In the Eye of the Beholder

This is just the picture of a tower for power lines. It is one place where electricity crosses the Fraser River near New Westminster's Queensborough Bridge. It might seem an odd thing to take a picture of.

I wish no-cost photography had been the norm when I was a kid. I experimented with black and white film developing as a hobby but every click of the shutter cost money. Compare that with today's essentially free digital photos and you'll see why one reason why most of my photos are only a few years old.

Nowadays, I really don't think one can take too many pictures. I'd like to be able to see images from nearly every point in my life. For example there are a million things from the early 1970's I wish I could view. Although I remember running around Nielsen's field taking photos of objects like apple trees, the only pictures I have from that era are family snaps. Seeing the people is interesting; however, I'd like to have a look at neary anything from that period of time.

What did the kitchen radio look like?

How many steps were there from the lawn down to the back driveway?

How tall was the willow tree when I was in fifth grade?

I have no photographs of these things, so I doubt I'll ever know the answers.

Just a Lot of Hot Air

I don't really have anything to say today, but that's never stopped me before!

Writing a blog is weird as I'm driven to put something under each date. For three and a half years, I've continued to add something to these pages every day. Of course, sometimes there are many things I wish to share; at other times, there aren't.

If you search through archives here, you won't find:

political discussions

poetry entries

sexual exploits

current events

cat pictures

funny jokes

work complaints, or

links to other blogs.

Which sort of begs the question:

What in the hell have I been rambling on about for so long?

Why not type something in box below to see:

[This search method was later upgraded. This link will no longer work.]

According to Dennis ...

I have a love/hate relationship with work. I don't mean with my present job; I am talking about the whole concept of employment.

Working because one is being paid for a useful or enjoyable experience is fine. Unfortunately, I see many struggling to get to work everyday merely as a means to survive. That's sad.

It's also sad to see an individual so wrapped up in his little working world that he defines himself by the job. Work should be an experience not one's main experience.

Work can be good if it give one perspectives beyond one's personal life. Being able to concentrate on a different set of circumstances is probably good for one's character and development.

Return here often for future glimpses of ... The World According to Dennis.

Hollywood Hoopla

Tonight, I'm looking foward to seeing Oscars being handed out in high-definition. This year, we've not seen as many of the nominated films as in the recent past. I do find it interesting that a number of the films have already been released on DVD. Perhaps before the next Academy Awards, I expect the DVD version to be on sale when exiting the theatre.

On a related topic, I have one little thought. Damn the Blu-ray and HD DVD camps for not getting their act together and hammering out a universal format. Now the prices are going to be higher and the adoption to higher-density disks longer.

Thirty Years of Changes

This week's page contains a number of photos from the previous week's trip to New Hampshire. I thought I'd round out Saturday with another. Here's a recap of a road trip on February 12th.

We traveled to Concord and then up I-89 to the New London exit. Next, we drove through George's Mills and into Sunapee. The town was cold as a strong wind was blowing. Soon, we followed Rt. 11 and then went on Rt. 103 past the house of my youth to the Mt. Sunapee ski area.

After, we drove through Newport and down Route 10 to the city of Keene. We took a scenic bypass visiting Stoddard NH, a town where my grandmother had a summer cottage. When we eventually walked around Keene State, it was still very cold and windy. (A big big dump of snow occurred on the following day.) I thought it was interesting to see how much my old college campus had changed. I got a BS in Education at KSC. Of course, it has changed a lot as I first lived there in the fall of 1977. In the past thirty years, the state has obviously put a lot of money into the college system. Certainly, no money has been sent by this alumni though!


After walking around the campus for a half hour, we left and ate a a Friendly's Restaurant. It was then a quick trip back to Route 202/101. We didn't stop to see what was going on at the office of The Old Farmers' Almanac in Dublin.

Chugging Along

If I were on anti-depressants or other medication, I'd chalk up my happiness to the drugs. I don't think fish or flaxseed oils have much in the way of mood-altering effects though.

For quite a few years, I've been very pleased with the stuff of life. I would rush to attribute these feelings to the positive situations in my life. I honestly can't think of things I'd have any differently even if given three wishes from the proverbial genie in a bottle. I look around the world and feel fortunate and very lucky.

In reality one's satisfaction probably isn't directly related to ones circumstances. Some people worry too much. Others feel blue. There are those with broken relationships and others who hate how they earn a living. Yet, regardless of the situation in which I discovered myself, I think I'd be pretty grounded. And I guess, that's just one more reason to be happy, isn't it?

Capital Ideas

This picture was taken last week in Concord NH. I had to go online to look up the name of this building. Last week, we drove to the capital just to see its golden dome. I couldn't find anything under the New Hampshire Legislature, and the NH Capital Building offered no results. Somewhere online tonight, I discovered it is called the New Hampshire House of Representatives or simply the State House.

How had I forgotten all those NH history lessons from grade school? I don't think I'd ever really committed many facts about it to memory. For example, the Legislature moved into the building in 1819 which makes it the oldest one still in use in the US. I don't think anybody ever told me it cost $82,000 to build.

