXworld!
[Note: If you have the skills to do architechual sketches-perhaps
even on CAD, your help at this stage would be GREATLY appreciated.]
IT IS NOW THE TIME TO CREATE OUR OWN WORLD...
...BRYXworld!
=======================================================================
February 8-12, 1997 - Sunday thru Wednesday
-------------------
I am not me!
SERIOUSLY, one of the "BRYX-Guys" is typing this as I have caused
complications to some injuries on my hands. This means that this
"TODAY'S NEWS" section will be brief for the next three to four days as I
heal.
However, you may have still noticed some of the great changes that we are
making and continue to make to the web pages.
We are also co-ordinating these changes with our print advertising which
will be FINALLY hitting the stands in the next few months. We are excited
because this advertising will include promotion of the special CHAT times
and will be re-releasing some of our very hot Bodybuilder-Sex videos!
[You will be able to see special "G-rated" advertising directly on our
"bryx.com" web site.]
----------
This is a LOT of work, and work that is difficult with "broken" hands--
but work that is still being accomplished since we value the comittments,
hopes, and expectations we have made to you and am putting the hours
necessary to make it happen....
A very special thanks to Healer Seven (who has a new Forum named
"7'sLair" on this BRYX online service. Special Note: I'm telling you
about this WITHOUT telling our SYSOP that I'm putting it here--he should
have NEVER let me near this "Today's News" section. Now back to what he is
really telling me to type...) ...thanks to Healer Seven for putting up
with me, my many revisions and my lack of "Barq's" root beer....
=======================================================================
February 7, 1997 - Saturday
----------------
Okay, okay -- I couldn't stop writing the news. Plus we've had both
MAJOR PROBLEMS and MAJOR SUCCESSES with changes from our Internet
Service Provider.
First off, we were knocked off-line for about 36 hours due to an
EarthLink computer foul-up. While in the past we would have been
bitching about "Earth-Stink" incompetence, they have now hired a
MANAGER IN CHARGE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, and we have seen a ***BIG***
difference in the orientation of Earthlink personal. More and more we
are seeing a focus on the CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE.
We were considering moving to UUnet, (and that still is a "back-up" plan),
but our BIGGEST PROBLEM with EarthLink was their lack of power back-up
at the "POP's"--the place where we actually connect to their equipment-
-that ulitmately connects us to the Internet.
But now, the main number we connect to FINALLY has diesel backup, so that
in the event of earthquake, flood, etc. the system can still remain active.
OUR ONLY REMAINING ISSUE with EarthLink/Stink is their failure to provide
24 hour technical support if we have problems with our connection going
down. This is something that most of their competitors DO provide...and
while they do have a number with a pager you can dial--there is NO
response.
We hope that Earthlink will continue to improve their service, and fix
this lack of service for dial-up server connections--it will save us about
$110.00 per month--which will allow us to spend that much more money on
Bodybuilding research, Hot men to do modeling, and all the other things
that make BRYX_Online! something special....
---------
ALSO TODAY, we have created the TODAY'S NEWS and TODAY'S NEWS commentary
forums...we have also given BRYX-Guy "Shiloh" his own forum to be called
"7'sLair". Here he will say all those things that I will probably be
pissed-off about--but if anything, we try to be VERY open here--no hidden
defects, no secrets, and ALWAYS open for suggestions, contributions and
ideas.
=======================================================================
CONTINUED FROM BELOW
--------------------
If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't believe it.
Some government groups are recommending that PASSENGER AIRLINERS CARRY
ANTI-MISSLE DEFENSES! (Are the pilots going to get "dog-fighting"
training in the 747 and 777 simulators?)
STUPIDITY ALERT: Putting missles, flares or radar chaf (all of which
require "high impulse" [read: "explosive"] fuel to deploy in time) will
most likely INCREASE the risk to passengers, compared to any missle-
threat. Are fighter escorts next? A convoy like the wagon trains of
the Wild West?
This is just one more instance of those in power trying to create a
climate of fear, so that people (you and me!) will be more mallable and
receptive to giving up even MORE of our freedoms--for the illusion of
security....
[MORE]
--------------------
February 3-???, 1997 - Monday (Last full day in Palm Springs)
--------------------
WATCH FOR NOTHING TO HAPPEN....
Here in "TODAY'S NEWS" that is...as we are about to embark upon some
VERY EXCITING additions and revisions to the system.
The only "consistently new" updates to text material will be the VERY
important STEROID INFORMATION page on our Web Site. [http://bryx.com]
This is to correct as much of the mis-information that is posted on the
Internet as fast as possible.
After we post this info, we fully expect to see revisions to the pages
that we report on. The current plan is to let these "steroid-bashers"
try to re-write their disinformation, and then re-address this issue in
about 6-7 months....
----------
Tommorow is "The State of the Onion" address by Billy Boy...I already know
my reaction: After all the layers are peeled back, I'll simply feel like
crying--about all those people that believe that government is necessary.
This being no different from the peasant in the Middle Ages who is not
able to conceive of a society where the church doesn't control his, and
everybody else's actions....
----------
I keep trying to stop this column, but it is SO hard.... Tonight is one
of those rare nights (Monday night) when I can actually CONGRATULATE
certain elements of "The Media".
Apparently, the EDITOR of the respected "New England Journal of Medicine"
(a journal that is quoted on the BRYX STEROID ARTICLE page) arguing that
the Medical Use of Marijuana should be allowed. (As allowed by recent
California and New Mexico changes in the law - voted for DIRECTLY by
2/3 of the voting population!)
While ABC's NIGHTLINE program spent too much effort watching the clock,
as opposed to getting answers, the Fed's representative Patrica Seitz,
was able to stall long enough not to answer the question she was asked
AT LEAST five times (that I was able to count--I may have missed one
when in the bathroom....)
The Question?
"Will the Federal Government prosecute Doctors and/or patients who use
(or prescribe) marijuana for medical purposes?
The list of questions she failed to answer is a LONG one....
1. Didn't the Federal Government ban research into the medical
use of marijuana continually since 1972?
2. Will the Federal Government give the State of Massachusets the
Federally grown, controlled dose Marijuana for research into
it's effectiveness that it has requested?
3. Why do you not trust the decisions made between a doctor and
their terminal (or seriously ill) patient? [As the NEJM Editor
said, "It is an insult to doctors that you do not trust them
with this decision.]
4. You said "That no more research is needed as '90's research
has passed that of of the earlier research." How can you
reconcile that with your statement that more research needs to
be done?
And more and more and more....
And people say we NEED government? To protect us?
As I have described in detail at an earlier date (here), how the U.S. has
the BEST electrical safety in the world--yet few people know that this is
a FREE MARKET phenomenah--dominated by "U.L." (Underwriters Laboratories)-
-but NOT a monopoly, as there are competing safety testing organizations!
The free market CAN and DOES work. When someone claims it doesn't--look
for that ignored detail that makes it NOT truely free....
=======================================================================
February 2, 1997 - Sunday (Palm Springs)
----------------
I spent much of today getting the "SYSTEM IS DOWN" BBS files and
system set up, so that when we shut down for our announced improvements
and upgrades, people will still be able to connect and find out that
the system is down--yet still get a sample.
Next step is to do the same for the WEB SERVER portion of the system....
----------
Yes.
I am as anxious to post some of our new files (our work) online as you
are to view it--but we have not yet had time to complete all of our
equipment and software reconfiguration.
Specifically, we have not cleared the machine where our new ADOBE
PHOTOSHOP (version 4.0) will allow us to encode tracing codes into
our images. Combined with our OWN new "hidden" codes, we will be
able to trace any stolen copies of our work to the actual downloader.
REMEMBER, THE MATERIALS ON OUR (mostly FREE) SYSTEM ARE FOR YOUR
PERSONAL USE ONLY AND ARE NOT TO BE E-MAILED, "TRADED", "SHARED",
"LENT" OR OTHERWISE COPIED WITH OUR PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION.
But soon...SOON, we'll have this new stuff for your personal enjoyment...
"stay tuuned"!
----------
I had thought better of NBC.
But on their "Fleecing of America" series, they attacked what is called
"frivolous lawsuits" by people in prison.
If you have ever worked in a conventional corporate/office enivronment,
you KNOW the many small actions and intentional annoyances and
aggrivations that an anti-social associate can cause.
Did NBC investigate if any of these claims reflected a history of such
actions by prison guards? If they did, they didn't mention it...AND MORE
IMPORTANTLY THEY FAILED TO NOTE THAT THE U.S. HAS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE
OF THE POPULATION LOCKED-UP OF ANY OF THE SO-CALLED "WESTERN" COUNTRIES.
When you lock people up for smoking marijuana in the privacy of their
homes -- and then threaten to prosecute doctors (44% of oncologists...
"cancer doctors") who recommend same for their patients, is not some
resentment to be expected?
When watching "The Fleecing of America", make sure NBC isn't pulling the
wool over your eyes....
[This story viewed on MS-NBC, which does generally good programming--BUT
THAT I HATE TO RECOMMEND BECAUSE OF THE ABUSIVENESS OF THE MICROSOFT
CORPORATION. Recently I asked Microsoft to send me a list of known
defects in the various products I had purchased from them. They refused.
Wouldn't you consider this--to put it quite simply--"wrong"? I do.]
=======================================================================
February 1, 1997 - Saturday (Palm Springs)
----------------
ouch. Ouch. OUCH! ARRRRGGGH!
My road to getting back in shape (and ready to do more videos) has
suffered from another one of those annoying and limiting injuries...I
have some sort of groin injury--I forgot whether my doc' attributed it
to muscle or ligment damage, but it's taking me about a full minute to
get up from a chair, or from the bed to make my way to that "all essential
room"....
This is an old injury (of unknown origin) where I've been told there's no
surgery or other ameliorative available.
It's bad enough to warrent some SERIOUS investigation with specialists to
find out if this is true....
-----
No new CNN idiocy to report today. (Yet.)
-----
I'm pretty excited about one of the homes I've looked at here in
Palm Springs--it has LOTS of room for all the BRYX stuff, room for a
gym (using top commercial-rated stuff like you'd see at a Gold's), pool
and jacuzzi--and spare bedrooms to move in three other Bodybuilders... I
have NO idea how it'll work out--I don't even know if it will pass an
inspection--but it's exciting, none the less.
On regret. I've made so many good friends in the CompuServe Bodybuilding
forum--and one of them referred me to an acquantance in the area who's a
real-estate agent...but after I had already been referred to the
(excellent) broker I'm working with now....
Having too many helpful friends is a problem that I can live with....
-----
I'm still working on my "semi-yearly" demolishment (is that a word?) of
a Joe Weider publication...in this case the February 1997 issue of
Muscle and Fitness. Watch for it soon it the Ath-Elite Library....
=======================================================================
January 31, 1997 - Friday (Palm Springs)
----------------
Things are just about ready for our next BIG jump in the EZ-browser
access. Watch for significant changes starting NEXT WEEKEND and
continuing through the week.
---------
Well, CNN did it again.
This time it's the age-old problem of the interviewer asking questions
without listening to the answers....
Apparently, a prize was offered by a group of software companies who
are trying to help U.S. companies stay competitive in the data-encryption
industry.
The government won't allow software to be exported that has a key longer
than 40 bits--which experts in the field generally agree is totally
inadequete. And they were proved correct!
Within 3-1/2 hours of offering the prize, a student had cracked this
supposed security, and deciphered the message that was supposed to be
secret.
Part of this issue is that the U.S. government wants us to (through a
variety of schemes) give it copies of the keys that keep our data
secret. (INSIDE of the U.S. ekys of 128 bits are used instead of the
40 bits that are allowed for export. This provides security the
government can't break.
Several people participated in the discussion/interview on CNN, including
one person who clarified the issue with a very simple analogy:
We have keys on the doors to our homes and to our businesses. We
have key on our filing cabinets. Only when the government is able
to get a search warrent are we required to unlock these locks.
What the government is asking, is for us to give it our keys
BEFORE there is any wrong-doing or suspicion of wrong-doing.
The CNN anchor then asked, "So where is the balance?"
BALANCE!!?!? WHAT "BALANCE"?
There is no reason why our privacy should be any less on magnetic disks
than it is on pieces of paper!
CNN, once again, mindlessly supports the morally wrong government
stance....
=======================================================================
January 29-30 1997 - Wednesday - Thursday (Los Angeles, then Palm Springs)
------------------
Did a "quick fix" on the BRYX_Online! system--I still have files that
must be removed from the next (2.1 GB) drive before it can be installed.
This patch should work quite adequetely until I return.
-----
I'm down in Palm Springs looking for a house large enough to contain:
1. BRYX_Online!
2. Myself
3. A gym
4. Some other "hard-core" Bodybuilders
I've lived in this area before and enjoy it a lot...it is ESPECIALLY nice
to be able to see all the stars at night.... (Yes, I **am** a
"romantic"....)
-----
Commentary on some of the news today:
There was a press conference by the State Department of the U.S. shown
on C-SPAN today. Madeline (sp?) Albright was, as appropriate, the main
speaker, announcing the latest Human Rights report.
In her comments, she addressed freedom of religion as a primary focus of
the U.S. foreign policy. I sincerely wish that this "Human Rights" report
would includ THE UNITED STATES ITSELF--PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.*
I, as an Athiest, do not enjoy subsidizing churches, by their exclusion
from the tax system. Can I donate money to myself and take that as a
deduction? No. My religious beliefs are discriminated against in a way
that causes economic hardship.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, anyone who denies that the so-called "Defense of
Marriage Act" (which was vigorously supported by the loving(Ha!)"
"Christian Coalition" was based upon religous belief would believe
that the stork brings babies....
Again, this imposition of religious belief upon Gay people causes
direct economic hardships.
We should be applying the same standards to ourselves that we presume
to impose upon other countries.
....And can someone tell me why the best method for dealing with China
in "engagement" while the best method for dealing with Cuba and Iraq is
"isolation"?
_____
Finally, this could POSSILBY be labled "reading more into something than
is really there"--but then again maybe not!
Germany is currently repressing the "Religion" of Scientology. WHILE I
AM NOT FOND OF SCIENTOLOGY, NOR AM I CONVINCED OF THE "CHURCHE'S"
SINCERITY, I BELIEVE THIS REPRESSION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS WRONG.
But as I have many German friends, I know very well the short-distance
view that the German's have of many issues.
They are offended when we equate their repression of Freedom of Speech
with what Hitler did.
There is STILL such a focus to the harm done to the Jewish people, that
Germans fail to recognize that that harm would have had a GREATER CHANCE
OF NOT HAPPENING IF DISSENT AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION HAD BEEN GUARENTEED!
In a similar vein, Germany has BANNED music, writings, and other works of
neo-Nazi groups--failing to note the reality of today's world, having
lived through the horrors of Hitler.
The U.S. does NOT ban neo-Nazi groups. We allow them to march in the
street--and they are lucky if they can even get 99 marchers!!!
Repression only brings more attention to these groups, and makes them seem
more important than they are....
_____________
* Interestingly, Ms. Albright was wearing an eagle broche--the eagle being
the symbol for both the U.S. and Germany--perhaps I'm reading too much
into this, but my many German friends seem to place an almost innordinate
importance upon these symbols being the same in both countries.
I must also congratulate the press people that covered this conference for
bringing up both the Cuba/China "engagement" issue and the Scientology
issue. Hopefully, education will bring these other (internal) issues to
review in this context. This education will be a personal project that
I undertake in the next few days.
-----
-----
GOOD NEWS: It is now about 4 in the afternoon in Palm Springs, and so far
3 guys have enjoyed the "etchings" in my room here at the resort....
BAD NEWS: BUT now Ralph Reed, the head of the HATEFUL "CHRISTIAN COALITION"
is on C-SPAN, goating over the "defense of marriage act" that created a
federal ban on recognition of Gay marriages.
I am not feeling well, but I am forcing myself to watch. "Know thy enemy."
"Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?"
-------
UPDATE: Make it 5 guys total by about 6pm...that last two were in a
three-way...with one of the guys someone I had met in Amsterdam about
eight years ago!
=======================================================================
January 28, 1997 - Tuesday (Last day in Amsterdam)
----------------
[AOL commentary below....]
Yes, I was able to HEAR the superbowl... I **think** it was on
RADIO LICHENSTEIN (910 AM anyway....)
For those of you who watched the Superbowl, I just thought I'd mention
that my favorite music group of all time (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), did
the song that is probably used in more sports broadcasts than any
other: Fanfare for the Common Man (written by the famous American
compposer Aaron Copeland). This is the SAME group that is featured
on the BRYX_Online! "INTRODUCTION PAGE":
"Karn Evil 9", (from the BRAIN SALAD SURGERY album), which at one
point uses the words:
"Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends!"
Was ALSO very popular a Bodybuilding posing music. This is probably
one of the HIGHEST ENERGY music groups ever....
----------
Watch as we add more IMMEDIATE and IMPORTANT information to the
"STEROID PAGE" day-by-day. This is a NEW DEVELOPMENT...!
----------
All the networks I can get here in Amsterdam have reported that
STEVE CASE, the president of AOL is now blaming the PHONE COMPANIES
for "some of AOL's problems".
As a member of BOTH CompuServe and AOL, and TWO Internet services it
is very curious that is the "phone companies fault", when I don't have
difficulties with ANY but my AOL access....
Does Steve Case have some sort of CONSPIRACY THEORY about AOL's idiocy?
(Not that I disbelieve all such hypothesis...but this would be just a
little bit to "beyond" for me....)
----------
Thought for the day: Wouldn't it be interesting if Mikal Gorbechev
went back to Russia, and lobbied for the yet-to-be-created post of
Vice President?
He would have to find some excuse to embrace Capitalism more firmly-
-but what politician is not able to that sort of thing in their sleep?
I'd view this as a VERY positive development, especially given his
recently gained experience of LIVING on a day-by-day basis
with capitalism in the U.S.....
----------
That's about it, as I'm busy today packing, wrapping up last minute
business, and heading to the airport.....
=======================================================================
January 27, 1997 - Monday (Amsterdam)
----------------
It seems that governments are dishonest.
Surprised?
It seems that the DAIWOO Corporation became suspicious of the figures it
was getting from the EC (European Community), so it took the simple step
of using addition and subtraction.
Apparently, according to a report in one of the UK papers, EC countries
are exporting $186,000,000.00 dollars MORE to themselves than they are
importing to themselves....
Whoops! Needless to say the Corporation urged all business to view such
information with a "high degree of sketicism".
----------
I hope everything is still working okay on BRYX_Online!, **particularly**
file downloads. We've had so many new BRYX Members sign-up that we are
AGAIN running out of disk space! (There is a check on free space to hold
file downloads when they are in a temporary cache.)
I'll be dropping another 2.1 GB online within 72 hours.
There will also be a slight delay in mailing out Member's Agreements for
those who have signed-up in the last three days. Instead of getting them
out in our usual "less than 36 hours", they will all be sent out before
the end of this month....
----------
It seems that CNN has "lost it" again...and is making "it" worse!
I was watching as a LIVE REPORT came in from Albania regarding the
rioting there.
According to the reporter on the scene, the riots were against the
government, because the people had been convinced (against all reason)
that the government had somehow taken all the money that they had lost
in several pyramid schemes.
The next time I saw the story reported, CNN stated that "the rioting
was caused by the government refusing to give back the money that
people had lost in several pyramid schemes"--sounding as if the
government had received the money!
And now, at the beginning of the WORLD NEWS (7pm Amsterdam time,
Sunday night), it is reported that "the people are rioting against the
government for taking their money in a pyramid scheme"--as if CNN was
reporting that the GOVERNMENT was actually **running** these schemes!
In this interview, they DID get another live correspondent to repeat the
story--and they asked "if the government warned anyone about these
schemes," so there is hope that the CNN confusion will end....
(See my earlier report where CNN, when directly address by me on the
phone, did not know the difference between the stomach and the
intestines!)
=======================================================================
January 26, 1997 - Sunday (Amsterdam)
----------------
Oh shit.
This is being written AFTER my later comments (in today's column) about
CNN idiocy--but this is WORSE as CNN's idiocy is now being used to AID AND
ABBET in the invasion of our PRIVACY!
In the program "Future Watch", they blindly show the FCC Chairman
citing the women who was caught in the snow storm, (and called for help
with her cellular phone) as a reason for installing LOCATING capability
in the cellular networks.
The quote implies that the REQUIREING this to be done is for rescue
purposes--when in fact it was part of the 1996 CRIME BILL--supposedly
to "track down criminals".
As a matter of fact, the ENTIRE STORY is structured around that theme.
I don't know of anyone seriously involved in the information industry
who aren't aware of the genesis and drraconian nature of this year
2002 requirement..,.couldn't CNN get a more informed reporter? Or
editor? Or producer? Or interns? Or....
----------
I can go up to the rooftop pool and talk very clearly on my 900MHz
spread-spectrum cordless phone...when will SONY or someone else figure
out that I'd like to do the same with my palmtop or laptop--securely,
of course....
----------
Just as CNN was beginning to impress me again, they've spent over the
day or so talking about how "Steffee Graf's (sp?) Father has been
punished for tax evasion".
It seems no one at CNN actually listens to what is being said once it
is handed to the reporter or the anchor...
Her father was SENTENCED, not punished. He has only been in prison
(during the trial) for 15 of the 37 months it was reported as his
PUNISHMENT--which, as is my point IS NOT YET DONE.
Come on CNN, surely out of ALL the people I've seen read this (and
the number that I know are behind the scenes), surely you don't have
to act as stupidly as this....
[Earlier I reported how CNN did not know the difference between the
STOMACH and the INTESTINE when seemingly blaming (the ever-present)
"corporations" (aspirin manufacturers) for misleading the public....]
----------
I tried to train again today...I **DID** get some time in, but not
before the sternum pain hit again--AND the nausea...I will continue
to try throughout the day....
----------
MORE ON THE A.O.L. LAWSUIT: I wonder when these various State
District Attorney's are going to go after SOFTWARE companies that
don't meet their promises to the public--and we ALL know that this
spells "Microsoft"...is there ANYONE in the world who has not
encountered a Microsoft DEFECT?!?? (Outside of
Aborigonal Peoples.... (sp?))
=======================================================================
January 25, 1997 - Saturday (Amsterdam)
----------------
I just heard about the New York Attorney General considering suit
against AOL--and I heartily applaud this move.
It is FAR past time that computer-related companies be held accountable
for their promises.
THE REAL JOB will be when (with software companies in particular) suits
for "Specific Performance" are filed.
This means that the company IS NOT SUED FOR MONEY, BUT RATHER, TO HAVE
THEIR PRODUCTS ACTUALLY WORK AS PROMISED!!! Imagine how happy
Microsoft's Bill Gates would be to have a judge order how many
software people to take of Windows 2010, and instead, actually make
Windows '95 work!
[BTW, I have an account at AOL, CompuServe and (previously) at
Prodigy...I have ALWAYS preferred CompuServe for its complete
research rresources and materials, the general quality of discussions-
-and its reliability. It is ONLY SECOND to... BRYX Online!<g>]
-----
For those of you who haven't heard the BILL GATES joke:
God called a meeting of President Clinton, Boris Yeltsin and
Bill Gates--and told them "I'm sick of what is happening on
Earth and am going to destroy it in 7 days...."
President Clinton reported to Congress: "I have good news and
bad news. The good news is that there IS a god. The bad news
is that he is going to destroy the Earth in 7 days."
President Yeltsin (of Russia) reported to the Duma: "I have
BAD news and WORSE news. The bad news is that we were wrong:
There IS a god. The worse news is that he...is going to destroy
the Earth in 7 days."
Bill Gates called a meeting of all his top executives to
announce: "I have GOOD NEWS and I have BETTER NEWS!"
"The good news is that god thinks I am one of the THREE MOST
IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!
"The BETTER news is that...
...WE DON'T HAVE TO FIX WINDOWS '95!!!"
----------
Yes the food poisoning is gone--it's typically only a 24 hour
phenomenon--and I figured out that it was due to the TRAIN FOOD and
not the Marriot stuff--this NOT being any particular praise of the
Marriot food. I WOULD, however, like to take this opportunity to
compliment the staff AT THIS PARTICULAR MARRIOT, whom singularly seem
to be the "intelligent exception" to the "Marriot Norm"....
----------
I REALLY don't understand this decision of radical Muselim's to make
the "Holy Month of Ramadaan" a time for violence.
At least the belligerents in Ireland don't celebrate the
"Twelve Days of Violence" for xmas-time....
=======================================================================
January 24, 1997 - Friday (Amsterdam)
----------------
Went down to FRANKFURT to visit BRYX MODEL "Gunther Weiss", who
brought MARKUS REINHARDT to the U.S. (and my apartment....)
WE HAD A GREAT TIME catching up on recent events, exchanging stories
about mutual friends, and ARRANGING TO MEET AGAIN THIS SUMMER. (Maybe
"Gunther" can have some more BB models lined up by then--he enjoys
athletics very much, but recently has been more into mountain-biking
than Bodybuilding. Seeing his "Join Today" picture on the Web Site
motivated him to tell me "Maybe I'll start getting a bit beefier again-
-that picture is good motivation!")
"Gunther" (Harald) expects to be on the Internet in about 4 weeks...but
as we all know with our own plans, this will probably be closer to
6 weeks. He is excited about BRYX Online, and will probably join soon-
-his work schedule is very busy, but I have reasonable expectations
that he'll be very REGULAR WITH HIS VISITS....
("Gunther" expects to visit California and Nevada again for several
weeks in the Summer of 1998--this year he's very busy in Germany....)
-----
One of the small penalities that one pays in multi-lingual Europe...is
the LOSS OF INFORMATION on consumer products.
The specific example in this instance, is the "disposable" (recyclable)
Kodak cameras, which, in the U.S. include a listing of the film speed
(ASA/ISO)--for which there is no room on the European modeles...
HOWEVER, the simplified " [1], [2], [3], [4] " instructions that are
CLEARER by virtue of the omission of written explanations....
-----
There is not much to say about the system, other than the announcement
of yet more NEW BODYBUILDING INFORMATION to be available shortly--which
is being written right now...including reviews of the "good guys" and the
"bad guys" on the Internet--and in the "print publication" worlds....
-----
I may not write much in the next day or so...I'm not feeling well...I
think it's probably just the Marriot food....
-----
Trivia note: The "Bing, Bo-ang, Bo-ing..." that you hear on NBC Television
consists of the three muscial notes G, E, and C--signifiying the owner:
the G_eneral E_lectric C_orporation....
=======================================================================
January 23, 1997 - Thursday (Amsterdam)
----------------
...faster, Faster, FASTER!
BRYX Online! is becoming too successful--AGAIN!
Our last batch of "speed-up" tricks and techniques have pretty much
hit their limit, so we are planning to add another complete "server"
(computer) and connection setup to the Internet!!!
This PRIORITY CONNECTION will be a service that is charged for,
(essentially at cost). The regular connection WILL REMAIN FREE!
[This being SEPARATE from the upcoming "BRYXxxx" service that will
offer EXCLUSIVE & NEVER RELEASED GIFs, VIDEOS, etc. at a VERY small
cost for each item. (On the order of 10-75c per item....)]
As we are just now starting to investigate the best way to implement
BOTH of these systems, we have no specific date yet for availability.
--------------------
Disgust and Loathing.
No fear: Just disgust amd loathing that the Wednesday issue of
USA TODAY has RALPH REED the "executive director" of the very hateful
and very christian "christian coalition" as a "top political figure"
to "assess slinton's inaugural speech. (Page 2A) (The refusal to use
the normal capitalization is intentional.)
I encourage those of you that identify yourself as "christian" or have
friends who do EXTEND that description in conversation, AMPLIFY it to
include "But opposed to the christian coalition, their goals, and their
methods."
I could not sleep last night because a very close friend of mine was
ill--and HIV positive. He also delayed treatment in part because of
his limited financial resources.
I was VERY worried about his health.
Tears (and the admission of same) do not come easily to Big, Butch
Bodybuilder/Wrestlers--but they came to me in my concern....
TO CONTINUE ON THE SAME TOPIC...
I cannot help but feel anger at those who proposed or supported the
so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" in the U.S.
The implications are quite simple and as would be "self-described",
quite "un-christian": The federal government takes money from Gay people;
they take money from "married" people. BUT THEY TAKE LESS MONEY FROM
MARRIED PEOPLE, AND THEN TELL THE GAY COMMUNITY THAT (arbitrarily)
YOU CANNOT MARRY THE PERSON YOU LOVE (of the same sex).
As if Gay people (and my friend mentioned above), are not largely
suffering from an illness where additional financial resources would
save and extend life.
DENIAL OF THE christian coalition OF THEIR SUPPORT, AND EXPOSING THEIR
HATE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR HATE SHOULD BE AN OMNI-PRESENT
PRIORITY. (It should not be a "battle" or a "cause", as this will tend
to give seeming legitimacy to these narrow-minded people. It should be
treated with techniques of denial, diminuation, and the refusal to take
anything they say seriously. Act in a way so that they are revealed
as the "Archie Bunkers" that they are.)
=======================================================================
January 22, 1997 - Wednesday (Amsterdam)
----------------
Finished the latest revsion to the WEB SITE, adding the PARTICIPATE
PAGE. FINGERS ARE STILL TIRED, so just enjoy the pages!
-----
Interesting.
Being back in "The Land of the Free"...The Netherlands, that is...
I find that I have NO interest in the "alternative pharmaceuticals"
available here! (Marijuana/Hashish).
This matches my experience when living here for two years.
I wonder when people will learn about the effectiveness/lures of
Prohibition....
-----
Also interesting is a sign in the bathroom here--admonishing guests
to reuse towels so as to "prevent the flooding of our waterways with
phosphorus".
My first (sarcastic) reaction was that "it is a shame that the Dutch
are so technologically deficient as not to have phosphorus-free
detergents"--as are available in the U.S.--until my business manager
told me that he had seen the SAME sign in a U.S. hotel...it seems
this is the latest "make money with guilt" schemes...in my case at the
Amsterdam Marriot (near Leidseplein)....
=======================================================================
January 21, 1997 - Tuesday (Amsterdam)
----------------
I spoke with BRYX MODEL "Gunther Weiss" last night, and hopefully
arranged to meet somewhere in Germany tomorrow. Spent about 8 hours
today working on the next revision of the Web Site, and "chugging along"
getting the WEBLINES "EZ-browser" connection to the BBS closer to full
functionality. (This one paragraph describes A LOT of work, so my
tired fingers are not going to add much else....)
HOWEVER, I did finally make it to the gym today--minimal lower-body
workout...but at least I'm on my way again--serious training is "in
sight", barring any unforseen developments....
=======================================================================
January 20, 1997 - Monday (Amsterdam)
----------------
Below is a letter sent to the highly recommended BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE.
(Two of my previous letters have been published there. "Jack Rickard" is
the publisher....)
_____
Dear Jack,
I seems that Galacticomm is joining the "Black Hole" at the center of
its galaxy...my messages seem to go past the "event horizon", never to
elict any response....
I don't know if you have available their last "Visions" magazine, but
they used it as a vehicle to announce their latest "non-Customer Service"
terms--claiming that if a feature works in one mode (i.e., ANSI/ASCII)
and not another (i.e., "Client/Server"), that that would be considered a
"cosmetic problem" and not a product defect....
BUT THAT IS THE "GOOD" NEWS!
In my last letter to you (which was published), I spoke glowingly of how
I was able to reach both Scott Brinker ("CEO") and Bob Shaw ("CFO")
personally on the phone.
Well, that was months ago--months of almost TOTAL unresponsiveness. And
since then, a new "head guy", "Peter Berg" has taken over, disclaiming
any promises that may have been made by his predecessors....
Specifically, Galacticomm has changed the service policy that was promised
to me when I purchased my first product of theirs (Major BBS v6.2) which
was that I was entitled to "Reasonable Lifetime Support".
I verified this "Lifetime Support" over SEVERAL phone calls prior to
purchase.
Scott Brinker was the first to deny that this was being promised at the
time I became a Galacticomm victim..., uh, er... "customer". He DID,
however, promise to find out exactly what WAS being represented then.
He never answered me before leaving the company.
Similarly, Bob Shaw promised to look into MANY outstanding issues I had
with Galacticomm--with the same result being his departure before
supplying me with an answer....
On one issue, however he was VERY clear: They had "let go" the person
responsible for a Galacticomm ad that would make a customer believe
that the CGI interface was included with the "Worldgroup" (v2) upgrade.
...But there was no ad that would make a customer believe they should
be getting CGI with the Worldgroup upgrade. (Yes, you read this
correctly...they fired the person responsible for this thing that
"didn't happen".)
I figured with that, and the many long-distance calls I had made to the
head of Tech Support, "Bill Posner" specifically asking if I could
"implement the web camera as outline in Boardwatch Magazine", that I
would either get the CGI as I had been expecting, or at least a "WEB-TV"
implementation.
Obviously, my mentioning it here would tell you that I have received
neither.
And the "New and Improved Technical Support" does not live up to its
name--in spite of the new charges that you have to pay to get it.
I had made a call to tech support regarding several issues--only one of
which was answered (incorrectly, I should add), by "David". I had the
specifically call reference, and, as directed by Galacticomm, dutifully
informed Bill Posner.
In spite of repeated e-mail listing the many unanswered questions from
my call to "David", Bill BLINDLY kept responding that "all outstanding
issues have been dealt with".
ADDITIONAL e-mail, re-itemizing the outstanding issues brought the same
response.
Sending a TELEGRAM finally elicited a response--after an extended period
of non-response--only to bring forth my frustrated and loud scream as I
heard the Galacticomm mantra: "All outstanding issues have been dealt
with."
The same mantra was repeated--in person--to my business manager who made
a "doorstop" visit to deliver the same message.
(Note that one of the _specific issues_ was that the "call record" bore
little, if any, relationship to reality....)
FINALLY, I spoke with Peter Berg (for the second time,) and was promised
prompt action.
I have been waiting over a month for "prompt action", including the
VERY SPECIFIC "Why does my ISP have a specific modem initialization
string (SPECIFICALLY for Worldgroup) that conflicts with the one
Galacticomm gives out and which one should I use?"
I would think, that given the name and number of the ISP, this would be
a relatively easy question to answer.
But then again, I am dealing with a company that seems to want to ignore
the existence of The Uniform Commercial Code, and has claimed on more
than one occasion, that "It is okay for us to change the terms after you
have made your purchase"....
As my online presence is just a supplement to my mail-order sales, my
current plan is to limp-along with my current setup for about 9-12 months-
-at which time I expect to have enough time to switch over to UNIX &
APACHE' or some other system where I have some semblance of control.
Given the above attitude, I have expectations of a "large-ish judgement"
when dumping my Galacticomm platform.
I also know that after this transition, I will have SOME chance of
finishing a sentence... (when talking to myself--as opposed to talking
to Galacticomm.)
"If you want it done right, do it yourself...."
Note also that one of Galacticomm's LARGEST sellers and seller of
third-party software was "Logicom"--who now answers their phone,
"We no longer have any involvement with Galacticomm. We are now an
Internet billing service only."
R.I.P., Galacticomm 1997.
Yours Online, (Writing from Amsterdam)
Gregg Strom <sysop@bryx.com>
BRYX International
P.O. Box 69127
L.A., CA 90069
Web Site: http://bryx.com
BBS: http://bryx.com/bbs or 500-679-BRYX [-7993]
P.S. You may want to view some of my ongoing "Today's News" column at
http://bryx.com/today.htm -- especially the "Previous Today's News" where
I discover that I am the FIRST CUSTOMER in all of Pacific Bell's territory
to get my ISDN lines to properly "hunt" ("remote call forward on busy").
This after 6 months and 3 days of repairs....
-----------------------------
Note to BRYX Members--don't worry, we will continue to develop this
platform (with pain!) so that is a pleasant platform--hopefully an
"invisible" platform for you to visit on. We do fully expect, however,
as stated in this letter, to move to a platform/system where we have more
control....
