Sunday, October 25. 2009WINDOWS 7Yes, in addition to analyzing Francis, pondering the implications for my own future and maintaining my classwork, I’m also preparing Hare-Link for the release of MicroTalon’s new OS. And here I thought “nocturnal” meant you actually got to sleep during the day. On the subject of Francis, further data hasn’t altered my original finding. If I have children here, they may spend a year or so as bats or hedgehogs, but they’ll become human within a year of their birth. My own genetics are similar to Danielle’s in that regard. Without getting too specific; it’s well known that there are many genes in every genome whose purpose is thus far unknown. Comparing the profiles of Danielle and myself, I’ve found some gene sequences that aren’t shared by the rest of the Domain population, of any species. My conclusion is that those are human genes that are recessive for one who crosses the portal, but become dominant in their offspring. Fenton has been surprisingly supportive about this finding, although it’s true that he hasn’t told anyone in his family. I’ve told my family, of course, and their attitude is to be expected: At this point, what’s a little more diversity? So, do Francis and whatever daughters I have eventually lead to a race of humans on this side of the portal? Now, I’m inclined to doubt it. The issue of the Westermarck Effect was mentioned here this week, that says that children raised in close proximity don’t establish romantic relationships in later years. I also take a dim view of arranged marriages, for obvious reasons, and I can imagine them rebelling against the expectation of procreation. As for my genetic duplicate on this side of the portal? Many social, legal and logistical forces stand in way of that, but none so much as my desire to eventually have children of my own. I’d like to thank everyone who has replied with messages of support during the past week; I’ve needed them. Today’s question (and returning to the title topic): How many of you are planning to immediately upgrade to Windows 7? Trackbacks
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Not me. I use whatever OS I get with a computer untill I get a new one or the old OS is completely abandonded by Microsoft (our Microtalon).
Same here. The OS that comes with the machine is what I use. Sort of like selecting the best leaves from the trees that are around, eh?
Better yet. I've learned that the latest version of a gaming machine we call a Play Station is omnivorous in nature. While it chooses to operate in it's own environment, it is tolerant of becoming either a carnivorous Windows environment or the herbivore style Apple Mac OS. Choice is good. Hummm...perhaps, the PS's native OS should be considered the Human equation. That sound good? Especially, since it's already gone and consumed all it's HDD space and is now demanding more, more, more. You have Windows on your side of the portal? I don't think it's humans that you have to worry about to lead to the destruction of your society, then ...
You were hypothesizing that Francis and your hypothetical future daughter probably won't lead to a new race of humans, and you're probably right about that, but I'm wondering if they'll be able to have children with anyone in your world. Here, humans can only have children with humans, any other species is too dissimilar genetically to make any offspring result. (Granted, in our world, wolves and rabbits can't have babies, but that's just what I assumed, I don't think they've ever tried, "don't play with your food" is a rule here, too. Lindesfarne, you're making my head hurt! If human genes are dominant in the children of those who've passed through the portal, does that allow the possibility that Francis Fennec might be able to father children on your side with Rabbit and/or Fennec genes, since he hasn't gone through the portal? That is, his Grand parental genetic structure could be passed along instead of his human genome?
Fenton loves you, and he'll love your children. Unquestioningly. Period. He'll be as happy and proud a father as ever lived on either side of the portal. If you want to needle him a little (terrible pun, I know), you could remind him that if your offspring do have quills, they'll still need to be diapered in that form for at least a year, given Francis' record... I mentioned some of the problems inherent in trying to get an egg donation from Princess Chertsey last week. I don't know whether you class 'Heir to the British Throne' as social, logistic or legal problems. I'd be most worried about someone siccing James Bond on you as a possible threat to the Empire's future! My current machines won't support Windows 7, so it's not a concern for me. Considering I still have a machine running eComStation (the current incarnation of IBM's OS/2 Operating System), I'm not overanxious to switch. When I buy a new machine (no plans at the moment), it'll come preloaded and I'll evaluate it. Considering that most of the changes I've read about fix problems with Vista (which I never attempted to use), I'll compare it to XP, OS/2 and Linux. There's a good chance that I'll back up the preloaded system as-is, wipe the drive and install something else. Of course Francis's children would have rabbit and fennec fox DNA. As Lindesfarne answered in her previous blog comments, human DNA is dominant. So most likely, the animal DNA would be latent.
Glad to see everyone's taking everything in stride.
And as a Mac user, I don't need Windows 7. I'm getting a new computer in a week or so anyway (my current one is 5 years old and I cannot upgrade the RAM because the company that made it put the RAM right under the keyboard and I don't want to disassemble the whole laptop. So, I'll be getting a desktop and it will have two hard drives. One will indeed be Windows 7, and the other will be PC Linux. I've used Windows 7 for a while and for now, it seems like a more stable version of Vista. I work on computers, so my biggest reason for getting it on a desktop is so that I can play with it and get to know it before computers come in to be fixed-even the most stable operating system will have hardware problems once in a while. I want PC Linux because it has a wider variety of games than Windows and because all the software I use is compatible with it, except a few games that I can play on the Windows 7 drive anyway.