Yet, I did recall one fun fact. The building is witness to the third largest legislature in the English-speaking world. Only the US Congress and the British Parliament have more members.

You Can Go Home Again ....

If you do make the trip you might realize how much you've changed though. In fact, I thought I should jot out two important realizations that I learned about us from our recent trip to New Hampshire.

First, we're most suited to urban settings.

I don't know how this happened to a kid from Sunapee. Even when staying down in Manchester NH, with its mall, I kept noticing how rural things were. Cars are an absolute necessity in order to survive. Even in the big city, the bus system doesn't run on Sundays.

In addition, I don't like cold weather anymore.

The locals were saying it had been quite warm through the end of January. The temperature during our week there averaged about negative 15C. About 10 inches of snow fell in southern NH. I like access to occasional winter, but have definitely been spoiled by the years away from New England. I'd hate to live where the winters are real.

I grew up in Sunapee, NH but winter there wouldn't seem to suit me now.

News from the Trenches

Hooray for Tuesday! The week has gotten off to a fine start. My new students are receptive and eager to study. I'd say this is generally the case. As these courses only last for five weeks, the positive momentum hardly has time to fade.

I decided to carry my notebook around with me at BCIT. Finally, wireless access has been improved over on this side of campus on Royal Oak. I put my computer on the front desk along with the piles of papers near my briefcase. It is handy. I carried the notebook down to the teachers' room and started this entry during break.

When coming back upstairs, I saw others running around with their computers. Several of my students even use them to take notes during class. I suddenly had the notion that my long-held dreams were coming true. Technology has come a long way but, honestly, educational adaptation takes too long. We can log on to a common course page wirelessly from any desk at BCIT. If we were to require notebook ownership, then I'd be able to put up most teaching materials in e-form rather than photocopying stacks of handouts. Except in COMM classes, I doubt there's a place where so many people write text with pencils or pens.

Well, in a way, this happens. We meet in NE1 Room 201 on Thursdays. It's the swanky new computer lab with flat-screen monitors that fold to provide group and individual workspace. Students log on at 1:00 and off at 5:00 although we also have regular instruction and testing. So, there's a little more 't' in my BCIT courses than there used to be.

Better Late Than ...

I may switch to evening posts. I suppose it'd be better not to make any promises other than there'll always be something here before midnight. If the last few years are any indication, that's a promise I can keep.

Today, I had a new batch of students for a COMM 0004 course. Yet, I spent most of the morning installing things on my notebook. A few weeks ago I discovered that this Gateway 3522GW cannot handle Windows Vista due to an incompatible BIOS. I had the notebook with me in New Hampshire and realized I need it most for email and net access when travelling. So, I can continue to use Windows XP until I'm ready for a new device.

I had half installed Vista though. It left lots of junk on my hard disk. It also required quick action upon boot-up to force it to load XP rather than trying to complete the installation of the new operating system. I decided to format the hard drive and load up a copy of XP Pro that I had.

Starting from scratch takes a great deal of work. For example, the wireless connection didn't load from the Windows disc. I had to search at the Gateway site to find the file. Then of course it and others needed to be copied from my other computer via a writable CD. When I did get access to the Internet, there were more than 70 updates from Microsoft. Loading up the necessary MS Office programs took a while too. I also needed to get McAfee up and running. There a dozens of small tweaks still required!

All that rigmarole and my afternoon class is why I'm typing something here now (on the notebook by the way). What a long winded excuse, I guess.

Back on Pacific Time

Ah ... there's no bed like home's.

Flying back was nothing out of the ordinary. United managed to screw up bags in Chicago by changing gates at the last minute, and we spent an extra hour in the plane as a result of it. That meant we got into Vancouver after public transit had ended. We took an airport taxi to New Westminster to the tune of $40. We didn't get to the apartment until 1:15 am.

The weather at 10C seems warm. (Indeed it is 20C warmer than we experienced for a week.) Fish and hamster are fine. I had checked the fish regularly from here while in New Hampshire.

Lots of catch up on with the computer, food, housecleaning, and getting ready for a brand-new batch of students tomorrow.


The rental car we turned in at the aiport didn't look quite
as good as when we rented it due to running on New Hampshire
roads in the winter.

Short and Sweet

We're up. We'll be visiting my dad, eating a big lunch, and getting on a United plane to Chicago at about 5:00. We should be back at YVR at about 11:00 tonight. I will add more information here on Sunday.

Boston or Bust

Maybe it's living out west where distances are far, or maybe it's just growing up, but everything in New England seems so close. Distances that I once thought were vast now don't seem so.

After breakfast this morning, we went one exit up 293 to I-93 south. We were in the center of Boston in 45 minutes. We exited right into the financial district. Parking underground Post Office Square was easy and allowed us to go up and walk around for a half hour. I don't think I've been as cold many times in my life. I guess it's because I didn't have a toque or gloves on. The wind was blowing off the harbor and down into the small streets. The sun was warming but generally the buildings hid it.



