Club 100 News by Richard Hanson

(06-Sep-96)

AGAIN?

The story of the Model 100 computer can be summed up in one word: again?

But why the question mark? Cause, right from the start, over and over again, someone would ask a question folks just hashed over for the 4th time; again. Of course there is nothing wrong with asking questions. And, on the flip side, there is nothing wrong (whatsoever) with answering the question with just as much depth as one did, previous. In fact, it's wise, while learning, to answer questions; again and again. It's a great way to really understand the subject, i.e. the teacher is the best student.

Typically, folks got together, online and off, to help and share and, yet again, rehash the hashable! Thus was formed the personal computer user group starting with Homebrew in Palo Alto in the early 70s ... and I was there! Throughout the 70's and 80's user groups were the heart of personal computer ... everything!

Today, the user groups of old, are long gone, but the need remains. It will never be satisfied. Like musical instruments, we all must practice; again and again. "Computing is a performing art." I first stated in the early 80's while performing my duties as an instructor.

"Oh ... one day." they would say. "One day computers will be easy for everyone to use 'without' having to learn all that crap." Are we there, yet? And many would say, "Not for me but my kids are computer literate. They really know how to..." Do they really?

Well... we'll just have to wait and see. In the mean time, I have over 100 same-old, same-old questions to answer, yet again today; which I will gladly do. Say. Did you hear the news? Electricity was just put into yet, another Indian reservation the other day. Man, are we making progress or what?

IT'S A GOOD IDEA

The Model 100, 102 and 200 computers need a bit of maintenance, from time to time but leave your wrench in your tool box. Here's some tips to keep your Model "T" running in "T"op condition.

Keep it clean. Vacuum out the keyboard while brushing it back and forth with a 4" paint brush; an air hose is also a great idea ... stop by your local filling station.
Once all the dust is out, lightly spray your Model "T" down with simple green but don't get it too wet; especially in the keyboard or you'll have to let it dry out. Use your paint brush to clean in around the keys, around the ports, in the cracks, etc. Again, not too much Simple Green. Then wipe it all down with a clean cloth.
If your screen is scratched, you can "hand rub" out the scratches with any polishing compound or plastic polish. Use your paint brush to get the dried polish out of the cracks when you're finished.
Last but not least, use a plastic conditioner and wipe the entire unit. This will help keep the plastic in good condition.
From a program point of view, it's a good idea to cold start your Model "T" from time to time. This will do two things, 1) refresh system RAM, and 2) remind you to not only back up your data but practice setting your computer back up. I can't tell you how often I get an "emergency" call from a fellow Model "T" owner who forgot how to reload their DOS, or boot their ROM.
Do a cold start. There are several ways. The best, of course, is to just turn off the memory power switch on the bottom and walk away for 15 minutes.
Another way is to do a cold start is to press and hold your and keys, press, hold and release the reset key on the back edge, then release the other keys.
On a Model 200 with multiple banks, to cold start the "next" bank, press and hold the and keys, then press your "Bank" function key to go to the next bank. This will jump to the next bank and cold start it at the same time.

MORE CHANGES

Some of you will notice that yesterday the Club 100 web publication was one way, and today it's totally different. Well, after thinking about it for a few days, I sat down yesterday and started rewriting the entire The Dock! Online Publication; including all the sub-publications.

The job is far from finished. My goals are to isolate each publication into tabloids using a common, obvious navigation method. Once the basics are formed, I will incorporate various commercial garnishes, add in interactive elements, then finish up with documented systems maintenance routines. Finally, each publication will be documented into a case study, ready for sale.

ENOUGH

I'll stop here. Enough is enough. It's about noon in Pleasant Hill, and the lunch crowd is starting to come into Ann's Sunshine Cafe on Oak Park Blvd., so I'd better turn off my 102, pay up and leave. Got to get this online and get back to work. But well talk again real soon.

At your service ... -Rick-

FYI: I wrote this on a stock, Model 102 coding it in HTML while writing; while eating a tuna melt with onions at Ann's, about an hour before lunch. If anyone needs this kind of action, contact me.

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