Hey, Fellowbabies,
Man, so much to say, and so little time… I am compelled to read here, I mean the company of you Belmont posters and your discussions are so cool: Black swan, OODA loop, the 3 conjectures, encryption stuff, etc. I had not encountered these subjects, and I keenly regret that there are few people in my circle of friends who are interested in or even familiar with any of the discussions I have encountered here. And I very much want this to continue to be a forum where we can enjoy the discussion whatever the issue. There are many who post here who have given me hours of food for thought, and I am frankly/genuinely jealous of many of you whose knowledge and abilities to express yourself in so many areas of expertise exceed mine. (you may trust, however, that when I start my own blog, I will quote you all mercilessly – without attribution) I first learned of the existence of Belmont from my brother, who reads and posts regularly; and he is a big fan of Belmont for the same reasons. This blog has captured me and brought my interest back.
Back in 2000 or thereabouts, I used to enjoy a certain blog that concerned itself with amateur astronomy: lots of interesting discussion including serious astrophysics and the occasional remarks by serious scientists, amateur observations of celestial events, technical discussion including very good detailed plans to build Dobson telescope, and a general forum. Naturally the events of 9-11 were discussed in the general forum; but as the media covered the slow progression of the Administration’s exploration of the UN attitudes concerning Iraq, the forum began to be dominated by Liberals who were immediately dismissive and determined to quell any dissenters; and in short order, those oh-so-open-minded Liberals were so vituperative and bitter that I absented myself permanently ; and I honestly never expected to frequent any blog after 2003. I really, really do not want to see that low level of discourse repeated here; I like Belmont; it’s posters and host are very witty, well-informed, generous with their information, willing to talk shop — something I really like because thereby I am informed, if only to a superficial level — and, most of all, this is a friendly, collegial place. I can imagine myself sitting in a dark gentleman’s-style club, paneled walls, chandeliers, and all my friends telling stories while lounging in high-backed, overstuffed leather chairs, with cigars and brandy — or my special addiction: lots of icy cold cola —. O vision of the White Hart.
I agree with steveaz 46, Tinian 47, JFSaners031 51, and mac 68; let’s grant that you have some level of expertise, Joseph Cannon; but get over yourself. If you disagree, discuss the differences, and try to be civil. I like it here, and I would very much like it to stay that way.
I am an old school artist and I very much prefer to use traditional tools; however, my brother and I had a business in advertising film production. I love the color and definition of film; it’s an old technology, well understood and controlled. Back in the day I sneered at the idea that video might ever become important. And, lo, I have been dragged kicking and screaming into subservience to the mighty god, Computer, and his acolytes, Illustrator and Photoshop. Okay so I’ve been using computers since 1990, and so have many, many others; and that is why a little humility is good. I have won awards for my art in international art shows; so what? outside of my family and a few friends, nobody knows my name. I know many people who paint or draw exceptionally well but they never have or will exhibit their work, but they are very, very good, they just haven’t got any belief in their ability. One of my encounters with a young man viewing an art show told how irrelevant my abilities are: we spoke for a few minutes, but then, while holding my eyes with an intense scrutiny, he said in a challenging tone that his brother had made an application to the very art show in which I was currently exhibiting. Clearly he thought he deal was rigged, and that I was occupying a spot is brother deserved. That’s my fan base keeping me humble.
A certain amount of chutzpah is okay, but don’t let it get out of control; after all, there are millions of users familiar with Photoshop, and most of them will use tools or work-arounds that may be completely unfamiliar to you.
And as for you Boogie Wheel, I say, “Right On, man.” In my Mac-users group I am an acknowledged Luddite. But, I have three G3s still chugging along just fine; and I love Illustrator 7 and Photoshop 5. I resent that in spite of promises made long ago ( and far away) Apple promised that future programs would “look back” and blend with their ancestor programs; and OS 10 was a pain to relearn or change my habits. And I especially resent new programs that gratuitously include things like html language so one can write directly to the web – as if this wasn’t already included in other easily available packages. And if you buy the new program, then you discover that the footprint is so large, and detail changes in the program force one to by a newer computer. Okay so now we have a g5, but not with a dual core…!!! aaaaarghhhhhhh Hmmm, maybe I better go lie down til my mood swings, and I can return to being the little fuzzy yellowish, white ball of light that my friends recognize.