CRISIS Would this be a good time for an EAS test?

[Countrymouse]

I searched for info on our EAS (Emergency Alert System) and found only one thread, a month old, which Kris commented on (copied below) but did not find the answer to my question.

The questions are:
1) DO we still have a working EAS system since all the moves to new software / servers? (Kris answers below; quoted)
2) HOW do we get our cell phone info (for texts) to the proper person for EAS records? (couldn't find that; asked a mod-haven't heard back yet)
3) (not telling the admins/ mods what to do, but) --Wouldn't right about now be a good time for an EAS test?

For anyone who was not a member here back in 2001, here is the backstory / inside joke with Night Driver (Chuck) who was one of my right hand resources at the time;

We were getting the same sort of clear as mud signals for weeks before 9-11-2001 as many of us are feeling these days.

A group of us on TB2K cobbled together an Early Alert System (EAS) and put together a regional team around the world but primarily in the US at the request of our forum members. Any of the forum leadership or our highly vetted regional volunteers could pull the trigger and send an alert to the forum membership if we got word of some major event happening.

Back then texting was not much of a thing but pagers still were, and telephone and e-mail. So our somewhat manual system would notify the regional leads and they would send out an email with details of the alert to their email list and their pager list and then manually call the ones who desired a telephone call. Some folks signed up for all three. There were a few hundred folks signed up and divided up by time zones.

We did some successful limited regional tests in late August 2001. “This is only a test. If this were a real alert we would provide you the information we currently have so you can take actions as you feel are appropriate for your situation and circumstances.”

We scheduled a full-on global TEST for….

9-11-2001.

The rest is history.

The test turned into the real thing. It was a bit of a disaster itself simply because the Internet was totally bogged down, the board bogged down and some of the email alerts which were the predominant method took hours to get delivered. But for some people this WAS the way they first heard about what was going on.

We have changed the underlying EAS software and process a couple of times over the last 20 years so that initial mostly manual system is long since retired and replaced by the more automated system we have today which we paid to have written a few years ago.

AND SHOULD be tested after the recent underlying forum software upgrade which should NOT affect the EAS module but then our consultant, tconn did some other tweaks I think so, yea, a test of the system would be good.

Given the above--pretty please can we have a test?

Last night,I got a scare--our number "used" to be my home phone (since at the time of 9/11 when I originally gave my info I didn't have a cell phone). Someone called, the caller ID said "CODE RED" but no one was on the phone when my son answered it. Hubby woke me up, mentioned the call, and I bee-lined it over here to check the forum to make sure whether we should be heading for our bunkers.

Nothing unusual last night, BUT--

with all that's going on, this has a distinct possibility of going real.

Therefore--I respectfully ask--wouldn't a test be in order?

Thank you!

 

[Normallguy]

2nd

 

[33dInd]

Didn’t we have one in the last few months

 

[Kris Gandillon]

Didn’t we have one in the last few months

Not since the last software upgrade and the additional tweaks to the server that tconn did.

 

[33dInd]

Not since the last software upgrade and the additional tweaks to the server that tconn did.

My
How time flies. Sure thought it was a recent test
Thank you SIr

 

[phloydius]

Wouldn't right about now be a good time for an EAS test?

Agreed, 3rd.

 

[Tristan]

I guess I should get around to signing up...

And yeah, might be a good time to test 'er out.

 

[Countrymouse]

Sooooooooooooo-----

Admins?

Mods?

Anybody?

 

[Optimus Prime]

I, for one, rely on the breaking news hounds here on this board to get a few minutes/hours heads up. In turn, there are 11 others that rely on me to decimate any pertinent breaking news. I agree, with the current geopolitical/geoeconomics/geohealth turmoil, something somewhere soon is gonna break. Those extra minutes hours post EAS could make all the difference

 

[dawgofwar10]

Yeah what OP said!!!!!!

 

[Dennis Olson]

All your questions have been REPEATEDLY answered in extreme detail.

If you don’t know the answers you need to spend more time here.


ETA: The thing that really torques my bolts is that I/we could have a weekly thread on EAS procedure for a year, and three days after the end of that year someone would be posting the exact thing CM did in the OP.

PAY BLOODY ATTENTION. THAT’S EVERYBODY.

 

[night driver]

It's not Tuesday so, yeah, GREAT time for a test.