=======================================================================
January 19, 1997 - Sunday
----------------
I guess I was wrong--ANOTHER 18 hour sleep--I **must** have been over-
working.... I had promised to help some local guy out with his workouts,
but have been unable to locate his e-mail address...
In the meantime, I'm working on the next remodeling of our Web Site to
reflect the availability of our "EZ-browzer" access (courtesy
"WEBLINES".)
=======================================================================
January 15-18, 1997 - Wednesday thru Saturday
-------------------
I made it to Amsterdam okay--except my new UUnet account hasn't arrived
as promised. I'm trying to get their local European number, so I
should have cheaper access soon.
One nice effect of our "EZ-browser" access: While EVERY online service
has a number of "phoney sign-ups", our percentage has dropped
DRAMATICALLY since this new access has come online.
We have NO idea why this should be the case, but are grateful that it
has, as it will allow us to keep larger sections of the BBS free....
In the meantime, I've had two "nights" of sleep at 18 hours each--
hopefully I've caught up on the 36 hour and 37 hours of emergency
computer fixing....
More after tonight's sleep....zzzzzzzz.....
=======================================================================
January 14, 1997 - Tuesday
----------------
For those of you using our "EZ-browzer" web-access, you may want to
consider either using telnet for one or two sessions (or splurging for
the long-distance call to our modem connection) to be able to enter your
registry entry and those few other things we have not yet been able to
move to this Internet browser access....
GOOD NEWS ON "WEBLINES", as the developer seems to be taking seriously
our needs for "joined" Libraries--you may have noticed that some "strange
sounding" Libraries have recently appeared--and others disappeared as we
did an EMERGENCY FILE MOVE to give you access to all the files (we
think!).
We just received an e-mail detailing this, and are hopeful for an earlier
fix.
There is an explanation of "Joined Libraries" in an earlier "Today' News"
posting....
-----
I spoke a little too soon yesterday regarding my pain and ability to
train again--OUCH in the sternum area again...maybe I'll still be able
to hit legs, though.... (Time for more Vicodin!)
-----
I was at the U.S. Passport office yesterday, and noticed a couple of
interesting things...
The guy who was screening applications to send people to the correct
(long!) line was telling those with kids who did not have a Social
Security Number owed the IRS a $500.00 fine. Gee, the way I read
the law we don't have this "tatooing at birth" (yet)--you only owe
the $500.00 fine IF YOU DECLARE THE KID AS A DEDUCTION!
If you want to speak to a "real person" by phone for questions about
the passport process... $1.95/minute through a "900" number....
But this, "we're just another business" attitude doesn't extend to the
parking lot at the Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd....the place
where "mere" non-governmental employees park are labeled "visitor".
I wonder what kind of reaction people would have if their local
supermarket labeled most of their parking spots "visitor"? Sounds a
little arrogant and cold, doesn't it?
=======================================================================
January 13, 1997 - Monday
----------------
I was going to call this the "Quote of the Day"--but then thought that
it might be worth a week--maybe even a month!
Then I couldn't decide, so I just call it...
"The Quote for the Time-Being":
"It's not YOUR fault--it's MICROSOFT!"
(I was helping a friend work with ms-Publisher.... YES, "ms" in
***lower case***. I REFUSE to do otherwise!)
BUT TO THE NEWS... I am feeling much better now after the car crash and
hopes of making back to the gym in less than a week or so--time to stop
looking like a "before" picture! (Nobody has yet been able to tell me
the calorie expenditure for "climbing the walls" when you can't go to
the gym!)
WE HAVE FINALLY MADE MOST OF "WEBLINES" WORK...this is the software that
allows you to connect using a regular WEB BROWSER. We still have about
TWO FULL MONTHS of work to finish up our "First Edition" to include things
such as being able to enter your REGISTRY listing and other items through
this access.
But we feel that in about three or four weeks things will look good enough
that we can remove any "this is new" or "under construction" notices
warning people not to expect COMPLETE functionality....
ALSO, this company has just come out with a new revision that fixes some
of the bugs--but we've been advised to wait just a bit to make sure
there are no "stability" problems before switching over to it.
We received out new version of PHOTOSHOP that will allow us to release
a bunch of images we've been holding back--as with this new version we
can ENCODE SERIAL NUMBERS INTO THE PICTURE--any theft can be traced
back to the downloader...!
...It will be SOooooo nice to be able to release "protected" material--we
are tired, Tired, TIRED of our work being stolen. Expect this to start in
under three weeks.
=======================================================================
January 8-12, 1997 - Wednesday to Sunday [continued]
------------------
So you may be wondering what I think about the WEBLINES software
(below)....
"It's the best thing since SLICED BREAD--except that it's not sliced!"
The developer sent me an e-mail to explain why the JOINED LIBRARIES were
not working (and why you couldn't see any files!) In this message he
claimed that JOINED LIBRARIES were a "recent feature".
Huh?
I bought this software FIVE VERSIONS AGO (3 years ago) and it had this
feature at that time! --So to help him out, I told him how to program
around this problem...now let's see if he wants to do any WORK for the
money he gets....
_____
So maybe you're wondering why it's been so long since a TODAY'S NEWS
posting? WELL....
I spent 36 hours working on new images for WEBLINES and updates to the
Web Site. After about 4-5 hours of sleep THE CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET
WENT DOWN - FOR **ANOTHER** 37 HOURS OF NO SLEEP!
"Earth-Stink" (AKA "Earthlink") is our Internet Service Provider - and
their technical support people are absolutely CLUELESS!
They had changed the "IP Address" of bryx.com - and the tech had the guts
(or idiocy!) to tell me "You should have received a notice in the mail."
DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH GARBAGE "Earth-Stink" sends to their customers?
And I may be really, REALLY silly...but I would think that for this type
of business E-MAIL MIGHT BE SENT TO THE SYSOP?!??!!
Then it got worse.
I was told by one tech "Don't keep calling back while you are still down-
-this will cause some of the tech's here to actually take LONGER to work
on your problem. Didn't you know that?"
Well I certainly know it now! And they have just lost a customer....
Even sadder--I **DID** find one tech who was very helpful. Part of what
he told me was that he had entered some stuff into the computer and that
it would take "1-3 hours to work its way through the system."
The OTHER tech INSISTED that you "can't just punch stuff into a computer",
then, only MOMENTS later let out an outburst I **know** he regrets,
when he said, "SHIT!, I forgot to punch that into the computer...."
SO OUR FILE PROBLEM IS NOW JUST AN INTERNAL ANNOYANCE--there should be no
problems getting to, viewing, or downloading files...ENJOY!
[Send us your "Bill Gates" jokes...we'll be posting some here in the
next few day....]
[MORE BELOW]
January 8-12, 1997 - Wednesday to Sunday <FIRST POSTING - continued above>
------------------
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT IMPORTANT!
We have just discovered a major defect in our WEBLINES program--it does
not support the "joined" Libraries function of the base system!
This means you will see ALMOST NO FILES IN ANY LIBRARY (until tonite,
when we MANUALLY join them. G-R-R-R-RRRRRR...!
=======================================================================
January 5-7, 1997 - Sunday - Tuesday
---------------
(For news on the NEW & EASIER INTERNET ACCESS check Jan 1--and
earlier posts.)
HARD WORK is a "Bad Thing" unless done in the gym! We are doing this
"Bad Thing".<g>
I think anybody who reads this will NOT believe me--and in today's world,
will have cause to "commit" me--but IT IS TRUE!
The "WEBLINES" product we have just installed that allows regular ol'
Internet browsers to log on without any special software...well, we had
a small problem with it. And we had a section of the documentation that
wasn't clear.
We spoke to the company (horizons@fcc.com) at about 5 in the evening
(Los Angeles Time),--and the next morning--at 5:00, too WE NOT ONLY HAD
A CLEAR EXPLANATION, BUT THEY HAD REWRITTEN AN ENTIRE SECTION OF CODE
FOR US! (AND **OTHER** USERS WHO MIGHT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM....)
This contrast with the DELL Lattitude 150 Laptop, and Dell Customer
(dis-)Service. IN OVER A MONTH, THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THEIR INVOICE
TO MATCH OUR PURCHASE ORDER. We sent $16,000.00 (two machines) back to
Dell today.... (The corrections consisted of a total of TWO LINES!)
_____
WHAT IS THIS HARD WORK? Well, this new WEBLINES software is VERY powerful
--but power ALSO implies control. We have to essentially rebuild our
entire system under this new access method. This will be LOTS of work...
but you will see improvements step after little step as we customize and
add more to this GREAT program....
-----
For those of you who have been wanting to cross-link with us--we'l finally
have time to get all of that set up starting about a week from now....
=======================================================================
January 3, 1997 - Friday
---------------
(For news on the new, easier INTERNET ACCESS check Jan 1 and earlier
posts.)
The "fine tuning" for our "easier Internet Access and Downloading"
continues today--I have just found out that the "Member Registry" is
read only until some specific changes are made--possibly by tonite,
definently(?) by Monday night...this also applies to some other sections
that aren't "as complete" as you can get through the "TELNET" type
connection.
We're also going to be adding some graphics to the menu pages over the
weekend....
=======================================================================
January 2, 1997 - MORE Thursday
---------------
(For news on the new, easier INTERNET ACCESS check Jan 1 and earlier
posts.)
IT IS SOFTWARE OVERLOAD TIME! We have the GOOD BUYS (Adobe Photoshop)
who beat their promised ship date of January 7 by FIVE days...and we
DON'T want to say the BAD GUYS, but we just received the GALACTICOMM
UPGRADE that was promised for mid-November (yes, last year)....
MORE PICTURES, MORE PICTURES, MORE PICTURES is one of the GREAT benefits
of this new version of PHOTOSHOP, which includes the "DigiMark" (sp?)
encoded signature for copyright protection--we can NOW release much
more of our work because we can protect it from copying, reposting and
other theft....
We'll let you know what is happening with the Galacticomm upgrade....
January 2, 1997 - Thursday
---------------
Your sysop is resting his (shhhh!) head today....
CHECK BELOW (Jan 1 and earlier) FOR
EASY INTERNET ACCESS NEWS & INFORMATION!
We have had the WEBLINES software on for only 24 hours--so there is STILL
much to do to make it "work well" from the Internet--but it should NOT be
difficult, and will certainly be MUCH easier to use (each day) over the
next 7 days, as we customize piece-by-piece.... (BOY, this is a lot of
work!)
[OTHER SYSOPS--if you are unhappy with your GALCTICOMM SOFTWARE, consider
the WEBLINES productwhich "wraps-around" the HORRIBLE explanations on the
Galacticomm pages and makes your Internet users "point & click" with no
6-8MB client to download and clutter up their computer.
We have just started installing and customizing this (new) product, but
it DOES show hope.... {Gregg Strom} WEBLINES can be contacted at
horizons@fcc.com]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1, 1997 - Wednesday
---------------
Your SYSOP (System Operator) Gregg Strom wishes you a GREAT GREGORIAN
NEW YEAR! Have you had problems downloading from the Internet? No more,
no longer, "fine'", it's fixed, NO PROBLEM.
For details, check out the info over the last few days--and continue to
check this TODAY'S NEWS areas for updates....
========================================================================
###### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ######
========================================================================
December 31, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
WEBLINES is now ONLINE! You can access the system from your browser by
going to:
http://bryx.com/bbs
This will get you to the LOGON SCREEN.
Minor problems that will be fixed:
1) The screen is hard to read because of the background color.
2) When the system tells you to press the [Enter] key or <Return> or
<CR>, you must put at least ONE character in the box before clicking on
the MORE button. (We use a period.)
3) The system is not showing all of our fancy screens, but only the
default menu. (Which is a bit more awkward to understand--but not TOO
bad....
---------------
We expect these minor problems to be fixed soon--"Computer Horizons"
which makes this WEBLINES software seems to be one of those
"small companies that CARES about their customers".
They very kindly walked us through the (simple) installation, so as to
make it as fast as possible, so that the system was down for the minimum
length of time.
At the moment, we recommend them without reservation: 508/464-5667.
---------------
TELNET USERS: --Don't worry, TELNET still works if you prefer that method
of access.
THE INTERNET DOWNLOAD PROBLEMS ARE GONE--LOGON AT:
http://bryx.com/bbs or http://bryx.com/bbs/
Gregg Strom--your happy SYSOP!
=======================================================================
December 30, 1996 - Monday
-----------------
This is a HIGHLY unusual "news" statement, as we are writing it BEFORE
the actual event. It is not news yet--but we don't have a better place
to post it.
We expect TODAY is the day that we will be installing WEBLINES, and doing
other backups and upgrades. Because of this, the BBS portion will be down
with only the WEB SERVER operating. (For more details, continue on
below....)
=======================================================================
December 28, 1996 - Super Saturday - IT ARRIVED!
-----------------
I am now frenetically reading the instructions that came with the
WEBLINES product (arriving by Express Mail today.)
In just a day or two, we can all forget about TELNET, the horrible
Worldgroup support for the TELNET interface, and INTERNET DOWNLOAD
DIFFICULTIES! (See the last few news posts for details!)
=======================================================================
December 27, 1996 - FANTASTIC FRIDAY!
-----------------
ALL GONE! The Internet Download problem should be all gone in the next
few days a we have ordered the WEBLINES software mentioned below...
NO MORE TELNET HASSLES, NO MORE (shudder) actually having to read the
instructions--it'll ALL just work with your browser!
Scheduled to be shipped today, it should arrive VERY soon and will be
installed within 24 hours (on a business day) of arrival.
"We continue to build...BRYX by BRYX...."
Want to make a FORTUNE next holiday
season? Sell "pre-drained" batteries
to parents who can't BEAR the thought
of having to wait for the normal
batery life of moisy toys to expire....
In Time Magazine's Letters to the Editor, it seems that everyone is
trying to apologize for, rationalize, explain or condem the use of
marijuana (and other durgs) by today's parents during the sixties.
Apparently, the "thinking" (thinking?) is that if someone has used such
drugs in the past, they are incapable of recommending seriously that
their children should not.
Huh?
Cannot parents explain that this is a decision to be made LATER in life
--as MANY activities (such as driving, sex, marriage and voting) are ALL
reserved exclusively to those who qualify (primarily) because of the
AGE of the individual! This is NOT difficult to explain....
Get a LIFE-and a BRAIN...PULEEEEEEZE!
=======================================================================
December 25-26, 1996 - Wednesday thru Thursday
--------------------
The DOWNLOAD PROBLEM - patience, folks! This one is close to being
solved. If everything goes WRONG, we will have clear instructions and/or
our new software from our ONLINE SOFTWARE company by January 9, 1997.
(That's LESS than a few weeks from today.)
Keep checking HERE in Today's News for SPECIFIC details of our progress.
Notes for FRIDAY: We will be contacting BOTH our software company AND a
"third-party" vendor for this solution. This "third-party" vendor is
called WEBLINES, and they sell a product that allows COMPLETE ACCESS to
our service--with only a conventional BROWSER--***NO*** "TELNET" to
download and install, no difficult instructions.
More here in less than 48 hours....
=======================================================================
Instant Update: SYSOP PREDICTS:
That the U.S. Post Office will stop spending money on "designer stamps"
and will FINALLY figure the technology for people to include their OWN
pic's on stamps--of course, people such as myself will push whatever
ill-defined limits they have on showing naked or nearly-naked men....
=======================================================================
December 24-25, 1996 - Monday thru Tuesday
--------------------
For those who have figured out how to download files from the Internet,
we have found yet ANOTHER problem with our software--but we hope that
the answers will come after the holidays from our software company--they
have given us hope...ANYWAY:
The software allows us to "join" Libraries together (invisibly)--except
it looks as if it may NOT be invisible to INTERNET users. So here are
some "behind the scenes" views that may help you find more files.
We break each library into three basic "sub-libraries" consisting of the
BASE library, that includes all text and miscellaneous files, an IMAGE
library (self-explanitory), and an IMAGE CATALOG library that holds the
"thumbnail" catalog pages.
The naming of these libraries is as follows: BRONSTAR would be the
BASE library, BRONIMG would be the BronStar IMAGE library, and BRONIMGC
would be the catalog library.
The Ath-Elite Library is further broken down by members who are new, and
those members who have completed and returned the Member Agreement.
The "CONFIRMED" Members get access to the ATHreal libraries: ATHREAL,
ATHIMGR, ATHIMGCR.
**** ALL OF THIS COMPLICATION WILL HOPEFULLY GO AWAY WITH THE NEW UPGRADE
EXPECTED TO ARRIVE **VERY** SOON!
=======================================================================
December 22, 1996 - Sunday
----------------- M O R E ! ! !
--------------
WE HAVE JUST WELCOMED THE 2002nd MEMBER TO B R Y X O n l i n e !
And are looking forward to the next 1000! (In the last 45 days ALONE,
we have gone from just over 1300 to 2000, where the first 1300 took well
over a year... This "Viking" is certainly enjoying this "snowball" - from
the warmth of Southern California...the MECCA of Bodybuilding, Bodies, and
Sex... ("B.B.S." <g>).
December 22, 1996 - Sunday
-----------------
An ENTIRE week with no update to the "Today's News"? HORRIBLE...but not
as horrible as being stuck in bed with pain pills from that damn car
crash.... I'm back doing some "cardio", even though it looks like it will
be a while before I can do a chest workout again--MAJOR brusing in the
sternum area....
BUT, We are looking forward to adding the new disk drives onto the system,
and have some hope that the fight with our software vendor is nearing its
end--which should solve the "DOWNLOAD PROBLEM" for many Members who have
had difficulty to date....
WE'VE JUST RECEIVED NEW IMAGE/SOUND/MUSIC processing equipment and
software--watch for more "product" to be available soon. (And the word
"product" includes the FREE stuff....)
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST: With "WEB TV", and all the "Browser Wars" going
on, it looks like we are about to see the re-invention of the
"Commodore 64" in a 1996 version--which is a GOOD THING!
This is the computer that brought "computing to the masses" and was flexible
enough to keep everyone from game-players to computer-nerds ecstatic!
...What was old is NEW again.....
=======================================================================
December 14, 1996 - Saturday
-----------------
Bad News, Worse News and GREAT NEWS!
The (minor) bad news is that we won't get our "digital signature" to
protect our images and work from people copying them until January 7, 1997.
We WILL put some more pic's online anyway, but they won't have the best
color correction, resolution, etc....
The WORST news is that my car was TOTALLED Sunday. It is SO bad that
the insurance company won't talk about it by its license number, or its
VIN number--now it is only a "stock number" to be sold as scrap....
The GREAT news is that our new software should be arriving shortly, and
we'll begin testing it IMMEDIATELY on our development system.
We expect to have it moved to the online system by the end of December.
ALSO THIS THURSDAY THE SYSTEM WILL BE DOWN FOR MUCH OF THE DAY AS WE
DO BACKUPS, ADD SEVERAL DISK DRIVES AND DO OTHER MAINTINENCE.
There is also some GOOD NEWS on more BRYX products coming out--we can't
tell you just yet--but soon!
=======================================================================
December 11, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
Your "DBS" (Dear Beloved Sysop), was rear-ended in BEV HILLS this Sunday
morning--this is being typed one-handed--one shoulder is still screwed-up.
If anyone knows how many calories are burned off from "climbing the
walls", please let me know!
Our new Adobe "digital signature" included in the 4.0 upgrade should be
here by next Monday or Tuesday--this means at least 9 new images online
within 24 hours of that!
We will hopefully have an EASY-TO-USE answer for those who want to
download via the Internet. (With or without or software company's
cooperation!)
=======================================================================
December 7, 1996 - Saturday
----------------
I forgot to mention that we are (yes, even again) adding MORE to our
Web Site....
=======================================================================
December 6, 1996 - Friday
----------------
OOPS! One-half of you were able to read this "Today's News" section on
time--we forgot to copy it to BOTH directories for access on both the
WEB SITE and on the BRYX Online BBS.
ANYWAY, we're having the strangest problem with our (hopefully) new
Internet provider--they want us to sign a contract that we know (and
THEY know!) we would be violating the minute we connect to the Internet
through their system!
Our sales person disclaimed any understanding of the problem as "I am
not a legal ethicist"--but these fancy words for right and wrong don't
change the nature of the problem. (More detail tomorrow.)
_____
FILE DOWNLOADS: As we said (below) in the previous post here, we are
working on the download problem. We expect to have a good, solid
fairly easy-to-use solution by Tuesday for those Members who are still
having difficulty. (We say Tuesday, because we think we are going to
know by Sunday--but don't like to make promises we can't keep.)
_____
NOTE TO OUR SOFTWARE COMPANY: When dealing with this person called a
"customer", it might be a good idea to allow the "customer" to
OCCASIONALLY be allowed to finish at least one sentance in the course
of a long conversation.
BRXY Members, these guys sound like a bunch of New Yorkers that have
discovered a "good thing" down in Florida.
After spending three years commuting two weeks NYC, two weeks LA, two weeks
NYC, two weeks, LA, etc. I am reminded once again that I **KNOW** why
I live on the West Coast!
=======================================================================
December 4, 1996 - Wednesday
----------------
Over a week since this file was last updated--that would be DISGUSTING
if you haven't yet seen the work we've done on the WEB SITE!
BIG ALSO, (there's more!), we've finished a BUNCH of new pictures for
ALL of the systems: Ath-Elite, BronStar, and BRYXx--but we're waiting
for delivery of our latest version of PHOTOSHOP that includes the new
"DigiMarc" DIGITAL SIGNATURE for IMAGES--any images that are stolen and
reposted or passed around will now be able to be traced back to the
origonal downloader!
Because we have less fear of theft of our hard word, we will be able
to post EVEN MORE images on-line....
INTERNET USERS:
Are you having problems downloading files? We've been phenomenally busy,
so we have not had time to do any "focus groups", or "system monitoring"
to find where new users are getting stuck.
MOST OF THIS PROBLEM is from our software company TOTALLY forgetting
about the most basic type of access to a BBS! They are coming out with
version 3.0 by a (promised) date of Decemeber 15, 1996--so we hope that
these problems are solved by this release.
If not, check out the instructions that came with your first SIGN-UP
e-mail--we'll be checking them out to, and seeing if there is any way
to simplify them--with THIS company, there usually is a way....
=======================================================================
November 26, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
I feel stupid! I've been trying to find time to promote our soon-to-be
section for Personal Trainers and Models/Escorts--TOTALLY forgetting
that I have this WONDERFUL set of WEB PAGES that I can promote on!
Well, check out our new ADVERTISERS page if you're interested....
_____
It looks like we've found our new company to connect to the Internet-
--we don't want to say who it is yet...but the contracts are coming!
_____
Some VERY patient people have been trying to connect--and we FINALLY
realized that our instructions for using the MTELNET "plug-in" were
not complete.
They are now.
=======================================================================
November 24-25, 1996 - Sunday, Monday
--------------------
"Earth-Stink" (AKA Earthlink) provides the connection from BRYX Online
to the Internet--POORLY!
Sunday night our connection died COMPLETELY for four hours...the after
hours support person (there is only one...) could not return my call--
--because he was ASLEEP! (Not to mention, he din't "officially have to
work" at that time....)
When asked what would happen if the failure had happened at the beginning
of a LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND, and what I would be able to do to RESTORE
service, there was NO answer.
BYE, EARTHLINK--hello "New I.S.P."....
=======================================================================
November 23, 1996 - Saturday
-----------------
More WOW!
Sign-ups, after a brief dip, are back to the OUTSTANDING clip of over
ONE PER HOUR! This has caused a FLOOD of work here--Member
"Healer Seven" (AKA "Healer") has been helping get things in order
here--but this means he hasn't had time to update the BODYBUILDING
mASsTROLOGY feature here--we're going to have to drop it until MORE
HELP becomes available....
_____
We've also had a few hours to put together some more XXX pic's from our
next video--watch for them to be posted shortly.
ALSO, check out our latest WEB SITE revision, if you haven't seen it in
the last 2-3 days! MANY new changes and features....
______
We've been promised by yet ANOTHER Galacticomm person that answers will
be forthcoming--by Tuesday afternoon. We will, of course, let you know
1) If the answers come at all, and 2) What the answers mean about this
(so far) unresponsive company. Problems in their basic program that were
pointed out over a year ago still have not been fixed, and their latest
Newsletter ("Visions") details ALL the ways they have decided that they
can ignore customer difficulties.
WE ARE CONSIDERING what we believe will be a first: Sueing a software
company for what legal types call "Specific Performance". What this
means is that INSTEAD of sueing for money, we sue for them to ACTUALLY
MAKE THEIR SOFTWARE WORK AS PROMISED. (What a SHOCK! Software that
actually works?!?!!!)
I'm sure the concept of having a judge tell them what their engineers
can work on--until their product works--will absolutely DRIVE THEM NUTS.
We **ALL** know that the typical software company would rather be busy
promising more features and complications to their products than actually
making them WORK....
=======================================================================
November 22, 1996 - Friday
-----------------
"Galacti-Con" (Galacticomm) is living up to the name we've coined...
yesterday, I called Bill Posner, head of Tech Support asking about my
e-mail of October 18--that was copied AGAIN about a week ago.
He claimed not to have received them, and when asked about the exact
e-mail address we discovered someone had apparently been impersonating
him! (He did not show any concern over this!)
ANYWAY, I sent him to the e-mail address he specified WHILE I WAS ON
THE PHONE WITH HIM. It has been over a day since then, and since sending
a request for verification that the e-mail had been received.
I have received no answer.
=======================================================================
November 15-21, 1996 - Friday thru Thursday
--------------------
Well, while it has been quiet here in TODAY'S NEWS, you can see the
results of our Web Site work by noticing the NEW MEMBERS signing up
at the rate of one each hour!
It is also a rare instance when our site goes for longer than ONE MINUTE
without an access (or MULTIPLE access)!
Also, a special thanks to Men On the Net (http://www.menonthenet.com)
for their listing, which we feel contributed GREATLY to the big surge
in membership.
NO THANKS to our software company (Galacti-Con, um...er "Galacticomm")
which did not respond to PHONE CALLS, VOICE MAIL, E-MAIL and only responded
when we spent over $70.00 to send a VERY OLD FASHIONED TELEGRAM!
This is NOT customer service....
=======================================================================
November 11-14, 1996 - Monday thru Thursday
--------------------
WOW, WOW, WOW! I hope you have Web Browser--as we made another QUANTUM
EXPANSION in the sophistication and detail of our http://bryx.com site!
For those of you interested in our XXX-rated Adult material, YOU CAN
DOWNLOAD OUR COMPLETE CATALOG once you are a Full Member.
For details on joining, see the "HOW TO JOIN" information on our Web
site.
IF YOU ARE A (FULL-ADULT) CURRENT MEMBER ON THE BRYX SYSTEM, REMEMBER
THERE ARE ***UN-POSTED*** IMAGES IN THE BRYX CATALOG--BE SURE TO
DOWNLOAD IT FOR YOUR PLEASURE!
=======================================================================
November 10, 1996 - Sunday
-----------------
"Galacti-Con Job" does not seem to respond to: Phone Calls, Voice Mail,
or E-mail. We have STOOPED to sending a TELEGRAM in the hopes that we
will get **some** sort of favorable response before filing a lawsuit....
=======================================================================
November 9, 1996 - Saturday
----------------
Well BIG BROTHER BILL is still after our Civil Liberties--as he is now
chastising the liquor industry fro trying to advertise thier products on
TV--just the same way wine, beer and other alcoholic beverage companies
have been doing for years.
He is ALREADY accusing them of wanting "to go after the youth market"...
this is a WONDERFULLY MEANINGLESS accusation--if the ads feature "young
people" (under 30), they are "identifying with the young"; if they show
"mature people" in "Adult settings", they are showing it as "an adult
thing to do". DOES IT SEEM TO YOU THAT THIS IS A NO-WIN SITUATION?
BIG BROTHER is (still) here....
_____
On to BRYX Online system business...we are currently in a state of limbo
as we wait, and wait, and wait...for Galacti-Con to respond to ANY of our
MANY problems with them.
Lawsuits are SOOOOO tedious....
=======================================================================
November 6-8, 1996 - Wednesday thru Friday
------------------
I guess people REALLY didn't know that the BRYX systems are free...it has
been AMAZING the number of new sign-ups we've received wince modifying
the Web pages...now to create a "sign-up" page so that people stop
sending e-mail requesting the Member Agreement, and simply sign-up so
that this happens automatically....
=======================================================================
October 31 - November 5, 1996 - Thursday thru Tuesday
-----------------------------
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!
MORE redesign of the Web pages, MORE pain-in-the ass from Galacticom,
AND... We are almost done with a FULL COLOR XXX publication. (It will
be advertised on the system as soon as it is available.)
Of course, now that I'm looking to buy a house...the apartment is
FINALLY getting organized. Oh well.
(Also had a Letter to the Editor published in this month's
BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE. November 1996 cover date.)
=======================================================================
October 19, 1996 - Tuesday
----------------
We HAD to change some of our Web pages...apparently (as we were told BOTH
by casual browsers AND and a GAY listing service), we had not made it
clear that BRYX Online is a free service.
FOLKS! IT'S FREE!
(For those of you reading this on a browser, this "today's news" is
ALSO available directly on the BBS portion of BRYX Online--that's why
we mention the Web page changes you may have already seen....)
=======================================================================
October 28, 1996 - Monday
----------------
The President of "Galacti-Con" (Galacticomm) promised to check out
several "issues" (read BIG problems) that I had with his company. This
was several weeks (months?) ago.
Obviously I would not be mentioning this conversation in this fashion if
an answer had been received....
SO... I am actively shopping for alternative software. Currently I am
looking at Wildcat! and various UNIX based solutions.
BOY is UNIX obscure! --but it may end up being the best solution--a well
tested solution--but with minimal support. Or is that "minimal support"
any different from what I am getting now?!??
=======================================================================
October 27, 1996 - Sunday
----------------
I almost don't want to tell about this--but what the hell...I'M EXCITED!
There is another (bigger) Gay Online service that would like to have us
hook into their chat lines...we'll see if this works out....
=======================================================================
October 24-26, 1996 - Thursday thru Saturday
-------------------
We have received the FORMAL announcement from our soon-to-be FORMER
software company. They've decided to go the "Microsoft way" and play
GOD with mere consumers of their products.
We are looking at shifting the board over to another platform, AND at a
lawsuit against this company for changing the terms of their support
after promises were made (prior to purchase).
The company is "Galacticomm". Their publication that announced these
draconian changes is called "Visions".
GOOD NEWS is that we've finished doing another revision and "teaser"
for "The BRYX-BODY Workout" which are both posted here and on the
CompuServe Bodybuilding forum.
The NEW teaser adds a few illustrations, and is in the Windows Write
format.
=======================================================================
October 15-23, 1996 - ...thru Wednesday
-------------------
I WOULD BE EMBARRESSED if the last week had been even 1% easier--but as it
was, but things were such a ZOO around here, that I've had no time to
update this "TODAY'S NEWS" section. And this is one of my FUN activities-
-I enjoy relating the exciting news.
And the BIG exciting news is that our SOFTWARE COMPANY for this Online
System has announced a GREAT update, promised for November delivery.
In the meantime, we've been working FRANTICALLY doing some "behind-the-
scenes" system re-modeling. You should see a BIG difference before the
end of the year....
=======================================================================
October 9-14, 1996 - Saturday thru Monday
------------------
Not much done on the system--still more clean up was required after the
various floods....
However, we have decided upon some basic policy changes that will make
some type of access easier, and others more restricted.
It is VERY mind-boggeling how rapidly market shifts happen in these
so-called "Internet-years"...!
Watch for detailed announcements in the logon message.
=======================================================================
October 4-8, 1996 - Monday thru Friday
-----------------
It is not yet "Plagues & Pestilence" yet, but after the flood from
upstairs, the air-conditioner started flooding some of our reference
stuff, and OUR plumbing started leaking downstairs! (Causing a call
from the building "Super-" at seven f'ing thrity in the morning....)
Hopefully, we've seen the worse, and are UNQUESTIONABLY looking forward
to house-hunting.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION and complaints about the cost of joining
the system here--even though the word "FREE" is mentioned at least a
half dozen times in various places....
So once again, the Online Service is FREE!
While it is likely that certain portions of the system will have a
SMALL charge associated with their use, it is our intent, goal, and
comittment to keep as MUCH of the system completely free--including a
portion of the ADULT (BRYXx) material.
And while we had hope to leave our HomePage "stable" for a while, it
looks like we are going to have to fix this bit of info EMPHASIS right
away.
Finally, a widely sought after new item: We have been processing a NUMBER
of graphics that are now ready for release--as soon as we add the
COPYRIGHT notices, etc. Look forward to another JUMP in the number of
files available....
=======================================================================
September 30-October 3, 1996 - Monday thru Sunday !!!
----------------------------
OBVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN BUSY!
Besides having our Internet connection DIE for several hours on Thursday,
we've been flooded with dirty water from upstairs, and... (well, you get
the idea....)
Thursday, we enjoyed a flood of dirty water--destroying WEEKS of work.
This is "Flood #5"--SOMETHING must be done soon....
THE SAME DAY, "Earth-Stink" (aka Earthlink) lost our Internet/Web
connection. This is not the first time.
We called at 4:30 (the link had been down for a couple of hours by then)
and asked if it was just our "POP" dial-in number, or if it was the
entire system.
We were told that "...all of Earthlink is down -- it will up in about an
hour".
IT WAS ABOUT 9:00PM BEFORE OUR SERVICE WAS RESTORED!!!
Monday, I start the move to another connection service--I'm pretty sure it
will either be NETCOM (who hasn't returned ANY of my phone calls) or
AT&T (who ALSO hasn't returned my calls...).
We are also in the process of installing a backup server for those times
when we are doing backups....
=======================================================================
February 13-17, 1997 - Thursday thru Monday
--------------------
So this is what Healer Seven does behind my back--pre-announced his
"7'sLair"....
YOU SHOULD SEE HIM SWEATING now as I made him sit there and stare at
the screen for five minutes.<vbeg>
I was expecting to have more frequent postings here in TODAY'S NEWS, but
between my hands and the heavy duty remodeling on the web page I had more
than a "full plate".
If you haven't checked out our remodeled web pages, you should do so as
there have been many changes and one exciting new announcement:
At the present time, the only way to let other people on the system
know that you are here is to fill out your REGISTRY entry. We have
been considering getting one of the multi-media type regristries that
are available but are not thrilled with their lack of special and ex-
citing features.
NEW AND EXCITING is the way we want things here at BRYX so we went
FAR beyond a simple "registry"....we are creating BRYXworld for
our Members.
This world features everything a man could need... From the gym,
football field and other sports facilities to residential areas,
bars and a sports arena/live theatre....
In this BRYXworld you can post your own image or choose from
available drawings. (The images can be a GIF or as a moving AVI
file, etc. and you may modify the drawings if you wish!)
Other Members can click on your image to find out any details you
choose to reveal about yourself! (If you have access to the
Internet, this is on our PARTICIPATE page; if you are reading this
through the BBS, download files PLANS05.GIF, PLANS08.GIF and
PLANS24.GIF.)
As you will see from these images we are starting from the very
beginning and would appreciate any skills other BRYX Members can
have fun contributing to this project.
HAVE A FANTASY about running a bar, coaching a football team,
wrestling team, or flaunting your own leather designs? now is
your chance to make that fantasy real in BRYXworld!
[Note: If you have the skills to do architechual sketches-perhaps
even on CAD, your help at this stage would be GREATLY appreciated.]
IT IS NOW THE TIME TO CREATE OUR OWN WORLD...
...BRYXworld!
=======================================================================
February 8-12, 1997 - Sunday thru Wednesday
-------------------
I am not me!
SERIOUSLY, one of the "BRYX-Guys" is typing this as I have caused
complications to some injuries on my hands. This means that this
"TODAY'S NEWS" section will be brief for the next three to four days as I
heal.