If by "wider selecton of games" you mean commercial, I don't think so. Shareware/freeware/open source, maybe.
Why not go with Ubuntu? It's the most popular Linux distro out there, which means more support. Because I have immediate access to PC Linux whereas I'd have to actually search for Ubuntu and I'd have to learn how to use it-I already know how to use PC Linux because I've had time to play with it. I actually meant preinstalled games-Windows comes with card games, pinball and minesweeper while PC Linux comes with card games, a few board games, pinball, Majongg, and several others. I counted about 30 games. All that said, I'm not going to be saving any work on my Linux hard drive, because the college I attend online requires Microsoft Office, and while I also use Open Office, I'd rather just roll my eyes and use their stuff for now. So, if something goes wrong, I have zero problems formatting and reloading.
I've seen demonstrations of Windows 7, and couldn't help but notice how much it resembles OS X. I had to use a Mac as part of a computer lab for a college class I was in three and a half years ago, and every demo of Windows 7 I've seen looks just like the OS I had to use on that Mac.
Oh, and "Mac" is short for Macintosh, the computer part of Apple, the closest thing Microsoft has to competition on our side; I'm sure Microtalon has a similar rival over on your side. While they still play catch-up on the computer side (at least on sales; it's clear who plays catch-up on the technology side), they've made huge inroads with their iPod mp3 players, and their iPhone smartphone. I'd love to hear what animal your Steve Jobs is. Oh, and to answer the question: no, not until I have to!
Steve Lops, the head of Carrot Computer, is a rabbit. Hare-Link has a contract with them.
Yes, Fenton has been tremendously supportive during all this. I must admit that I was neglectful in my original genetic analyses of both myself and the Princess, and of the two Danielles. They were indeed identical in regard to the genes for which the function is known, but the 'human" sequences were buried in the "junk DNA" of myself and the new Danielle. "Junk DNA" is a common term applied to parts of the genome for which no function is known. Obviously, they can turn out to be quite important. That's a mistake I'll never make again. Carrot Computer? On the human side, Apple dropped 'computer' from their name in 2007.
Last I checked, the company was Macintosh. Speaking of which, I highly doubt I'll be getting Windows 7, since OSX was superior to both XP and Vista, and I don't foresee the the newest Windows doing better than Snow Leopard (the newest version of Mac/Carrot over here on the human side.)
Sorry to correct you, but 'Macintosh' is Apple's OS, not their name.
Hey, Lindy! Been a while! My computer connection became... albsolute trash, so I haven't been able to post... Glad to see you're still asking questions every week, it tickles me to know that you took my idea to heart!
First, to adress your question, I have Windows 2000, and I don't want to upgrade. I want to DOWNgrade. Gimme Windows 98 anyday. I'll take a Mac, too... And the whole Francis thing, wow. That's something else... You suppose he'll remember that transformation as he gets older? And do you think he'll be attracted to anything other than other humans? Humans are picky by nature, you know. Most of my friends won't even entertain the idea of dating outside of their own race, much less their own SPECIES. Granted, most species on your side of the portal DO have the ability to walk on 2 legs, and, for the most part, tend to take on vaugely human physical characteristics... But even so. You think there might be a chance that Francis would ONLY want to be with another human? Windows 98?? Nah, I still have fond memories of Windows 3.1!
Why is it that Microtalon (or, for you humans, Microsoft) makes succeeding generations of software *worse*? (Which should answer your question as to if I'll get Windows 7. I have XP now, but my next computer would be what you humans have been calling a "Mac" Pah! You youngins' should've been around during the CP/M days. Now THAT'S an OS!
Sorry I haven't been on to post, but I'm sure you'll be fine. If there's anyone that could handle having a diverse family, it's you all.
Oh, and I'm not so sure about the only wanting someone of their same species thing. For one thing, we've entertained cross-species romances enough in fiction that, in a world such as yours, I wouldn't be shocked at all if it worked. And the race argument isn't universal, either; personally, that would be pretty darn close to the bottom of the list of things I'd look for in a wife. Well, L, I don't think I'll be upgrading anytie soon. I've always been in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset. I mainly use my labtop for homework asianments, internet viewing, and the occasional game of Portal. Only complaint I have is that the M key can stick some times.