 

[tnphil]

All your questions have been REPEATEDLY answered in extreme detail.

If you don’t know the answers you need to spend more time here.


ETA: The thing that really torques my bolts is that I/we could have a weekly thread on EAS procedure for a year, and three days after the end of that year someone would be posting the exact thing CM did in the OP.

PAY BLOODY ATTENTION. THAT’S EVERYBODY.

Some of us have actual lives, family, work, etc. We ain't on TB2K 24/7. And if CM, who is on TB a lot is asking, the answer must not be as simple nor readily found as presented.

An actual link to an answer would go a long way.
See ya in TO...

 

[Dennis Olson]

Evidently you have never used a search engine in your life. I’m not going to tell people something 1000 times when they can look it up in 3 seconds (like I did before posting above.)

 

[tnphil]

If you're responding to me, I can't tell. There's no context. No quote, nothing. But I can assure you that I'm quite adept with search engines, including stuff that has "disappeared" from the net, 'cuz it don't. I do it daily for work.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Have you done it here for the eas threads?

 

[Countrymouse]

I DID use the search engine. The thread with the answers I was seeking did NOT come up. I only found it due to a link on this thread.

I went to all the likely spots.

Would it be possible to have the link to that information in the pinned threads?

And (PLEASE see posts quoted below) if another ADMIN thinks a test is a good idea--why is my head being chopped off for saying the same thing?


And the other question---as to when we're going to have an EAS test--per Kris Gandillon's post (and he also is an administrator) there hasn't been one since the last software upgrade. I am not sure when that was but I 'think' it's been a while. Kris himself was asking for a new test on the other thread (I'll quote it again below) so I don't think surely I was so completely out of line for asking as well.

For anyone who was not a member here back in 2001, here is the backstory / inside joke with Night Driver (Chuck) who was one of my right hand resources at the time;

We were getting the same sort of clear as mud signals for weeks before 9-11-2001 as many of us are feeling these days.

A group of us on TB2K cobbled together an Early Alert System (EAS) and put together a regional team around the world but primarily in the US at the request of our forum members. Any of the forum leadership or our highly vetted regional volunteers could pull the trigger and send an alert to the forum membership if we got word of some major event happening.

Back then texting was not much of a thing but pagers still were, and telephone and e-mail. So our somewhat manual system would notify the regional leads and they would send out an email with details of the alert to their email list and their pager list and then manually call the ones who desired a telephone call. Some folks signed up for all three. There were a few hundred folks signed up and divided up by time zones.

We did some successful limited regional tests in late August 2001. “This is only a test. If this were a real alert we would provide you the information we currently have so you can take actions as you feel are appropriate for your situation and circumstances.”

We scheduled a full-on global TEST for….

9-11-2001.

The rest is history.

The test turned into the real thing. It was a bit of a disaster itself simply because the Internet was totally bogged down, the board bogged down and some of the email alerts which were the predominant method took hours to get delivered. But for some people this WAS the way they first heard about what was going on.

We have changed the underlying EAS software and process a couple of times over the last 20 years so that initial mostly manual system is long since retired and replaced by the more automated system we have today which we paid to have written a few years ago.

AND SHOULD be tested after the recent underlying forum software upgrade which should NOT affect the EAS module but then our consultant, tconn did some other tweaks I think so, yea, a test of the system would be good.

Not since the last software upgrade and the additional tweaks to the server that tconn did.

Not sure when that was---but didn't get a text in forever for an EAS test. On my way now to message Green Co to make sure he has my correct info.

 

[tnphil]

Nope. Has CM or anyone else that's on here all the time? I'm not the OP , just pointing out that I understand.

 

[Dennis Olson]

On my way now to message Green Co to make sure he has my correct info.

Because you haven’t bothered to keep your info updated for the last FIVE YEARS (like 90% of those who whine about not having an eas test, then whine about not getting notifications.) But it’s someone else’s fault. Your privilege is showing.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Nope. Has CM or anyone else that's on here all the time? I'm not the OP , just pointing out that I understand.

You’ve been here 17 years with less than 750 posts. You’re right. You don’t come around much. So you have no right to complain. Go have your “real life” while I strive in the background (for over 20 years) to provide you with a platform on which you can jump on my ass.

Isn’t it time for you to “real life” yourself out of here for another month?