We were back a little after noon and stopped by a Subway restaurant.

We went up to the hospital later in the afternoon. Actually, we arrived as they were preparing meals. Dad talked a lot today but I'm not sure if he really understands the seriousness of his illness. He prides himself on his independence and it's going to be tough for him to fathom he's lost a lot of it.

Learning from One's Mistakes

I have a story from this morning that will probably move from being annoying to funny with the passing of enough time. We got going fairly quickly this morning. The sky was clear blue and the newly fallen snow was still pristine. Upon actually getting out of the hotel's front door we felt the nip. The wind was blowing at about 20 miles and hour with the temperature around 15F. It sure looked lovely though.

The snow on the car had to be scraped off. I opened the door and started the engine knowing that it'd be a while before things warmed up inside. We popped open the trunk to put a few things inside then slammed it shut. The snow and ice brushed off the car pretty quickly. Then, I tried to open the door and it had locked. This car automatically locks all the doors after a few minutes on the road. The car was running so it assumed we were on our way somewhere. We had only one key. It and the key chain were inside the running car. The heater was on full. The car was sealed shut.

I called the airport rental company as the airport is only a mile or so away. My car had Massachusetts tags and they had no other keys for it in Manchester. They suggested I call a tow truck company that opens locks. The tab would be my problem. I asked the front desk and got a phone number. I called and was told someone would be able swing by. During my second call, twenty minutes later, I was told it might take up to another hour. They were really busy digging and pulling cars out of ditches.

I went back out to the car. I happened to check how tightly closed the driver's side window was. I could push it down a half inch. So, I went to ask for a coat hanger and bend and turned. It was fairly easy to pull up the door locks in a few minutes. Why had we sat nearly an hour in the lobby? Surely, this whole incident will seem more humourous after a while.

For a few hours we drove around to see New England winter scenes. We ate at a buffet in Concord. In the afternoon, I dropped Jay off at the YMCA. He was able to use the facilities because of his Vancouver employee card. I visited with my dad in the afternoon. I was surprised to find him taking a nap when I arrived.

All This Way to Nap?

I think rugged New Hampshirites have become a bunch of wimps over the years I've been away. Today, there is a little storm brewing. It started snowing lightly around midnight this morning. Schools were called off. Many people didn't go to work today. The local TV channel is providing coverage on special edition programs. There's barely six inches on the ground! Maybe it's because they haven't seen a good nor'easter in a long while.

You do have to realize that it's 12:30 pm and we're just sitting in the hotel room though. We ventured out earlier and found the roads a little slick. In fact, I couldn't make it up the hill to the hospital where my dad is. We came back. Although the major arteries are kept clear, there's no place to go. Even driving around wouldn't be too much fun as the visability is so low. It looks like this is going to be a pretty boring afternoon.

Tuesday's News

It was bitterly cold out today. Well, 14 degrees Fahrenheit sure seems cold to me now, especially when the winds blow across my face or fingers.

Today, we didn't do much other than visit with my dad. Luckily, I happened there on the day when there was a patient meeting. In the board room, there were representatives from physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing. The case worker, and a clergy member were also present. Diane, arrived down for the meeting and dad himself attended.

It was good to be involved in the briefing.

Everyone was quite happy with his progress. Most stroke victims improvement comes within the first three months. After this initial period the progress may continue but at a slower and less noticeable rate. I was happy to hear that he really is quite mobile compared to when he arrived at the program here. We initially met him at the end of his occupational therapy where he was doing 'find the hidden word' puzzles. I don't think he ever really like that kind of thing when he was well. He's at a point where he forgets some recent things but older memories have returned and remain well intact.

His major concern is that he is not getting enough therapy as he wants to get well quickly and get out of there. Socializing with strangers doesn't strike him as a useful way to spend time. He'd rather be outdoors doing something.

Most reassuring was the fact they tentatively set another one of these sessions after three months. This means it'll be at least May before any sort of discharge or move is considered. Everyone seems extremely nice and very accommodating. The people present at the hospital seem to totally enjoy my dad's weird sense of humour.



(I'm keeping the posts stamped in Vancouver time, so you have to add an additional three hours to calculate when I was at the keyboard in New Hampshire.)

Racking Up a Few Miles

We're back at the hotel for a little rest. Last night we returned to the hospital and found my dad playing bingo. We chatted for a while then came back to the hotel with a little booty from a supermarket. After eating, we slept for about ten hours.

This morning, it was nice to shower and stumble down for a SuperStart PLUS breakfast. Then hearing that it was going to be mostly sunny, decided to drive around NH. There seems to be a big storm brewing that might dump quite a bit of snow on Wednesday. Therefore, it made sense to go today. I wanted Jay to see where I grew up. So we headed to Concord and walked around the State Legislature. Then we took I-89 to the exit for Sunapee. It didn't take much time to drive around the harbor, Lower Main Street, and out to Wendell. Well, the area used to be called Wendell back when there was a post office there. It's about 3 miles from town. Some things have changed but not a great deal. As Mt. Sunapee glistened so brightly we took a trip there and watched all the skiers sliding down the mountain, many of them on their butts.

