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(C) Wed Feb 26 10:10:42 EST 1997 Explorer Post 369
Happy
Birthday Explorer Post 369! 
Calendar of Events:January 3-12, 97 10MegaVenture January 16 Youth Protection Training January 18,19 EOA Ski Trip February Award Nominations Deadline March 17 EOA Elections April 5 Scout Show May 1 Recognition Dinner May 19 EOA Meeting 6/29-7/5 Summer Camp July 28-Aug5 1997 BSA Jamboree Welcome new Eagle DJ GregorI am proud of DJ Gregor who last month earned his rank of Eagle Scout. Eagle is the highest level of Boy Scouts of America that can be granted to a youth.3600 Dec MicroVaxJames D. CorderI would like to extend the heart felt thanks of Explorer Post 369 to Siemens Imaging Systems Group for their gracious donation of a DEC 3600, and iscellaneous equipment. Their donation will help Explorer Post 369 to step into the coming year with a new look and new classes. Quote of the MonthLearn to listen. Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly. The art of teaching is the art of awakening the natural curiosity within others for the only purpose of filling that curiosity.Entrepreneurial NewsJames D. CorderI have received so many questions about my "work" situation I thought I would include a copy of this month Entrepreneurial News. Let me know if you want them to keep coming within the ExpNews? |
Happy Birthday Explorer Post 369James D. CorderDecember 1996 is our Re-Charter Month. Explorer Post 369 is now 3 years old. and the ExpNews is beginning its 4th year of production! I am extremely proud of accomplishments of Explorer Post 369. Our Service Projects in the past year revitalized a forgotten cemetery, Set up the Center of Science and Industry museum for their Halloween Party [fund raiser for COSI], and fed over 3,000 families Christmas week meals. Two of our Explorers became UNIX System Administrator Interns for Nationwide Insurance, while our Post President became a UNIX System Administrator contractor to Great Northern. One of Explorer Post 369's members has received a full scholarships to USNIX, the largest UNIX conference in America, while a second will be attending with him. Explorer Post 369 has come a long way in the past three years we have grown from an AT&T 3B2/400 computer with 5 vt100 terminals to a unit with, our own web page on an OC3 line. Additionally, we have our own local area network made up of SUN, DEC, and NeXT stations. By the end of the year a complete desk top publishing area. We have an international news letter "The ExpNews" now in four countries [that we know of]. It is with great pride that I extend my warmest gratitude to the members of Explorer Post 369 for their outstanding accomplishments! |
Thoughts from the East: A Journey back to Russia 4 of 5Andy P. DrakeMoscow, it seems, it busily being rebuilt and renovated. Although St. Petersburg is scheduled to be the site of the Olympic Games in 2004, much of the new building (with the exception of the ongoing restoration of the beautiful Winter palace and Hermitage) I found to be occurring in Moscow. Everywhere things are being rebuilt or renovated, often completely restoring buildings to pre-Bolshevik revolution spender. Extensive restoration is being undertaken in the Kremlin, with the ultimate plan being to remove the lighted red stars on the towers and cupolas of all of the buildings in the Kremlin and Red Square, replacing them with the Romanov family crest, the gilded double headed eagle and crown, exactly as it was before 1917. In some ways this will change the flavor of Red Square, as it won't have quite the Soviet overtones which some people suggest are just as much a part of history as the Romanovs. However, the square, which predates the revolution by hundreds of years, has never meant communism, as the brick that has made up the square was red due to the clay content and is only returning to the status it always had. Everywhere, streets, boulevards and metro stations are being renamed to their pre-revolution originals, which for many nationalists is what gives the city its extremely traditional feel, as Moscow was named off in street districts when first settled, and later industrialized in the 1860's. Of course, I couldn't get away without mentioning a few words about technology. Although high speed workstations look a little odd sitting next to rotary phones, slowly but surely, the country is entering the modern age. Costs for PC style computers are pretty much like they are here, but the average Russian still cannot afford the cost of even a $500 PC. It's pretty much Commodore 64 level affordability, though higher end products are being sold in some numbers to businesses and probably the mafia. Russia, like many other developing nations, has a problem with piracy, and in several cases, I could have bought entire CDROMs filled with Windows (in cyrillic) beta versions, office productivity suites, and products like IBM AIX 3.23, for less than $15. Other things like TV's, stereos, watches, pretty much anything electronic was being sold rapidly, though there is a serious lack of Circuit City or Sun TV style stores, as most products are sold from smaller boutique style shops which drive up pricing. Costs of living were pretty much the same after conversion to roubles and the metric system. Food staples like bread and potatoes were considerably cheaper than in the U.S., with very good quality and availability. Still, it is difficult to imagine the average Russian buying allot of western consumer products, as the standard wage is less than what many high school age teenagers make working for a fast food restaurant. Most people avoid shopping directly in stores, or at least very little because almost all products are less expensive at outdoor markets and kiosks on the side of the street. For example, a pair of