 

[Countrymouse]

Because you haven’t bothered to keep your info updated for the last FIVE YEARS (like 90% of those who whine about not having an eas test, then whine about not getting notifications.) But it’s someone else’s fault. Your privilege is showing.

My email hasn't changed since 2006. I did get a new cell phone # in 2020 and that I knew I needed to upgrade--which is why I was trying to find out how.

 

[33dInd]

Damn. What else to say

 

[Dennis Olson]

On multiple occasions, @Green Co. has stated that he needs specific information in order to get your cell phone to get our SMS messages, but over half the people who PM him don’t provide it.

 

[phloydius]

On multiple occasions, @Green Co. has stated that he needs specific information in order to get your cell phone to get our SMS messages, but over half the people who PM him don’t provide it.

I'll just drop these quotes here that give details on what specific information @Green Co. needs (as stated by him), found via the advanced search. Note these posts are from 2020:

all requests for additions or edits need to be done by PM (conversations at the upper right of the page)

I need, for entry:

Name
State of residence
email address (up to three)
Cell phone number (up to three)
Cell phone carrier (company) for each phone number
WE CANNOT DO LAND LINES. They don't accept text messages

Here is one from Dennis that covers the same information:

To be added, you need to supply the following info:

1-3 email addresses

and/or

1-3 cell phone numbers

Your STATE OF RESIDENCE (will explain below)

Your CELL PHONE SERVICE PROVIDER (will explain below)



State of residence: We need that because sometimes a regional rather than national alert is a better idea. If we don’t know what state you’re in, you won’t get one.

Cell phone service provider: Currently we send emails rather than SMS messages to your cell phone. Each service provider has its own email domain that attaches the the phone number. For example: 5121234567@verizonmail.com. Every provider is different. If you don’t tell us the provider for each phone, we can’t text you.

Note: SMS service is by subscription on our part. That is, TB has to pay a fee based on number of text messages sent. Emails are free.

And if you want to read the thread that those posts came from, you can find it here:

ADMIN - EAS, here it is - UPDATE YOUR INFO - GIT ‘R DONE IF YER GONNA

Ok folks, seems we have the EAS system repaired enough for me to start adding & editing. PLEASE, if you have sent a request in the last few months, I STILL have it, and will get to it, and advise you when it's completed, so don't deluge this post with requests. Give me a few hours.

timebomb2000.com

 

[thompson]

If I may wade in here...

One way to have important information at your fingertips here on the forum is to use the Bookmarks feature. You can bookmark an entire thread, or just one post on a thread.

Take a look at the screen shot below:

^ That box appears at the top of every post on a thread, including the first post. On this example, find the symbol that is directly to the left of the post number. It looks like a short ribbon-type bookmark. Click on that symbol any time you see a thread or post you want to keep and be able to find easily. When you click on the symbol, a drop-down box will appear with a short space to add your own notes so you'll remember why you bookmarked it, and what the post is about. For example, on Phylodius' post #24 I put in: Instructions for signing up for EAS. Hit "Save" and you're done.

Anytime you wish to locate something you've bookmarked, go up to the very top of the screen where you see your member name and click on your name. At the top of that drop-down box you'll see "Bookmarks" on the right-hand side. Click on that and you'll bring up your personal bookmarks file.

"Try it, you'll like it!"

 

[Countrymouse]

If I may wade in here...

One way to have important information at your fingertips here on the forum is to use the Bookmarks feature. You can bookmark an entire thread, or just one post on a thread.

Take a look at the screen shot below:

^ That box appears at the top of every post on a thread, including the first post. On this example, find the symbol that is directly to the left of the post number. It looks like a short ribbon-type bookmark. Click on that symbol any time you see a thread or post you want to keep and be able to find easily. When you click on the symbol, a drop-down box will appear with a short space to add your own notes so you'll remember why you bookmarked it, and what the post is about. For example, on Phylodius' post #24 I put in: Instructions for signing up for EAS. Hit "Save" and you're done.

Anytime you wish to locate something you've bookmarked, go up to the very top of the screen where you see your member name and click on your name. At the top of that drop-down box you'll see "Bookmarks" on the right-hand side. Click on that and you'll bring up your personal bookmarks file.

"Try it, you'll like it!"

Thank-you!

 

[thompson]

You're welcome, CM!

 

[Countrymouse]

You see, Thompson, this is one reason I have trouble with the "newer" Operating Systems.