After, we went to Newport but decided not to eat at Village Pizza although it was in the same place it was in the 1970s. The town's department store apparently couldn't compete with Claremont though as it was empty.

Then I thought rather than retracing any steps we'd go down Route 10 to Keene, NH. For another trip down memory lane, we went via Stoddard, NH. My grandmother had a summer cottage and as kids, we used to spend time there during summers. After finally getting into Keene, we stopped and walked around my old campus at Keene State College. It must be twice the size it was when I attended. Yet, come to think of it, I did start there 30 years ago this upcoming September! We ate a very late lunch at a Friendly Family Restaurant.

We came back via 202 and 101 to Manchester and were here before 5:00 pm.

We'll spend this evening with my dad. He seems to be in very good condition. There's no indication that his right side had been weak. He is pretty good at remembering things. I had no idea he knew how old I was even before any stroke. He told me I was 47. I suppose it's possible he did a little 'homework' before my arrival!

MHT: The Airport Code

The airport itself is really big nowadays. I recall having to pull off my own luggage and lug it into the terminal in the 1980's. Now the airport is enormous!

I'm typing this from the hotel in Manchester. Because we arrived here before 10:30 am, we couldn't check in directly. We drove around a bit. We discovered the location of the hospital and popped in already to see my dad.

We also drove around a little. We'd not eatten since Seattle unless you count the United pretzels. So, we found a Chinese buffet with lots of seafood. Upon returning back, we checked in and slept for almost three hours.

That's why it's 5:44 local time. We'll probably stop back to see my dad later this evening.

Ready, Set ...

I'm bored.

I thought getting ready was going to be such a rush as I needed to finish up my course yesterday. Yet, packing is finished although we started from scratch this morning. There's really not too much needed for a mere six nights. These other things have already occurred as well:

I cleaned up around the house and washed the sheets.

A few DVDs and have been copied and originals dropped back into the post.

I went to sit in the hot tub but had to get out after ten minutes as the temperature is set a bit too hot.

The fish have their ten day feeder and the hamster is stretched out in the tub with lots of food.

I set the timers on the satellite PVR so we don't miss any favourites.

My next entry tomorrow should be from the Super 8 in Manchester, NH. Although Vista is half installed on my notebook, I can still boot up in XP.

No Obligations for a Bit

Oh my! This entry is about 12 hours later than my daily average.

I half expected to write an entry at BCIT as my students were taking their final examinations. However, I found myself correcting the copies of the listening portion first. Then, I was able mark the papers of those students who finished early. After all were finished, I packed up the tests and went over to my office on the Burnaby campus. I stayed there until all the paperwork and e-forms were completed. It was about 8:25 pm.

I hadn't brought any dinner as I hadn't really planned to finish up all the papers this evening. So, I was a little hungry and stopped at a McDonald's on the way home. My local, uptown one stays open till midnight. I didn't know that!

Now, I'm officially on vacation for a week. Not only have I sent out the email informing students of the results, but I ate junk food. You should see the grin on my face.

Today, Tomorrow, and Saturday

The end of a course is always hectic. This one is ever more so, as we'll be heading off on Saturday.

Today, my class will finish up their oral presentations. I have mentioned these many times in this blog. It is nice to sit and watch each student closely for ten minutes. This is something that rarely happens during normal classes.

Tomorrow, the three-hour final exam finishes at 5:00 pm. I will need to correct them and post final grades by Saturday at noon. We need to go to YVR in the afternoon in order to catch a 3-stop journey to New Hampshire.


In my mind, I still picture my dad as in this 20-year old photo. It
was taken when he came along on a cross-country car trip to Seattle WA
when I was attending grad school there. I am sure that seeing him in
the rehab hospital after last month's stroke, is going to be a bit shocking.

To Errand is Human

Why does the term errands have a negative connotation?

Yesterday before going to class, I had to stop by my optometrist to pick up my glasses. I had dropped them off earlier in the morning and the new lenses were installed. When I was uptown earlier, I had also dashed into London Drugs in order to buy a new coffee Thermos. I was getting sick of not screwing the cap correctly on my old one and having it leak.

Although cognizant of the time these extra trips took, I wasn't stressed by having to do them. In fact, life really is all about its errands. People can sometimes forget that it really is the small things which make up the majority of our existence. One really can't get much more basic than preparing to eat, clean, and stay out of the elements.

Rather than trying to rush through these things, it'd be better if we could just enjoy errands for what they are. In the end, they are one's life.


On last year's trip to Sri Lanka, putting on a meal
took hours. Yet, this was much less stressful than in a
modern kitchen with all of its 'instant' food preparation.

It Happened Again!