However, you may have still noticed some of the great changes that we are
making and continue to make to the web pages.
We are also co-ordinating these changes with our print advertising which
will be FINALLY hitting the stands in the next few months. We are excited
because this advertising will include promotion of the special CHAT times
and will be re-releasing some of our very hot Bodybuilder-Sex videos!
[You will be able to see special "G-rated" advertising directly on our
"bryx.com" web site.]
----------
This is a LOT of work, and work that is difficult with "broken" hands--
but work that is still being accomplished since we value the comittments,
hopes, and expectations we have made to you and am putting the hours
necessary to make it happen....
A very special thanks to Healer Seven (who has a new Forum named
"7'sLair" on this BRYX online service. Special Note: I'm telling you
about this WITHOUT telling our SYSOP that I'm putting it here--he should
have NEVER let me near this "Today's News" section. Now back to what he is
really telling me to type...) ...thanks to Healer Seven for putting up
with me, my many revisions and my lack of "Barq's" root beer....
=======================================================================
February 7, 1997 - Saturday
----------------
Okay, okay -- I couldn't stop writing the news. Plus we've had both
MAJOR PROBLEMS and MAJOR SUCCESSES with changes from our Internet
Service Provider.
First off, we were knocked off-line for about 36 hours due to an
EarthLink computer foul-up. While in the past we would have been
bitching about "Earth-Stink" incompetence, they have now hired a
MANAGER IN CHARGE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, and we have seen a ***BIG***
difference in the orientation of Earthlink personal. More and more we
are seeing a focus on the CUSTOMER'S PERSPECTIVE.
We were considering moving to UUnet, (and that still is a "back-up" plan),
but our BIGGEST PROBLEM with EarthLink was their lack of power back-up
at the "POP's"--the place where we actually connect to their equipment-
-that ulitmately connects us to the Internet.
But now, the main number we connect to FINALLY has diesel backup, so that
in the event of earthquake, flood, etc. the system can still remain active.
OUR ONLY REMAINING ISSUE with EarthLink/Stink is their failure to provide
24 hour technical support if we have problems with our connection going
down. This is something that most of their competitors DO provide...and
while they do have a number with a pager you can dial--there is NO
response.
We hope that Earthlink will continue to improve their service, and fix
this lack of service for dial-up server connections--it will save us about
$110.00 per month--which will allow us to spend that much more money on
Bodybuilding research, Hot men to do modeling, and all the other things
that make BRYX_Online! something special....
---------
ALSO TODAY, we have created the TODAY'S NEWS and TODAY'S NEWS commentary
forums...we have also given BRYX-Guy "Shiloh" his own forum to be called
"7'sLair". Here he will say all those things that I will probably be
pissed-off about--but if anything, we try to be VERY open here--no hidden
defects, no secrets, and ALWAYS open for suggestions, contributions and
ideas.
=======================================================================
CONTINUED FROM BELOW
--------------------
If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't believe it.
Some government groups are recommending that PASSENGER AIRLINERS CARRY
ANTI-MISSLE DEFENSES! (Are the pilots going to get "dog-fighting"
training in the 747 and 777 simulators?)
STUPIDITY ALERT: Putting missles, flares or radar chaf (all of which
require "high impulse" [read: "explosive"] fuel to deploy in time) will
most likely INCREASE the risk to passengers, compared to any missle-
threat. Are fighter escorts next? A convoy like the wagon trains of
the Wild West?
This is just one more instance of those in power trying to create a
climate of fear, so that people (you and me!) will be more mallable and
receptive to giving up even MORE of our freedoms--for the illusion of
security....
[MORE]
--------------------
February 3-???, 1997 - Monday (Last full day in Palm Springs)
--------------------
WATCH FOR NOTHING TO HAPPEN....
Here in "TODAY'S NEWS" that is...as we are about to embark upon some
VERY EXCITING additions and revisions to the system.
The only "consistently new" updates to text material will be the VERY
important STEROID INFORMATION page on our Web Site. [http://bryx.com]
This is to correct as much of the mis-information that is posted on the
Internet as fast as possible.
After we post this info, we fully expect to see revisions to the pages
that we report on. The current plan is to let these "steroid-bashers"
try to re-write their disinformation, and then re-address this issue in
about 6-7 months....
----------
Tommorow is "The State of the Onion" address by Billy Boy...I already know
my reaction: After all the layers are peeled back, I'll simply feel like
crying--about all those people that believe that government is necessary.
This being no different from the peasant in the Middle Ages who is not
able to conceive of a society where the church doesn't control his, and
everybody else's actions....
----------
I keep trying to stop this column, but it is SO hard.... Tonight is one
of those rare nights (Monday night) when I can actually CONGRATULATE
certain elements of "The Media".
Apparently, the EDITOR of the respected "New England Journal of Medicine"
(a journal that is quoted on the BRYX STEROID ARTICLE page) arguing that
the Medical Use of Marijuana should be allowed. (As allowed by recent
California and New Mexico changes in the law - voted for DIRECTLY by
2/3 of the voting population!)
While ABC's NIGHTLINE program spent too much effort watching the clock,
as opposed to getting answers, the Fed's representative Patrica Seitz,
was able to stall long enough not to answer the question she was asked
AT LEAST five times (that I was able to count--I may have missed one
when in the bathroom....)
The Question?
"Will the Federal Government prosecute Doctors and/or patients who use
(or prescribe) marijuana for medical purposes?
The list of questions she failed to answer is a LONG one....
1. Didn't the Federal Government ban research into the medical
use of marijuana continually since 1972?
2. Will the Federal Government give the State of Massachusets the
Federally grown, controlled dose Marijuana for research into
it's effectiveness that it has requested?
3. Why do you not trust the decisions made between a doctor and
their terminal (or seriously ill) patient? [As the NEJM Editor
said, "It is an insult to doctors that you do not trust them
with this decision.]
4. You said "That no more research is needed as '90's research
has passed that of of the earlier research." How can you
reconcile that with your statement that more research needs to
be done?
And more and more and more....
And people say we NEED government? To protect us?
As I have described in detail at an earlier date (here), how the U.S. has
the BEST electrical safety in the world--yet few people know that this is
a FREE MARKET phenomenah--dominated by "U.L." (Underwriters Laboratories)-
-but NOT a monopoly, as there are competing safety testing organizations!
The free market CAN and DOES work. When someone claims it doesn't--look
for that ignored detail that makes it NOT truely free....
=======================================================================
February 2, 1997 - Sunday (Palm Springs)
----------------
I spent much of today getting the "SYSTEM IS DOWN" BBS files and
system set up, so that when we shut down for our announced improvements
and upgrades, people will still be able to connect and find out that
the system is down--yet still get a sample.
Next step is to do the same for the WEB SERVER portion of the system....
----------
Yes.
I am as anxious to post some of our new files (our work) online as you
are to view it--but we have not yet had time to complete all of our
equipment and software reconfiguration.
Specifically, we have not cleared the machine where our new ADOBE
PHOTOSHOP (version 4.0) will allow us to encode tracing codes into
our images. Combined with our OWN new "hidden" codes, we will be
able to trace any stolen copies of our work to the actual downloader.
REMEMBER, THE MATERIALS ON OUR (mostly FREE) SYSTEM ARE FOR YOUR
PERSONAL USE ONLY AND ARE NOT TO BE E-MAILED, "TRADED", "SHARED",
"LENT" OR OTHERWISE COPIED WITH OUR PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION.
But soon...SOON, we'll have this new stuff for your personal enjoyment...
"stay tuuned"!
----------
I had thought better of NBC.
But on their "Fleecing of America" series, they attacked what is called
"frivolous lawsuits" by people in prison.
If you have ever worked in a conventional corporate/office enivronment,
you KNOW the many small actions and intentional annoyances and
aggrivations that an anti-social associate can cause.
Did NBC investigate if any of these claims reflected a history of such
actions by prison guards? If they did, they didn't mention it...AND MORE
IMPORTANTLY THEY FAILED TO NOTE THAT THE U.S. HAS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE
OF THE POPULATION LOCKED-UP OF ANY OF THE SO-CALLED "WESTERN" COUNTRIES.
When you lock people up for smoking marijuana in the privacy of their
homes --and then threaten to prosecute doctors (44% of oncologists...
"cancer doctors") who recommend same for their patients, is not some
resentment to be expected?
When watching "The Fleecing of America", make sure NBC isn't pulling the
wool over your eyes....
[This story viewed on MS-NBC, which does generally good programming--BUT
THAT I HATE TO RECOMMEND BECAUSE OF THE ABUSIVENESS OF THE MICROSOFT
CORPORATION. Recently I asked Microsoft to send me a list of known
defects in the various products I had purchased from them. They refused.
Wouldn't you consider this--to put it quite simply--"wrong"? I do.]
=======================================================================
February 1, 1997 - Saturday (Palm Springs)
----------------
ouch. Ouch. OUCH! ARRRRGGGH!
My road to getting back in shape (and ready to do more videos) has
suffered from another one of those annoying and limiting injuries...I
have some sort of groin injury--I forgot whether my doc' attributed it
to muscle or ligment damage, but it's taking me about a full minute to
get up from a chair, or from the bed to make my way to that "all essential
room"....
This is an old injury (of unknown origin) where I've been told there's no
surgery or other ameliorative available.
It's bad enough to warrent some SERIOUS investigation with specialists to
find out if this is true....
-----
No new CNN idiocy to report today. (Yet.)
-----
I'm pretty excited about one of the homes I've looked at here in
Palm Springs--it has LOTS of room for all the BRYX stuff, room for a
gym (using top commercial-rated stuff like you'd see at a Gold's), pool
and jacuzzi--and spare bedrooms to move in three other Bodybuilders... I
have NO idea how it'll work out--I don't even know if it will pass an
inspection--but it's exciting, none the less.
On regret. I've made so many good friends in the CompuServe Bodybuilding
forum--and one of them referred me to an acquantance in the area who's a
real-estate agent...but after I had already been referred to the
(excellent) broker I'm working with now....
Having too many helpful friends is a problem that I can live with....
-----
I'm still working on my "semi-yearly" demolishment (is that a word?) of
a Joe Weider publication...in this case the February 1997 issue of
Muscle and Fitness. Watch for it soon it the Ath-Elite Library....
=======================================================================
January 31, 1997 - Friday (Palm Springs)
----------------
Things are just about ready for our next BIG jump in the EZ-browser
access. Watch for significant changes starting NEXT WEEKEND and
continuing through the week.
---------
Well, CNN did it again.
This time it's the age-old problem of the interviewer asking questions
without listening to the answers....
Apparently, a prize was offered by a group of software companies who
are trying to help U.S. companies stay competitive in the data-encryption
industry.
The government won't allow software to be exported that has a key longer
than 40 bits--which experts in the field generally agree is totally
inadequete. And they were proved correct!
Within 3-1/2 hours of offering the prize, a student had cracked this
supposed security, and deciphered the message that was supposed to be
secret.
Part of this issue is that the U.S. government wants us to (through a
variety of schemes) give it copies of the keys that keep our data
secret. (INSIDE of the U.S. ekys of 128 bits are used instead of the
40 bits that are allowed for export. This provides security the
government can't break.
Several people participated in the discussion/interview on CNN, including
one person who clarified the issue with a very simple analogy:
We have keys on the doors to our homes and to our businesses. We
have key on our filing cabinets. Only when the government is able
to get a search warrent are we required to unlock these locks.
What the government is asking, is for us to give it our keys
BEFORE there is any wrong-doing or suspicion of wrong-doing.
The CNN anchor then asked, "So where is the balance?"
BALANCE!!?!? WHAT "BALANCE"?
There is no reason why our privacy should be any less on magnetic disks
than it is on pieces of paper!
CNN, once again, mindlessly supports the morally wrong government
stance....
=======================================================================
January 29-30 1997 - Wednesday - Thursday (Los Angeles, then Palm Springs)
------------------
Did a "quick fix" on the BRYX_Online! system--I still have files that
must be removed from the next (2.1 GB) drive before it can be installed.
This patch should work quite adequetely until I return.
-----
I'm down in Palm Springs looking for a house large enough to contain:
1. BRYX_Online!
2. Myself
3. A gym
4. Some other "hard-core" Bodybuilders
I've lived in this area before and enjoy it a lot...it is ESPECIALLY nice
to be able to see all the stars at night.... (Yes, I **am** a
"romantic"....)
-----
Commentary on some of the news today:
There was a press conference by the State Department of the U.S. shown
on C-SPAN today. Madeline (sp?) Albright was, as appropriate, the main
speaker, announcing the latest Human Rights report.
In her comments, she addressed freedom of religion as a primary focus of
the U.S. foreign policy. I sincerely wish that this "Human Rights" report
would includ THE UNITED STATES ITSELF--PARTICULARLY WITH REGARD TO
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.*
I, as an Athiest, do not enjoy subsidizing churches, by their exclusion
from the tax system. Can I donate money to myself and take that as a
deduction? No. My religious beliefs are discriminated against in a way
that causes economic hardship.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, anyone who denies that the so-called "Defense of
Marriage Act" (which was vigorously supported by the loving(Ha!)"
"Christian Coalition" was based upon religous belief would believe
that the stork brings babies....
Again, this imposition of religious belief upon Gay people causes
direct economic hardships.
We should be applying the same standards to ourselves that we presume
to impose upon other countries.
....And can someone tell me why the best method for dealing with China
in "engagement" while the best method for dealing with Cuba and Iraq is
"isolation"?
_____
Finally, this could POSSILBY be labled "reading more into something than
is really there"--but then again maybe not!
Germany is currently repressing the "Religion" of Scientology. WHILE I
AM NOT FOND OF SCIENTOLOGY, NOR AM I CONVINCED OF THE "CHURCHE'S"
SINCERITY, I BELIEVE THIS REPRESSION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IS WRONG.
But as I have many German friends, I know very well the short-distance
view that the German's have of many issues.
They are offended when we equate their repression of Freedom of Speech
with what Hitler did.
There is STILL such a focus to the harm done to the Jewish people, that
Germans fail to recognize that that harm would have had a GREATER CHANCE
OF NOT HAPPENING IF DISSENT AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION HAD BEEN GUARENTEED!
In a similar vein, Germany has BANNED music, writings, and other works of
neo-Nazi groups--failing to note the reality of today's world, having
lived through the horrors of Hitler.
The U.S. does NOT ban neo-Nazi groups. We allow them to march in the
street--and they are lucky if they can even get 99 marchers!!!
Repression only brings more attention to these groups, and makes them seem
more important than they are....
_____________
* Interestingly, Ms. Albright was wearing an eagle broche--the eagle being
the symbol for both the U.S. and Germany--perhaps I'm reading too much
into this, but my many German friends seem to place an almost innordinate
importance upon these symbols being the same in both countries.
I must also congratulate the press people that covered this conference for
bringing up both the Cuba/China "engagement" issue and the Scientology
issue. Hopefully, education will bring these other (internal) issues to
review in this context. This education will be a personal project that
I undertake in the next few days.
-----
-----
GOOD NEWS: It is now about 4 in the afternoon in Palm Springs, and so far
3 guys have enjoyed the "etchings" in my room here at the resort....
BAD NEWS: BUT now Ralph Reed, the head of the HATEFUL "CHRISTIAN
COALITION"
is on C-SPAN, goating over the "defense of marriage act" that created a
federal ban on recognition of Gay marriages.
I am not feeling well, but I am forcing myself to watch. "Know thy enemy."
"Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?"
-------
UPDATE: Make it 5 guys total by about 6pm...that last two were in a
three-way...with one of the guys someone I had met in Amsterdam about
eight years ago!
=======================================================================
January 28, 1997 - Tuesday (Last day in Amsterdam)
----------------
[AOL commentary below....]
Yes, I was able to HEAR the superbowl... I **think** it was on
RADIO LICHENSTEIN (910 AM anyway....)
For those of you who watched the Superbowl, I just thought I'd mention
that my favorite music group of all time (Emerson, Lake & Palmer), did
the song that is probably used in more sports broadcasts than any
other: Fanfare for the Common Man (written by the famous American
compposer Aaron Copeland). This is the SAME group that is featured
on the BRYX_Online! "INTRODUCTION PAGE":
"Karn Evil 9", (from the BRAIN SALAD SURGERY album), which at one
point uses the words:
"Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends!"
Was ALSO very popular a Bodybuilding posing music. This is probably
one of the HIGHEST ENERGY music groups ever....
----------
Watch as we add more IMMEDIATE and IMPORTANT information to the
"STEROID PAGE" day-by-day. This is a NEW DEVELOPMENT...!
----------
All the networks I can get here in Amsterdam have reported that
STEVE CASE, the president of AOL is now blaming the PHONE COMPANIES
for "some of AOL's problems".
As a member of BOTH CompuServe and AOL, and TWO Internet services it
is very curious that is the "phone companies fault", when I don't have
difficulties with ANY but my AOL access....
Does Steve Case have some sort of CONSPIRACY THEORY about AOL's idiocy?
(Not that I disbelieve all such hypothesis...but this would be just a
little bit to "beyond" for me....)
----------
Thought for the day: Wouldn't it be interesting if Mikal Gorbechev
went back to Russia, and lobbied for the yet-to-be-created post of
Vice President?
He would have to find some excuse to embrace Capitalism more firmly-
-but what politician is not able to that sort of thing in their sleep?
I'd view this as a VERY positive development, especially given his
recently gained experience of LIVING on a day-by-day basis
with capitalism in the U.S.....
----------
That's about it, as I'm busy today packing, wrapping up last minute
business, and heading to the airport.....
=======================================================================
January 27, 1997 - Monday (Amsterdam)
----------------
It seems that governments are dishonest.
Surprised?
It seems that the DAIWOO Corporation became suspicious of the figures it
was getting from the EC (European Community), so it took the simple step
of using addition and subtraction.
Apparently, according to a report in one of the UK papers, EC countries
are exporting $186,000,000.00 dollars MORE to themselves than they are
importing to themselves....
Whoops! Needless to say the Corporation urged all business to view such
information with a "high degree of sketicism".
----------
I hope everything is still working okay on BRYX_Online!, **particularly**
file downloads. We've had so many new BRYX Members sign-up that we are
AGAIN running out of disk space! (There is a check on free space to hold
file downloads when they are in a temporary cache.)
I'll be dropping another 2.1 GB online within 72 hours.
There will also be a slight delay in mailing out Member's Agreements for
those who have signed-up in the last three days. Instead of getting them
out in our usual "less than 36 hours", they will all be sent out before
the end of this month....
----------
It seems that CNN has "lost it" again...and is making "it" worse!
I was watching as a LIVE REPORT came in from Albania regarding the
rioting there.
According to the reporter on the scene, the riots were against the
government, because the people had been convinced (against all reason)
that the government had somehow taken all the money that they had lost
in several pyramid schemes.
The next time I saw the story reported, CNN stated that "the rioting
was caused by the government refusing to give back the money that
people had lost in several pyramid schemes"--sounding as if the
government had received the money!
And now, at the beginning of the WORLD NEWS (7pm Amsterdam time,
Sunday night), it is reported that "the people are rioting against the
government for taking their money in a pyramid scheme"--as if CNN was
reporting that the GOVERNMENT was actually **running** these schemes!
In this interview, they DID get another live correspondent to repeat the
story--and they asked "if the government warned anyone about these
schemes," so there is hope that the CNN confusion will end....
(See my earlier report where CNN, when directly address by me on the
phone, did not know the difference between the stomach and the
intestines!)
=======================================================================
January 26, 1997 - Sunday (Amsterdam)
----------------
Oh shit.
This is being written AFTER my later comments (in today's column) about
CNN idiocy--but this is WORSE as CNN's idiocy is now being used to AID AND
ABBET in the invasion of our PRIVACY!
In the program "Future Watch", they blindly show the FCC Chairman
citing the women who was caught in the snow storm, (and called for help
with her cellular phone) as a reason for installing LOCATING capability
in the cellular networks.
The quote implies that the REQUIREING this to be done is for rescue
purposes--when in fact it was part of the 1996 CRIME BILL--supposedly
to "track down criminals".
As a matter of fact, the ENTIRE STORY is structured around that theme.
I don't know of anyone seriously involved in the information industry
who aren't aware of the genesis and drraconian nature of this year
2002 requirement..,.couldn't CNN get a more informed reporter? Or
editor? Or producer? Or interns? Or....
----------
I can go up to the rooftop pool and talk very clearly on my 900MHz
spread-spectrum cordless phone...when will SONY or someone else figure
out that I'd like to do the same with my palmtop or laptop--securely,
of course....
----------
Just as CNN was beginning to impress me again, they've spent over the
day or so talking about how "Steffee Graf's (sp?) Father has been
punished for tax evasion".
It seems no one at CNN actually listens to what is being said once it
is handed to the reporter or the anchor...
Her father was SENTENCED, not punished. He has only been in prison
(during the trial) for 15 of the 37 months it was reported as his
PUNISHMENT--which, as is my point IS NOT YET DONE.
Come on CNN, surely out of ALL the people I've seen read this (and
the number that I know are behind the scenes), surely you don't have
to act as stupidly as this....
[Earlier I reported how CNN did not know the difference between the
STOMACH and the INTESTINE when seemingly blaming (the ever-present)
"corporations" (aspirin manufacturers) for misleading the public....]
----------
I tried to train again today...I **DID** get some time in, but not
before the sternum pain hit again--AND the nausea...I will continue
to try throughout the day....
----------
MORE ON THE A.O.L. LAWSUIT: I wonder when these various State
District Attorney's are going to go after SOFTWARE companies that
don't meet their promises to the public--and we ALL know that this
spells "Microsoft"...is there ANYONE in the world who has not
encountered a Microsoft DEFECT?!?? (Outside of
Aborigonal Peoples.... (sp?))
=======================================================================
January 25, 1997 - Saturday (Amsterdam)
----------------
I just heard about the New York Attorney General considering suit
against AOL--and I heartily applaud this move.
It is FAR past time that computer-related companies be held accountable
for their promises.
THE REAL JOB will be when (with software companies in particular) suits
for "Specific Performance" are filed.
This means that the company IS NOT SUED FOR MONEY, BUT RATHER, TO HAVE
THEIR PRODUCTS ACTUALLY WORK AS PROMISED!!! Imagine how happy
Microsoft's Bill Gates would be to have a judge order how many
software people to take of Windows 2010, and instead, actually make
Windows '95 work!
[BTW, I have an account at AOL, CompuServe and (previously) at
Prodigy...I have ALWAYS preferred CompuServe for its complete
research rresources and materials, the general quality of discussions-
-and its reliability. It is ONLY SECOND to... BRYX Online!<g>]
-----
For those of you who haven't heard the BILL GATES joke:
God called a meeting of President Clinton, Boris Yeltsin and
Bill Gates--and told them "I'm sick of what is happening on
Earth and am going to destroy it in 7 days...."
President Clinton reported to Congress: "I have good news and
bad news. The good news is that there IS a god. The bad news
is that he is going to destroy the Earth in 7 days."
President Yeltsin (of Russia) reported to the Duma: "I have
BAD news and WORSE news. The bad news is that we were wrong:
There IS a god. The worse news is that he...is going to destroy
the Earth in 7 days."
Bill Gates called a meeting of all his top executives to
announce: "I have GOOD NEWS and I have BETTER NEWS!"
"The good news is that god thinks I am one of the THREE MOST
IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!
"The BETTER news is that...
...WE DON'T HAVE TO FIX WINDOWS '95!!!"
----------
Yes the food poisoning is gone--it's typically only a 24 hour
phenomenon--and I figured out that it was due to the TRAIN FOOD and
not the Marriot stuff--this NOT being any particular praise of the
Marriot food. I WOULD, however, like to take this opportunity to
compliment the staff AT THIS PARTICULAR MARRIOT, whom singularly seem
to be the "intelligent exception" to the "Marriot Norm"....
----------
I REALLY don't understand this decision of radical Muselim's to make
the "Holy Month of Ramadaan" a time for violence.
At least the belligerents in Ireland don't celebrate the
"Twelve Days of Violence" for xmas-time....
=======================================================================
January 24, 1997 - Friday (Amsterdam)
----------------
Went down to FRANKFURT to visit BRYX MODEL "Gunther Weiss", who
brought MARKUS REINHARDT to the U.S. (and my apartment....)
WE HAD A GREAT TIME catching up on recent events, exchanging stories
about mutual friends, and ARRANGING TO MEET AGAIN THIS SUMMER. (Maybe
"Gunther" can have some more BB models lined up by then--he enjoys
athletics very much, but recently has been more into mountain-biking
than Bodybuilding. Seeing his "Join Today" picture on the Web Site
motivated him to tell me "Maybe I'll start getting a bit beefier again-
-that picture is good motivation!")
"Gunther" (Harald) expects to be on the Internet in about 4 weeks...but
as we all know with our own plans, this will probably be closer to
6 weeks. He is excited about BRYX Online, and will probably join soon-
-his work schedule is very busy, but I have reasonable expectations
that he'll be very REGULAR WITH HIS VISITS....
("Gunther" expects to visit California and Nevada again for several
weeks in the Summer of 1998--this year he's very busy in Germany....)
-----
One of the small penalities that one pays in multi-lingual Europe...is
the LOSS OF INFORMATION on consumer products.
The specific example in this instance, is the "disposable" (recyclable)
Kodak cameras, which, in the U.S. include a listing of the film speed
(ASA/ISO)--for which there is no room on the European modeles...
HOWEVER, the simplified " [1], [2], [3], [4] " instructions that are
CLEARER by virtue of the omission of written explanations....
-----
There is not much to say about the system, other than the announcement
of yet more NEW BODYBUILDING INFORMATION to be available shortly--which
is being written right now...including reviews of the "good guys" and the
"bad guys" on the Internet--and in the "print publication" worlds....
-----
I may not write much in the next day or so...I'm not feeling well...I
think it's probably just the Marriot food....
-----
Trivia note: The "Bing, Bo-ang, Bo-ing..." that you hear on NBC Television
consists of the three muscial notes G, E, and C--signifiying the owner:
the G_eneral E_lectric C_orporation....
=======================================================================
January 23, 1997 - Thursday (Amsterdam)
----------------
...faster, Faster, FASTER!
BRYX Online! is becoming too successful--AGAIN!
Our last batch of "speed-up" tricks and techniques have pretty much
hit their limit, so we are planning to add another complete "server"
(computer) and connection setup to the Internet!!!
This PRIORITY CONNECTION will be a service that is charged for,
(essentially at cost). The regular connection WILL REMAIN FREE!
[This being SEPARATE from the upcoming "BRYXxxx" service that will
offer EXCLUSIVE & NEVER RELEASED GIFs, VIDEOS, etc. at a VERY small
cost for each item. (On the order of 10-75c per item....)]
As we are just now starting to investigate the best way to implement
BOTH of these systems, we have no specific date yet for availability.
--------------------
Disgust and Loathing.
No fear: Just disgust amd loathing that the Wednesday issue of
USA TODAY has RALPH REED the "executive director" of the very hateful
and very christian "christian coalition" as a "top political figure"
to "assess slinton's inaugural speech. (Page 2A) (The refusal to use
the normal capitalization is intentional.)
I encourage those of you that identify yourself as "christian" or have
friends who do EXTEND that description in conversation, AMPLIFY it to
include "But opposed to the christian coalition, their goals, and their
methods."
I could not sleep last night because a very close friend of mine was
ill--and HIV positive. He also delayed treatment in part because of
his limited financial resources.
I was VERY worried about his health.
Tears (and the admission of same) do not come easily to Big, Butch
Bodybuilder/Wrestlers--but they came to me in my concern....
TO CONTINUE ON THE SAME TOPIC...
I cannot help but feel anger at those who proposed or supported the
so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" in the U.S.
The implications are quite simple and as would be "self-described",
quite "un-christian": The federal government takes money from Gay people;
they take money from "married" people. BUT THEY TAKE LESS MONEY FROM
MARRIED PEOPLE, AND THEN TELL THE GAY COMMUNITY THAT (arbitrarily)
YOU CANNOT MARRY THE PERSON YOU LOVE (of the same sex).
As if Gay people (and my friend mentioned above), are not largely
suffering from an illness where additional financial resources would
save and extend life.
DENIAL OF THE christian coalition OF THEIR SUPPORT, AND EXPOSING THEIR
HATE AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR HATE SHOULD BE AN OMNI-PRESENT
PRIORITY. (It should not be a "battle" or a "cause", as this will tend
to give seeming legitimacy to these narrow-minded people. It should be
treated with techniques of denial, diminuation, and the refusal to take
anything they say seriously. Act in a way so that they are revealed
as the "Archie Bunkers" that they are.)
=======================================================================
January 22, 1997 - Wednesday (Amsterdam)
----------------
Finished the latest revsion to the WEB SITE, adding the PARTICIPATE
PAGE. FINGERS ARE STILL TIRED, so just enjoy the pages!
-----
Interesting.
Being back in "The Land of the Free"...The Netherlands, that is...
I find that I have NO interest in the "alternative pharmaceuticals"
available here! (Marijuana/Hashish).
This matches my experience when living here for two years.
I wonder when people will learn about the effectiveness/lures of
Prohibition....
-----
Also interesting is a sign in the bathroom here--admonishing guests
to reuse towels so as to "prevent the flooding of our waterways with
phosphorus".
My first (sarcastic) reaction was that "it is a shame that the Dutch
are so technologically deficient as not to have phosphorus-free
detergents"--as are available in the U.S.--until my business manager
told me that he had seen the SAME sign in a U.S. hotel...it seems
this is the latest "make money with guilt" schemes...in my case at the
Amsterdam Marriot (near Leidseplein)....
=======================================================================
January 21, 1997 - Tuesday (Amsterdam)
----------------
I spoke with BRYX MODEL "Gunther Weiss" last night, and hopefully
arranged to meet somewhere in Germany tomorrow. Spent about 8 hours
today working on the next revision of the Web Site, and "chugging along"
getting the WEBLINES "EZ-browser" connection to the BBS closer to full
functionality. (This one paragraph describes A LOT of work, so my
tired fingers are not going to add much else....)
HOWEVER, I did finally make it to the gym today--minimal lower-body
workout...but at least I'm on my way again--serious training is "in
sight", barring any unforseen developments....
=======================================================================
January 20, 1997 - Monday (Amsterdam)
----------------
Below is a letter sent to the highly recommended BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE.
(Two of my previous letters have been published there. "Jack Rickard" is
the publisher....)
_____
Dear Jack,
I seems that Galacticomm is joining the "Black Hole" at the center of
its galaxy...my messages seem to go past the "event horizon", never to
elict any response....
I don't know if you have available their last "Visions" magazine, but
they used it as a vehicle to announce their latest "non-Customer Service"
terms--claiming that if a feature works in one mode (i.e., ANSI/ASCII)
and not another (i.e., "Client/Server"), that that would be considered a
"cosmetic problem" and not a product defect....
BUT THAT IS THE "GOOD" NEWS!
In my last letter to you (which was published), I spoke glowingly of how
I was able to reach both Scott Brinker ("CEO") and Bob Shaw ("CFO")
personally on the phone.
Well, that was months ago--months of almost TOTAL unresponsiveness. And
since then, a new "head guy", "Peter Berg" has taken over, disclaiming
any promises that may have been made by his predecessors....
Specifically, Galacticomm has changed the service policy that was
promised to me when I purchased my first product of theirs
(Major BBS v6.2) which was that I was entitled to "Reasonable
Lifetime Support".
I verified this "Lifetime Support" over SEVERAL phone calls prior to
purchase.
Scott Brinker was the first to deny that this was being promised at the
time I became a Galacticomm victim..., uh, er... "customer". He DID,
however, promise to find out exactly what WAS being represented then.
He never answered me before leaving the company.
Similarly, Bob Shaw promised to look into MANY outstanding issues I had
with Galacticomm--with the same result being his departure before
supplying me with an answer....
On one issue, however he was VERY clear: They had "let go" the person
responsible for a Galacticomm ad that would make a customer believe
that the CGI interface was included with the "Worldgroup" (v2) upgrade.
...But there was no ad that would make a customer believe they should
be getting CGI with the Worldgroup upgrade. (Yes, you read this
correctly...they fired the person responsible for this thing that
"didn't happen".)
I figured with that, and the many long-distance calls I had made to the
head of Tech Support, "Bill Posner" specifically asking if I could
"implement the web camera as outline in Boardwatch Magazine", that I
would either get the CGI as I had been expecting, or at least a "WEB-TV"
implementation.
Obviously, my mentioning it here would tell you that I have received
neither.
And the "New and Improved Technical Support" does not live up to its
name--in spite of the new charges that you have to pay to get it.
I had made a call to tech support regarding several issues--only one of
which was answered (incorrectly, I should add), by "David". I had the
specifically call reference, and, as directed by Galacticomm, dutifully
informed Bill Posner.
In spite of repeated e-mail listing the many unanswered questions from
my call to "David", Bill BLINDLY kept responding that "all outstanding
issues have been dealt with".
ADDITIONAL e-mail, re-itemizing the outstanding issues brought the same
response.
Sending a TELEGRAM finally elicited a response--after an extended period
of non-response--only to bring forth my frustrated and loud scream as I
heard the Galacticomm mantra: "All outstanding issues have been dealt with."
The same mantra was repeated--in person--to my business manager who made
a "doorstop" visit to deliver the same message.
(Note that one of the _specific issues_ was that the "call record" bore
little, if any, relationship to reality....)
FINALLY, I spoke with Peter Berg (for the second time,) and was promised
prompt action.
I have been waiting over a month for "prompt action", including the
VERY SPECIFIC "Why does my ISP have a specific modem initialization
string (SPECIFICALLY for Worldgroup) that conflicts with the one
Galacticomm gives out and which one should I use?"
I would think, that given the name and number of the ISP, this would be
a relatively easy question to answer.
But then again, I am dealing with a company that seems to want to ignore
the existence of The Uniform Commercial Code, and has claimed on more
than one occasion, that "It is okay for us to change the terms after you
have made your purchase"....
As my online presence is just a supplement to my mail-order sales, my
current plan is to limp-along with my current setup for about 9-12 months-
-at which time I expect to have enough time to switch over to UNIX & APACHE'
or some other system where I have some semblance of control.
Given the above attitude, I have expectations of a "large-ish judgement"
when dumping my Galacticomm platform.
I also know that after this transition, I will have SOME chance of
finishing a sentence... (when talking to myself--as opposed to talking
to Galacticomm.)
"If you want it done right, do it yourself...."
Note also that one of Galacticomm's LARGEST sellers and seller of
third-party software was "Logicom"--who now answers their phone,
"We no longer have any involvement with Galacticomm. We are now an
Internet billing service only."
R.I.P., Galacticomm 1997.
Yours Online, (Writing from Amsterdam)
Gregg Strom <sysop@bryx.com>
BRYX International
P.O. Box 69127
L.A., CA 90069
Web Site: http://bryx.com
BBS: http://bryx.com/bbs or 500-679-BRYX [-7993]
P.S. You may want to view some of my ongoing "Today's News" column at
http://bryx.com/today.htm -- especially the "Previous Today's News" where
I discover that I am the FIRST CUSTOMER in all of Pacific Bell's territory
to get my ISDN lines to properly "hunt" ("remote call forward on busy").
This after 6 months and 3 days of repairs....
-----------------------------
Note to BRYX Members--don't worry, we will continue to develop this
platform (with pain!) so that is a pleasant platform--hopefully an
"invisible" platform for you to visit on. We do fully expect, however,
as stated in this letter, to move to a platform/system where we have more
control....
=======================================================================
January 19, 1997 - Sunday
----------------
I guess I was wrong--ANOTHER 18 hour sleep--I **must** have been over-
working.... I had promised to help some local guy out with his workouts,
but have been unable to locate his e-mail address...
In the meantime, I'm working on the next remodeling of our Web Site to
reflect the availability of our "EZ-browzer" access (courtesy
"WEBLINES".)