Such as Windows 10, which I fondly HATE with a purple passion.

My sons love it--as I notice most younger users do.

But I started out--such as it was and such as "I" was--on computers when everything was still in TEXT -- because people could READ and had LITERACY skills in those days! (my forte, as a LA and HISTORY teacher--language / text / expressing oneself verbally aloud or in writing).

I've noticed that newer OS's (like Windows 10) and websites I use (like my bank's) more and more are going from drop-down TEXT menus to these lovely little "graphic-comic-book-style" PICTURES.

And I have NO FREAKING IDEA what the "pictures" mean.

As far as I know, it's a little like choosing door 1, 2, or 3 on "The Price is Right"--you have to TRY the door to find out what's BEHIND it.

And I'm scared to do that--to "try" by clicking on an unknown picture-- because I might make my computer go somewhere or do something I didn't want it to do (it's happened before!)--and then how would I go BACK or undo it?

I didn't worry so much when Techhy son # 1 (Timothy) or Techhy son # 2 (my IT son Stephen) were in the house--if I got stuck and didn't know how to fix it I could just yell "TIMOTHY!" or "STEPHEN!" and one of them could usually get me out of it (though Stephen did it with many a huge exasperated sigh, shaking of the head, and general demeanor of one thinking, "WHY does my mom have to be so CLUELESS about computers? They're EASY!" )

I wonder how "easy" he'd find handling calves or raising chickens--both of which I did daily as a child / young girl up into my upper teens (we gave up both after Daddy died, though I got some chickens again later). Sometimes you have to grow up with something for it to seem "easy" and natural to you.

So thanks for the interpretation, Thompson.

As for the new system here--it has so MANY features it's a bit overwhelming and intimidating. It reminds me of the new computerized cars. My "youngest" car is a 2005 model and don't WANT a newer computerized one that resembles the control board of the space shuttle, thank you--and my oldest (and favorite) is my 1990 Chevy Suburban "workhorse" that I drive when the younger smart-alecky cars die on me. I love the older one because I know all about taking care of it--Daddy taught me about the points, plugs, condenser, where the oil filter / air filter are, how to change either / both, how to discern when the hoses or belts need changing. I know how to check all the fluids in it, and how to diagnose within a pretty good guess what's wrong when it begins acting up. I know how to test the pressure in my tires, judge the tread on my tires, and recognize when the alignment needs adjusting. Like me, it's getting raggedy in places (the windshield wiper holder posts were METAL but the REPLACEMENT are PLASTIC, so they don't last and I kept having to hold them on with duct tape!--but finally I found a mechanic who said he could replace those. Trim's falling off the outside and it needs a new paint job (last one was a GREAT Maaco job 25 years ago that actually lasted--but I doubt I can find a Maaco job that good anymore). AC hasn't worked in years so I use "440" air conditioning (who knows what that is?) But it's my dependable baby workhorse and I love it. With my newer cars, I'm trying to grasp how "fuel injection" works and has replaced points / coils / carburetors / distributor caps, and I "guess" the "energy-efficient" electric cars don't have an engine at all-just an electric "motor" like the one in my furnace blower--that just turns the wheels. Someday when I have time I'll have to look these up on the internet. I understand things better if I understand HOW they work, not just the end-product of what they do.

So while I'm tickled at the speed of the new system.....no I haven't had time to study it. I get up, go to work, come home dragging and exhausted, fix dinner (or go without), try to stay awake long enough to eat dinner with my family (and usually fall asleep in the chair--literally--at dinnertime), then wake up and drag myself off to bed to begin it all again. Not a lot of "free" time until weekends --and then---well there's the two acres of grass to cut, and (most recently) the 20-pecks of grapes (10 one weekend, 10 the next) to make into grape jelly, the apples to make into apple butter---normally the pears but this year I said to heck with it because nobody in our family likes them anyway except the IT son who doesn't live here anymore, flower beds to weed/water, house to keep, messes to clean up---that has to take priority over me learning a new software program. So I learn enough to "get along"--maybe when I retire and don't have anything to do anymore I can really "study" it. Until then, "enough to get along" will have to do.

What we need here is a "Quick Start Manual" to get me going!

 

[Dennis Olson]

What we need here is a "Quick Start Manual" to get me going!