On 2/5/07, I received this comment from the online form here:

---

Name = Wassan (family name withheld for privacy)
Seen What? = This Silly Form, ePicture Albums
Arrived How? = By accident!
Location = Africa / Middle East

Hello Mr. Dennis,

That's the only name I remember you by. I don't know if you remember me but I was in Grade 2 when you were teaching (Miss Vicky's class). I'm not sure but I believe you were my teacher too. I googled Kuwait's Past and decided to check out your sight. I was shocked and delighted to see that you had pictures of Al- Bayan ( Now Bayan Bilingual School or BBS). I recognized the painted walls and ofcourse you!! I am currently a Kindergarten 1 English Teacher at BBS and I am working on my Masters in Education. I just wanted to say hello and that I rememeber you very well.

Take Care,
Wassan

---

---

Hello Wassan!

Thank you for getting in contact. Did you happen to come across my
Flicker collection of Kuwaiti photos too?

www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=kuwait+DennisSylvesterHurd&m=text

It's amazing to hear from people from so long ago. I am pleased to
learn that you are involved in the 'noble profession'. It can be a
wonderful way to spend one's time. For many years now I've been
working with adult ESL students.

I do hope this letter finds you in the best of health and happiness.
Please share my email address with any others who may have been your
classmates.

==Dennis

---

Forty One

Yesterday, for the first time, we were able to watch the Super Bowl in high definition. The rain here made it a wonderful afternoon to stay inside by the gas fireplace. The rain there allowed us to see the drops of water on the players' faces.

Help Isn't Around the Corner

Help is probably not on the other side of the globe either. Gateway customer support really sucks. I wonder whether they have actually provided any useful support to anyone. I know these centers are probably offshore. Still, I don't think they're any kind of bargain.

Humans just cut and paste 'customer service scripts'. A computerized system would be more cost effective and ultimately superior. Just for my own sanity I've cut and pasted a bit too. Here are a few days of mind-numbing email:

---

Final Message Follows:
-------------------------

http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?param=vista+bios&st=kw

I will keep my eye on the page above. I am not looking for 'drivers'. My
Gateway requires a BIOS replacement to run Vista.

I have given up hope that you or your colleagues will be of any assistance at all.

==Dennis

---

Hello Dennis,

Thank you for your reply. If you prefer, you may search online for
updated drivers, as Gateway currently does not have them available.

Please be advised that all information obtained from the Internet is to
be *** used at your own risk ***. This will include all information
obtained from the Internet, such as, files you may download, information
about how to resolve an issue or just visiting a link that you were
referred to. This will include any links or downloads that Gateway may
refer you to as a possible resolution to an issue or just as a source of
information. This also includes any references to searching the
Internet for any type of information.

I apologize for any inconveniences that this may caused you.

Please reply to this message if you require further assistance with this
issue. If your reply is received while I am out of the office, to
ensure a speedy resolution, your issue will be handled by one of my
colleagues.

Sincerely,

Justice
Badge GWEL8252

Even if you use your computer for the simplest of tasks, adding memory
to your computer is the most efficient and quickest ways to boost your
performance. For upgrade options please consult an upgrade sales
representative at:

https://support.gateway.com/Support/copilot/en/us/chat_us_gw_upgrade.asp?id=6209


Information provided pursuant to eMachine's Terms of Sale and Limited
Warranty Agreement. All brands and names are trademarks of their
respective companies.

---

Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?param=vista&st=kw

Your answer does not fit the scope of what is occuring on the Gateway
site. Your 'customer scripts' are worthless in helping me. I know
that support is farmed out to help centers. Yet, your assistance has
not been worth the price paid by Gateway.

If you are unsure of the situtation at present, please 'come clean'
and admit that you are not able to get hold of the required
information at present. An answer like that would help me respect
you, rather than having the feeling I do at present.