=======================================================================
January 15-18, 1997 - Wednesday thru Saturday
-------------------
I made it to Amsterdam okay--except my new UUnet account hasn't arrived
as promised. I'm trying to get their local European number, so I
should have cheaper access soon.
One nice effect of our "EZ-browser" access: While EVERY online service
has a number of "phoney sign-ups", our percentage has dropped
DRAMATICALLY since this new access has come online.
We have NO idea why this should be the case, but are grateful that it
has, as it will allow us to keep larger sections of the BBS free....
In the meantime, I've had two "nights" of sleep at 18 hours each--
hopefully I've caught up on the 36 hour and 37 hours of emergency
computer fixing....
More after tonight's sleep....zzzzzzzz.....
=======================================================================
January 14, 1997 - Tuesday
----------------
For those of you using our "EZ-browzer" web-access, you may want to
consider either using telnet for one or two sessions (or splurging for
the long-distance call to our modem connection) to be able to enter your
registry entry and those few other things we have not yet been able to
move to this Internet browser access....
GOOD NEWS ON "WEBLINES", as the developer seems to be taking seriously
our needs for "joined" Libraries--you may have noticed that some "strange
sounding" Libraries have recently appeared--and others disappeared as we
did an EMERGENCY FILE MOVE to give you access to all the files (we
think!).
We just received an e-mail detailing this, and are hopeful for an earlier
fix.
There is an explanation of "Joined Libraries" in an earlier "Today' News"
posting....
-----
I spoke a little too soon yesterday regarding my pain and ability to
train again--OUCH in the sternum area again...maybe I'll still be able
to hit legs, though.... (Time for more Vicodin!)
-----
I was at the U.S. Passport office yesterday, and noticed a couple of
interesting things...
The guy who was screening applications to send people to the correct
(long!) line was telling those with kids who did not have a Social
Security Number owed the IRS a $500.00 fine. Gee, the way I read
the law we don't have this "tatooing at birth" (yet)--you only owe
the $500.00 fine IF YOU DECLARE THE KID AS A DEDUCTION!
If you want to speak to a "real person" by phone for questions about
the passport process... $1.95/minute through a "900" number....
But this, "we're just another business" attitude doesn't extend to the
parking lot at the Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd....the place
where "mere" non-governmental employees park are labeled "visitor".
I wonder what kind of reaction people would have if their local
supermarket labeled most of their parking spots "visitor"? Sounds a
little arrogant and cold, doesn't it?
=======================================================================
January 13, 1997 - Monday
----------------
I was going to call this the "Quote of the Day"--but then thought that
it might be worth a week--maybe even a month!
Then I couldn't decide, so I just call it...
"The Quote for the Time-Being":
"It's not YOUR fault--it's MICROSOFT!"
(I was helping a friend work with ms-Publisher.... YES, "ms" in
***lower case***. I REFUSE to do otherwise!)
BUT TO THE NEWS... I am feeling much better now after the car crash and
hopes of making back to the gym in less than a week or so--time to stop
looking like a "before" picture! (Nobody has yet been able to tell me
the calorie expenditure for "climbing the walls" when you can't go to
the gym!)
WE HAVE FINALLY MADE MOST OF "WEBLINES" WORK...this is the software that
allows you to connect using a regular WEB BROWSER. We still have about
TWO FULL MONTHS of work to finish up our "First Edition" to include things
such as being able to enter your REGISTRY listing and other items through
this access.
But we feel that in about three or four weeks things will look good enough
that we can remove any "this is new" or "under construction" notices
warning people not to expect COMPLETE functionality....
ALSO, this company has just come out with a new revision that fixes some
of the bugs--but we've been advised to wait just a bit to make sure
there are no "stability" problems before switching over to it.
We received out new version of PHOTOSHOP that will allow us to release
a bunch of images we've been holding back--as with this new version we
can ENCODE SERIAL NUMBERS INTO THE PICTURE--any theft can be traced
back to the downloader...!
...It will be SOooooo nice to be able to release "protected" material--we
are tired, Tired, TIRED of our work being stolen. Expect this to start in
under three weeks.
=======================================================================
January 8-12, 1997 - Wednesday to Sunday [continued]
------------------
So you may be wondering what I think about the WEBLINES software
(below)....
"It's the best thing since SLICED BREAD--except that it's not sliced!"
The developer sent me an e-mail to explain why the JOINED LIBRARIES were
not working (and why you couldn't see any files!) In this message he
claimed that JOINED LIBRARIES were a "recent feature".
Huh?
I bought this software FIVE VERSIONS AGO (3 years ago) and it had this
feature at that time! --So to help him out, I told him how to program
around this problem...now let's see if he wants to do any WORK for the
money he gets....
_____
So maybe you're wondering why it's been so long since a TODAY'S NEWS
posting? WELL....
I spent 36 hours working on new images for WEBLINES and updates to the
Web Site. After about 4-5 hours of sleep THE CONNECTION TO THE INTERNET
WENT DOWN - FOR **ANOTHER** 37 HOURS OF NO SLEEP!
"Earth-Stink" (AKA "Earthlink") is our Internet Service Provider - and
their technical support people are absolutely CLUELESS!
They had changed the "IP Address" of bryx.com - and the tech had the guts
(or idiocy!) to tell me "You should have received a notice in the mail."
DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH GARBAGE "Earth-Stink" sends to their customers?
And I may be really, REALLY silly...but I would think that for this type
of business E-MAIL MIGHT BE SENT TO THE SYSOP?!??!!
Then it got worse.
I was told by one tech "Don't keep calling back while you are still down-
-this will cause some of the tech's here to actually take LONGER to work
on your problem. Didn't you know that?"
Well I certainly know it now! And they have just lost a customer....
Even sadder--I **DID** find one tech who was very helpful. Part of what
he told me was that he had entered some stuff into the computer and that
it would take "1-3 hours to work its way through the system."
The OTHER tech INSISTED that you "can't just punch stuff into a computer",
then, only MOMENTS later let out an outburst I **know** he regrets,
when he said, "SHIT!, I forgot to punch that into the computer...."
SO OUR FILE PROBLEM IS NOW JUST AN INTERNAL ANNOYANCE--there should be no
problems getting to, viewing, or downloading files...ENJOY!
[Send us your "Bill Gates" jokes...we'll be posting some here in the
next few day....]
[MORE BELOW]
January 8-12, 1997 - Wednesday to Sunday <FIRST POSTING - continued above>
------------------
IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT IMPORTANT!
We have just discovered a major defect in our WEBLINES program--it does
not support the "joined" Libraries function of the base system!
This means you will see ALMOST NO FILES IN ANY LIBRARY (until tonite,
when we MANUALLY join them. G-R-R-R-RRRRRR...!
=======================================================================
January 5-7, 1997 - Sunday - Tuesday
---------------
(For news on the NEW & EASIER INTERNET ACCESS check Jan 1--and
earlier posts.)
HARD WORK is a "Bad Thing" unless done in the gym! We are doing this
"Bad Thing".<g>
I think anybody who reads this will NOT believe me--and in today's world,
will have cause to "commit" me--but IT IS TRUE!
The "WEBLINES" product we have just installed that allows regular ol'
Internet browsers to log on without any special software...well, we had
a small problem with it. And we had a section of the documentation that
wasn't clear.
We spoke to the company (horizons@fcc.com) at about 5 in the evening
(Los Angeles Time),--and the next morning--at 5:00, too WE NOT ONLY HAD
A CLEAR EXPLANATION, BUT THEY HAD REWRITTEN AN ENTIRE SECTION OF CODE
FOR US! (AND **OTHER** USERS WHO MIGHT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM....)
This contrast with the DELL Lattitude 150 Laptop, and Dell Customer
(dis-)Service. IN OVER A MONTH, THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THEIR INVOICE
TO MATCH OUR PURCHASE ORDER. We sent $16,000.00 (two machines) back to
Dell today.... (The corrections consisted of a total of TWO LINES!)
_____
WHAT IS THIS HARD WORK? Well, this new WEBLINES software is VERY powerful
--but power ALSO implies control. We have to essentially rebuild our
entire system under this new access method. This will be LOTS of work...
but you will see improvements step after little step as we customize and
add more to this GREAT program....
-----
For those of you who have been wanting to cross-link with us--we'l finally
have time to get all of that set up starting about a week from now....
=======================================================================
January 3, 1997 - Friday
---------------
(For news on the new, easier INTERNET ACCESS check Jan 1 and earlier
posts.)
The "fine tuning" for our "easier Internet Access and Downloading"
continues today--I have just found out that the "Member Registry" is
read only until some specific changes are made--possibly by tonite,
definently(?) by Monday night...this also applies to some other sections
that aren't "as complete" as you can get through the "TELNET" type
connection.
We're also going to be adding some graphics to the menu pages over the
weekend....
=======================================================================
January 2, 1997 - MORE Thursday
---------------
(For news on the new, easier INTERNET ACCESS check Jan 1 and earlier
posts.)
IT IS SOFTWARE OVERLOAD TIME! We have the GOOD BUYS (Adobe Photoshop)
who beat their promised ship date of January 7 by FIVE days...and we
DON'T want to say the BAD GUYS, but we just received the GALACTICOMM
UPGRADE that was promised for mid-November (yes, last year)....
MORE PICTURES, MORE PICTURES, MORE PICTURES is one of the GREAT benefits
of this new version of PHOTOSHOP, which includes the "DigiMark" (sp?)
encoded signature for copyright protection--we can NOW release much
more of our work because we can protect it from copying, reposting and
other theft....
We'll let you know what is happening with the Galacticomm upgrade....
January 2, 1997 - Thursday
---------------
Your sysop is resting his (shhhh!) head today....
CHECK BELOW (Jan 1 and earlier) FOR
EASY INTERNET ACCESS NEWS & INFORMATION!
We have had the WEBLINES software on for only 24 hours--so there is STILL
much to do to make it "work well" from the Internet--but it should NOT be
difficult, and will certainly be MUCH easier to use (each day) over the
next 7 days, as we customize piece-by-piece.... (BOY, this is a lot of
work!)
[OTHER SYSOPS--if you are unhappy with your GALCTICOMM SOFTWARE, consider
the WEBLINES productwhich "wraps-around" the HORRIBLE explanations on the
Galacticomm pages and makes your Internet users "point & click" with no
6-8MB client to download and clutter up their computer.
We have just started installing and customizing this (new) product, but
it DOES show hope.... {Gregg Strom} WEBLINES can be contacted at
horizons@fcc.com]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1, 1997 - Wednesday
---------------
Your SYSOP (System Operator) Gregg Strom wishes you a GREAT GREGORIAN
NEW YEAR! Have you had problems downloading from the Internet? No more,
no longer, "fine'", it's fixed, NO PROBLEM.
For details, check out the info over the last few days--and continue to
check this TODAY'S NEWS areas for updates....
========================================================================
###### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ######
========================================================================
December 31, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
WEBLINES is now ONLINE! You can access the system from your browser by
going to:
http://bryx.com/bbs
This will get you to the LOGON SCREEN.
Minor problems that will be fixed:
1) The screen is hard to read because of the background color.
2) When the system tells you to press the [Enter] key or <Return> or
<CR>, you must put at least ONE character in the box before clicking on
the MORE button. (We use a period.)
3) The system is not showing all of our fancy screens, but only the
default menu. (Which is a bit more awkward to understand--but not TOO
bad....
---------------
We expect these minor problems to be fixed soon--"Computer Horizons"
which makes this WEBLINES software seems to be one of those
"small companies that CARES about their customers".
They very kindly walked us through the (simple) installation, so as to
make it as fast as possible, so that the system was down for the minimum
length of time.
At the moment, we recommend them without reservation: 508/464-5667.
---------------
TELNET USERS: --Don't worry, TELNET still works if you prefer that method
of access.
THE INTERNET DOWNLOAD PROBLEMS ARE GONE--LOGON AT:
http://bryx.com/bbs or http://bryx.com/bbs/
Gregg Strom--your happy SYSOP!
=======================================================================
December 30, 1996 - Monday
-----------------
This is a HIGHLY unusual "news" statement, as we are writing it BEFORE
the actual event. It is not news yet--but we don't have a better place
to post it.
We expect TODAY is the day that we will be installing WEBLINES, and doing
other backups and upgrades. Because of this, the BBS portion will be down
with only the WEB SERVER operating. (For more details, continue on
below....)
=======================================================================
December 28, 1996 - Super Saturday - IT ARRIVED!
-----------------
I am now frenetically reading the instructions that came with the
WEBLINES product (arriving by Express Mail today.)
In just a day or two, we can all forget about TELNET, the horrible
Worldgroup support for the TELNET interface, and INTERNET DOWNLOAD
DIFFICULTIES! (See the last few news posts for details!)
=======================================================================
December 27, 1996 - FANTASTIC FRIDAY!
-----------------
ALL GONE! The Internet Download problem should be all gone in the next
few days a we have ordered the WEBLINES software mentioned below...
NO MORE TELNET HASSLES, NO MORE (shudder) actually having to read the
instructions--it'll ALL just work with your browser!
Scheduled to be shipped today, it should arrive VERY soon and will be
installed within 24 hours (on a business day) of arrival.
"We continue to build...BRYX by BRYX...."
Want to make a FORTUNE next holiday
season? Sell "pre-drained" batteries
to parents who can't BEAR the thought
of having to wait for the normal
batery life of moisy toys to expire....
In Time Magazine's Letters to the Editor, it seems that everyone is
trying to apologize for, rationalize, explain or condem the use of
marijuana (and other durgs) by today's parents during the sixties.
Apparently, the "thinking" (thinking?) is that if someone has used such
drugs in the past, they are incapable of recommending seriously that
their children should not.
Huh?
Cannot parents explain that this is a decision to be made LATER in life
--as MANY activities (such as driving, sex, marriage and voting) are ALL
reserved exclusively to those who qualify (primarily) because of the
AGE of the individual! This is NOT difficult to explain....
Get a LIFE-and a BRAIN...PULEEEEEEZE!
=======================================================================
December 25-26, 1996 - Wednesday thru Thursday
--------------------
The DOWNLOAD PROBLEM - patience, folks! This one is close to being
solved. If everything goes WRONG, we will have clear instructions and/or
our new software from our ONLINE SOFTWARE company by January 9, 1997.
(That's LESS than a few weeks from today.)
Keep checking HERE in Today's News for SPECIFIC details of our progress.
Notes for FRIDAY: We will be contacting BOTH our software company AND a
"third-party" vendor for this solution. This "third-party" vendor is
called WEBLINES, and they sell a product that allows COMPLETE ACCESS to
our service--with only a conventional BROWSER--***NO*** "TELNET" to
download and install, no difficult instructions.
More here in less than 48 hours....
=======================================================================
Instant Update: SYSOP PREDICTS:
That the U.S. Post Office will stop spending money on "designer stamps"
and will FINALLY figure the technology for people to include their OWN
pic's on stamps--of course, people such as myself will push whatever
ill-defined limits they have on showing naked or nearly-naked men....
=======================================================================
December 24-25, 1996 - Monday thru Tuesday
--------------------
For those who have figured out how to download files from the Internet,
we have found yet ANOTHER problem with our software--but we hope that
the answers will come after the holidays from our software company--they
have given us hope...ANYWAY:
The software allows us to "join" Libraries together (invisibly)--except
it looks as if it may NOT be invisible to INTERNET users. So here are
some "behind the scenes" views that may help you find more files.
We break each library into three basic "sub-libraries" consisting of the
BASE library, that includes all text and miscellaneous files, an IMAGE
library (self-explanitory), and an IMAGE CATALOG library that holds the
"thumbnail" catalog pages.
The naming of these libraries is as follows: BRONSTAR would be the
BASE library, BRONIMG would be the BronStar IMAGE library, and BRONIMGC
would be the catalog library.
The Ath-Elite Library is further broken down by members who are new, and
those members who have completed and returned the Member Agreement.
The "CONFIRMED" Members get access to the ATHreal libraries: ATHREAL,
ATHIMGR, ATHIMGCR.
**** ALL OF THIS COMPLICATION WILL HOPEFULLY GO AWAY WITH THE NEW UPGRADE
EXPECTED TO ARRIVE **VERY** SOON!
=======================================================================
December 22, 1996 - Sunday
----------------- M O R E ! ! !
--------------
WE HAVE JUST WELCOMED THE 2002nd MEMBER TO B R Y X O n l i n e !
And are looking forward to the next 1000! (In the last 45 days ALONE,
we have gone from just over 1300 to 2000, where the first 1300 took well
over a year... This "Viking" is certainly enjoying this "snowball" - from
the warmth of Southern California...the MECCA of Bodybuilding, Bodies, and
Sex... ("B.B.S." <g>).
December 22, 1996 - Sunday
-----------------
An ENTIRE week with no update to the "Today's News"? HORRIBLE...but not
as horrible as being stuck in bed with pain pills from that damn car
crash.... I'm back doing some "cardio", even though it looks like it will
be a while before I can do a chest workout again--MAJOR brusing in the
sternum area....
BUT, We are looking forward to adding the new disk drives onto the system,
and have some hope that the fight with our software vendor is nearing its
end--which should solve the "DOWNLOAD PROBLEM" for many Members who have
had difficulty to date....
WE'VE JUST RECEIVED NEW IMAGE/SOUND/MUSIC processing equipment and
software--watch for more "product" to be available soon. (And the word
"product" includes the FREE stuff....)
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST: With "WEB TV", and all the "Browser Wars" going
on, it looks like we are about to see the re-invention of the "Commodore 64"
in a 1996 version--which is a GOOD THING!
This is the computer that brought "computing to the masses" and was flexible
enough to keep everyone from game-players to computer-nerds ecstatic!
...What was old is NEW again.....
=======================================================================
December 14, 1996 - Saturday
-----------------
Bad News, Worse News and GREAT NEWS!
The (minor) bad news is that we won't get our "digital signature" to
protect our images and work from people copying them until
January 7, 1997.
We WILL put some more pic's online anyway, but they won't have the best
color correction, resolution, etc....
The WORST news is that my car was TOTALLED Sunday. It is SO bad that
the insurance company won't talk about it by its license number, or its
VIN number--now it is only a "stock number" to be sold as scrap....
The GREAT news is that our new software should be arriving shortly, and
we'll begin testing it IMMEDIATELY on our development system.
We expect to have it moved to the online system by the end of December.
ALSO THIS THURSDAY THE SYSTEM WILL BE DOWN FOR MUCH OF THE DAY AS WE
DO BACKUPS, ADD SEVERAL DISK DRIVES AND DO OTHER MAINTINENCE.
There is also some GOOD NEWS on more BRYX products coming out--we can't
tell you just yet--but soon!
=======================================================================
December 11, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
Your "DBS" (Dear Beloved Sysop), was rear-ended in BEV HILLS this Sunday
morning--this is being typed one-handed--one shoulder is still screwed-up.
If anyone knows how many calories are burned off from "climbing the walls",
please let me know!
Our new Adobe "digital signature" included in the 4.0 upgrade should be
here by next Monday or Tuesday--this means at least 9 new images online
within 24 hours of that!
We will hopefully have an EASY-TO-USE answer for those who want to
download via the Internet. (With or without or software company's
cooperation!)
=======================================================================
December 7, 1996 - Saturday
----------------
I forgot to mention that we are (yes, even again) adding MORE to our
Web Site....
=======================================================================
December 6, 1996 - Friday
----------------
OOPS! One-half of you were able to read this "Today's News" section on
time--we forgot to copy it to BOTH directories for access on both the
WEB SITE and on the BRYX Online BBS.
ANYWAY, we're having the strangest problem with our (hopefully) new
Internet provider--they want us to sign a contract that we know (and
THEY know!) we would be violating the minute we connect to the Internet
through their system!
Our sales person disclaimed any understanding of the problem as "I am
not a legal ethicist"--but these fancy words for right and wrong don't
change the nature of the problem. (More detail tomorrow.)
_____
FILE DOWNLOADS: As we said (below) in the previous post here, we are
working on the download problem. We expect to have a good, solid
fairly easy-to-use solution by Tuesday for those Members who are still
having difficulty. (We say Tuesday, because we think we are going to
know by Sunday--but don't like to make promises we can't keep.)
_____
NOTE TO OUR SOFTWARE COMPANY: When dealing with this person called a
"customer", it might be a good idea to allow the "customer" to
OCCASIONALLY be allowed to finish at least one sentance in the course
of a long conversation.
BRXY Members, these guys sound like a bunch of New Yorkers that have
discovered a "good thing" down in Florida.
After spending three years commuting two weeks NYC, two weeks LA, two
weeks NYC, two weeks, LA, etc. I am reminded once again that I **KNOW**
why I live on the West Coast!
=======================================================================
December 4, 1996 - Wednesday
----------------
Over a week since this file was last updated--that would be DISGUSTING
if you haven't yet seen the work we've done on the WEB SITE!
BIG ALSO, (there's more!), we've finished a BUNCH of new pictures for
ALL of the systems: Ath-Elite, BronStar, and BRYXx--but we're waiting
for delivery of our latest version of PHOTOSHOP that includes the new
"DigiMarc" DIGITAL SIGNATURE for IMAGES--any images that are stolen and
reposted or passed around will now be able to be traced back to the
origonal downloader!
Because we have less fear of theft of our hard word, we will be able
to post EVEN MORE images on-line....
INTERNET USERS:
Are you having problems downloading files? We've been phenomenally busy,
so we have not had time to do any "focus groups", or "system monitoring"
to find where new users are getting stuck.
MOST OF THIS PROBLEM is from our software company TOTALLY forgetting
about the most basic type of access to a BBS! They are coming out with
version 3.0 by a (promised) date of Decemeber 15, 1996--so we hope that
these problems are solved by this release.
If not, check out the instructions that came with your first SIGN-UP
e-mail--we'll be checking them out to, and seeing if there is any way
to simplify them--with THIS company, there usually is a way....
=======================================================================
November 26, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
I feel stupid! I've been trying to find time to promote our soon-to-be
section for Personal Trainers and Models/Escorts--TOTALLY forgetting
that I have this WONDERFUL set of WEB PAGES that I can promote on!
Well, check out our new ADVERTISERS page if you're interested....
_____
It looks like we've found our new company to connect to the Internet-
--we don't want to say who it is yet...but the contracts are coming!
_____
Some VERY patient people have been trying to connect--and we FINALLY
realized that our instructions for using the MTELNET "plug-in" were
not complete.
They are now.
=======================================================================
November 24-25, 1996 - Sunday, Monday
--------------------
"Earth-Stink" (AKA Earthlink) provides the connection from BRYX Online
to the Internet--POORLY!
Sunday night our connection died COMPLETELY for four hours...the after
hours support person (there is only one...) could not return my call--
--because he was ASLEEP! (Not to mention, he din't "officially have to
work" at that time....)
When asked what would happen if the failure had happened at the beginning
of a LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND, and what I would be able to do to RESTORE
service, there was NO answer.
BYE, EARTHLINK--hello "New I.S.P."....
=======================================================================
November 23, 1996 - Saturday
-----------------
More WOW!
Sign-ups, after a brief dip, are back to the OUTSTANDING clip of over
ONE PER HOUR! This has caused a FLOOD of work here--Member
"Healer Seven" (AKA "Healer") has been helping get things in order
here--but this means he hasn't had time to update the BODYBUILDING
mASsTROLOGY feature here--we're going to have to drop it until MORE
HELP becomes available....
_____
We've also had a few hours to put together some more XXX pic's from our
next video--watch for them to be posted shortly.
ALSO, check out our latest WEB SITE revision, if you haven't seen it in
the last 2-3 days! MANY new changes and features....
______
We've been promised by yet ANOTHER Galacticomm person that answers will
be forthcoming--by Tuesday afternoon. We will, of course, let you know
1) If the answers come at all, and 2) What the answers mean about this
(so far) unresponsive company. Problems in their basic program that were
pointed out over a year ago still have not been fixed, and their latest
Newsletter ("Visions") details ALL the ways they have decided that they
can ignore customer difficulties.
WE ARE CONSIDERING what we believe will be a first: Sueing a software
company for what legal types call "Specific Performance". What this
means is that INSTEAD of sueing for money, we sue for them to ACTUALLY
MAKE THEIR SOFTWARE WORK AS PROMISED. (What a SHOCK! Software that
actually works?!?!!!)
I'm sure the concept of having a judge tell them what their engineers
can work on--until their product works--will absolutely DRIVE THEM NUTS.
We **ALL** know that the typical software company would rather be busy
promising more features and complications to their products than actually
making them WORK....
=======================================================================
November 22, 1996 - Friday
-----------------
"Galacti-Con" (Galacticomm) is living up to the name we've coined...
yesterday, I called Bill Posner, head of Tech Support asking about my
e-mail of October 18--that was copied AGAIN about a week ago.
He claimed not to have received them, and when asked about the exact
e-mail address we discovered someone had apparently been impersonating
him! (He did not show any concern over this!)
ANYWAY, I sent him to the e-mail address he specified WHILE I WAS ON
THE PHONE WITH HIM. It has been over a day since then, and since sending
a request for verification that the e-mail had been received.
I have received no answer.
=======================================================================
November 15-21, 1996 - Friday thru Thursday
--------------------
Well, while it has been quiet here in TODAY'S NEWS, you can see the
results of our Web Site work by noticing the NEW MEMBERS signing up
at the rate of one each hour!
It is also a rare instance when our site goes for longer than ONE MINUTE
without an access (or MULTIPLE access)!
Also, a special thanks to Men On the Net (http://www.menonthenet.com)
for their listing, which we feel contributed GREATLY to the big surge
in membership.
NO THANKS to our software company (Galacti-Con, um...er "Galacticomm")
which did not respond to PHONE CALLS, VOICE MAIL, E-MAIL and only
responded when we spent over $70.00 to send a VERY OLD FASHIONED TELEGRAM!
This is NOT customer service....
=======================================================================
November 11-14, 1996 - Monday thru Thursday
--------------------
WOW, WOW, WOW! I hope you have Web Browser--as we made another QUANTUM
EXPANSION in the sophistication and detail of our http://bryx.com site!
For those of you interested in our XXX-rated Adult material, YOU CAN
DOWNLOAD OUR COMPLETE CATALOG once you are a Full Member.
For details on joining, see the "HOW TO JOIN" information on our Web
site.
IF YOU ARE A (FULL-ADULT) CURRENT MEMBER ON THE BRYX SYSTEM, REMEMBER
THERE ARE ***UN-POSTED*** IMAGES IN THE BRYX CATALOG--BE SURE TO
DOWNLOAD IT FOR YOUR PLEASURE!
=======================================================================
November 10, 1996 - Sunday
-----------------
"Galacti-Con Job" does not seem to respond to: Phone Calls, Voice Mail,
or E-mail. We have STOOPED to sending a TELEGRAM in the hopes that we
will get **some** sort of favorable response before filing a lawsuit....
=======================================================================
November 9, 1996 - Saturday
----------------
Well BIG BROTHER BILL is still after our Civil Liberties--as he is now
chastising the liquor industry fro trying to advertise thier products on
TV--just the same way wine, beer and other alcoholic beverage companies
have been doing for years.
He is ALREADY accusing them of wanting "to go after the youth market"...
this is a WONDERFULLY MEANINGLESS accusation--if the ads feature "young
people" (under 30), they are "identifying with the young"; if they show
"mature people" in "Adult settings", they are showing it as "an adult
thing to do". DOES IT SEEM TO YOU THAT THIS IS A NO-WIN SITUATION?
BIG BROTHER is (still) here....
_____
On to BRYX Online system business...we are currently in a state of limbo
as we wait, and wait, and wait...for Galacti-Con to respond to ANY of our
MANY problems with them.
Lawsuits are SOOOOO tedious....
=======================================================================
November 6-8, 1996 - Wednesday thru Friday
------------------
I guess people REALLY didn't know that the BRYX systems are free...it has
been AMAZING the number of new sign-ups we've received wince modifying
the Web pages...now to create a "sign-up" page so that people stop
sending e-mail requesting the Member Agreement, and simply sign-up so
that this happens automatically....
=======================================================================
October 31 - November 5, 1996 - Thursday thru Tuesday
-----------------------------
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!
MORE redesign of the Web pages, MORE pain-in-the ass from Galacticom,
AND... We are almost done with a FULL COLOR XXX publication. (It will
be advertised on the system as soon as it is available.)
Of course, now that I'm looking to buy a house...the apartment is
FINALLY getting organized. Oh well.
(Also had a Letter to the Editor published in this month's
BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE. November 1996 cover date.)
=======================================================================
October 19, 1996 - Tuesday
----------------
We HAD to change some of our Web pages...apparently (as we were told BOTH
by casual browsers AND and a GAY listing service), we had not made it
clear that BRYX Online is a free service.
FOLKS! IT'S FREE!
(For those of you reading this on a browser, this "today's news" is
ALSO available directly on the BBS portion of BRYX Online--that's why
we mention the Web page changes you may have already seen....)
=======================================================================
October 28, 1996 - Monday
----------------
The President of "Galacti-Con" (Galacticomm) promised to check out
several "issues" (read BIG problems) that I had with his company. This
was several weeks (months?) ago.
Obviously I would not be mentioning this conversation in this fashion if
an answer had been received....
SO... I am actively shopping for alternative software. Currently I am
looking at Wildcat! and various UNIX based solutions.
BOY is UNIX obscure! --but it may end up being the best solution--a well
tested solution--but with minimal support. Or is that "minimal support"
any different from what I am getting now?!??
=======================================================================
October 27, 1996 - Sunday
----------------
I almost don't want to tell about this--but what the hell...I'M EXCITED!
There is another (bigger) Gay Online service that would like to have us
hook into their chat lines...we'll see if this works out....
=======================================================================
October 24-26, 1996 - Thursday thru Saturday
-------------------
We have received the FORMAL announcement from our soon-to-be FORMER
software company. They've decided to go the "Microsoft way" and play
GOD with mere consumers of their products.
We are looking at shifting the board over to another platform, AND at a
lawsuit against this company for changing the terms of their support
after promises were made (prior to purchase).
The company is "Galacticomm". Their publication that announced these
draconian changes is called "Visions".
GOOD NEWS is that we've finished doing another revision and "teaser"
for "The BRYX-BODY Workout" which are both posted here and on the
CompuServe Bodybuilding forum.
The NEW teaser adds a few illustrations, and is in the Windows Write
format.
=======================================================================
October 15-23, 1996 - ...thru Wednesday
-------------------
I WOULD BE EMBARRESSED if the last week had been even 1% easier--but as it
was, but things were such a ZOO around here, that I've had no time to
update this "TODAY'S NEWS" section. And this is one of my FUN activities-
-I enjoy relating the exciting news.
And the BIG exciting news is that our SOFTWARE COMPANY for this Online
System has announced a GREAT update, promised for November delivery.
In the meantime, we've been working FRANTICALLY doing some "behind-the-
scenes" system re-modeling. You should see a BIG difference before the
end of the year....
=======================================================================
October 9-14, 1996 - Saturday thru Monday
------------------
Not much done on the system--still more clean up was required after the
various floods....
However, we have decided upon some basic policy changes that will make
some type of access easier, and others more restricted.
It is VERY mind-boggeling how rapidly market shifts happen in these
so-called "Internet-years"...!
Watch for detailed announcements in the logon message.
=======================================================================
October 4-8, 1996 - Monday thru Friday
-----------------
It is not yet "Plagues & Pestilence" yet, but after the flood from
upstairs, the air-conditioner started flooding some of our reference
stuff, and OUR plumbing started leaking downstairs! (Causing a call
from the building "Super-" at seven f'ing thrity in the morning....)
Hopefully, we've seen the worse, and are UNQUESTIONABLY looking forward
to house-hunting.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION and complaints about the cost of joining
the system here--even though the word "FREE" is mentioned at least a
half dozen times in various places....
So once again, the Online Service is FREE!
While it is likely that certain portions of the system will have a
SMALL charge associated with their use, it is our intent, goal, and
comittment to keep as MUCH of the system completely free--including a
portion of the ADULT (BRYXx) material.
And while we had hope to leave our HomePage "stable" for a while, it
looks like we are going to have to fix this bit of info EMPHASIS right
away.
Finally, a widely sought after new item: We have been processing a NUMBER
of graphics that are now ready for release--as soon as we add the
COPYRIGHT notices, etc. Look forward to another JUMP in the number of
files available....
=======================================================================
September 30-October 3, 1996 - Monday thru Sunday !!!
----------------------------
OBVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN BUSY!
Besides having our Internet connection DIE for several hours on Thursday,
we've been flooded with dirty water from upstairs, and... (well, you get
the idea....)
Thursday, we enjoyed a flood of dirty water--destroying WEEKS of work.
This is "Flood #5"--SOMETHING must be done soon....
THE SAME DAY, "Earth-Stink" (aka Earthlink) lost our Internet/Web
connection. This is not the first time.
We called at 4:30 (the link had been down for a couple of hours by then)
and asked if it was just our "POP" dial-in number, or if it was the
entire system.
We were told that "...all of Earthlink is down -- it will up in about an
hour".
IT WAS ABOUT 9:00PM BEFORE OUR SERVICE WAS RESTORED!!!
Monday, I start the move to another connection service--I'm pretty sure it
will either be NETCOM (who hasn't returned ANY of my phone calls) or
AT&T (who ALSO hasn't returned my calls...).
We are also in the process of installing a backup server for those times
when we are doing backups....
=======================================================================
January 2, 1997 - Thursday
---------------
Your sysop is resting his (shhhh!) head today....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
January 1, 1997 - Wednesday
---------------
Your SYSOP (System Operator) Gregg Strom wishes you a GREAT GREGORIAN
NEW YEAR! Have you had problems downloading from the Internet? No more,
no longer, "fine'", it's fixed, NO PROBLEM.
For details, check out the info over the last few days--and continue to
check this TODAY'S NEWS areas for updates....
========================================================================
###### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ### 1997 ######
========================================================================
December 31, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
WEBLINES is now ONLINE! You can access the system from your browser by
going to:
http://bryx.com/bbs
This will get you to the LOGON SCREEN.
Minor problems that will be fixed:
1) The screen is hard to read because of the background color.
2) When the system tells you to press the [Enter] key or <Return> or
<CR>, you must put at least ONE character in the box before clicking on
the MORE button. (We use a period.)
3) The system is not showing all of our fancy screens, but only the
default menu. (Which is a bit more awkward to understand--but not TOO
bad....
---------------
We expect these minor problems to be fixed soon--"Computer Horizons"
which makes this WEBLINES software seems to be one of those
"small companies that CARES about their customers".
They very kindly walked us through the (simple) installation, so as to
make it as fast as possible, so that the system was down for the minimum
length of time.
At the moment, we recommend them without reservation: 508/464-5667.
---------------
TELNET USERS: --Don't worry, TELNET still works if you prefer that method
of access.
THE INTERNET DOWNLOAD PROBLEMS ARE GONE--LOGON AT:
http://bryx.com/bbs or http://bryx.com/bbs/
Gregg Strom--your happy SYSOP!
=======================================================================
December 30, 1996 - Monday
-----------------
This is a HIGHLY unusual "news" statement, as we are writing it BEFORE
the actual event. It is not news yet--but we don't have a better place
to post it.
We expect TODAY is the day that we will be installing WEBLINES, and doing
other backups and upgrades. Because of this, the BBS portion will be down
with only the WEB SERVER operating. (For more details, continue on
below....)
=======================================================================
December 28, 1996 - Super Saturday - IT ARRIVED!
-----------------
I am now frenetically reading the instructions that came with the
WEBLINES product (arriving by Express Mail today.)
In just a day or two, we can all forget about TELNET, the horrible
Worldgroup support for the TELNET interface, and INTERNET DOWNLOAD
DIFFICULTIES! (See the last few news posts for details!)
=======================================================================
December 27, 1996 - FANTASTIC FRIDAY!
-----------------
ALL GONE! The Internet Download problem should be all gone in the next
few days a we have ordered the WEBLINES software mentioned below...
