Just curious

[deedee]

So, how general or wide-ranging in topic is this area meant to be? Always within the rules of netiquette of course  .

deedee

[Forum Admin]

Hi,

It's probably a redundant board as I set up general discussion boards for each of the main WordStar OS variants. But, if you have someting to say that doesn't fit anywhere else on these boards go ahead.

Possible topics could be alternative WordStar support forums - CompuServe, the WordStar Mail List, The Yahoo Groups lists... Maybe, WordStar's demise in general, Getting WordStar running on a Psion - must try that again  

Did you have anything specific in mind?

Cheers
Mike

[deedee]

Yes and no. The topic I was thinking of is about computers, but somewhat esoteric, and I've been debating with myself about where's the best place to put it.

However, I was also wondering about rants. I've noticed that various forums have a spot specifically labeled "Rants." But if I understand what you're saying, a rant could be placed as a new topic under whatever heading it might suit.

Did you know that you have misspelled "Microsoft" in your flashing news line? It's missing the first "o." I've been watching it, and the Felix Unger (from "The Odd Couple") in me cringes every time I see it. I should have mentioned this sooner.

deedee  

[Forum Admin]

Hello again,

You could rant here, why not?

Err, and thanks for pointing out the spilling mistook -  Fixed it now - Ta!


Mike

[deedee]

You have no idea how much better I feel seeing that spelling error corrected. Thanks. I'm no fan of MS and laughed the first time I saw it. But, it seems I care more about grammar when the dust settles.

I don't suppose now would be a good time to mention that the "compatibility" in "Compatability Issues" also could stand correcting ? It's supposed to have only one "a" (and three "i"s).

With regard to the rants, it occurs to me that you might mention on the WS mailing list that off-list topics could also be posted here. I'm sure that there are people who find other topics interesting, but may not be interested in joining the off-list list and may be hesitant to post something on the mailing list. Presumably, they could post it here, then give the URL to it on the list so those interested could read it, sign up, and respond.

Just a thought.

deedee   (These smileys are fun, now all I have to do is find a picture of deedee, Dexter's big little sister in Dexter's Laboratory, and then I'll be all set  .)

[Forum Admin]

Hi,

You could add up all the spilling mistooks so I only had to fix them once! Thanks - now fixed.

I think I did offer these boards up on both the WordStar mail list and the CompuServe forum as yet another spot to visit. But as you've mentioned it I'll offer the site up again.

Thanks!
Mike

[deedee]

> You could add up all the spilling mistooks so I only had to fix them once! Thanks - now fixed.

I know. Sorry about that. The first one was irking me at the time, and I just impulsively mentioned it. Then, I realized I should have also mentioned the other one at the same time, but the deed was already done  .

Thanks for mentioning the message board again on the WS mailing list. I wanted to hear what you had in mind for it. That gives me a better idea of what you really see as appropriate.

deedee  

[Forum Admin]

Hi,

As I mentioned on the WordStar mail list my original intentions for this site was for it to be a one-stop shop for all WordStar related issues. I was planning this while CompuServe was still a closed forum but aparrt from trying out a few ideas and collating information I didn't get a usable site up and running.

After I was asked to help fix someone's WordStar emulation in Word, and to add a couple of extra commands that they really wanted, I found that I had to start from scratch. This help expanded and I ended up with something quite bigger than what I'd started with or planned. The idea of shareware was put to me and I took it as it would cover the costs and force me to get this site off the ground.

Here, the first pages were the help and information for my WordStar Emulator, but I very quickly added some of the other information I'd collated available. Judy had by then beaten me to the biggest collection of WSWin tips and added typography to it, so I have used that virtually as it is.

Linux was way down the priority list, but was a planned addition as well. All I have here so far is setting NEdit to recognise some WordStar commands. I have a few other bits around here somewhere, but haven't used Linux myself for about 18 months, so it isn't going to expand quickly.

The Onelist and later Yahoo mail list I set up was initially to get my WordStar Emulator support questions off the mail WordStar mail list because I thought I'd get a lot of questions - I didn't, and the Yahoo list doesn't get that many messages either. Until I can find a mail list server that I can host here the Yahoo list will remain in place, and indeed, my suggestion of shutting it down some time ago was followed by it suddenly bursting back into life!

Enough of the history. Basically I'd like this site to be a focal point for any WordStar related information: Its history, where to get it, how to use it, how to fix it, how to modify it, how to program macros, how to make it work on OS this or that, how to make it talk to other programs, how to convert to and from its file types, how to print from it, etc., etc. I've asked at various times on both the main WordStar mail list and on CompuServe for offers of information that could be hosted here - zilch.

Now I've fixed the guset book, although it still needs some tidying up, I'll try to recreate the graphics for the site and revamp the WordStar for DOS and other areas and finish my tidying up of the WSWin section.

Cheers
Mike

[deedee]

It's just amazing to me how things can mushroom in ways a person least expects. I think your story about how all this came about certainly qualifies for that category.

I know when starting the Linux site I didn't expect much of a response. I knew there were a few people interested in trying it, some people trying it but still primarily using their ms-win systems for work, and several people who were using Linux as their main computing system.

So, I called myself keeping my goal modest. I would use the list and site as a means to force me to solve problems in setting my own Linux system up for full-time use. What surprised me was the fact that others were in the same boat as me. They also worked full-time at demanding jobs, so they knew that focusing on their Linux boxes would become a secondary activity unless they felt compelled by being on a list.

I now spend almost my entire time working under Linux. I have two boxes completely set up (one with Mandrake 8.1 and one with Red Hat 8.0) so that anyone could immediately sit down and use them with no more trepidation than they would a ms-win box.

And, my productivity has soared. I'm actually able to quit work two hours earlier than I used to with ms-win systems (okay, it's still late, but those two hours between 11pm and 1am make me feel a lot more refreshed in the morning ).

Dealing with the WS/Linux mailing list and web site put a big work burden on me at first, but the improvement in my office and personal routines has made it all worthwhile.

deedee

PS: I don't suppose there's a spelling checker I've miss, is there ? You seem to have everything else.

[Forum Admin]

Hi,

One of the reasons I stopped with Linux was a lack of time. I still have it installed - even updated to Mandrake 8, or was it 8.1? It's in a dual boot configuration. I recently downloaded the latest wine at an excruciatingly slow 18Kb/s. It didn't work straight away because Mandrake didn't instal something it needed, but i can't remember what now. It still doesn't work correctly, but I haven't tried fixing the remaining problems.

Having skimmed back over my previous message I could do with a grammar check as well as a spelling check! I don't think there's one I can add.

Cheers
Mike

[deedee]

One of the reasons I stopped with Linux was a lack of time.

Well, that's just it. When a system crash happens, we're forced to take the time to get back up. It's always a major pain in the neck (or wherever). If one's backup routine fails, it can easily set one back a day or two in meeting one's deadlines.

The same is true for setting up a system. One can get a lot of basic stuff going with Linux right away, but getting everything the way you like it, especially if you really care about how things are set up, is time-consuming. No matter what OS you choose.

So most people work on it in their "spare" time (whatever that is  :-/). And, that means, at least in my case, it won't happen in the foreseeable future.

In any event, the mailing list made me do it right away and I'm very glad it did .

If you want to, we can go over what's happening with your Wine to see if anything rings a bell on what could be wrong.

deedee

[Forum Admin]

I'll move over to the Linux board for my problems, now I've just booted up the Linux PC.

Cheers
Mike