==Dennis

---

On 2/3/07, Email Tech wrote:
> Hello Dennis,
>
> Thank you for your e-mail. Please be guided that Gateway does not
> support the changing of Operating System because changing the system to
> a different configuration may cause a great deal of conflicts between
> devices and software on the system.
>
> You have the option of installing the Windows Vista on your system;
> however, we cannot guarantee its compatibility with the pre-installed
> Operating System. In addition, any changes or upgrades to the original
> configuration of the system are done so at the sole risk of you the end
> user. Any support for added 3rd party software will need to come from
> the manufacturer of that product. You may also consider contacting the
> motherboard manufacturer for an updated BIOS that can support Vista.
>
> In relation to this, it is usually better to compare your system
> specifications with the recommended system specifications rather than
> the minimum system specifications for best results of software. This
> way you will be sure to get the best performance out of the new software
> package.
>
> Here are your system's specifications:
>
> Chassis Magic
> Motherboard Arima MagicUMA
> Notebook Battery Arima Magic W32044L Li-ion
> CPU Intel Pentium M 725 1.6GHz (Centrino)
> Memory 512MB (1x512MB) DDR PC2700 SO-DIMM
> Power Supply (unknown)
> External Power Source Li Shin International Enterprise Corp. 0225C1965
> Video Intel Extreme Graphics 2 Integrated NB
> Audio ADI AC'97 2001
> Hard Drive (Various) Notebook 60 GB
> Primary Optical Drive [DVD-R/RW] (Notebook) 8x DVD+/-R/RW
> Sec. Optical Drive
> Floppy Drive No Floppy Drive
> * Special Drive #1 (Various) 4-in-1 Media Reader
> Modem Conexant v.92 (Notebook)
> Network Interface Broadcom 440x (10/100 Ethernet)
> Additional Network Interface Intel 2200BG 802.11g
> USB Ports (FRONT/SIDE) 3
> USB Ports (REAR) 0
> Firewire Ports (FRONT/SIDE) 1
> Firewire Ports (REAR) 0
> Mini-PCI Slots 1
> Mini-PCI Version
> PCMCIA Slots 1
> PCMCIA Version Type I, II Cardbus
> Mouse (Notebook) Synaptics PS/2 Port TouchPad
> Keyboard (Integrated) Arima Magic Series Notebook
> Speakers Integrated
> Restore CD 3520GZ (SoftThinks-Medialess)
> Packaging Type Notebook
> Monitor Included GZ Notebooks Magic Ultrabright WXGA Widescreen
>
>
> Please be advised that we do not support a change in the original
> configuration of the system. In this regard, we are unable to provide
> drivers for a different Operating System.
>
> In addition, the drivers included in the Restore CDs are configured to
> work with the Operating System that came preloaded with your computer.
>
> If you wish, you may search online for drivers or BIOS for the devices
> preinstalled in your computer. Please note that we have not tested
> drivers other than the ones provided and we cannot guarantee its
> compatibility with the preinstalled components in your system.
>
> Consulting the manufacturer of the Operating System or the manufacturer
> of the motherboard is a good idea. They could provide additional
> information regarding your issue and assistance in installing or
> configuring it to operate properly. Gateway technical support is here
> to help troubleshoot hardware technical issues and to determine if the
> original software is faulty or corrupted. However, we do not have the
> information available to work with third party software compatibility
> issues. We can only support the original software that were preloaded
> on the system.
>
> You may also wish to do a search online to research any questions or
> issues concerning third party software. Please be advised that all
> information obtained from the Internet is to be *** used at your own
> risk ***. This will include all information obtained from the Internet,
> such as, files you may download, information about how to resolve an
> issue or just visiting a link that you were referred to. This will
> include any links or downloads that eMachines may refer you to as a
> possible resolution to an issue or just as a source of information.
> This also includes any references to searching the Internet for any type
> of information.
>
> If you prefer, we have some telephone support options available for
> issues that are not covered under the original warranty. You may
> consider contacting Answers by Gateway for a fee-based type of support
> over the phone.
>
> https://support.gateway.com/Support/copilot/en/us/chat_us_gw_upgrade.asp??id=400026
>
> Simply click the link above to contact a Gateway Consultant. If you are
> unable to click the link follow these steps to copy and paste the link.
>
> 1. Highlight the entire link starting with http:
>
> 2. Right click on the highlighted text
>
> 3. Select copy from the menu
>
> 4. Right click on the location field in your browser
>
> 5. Select Paste from the menu
>
> 6. Press Enter
>
> Consultants are available everyday between 5:00 a.m. CST and 2:00 a.m.
> CST.
>
> I hope that the information provided in this email has addressed your
> concerns adequately.
>
> I have documented this correspondence under Case Number 202795163 to
> keep a record of your contact with us. You may use this for future
> reference with this issue.
>
> Please reply to this message if you require further assistance with this
> issue. If your reply is received while I am out of the office, to
> ensure a speedy resolution, your issue will be handled by one of my
> colleagues.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Otto
> Badge GWEL5119
>
> Even if you use your computer for the simplest of tasks, adding memory
> to your computer is the most efficient and quickest ways to boost your
> performance. For upgrade options please consult an upgrade sales
> representative at:
>
> https://support.gateway.com/Support/copilot/en/us/chat_us_gw_upgrade.asp?id=6209
>
>
> Information provided pursuant to eMachine's Terms of Sale and Limited
> Warranty Agreement. All brands and names are trademarks of their
> respective companies.

---

Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

Your 'support' has been a total waste of my time. First, you did not
know that many Gateway notebooks will not run Win Vista without a BIOS
update. Then, you recommended the incorrect file. The untility says
it will not work with my computer and prevented the flashing.

I know a lot about computers, but so far your help has been nil.

I am awaiting the information, if you can correctly identify which
files will work or whether at present I have to wait until more of
them are released on the Gateway site.