NO MORE TELNET HASSLES, NO MORE (shudder) actually having to read the
instructions--it'll ALL just work with your browser!
Scheduled to be shipped today, it should arrive VERY soon and will be
installed within 24 hours (on a business day) of arrival.
"We continue to build...BRYX by BRYX...."
Want to make a FORTUNE next holiday
season? Sell "pre-drained" batteries
to parents who can't BEAR the thought
of having to wait for the normal
batery life of moisy toys to expire....
In Time Magazine's Letters to the Editor, it seems that everyone is
trying to apologize for, rationalize, explain or condem the use of
marijuana (and other durgs) by today's parents during the sixties.
Apparently, the "thinking" (thinking?) is that if someone has used such
drugs in the past, they are incapable of recommending seriously that
their children should not.
Huh?
Cannot parents explain that this is a decision to be made LATER in life
--as MANY activities (such as driving, sex, marriage and voting) are ALL
reserved exclusively to those who qualify (primarily) because of the
AGE of the individual! This is NOT difficult to explain....
Get a LIFE-and a BRAIN...PULEEEEEEZE!
=======================================================================
December 25-26, 1996 - Wednesday thru Thursday
--------------------
The DOWNLOAD PROBLEM - patience, folks! This one is close to being
solved. If everything goes WRONG, we will have clear instructions and/or
our new software from our ONLINE SOFTWARE company by January 9, 1997.
(That's LESS than a few weeks from today.)
Keep checking HERE in Today's News for SPECIFIC details of our progress.
Notes for FRIDAY: We will be contacting BOTH our software company AND a
"third-party" vendor for this solution. This "third-party" vendor is
called WEBLINES, and they sell a product that allows COMPLETE ACCESS to
our service--with only a conventional BROWSER--***NO*** "TELNET" to
download and install, no difficult instructions.
More here in less than 48 hours....
=======================================================================
Instant Update: SYSOP PREDICTS:
That the U.S. Post Office will stop spending money on "designer stamps"
and will FINALLY figure the technology for people to include their OWN
pic's on stamps--of course, people such as myself will push whatever
ill-defined limits they have on showing naked or nearly-naked men....
=======================================================================
December 24-25, 1996 - Monday thru Tuesday
--------------------
For those who have figured out how to download files from the Internet,
we have found yet ANOTHER problem with our software--but we hope that
the answers will come after the holidays from our software company--they
have given us hope...ANYWAY:
The software allows us to "join" Libraries together (invisibly)--except
it looks as if it may NOT be invisible to INTERNET users. So here are
some "behind the scenes" views that may help you find more files.
We break each library into three basic "sub-libraries" consisting of the
BASE library, that includes all text and miscellaneous files, an IMAGE
library (self-explanitory), and an IMAGE CATALOG library that holds the
"thumbnail" catalog pages.
The naming of these libraries is as follows: BRONSTAR would be the
BASE library, BRONIMG would be the BronStar IMAGE library, and BRONIMGC
would be the catalog library.
The Ath-Elite Library is further broken down by members who are new, and
those members who have completed and returned the Member Agreement.
The "CONFIRMED" Members get access to the ATHreal libraries: ATHREAL,
ATHIMGR, ATHIMGCR.
**** ALL OF THIS COMPLICATION WILL HOPEFULLY GO AWAY WITH THE NEW UPGRADE
EXPECTED TO ARRIVE **VERY** SOON!
=======================================================================
December 22, 1996 - Sunday
----------------- M O R E ! ! !
--------------
WE HAVE JUST WELCOMED THE 2002nd MEMBER TO B R Y X O n l i n e !
And are looking forward to the next 1000! (In the last 45 days ALONE,
we have gone from just over 1300 to 2000, where the first 1300 took well
over a year... This "Viking" is certainly enjoying this "snowball" - from
the warmth of Southern California...the MECCA of Bodybuilding, Bodies, and
Sex... ("B.B.S." <g&gr;).
December 22, 1996 - Sunday
-----------------
An ENTIRE week with no update to the "Today's News"? HORRIBLE...but not
as horrible as being stuck in bed with pain pills from that damn car
crash.... I'm back doing some "cardio", even though it looks like it will
be a while before I can do a chest workout again--MAJOR brusing in the
sternum area....
BUT, We are looking forward to adding the new disk drives onto the system,
and have some hope that the fight with our software vendor is nearing its
end--which should solve the "DOWNLOAD PROBLEM" for many Members who have
had difficulty to date....
WE'VE JUST RECEIVED NEW IMAGE/SOUND/MUSIC processing equipment and
software--watch for more "product" to be available soon. (And the word
"product" includes the FREE stuff....)
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST: With "WEB TV", and all the "Browser Wars" going
on, it looks like we are about to see the re-invention of the
"Commodore 64" in a 1996 version--which is a GOOD THING!
This is the computer that brought "computing to the masses" and was
flexible enough to keep everyone from game-players to computer-nerds
ecstatic!
...What was old is NEW again.....
=======================================================================
December 14, 1996 - Saturday
-----------------
Bad News, Worse News and GREAT NEWS!
The (minor) bad news is that we won't get our "digital signature" to
protect our images and work from people copying them until
January 7, 1997.
We WILL put some more pic's online anyway, but they won't have the best
color correction, resolution, etc....
The WORST news is that my car was TOTALLED Sunday. It is SO bad that
the insurance company won't talk about it by its license number, or its
VIN number--now it is only a "stock number" to be sold as scrap....
The GREAT news is that our new software should be arriving shortly, and
we'll begin testing it IMMEDIATELY on our development system.
We expect to have it moved to the online system by the end of December.
ALSO THIS THURSDAY THE SYSTEM WILL BE DOWN FOR MUCH OF THE DAY AS WE
DO BACKUPS, ADD SEVERAL DISK DRIVES AND DO OTHER MAINTINENCE.
There is also some GOOD NEWS on more BRYX products coming out--we can't
tell you just yet--but soon!
=======================================================================
December 11, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
Your "DBS" (Dear Beloved Sysop), was rear-ended in BEV HILLS this Sunday
morning--this is being typed one-handed--one shoulder is still screwed-up.
If anyone knows how many calories are burned off from "climbing the
walls", please let me know!
Our new Adobe "digital signature" included in the 4.0 upgrade should be
here by next Monday or Tuesday--this means at least 9 new images online
within 24 hours of that!
We will hopefully have an EASY-TO-USE answer for those who want to
download via the Internet. (With or without or software company's
cooperation!)
=======================================================================
December 7, 1996 - Saturday
----------------
I forgot to mention that we are (yes, even again) adding MORE to our
Web Site....
=======================================================================
December 6, 1996 - Friday
----------------
OOPS! One-half of you were able to read this "Today's News" section on
time--we forgot to copy it to BOTH directories for access on both the
WEB SITE and on the BRYX Online BBS.
ANYWAY, we're having the strangest problem with our (hopefully) new
Internet provider--they want us to sign a contract that we know (and
THEY know!) we would be violating the minute we connect to the Internet
through their system!
Our sales person disclaimed any understanding of the problem as "I am
not a legal ethicist"--but these fancy words for right and wrong don't
change the nature of the problem. (More detail tomorrow.)
_____
FILE DOWNLOADS: As we said (below) in the previous post here, we are
working on the download problem. We expect to have a good, solid
fairly easy-to-use solution by Tuesday for those Members who are still
having difficulty. (We say Tuesday, because we think we are going to
know by Sunday--but don't like to make promises we can't keep.)
_____
NOTE TO OUR SOFTWARE COMPANY: When dealing with this person called a
"customer", it might be a good idea to allow the "customer" to
OCCASIONALLY be allowed to finish at least one sentance in the course
of a long conversation.
BRXY Members, these guys sound like a bunch of New Yorkers that have
discovered a "good thing" down in Florida.
After spending three years commuting two weeks NYC, two weeks LA, two
weeks NYC, two weeks, LA, etc. I am reminded once again that I **KNOW**
why I live on the West Coast!
=======================================================================
December 4, 1996 - Wednesday
----------------
Over a week since this file was last updated--that would be DISGUSTING
if you haven't yet seen the work we've done on the WEB SITE!
BIG ALSO, (there's more!), we've finished a BUNCH of new pictures for
ALL of the systems: Ath-Elite, BronStar, and BRYXx--but we're waiting
for delivery of our latest version of PHOTOSHOP that includes the new
"DigiMarc" DIGITAL SIGNATURE for IMAGES--any images that are stolen and
reposted or passed around will now be able to be traced back to the
origonal downloader!
Because we have less fear of theft of our hard word, we will be able
to post EVEN MORE images on-line....
INTERNET USERS:
Are you having problems downloading files? We've been phenomenally busy,
so we have not had time to do any "focus groups", or "system monitoring"
to find where new users are getting stuck.
MOST OF THIS PROBLEM is from our software company TOTALLY forgetting
about the most basic type of access to a BBS! They are coming out with
version 3.0 by a (promised) date of Decemeber 15, 1996--so we hope that
these problems are solved by this release.
If not, check out the instructions that came with your first SIGN-UP
e-mail--we'll be checking them out to, and seeing if there is any way
to simplify them--with THIS company, there usually is a way....
=======================================================================
November 26, 1996 - Tuesday
-----------------
I feel stupid! I've been trying to find time to promote our soon-to-be
section for Personal Trainers and Models/Escorts--TOTALLY forgetting
that I have this WONDERFUL set of WEB PAGES that I can promote on!
Well, check out our new ADVERTISERS page if you're interested....
_____
It looks like we've found our new company to connect to the Internet-
--we don't want to say who it is yet...but the contracts are coming!
_____
Some VERY patient people have been trying to connect--and we FINALLY
realized that our instructions for using the MTELNET "plug-in" were
not complete.
They are now.
=======================================================================
November 24-25, 1996 - Sunday, Monday
--------------------
"Earth-Stink" (AKA Earthlink) provides the connection from BRYX Online
to the Internet--POORLY!
Sunday night our connection died COMPLETELY for four hours...the after
hours support person (there is only one...) could not return my call--
--because he was ASLEEP! (Not to mention, he din't "officially have to
work" at that time....)
When asked what would happen if the failure had happened at the beginning
of a LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND, and what I would be able to do to RESTORE
service, there was NO answer.
BYE, EARTHLINK--hello "New I.S.P."....
=======================================================================
November 23, 1996 - Saturday
-----------------
More WOW!
Sign-ups, after a brief dip, are back to the OUTSTANDING clip of over
ONE PER HOUR! This has caused a FLOOD of work here--Member
"Healer Seven" (AKA "Healer") has been helping get things in order
here--but this means he hasn't had time to update the BODYBUILDING
mASsTROLOGY feature here--we're going to have to drop it until MORE
HELP becomes available....
_____
We've also had a few hours to put together some more XXX pic's from our
next video--watch for them to be posted shortly.
ALSO, check out our latest WEB SITE revision, if you haven't seen it in
the last 2-3 days! MANY new changes and features....
______
We've been promised by yet ANOTHER Galacticomm person that answers will
be forthcoming--by Tuesday afternoon. We will, of course, let you know
1) If the answers come at all, and 2) What the answers mean about this
(so far) unresponsive company. Problems in their basic program that were
pointed out over a year ago still have not been fixed, and their latest
Newsletter ("Visions") details ALL the ways they have decided that they
can ignore customer difficulties.
WE ARE CONSIDERING what we believe will be a first: Sueing a software
company for what legal types call "Specific Performance". What this
means is that INSTEAD of sueing for money, we sue for them to ACTUALLY
MAKE THEIR SOFTWARE WORK AS PROMISED. (What a SHOCK! Software that
actually works?!?!!!)
I'm sure the concept of having a judge tell them what their engineers
can work on--until their product works--will absolutely DRIVE THEM NUTS.
We **ALL** know that the typical software company would rather be busy
promising more features and complications to their products than actually
making them WORK....
=======================================================================
November 22, 1996 - Friday
-----------------
"Galacti-Con" (Galacticomm) is living up to the name we've coined...
yesterday, I called Bill Posner, head of Tech Support asking about my
e-mail of October 18--that was copied AGAIN about a week ago.
He claimed not to have received them, and when asked about the exact
e-mail address we discovered someone had apparently been impersonating
him! (He did not show any concern over this!)
ANYWAY, I sent him to the e-mail address he specified WHILE I WAS ON
THE PHONE WITH HIM. It has been over a day since then, and since sending
a request for verification that the e-mail had been received.
I have received no answer.
=======================================================================
November 15-21, 1996 - Friday thru Thursday
--------------------
Well, while it has been quiet here in TODAY'S NEWS, you can see the
results of our Web Site work by noticing the NEW MEMBERS signing up
at the rate of one each hour!
It is also a rare instance when our site goes for longer than ONE MINUTE
without an access (or MULTIPLE access)!
Also, a special thanks to Men On the Net (http://www.menonthenet.com)
for their listing, which we feel contributed GREATLY to the big surge
in membership.
NO THANKS to our software company (Galacti-Con, um...er "Galacticomm")
which did not respond to PHONE CALLS, VOICE MAIL, E-MAIL and only responded
when we spent over $70.00 to send a VERY OLD FASHIONED TELEGRAM!
This is NOT customer service....
=======================================================================
November 11-14, 1996 - Monday thru Thursday
--------------------
WOW, WOW, WOW! I hope you have Web Browser--as we made another QUANTUM
EXPANSION in the sophistication and detail of our http://bryx.com site!
For those of you interested in our XXX-rated Adult material, YOU CAN
DOWNLOAD OUR COMPLETE CATALOG once you are a Full Member.
For details on joining, see the "HOW TO JOIN" information on our Web
site.
IF YOU ARE A (FULL-ADULT) CURRENT MEMBER ON THE BRYX SYSTEM, REMEMBER
THERE ARE ***UN-POSTED*** IMAGES IN THE BRYX CATALOG--BE SURE TO
DOWNLOAD IT FOR YOUR PLEASURE!
=======================================================================
November 10, 1996 - Sunday
-----------------
"Galacti-Con Job" does not seem to respond to: Phone Calls, Voice Mail,
or E-mail. We have STOOPED to sending a TELEGRAM in the hopes that we
will get **some** sort of favorable response before filing a lawsuit....
=======================================================================
November 9, 1996 - Saturday
----------------
Well BIG BROTHER BILL is still after our Civil Liberties--as he is now
chastising the liquor industry fro trying to advertise thier products on
TV--just the same way wine, beer and other alcoholic beverage companies
have been doing for years.
He is ALREADY accusing them of wanting "to go after the youth market"...
this is a WONDERFULLY MEANINGLESS accusation--if the ads feature "young
people" (under 30), they are "identifying with the young"; if they show
"mature people" in "Adult settings", they are showing it as "an adult
thing to do". DOES IT SEEM TO YOU THAT THIS IS A NO-WIN SITUATION?
BIG BROTHER is (still) here....
_____
On to BRYX Online system business...we are currently in a state of limbo
as we wait, and wait, and wait...for Galacti-Con to respond to ANY of our
MANY problems with them.
Lawsuits are SOOOOO tedious....
=======================================================================
November 6-8, 1996 - Wednesday thru Friday
------------------
I guess people REALLY didn't know that the BRYX systems are free...it has
been AMAZING the number of new sign-ups we've received wince modifying
the Web pages...now to create a "sign-up" page so that people stop
sending e-mail requesting the Member Agreement, and simply sign-up so
that this happens automatically....
=======================================================================
October 31 - November 5, 1996 - Thursday thru Tuesday
-----------------------------
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!
MORE redesign of the Web pages, MORE pain-in-the ass from Galacticom,
AND... We are almost done with a FULL COLOR XXX publication. (It will
be advertised on the system as soon as it is available.)
Of course, now that I'm looking to buy a house...the apartment is
FINALLY getting organized. Oh well.
(Also had a Letter to the Editor published in this month's
BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE. November 1996 cover date.)
=======================================================================
October 19, 1996 - Tuesday
----------------
We HAD to change some of our Web pages...apparently (as we were told BOTH
by casual browsers AND and a GAY listing service), we had not made it
clear that BRYX Online is a free service.
FOLKS! IT'S FREE!
(For those of you reading this on a browser, this "today's news" is
ALSO available directly on the BBS portion of BRYX Online--that's why
we mention the Web page changes you may have already seen....)
=======================================================================
October 28, 1996 - Monday
----------------
The President of "Galacti-Con" (Galacticomm) promised to check out
several "issues" (read BIG problems) that I had with his company. This
was several weeks (months?) ago.
Obviously I would not be mentioning this conversation in this fashion if
an answer had been received....
SO... I am actively shopping for alternative software. Currently I am
looking at Wildcat! and various UNIX based solutions.
BOY is UNIX obscure! --but it may end up being the best solution--a well
tested solution--but with minimal support. Or is that "minimal support"
any different from what I am getting now?!??
=======================================================================
October 27, 1996 - Sunday
----------------
I almost don't want to tell about this--but what the hell...I'M EXCITED!
There is another (bigger) Gay Online service that would like to have us
hook into their chat lines...we'll see if this works out....
=======================================================================
October 24-26, 1996 - Thursday thru Saturday
-------------------
We have received the FORMAL announcement from our soon-to-be FORMER
software company. They've decided to go the "Microsoft way" and play
GOD with mere consumers of their products.
We are looking at shifting the board over to another platform, AND at a
lawsuit against this company for changing the terms of their support
after promises were made (prior to purchase).
The company is "Galacticomm". Their publication that announced these
draconian changes is called "Visions".
GOOD NEWS is that we've finished doing another revision and "teaser"
for "The BRYX-BODY Workout" which are both posted here and on the
CompuServe Bodybuilding forum.
The NEW teaser adds a few illustrations, and is in the Windows Write
format.
=======================================================================
October 15-23, 1996 - ...thru Wednesday
-------------------
I WOULD BE EMBARRESSED if the last week had been even 1% easier--but as it
was, but things were such a ZOO around here, that I've had no time to
update this "TODAY'S NEWS" section. And this is one of my FUN activities-
-I enjoy relating the exciting news.
And the BIG exciting news is that our SOFTWARE COMPANY for this Online
System has announced a GREAT update, promised for November delivery.
In the meantime, we've been working FRANTICALLY doing some "behind-the-
scenes" system re-modeling. You should see a BIG difference before the
end of the year....
=======================================================================
October 9-14, 1996 - Saturday thru Monday
------------------
Not much done on the system--still more clean up was required after the
various floods....
However, we have decided upon some basic policy changes that will make some
type of access easier, and others more restricted.
It is VERY mind-boggeling how rapidly market shifts happen in these
so-called "Internet-years"...!
Watch for detailed announcements in the logon message.
=======================================================================
October 4-8, 1996 - Monday thru Friday
-----------------
It is not yet "Plagues & Pestilence" yet, but after the flood from
upstairs, the air-conditioner started flooding some of our reference
stuff, and OUR plumbing started leaking downstairs! (Causing a call
from the building "Super-" at seven f'ing thrity in the morning....)
Hopefully, we've seen the worse, and are UNQUESTIONABLY looking forward
to house-hunting.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION and complaints about the cost of joining
the system here--even though the word "FREE" is mentioned at least a
half dozen times in various places....
So once again, the Online Service is FREE!
While it is likely that certain portions of the system will have a
SMALL charge associated with their use, it is our intent, goal, and
comittment to keep as MUCH of the system completely free--including a
portion of the ADULT (BRYXx) material.
And while we had hope to leave our HomePage "stable" for a while, it
looks like we are going to have to fix this bit of info EMPHASIS right
away.
Finally, a widely sought after new item: We have been processing a NUMBER
of graphics that are now ready for release--as soon as we add the
COPYRIGHT notices, etc. Look forward to another JUMP in the number of
files available....
=======================================================================
September 30-October 3, 1996 - Monday thru Sunday !!!
----------------------------
OBVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN BUSY!
Besides having our Internet connection DIE for several hours on Thursday,
we've been flooded with dirty water from upstairs, and... (well, you get
the idea....)
Thursday, we enjoyed a flood of dirty water--destroying WEEKS of work.
This is "Flood #5"--SOMETHING must be done soon....
THE SAME DAY, "Earth-Stink" (aka Earthlink) lost our Internet/Web
connection. This is not the first time.
We called at 4:30 (the link had been down for a couple of hours by then)
and asked if it was just our "POP" dial-in number, or if it was the
entire system.
We were told that "...all of Earthlink is down -- it will up in about an
hour".
IT WAS ABOUT 9:00PM BEFORE OUR SERVICE WAS RESTORED!!!
Monday, I start the move to another connection service--I'm pretty sure it
will either be NETCOM (who hasn't returned ANY of my phone calls) or
AT&T (who ALSO hasn't returned my calls...).
We are also in the process of installing a backup server for those times
when we are doing backups....
=======================================================================
September 28-29, 1996 - Saturday, Sunday
---------------------
Several of the "BRYX Guys" and I did a (hopefully) thorough test of all
the menuing systems for all three boards: Ath-Elite, BronStar, and BRYXx.
If you notice any problems that we didn't cath, PLEASE e-mail SYSOP.
Wrote about 20 more pages for the NEXT revision of
"The BRYX-BODY Workout". (Paperback edition.) A revised version of the
e-book edition will be released in the next few weeks, and will have about
15% more pages. (The e-book version is a smaller, abridged version of the
paperback.)
I also finished the album cover (for CD) for the latest release of
"Muscle & Madness". (The master tapes are still in Amsterdam....) I
didn't know how well I had done until some friends went CRAZY over it
"oh'ing and ah'ing" over it--so I'll post a GIF of it, too.
Tommorow I get to cope with those companies and people that don't keep
their "callback" promises. On the list: AT&T, Netcom, and Galacticomm.
Still resting from yesterday's "work-orgy"....
=======================================================================
September 27, 1996 - Friday
------------------
EXHAUSTED!
I am completely EXHAUSTED...in the last 32 hours I:
- Backed up 3 computers.
- Organized and reviewed ALL the files and directories on one of them.
- Tested over a half-dozen Shareware programs.
- COMPLETELY remodeled the "Information Center" and added "Healer's"
new GAY & MUSCLE GOSSIP column. (This brought the system down for
a few hours.)
- FROM *SCRATCH*, did the new cover art for my "Muscle & Madness" music
CD.
- Finish the promotional materials (design) for MuscleChat, OpenChat and
GayChat...printed out the (color) mini-posters for store windows...
ordered the printing for the bar flyers...had some quickly photocopies
(AND distributed!)
- Research some new features and add-ons for BRYX Online.
- And FINALLY, wrote this short--but FULL, news piece....
See you in a day or two!
=======================================================================
=======================================================================
August 30, 1996
---------------
Yes, it is STILL (sigh) Ass-End communications: The new software DIDN'T
fix the problem. I spent ALL DAY on this one problem, and ultimately
ended up with a poor, exhausted tech on my hands, a "poor exhausted" ME
on my hands, and a poor, exhausted engineer engineer up in the S.F. Bay
area....
Of course, this is just before a 3-day holiday, and NOW people can get
the recording announcing "No such number..., etc."
If Ass-End is reading this, please test ALL states: There are only FOUR
basic states per line:
B1 Channel B2 Channel
---------- ----------
FREE FREE
FREE BUSY
BUSY FREE
BUSY BUSY
There are is another factor of four variations: whether each line is
held busy by a local off-hook condition, or by a call-in-progress at
the local switch, making a GRAND total of 16 states. Will you guys
PULEEZZE do a #%@%##! "state-machine" for this device? This starts the
work for you....
=======================================================================
August 29, 1996
---------------
Spoke w/ Ass-End Communications today--we're nearing our 5 month
aniversary of non-function! (April 3rd).
The engineer-in-charge ASKED ME (the customer) if I COULD GUARENTEE
THE PROGRAMMING IN THE PACIFIC BELL CENTRAL OFFICE! I kinda' let
him know that REALLY was HIS job....
So they're now arranging to send a tech down w/ a protocol analyzer--
I don't happen to keep spare ISDN protocol anylyzers around the place
here...silly me!
=======================================================================
August 28, 1996
---------------
It seems that the new Sysop on the Compuserve Bodybuilding
Section/Forum is going to be persuing his personal agenda by exiling
discussion of steroids from the Bodybuilding main area to the flakey-
sounding "Editorial/Opinion" section.
Is he going to treat other supplements the same way?
It appears not. He has cleverly created a "Nutrition/Supplement"
section from which steroids will ALSO apparently be dis-allowed...
August 23-27, 1996
------------------
Well, ASS-END Communications doesn't get its name back of "Ascend" as
the tech who was working on my problem (that was supposed to be fixed
yesterday or today!) is on JURY DUTY. I guess they have only ONE tech
at this company--or the engineer can't bother to stoop to do some
testing for a customer who has had seriously compromised service since
!!! APRIL THIRD, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIX !!!
No. I'm not upset at all. <arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!>
_____
Another kind of pain. Real, REAL BAD: The Carpel tunnel problem came
back...guess I'll be doing mostly leg workouts for a while.
When it first hit, it took me FOUR "SHIFTS" to eat a bowl of cereal, as
the pain was that bad. I've got someone who can take dictation, so I'll
be having him update this for me as we TRY to keep this thing current.
I am also impressed by our software supplier "Finally & Again"--the guys
who wrote the software for this Online Service/BBS. ("Galacticomm")
When I started the call, I was ready to smash & trash.
When I finished, (sucker that I am), I was pleasantly surprized. We'll
see how this pans out in the long term...
But getting connected to the President of this decently-sized and
rapidly expanding company is not what one would usually expect--but
it **IS** what happened.
Because some of my complaints might cause some embarassment, and since
they appear to be making a very sincere effort to address them I will
not (for now) post the specifics of the problems.
In today's rapidly changing world of the Internet, where an
"Internet Year" is jokingly called a calendar month, it is VERY
difficult to make good purchase decisions. With luck & skill I may
have done the right thing here.
_____
I am also considering surrendering to the disk-capacity wars. I've
got over 5 full Gigabytes of hard drive on the three main computers-
-all full!
Maybe it's time to get some sort of server....
There is more news, but there is also more pain...I'll update as much
as possible as the pain comes and goes.
=======================================================================
August 21-22, 1996
------------------
An actual follow-thru happened from ASS-END communications! (Will they
earn their preferred name of "Ascend" back? Stay tuned....)
Talked to "Howard", who is the engineer responsible for the ENTIRE
"Pipeline" model series. (Thanks to the efforts of a high-level
trouble-shooter("Dave C.")--who reports directly to the "Prez"....
Howard grasped the problem reasonably well--after I explained what is
was for the "umpteenth" time--internal communications seem to be VERY
poor....
BUT, what concerns me GREATLY, is that he began to argue with me over
the need to DEFINE WHAT THE PRODUCT DOES! HUH?!??
Even the non-engineer trouble-shooting guy (Dave C.)knew that something
was fundamentally wrong here....
We may see results so that we'll finally enjoy reliable phone
connections here at BRYX--and see something at ASS-END akin to certain
aspects of the French Revolution.... Marie "Howard" Antoinette?
_____
For you tech-types: Howard didn't want to assign someone to take the
very few hours that it takes to write a simple thing called a
"State Machine". A "State Machine defines how a system is expected to
react to various conditions over a period of time.
A "State Machine" definition in this case would describe how this type
of phone connection should act to both the user (BRYX) and to the phone
company equipment (at Pacific Bell). The ASS-END equipment would then
be designed to provide the "bridge" between the two.
(This stuff is often taught as early as the THIRD WEEK into a
beginner's course in digital design!)
_____
My workouts?
Going pretty well. Started getting back into arms for the first time,
too.
I have a "problem" I have to watch for--my arms grow too easily!
Usually the amount of collateral use they get from providing control
and balance, etc. for my chest and back exercises keep them the right
size--can't get out of proportion!
I'm taking Friday off, then shoulders and legs are next....
=======================================================================
August 19-20, 1996
------------------
Pain.
And more pain.
Well...I guess I deserved it.
I took my new training partner and FORCED him to use proper form--
and incidentaly brought his bench up by 50 pounds...not to mention
TOTALLY confusing him about how many reps he does each set...for
example...
One set, (where he was about to give up after 6 reps,) I got him to
count up to 9 (he was planning on only 8!) It went something like this:
"one" {1}, "two" {2}, "three" {3}, "more!" {4}, "Another" {5},
"COME ON!" {6}, "PUSH IT!--HARD!!!!" {7}, "SIX." {8},
"Eight--good set" {9}. (Obviously a REAL BODYBUILDER, as he can't
count too well...<g>)
Two sets later he became SO confused that he thought he had done only
10 reps--when he had actually completed 13!!! I am not generally loved
by my training partners. One of the mysteries of the universe!
ANYWAY, there was no way I could take things easy after this intense
bout of "torture"...especially as I'm still recovering from 32 months
of injuries--and only back up to 275 lbs (for about 6 reps--well down
from my "normal"(?) [I ***HATE*** that word...] 405-455 lbs for
4-8 reps....
As the ancient Chinese saying goes, "The longest journey begins with a
single step"... And then Bodybuilder saying, "...with a single REP!"
_____
I managed to get through about 2/3 of my back workout, too. I expect to
be 100% next chest day. (3-day split.)
_____
AND THE PROBLEMS FOR THE DAY: Our Internet Provider: EARTHLINK.
My sales guy, "Tony", told me that his boss ("David") seemed unconcerned
that my Internet link was lost during big the West Coast power failure.
When I was connected to this boss he denied any lack of interest and
wanted to "find out what happened," and to "MAKE SURE IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN
AGAIN."
In spite of this claim, Earthlink is not being responsive to my questions
and requests, and is bordering on the RUDE, I am VERY concerned.
I asked David if I "should be looking for another provider". The e-mail
response (on file)?
"Do what you must."
This does NOT sound like a company that cares about its customers.
_____
TOMORROW IS THE DAY that I ask to speak to the President of Earthlink.
Of course he will be "in a meeting", "not currently available" and no
one will know when or where he could POSSIBLY be found. Maybe he went
to join a monastery for a few years? They can't find their own
President??? What kind of "joke" company is this?!??!??
(Of course, I know this is standard operating procedure... Yeah, S.O.P.
--or is that a "B."?)
_____
The useful "dirty trick" I will use:
After the operator or secretary tells me this standard lie, I simply ask
to "speak to the highest level executive who CAN currently take a call."
These large corporations don't seem to be able to cope with that
technique too well....&tlt;VBEG>
I'll keep you posted.
=======================================================================
August 18, 1996
---------------
Oh well. If you scroll down a few weeks, you will see where I decided
that it was necessary to pare the number of days announcing Member's
birthdays from 10 days to 7-8.
That decision has NOT lasted very long.... The screen is filling up
again with all the many New Members joining up--so it looks like a
"hard cut" is coming at 5 days--I hope that last for at least a FEW
months before we're forced to cut this (pleasant) little BIRTHDAY
section even more!
=======================================================================
August 17, 1996
---------------
CENSORchip--CENSORSHIP: I had **thought** that ALL vestiges of censor-
ship had been removed from the system here, when the (under-utilized)
"Night-time Stories" began to see a new bout of activity...and several
words were (literally!) "BEEP"ed....
The censorship software has been removed, so that the stories may proceed
unmolested, and the earlier censored words will be restored as time
permits....
Some good stuff has been added!
New Topic:
It seems that the Manager of the "Pride!" section of CompuServe likes
to ignore his mail...I suspect that he may be new to Cserve, and
didn't realize that a return receipt could be generated when mail is
read...(said in a DEEP VOICE) "When will he ANSWER...Answer...answer...
...swer...swer...er...er...r...r...r..??!???"
After all, he **IS** ignoring proper notification of "probable
Copyright law violations"....
=======================================================================
August 15-16, 1996
------------------
Still waiting for response from Ass-End Communications. Still
waiting for response from Earth-Stink (Earthlink) regarding loss of
Internet service during the recent West Coast power outage.
Pacific Hell (Pacific Bell) also managed to swap a couple of our
lines around so that users received a "This number no longer in
service" recording instead of getting connected to a free line....
Joy. Joy oh.... joy......
It'll be REALLY nice to actually have some time to post some more
pic's and Bodybuilding info....
NOTE AT 3:30pm: ***STILL*** haven't heard from Ass-End Communications,
so instead of getting frustrated, decided to do something productive.
So after calling again, played 8 games of Solitaire....
4:00pm: Played over 12 games. Won over $1100 in virtual dollars--anybody
want to sell some virtual software...oh that's right, software companies
ALREADY do that...no answer from customer service from ANY of these
people....
Time to call the BIG boss...
4:30pm: The "peon" ("Ken") called me to inform me that the testing "has
just shown the same condition that the software patch was supposed to
fix". This testing has SUPPOSEDLY been going on since Wednesday--it's
taken this long to find out the basic function to be repaired hasn't
been?
Then the REAL zinger: "I'll get back to you RIGHT AWAY [emph. added] as
soon as I find out when this R29 is supposed to happen."
Me, "So will that be in hours or in minutes?"
Peon, "Oh, it'll be after the weekend."
Me, "You CERTAINLY have a different definition of "right away"
than I do."
I paged the "BIG boss" again with the message, "What the hell is going
on?" I don't expect a tremendous amount of coherence at this point....
Well, it seems the "cheese" is getting bigger--got connected to a guy
who reports DIRECTLY to the CEO and is "Director of Customer
Satisfaction". Managed to summarize the whole tale (since
April 3, 1996) in less than 5 minutes!
I've been told that a BIG club will be carried over to the engineering
department...
We'll see if they'll earn their real name back....
=======================================================================
August 14, 1996
---------------
Well, Ass-End communications failed to meet their promised deadline.
The software is still not completely tested as of 5:25pm this evening,
and won't be until "sometime in the morning--if nothing comes up."
Unfortunately, the unit selected to be left in service is now causing
an even WORSE condition than that which existed previously: Where
before, it was possible for callers to get a "ring, no-answer", it has
NOW become HIGHLY likely that callers will get the rather authoritative
recording announcing that "This number is no longer in service, please
check the number and dial again, or call your operator for help."
This, of course, can be NOTHING LESS THAN DISASTROUS for new users
attempting to sign-up for the first time....
______
We are still waiting for William Montgomery, the manager of the
CompuServe "Pride!" section, to respond to the various errors and
omissions from various people with responsibilities in this
(commercially sponsored) section.
I have been told that various "rules" exist in this area, but have not
been informed (as of yet) where these rules are located for viewing or
download. I also received a rather "nasty" letter from the sysop
"Sean" describing a message of mine as "uncouth"--when all I was asking
for was EXACTLY this same information that had not been received...it
WOULD have been "uncouth" if the section software hadn't malfunctioned,
or if the information in question had been received....
I can only hope that what I am experiencing is a function of growing
pains, and not that of selfishness, from this area intended for use by
the Gay community....
=======================================================================
August 13, 1996
---------------
Tomorrow is the day (again!) that we've been promised by ASCEND
COMMUNICATIONS ("ass-end"?) that our ISDN adapter will finally be
working. As this software bug affects their ENTIRE product line
from the cheapest P25 ($700.00) on up to their most expensive P75
($2000.00+++) and since they've known about this problem since
April 3, 1995....
IT LOOKS LIKE THE GAY COMMUNITY IS DOING ITS MUTUAL EXPLOITATION
thing again... A private organization called "Pride!" seems to be
operating in a manner that I am "Ashamed!" of.
They operate the new Gay section on CompuServe and there appear to be
many unpublished restrictions on contributions to the Libraries--it
seems they want a monopoly on the Gay Audience there, and will go to
any length to preserve it.
But what about us hard-working people who make our living by providing
images of Hot, Sexy Men? It seems unless someone TELLS them, they will
post VERY WELL KNOWN images from Colt, Falcon, Tom of Finland, and
others--without making the slightest inquiry of the contributor....
I think they should re-think their emphasis here....
=======================================================================
August 12, 1996
---------------
Discovered our Internet connection has been down since we re-installed
the system software--Tech Support at Galacticomm has repeatedly
insisted to "just re-install the software--it won't mess anything up."