What good would that be? You’ve already admitted you can’t assimilate new technology. You’re living in the mid-70’s to early 80’s (like most aging people, you live in the time period in which you came of age.) You’re never going to try to learn new things. It’s “too much effort”. You said so in your lengthy treatise above. I’d be happy to provide you with additional information, but why? What would be the point? I’d just be wasting my time and yours.

 

[Countrymouse]

What good would that be? You’ve already admitted you can’t assimilate new technology. You’re living in the mid-70’s to early 80’s (like most aging people, you live in the time period in which you came of age.) You’re never going to try to learn new things. It’s “too much effort”. You said so in your lengthy treatise above. I’d be happy to provide you with additional information, but why? What would be the point? I’d just be wasting my time and yours.

I never said it's too much effort, or that I don't plan to try to learn.

I said I don't have much time.

I also said I plan to study it more--as I find time to do so.

Priorities.

 

[Dennis Olson]

Okay, let’s see how dedicated you are to actually expending effort at learning something.

There is a way to “skin” win10 so that it looks and works like the older versions. That is, text-based dropdown menus. For the technically calcified.

Now, your task is to formulate a search engine query such that you can learn how to do it. That’s WITHOUT EXTERNAL ASSISTANCE. At least be honest enough to do it on your own.

 

[Countrymouse]

The only thing here that is actually running 10 are my husband's and son's computer that they don't want changed, and all my computers are running Windows 7, but I'll look it up. Hold on a minute....

 

[Countrymouse]

Ok, I'm not sure that this is what you had in mind, but is this it?

How To Fully Skin Windows 10

Do you ever stare at your Windows desktop, utterly bored by the scenery? Yeah, us, too. It's okay, though, there is a way to fix it! Just like we can Learn how to fully personalize your Microsoft Windows computer with these tips.

www.technipages.com

How To Fully Skin Windows 10​

By Mona Leave a Comment

Do you ever stare at your Windows desktop, utterly bored by the scenery? Yeah, us, too. It’s okay, though, there is a way to fix it! Just like we can repaint our walls in our home, we can “repaint” our desktop — except it’s much easier. Here is how you can fully skin your Windows 10 to take it from blah to yah!

I frankly DO NOT think this is what you had in mind as it seems (by the visuals) to apply ONLY to changing the scenery--the desktop background--and I know how to do that.

I think what I want is more something about the programming "not" of my own computer but of others' websites, where THEY have, instead of drop-down text menus, sweet little pictures that (to the designer of the program) made PERFECT sense, but doesn't necessarily mean the same thing to me.

Example--Thompson showed me what the bookmark meant. I'd seen that image at the top right of the page here. You know what I thought it was?



Know what that is?

A chimney.

From an old Lincoln Log set--like the kind I played with as a child.

I knew it couldn't stand for a chimney--but it hadn't dawned on me it was meant to be a bookmark.

Some of this stuff I just have to learn by trial and error, but it sure would be faster if I had a "cheat sheet".

For another example--the symbol above? On my laptop here, it reminds me of a chocolate chip cookie with a bite taken out of it. I have to remind myself that it means the same as THIS symbol on my laptop:
and that it's meant to represent a pallette---iow, colors (or on my laptop, the "Paint" program).

I'll stop now and go to bed before I leave you doing this.....

G'nite, Dennis........

 

[Dennis Olson]

I give up. You need to take classes. Soonest.

 

[Countrymouse]

Thanks for putting up with me anyway. I really don't mean to make you crazy...

 

[Johnny Reb]

I’m in a good spot. My info is current. Got the last test so I’m ok. Prep,an people

 

[bluelady]

Ok, I'm not sure that this is what you had in mind, but is this it?

How To Fully Skin Windows 10

Do you ever stare at your Windows desktop, utterly bored by the scenery? Yeah, us, too. It's okay, though, there is a way to fix it! Just like we can Learn how to fully personalize your Microsoft Windows computer with these tips.

www.technipages.com

How To Fully Skin Windows 10​

By Mona Leave a Comment

Do you ever stare at your Windows desktop, utterly bored by the scenery? Yeah, us, too. It’s okay, though, there is a way to fix it! Just like we can repaint our walls in our home, we can “repaint” our desktop — except it’s much easier. Here is how you can fully skin your Windows 10 to take it from blah to yah!

I frankly DO NOT think this is what you had in mind as it seems (by the visuals) to apply ONLY to changing the scenery--the desktop background--and I know how to do that.