==Dennis

---

On 2/2/07, Email Tech wrote:
> ********************************************************************
> Hello Dennis,
>
> I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. You may use the
> updated BIOS update dated 2/2/2007. You can download the 7709.exe -
> Gateway BIOS version: 77.09 in the link below:
>
> http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/getFile.asp?id=21038&dscr=Gateway%20BIOS%20version:%2077.09&uid=149382567
>
> I appreciate the time you took in writing us and I hope the
> information provided in this email helps you with your concern.
> Please reply to this message if you require further assistance with
> this issue. If your reply is received while I am out of the office, to
> ensure a speedy resolution, your issue will be handled by one of my
> colleagues.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Justice
> Badge GWEL8252
>
> Even if you use your computer for the simplest of tasks, adding
> memory to your computer is the most efficient and quickest ways to boost
> your performance. For upgrade options please consult an upgrade sales
> representative at:
>
> https://support.gateway.com/Support/copilot/en/us/chat_us_gw_upgrade.asp?id=6209
>
> Information provided pursuant to eMachine's Terms of Sale and
> Limited Warranty Agreement. All brands and names are trademarks of their
> respective companies.

---

Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?param=vista&st=kw

Please look at the following before you blindly state such obvious
errors.

==Dennis

---

> > >On 2/2/07, Email Tech wrote:
> > > **********************************************************************
> > > Hello Dennis,
> > >
> > > Thank you for your reply. Please note that BIOS updates are not posted
> > > on the website until they have been through rigorous testing to ensure
> > > the update is compatible and will not cause any instability with the
> > > system. Once an update has been through the testing to ensure it is
> > > compatible and stable the driver will be posted on the Gateway website.
> > >
> > > If you prefer, you may search online for updated drivers, as Gateway
> > > currently does not have them available.
> > >
> > > Please be advised that all information obtained from the Internet is to
> > > be *** used at your own risk ***. This will include all information
> > > obtained from the Internet, such as, files you may download, information
> > > about how to resolve an issue or just visiting a link that you were
> > > referred to. This will include any links or downloads that Gateway may
> > > refer you to as a possible resolution to an issue or just as a source of
> > > information. This also includes any references to searching the
> > > Internet for any type of information.
> > >
> > > I hope this information has enlightened you and we appreciate your
> > > concern very much.
> > >
> > > I have documented this correspondence in Case Number 202795163 in our
> > > contact tracking database. Please use this number in the future if you
> > > need to contact us again regarding this issue.
> > >
> > > Please reply to this message if you require further assistance with this
> > > issue. If your reply is received while I am out of the office, to
> > > ensure a speedy resolution, your issue will be handled by one of my
> > > colleagues.
> > >
> > > Sincerely,
> > >
> > > Justice
> > > Badge GWEL8252
> > >
> > > Even if you use your computer for the simplest of tasks, adding memory
> > > to your computer is the most efficient and quickest ways to boost your
> > > performance. For upgrade options please consult an upgrade sales
> > > representative at:
> > >
> > > Information provided pursuant to eMachine's Terms of Sale and Limited
> > > Warranty Agreement. All brands and names are trademarks of their
> > > respective companies.

---

Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

I have noticed a great number of recent BIOS available on your
Gateway site due to many notebooks not being able to run Vista.
Unfortunately as of this minute, there is still not one listed
for my particular model.

Please do a little homework. I can send you the particulars of
the warning that I receive, should you be interested.

Your responses will determine whether I continue being a Gateway
customer with my next purchases.

==Dennis

---

> > > On 2/2/07, Email Tech wrote:
> > > >
> >
**********************************************************************
> Hello Dennis,
>
> Thank you for your e-mail. Regarding your issues in upgrading the BIOS
> of your Gateway 3522GZ notebook to support Windows Vista, in most cases
> the only reason to get a BIOS upgrade is to add support for a new form
> of hardware you are adding to your system that is not supported by your
> current BIOS. Some examples would be a CPU or a larger hard
> drive.
>
> Most Operating Systems do not use the BIOS once the Operating System is
> up and running. You should not upgrade the BIOS in an attempt to fix a
> software bug unless the motherboard manufacturer has identified the BIOS
> as the cause of the problem.
>
> There are currently no recommended BIOS changes or updates listed for
> your computer. Changing the default settings in BIOS could cause the
> computer to become unbootable and it is not recommended.
>
> eMachines does not have or support any changes for the BIOS.
>
>
> To allow Gateway to ensure customer satisfaction, BIOS updates are not
> posted on the website until they have been through rigorous testing to
> ensure the update is compatible and will not cause any instability with
> the system. The original BIOS are stable and Gateway can guarantee that
> it will work on the system it is sent with. Once an update has been
> through the testing to ensure it is needed, compatible and stable, the
> update will be posted on the website. Until an update is needed and
> available, eMachines will continue to support the original BIOS.
>
> Please be advised that if you choose to update your BIOS with an update
> not posted on the eMachines website, the original BIOS flash for your
> system will not be available from eMachines.
>
>
> To ensure that your system supports Windows Vista, you need to run the
> Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor. To download this, you need to visit the
> link below:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=42B5AC83-C24F-4863-A389-3FFC194924F8&displaylang=en
>
> The Internet address above will open a Web Site not controlled by
> Gateway. Since we are not responsible for maintaining the information
> there, please use it only at your own discretion after reviewing it
> carefully to be sure it is appropriate for your situation.
>
> I hope that this response has adequately addressed all your concerns.
>
> I have documented this correspondence in Case Number 202795163 in our
> contact tracking database. Please use this number in the future if you
> need to contact us again regarding this issue.
>
> Please reply to this message if you require further assistance with this
> issue. If your reply is received while I am out of the office, to
> ensure a speedy resolution, your issue will be handled by one of
> my colleagues.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Justice
> Badge GWEL8252
>
>
> Information provided pursuant to eMachine's Terms of Sale and Limited
> Warranty Agreement. All brands and names are trademarks of their
> respective companies.