It turns out that unless you ALSO re-install the USERS licenses, you
lose some of your active connections! (And no, it was not at all
obvious--the "baseline" package comes with 2 channels, and additional
connections are purchased in "User 6-Packs". Instead of defaulting
to the baseline--which would be IMMEDIATELY apparent, it went to an
INTERMEDIATE level!)
Our apologies to those who tried to connect via the Internet yesterday,
and our WRATH to Galacticomm "Tech Support"....
=======================================================================
August 11, 1996
---------------
WOW!, WOW!, WOW!...
The "Bedtime Stories" book is looking HOTTER & HOTTER as we finish
up....
...BUT, It's past time put together the Ath-Elite catalog for those
Bodybuilders who are only interested in the Bodybuilding stuff.
That (and doing taxes) is the main priority for the next few days!
I've had a little bit of time to look as some other online services...
One thing that I've noticed as being PARTICULARLY obnoxious is the
recycling of the same tired 7 "quote of the day"'s over and over and
over...
We've just finished our OWN collection of 120 quotes--entirely selected
and edited in-house. We have provisions for a total of 400! (Don't
want anyone getting bored!)
SPECIAL ODDBALL NOTE:
=====================
Is anyone else out there getting as sick of the "Year 2000"
"Millenialists" as I am? If you'd really like get them to shut-up,
just inform them of the little known fact that Christ was BORN IN THE
YEAR 4 B.C.!!!
It seems an error was made by some monk (they even know the poor guy's
name...) when adding and subtracting those awkward ROMAN NUMERALS.
And you don't have to take OUR word for this... Check with any of the
many local Catholic Universities--usually you'll be referred to a
priest (of the Jesuit order). Odds are, he'll probably know the details
off the top of his head....
(For The Record: I am an Atheist, and have no affiliation with any
"traditional", "new age", or "fraud-type" religions/belief-systems.)
=======================================================================
August 8-10, 1996
-----------------
It seems that Galacticomm is having more and more trouble providing
customer support. Friday was the third day to get back to me about an
e-mail SECURITY problem! Guess I have to try again Monday.
Doing some more work on the "Bedtime Stories" book--listed in the
BRYX International catalog. Looking VERY, VERY good!
All of the account classes have been changed to their (hopefully!)
final states and names....
POWER OUTAGE
------------
We're okay here at BRYX. We have GREAT power and systems backup....
HOWEVER, I think our Internet Provider (the one you use to connect to
us) DOESN'T SEEM TO EVEN HAVE BACKUP POWER! This, of course, is
ENTIRELY unacceptable. I'll report on what they have to say to me when
I call Monday. (And after I spent all this effort prioritizing the
Internet connection in the event of an emergency!)
For those few callers that did NOT get an answer, we thought that some
sort of "glitch" had penetrated all our protection & backup gear--turns
out it was MORE of the BBS software....
P.S. August 11, 1996: Found out the problem was glitched test computer
--one that WASN'T on all the protection stuff we have on the system.
=======================================================================
August 5-7, 1996
----------------
Spent the last few days going CRAZY trying to figure out how the entire
BronStar Library got "Unapproved"--and how the file got separated from
their descriptions! It looks like our software provider MAY have yet
another bug in their software....
Still going in the same circles with CompuServe (AKA Compu$erve) that I
went through AOL (AKA "America On Hold") about a year ago. I hope the
"rationality curve" has a little steeper slope, such that Cserve will
reach the same point that AOL did in considerably less time....
ONE VERY NICE THING about the CompuServe "Pride!" forum is that they
allow FULL-FRONTAL NUDITY, unlike the AOL Gay area which won't show
anything that "shows a naked waist"!
AGAIN, had to raise a bit of hell at the "descending"
Ascend Communications, as they continue to get a simple software patch
to fix our phone lines....
=======================================================================
August 2-4, 1996
----------------
WELL! Found someone with a computer background to help out around here!
(Something that was VERY much needed.) Also training with him in my
"get back in shape" efforts.
Rewired all the network stuff and straightened out some cabling...still
a little bit more to do--then on to the software and operations stuff!
It seems CompuServe is afraid of this service--they won't let my tell
people how to use my pic's legally by allowing me to include the
contact info...guess I should probably arrange to "go public" on the
stock market with that one! Invest in BRYX International NOW!<g>
=======================================================================
August 1-3, 1996
----------------
Well, I found out that the way the software was written for this system,
EVERYONE (even unconfirmed NEW sign-ups) instantly got a e-mail
address on the Internet--not to smart of a thing to do as far as
liability and legal harassment goes...!
So we've finally fixed up all the classes (it's "BRYXx" class instead
of "BRYX_TMP"), and greatly reduced both system and file access to
new users until we receive the completed "Membership Agreement".
AND "OH MY GAWD!": We also found out that we had accidentally "lost"
about 200 very sexy files from the BronStar Library! (Most of this
has been fixed by now, but here is still about a half-dozen files that
have to be moved around the system.
SO THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD, and seem to actually be progressing
a little FASTER than we had originally planned--let's hope this remains
as the normal condition....
=======================================================================
July 30-31, 1996
----------------
Surprise, surprise...the ISDN phone problems turned out to be caused
by an ASCEND software mess. They STILL haven't managed to pass
"Digital Design 101a" and figure out how to write a "state machine"
for how a telephone should act. There unit sends to the phone co.
central office both a "busy" code and an "off-hook" code to describe
the status of the phone (or modem) connected--obviously a NONSENSE
state.
One of our Members, Juicedmuscle, is arranging to get our system
listed with all of the more popular "search engines" AND is arranging
to have links to the system [bryx.com] placed on other pages for
people who might have similar interests...
Things may get VERY busy!
=======================================================================
July 28-29, 1996
----------------
As you may have read in the previous news posting we have received
confirmation that the engineer that wrote the bad code will be showing
up at our premises on Wednesday to try to set things right--or at
least figure out what is wrong....
And yes, the politicians have wasted NO TIME in starting to try to
take away our freedoms...in spite of the VAST majority of security
experts stating unequivocally that (any of) the proposed laws
would have done NOTHING to prevent the (presumed) bombing of TWA800
or the Olympic's Centennial Park bombing....
Of course, they are talking about "rushing through" legislation on
this--in other words, it will probably be BAD legislation...but the
saddest/funniest proposal I have heard is to "make it illegal to
post bomb-making instructions on the Internet--If you know it will
be used to commit a crime"...
How can anyone "know" that???
Faced with questions about books with the same information (that have
PASSED constitutional challenges,) these politicians simply change
the topic...
Of course, if they REALLY want to do it "right", they would make it
illegal to teach chemistry and ban all related text books...but how
to reconcile all this with the newspaper that, upon challenge, had
the Supreme Court uphold the publication of plans for a nuclear
bomb...
And back to the system--just posted some more pic's today...and
FINALLY received the new BODYBUILDER mASsTROLOGY from "Healer"....
=======================================================================
July 26-27, 1996
----------------
This is being written in the early morning on the west coast after
having heard about the (reasonably) presumed bombing at the Atlanta
Olympics.
-- THERE IS IMPORTANT SYSTEM NEWS AFTER THIS TOPIC--PLEASE READ. --
This follows in the wake of the TWA flight 800 (not yet presumed)
bombing.
Comment: NOTHING can be made absolutely safe.** Nobody can even prove
that they will be alive to wake up the next morning!
Yet, in spite of this, politicians around the world, and surprisingly
our "liberal" presidents have used the THREAT of this as a POSSIBILITY
to take away more and more of our freedoms.**
This is similar to our governor "Pete" Wilson of California using the
O.J. Simpson trial to allow for convictions with non-unanimous jury
decisions--DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DECISION IN THAT TRIAL **WAS**
UNANIMOUS! "Political Logic" (groan) a DEFINITE oxymoron....
As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up a little bit of
freedom for greater security deserve neither."
___
** Specific political recommendations and other observations:
1. Resist calls for increases in airport security that involve
inconvenience to passengers: You could be forced to fly NUDE,
have baggage shipped in a SEPARATE plane, yet still be brought
down by a missile. (Note that the CIA has been offering about
half-again the "black-market" price to try to recover Stinger
missiles sold in Afghanistan...$11-12,000 vs black-market $8,000.)
2. Encourage better communications and training between different
Law-enforcement agencies--but ONLY SPECIFIC CRIME-RELATED DATA--
***NOT*** mass-gathered data on citizens who are not presenting
a "clear and present danger" to others....
3. Discourage ANY of the many tiny steps that are leading us towards
some sort of "National Identity Card". I lived in the Netherlands
for two years and discovered that ALL people are required to
register their residence with BOTH the police and the "Housing
Authority" (rent control gone mad).
Imagine having to go to the Police station before you can move
into your apartment.... [Note: Tourists are registered without
their knowledge by the hotels.]
4. FIGHT VIGOROUSLY any attempt to censor information. Censorship
of ANY kind has a basic philosophical problem: How can the
people that censorship is supposed to "protect" tell if the
censors are doing their job? Unless you can review what has been
censored compared to what has not been, you are subject to the
whims of whatever individuals or institutions have control of the
censorship apparatus.
___________
ANYWAY, it seems that Ascend Communications finally decided to fix the
-------
screwed-up ISDN equipment of theirs--they are actually flying down the
engineer that wrote the code to the BRYX International location to
trouble-shoot the problem. This is (tentatively) scheduled to happen
this coming Wednesday, so expect it to be difficult to get on the
board on Wednesday, and perhaps Thursday....
___________
Oh, and if you haven't heard, Gay Porn Star TY FOX made the Washington
Times which reported that his wife had found out about this "alternate"
career--to teaching high school gym.
He is reportedly "devastated" that his wife found out...as a friend of
mine said, "What, he DIDN'T KNOW he was a Porn Star?"
**MY** observation: Since he has subsequently resigned from his high
school job, I guess this poor "straight boy" is going to just HAVE TO
make more videos for a living. I'm sure he'll hate every inch of it...
NOT!
=======================================================================
July 23-25, 1996
----------------
Having problems with the #%&#!! cameras! (Both still & video.
Grrrr.) So putting aside "Hunk 'Rustling" for another week.
In the meantime, did a GREAT new cover for the BRYX "Bedtime Stories"
(Adults Only.) Glad it hadn't been sent to the printer!
ALSO...problems with the system software company...tech support tells
me one thing--and the tech support manager says it's not true.
I guess there's no reason for me to waste any Vaseline when getting
THIS mess resolved!
Looks like the company who is ULTIMATELY responsible for the phone
line problems is going to send out a technician to do the 3-4 hours
each day (average--about 5-8 hours for any one session!) that **I**
had to do.
I'm also making them use their OWN phone (i.e., CELLULAR) for this
5-8 hour session. No reason why I should tie up MY lines for THEIR
problem!
LOOK FOR THE SYSTEM TO BE DOWN INTERMITTENTLY ON MONDAY AND/OR
TUESDAY FOR THIS FIX.
INTERNET DOWNLOAD: The system software mfg. REALLY screwed up--when you
"TELNET" into the system you get ALL the normal menus--including the
download menu for the Libraries... You have to log in as FTP to get
files (and you must have become a member--at the moment we haven't
decided whether to allow "anonymous" file downloads). This can look
like this:
TELNET://bryx.com
With **LUCK**, this should work.... (Keeping in mind that I've received
TWO different answers from tech support.)
=======================================================================
July 22, 1996
-------------
It's HUNK 'RUSTLING TIME! (See yesterday's posting.)
Yep.
Going to spend this week seeing what hot bods are interested in showing
is ALL for our Members here at BRYX International. [It is possible you
will NOT see postings for a few days! <VBEG>]
=======================================================================
July 21, 1996
-------------
Figured out we had MORE than enough material to produce TWO
"Bedtime Stories" books. They're looking VERY hot!
Still having difficulty finishing up the backup--there's a 2+GB drive
that hooks into the SAME parallel port as the HP Colorado T1000e.
Can they make it work? Stay tuned...!
Must do some scenery type shots for backgrounds--looks like this week
will be a good time to do it.
***ALSO, _all_ of the major projects and problems are done, (or at
least out of my hands), so this week is GET BACK IN SHAPE week....
All the Internet stuff seems to be working--all I have to do is
decently document it for system Members...IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT
DOESN'T WORK, ***PLEASE*** LET ME KNOW. (Send e-mail to SYSOP on the
BRYX BBSs, or via Internet to: 71062.2015@compuserve.com.
=======================================================================
July 19-20, 1996
----------------
Spent all this time backing up the EIGHT computers we have here and
writing the little program that allows me to provide this daily
information without disrupting the system.
That's all I'm going to say today--I'm exhausted!
=======================================================================
July 18, 1996
-------------
My Business Manager and Special Assisting (consultant) put up with me
today as I dealt with incompetence--from an unexpected source: AT&T.
I called to make sure that our 500- (Tru-Connections) service was
correctly configured to ring on our MAIN NUMBER (310-65-BRYX-3) instead
of the alternate number (with less lines) of 310-358-9222. To my GREAT
surprise THE 500 numbers were not "operating". AT&T took over 6 hours
to find out why: That they had been sending mail to the wrong address,
and could not contact my (listed) number, with my answering machine--
--that has a THREE-DAY BATTERY BACKUP! (**NO** excuse for not getting
through....)
BOTTOM LINE: The 500- number will be up by Monday. Couldn't get much
else done today, except for starting the backup of our (current) 5.2MB
of hard-disk info...
If any of you guys notice that something isn't working as we promise
(or seem to promise) in any of our promotions, PLEASE send e-mail
to "SYSOP" letting us know! It will be GREATLY appreciated....
Oh, and Ascend Communications--the ISDN screw-up people? It'll take
"several days" before they can even START finding out what was (is)
wrong with their latest "fix". I am NOT impressed, after having lost
about 300 sign-ups over the last 100 days or so....
BTW, Don't waste your time with the "Telechat" feature until we get
the Internet stuff up to full speed--and please let us know WHAT IS THE
BEST TIME FOR ***YOU*** TO CHAT. We will be promoting a specific "chat
and meeting time" to get things off-the-ground.
=======================================================================
July 17, 1996
-------------
You will notice that this stuff is in reverse chronological order: most
recent info is first... ANYWAY, vacation is definitely over as fixed-up
web pages with pic's and a copy of this "Today's News", AKA
"What Happened Today..."
Took a SECOND day off (well, actually the total is 1.5 days)--does this
mean I've actually had a VACATION??!? The good (Sci-Fi) books read:
"Design for GREAT-DAY" by Alan Dean Foster & Eric Frank Russel.
Critique: Over-develop 'coolness' and inevitability of "Solarians"
victory--I will NEVER complain about an under-developed concept again...
"Shadow Warrior" by Chris Bunch "co-author of the Sten series"...has he
had a falling out with his "friend since high school" Alan Cole?
In the self-described bio: "CHRIS BUNCH lives in a tiny village on the
Washington coast and collect artillery and enemies. This is his
seventeenth book."
Critique: Starts a bit slow, and takes a while to build--but leaves
you PANTING for more...just as you find it is the start of a series.
GOOD WORK!
The classic (semi-original) CYBERPUNK novel "Snow Crash" by
Neal Stephenson lives up to ALL of its hype--and more...can't
believe it took me this long to get around to reading it.
READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT....
And finally, I've started my cover-to-cover read of the new 700+ page
SYSOP'S MANUAL for this system--not to mention the various supplemental
doc's....
Vacation over.
=======================================================================
July 16, 1996
-------------
Stock market crash & recovery today--but radio news source announces
that "Ascend's stock keeps descending"...ASCEND is the company res-
ponsible for the (most recent) problems with our ISDN lines...when I
mentioned this to our Internet Connection Provider, the guy said,
"I'm not crying..."
Taking rest of today OFF....going to finish a couple o' Sci-Fi books
that have been half finished as I overwork myself & crew on this
system....
=======================================================================
July 15, 1996
-------------
Have one "not yet full member" who keeps signing on with bad info from
the same phone number. I wonder if he realizes this is criminal
WIRE FRAUD?
Realized I have a bunch of Wrestling images that just need the
Copyright notice added. Will work on those as soon as I finish up the
Internet connection details. (Looks like we're almost done with that
project!)
ALSO realized that with the Internet, I can allow longer access times
for Internet users!
=======================================================================
July 14, 1996
-------------
Stayed up ALL NIGHT (I guess you could say this is part of the 15th's
news...) finalizing the BRYX XXX-Rated Catalog. Came out VERY well,
and includes images not otherwise released in the Libraries...
=======================================================================
July 13, 1996
-------------
Slept in late. Cleaned up the mess left by all the ISDN stuff. Was
promised a call-back by the "Manager of all USA customer support",
Mike Baccula. Still waiting at 4:24 pm....
Taking rest of day off to avoid nervous breakdown....
Or so I thought, will now be looking to edit the catalog for the
Ath-Elite users (i.e., no "Gay" stuff...)
=======================================================================
July 12, 1996
-------------
Spent ALL DAY trying to get the new and "fixed" software in the ISDN
connections to work. Had 3 people from ascend communications on the
phone, along with 1-3 people at a time from Pacific Bell
["Pacific Hell']. By 4:30pm, I left a message with the "Manager of all
USA Customer Support" that I NOW REFUSE TO SIT AT THE PHONE AND THE
ISDN UNIT waiting for idiot-level commands such as "does the B1
channel show that it is connected or what".
I told him that I will no longer provide this function, and that he can
arrange someone from his company to come to the office and sit here,
make calls to Pac Bell, Ascend, etc. and make the damn thing work or it
will be lawsuit time....
He called back with three high-level ascend people on the line, and we
thought we had the problem fixed by the early hour of 7:45 pm. We did
not as the Pac Bell person was testing with digital dialing as opposed
to POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) dialing.
This was discovered after ascend had hung up for the night. Eventually,
(about 10:30pm) their emergency tech support person called for the
third time and told me that his manager was able to arrange for a call-
back from this same "manager of all tech support for the USA." I
decided to wait for his call, as he had already spent at least 6 hours
total on this situation, and did not feel like explaining all of that
to a new person.
=======================================================================
July 9, 1996
------------
After spending 45 "long-distance" minutes to SYMANTEC corp. to find out
if their "PC ANYWHERE" product would work with this BBS, and then
spending ANOTHER 4 hours today trying to make it work, they "changed
their minds". SYMANTEC TECH SUPPORT, "Well, I guess we were wrong when
we told you it would work. Go ahead and get your money back."
My M_O_N_E_Y_????? What about my TIME!?!?? Incompetence reigns....
=======================================================================
July 7, 1996
------------
You may have noticed the system was down for much of the (West Coast)
afternoon--we completely tore down and rebuilt the Online computer and
the phone system from the ground up... (No, we're still having the
same problems with the phone lines--this time the "promise" is for a
fix by next Thursday....)
The system is now much easier to modify & maintain. We also figured
out how to speed up the re-connection to the INTERNET in the event of a
shutdown or phone-failure.
NO MATTER WHAT THE MAGAZINES SAY, DON'T EVEN **THINK** ABOUT GETTING
ISDN LINES! Just found out the hard way, that if you want to call out
from and ISDN line you ALWAYS have to include the Area Code...but if
you ALSO include a "1" before the Area Code, the call is routed through
your long-distance carrier--with (in)appropriate charges.
BUT SAY YOU'VE JUST REBUILT YOUR PHONE SYSTEM AND WANT TO TEST IT...if
you DON'T dial the "1", you get the recording that "the call cannot be
completed as dialed....". You MUST go through the L.D. carrier to be
able to call another number at your location....
Tomorrow is another "down" day as we've waited until after the Holiday
to do the BIG backup.
We should have a decent WEB site in a day or two (very similar to the
http://users.aol.com/bryxstud/ site--except with a BUNCH more pic's!
I also think I have that "serial number" problem licked, so we'll be
able to put some of our more valuable images online--and track down the
original downloader IF THEY "TRADE", "E-MAIL", etc. copies around....
Worked with BRYX Member "Healer" on an ad for his Astrology service--
and found out the hard way I hadn't checked the "make a backup copy"
box before starting. ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!! (So the catalog is put off
for a day or two--BTW, it will have MANY XXX-rated pic's included....)
Watch for some interesting and serious workout (text) posts, too.
Other than the backup, I MAY just take my first day off in about
9 weeks....
=======================================================================
July 11, 1996
-------------
Hired a new Copyright/Trademark attorney. Looks to be a really good
guy. (He is also a COMEDIAN, who teaches comedy courses!) We'll be
posting an ad for his comedy book here, shortly.
The ASCEND ISDN equipment that was supposed to arrive by 11:00 am had
not arrive by 1:30. I called ASCEND, and they were eventually able to
get it to me by 6:00 pm, which was, of course, too late to do anything
with it.
Finally printed all of the adult catalog to image files, converted
them to GIF and JPG formats in preparation to posting.
=======================================================================
July 10, 1996
-------------
Tested out new Audio Mixer for music production, worked with BBS Member
"Healer" on his ad for Bodybuilding Astrology services, and did a
cursory test of the MIDI software included with the new Multi-Media
computer...ordered new MIDI cables, and figured out how to rearrange
music equipment to be easily accessible with the computer equipment.
=======================================================================
July 9, 1996
------------
Downloaded bug-fixes for the program that printed out any windows
documents to image files. Go the damn thing to work, although it
STILL doesn't produce COMPRESSED TIFF files as promised. (A page
takes about 11MB vs 2MB compressed.)
Printed out catalog, looks good, but need to use lower resolution to
make download time reasonable.
=======================================================================
July 8, 1996
------------
Tried to make Window document to image file converter work. No way in
hell. Called mfg. and got patch instructions.
Why didn't they notify me of this, as this is one of the promises that
they make when you register their software?
=======================================================================
July 6, 1996
------------
Still finalizing catalog & doing more pic's--busy, yet not much to
report--OH!, except the graphics on the back outside-cover of the
catalog look GREAT.
Had to chop off some of the Birthday Announcements--I figure a week is
fair, plus 1 day for system effects.... Should make the list a LITTLE
smaller...going to have to find out if I can "dual-configure" it so
that a SHORT Logon list appears, yet there remains available a longer
advance notice list....
=======================================================================
July 5, 1996
------------
MUCH more work done on the catalog...should be released by Thursday
night. Basically waiting for several tech support departments to open
on Monday for a bunch of questions....
Continue to correct & crop pic's, but because of loss of serial ports,
am unable to upload new stuff--probably until Monday or Tuesday.
Getting LOTS of requests for "CHAT" info--looks like it is going to be
popular here.
One of the "BRYX Guys" suggested that we promote a particular time
period to promote this feature. Sounds like a good idea....
Helped BRYX Member "Healer", who does the BODYBUILDING mASsTROLOGY by
fixing up a graphic that he can use (with proper copyright notice, etc.)
for BOTH his WEB page and for an ad in the catalog & here on the system.
=======================================================================
July 4, 1996
------------
Gave up some of our internal serial ports because people have started
connect through our INTERNET CONNECTION!!!! Finally up, tested, and
(cross your fingers,) reliable!
The software company that sells up our BBS/Online system screwed-up and
didn't send the final release of the "connectivity pack" that allows us
to support more users. They promised to Fed-Ex it ASAP.
Still have some problems from that cold, but progress is inex-
olorable...Discovered that our top-of-line Image Correction software
saves stuff in "illegal formats"--so if you have been trying to view
DO-IT!.GIF or .JPG, there are now new versions online (BRYXx Library).
=======================================================================
July 3, 1996
------------
It took me 4 tries to type the above date. Just recovering from one
of those (no sympathy) summer colds. Had my "techologically-inex-
perienced" assistant working on menu trees! (...as I sweated in the
other room.) I think all is well now, and it looks like Internet
access happens TODAY!!!!!
=======================================================================
June 27, 1996
-------------
Today was "trauma recovery day"...you can see what HELL yesterday
was.... I DID recontact Symantec (Norton Anti-Virus) to see if they
fixed the bugs that A) caused the program to eat files under certain
conditions and B) stop and wait for a keystroke to continue virus-
checking...it's kind of hard to press a key on a BBS computer in
Los Angeles while you're in Amsterdam....
Also worked on my "Internet non-Provider", as they promised to get
everything set up by last night--and still hadn't called by 3:00pm the
following day!
Fortunately, when Corporate Customer Service heard my tale of woe,
THEY IMMEDIATELY connected me to "the boss of the boss of the boss" to
hear my problems directly. --I guess I can probably expect some action
tomorrow. (Internet by this weekend?)
=======================================================================
June 26, 1996
-------------
In the endless saga of "The ISDN Lines That Don't Work", I finally
pulled out ALL stops and demanded to speak to the President--whom
of course, was "in a meeting". I then proceeded to flummox the operator
by asking to speak to the "highest ranking person there who WASN'T in
a meeting". I think I got to the right guy, as upon hearing my saga of
woe (since April 3rd!) he decided to LEAVE HIS DESK, WALK ACROSS THE
STREET AND GET SOME ANSWERS FROM THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE.
I have minor hopes that this situation will soon be resolved--as it
sounded as if both answers and "strangling sounds" would be simul-
taneously be coming from the throat of this engineer....
Found out that my Internet Corporate Provider had managed to lose my
account. ...AND, according to the operator, there "was only one person
capable of doing what I needed done".
I wonder what happens to this company if he gets hit by a bus?
=======================================================================
June 25, 1996
-------------
Mostly recovery from Gay Pride--but did get 4 pic's (8 postings with
both GIF and JPG versions) online in various Libraries....
=======================================================================
June 24, 1996
-------------
Finally got some sleep--12 hours last night. I am SUPPOSED to hear
from another potential "BRYX worker" today, to finalize a time for
him to help out on Thursday--supposedly this guy has a decent computer
background, too. I just got up (as I write this) and expect that most
of the day will be cleaning up after the ZOO this place became to get
all the promotional stuff available for Gay Pride.
The replacement for the defective UPS just came today. Since I pulled
a groin muscle, I have to wait for a couple of hours until one of the
"BRYX workers" show up to get it up from the car....
FINALLY started on the install for the INTERNET stuff! Should have
portions of this service available within DAYS!!!! (We've by-passed
that phone co. problem that has been going on since April 3.)
=======================================================================
June 23, 1996
-------------
"Healer", the guy who does our BODYBUILDER mASsTROLOGY, found out that
the menu wasn't working for two of the signs! Ooops...found out that
the hand-created menu listed the wrong selection letters for two of
the signs. Now fixed.
The "Uninterruptable Power Supply" once again (today) INTERRUPTED THE
DAMN POWER--this time to ALL the modems, ISDN stuff--all communication
equipment. I'm going to have to figure out a backup for the backup!
(I think I know how to do it.)
A new UPS is on the way from the vendor (APC). Apparently this IS A
KNOWN PROBLEM. I SURE AS HELL WISH THE WOULD TELL REGISTERED OWNERS
WHEN A PROBLEM EXISTS! (The guy authorized the return after I
answered only 1 question: What UPS lights were on during the failure?
Continued to color correct, crop, touch-up, add Copyright notices and
post new pic's! I've hit my promised two-dozen new pic's for Gay Pride
so now every other new pic goes into the "to be protected by serial
number" directory....
=======================================================================
June 22, 1996
-------------
Gay Pride Parade today! Went out with video camera & did some "Instant
Images"--well not so "instant"...at a little after midnight I gave up
when realizing that I had put in the BBS 500 number as "319-652-BRYX".
I really should get some sleep one week....
=======================================================================
June 21, 1996
-------------
Forgot about Frontiers classified ad! I have to get a recording on
that announcement service fast!
Uploaded a bunch of music (WAV) files. Put one online (WAM-E).
=======================================================================
*
June 20, 1996
-------------
Finished off a batch of pictures--forgot to put Copyright notices on
them. Converted them to GIF & JPG, uploaded & wrote descriptions....
Working on pics for a 1997 Calendar!
Also did pic to advertise BRYX logo'ed drinking glass (BUSINESS
LIBRARIES: BRYXGLAS.GIF & BRYXGLAS.JPG). VERY difficult to balance
Markus's body the brightness of the glass.... Probably will do some
more fine-tuning.
Completely restructured the internal Library workings--part of prepping
for Internet connection--I wish the damn phone lines were working
right!
=======================================================================
June 19, 1996
-------------
The day isn't over yet, and one of the color printers died--I've
already arranged an exchange, just have to follow up on in. Cleared
out about 500MB on an external hard drive.... Got the "SuperPrint"
bit-mapped driver working! This allows us to output from any Windows
program to a graphics image!
Today is the day to deal with the NEXT episode of the ...
"TELEPHONE LINES"!
=======================================================================
June 18, 1996
---------------
Color corrected more images--added Copyright notice to 4. Just have to
convert to GIF and JPG and write descriptions.... Day Two battle with
NEC, trying to get them to provide up-to-date manual after having
business mgr. drive a total of 240 wasted miles in Los Angeles traffic
because NEC manual did not correctly specify memory upgrade.
Delivered several hundred promotional cards to BRYX guys to distribute
to local bars for Gay Pride.
=======================================================================
June 17, 1996
---------------
Finished Promo-Card in 18 hours (without break!) Looks great! And
that 18 hours is from BLANK PAGE....
Had one assistant do "batch" color correction for a large number of
images.
=======================================================================
June 16, 1996
---------------
Realized that I had NO special promotion for Gay Pride...set out to
design 3 "items": 1) a business card sized info sheet, 2) a "mini"
brochure and 3) a full sized flyer--I realized I was DRY creatively--
then realized I could make it all be one "item". Decided upon 4"x6"
card with 1996 calendar on one side and BRYX BBSs/Online Services
info on the other.
Has one assistant do "conservative cropping" on some of the images-
-had to get back some of that 2.0 GB of FULL-UP disk space!!!
=======================================================================
June 15, 1996
---------------
WELL... it turns out that yesterday's entry is incomplete...yes, it's
the PACIFIC HELL again!
In order to install new software (and hopefully not lose any new Members
trying to join up,) we had the phone company MANUALLY "busy-out"
our lines--as this is the function that is not properly working on the
ISDN circuits.
After we completed that stage of installation, we had them return the
lines to normal--they even called us and told us when they were working.
Except they were not! (As you can guess by now, I don't particularly
trust what the phone company tells me...) It "only" took another hour
before they were finally able to find the "on" switch...
ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT--NEW IMAGES...We've worked virtually around the
clock for the last few days pre-selecting the new images to put on the
system in the next few months--and we BUSTED THRU the 2.08 GB hard
drive capacity!
We only have about another day of pre-selection to go before we can
start the color correction, final selection & cropping, and adding
the Copyright notices...
Yes, we HAVE been working hard....
========================================================================
June 14, 1996
-------------
Today, dealt with both the Phone company and with ASCEND COM-
MUNICATIONS trying to figure out a way to "fake" the defective
systems into working properly.
Also added this "TODAY" section.
Found out that BRYX model "Paul Becker" is in the current issue
of "Advocate Men"--and that our photo's are MUCH better! This means
we will be posting more pix of Paul soon. Today we converted about
two dozen from Photo-CD format to TIFF format for color correction and
editing, etc. We will be releasing about half of these BEFORE Gay
Pride....
Matched the new CATALOG IMAGE FILES up with the individual Libraries
(and hidden "sub" Libraries). In the next couple of days, will have
someone match the existing images on the board with the original CD
images so that we can do the same with the existing pictures. (The
existing pic's were done with primitive software--at least compared to
the $700.00 program we're now using!)
--------------
END
November 7, 1996 - Saturday
----------------
Well BIG BROTHER BILL is still after our Civil Liberties--as he is now
chastising the liquor industry fro trying to advertise thier products on
TV--just the same way wine, beer and other alcoholic beverage companies
have been doing for years.
He is ALREADY accusing them of wanting "to go after the youth market"...
this is a WONDERFULLY MEANINGLESS accusation--if the ads feature "young
people" (under 30), they are "identifying with the young"; if they show
"mature people" in "Adult settings", they are showing it as "an adult
thing to do". DOES IT SEEM TO YOU THAT THIS IS A NO-WIN SITUATION?
BIG BROTHER is (still) here....
_____
On to BRYX Online system business...we are currently in a state of limbo
as we wait, and wait, and wait...for Galacti-Con to respond to ANY of our
MANY problems with them.
Lawsuits are SOOOOO tedious....
=======================================================================
November 6-8, 1996 - Wednesday thru Friday
------------------
I guess people REALLY didn't know that the BRYX systems are free...it has
been AMAZING the number of new sign-ups we've received wince modifying
the Web pages...now to create a "sign-up" page so that people stop
sending e-mail requesting the Member Agreement, and simply sign-up so
that this happens automatically....
=======================================================================
October 31 - November 5, 1996 - Thursday thru Tuesday
-----------------------------
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!
MORE redesign of the Web pages, MORE pain-in-the ass from Galacticom,
AND... We are almost done with a FULL COLOR XXX publication. (It will
be advertised on the system as soon as it is available.)
Of course, now that I'm looking to buy a house...the apartment is
FINALLY getting organized. Oh well.
(Also had a Letter to the Editor published in this month's
BOARDWATCH MAGAZINE. November 1996 cover date.)
=======================================================================
October 19, 1996 - Tuesday
----------------
We HAD to change some of our Web pages...apparently (as we were told BOTH
by casual browsers AND and a GAY listing service), we had not made it
clear that BRYX Online is a free service.
FOLKS! IT'S FREE!
(For those of you reading this on a browser, this "today's news" is
ALSO available directly on the BBS portion of BRYX Online--that's why
we mention the Web page changes you may have already seen....)
=======================================================================
October 28, 1996 - Monday
----------------
The President of "Galacti-Con" (Galacticomm) promised to check out
several "issues" (read BIG problems) that I had with his company. This
was several weeks (months?) ago.
Obviously I would not be mentioning this conversation in this fashion if
an answer had been received....
SO... I am actively shopping for alternative software. Currently I am
looking at Wildcat! and various UNIX based solutions.
BOY is UNIX obscure! --but it may end up being the best solution--a well
tested solution--but with minimal support. Or is that "minimal support"
any different from what I am getting now?!??
=======================================================================
October 27, 1996 - Sunday
----------------
I almost don't want to tell about this--but what the hell...I'M EXCITED!
There is another (bigger) Gay Online service that would like to have us
hook into their chat lines...we'll see if this works out....
=======================================================================
October 24-26, 1996 - Thursday thru Saturday
-------------------
We have received the FORMAL announcement from our soon-to-be FORMER
software company. They've decided to go the "Microsoft way" and play
GOD with mere consumers of their products.
We are looking at shifting the board over to another platform, AND at a
lawsuit against this company for changing the terms of their support
after promises were made (prior to purchase).
The company is "Galacticomm". Their publication that announced these
draconian changes is called "Visions".
GOOD NEWS is that we've finished doing another revision and "teaser"
for "The BRYX-BODY Workout" which are both posted here and on the
CompuServe Bodybuilding forum.
The NEW teaser adds a few illustrations, and is in the Windows Write
format.
=======================================================================
October 15-23, 1996 - ...thru Wednesday
-------------------
I WOULD BE EMBARRESSED if the last week had been even 1% easier--but as it
was, but things were such a ZOO around here, that I've had no time to
update this "TODAY'S NEWS" section. And this is one of my FUN activities-
-I enjoy relating the exciting news.
And the BIG exciting news is that our SOFTWARE COMPANY for this Online
System has announced a GREAT update, promised for November delivery.
In the meantime, we've been working FRANTICALLY doing some "behind-the-
scenes" system re-modeling. You should see a BIG difference before the
end of the year....
=======================================================================
October 9-14, 1996 - Saturday thru Monday
------------------
Not much done on the system--still more clean up was required after the
various floods....
However, we have decided upon some basic policy changes that will make
some type of access easier, and others more restricted.
It is VERY mind-boggeling how rapidly market shifts happen in these
so-called "Internet-years"...!
Watch for detailed announcements in the logon message.