Anyway, glad to see your family is taking the news so well (although it doesn't surprice me one bit, you do have quite a suportive family). Although my curiousitys do lie in the possibilities of the spieces of the grandchildren, but that's probably a research topic for another day. > I mainly use my labtop for homework asianments...
| | Like spelling? ------' --------------------' Us? Upgrade? Doubtful. First, if we must upgrade, I prefer to wait until the first service pack comes out. Second, we need to make sure our vendors software will run on Windows 7. Third, our machines are a bit long in the tooth to upgrade.
Since I shop "Curbmart" for personal use - I take discards and repair them - unless I have a reason to purchase a new computer, I'll be chugging along with XP Professional. I also use Ubuntu on a dual-boot set-up with separate drives so I can tinker and compare. There's been great strides in Linux in just the last five years and it looks more favorable to me for an OS. Some will no doubt mention OS/X. That's cool. I do wish OS/X would run on PCs. Since we have Macs with Intel processors that's not such a big issue, if they didn't want to bundle it with their machines. I don't plan to upgrade (and it's my grandmother's computer anyway). But i heard nothing but good things about W7, so I'll probably have it for my own computer when I'm on my own.
Immediately? No. Eventually? Perhaps. This (these -- got a laptop and a desktop) machine "came" with Vista, but I had the manufacturer downgrade it/them to XP before shipping. I could get them to Vista when I'm ready -- but I'm almost inclined to jump to 7 when I'm ready for an upgrade.
If anyone's planning on taking advantage of the Windows 7 Student upgrade, beware. There's a reported glitch on Vista machines that prevents the files from unpacking properly. The end result is it tries to run 64 bit on 32 bit machines. Not good. There's apparently a work-around, so do your research if you plan to go that route.
When I get a PC that can handle it.
My actual PoC (Piece of C***) is hardly handling XP. So with the next one, I'll jump to 7 and even get a new Office version ('97 is actually lacking some features I really could use). I think I'll wait at least a year 'till the teething problems are done and the system is cleared of most "hackers welcome"-signs. Still I am not sure whether it will be possible to stop it from dialing home. --~~~~ From what I've been able to gather, OS7 is nothing more than Vista SP2. Pay $200 for a service pack? Don't think so.
SP3, if you're going to say that. Vista has its own SP2 already.
i'm glad your boyfriend is taking things so well. i was sure he'd support you anyway. love does that kind of thing to people remember that everyone if you family will stand behind you and support you in your endeavors.
as for windows seven? i might upgrade if i was planned to throw my computer away a year later. i wonder if my office XP disk will work with that version of windows but i'm in no hurry to find out. I've been beta-testing Windows 7 on my laptop (Toshiba Satellite M60, as well as a custom-built desktop) for several months and both have performed very well. The only issue I ran across was Win7 didn't support the advanced functions of my Creative Audigy 2 ZS Platinum sound card, which is important as I'm a fill-in DJ for (plug aleart!) www.dementiaradio.org.
However, like a few others have said, I'm gonna stick to XP for now. It does what I need it to do (sound card aside) so there's no real reason to switch. I'll probably be getting it only because I plan to buy a new computer soon. I'm still going to put that off as long as possible, though...Serafina's slow as a snail and doesn't even have a battery (thus reducing her to a portable desktop instead of a laptop), but she functions, and she uses XP, which I know how to nose my way around. But as Mike O'Hare said--until Windows 7 is done teething and the "hackers-welcome" signs are down, I don't see a need to upgrade software. Hardware, on the other hand....*sigh*
Despite the generally positive reviews of Win7, I'll probably wait until at least the first service pack is issued to clear the start-up bugs...and preferably, wait until Micro$oft announces they will no longer provide updates to WinXP.
a friend of mine already uses Windows 7 and he´s totally dissatisfied. So i´m very happy to be a mac user
I upgraded already but then again I got a copy for free and have been using it for about 3 weeks.
One question that still comes to mind in regards to the genetics is we know that there are people who have gone through the portal before. Surely some of them would have intermarried at some point with the population of Domain and had offspring. Why have we not heard of something like this happening before now? Apparently I was the first to go through the portal. (It's out in the middle of the Atlantic, and usually above sea level.)
Or at least, I was the first that stayed, and Danielle is the first to produce a child. :Snorts: I am still using Windows XP. From what I understand XP SP3 32bit is the best for gaming where as the 64bit version has some issues with older games. I won't buy windows seven until 2010 or I will try to hold off as long as humanly possible. Stubbornness isn't always a bad trait.
I have two computers, a laptop running XP and a desktop upgraded to Vista (have had no problems with it.) After Windows 7 has been out for six months, I expect to move the desktop to the new system. However, I understand that upgrading XP is a lot more difficult since you have to reload all the programs and this can take hours., so the laptop will remain on XP until replacement time.
I waw told it would be a good thing for me to do. Am looking into one. So far the lowest price I have found is $90.