I think what I want is more something about the programming "not" of my own computer but of others' websites, where THEY have, instead of drop-down text menus, sweet little pictures that (to the designer of the program) made PERFECT sense, but doesn't necessarily mean the same thing to me.

Example--Thompson showed me what the bookmark meant. I'd seen that image at the top right of the page here. You know what I thought it was?

View attachment 369130

Know what that is?

A chimney.

From an old Lincoln Log set--like the kind I played with as a child.

I knew it couldn't stand for a chimney--but it hadn't dawned on me it was meant to be a bookmark.

Some of this stuff I just have to learn by trial and error, but it sure would be faster if I had a "cheat sheet".

For another example--the View attachment 369131 symbol above? On my laptop here, it reminds me of a chocolate chip cookie with a bite taken out of it. I have to remind myself that it means the same as THIS symbol on my laptop: View attachment 369132
and that it's meant to represent a pallette---iow, colors (or on my laptop, the "Paint" program).

I'll stop now and go to bed before I leave you doing this.....

G'nite, Dennis........

I can relate...I'm always annoyed that they don't use actual words!

 

[TBonz]

Computer stuff doesn't come easily to some, which is a pain as you have to have it these days. I'm 64 and I'm reasonably adept, but it doesn't come to me as easily as it does to a kiddo who grew up with it since it came later in my life.

Fortunately, I'm a good researcher and can usually get an answer because I know how to look and I know people if I can't find an answer online.

But it's not that way for everyone. The older you get, the harder it is to learn. Learning a new language is a helluva lot easier in early childhood than at my age. I'm doing it anyway, but the mind isn't as flexible.

So those who do know how to do things, helping those who aren't as familiar or comfortable with something (like we do with my mom who is in her 80s) is the thing to do. Not everyone can be a pro.

 

[Dennis Olson]

TBonz -

First, until you get several layers into it, none of this stuff is complicated. Second, almost every community college offers intro to computers classes, most of which are free for older people (or free to all.) I can’t help but wonder what fraction of the “askers” here on TB have ever taken any, or even made phone calls to find out if such classes were available to them. Third, when full and complete instructions for something are posted here over and over and over again, I/we expect people to bookmark those threads or save off the URL. I wonder how many do that? Fourth, it’s not up to the “experts” to beat on someone to “make” them learn. We present the information. Read it. Take notes. Practice (you know we have a practice forum room, right?)

As I’ve said, it gets maddeningly frustrating when you go over something a hundred times, and five days later some idiot asks for the same information, and when you tell them it’s already been posted, look for it, whine “But I can’t fiiiiiiiiiinnnnnd it! I tried and tried.” Then I hit search and find it on the first try. At that point, I’m gonna lose my cool. Those who “can’t learn” need to find a teaching venue for their “enhanced” needs. This forum ain’t it.

To put it in terms I’ve used before:

“It is beyond the scope of this discussion forum for me to provide you with what you need.”



TB2K is not a computer science college. Exercise some personal initiative and go get some real instruction. How is that hateful on my part to tell folks to do that?

 

[WalknTrot]

Computer stuff doesn't come easily to some, which is a pain as you have to have it these days. I'm 64 and I'm reasonably adept, but it doesn't come to me as easily as it does to a kiddo who grew up with it since it came later in my life.

Fortunately, I'm a good researcher and can usually get an answer because I know how to look and I know people if I can't find an answer online.

But it's not that way for everyone. The older you get, the harder it is to learn. Learning a new language is a helluva lot easier in early childhood than at my age. I'm doing it anyway, but the mind isn't as flexible.

So those who do know how to do things, helping those who aren't as familiar or comfortable with something (like we do with my mom who is in her 80s) is the thing to do. Not everyone can be a pro.

Actually, it's our older generation that "grew up with it".

From punch cards in H.S., old text based DOS and before, to now what...Windows 11? I spent my whole working career (not computer related) cobbling together old junk that needed work and piddling around figuring out (haha..and pirating) software as the new stuff and new expectations came out. Never had any anxiety over cracking a case and trying anything from blowing the dust out to installing a new motherboard. Because I needed to do it to keep up, and our Dept. didn't have the money to spend.

I never claimed to be an accomplished geek, but if a person of "vintage" kept up with the evolution of changes we all experienced (it has been a profound and historic thing to witness) we quite literally "grew up with it".