=======================================================================
October 4-8, 1996 - Monday thru Friday
-----------------
It is not yet "Plagues & Pestilence" yet, but after the flood from
upstairs, the air-conditioner started flooding some of our reference
stuff, and OUR plumbing started leaking downstairs! (Causing a call
from the building "Super-" at seven f'ing thrity in the morning....)
Hopefully, we've seen the worse, and are UNQUESTIONABLY looking forward
to house-hunting.
THERE HAS BEEN SOME CONFUSION and complaints about the cost of joining
the system here--even though the word "FREE" is mentioned at least a
half dozen times in various places....
So once again, the Online Service is FREE!
While it is likely that certain portions of the system will have a
SMALL charge associated with their use, it is our intent, goal, and
comittment to keep as MUCH of the system completely free--including a
portion of the ADULT (BRYXx) material.
And while we had hope to leave our HomePage "stable" for a while, it
looks like we are going to have to fix this bit of info EMPHASIS right
away.
Finally, a widely sought after new item: We have been processing a NUMBER
of graphics that are now ready for release--as soon as we add the
COPYRIGHT notices, etc. Look forward to another JUMP in the number of
files available....
=======================================================================
September 30-October 3, 1996 - Monday thru Sunday !!!
----------------------------
OBVIOUSLY WE'VE BEEN BUSY!
Besides having our Internet connection DIE for several hours on Thursday,
we've been flooded with dirty water from upstairs, and... (well, you get
the idea....)
Thursday, we enjoyed a flood of dirty water--destroying WEEKS of work.
This is "Flood #5"--SOMETHING must be done soon....
THE SAME DAY, "Earth-Stink" (aka Earthlink) lost our Internet/Web
connection. This is not the first time.
We called at 4:30 (the link had been down for a couple of hours by then)
and asked if it was just our "POP" dial-in number, or if it was the
entire system.
We were told that "...all of Earthlink is down -- it will up in about an
hour".
IT WAS ABOUT 9:00PM BEFORE OUR SERVICE WAS RESTORED!!!
Monday, I start the move to another connection service--I'm pretty sure it
will either be NETCOM (who hasn't returned ANY of my phone calls) or
AT&T (who ALSO hasn't returned my calls...).
We are also in the process of installing a backup server for those times
when we are doing backups....
=======================================================================
September 28-29, 1996 - Saturday, Sunday
---------------------
Several of the "BRYX Guys" and I did a (hopefully) thorough test of all
the menuing systems for all three boards: Ath-Elite, BronStar, and BRYXx.
If you notice any problems that we didn't cath, PLEASE e-mail SYSOP.
Wrote about 20 more pages for the NEXT revision of
"The BRYX-BODY Workout". (Paperback edition.) A revised version of the
e-book edition will be released in the next few weeks, and will have about
15% more pages. (Thee-book version is a smaller, abridged version of the
paperback.)
I also finished the album cover (for CD) for the latest release of
"Muscle & Madness". (The master tapes are still in Amsterdam....) I
didn't know how well I had done until some friends went CRAZY over it
"oh'ing and ah'ing" over it--so I'll post a GIF of it, too.
Tommorow I get to cope with those companies and people that don't keep
their "callback" promises. On the list: AT&T, Netcom, and Galacticomm.
Still resting from yesterday's "work-orgy"....
=======================================================================
September 27, 1996 - Friday
------------------
EXHAUSTED!
I am completely EXHAUSTED...in the last 32 hours I:
- Backed up 3 computers.
- Organized and reviewed ALL the files and directories on one of them.
- Tested over a half-dozen Shareware programs.
- COMPLETELY remodeled the "Information Center" and added "Healer's"
new GAY & MUSCLE GOSSIP column. (This brought the system down for
a few hours.)
- FROM *SCRATCH*, did the new cover art for my "Muscle & Madness" music
CD.
- Finish the promotional materials (design) for MuscleChat, OpenChat and
GayChat...printed out the (color) mini-posters for store windows...
ordered the printing for the bar flyers...had some quickly photocopies
(AND distributed!)
- Research some new features and add-ons for BRYX Online.
- And FINALLY, wrote this short--but FULL, news piece....
See you in a day or two!
=======================================================================
September 25-26, 1996 - Wednesday, Thursday
---------------------
It begins to get frustrating. Yesterday I was somewhat excited about
finding several Internet Service Providers to replace the unreliable
"Earthlink".
I am still waiting for two return calls from NETCOM, and one return call
from AT&T Worldnet. And waiting....
_____
We DID finish our promotional material design for the CHAT TIMES--
including a (color) mini-poster and a half-page flyer for the local
establishments. Looks pretty hot!
The "throw-away" half-page flyers are the most difficult--the design has
to be cheap enough for high-volume, yet eye-catching enough to be
worthwhile... This took many, many hours--and then discovering our error
of describing the "GayChat" as being from "7-11 pm Sunday MORNINGS"!!!
--------
Arghhh!
_____
We also (as you may have noticed), split up this "TODAY'S NEWS" section
into "Current News" and "Previous Issues", so as to reduce download time
and provide more convienience.
All in all, a couple of good and productive days....
=======================================================================
September 24, 1996 - Tuesday
------------------
You thought Windows '95 was bad? Or do you have another least-favorite
"buggy" software?
It **CAN** get worse: The $8,000,000,000.00 French "Ariane" rocket that
exploded in June 1996 had this failure traced to an "unused section of
code"--a bug that would probably have been caught with more thorough
testing....
_____
Well, "Earth-stink" (aka Earthlink) is smelling worse & worse...
"David Tommela", V.P. of operations couldn't understand why I "would care
if the lease was still in negotiation or actually signed" for their new
center with adequete power backup. (Contrasted to their current
"inadequete" status.)
After I pointed out that I would have **much** more confidence that the
move would take place during the "scheduled" time of Dec' '96 if the
lease was actually in place, "David" went on to explain how it would be
a "phased" move (DUH...) --BUT such a LONG move, that I shouldn't count
on having a reliable connection for up to "several months" after this
December move-in date!!?!
Further, he admitted, there was NO power backed-up local connection
available--I would have to pay the local telephone company toll-charges
to get a connection that would meet the industry standard (72 hours
minimum backup.)
In contrast, NETCOM (1-800-NETCOM-1) not only "easily exceeds" the 72
hour minimum backup time, but also offers this backup from "local end to
the main network nodes"--in other words, no extra phone company
charges....
I'm checking out some other providers, but it looks like "Earth-stink"
is "Gone With the Wind".... (Insert gastro-intestinal sounds here!)
=======================================================================
September 22-23, 1996 - Sunday - Monday
---------------------
More on Clinton-Dole... is ANYBODY surprised that "bi-partisan" (read:
Democrats & Republicans) commission on elections decided that Ross Perot
"doesn't have a chance"?
And has anybody wondered why if he "doesn't have a chance" he IS QUALIFIED
for matching Federal Funds?
Something is very wrong with this picture....
ABOUT BRYX ONLINE ISSUES:
-------------------------
WHO WILL SUPPLY OUR INTERNET SERVICE?
Currently, we use "Earth-stink" (aka Earthlink) to connect us as
"bryx.com". BUT....
Since we had lost our connection during the big West Coast power outage,
we've been waiting for "Arman Assar" (Business Support Manager) to find
out WHY we lost our connection for over 10 hours. He's had several
weeks to answer--none has come.
EVERYONE AT EARTHLINK has acted as if I was "mad" expecting a minimum of
72 hours back-up in the event of power failure--so today (Monday), I
called one of their competitors: NETCOM.
NOT ONLY DO THEY GUARANTEE 72 HOUR BACKUP, they ALSO have a "mirror site"
located in Dallas, Texas in the event of a SERIOUS disaster here in L.A.
"Nancy", who is the Secretary for the V.P. of Operations, David Tommela
was ARGUEING with me--in spite of myt experience with "Reliability,
Componenents, Standards, and Safety Engineering"--experience that includes
(not only) being the "Department Head", but being hired to CREATE this
department my a MAJOR (OEM) computer equipment supplier--OH YES, she
also argued with me even after being told of the many courses I had taken
in DISASTER MANAGEMENT....
ON A DIFFERENT TOPIC: Our HomePage at: http://bryx.com has become TOO
POPULAR--too many people are trying to access the site and are slowing it
down.
We've decided to offload our pages to a WEB SERVER by one of the major
Internet Service Providers. Not only will the next few days determine
if we stay with Earthlink for our basic connection, but will ALSO
determine who gets our business for this WEB SERVER need....
=======================================================================
September 21, 1996 - Saturday
------------------
Sick. Just plain SICK.
Sick of Bob Dole's hate and sick of Bill Clinton's gutlessness.
Bill Clinton signed the anti-gay marriage bill at 11:00pm at night--
obviously he was ashamed. (Or maybe he thought nobody would notice?)
A DemoRat friend of mine tried to defend Clinton's action "because he was
against gay marriages four years ago".
Well four years have passed, and as ANOTHER (attorney) friend said,
"The only defense Clinton has is that of INSANITY"....
It does NOT take a genius to figure out that if Clinton was to say,
"While I oppose Gay marriages because of my religions upbringing, it is
wrong for the Government to take Gay people's money to subsidize the
religiously-acceptable marriages of others".
Since the Government has gone this far, why not have it decide only to
recognize "marriages in the Judeo-Christian tradition"--after all, the
Government is imposing RELGIOUS BELIEFS on Gay people--let it take the
next logical step. Pat Robertson would LOVE it....
For those of you who want to DO something about this, call the White
House opinion line at (202)456-1111. (9-5 Eastern Time M-f).
How will I vote this year? I am voting Libertarian (and NO, I don't
even know who the canditate is), since that is as close as you can get
to "None of the above".
To repeat, (for the benefit of those who have missed earlier posts), the
Early Amercian legal scholar LYSANDER SPOONER stated (in words more
elegant than mine): That to choose between Masters every few years is
NOT freedom....
=======================================================================
September 20, 1996 - Friday
------------------
It is time. Time to go after another couple of irresponsible companies...
"Galacti-con" (our name-for "Galacticomm"), was in the "question mark"
category until my last (PAID!) tech-support call. IT HAS BEEN OVER TWO
WEEKS SINCE "David" WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK UP SOME ANSWERS HE DIDN'T KNOW!
(After one of the questions I was told "It was only of importance for
International Users".)
...I asked him if the name, "BRYX International" gave him any kind of
clue....
The question is about a parameter listed IN THE MANUAL--yet this PAID
tech-support didn't know the answer....
I have also yet to hear back from either the President, "Scott Brinker"
--or the CEO "Bob Shaw" regarding the oral representations given to me
at the time I decided to buy their software: That tech-support would be
"free" and would "continue for as long as I owned the product".
Scott was upset when I said that I realized "An oral contract is not
worth the paper it is written one"--claiming that Galacticomm intends
to "Make good it's promises".
Still NO RESPONSE weeks after Scott said he "would look into it" and
"get back to me"....
"Let's do lunch, Scott...." (He pays!)
Bob Shaw, has been similarly unresponsive in answering my questions to
him regarding some particularly mis-leading "Galacti-con" ads about
the CGI language, and its inclusion in the basic package.
(I noted the particular publication and at least one date where this ad
was displayed.)
This Monday, I deal with "Earth-Stink" (AKA "Earthlink")--who has
promised to get back to me with information regarding how I can get
reliable service--WITH OR WITHOUT A POWER FAILURE here in earthquake
-prone Los Angeles....
=======================================================================
September 19, 1996 - Thursday
-------------------
Still working on the "sorta web page"--I'll be getting that straightened
out this week so that requests to "http://www.bryx.com" will bring up
the same page as requests do (now) to "http://bryx.com".
_____
I been doing A LOT of work on this HomePage, but have "frozen" changes
until the next "phase" is complete. (I also archived a copy of how it
exists right now. In the future, people will be able to look back at
our OLD pages and see the various levels of progress!)
_____
If the "TODAY'S NEWS" seems a little brief right now, it's because the
system is pretty much stable--and most of our oustanding problems have
been solved!
I guess no news is GOOD news....
(BTW, there is also a lot of graphics work going on--but what can you
say exciting about "the same old, 'sameold'"?
=======================================================================
September 17-18, 1996 - Tuesday, Wednesday
---------------------
Our new "BRYX Guy" is known by the Member-ID of BUFFandBIG... and we go to
hear about him through a NUDE MAID service--use your imagination for the
rest.
ANYWAY, besides being on a regular and familiar basis with computers,
B&B is highly motivated to get things done - what a refreshing thought!
The HomePage (sorta "web page") is getting better and better by the HOUR!
NO WAY could this page have been done with the "Web Authoring Tools" that
software companies have been trying to sell you--there are just TOO many
"artistic" type decisions that have to be made; you really have to know
how various browers can respond, and plan you page accordingly.
Achieving a balance between features and universality continues to be a
problem.
_____
So far, so good on the phones--it looks like we're going to be the FIRST
PLACE in Pacific Hell territory to actually have a fully functional
Hunt Group!
_____
BTW, check this week's NEWSWEEK Magazine. The COVER is emblazoned with
the word "TESTOSTERONE"!
The inside article repeats much of what I have been saying for YEARS...
both here on BRYX Online, and in other outlets before this system came
into existance.
I decided to postpone Europe--I don't think it would be too much fun
while suffering through a nervous breakdown--to many things are happen-
ing right now to make it easy to leave. Sigh....
BUT THIS MEANS...that I will have time to get the CD-ROM changer
online. I already have at least **3** CD's that are worthy of their
own "slot".
Soon!
And watch for our posting of the GIF of our 1997 PROMOTIONAL CALENDAR
image--go ahead an print out a few hundred thousand for distribution!
=======================================================================
September 16, 1996 - Monday
------------------
Not much to say as things have been VERY busy...fixing up the web pages
daily, getting ready for a month of business in Europe, doing my backed-
up paperwork, and fighting the carpel-tunnel problem.
We will be having another good batch of pic's online before I go, and
I ALSO travel with a bunch of raw images that I can work with--not to
mention the camcorders and cameras in case I run across of high enough
caliber to make it as a "BRYX Guy".
ANYWAY, I'll tell you tommorow about this great "BRYX Guy" who has
started helping out around here.....
=======================================================================
September 15, 1996 - Sunday
------------------
OUCH, that was bad! I can type w/o pain now, but there will still
probably be "bad" days over the next few months.
_____
ANYWAY, I thought I was "done" with the pages Saturday evening--WRONG!
For those of you who don't do webpage design & construction MANUALLY,
let me tell you that this is the ONLY way to make these pages decently
"universal".
EVERY BROWSER that I have seen, views a page differently, and YOU CAN
ALSO CHANGE THE TYPE STYLE & SIZE FOR EACH OF THE "TYPE" CHANGES!
There is NO guarentee (yet) that the text that looks "so pretty" on
YOUR Browser will look anywhere close to that on another.
Because PC Magazine had several writers praising the new generation
of WEB page building software, I was considering changing what I told
people when asking how to create a web page.
I have been telling EVERYONE to by the QUE publication HTML book, and
to write the code in a text-only editor.
Then I started to build THESE pages, and noticed how many decisions
(of an ARTISTIC nature) had to be made every line or two--when you can
tell me how to program a computer to appreciate art, I will be able to
tell you how to automate WEB page creation...until then, spend $30.00
on the book--not $99.00 on a program.
Then I recalled it was PC Magzine that gave the "Editor's Choice" award
to the ThinkPad 760CD--a laptop that is an absolute piece of garbage,
and would be lucky to survive the travel from one desk to another--much
less REAL travel....
Note: There was a billboard on Sunset Blvd. for a few days that read,
"Oh, you're a WEBMASTER...?
What restaurant do you work at?"
Seeing what I do on many of these pages, I get this same feeling--that
a lot of people "out there" are just WEBmeister "wannabes".
BUT *DO* CHECK OUT THE NEW PAGES!
The effort shows.
(And if your browser is anywhere decent, [sorry AOL viewers...], you'll
see the payoff of doing it "RIGHT"!)
=======================================================================
September 13-14, 1996 - Friday, Saturday
---------------------
Hands hurt vry bad. Difficult 2 type--carpel-tunnel syndrome. Does
NOT appear 2 b comp. related. Completely (!) rebuilt HomePages at:
http://bryx.com
=======================================================================
September 11-12, 1996 - Wednesday, Thursday
---------------------
I can FINALLY start taking off all of those notices talking about the
problems with our phone lines. This problem has existed since April
3rd--over FIVE MONTHS...the "official" word came in today! The phone
lines are FIXED!
BUT GUESS WHAT? **NOBODY** in the Pacific Bell service area seems to
have had a working "hunt" system for their ISDN lines! ("Hunting" is
when a phone call goes to the first free line of multiple lines.)
And we just posted a VERY HOT GIF for you "BRYX Guys"...check out
BEAUBUTT.GIF or .JPG in the BRYXx Library!
-----
If you haven't visited our Internet site, you're missing out on a real
treat! And today we just got our "Animated GIF" working! (Shows a
Bodybuilder {Markus Reinhardt} going through a posing routine.)
We are on the Internet at:
http://bryx.com
Enjoy!
=======================================================================
September 10, 1996 - Tuesday
------------------
ANOTHER WOW! Check out this week's issue of NEWSWEEK MAGAZINE.
The cover is emblazoned with the word "TESTOSTERONE" in larger type
than the word "Newsweek"! The article talks about testosterone, DHEA
and other substances and their benefit in fighting the "Disease of
Aging" (as many are now calling it).
While I am still working on a more detailed analysis of the Joe Weider
publication "Muscle & Fitness" article represented as balanced (HA!),
there are SO MANY errors, omissions, and misdirections, that it is
going to take a LONG time to finish.
In the meantime, check out the article ROID_GID.TXT in the Ath-Elite
Library.
=======================================================================
September 9, 1996 - Monday
-----------------
Busy, busy day--getting a treadmill in tomorrow, lots of phone calls
today..."fixed" the reset problem with would Internet link--but now
having some residual "re-connect" difficulties, but not nearly as bad
as before.
Posted several new files, AND...
******* WOW, WOW, WOW ! ! ! ...we just did our first "animated GIF"-
-you can see it on the "Today's News" section on our web site at:
http://bryx.com/
It shows SEXY BODYBUILDER Markus Reinhardt (AKA "Mike Studwell") going
through a posing routine with the Hollywood Hills in the background....
This GIF will continuously repeat when viewed with Netscape version 3,
and with version 2--when some settings are corrected. Support for this
feature will eventually migrate to MOST browsers, but at the moment is
"touch-and-go". (Netscape version 2 will show it once and then stop if
it is not correctly set.)
-----
We still have some fine-tuning to get our Internet speed up to its full
capacity....
=======================================================================
September 6-8, 1996 - Saturday-Sunday
-------------------
It turns out that while Earthlink "fixed" our higher speed access to
the Internet, it "broke" the automatic reset of the connection (when
we do our nightly system clean-up at 3-4pm).
We'll find out what is going on on Monday.
-----
More scientific information is FINALLY being brought online here in the
Ath-Elite board. I have been VERY active on the now fading CompuServe
Bodybuilding forum, so much of the work that I have posted there will
now be posted here instead.
Also, I will be re-writing many of my earlier reponses into a more
"generic" tand conversational tone so that each piece will stand on its
own, and not require knowledge of "what someone else has said before".
-----
We've fixed up our webpages some more--making sure that all have
pictures...
=======================================================================
September 7, 1996 - Friday
-----------------
It has been another interesting day today--and my carpel tunnel is
acting up, so I don't how much I'll be able to tell you, so I'll keep
it short on each subject...
1) Ass-End (Ascend) Communications, looks like they've finally done
their job. Although it took over 5 months to do it, I will revert now
to calling them by their (barely) redeemed name of "Ascend".
Does this means our lines work right? NOPE!
It now appears to be a Pacific Hell problem...and I have finally been
vindicated in the eyes of their (best!) tech--he experienced what I had
previously: A set-up that worked last week, does not work today. I was
told "He was floored".
Earthlink (Oh, that's right, "EarthStink") finally fixed our
configuration problems--so we've now got a higher speed, reliable
Internet connection.
They still haven't addressed their woeful lack of power backup
capability.
Hands getting sore--will tell you about HP "Horrible-Packard" in the
next couple of days....
=======================================================================
September 6, 1996
-----------------
It looks like the new Sysop of the CompuServe Bodybuilding Forum is off
to a GREAT start....<sarcasm>
Steve Tamerius seems SO CONCERNED about limiting discussion on steroids
that he doesn't bother to obey EXISTING FEDERAL LAW--admitting to
violating my Copyright for "The BRYX-BODY Workout"!
This is a VERY strange world....
=======================================================================
September 4-5, 1996
-------------------
CompuServe looks to be in an interesting self-destruct mode. (AOL is
already there...)
As has been reported in the news, H&R Block (which owns or owned
CompuServe), is trying to spin it off as a public stock offering (or
maybe has already done so--I don't keep too close of a track on these
things.)
One of the consequences of this, and the growing migration to the
Internet, is that there is more consumer choice--and more and more
people are choosing the "unlimited monthly Internet access" for the
typical price of about $19.95.
To counter this, CompuServe looks like it is "selling" forums as a
profit center.
One of the recent such centers is the "Pride!" area for the Gay/Lesbian
market. Unfortunately, (at least in my eyes), it appears that this is
one of those groups of Gay people who want to take--and not give back,
to the Gay community.
Similarly, personal agendas seem to abound in other areas.
In the BODYBUILDING area (currently a "section" soon to become its own
{larger} "Forum"), both the HEAD SYSOP (Alan Stevens) and the
BODYBUILDING SYSOP (Steve Tamerius) have informed me, that because of
their PERSONAL FEELINGS...(get ready for this one!):
NO DISCUSSION OF STEROIDS OR STATEMENT OF FACT ABOUT STEROIDS WILL BE
ALLOWED ***ANYWHERE*** EXCEPT THE "OPINION" SECTION. (As if there
exist no facts about steroids at all!)
The volunteer "assistant sysops" in this area keep saying things like,
"No, I'm sure that fact will be allowed in other sections."
But the word came down "from above" that this is OFFICIAL POLICY.
Oh well. CompuServe was too good to last--the downfall was long
overdue....
_____
IT'S OUR ANNIVERSARY! It's now exactly 5 months since our phone
difficulties started as a combination of difficulties from "ASS-END"
(Ascend) Communications and Pacific Hell (I mean "Bell").
It **does** look like this unwarrented ordeal will be over (fingers
crossed) on Friday.
But until ASS-END engineering does a top-to-bottom overview of what
they expect their PIPELINE series of ISDN units to do, I am sure that
other problems are in wait...it is NOW TIME to make your products
stable Ascend....
_____
I still don't want to say anything (Good or Bad) about our problems
with our Galacticomm software, software design, and service policies--
we should know sometime next week.
Until tomorrow....
=======================================================================
September 3, 1996
-----------------
I think I have some good news to tell you about Galacticomm... but I don't
have time this moment...I will post it soon.
_____
Well, I had to do engineering work for ASS-END (Ascend) communications...
it looks like things MAY finally work AT LAST!
BTW, it looks like SOME solid engineering thinking is finally penetrating
into the thick-headed group there. The tech-support guy is as puzzled as
I am why this product line is so ill-defined.
Anyway, for your enjoyment, I thought I'd include a copy of my (unpaid)
work....
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 1996 3:39pm Electronic Mail
From: Sysop Msg#: 32529
To: xxxxx@ascend.com
Re: test conditons as viewed external to P25/5ESS system
This is a chart of the test conditions and expected response to the
outside world as it views the combination system that includes both the
P25/50/75 combined with the 5ESS switch as a system (black box):
State|B1 analg|B1 incoming|B2 analg prt|B2 incoming|result new |result
| port |call | port | call |B1 incoming|new B2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
0000|ON HOOK |NO CALL | ON HOOK | NO CALL |ringB1 |ringB2
0001|ON HOOK |NO CALL | ON HOOK | ACTV CALL |ringB1 |busy
0010|ON HOOK |NO CALL | OFF HOOK | NO CALL |ringB1 |busy
0011|ON HOOK |NO CAll | OFF HOOK | ACTV CALL |ringB1 |busy
0100|ON HOOK |ACTV CALL | ON HOOK | NO CALL |ringB2 |ringB2
0101|ON HOOK |ACTV CALL | ON HOOK | ACTV CALL |busy |busy
0110|ON HOOK |ACTV CALL | OFF HOOK | NO CALL |ringB2 |ringB2
0111|ON HOOK |ACTV CALL | OFF HOOK | ACTV CALL |busy |busy
1000|OFF HOOK|NO CALL | ON HOOK | NO CALL |ringB2 |ringB2
1001|OFF HOOK|NO CALL | ON HOOK | ACTV CALL |busy |busy
1010|OFF HOOK|NO CALL | OFF HOOK | NO CALL |busy |busy
1011|OFF HOOK|NO CALL | OFF HOOK | ACTV CALL |busy |busy
1100|OFF HOOK|ACTV CALL | ON HOOK | NO CALL |ringB2 |ringB2
1101|OFF HOOK|ACTV CALL | ON HOOK | ACTV CALL |busy |busy
1110|OFF HOOK|ACTV CALL | OFF HOOK | NO CALL |busy |busy
1111|OFF HOOK|ACTV CALL | OFF HOOK | ACTV CALL |busy |busy
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ken, this table should be pretty obvious. This is what Howard should do
(or assign someone to do) for ALL conditions encountered. This is a
very BASIC part of product definition.
I want Howard's overtime for this work...<g>
Gregg Strom
BRYX International
sysop@bryx.com
310-652-BRYX
_____
You know, if we keep IRAQ handy, every election we can just kill more of
those "damn Arabs" to help whoever is in office...we can conserve our
creative energy and not have to any REAL issues.
BTW, think of how WONDERFUL our position would seem to the average Iraqi
citizen--imagine how YOU would feel if the "evil Bill Clinton" was
prevented from trying to attack people who were trying to overthrow the
U.S. government! They say this is what "Saddam" is doing on the news...
that this is his reason for attacking the Kurds--have YOU listened (and
thought) about what has been said?
Have you thought of how it would feel on the other side?
I just don't want to see ANY lives lost as the INDIVIDUALS in the U.S.
are forced to decide between Clinton and Dole as their "master".
***BIG*** BTW #2: I just realized our politicians have an entire SPARE
WAR on hand! After we kill enough people in Iraq,(because they attacked
REBELS and TERRORISTS on their territory,) we can attack the people who
happen to live on the land with the geo-political name of "Turkey"!
After all, it IS the country that drove the "poor" Kurds into Iraq in
the first place! --It's an ENTIRE **new** group of people ("damn
foreigners") that we can hate & kill! <sarcasm>
Do I think government is an obsolete (or obsoletable) institution? Yes.
=======================================================================
August 30, 1996
---------------
Yes, it is STILL (sigh) Ass-End communications: The new software DIDN'T
fix the problem. I spent ALL DAY on this one problem, and ultimately
ended up with a poor, exhausted tech on my hands, a "poor exhausted" ME
on my hands, and a poor, exhausted engineer engineer up in the S.F. Bay
area....
Of course, this is just before a 3-day holiday, and NOW people can get
the recording announcing "No such number..., etc."
If Ass-End is reading this, please test ALL states: There are only FOUR
basic states per line:
B1 Channel B2 Channel
---------- ----------
FREE FREE
FREE BUSY
BUSY FREE
BUSY BUSY
There are is another factor of four variations: whether each line is
held busy by a local off-hook condition, or by a call-in-progress at
the local switch, making a GRAND total of 16 states. Will you guys
PULEEZZE do a #%@%##! "state-machine" for this device? This starts the
work for you....
=======================================================================
August 29, 1996
---------------
Spoke w/ Ass-End Communications today--we're nearing our 5 month
aniversary of non-function! (April 3rd).
The engineer-in-charge ASKED ME (the customer) if I COULD GUARENTEE
THE PROGRAMMING IN THE PACIFIC BELL CENTRAL OFFICE! I kinda' let
him know that REALLY was HIS job....
So they're now arranging to send a tech down w/ a protocol analyzer--
I don't happen to keep spare ISDN protocol anylyzers around the place
here...silly me!
=======================================================================
August 28, 1996
---------------
It seems that the new Sysop on the Compuserve Bodybuilding
Section/Forum is going to be persuing his personal agenda by exiling
discussion of steroids from the Bodybuilding main area to the flakey-
sounding "Editorial/Opinion" section.
Is he going to treat other supplements the same way?
It appears not. He has cleverly created a "Nutrition/Supplement"
section from which steroids will ALSO apparently be dis-allowed...
August 23-27, 1996
------------------
Well, ASS-END Communications doesn't get its name back of "Ascend" as
the tech who was working on my problem (that was supposed to be fixed
yesterday or today!) is on JURY DUTY. I guess they have only ONE tech
at this company--or the engineer can't bother to stoop to do some
testing for a customer who has had seriously compromised service since
!!! APRIL THIRD, NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-SIX !!!
No. I'm not upset at all. <arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!>
_____
Another kind of pain. Real, REAL BAD: The Carpel tunnel problem came
back...guess I'll be doing mostly leg workouts for a while.
When it first hit, it took me FOUR "SHIFTS" to eat a bowl of cereal, as
the pain was that bad. I've got someone who can take dictation, so I'll
be having him update this for me as we TRY to keep this thing current.
I am also impressed by our software supplier "Finally & Again"--the guys
who wrote the software for this Online Service/BBS. ("Galacticomm")
When I started the call, I was ready to smash & trash.
When I finished, (sucker that I am), I was pleasantly surprized. We'll
see how this pans out in the long term...
But getting connected to the President of this decently-sized and
rapidly expanding company is not what one would usually expect--but
it **IS** what happened.
Because some of my complaints might cause some embarassment, and since
they appear to be making a very sincere effort to address them I will
not (for now) post the specifics of the problems.
In today's rapidly changing world of the Internet, where an
"Internet Year" is jokingly called a calendar month, it is VERY
difficult to make good purchase decisions. With luck & skill I may
have done the right thing here.
_____
I am also considering surrendering to the disk-capacity wars. I've
got over 5 full Gigabytes of hard drive on the three main computers-
-all full!
Maybe it's time to get some sort of server....
There is more news, but there is also more pain...I'll update as much
as possible as the pain comes and goes.
=======================================================================
August 21-22, 1996
------------------
An actual follow-thru happened from ASS-END communications! (Will they
earn their preferred name of "Ascend" back? Stay tuned....)
Talked to "Howard", who is the engineer responsible for the ENTIRE
"Pipeline" model series. (Thanks to the efforts of a high-level
trouble-shooter("Dave C.")--who reports directly to the "Prez"....
Howard grasped the problem reasonably well--after I explained what is
was for the "umpteenth" time--internal communications seem to be VERY
poor....
BUT, what concerns me GREATLY, is that he began to argue with me over
the need to DEFINE WHAT THE PRODUCT DOES! HUH?!??
Even the non-engineer trouble-shooting guy (Dave C.)knew that something
was fundamentally wrong here....
We may see results so that we'll finally enjoy reliable phone
connections here at BRYX--and see something at ASS-END akin to certain
aspects of the French Revolution.... Marie "Howard" Antoinette?
_____
For you tech-types: Howard didn't want to assign someone to take the
very few hours that it takes to write a simple thing called a
"State Machine". A "State Machine defines how a system is expected to
react to various conditions over a period of time.
A "State Machine" definition in this case would describe how this type
of phone connection should act to both the user (BRYX) and to the phone
company equipment (at Pacific Bell). The ASS-END equipment would then
be designed to provide the "bridge" between the two.
(This stuff is often taught as early as the THIRD WEEK into a
beginner's course in digital design!)
_____
My workouts?
Going pretty well. Started getting back into arms for the first time,
too.
I have a "problem" I have to watch for--my arms grow too easily!
Usually the amount of collateral use they get from providing control
and balance, etc. for my chest and back exercises keep them the right
size--can't get out of proportion!
I'm taking Friday off, then shoulders and legs are next....
=======================================================================
August 19-20, 1996
------------------
Pain.
And more pain.
Well...I guess I deserved it.
I took my new training partner and FORCED him to use proper form--
and incidentaly brought his bench up by 50 pounds...not to mention
TOTALLY confusing him about how many reps he does each set...for
example...
One set, (where he was about to give up after 6 reps,) I got him to
count up to 9 (he was planning on only 8!) It went something like this:
"one" {1}, "two" {2}, "three" {3}, "more!" {4}, "Another" {5},
"COME ON!" {6}, "PUSH IT!--HARD!!!!" {7}, "SIX." {8},
"Eight--good set" {9}. (Obviously a REAL BODYBUILDER, as he can't
count too well...<g>)
Two sets later he became SO confused that he thought he had done only
10 reps--when he had actually completed 13!!! I am not generally loved
by my training partners. One of the mysteries of the universe!
ANYWAY, there was no way I could take things easy after this intense
bout of "torture"...especially as I'm still recovering from 32 months
of injuries--and only back up to 275 lbs (for about 6 reps--well down
from my "normal"(?) [I ***HATE*** that word...] 405-455 lbs for
4-8 reps....
As the ancient Chinese saying goes, "The longest journey begins with a
single step"... And then Bodybuilder saying, "...with a single REP!"
_____
I managed to get through about 2/3 of my back workout, too. I expect to
be 100% next chest day. (3-day split.)
_____
AND THE PROBLEMS FOR THE DAY: Our Internet Provider: EARTHLINK.
My sales guy, "Tony", told me that his boss ("David") seemed unconcerned
that my Internet link was lost during big the West Coast power failure.
When I was connected to this boss he denied any lack of interest and
wanted to "find out what happened," and to "MAKE SURE IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN
AGAIN."
In spite of this claim, Earthlink is not being responsive to my questions
and requests, and is bordering on the RUDE, I am VERY concerned.
I asked David if I "should be looking for another provider". The e-mail
response (on file)?
"Do what you must."
This does NOT sound like a company that cares about its customers.
_____
TOMORROW IS THE DAY that I ask to speak to the President of Earthlink.
Of course he will be "in a meeting", "not currently available" and no
one will know when or where he could POSSIBLY be found. Maybe he went
to join a monastery for a few years? They can't find their own
President??? What kind of "joke" company is this?!??!??
(Of course, I know this is standard operating procedure... Yeah, S.O.P.
--or is that a "B."?)
_____
The useful "dirty trick" I will use:
After the operator or secretary tells me this standard lie, I simply ask
to "speak to the highest level executive who CAN currently take a call."
These large corporations don't seem to be able to cope with that
technique too well....<VBEG>
I'll keep you posted.
=======================================================================
August 18, 1996
---------------
Oh well. If you scroll down a few weeks, you will see where I decided
that it was necessary to pare the number of days announcing Member's
birthdays from 10 days to 7-8.
That decision has NOT lasted very long.... The screen is filling up
again with all the many New Members joining up--so it looks like a
"hard cut" is coming at 5 days--I hope that last for at least a FEW
months before we're forced to cut this (pleasant) little BIRTHDAY
section even more!
=======================================================================
August 17, 1996
---------------
CENSORchip--CENSORSHIP: I had **thought** that ALL vestiges of censor-
ship had been removed from the system here, when the (under-utilized)
"Night-time Stories" began to see a new bout of activity...and several
words were (literally!) "BEEP"ed....
The censorship software has been removed, so that the stories may proceed
unmolested, and the earlier censored words will be restored as time
permits....
Some good stuff has been added!
New Topic:
It seems that the Manager of the "Pride!" section of CompuServe likes
to ignore his mail...I suspect that he may be new to Cserve, and
didn't realize that a return receipt could be generated when mail is
read...(said in a DEEP VOICE) "When will he ANSWER...Answer...answer...
...swer...swer...er...er...r...r...r..??!???"
After all, he **IS** ignoring proper notification of "probable
Copyright law violations"....
=======================================================================
August 15-16, 1996
------------------
Still waiting for response from Ass-End Communications. Still
waiting for response from Earth-Stink (Earthlink) regarding loss of
Internet service during the recent West Coast power outage.