Original Message Follows:
-------------------------

Technical Customer Service Questions
Subject: Gateway Technical Support Questions AA3
System Category: Notebooks
Serial Number: N625511010252
Model Number:
Order Number:
Purchase Location: Best Buy
Purchase Month: June
Purchase Day: 15
Purchase Year: 2005
Phone Extension:
Phone: 604-524-6197x
First Name: Dennis
Last Name: Hurd
Address1: #1001 420 Carnarvon St
Address2:
City: New Westminster
State: BC
Zip: V3L5P
Zip+4:
Country: Canada
Company Name:
Junk Mail: on
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Basic
Issue Description One: The 7910.exe does not seem to upgrade my BIOS.
I cannot load Vista Home Premium. Can I expect an upgrade will be
provided soon?

---

Finding 2301 Brown Avenue

I now have a Yahoo identification for Flickr. I use Hotmail to sign onto Expedia. Additionally, I log on to quite a few services with a Google account.

In fact, I cannot imagine why a single computer with Internet access wouldn't have Google Earth loaded. Now at version 4, it seems to be getting better and better. You can easily fly around the entire world for free!


Next weekend, we're going by real airplane to Manchester, New Hampshire. My dad seems to be doing fairly well in a rehab hospital there. On the phone, he sounds as though he's made a great deal of progress in the last month. Although still occasionally confused, he is looking forward to seeing me. I'm very glad I waited to fly out. I believe it's good that he's been able to count down the days to my visit. In the image above, I found the location of the Super 8 near the airport where we'll stay. If we travelled more upscale, we wouldn't be able to travel around so far and so often.

I haven't been in Manchester since I was a kid. It's about 50 miles from my hometown of Sunapee and about halfway to Boston, Massachusetts. My family used to frequently drive to Manchester to go shopping. Those were in the days before much in the way of shopping was available in Claremont or West Lebanon, NH.

No Wonder Why Everyone's Waiting

I knew on the day of its release that I wanted more than Vista Home Premium. Unfortunately, that's all the BCIT Bookstore had in stock. Seeing the package there was intoxicating. I felt a temporary rush just like in the early days of computing. So, I thew down plastic and walked away with the very seductively-shaped case.

Let's be honest, Vista will probably be the very last time that an operating system ships in a box. I had heard the entire code sits on the DVD and so upgrading is as easy as unlocking the higher features with an online payment. I thought I'd get Vista Business or Ultimate version in this manner.

It wasn't long ago that I moved to a 300 gigabyte disk. At that time I started from scratch and loaded a clean copy of Windows XP Pro. I did this in anticipation of upgrading directly when the new OS was released.

Guess what, I cannot keep all my settings by upgrading to the Home Premium version. This is because I am running Windows XP Pro. I use the integrated server software and Microsoft doesn't include that unless one buys at least the Business edition. My idea of stepping through Home to get to Ultimate didn't work. The box doesn't state this. Damn.

"Okay," I thought, "I can at least use the copy to upgrade my old Gateway notebook. It doesn't have enough of a graphics card to run the new interface, but at least I'll be able to play with Vista." Damn, wrong again! The BIOS on my 3522GZ won't work with Vista and I cannot get Gateway to respond with a way to get an upgraded version.

Do you know anyone who'd like an uninstalled CA$180 (before taxes) legit upgrade for a total price of just CA$120?

Questioning

If you've ever looked at blog entries here, you know that I'm not a complainer. A continuous rant that disguises itself as a blog is the ultimate in a waste of time. Blogs that gripe are actually worse than meeting people who are complainers as there's no means of changing the blogged subject.

All that being said, sometimes I wonder if some engineers actually ever use the products that they help design. My cheap, little Audiovox cell phone actually feels quite good. The shape, although the same as offered by most other manufacturers, is almost sexy to hold. As well, most of the menus are fairly easy to discern and navigate.

Recently though, I've sent far more text messages than usual. My father's stroke was a month ago, so my sister and I have been texting a lot. We're in different time zones and a quick text message will generally suffice. Today's comment involves the placement of the symbols.



Questions are fairly common when text messaging. So, why does it take five moves to get to over the question mark on this screen?