I put this question in last week but got no ancer. The question was If lindesfarne is one of the Royel family on the human side of the portal what was she doing in the Burmuda triangle when she was only 3 months old? Another is how did the princess end up next to her in the orphanadge? with all the security they have with the royal family. 2 Question I think need ancering to understand whats happening. You mean besides visiting their territory of Bermuda? On a good will visit to the Bahamas? Decided to pop in on the British Virgin Islands and decided to go a three hour tour? Who knows?
The significant thing is that for the humans posting here is that the British Royal Family didn't lose an heiress in that time span, indicating she's from a different universe with humans. Your ancer leaves more questions then before. Would you take a new born child on a tour of the British Virgin Islands. Do you realy think the royal guards would let the royal family out of their sight for more then a few minutes other then being in the hotel suite. I don't think so. I was given the impretion that each portal only worked between 2 places. If from a different universe then their must be more then one portal in the Bermuda area. Note I was told that the 2 worlds where the same ones but each with their own history. That they both traveled spiraling around each other seperated by a dimentionatl barrier.
You did't say how princess Chertsey ended up next to Lindesfarne in the orphanage. The full story of how Lindesfarne came to travel to Domain is not online but appears only in the book "Oh, the Humanity."
OK Now how about telling me how the princes ended up next to lindesfarne.
#24.1.1.1.1
Steven Brams
on
2009-10-27 12:01
(Reply)
One last question to Harry before moving on to the next blog. Would you take a 3 month old child on a trip to the British Virgin Islands. Would British security let a future ruler out of the country for such a trip. From what I heard Prince charles & his sons never travel on the same plane when taking a trip by airplane.
#24.1.1.1.1.1
Steven Brams
on
2009-11-01 09:22
(Reply)
I think I'm one of the few that don't have a problem with Windows Vista. I'm not going to change if I don't need to.
My machines use Windows Xp and Linux. If there's any question about switching to W7, it'll have to be in another year or so, after I've used the rest of the population as my personal testers. (The same tactic I used with Vista. Worked beautifully.)
Speaking for myself, I will proceed cautiously with any upgrades and wait, as others have mentioned, for the service pack to become available. My laptop is plagued, er, programmed, with Windows Vista, which hasn't so far performed to my higher expectations. I don't like to jump into things without analyzing them first, so I'm holding off.
Glad to hear that your boyfriend is taking things in stride. I agree; arranged marriages sound distasteful to me too. And none of us can predict how our offspring will turn out, regardless of species. XP works fine for me, I'll only upgrade if forced, in that if I get a new computer that has 7 already. XP runs my games and hasn't lost any of my data, so I'll keep it.
I've been using windows 7 since the first Beta. It is nifty as a secondary OS next to Ubuntu
Hey I have a sneaky idea to help Francis!
Fact: Humans with some simple shielding (lead barrels) don't change when they make the interdimensional jump. Fact: When there is a balanced transfer (one person for one person) there is no negative effect (instinct loss). Fact: Francis has a confirmed multispecies background. So to get a 'safe' human population, you need some willing immigrants between the human world and Domain. The humans could make the transition in barrels so as to remain human. Then they state that they were normal citizens who changed in infancy and had remained hidden. They state that they all had multispecies backgrounds. This would make humans merely a "newly discovered species" (we discover new species all the time in the human world!). What is more, it would make most people think that humans are a byproduct of interspecies mating, and that Francis was merely the first reported case. Humans could safely blend into the Domain world, and Francis would have a peer group as he grew up. If possible, try to make the first immigrants members of the Society for Creative Anachronism. I think they'll need suits of armor ... But, in order to make it a 'balanced transfer', wouldn't they need an equal number of Domain residents to immigrate to this side?
It would be rather awkward, it seems to me, to recruit these people, while trying to preserve secrecy..... There is also this to think about. With a space station in orbit it would not suprise me if their is no a single place on the planet that has not ben both explored & put on a map. Unless the place was underground they would be hard pressed to find a place. Plus the fact that the portal is in the middle of the Bermuda triangle would add to the problems.
Ehn.... I dunno. I miss XP.
Current thing; I can't seem to get two of my favorite emulators to work, wondering if upgrading will fix. We already have upgraded to Windows 7 - running with good stability.
Vis-a-vis the potential for you to have human children, I'm with your family. They've learned that diversity leads to enhanced skill sets, enhanced sensitivity to others, and (admit it) enhanced opportunities to find humor in this wacky place we call the world. So, what's a little more diversity? A very good thing. Here's a suggestion for anyone moving to a new OS or a new computer: Keep a log book and document all changes to the system. It sounds like a hassle, but it will make life easier if things crash.
BTW, Lindisfarne, do you have to click on those agreements which nobody reads which sign over all your rights as an American citizen in order to install a new piece of software?
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