Pacific Hell (Pacific Bell) also managed to swap a couple of our
lines around so that users received a "This number no longer in
service" recording instead of getting connected to a free line....
Joy. Joy oh.... joy......
It'll be REALLY nice to actually have some time to post some more
pic's and Bodybuilding info....
NOTE AT 3:30pm: ***STILL*** haven't heard from Ass-End Communications,
so instead of getting frustrated, decided to do something productive.
So after calling again, played 8 games of Solitaire....
4:00pm: Played over 12 games. Won over $1100 in virtual dollars--anybody
want to sell some virtual software...oh that's right, software companies
ALREADY do that...no answer from customer service from ANY of these
people....
Time to call the BIG boss...
4:30pm: The "peon" ("Ken") called me to inform me that the testing "has
just shown the same condition that the software patch was supposed to
fix". This testing has SUPPOSEDLY been going on since Wednesday--it's
taken this long to find out the basic function to be repaired hasn't
been?
Then the REAL zinger: "I'll get back to you RIGHT AWAY [emph. added] as
soon as I find out when this R29 is supposed to happen."
Me, "So will that be in hours or in minutes?"
Peon, "Oh, it'll be after the weekend."
Me, "You CERTAINLY have a different definition of "right away"
than I do."
I paged the "BIG boss" again with the message, "What the hell is going
on?" I don't expect a tremendous amount of coherence at this point....
Well, it seems the "cheese" is getting bigger--got connected to a guy
who reports DIRECTLY to the CEO and is "Director of Customer
Satisfaction". Managed to summarize the whole tale (since
April 3, 1996) in less than 5 minutes!
I've been told that a BIG club will be carried over to the engineering
department...
We'll see if they'll earn their real name back....
=======================================================================
August 14, 1996
---------------
Well, Ass-End communications failed to meet their promised deadline.
The software is still not completely tested as of 5:25pm this evening,
and won't be until "sometime in the morning--if nothing comes up."
Unfortunately, the unit selected to be left in service is now causing
an even WORSE condition than that which existed previously: Where
before, it was possible for callers to get a "ring, no-answer", it has
NOW become HIGHLY likely that callers will get the rather authoritative
recording announcing that "This number is no longer in service, please
check the number and dial again, or call your operator for help."
This, of course, can be NOTHING LESS THAN DISASTROUS for new users
attempting to sign-up for the first time....
______
We are still waiting for William Montgomery, the manager of the
CompuServe "Pride!" section, to respond to the various errors and
omissions from various people with responsibilities in this
(commercially sponsored) section.
I have been told that various "rules" exist in this area, but have not
been informed (as of yet) where these rules are located for viewing or
download. I also received a rather "nasty" letter from the sysop
"Sean" describing a message of mine as "uncouth"--when all I was asking
for was EXACTLY this same information that had not been received...it
WOULD have been "uncouth" if the section software hadn't malfunctioned,
or if the information in question had been received....
I can only hope that what I am experiencing is a function of growing
pains, and not that of selfishness, from this area intended for use by
the Gay community....
=======================================================================
August 13, 1996
---------------
Tomorrow is the day (again!) that we've been promised by ASCEND
COMMUNICATIONS ("ass-end"?) that our ISDN adapter will finally be
working. As this software bug affects their ENTIRE product line
from the cheapest P25 ($700.00) on up to their most expensive P75
($2000.00+++) and since they've known about this problem since
April 3, 1995....
IT LOOKS LIKE THE GAY COMMUNITY IS DOING ITS MUTUAL EXPLOITATION
thing again... A private organization called "Pride!" seems to be
operating in a manner that I am "Ashamed!" of.
They operate the new Gay section on CompuServe and there appear to be
many unpublished restrictions on contributions to the Libraries--it
seems they want a monopoly on the Gay Audience there, and will go to
any length to preserve it.
But what about us hard-working people who make our living by providing
images of Hot, Sexy Men? It seems unless someone TELLS them, they will
post VERY WELL KNOWN images from Colt, Falcon, Tom of Finland, and
others--without making the slightest inquiry of the contributor....
I think they should re-think their emphasis here....
=======================================================================
August 12, 1996
---------------
Discovered our Internet connection has been down since we re-installed
the system software--Tech Support at Galacticomm has repeatedly
insisted to "just re-install the software--it won't mess anything up."
It turns out that unless you ALSO re-install the USERS licenses, you
lose some of your active connections! (And no, it was not at all
obvious--the "baseline" package comes with 2 channels, and additional
connections are purchased in "User 6-Packs". Instead of defaulting
to the baseline--which would be IMMEDIATELY apparent, it went to an
INTERMEDIATE level!)
Our apologies to those who tried to connect via the Internet yesterday,
and our WRATH to Galacticomm "Tech Support"....
=======================================================================
August 11, 1996
---------------
WOW!, WOW!, WOW!...
The "Bedtime Stories" book is looking HOTTER & HOTTER as we finish
up....
...BUT, It's past time put together the Ath-Elite catalog for those
Bodybuilders who are only interested in the Bodybuilding stuff.
That (and doing taxes) is the main priority for the next few days!
I've had a little bit of time to look as some other online services...
One thing that I've noticed as being PARTICULARLY obnoxious is the
recycling of the same tired 7 "quote of the day"'s over and over and
over...
We've just finished our OWN collection of 120 quotes--entirely selected
and edited in-house. We have provisions for a total of 400! (Don't
want anyone getting bored!)
SPECIAL ODDBALL NOTE:
=====================
Is anyone else out there getting as sick of the "Year 2000"
"Millenialists" as I am? If you'd really like get them to shut-up,
just inform them of the little known fact that Christ was BORN IN THE
YEAR 4 B.C.!!!
It seems an error was made by some monk (they even know the poor guy's
name...) when adding and subtracting those awkward ROMAN NUMERALS.
And you don't have to take OUR word for this... Check with any of the
many local Catholic Universities--usually you'll be referred to a
priest (of the Jesuit order). Odds are, he'll probably know the details
off the top of his head....
(For The Record: I am an Atheist, and have no affiliation with any
"traditional", "new age", or "fraud-type" religions/belief-systems.)
=======================================================================
August 8-10, 1996
-----------------
It seems that Galacticomm is having more and more trouble providing
customer support. Friday was the third day to get back to me about an
e-mail SECURITY problem! Guess I have to try again Monday.
Doing some more work on the "Bedtime Stories" book--listed in the
BRYX International catalog. Looking VERY, VERY good!
All of the account classes have been changed to their (hopefully!)
final states and names....
POWER OUTAGE
------------
We're okay here at BRYX. We have GREAT power and systems backup....
HOWEVER, I think our Internet Provider (the one you use to connect to
us) DOESN'T SEEM TO EVEN HAVE BACKUP POWER! This, of course, is
ENTIRELY unacceptable. I'll report on what they have to say to me when
I call Monday. (And after I spent all this effort prioritizing the
Internet connection in the event of an emergency!)
For those few callers that did NOT get an answer, we thought that some
sort of "glitch" had penetrated all our protection & backup gear--turns
out it was MORE of the BBS software....
P.S. August 11, 1996: Found out the problem was glitched test computer
--one that WASN'T on all the protection stuff we have on the system.
=======================================================================
August 5-7, 1996
----------------
Spent the last few days going CRAZY trying to figure out how the entire
BronStar Library got "Unapproved"--and how the file got separated from
their descriptions! It looks like our software provider MAY have yet
another bug in their software....
Still going in the same circles with CompuServe (AKA Compu$erve) that I
went through AOL (AKA "America On Hold") about a year ago. I hope the
"rationality curve" has a little steeper slope, such that Cserve will
reach the same point that AOL did in considerably less time....
ONE VERY NICE THING about the CompuServe "Pride!" forum is that they
allow FULL-FRONTAL NUDITY, unlike the AOL Gay area which won't show
anything that "shows a naked waist"!
AGAIN, had to raise a bit of hell at the "descending"
Ascend Communications, as they continue to get a simple software patch
to fix our phone lines....
=======================================================================
August 2-4, 1996
----------------
WELL! Found someone with a computer background to help out around here!
(Something that was VERY much needed.) Also training with him in my
"get back in shape" efforts.
Rewired all the network stuff and straightened out some cabling...still
a little bit more to do--then on to the software and operations stuff!
It seems CompuServe is afraid of this service--they won't let my tell
people how to use my pic's legally by allowing me to include the
contact info...guess I should probably arrange to "go public" on the
stock market with that one! Invest in BRYX International NOW!<g>
=======================================================================
August 1-3, 1996
----------------
Well, I found out that the way the software was written for this system,
EVERYONE (even unconfirmed NEW sign-ups) instantly got a e-mail
address on the Internet--not to smart of a thing to do as far as
liability and legal harassment goes...!
So we've finally fixed up all the classes (it's "BRYXx" class instead
of "BRYX_TMP"), and greatly reduced both system and file access to
new users until we receive the completed "Membership Agreement".
AND "OH MY GAWD!": We also found out that we had accidentally "lost"
about 200 very sexy files from the BronStar Library! (Most of this
has been fixed by now, but here is still about a half-dozen files that
have to be moved around the system.
SO THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD, and seem to actually be progressing
a little FASTER than we had originally planned--let's hope this remains
as the normal condition....
=======================================================================
July 30-31, 1996
----------------
Surprise, surprise...the ISDN phone problems turned out to be caused
by an ASCEND software mess. They STILL haven't managed to pass
"Digital Design 101a" and figure out how to write a "state machine"
for how a telephone should act. There unit sends to the phone co.
central office both a "busy" code and an "off-hook" code to describe
the status of the phone (or modem) connected--obviously a NONSENSE
state.
One of our Members, Juicedmuscle, is arranging to get our system
listed with all of the more popular "search engines" AND is arranging
to have links to the system [bryx.com] placed on other pages for
people who might have similar interests...
Things may get VERY busy!
=======================================================================
July 28-29, 1996
----------------
As you may have read in the previous news posting we have received
confirmation that the engineer that wrote the bad code will be showing
up at our premises on Wednesday to try to set things right--or at
least figure out what is wrong....
And yes, the politicians have wasted NO TIME in starting to try to
take away our freedoms...in spite of the VAST majority of security
experts stating unequivocally that (any of) the proposed laws
would have done NOTHING to prevent the (presumed) bombing of TWA800
or the Olympic's Centennial Park bombing....
Of course, they are talking about "rushing through" legislation on
this--in other words, it will probably be BAD legislation...but the
saddest/funniest proposal I have heard is to "make it illegal to
post bomb-making instructions on the Internet--If you know it will
be used to commit a crime"...
How can anyone "know" that???
Faced with questions about books with the same information (that have
PASSED constitutional challenges,) these politicians simply change
the topic...
Of course, if they REALLY want to do it "right", they would make it
illegal to teach chemistry and ban all related text books...but how
to reconcile all this with the newspaper that, upon challenge, had
the Supreme Court uphold the publication of plans for a nuclear
bomb...
And back to the system--just posted some more pic's today...and
FINALLY received the new BODYBUILDER mASsTROLOGY from "Healer"....
=======================================================================
July 26-27, 1996
----------------
This is being written in the early morning on the west coast after
having heard about the (reasonably) presumed bombing at the Atlanta
Olympics.
-- THERE IS IMPORTANT SYSTEM NEWS AFTER THIS TOPIC--PLEASE READ. --
This follows in the wake of the TWA flight 800 (not yet presumed)
bombing.
Comment: NOTHING can be made absolutely safe.** Nobody can even prove
that they will be alive to wake up the next morning!
Yet, in spite of this, politicians around the world, and surprisingly
our "liberal" presidents have used the THREAT of this as a POSSIBILITY
to take away more and more of our freedoms.**
This is similar to our governor "Pete" Wilson of California using the
O.J. Simpson trial to allow for convictions with non-unanimous jury
decisions--DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DECISION IN THAT TRIAL **WAS**
UNANIMOUS! "Political Logic" (groan) a DEFINITE oxymoron....
As Benjamin Franklin said, "Those who would give up a little bit of
freedom for greater security deserve neither."
___
** Specific political recommendations and other observations:
1. Resist calls for increases in airport security that involve
inconvenience to passengers: You could be forced to fly NUDE,
have baggage shipped in a SEPARATE plane, yet still be brought
down by a missile. (Note that the CIA has been offering about
half-again the "black-market" price to try to recover Stinger
missiles sold in Afghanistan...$11-12,000 vs black-market $8,000.)
2. Encourage better communications and training between different
Law-enforcement agencies--but ONLY SPECIFIC CRIME-RELATED DATA--
***NOT*** mass-gathered data on citizens who are not presenting
a "clear and present danger" to others....
3. Discourage ANY of the many tiny steps that are leading us towards
some sort of "National Identity Card". I lived in the Netherlands
for two years and discovered that ALL people are required to
register their residence with BOTH the police and the "Housing
Authority" (rent control gone mad).
Imagine having to go to the Police station before you can move
into your apartment.... [Note: Tourists are registered without
their knowledge by the hotels.]
4. FIGHT VIGOROUSLY any attempt to censor information. Censorship
of ANY kind has a basic philosophical problem: How can the
people that censorship is supposed to "protect" tell if the
censors are doing their job? Unless you can review what has been
censored compared to what has not been, you are subject to the
whims of whatever individuals or institutions have control of the
censorship apparatus.
___________
ANYWAY, it seems that Ascend Communications finally decided to fix the
-------
screwed-up ISDN equipment of theirs--they are actually flying down the
engineer that wrote the code to the BRYX International location to
trouble-shoot the problem. This is (tentatively) scheduled to happen
this coming Wednesday, so expect it to be difficult to get on the
board on Wednesday, and perhaps Thursday....
___________
Oh, and if you haven't heard, Gay Porn Star TY FOX made the Washington
Times which reported that his wife had found out about this "alternate"
career--to teaching high school gym.
He is reportedly "devastated" that his wife found out...as a friend of
mine said, "What, he DIDN'T KNOW he was a Porn Star?"
**MY** observation: Since he has subsequently resigned from his high
school job, I guess this poor "straight boy" is going to just HAVE TO
make more videos for a living. I'm sure he'll hate every inch of it...
NOT!
=======================================================================
July 23-25, 1996
----------------
Having problems with the #%&#!! cameras! (Both still & video.
Grrrr.) So putting aside "Hunk 'Rustling" for another week.
In the meantime, did a GREAT new cover for the BRYX "Bedtime Stories"
(Adults Only.) Glad it hadn't been sent to the printer!
ALSO...problems with the system software company...tech support tells
me one thing--and the tech support manager says it's not true.
I guess there's no reason for me to waste any Vaseline when getting
THIS mess resolved!
Looks like the company who is ULTIMATELY responsible for the phone
line problems is going to send out a technician to do the 3-4 hours
each day (average--about 5-8 hours for any one session!) that **I**
had to do.
I'm also making them use their OWN phone (i.e., CELLULAR) for this
5-8 hour session. No reason why I should tie up MY lines for THEIR
problem!
LOOK FOR THE SYSTEM TO BE DOWN INTERMITTENTLY ON MONDAY AND/OR
TUESDAY FOR THIS FIX.
INTERNET DOWNLOAD: The system software mfg. REALLY screwed up--when you
"TELNET" into the system you get ALL the normal menus--including the
download menu for the Libraries... You have to log in as FTP to get
files (and you must have become a member--at the moment we haven't
decided whether to allow "anonymous" file downloads). This can look
like this:
TELNET://bryx.com
With **LUCK**, this should work.... (Keeping in mind that I've received
TWO different answers from tech support.)
=======================================================================
July 22, 1996
-------------
It's HUNK 'RUSTLING TIME! (See yesterday's posting.)
Yep.
Going to spend this week seeing what hot bods are interested in showing
is ALL for our Members here at BRYX International. [It is possible you
will NOT see postings for a few days! <VBEG>]
=======================================================================
July 21, 1996
-------------
Figured out we had MORE than enough material to produce TWO
"Bedtime Stories" books. They're looking VERY hot!
Still having difficulty finishing up the backup--there's a 2+GB drive
that hooks into the SAME parallel port as the HP Colorado T1000e.
Can they make it work? Stay tuned...!
Must do some scenery type shots for backgrounds--looks like this week
will be a good time to do it.
***ALSO, _all_ of the major projects and problems are done, (or at
least out of my hands), so this week is GET BACK IN SHAPE week....
All the Internet stuff seems to be working--all I have to do is
decently document it for system Members...IF YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT
DOESN'T WORK, ***PLEASE*** LET ME KNOW. (Send e-mail to SYSOP on the
BRYX BBSs, or via Internet to: 71062.2015@compuserve.com.
=======================================================================
July 19-20, 1996
----------------
Spent all this time backing up the EIGHT computers we have here and
writing the little program that allows me to provide this daily
information without disrupting the system.
That's all I'm going to say today--I'm exhausted!
=======================================================================
July 18, 1996
-------------
My Business Manager and Special Assisting (consultant) put up with me
today as I dealt with incompetence--from an unexpected source: AT&T.
I called to make sure that our 500- (Tru-Connections) service was
correctly configured to ring on our MAIN NUMBER (310-65-BRYX-3) instead
of the alternate number (with less lines) of 310-358-9222. To my GREAT
surprise THE 500 numbers were not "operating". AT&T took over 6 hours
to find out why: That they had been sending mail to the wrong address,
and could not contact my (listed) number, with my answering machine--
--that has a THREE-DAY BATTERY BACKUP! (**NO** excuse for not getting
through....)
BOTTOM LINE: The 500- number will be up by Monday. Couldn't get much
else done today, except for starting the backup of our (current) 5.2MB
of hard-disk info...
If any of you guys notice that something isn't working as we promise
(or seem to promise) in any of our promotions, PLEASE send e-mail
to "SYSOP" letting us know! It will be GREATLY appreciated....
Oh, and Ascend Communications--the ISDN screw-up people? It'll take
"several days" before they can even START finding out what was (is)
wrong with their latest "fix". I am NOT impressed, after having lost
about 300 sign-ups over the last 100 days or so....
BTW, Don't waste your time with the "Telechat" feature until we get
the Internet stuff up to full speed--and please let us know WHAT IS THE
BEST TIME FOR ***YOU*** TO CHAT. We will be promoting a specific "chat
and meeting time" to get things off-the-ground.
=======================================================================
July 17, 1996
-------------
You will notice that this stuff is in reverse chronological order: most
recent info is first... ANYWAY, vacation is definitely over as fixed-up
web pages with pic's and a copy of this "Today's News", AKA
"What Happened Today..."
Took a SECOND day off (well, actually the total is 1.5 days)--does this
mean I've actually had a VACATION??!? The good (Sci-Fi) books read:
"Design for GREAT-DAY" by Alan Dean Foster & Eric Frank Russel.
Critique: Over-develop 'coolness' and inevitability of "Solarians"
victory--I will NEVER complain about an under-developed concept again...
"Shadow Warrior" by Chris Bunch "co-author of the Sten series"...has he
had a falling out with his "friend since high school" Alan Cole?
In the self-described bio: "CHRIS BUNCH lives in a tiny village on the
Washington coast and collect artillery and enemies. This is his
seventeenth book."
Critique: Starts a bit slow, and takes a while to build--but leaves
you PANTING for more...just as you find it is the start of a series.
GOOD WORK!
The classic (semi-original) CYBERPUNK novel "Snow Crash" by
Neal Stephenson lives up to ALL of its hype--and more...can't
believe it took me this long to get around to reading it.
READ IT READ IT READ IT READ IT....
And finally, I've started my cover-to-cover read of the new 700+ page
SYSOP'S MANUAL for this system--not to mention the various supplemental
doc's....
Vacation over.
=======================================================================
July 16, 1996
-------------
Stock market crash & recovery today--but radio news source announces
that "Ascend's stock keeps descending"...ASCEND is the company res-
ponsible for the (most recent) problems with our ISDN lines...when I
mentioned this to our Internet Connection Provider, the guy said,
"I'm not crying..."
Taking rest of today OFF....going to finish a couple o' Sci-Fi books
that have been half finished as I overwork myself & crew on this
system....
=======================================================================
July 15, 1996
-------------
Have one "not yet full member" who keeps signing on with bad info from
the same phone number. I wonder if he realizes this is criminal
WIRE FRAUD?
Realized I have a bunch of Wrestling images that just need the
Copyright notice added. Will work on those as soon as I finish up the
Internet connection details. (Looks like we're almost done with that
project!)
ALSO realized that with the Internet, I can allow longer access times
for Internet users!
=======================================================================
July 14, 1996
-------------
Stayed up ALL NIGHT (I guess you could say this is part of the 15th's
news...) finalizing the BRYX XXX-Rated Catalog. Came out VERY well,
and includes images not otherwise released in the Libraries...
=======================================================================
July 13, 1996
-------------
Slept in late. Cleaned up the mess left by all the ISDN stuff. Was
promised a call-back by the "Manager of all USA customer support",
Mike Baccula. Still waiting at 4:24 pm....
Taking rest of day off to avoid nervous breakdown....
Or so I thought, will now be looking to edit the catalog for the
Ath-Elite users (i.e., no "Gay" stuff...)
=======================================================================
July 12, 1996
-------------
Spent ALL DAY trying to get the new and "fixed" software in the ISDN
connections to work. Had 3 people from ascend communications on the
phone, along with 1-3 people at a time from Pacific Bell
["Pacific Hell']. By 4:30pm, I left a message with the "Manager of all
USA Customer Support" that I NOW REFUSE TO SIT AT THE PHONE AND THE
ISDN UNIT waiting for idiot-level commands such as "does the B1
channel show that it is connected or what".
I told him that I will no longer provide this function, and that he can
arrange someone from his company to come to the office and sit here,
make calls to Pac Bell, Ascend, etc. and make the damn thing work or it
will be lawsuit time....
He called back with three high-level ascend people on the line, and we
thought we had the problem fixed by the early hour of 7:45 pm. We did
not as the Pac Bell person was testing with digital dialing as opposed
to POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) dialing.
This was discovered after ascend had hung up for the night. Eventually,
(about 10:30pm) their emergency tech support person called for the
third time and told me that his manager was able to arrange for a call-
back from this same "manager of all tech support for the USA." I
decided to wait for his call, as he had already spent at least 6 hours
total on this situation, and did not feel like explaining all of that
to a new person.
=======================================================================
July 9, 1996
------------
After spending 45 "long-distance" minutes to SYMANTEC corp. to find out
if their "PC ANYWHERE" product would work with this BBS, and then
spending ANOTHER 4 hours today trying to make it work, they "changed
their minds". SYMANTEC TECH SUPPORT, "Well, I guess we were wrong when
we told you it would work. Go ahead and get your money back."
My M_O_N_E_Y_????? What about my TIME!?!?? Incompetence reigns....
=======================================================================
July 7, 1996
------------
You may have noticed the system was down for much of the (West Coast)
afternoon--we completely tore down and rebuilt the Online computer and
the phone system from the ground up... (No, we're still having the
same problems with the phone lines--this time the "promise" is for a
fix by next Thursday....)
The system is now much easier to modify & maintain. We also figured
out how to speed up the re-connection to the INTERNET in the event of a
shutdown or phone-failure.
NO MATTER WHAT THE MAGAZINES SAY, DON'T EVEN **THINK** ABOUT GETTING
ISDN LINES! Just found out the hard way, that if you want to call out
from and ISDN line you ALWAYS have to include the Area Code...but if
you ALSO include a "1" before the Area Code, the call is routed through
your long-distance carrier--with (in)appropriate charges.
BUT SAY YOU'VE JUST REBUILT YOUR PHONE SYSTEM AND WANT TO TEST IT...if
you DON'T dial the "1", you get the recording that "the call cannot be
completed as dialed....". You MUST go through the L.D. carrier to be
able to call another number at your location....
Tomorrow is another "down" day as we've waited until after the Holiday
to do the BIG backup.
We should have a decent WEB site in a day or two (very similar to the
http://users.aol.com/bryxstud/ site--except with a BUNCH more pic's!
I also think I have that "serial number" problem licked, so we'll be
able to put some of our more valuable images online--and track down the
original downloader IF THEY "TRADE", "E-MAIL", etc. copies around....
Worked with BRYX Member "Healer" on an ad for his Astrology service--
and found out the hard way I hadn't checked the "make a backup copy"
box before starting. ARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!! (So the catalog is put off
for a day or two--BTW, it will have MANY XXX-rated pic's included....)
Watch for some interesting and serious workout (text) posts, too.
Other than the backup, I MAY just take my first day off in about
9 weeks....
=======================================================================
July 11, 1996
-------------
Hired a new Copyright/Trademark attorney. Looks to be a really good
guy. (He is also a COMEDIAN, who teaches comedy courses!) We'll be
posting an ad for his comedy book here, shortly.
The ASCEND ISDN equipment that was supposed to arrive by 11:00 am had
not arrive by 1:30. I called ASCEND, and they were eventually able to
get it to me by 6:00 pm, which was, of course, too late to do anything
with it.
Finally printed all of the adult catalog to image files, converted
them to GIF and JPG formats in preparation to posting.
=======================================================================
July 10, 1996
-------------
Tested out new Audio Mixer for music production, worked with BBS Member
"Healer" on his ad for Bodybuilding Astrology services, and did a
cursory test of the MIDI software included with the new Multi-Media
computer...ordered new MIDI cables, and figured out how to rearrange
music equipment to be easily accessible with the computer equipment.
=======================================================================
July 9, 1996
------------
Downloaded bug-fixes for the program that printed out any windows
documents to image files. Go the damn thing to work, although it
STILL doesn't produce COMPRESSED TIFF files as promised. (A page
takes about 11MB vs 2MB compressed.)
Printed out catalog, looks good, but need to use lower resolution to
make download time reasonable.
=======================================================================
July 8, 1996
------------
Tried to make Window document to image file converter work. No way in
hell. Called mfg. and got patch instructions.
Why didn't they notify me of this, as this is one of the promises that
they make when you register their software?
=======================================================================
July 6, 1996
------------
Still finalizing catalog & doing more pic's--busy, yet not much to
report--OH!, except the graphics on the back outside-cover of the
catalog look GREAT.
Had to chop off some of the Birthday Announcements--I figure a week is
fair, plus 1 day for system effects.... Should make the list a LITTLE
smaller...going to have to find out if I can "dual-configure" it so
that a SHORT Logon list appears, yet there remains available a longer
advance notice list....
=======================================================================
July 5, 1996
------------
MUCH more work done on the catalog...should be released by Thursday
night. Basically waiting for several tech support departments to open
on Monday for a bunch of questions....
Continue to correct & crop pic's, but because of loss of serial ports,
am unable to upload new stuff--probably until Monday or Tuesday.
Getting LOTS of requests for "CHAT" info--looks like it is going to be
popular here.
One of the "BRYX Guys" suggested that we promote a particular time
period to promote this feature. Sounds like a good idea....
Helped BRYX Member "Healer", who does the BODYBUILDING mASsTROLOGY by
fixing up a graphic that he can use (with proper copyright notice, etc.)
for BOTH his WEB page and for an ad in the catalog & here on the system.
=======================================================================
July 4, 1996
------------
Gave up some of our internal serial ports because people have started
connect through our INTERNET CONNECTION!!!! Finally up, tested, and
(cross your fingers,) reliable!
The software company that sells up our BBS/Online system screwed-up and
didn't send the final release of the "connectivity pack" that allows us
to support more users. They promised to Fed-Ex it ASAP.
Still have some problems from that cold, but progress is inex-
olorable...Discovered that our top-of-line Image Correction software
saves stuff in "illegal formats"--so if you have been trying to view
DO-IT!.GIF or .JPG, there are now new versions online (BRYXx Library).
=======================================================================
July 3, 1996
------------
It took me 4 tries to type the above date. Just recovering from one
of those (no sympathy) summer colds. Had my "techologically-inex-
perienced" assistant working on menu trees! (...as I sweated in the
other room.) I think all is well now, and it looks like Internet
access happens TODAY!!!!!
=======================================================================
June 27, 1996
-------------
Today was "trauma recovery day"...you can see what HELL yesterday
was.... I DID recontact Symantec (Norton Anti-Virus) to see if they
fixed the bugs that A) caused the program to eat files under certain
conditions and B) stop and wait for a keystroke to continue virus-
checking...it's kind of hard to press a key on a BBS computer in
Los Angeles while you're in Amsterdam....
Also worked on my "Internet non-Provider", as they promised to get
everything set up by last night--and still hadn't called by 3:00pm the
following day!
Fortunately, when Corporate Customer Service heard my tale of woe,
THEY IMMEDIATELY connected me to "the boss of the boss of the boss" to
hear my problems directly. --I guess I can probably expect some action
tomorrow. (Internet by this weekend?)
=======================================================================
June 26, 1996
-------------
In the endless saga of "The ISDN Lines That Don't Work", I finally
pulled out ALL stops and demanded to speak to the President--whom
of course, was "in a meeting". I then proceeded to flummox the operator
by asking to speak to the "highest ranking person there who WASN'T in
a meeting". I think I got to the right guy, as upon hearing my saga of
woe (since April 3rd!) he decided to LEAVE HIS DESK, WALK ACROSS THE
STREET AND GET SOME ANSWERS FROM THE ENGINEER IN CHARGE.
I have minor hopes that this situation will soon be resolved--as it
sounded as if both answers and "strangling sounds" would be simul-
taneously be coming from the throat of this engineer....
Found out that my Internet Corporate Provider had managed to lose my
account. ...AND, according to the operator, there "was only one person
capable of doing what I needed done".
I wonder what happens to this company if he gets hit by a bus?
=======================================================================
June 25, 1996
-------------
Mostly recovery from Gay Pride--but did get 4 pic's (8 postings with
both GIF and JPG versions) online in various Libraries....
=======================================================================
June 24, 1996
-------------
Finally got some sleep--12 hours last night. I am SUPPOSED to hear
from another potential "BRYX worker" today, to finalize a time for
him to help out on Thursday--supposedly this guy has a decent computer
background, too. I just got up (as I write this) and expect that most
of the day will be cleaning up after the ZOO this place became to get
all the promotional stuff available for Gay Pride.
The replacement for the defective UPS just came today. Since I pulled
a groin muscle, I have to wait for a couple of hours until one of the
"BRYX workers" show up to get it up from the car....
FINALLY started on the install for the INTERNET stuff! Should have
portions of this service available within DAYS!!!! (We've by-passed
that phone co. problem that has been going on since April 3.)
=======================================================================
June 23, 1996
-------------
"Healer", the guy who does our BODYBUILDER mASsTROLOGY, found out that
the menu wasn't working for two of the signs! Ooops...found out that
the hand-created menu listed the wrong selection letters for two of
the signs. Now fixed.
The "Uninterruptable Power Supply" once again (today) INTERRUPTED THE
DAMN POWER--this time to ALL the modems, ISDN stuff--all communication
equipment. I'm going to have to figure out a backup for the backup!
(I think I know how to do it.)
A new UPS is on the way from the vendor (APC). Apparently this IS A
KNOWN PROBLEM. I SURE AS HELL WISH THE WOULD TELL REGISTERED OWNERS
WHEN A PROBLEM EXISTS! (The guy authorized the return after I
answered only 1 question: What UPS lights were on during the failure?
Continued to color correct, crop, touch-up, add Copyright notices and
post new pic's! I've hit my promised two-dozen new pic's for Gay Pride
so now every other new pic goes into the "to be protected by serial
number" directory....
=======================================================================
June 22, 1996
-------------
Gay Pride Parade today! Went out with video camera & did some "Instant
Images"--well not so "instant"...at a little after midnight I gave up
when realizing that I had put in the BBS 500 number as "319-652-BRYX".
I really should get some sleep one week....
=======================================================================
June 21, 1996
-------------
Forgot about Frontiers classified ad! I have to get a recording on
that announcement service fast!
Uploaded a bunch of music (WAV) files. Put one online (WAM-E).
=======================================================================
*
June 20, 1996
-------------
Finished off a batch of pictures--forgot to put Copyright notices on
them. Converted them to GIF & JPG, uploaded & wrote descriptions....
Working on pics for a 1997 Calendar!
Also did pic to advertise BRYX logo'ed drinking glass (BUSINESS
LIBRARIES: BRYXGLAS.GIF & BRYXGLAS.JPG). VERY difficult to balance
Markus's body the brightness of the glass.... Probably will do some
more fine-tuning.
Completely restructured the internal Library workings--part of prepping
for Internet connection--I wish the damn phone lines were working
right!
=======================================================================
June 19, 1996
-------------
The day isn't over yet, and one of the color printers died--I've
already arranged an exchange, just have to follow up on in. Cleared
out about 500MB on an external hard drive.... Got the "SuperPrint"
bit-mapped driver working! This allows us to output from any Windows
program to a graphics image!
Today is the day to deal with the NEXT episode of the ...
"TELEPHONE LINES"!
=======================================================================
June 18, 1996
---------------
Color corrected more images--added Copyright notice to 4. Just have to
convert to GIF and JPG and write descriptions.... Day Two battle with
NEC, trying to get them to provide up-to-date manual after having
business mgr. drive a total of 240 wasted miles in Los Angeles traffic
because NEC manual did not correctly specify memory upgrade.
Delivered several hundred promotional cards to BRYX guys to distribute
to local bars for Gay Pride.
=======================================================================
June 17, 1996
---------------
Finished Promo-Card in 18 hours (without break!) Looks great! And
that 18 hours is from BLANK PAGE....
Had one assistant do "batch" color correction for a large number of
images.
=======================================================================
June 16, 1996
---------------
Realized that I had NO special promotion for Gay Pride...set out to
design 3 "items": 1) a business card sized info sheet, 2) a "mini"
brochure and 3) a full sized flyer--I realized I was DRY creatively--
then realized I could make it all be one "item". Decided upon 4"x6"
card with 1996 calendar on one side and BRYX BBSs/Online Services
info on the other.
Has one assistant do "conservative cropping" on some of the images-
-had to get back some of that 2.0 GB of FULL-UP disk space!!!
=======================================================================
June 15, 1996
---------------
WELL... it turns out that yesterday's entry is incomplete...yes, it's
the PACIFIC HELL again!
In order to install new software (and hopefully not lose any new Members
trying to join up,) we had the phone company MANUALLY "busy-out"
our lines--as this is the function that is not properly working on the
ISDN circuits.
After we completed that stage of installation, we had them return the
lines to normal--they even called us and told us when they were working.
Except they were not! (As you can guess by now, I don't particularly
trust what the phone company tells me...) It "only" took another hour
before they were finally able to find the "on" switch...
ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT--NEW IMAGES...We've worked virtually around the
clock for the last few days pre-selecting the new images to put on the
system in the next few months--and we BUSTED THRU the 2.08 GB hard
drive capacity!
We only have about another day of pre-selection to go before we can
start the color correction, final selection & cropping, and adding
the Copyright notices...
Yes, we HAVE been working hard....
========================================================================
June 14, 1996
-------------
Today, dealt with both the Phone company and with ASCEND COM-
MUNICATIONS trying to figure out a way to "fake" the defective
systems into working properly.
Also added this "TODAY" section.
Found out that BRYX model "Paul Becker" is in the current issue
of "Advocate Men"--and that our photo's are MUCH better! This means
we will be posting more pix of Paul soon. Today we converted about
two dozen from Photo-CD format to TIFF format for color correction and
editing, etc. We will be releasing about half of these BEFORE Gay
Pride....
Matched the new CATALOG IMAGE FILES up with the individual Libraries
(and hidden "sub" Libraries). In the next couple of days, will have
someone match the existing images on the board with the original CD
images so that we can do the same with the existing pictures. (The
existing pic's were done with primitive software--at least compared to
the $700.00 program we're now using!)
--------------
END
Go to the HOME PAGE.
Sysop, Gregg Strom
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"BRYX International", "BRYX
Online" and "Built Like A BRYX..." are
Trademarks and Servicemarks of - BRYX
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