Levi's 501 jeans approaches $82 in the Levi's store in Moscow (versus about $29 at the Levi's store in Columbus), while a similar pair of Calvin Klein jeans sold at the outdoor market costs a much more reasonable $38-45 dollars, sometimes less if you haggle. The problem is that most people make so much less than their U.S. counterparts that things simply seem allot more expensive. Suddenly, an 8000 rouble sandwich at McDonalds (about $1.50) appears allot more expensive than it is for an American, and comparatively speaking, local traditional foods are a far better value, which is why most people still cook in large quantities and simply take it with them, selling excess to co-workers or on the street. One serious problem which my friends noted was the housing situation. Rent and living quarters are for the most part free, but the serious problem is actually finding a place to live. There is such a serious problem with housing that the marriage rate has dropped and the divorce rate has risen to high levels due to the lack of couples having privacy and room. Apparently, you may not have the option of leaving home -- your future husband or wife could very well end up living with you, your parents, most likely a sibling, and at least one grandparent, all in one apartment. Many couples are simply waiting to be married, or never do. If they do, most times children are not an option simply from the standpoint that the costs of children are extremely taxing when its difficult to buy food for one or two people on one salary as it is. Part One, Two, Three, Five |
Shopping CartsJames D. CorderThe other night I was in the market when a young lady looking at the fresh fruit counter turned and picked the wrong cart. Unbeknownst to her, she was pushing the display of cranberries. At first I found it a strange sight to see a lady with a cart full of thousands of berries. But better yet still was the two other ladies that crashed their carts into one another as they gazed at the woman with a lifetime supply of cranberries. The berry lady then turning to see what all of the clatter was & ran into her original cart. DaylightJames D. CorderThis is a good movie for two. But I would not call it a date flick. Sure, you have to except a lot of impossible situations. Hay it is a Stalone flick. Due to a toxic waste being transferred from New Your to New Jersey an explosion happens trapping people in the tunnel that travels under water. If you want to know how they get out of the tunnel, go and see the movie! Mars AttacksJames D. CorderThere is only one word that can define the movie "Mars Attacks" STUPID! Though a beautiful work of special effects it totally lacks story and plot. I was amazed at all of the "Stars" in the movie. Each of them with a small nothing part. However, the star power and the strong commercials unfortunately will draw millions. Bummer Huh! |
Be, Inc. Part 2 of 2Karl N. MatthiasOn top of these two architectures, Be is also heavily betting on the CHRP/PPCP (Common Hardware Reference Platform/PowerPC Platform) architecture, which has finally been agreed upon by IBM, Apple, and Motorola, the members of the PowerPC Alliance. This open architecture is aimed at combatting the Microsoft/Intel near-monopoly on the desktop. CHRP will allow IBM's AIX, SunSoft's Solaris, Microsoft's Windows NT, Apple's MacOS, IBM OS/2 WARP, Be's BeOS, and others all to run on a common hardware architecture. Be has been extremely supportive of developers over the last two years or so, and when the BeBox finally ships, there will be a fair number of applications already available. Development is done with Metrowerks CodeWarrior, the industry standard PowerPC compiler package. Be has also just introduced a comprehensive visual development package, available free to BeOS developers. They have nurtured the small developers from the beginning, and have heeded the advice of these same developers to the point that they altered the operating system accordingly. Where else have you heard of this kind of support from a vendor? It is difficult to get excite about a new machine by reading statistics and lists alone, so I highly encourage anyone who is interested to take a look at Be's web site: http://www.be.com. The operating system is highly original, including an underlying system database, and a very friendly user environment. It also ships with all TCP/IP utilities demanded by the common user, including a Web Browser. It is difficult to find a better bargain in hardware or software. The BeBox is set to retail for around $2100 running on TWO PowerPC 603e processors at 133 Mhz apiece. Pricing is not available for the PowerMac version. |
A Christmas TraditionJames D. CorderWhen I was a wee lad I purchased a Christmas present for my mother. I had the store wrap the gift. As I am assure you can understand the gift warping cost more than the gift itself. I was so proud of the beautiful package. Each day I traversed the stairs to the living room to gaze upon the most perfect of boxes. I believe that I was more happy with the paper and presentation than the gift itself. On Christmas day in a frenzy of paper and ribbons caused by the entire clan ripping into their gifts the room was all but encapsulated. After breakfast my father began to clean the room and place all of the paper into the round receptacle. My hart was crushed, the paper was gone and no one could understand the impact on me! In the many years to come I decided to purchase Christmas Bulbs instead of ribbons for the packages. On every package I placed a bulb. This tradition has lasted to date and shall continue for years to come. Brass for my nephews. Crystal for my Sister in law. Hand blown for my mother... When my nephews are old enough to move out on their own they will already have all of their detractions. After a couple of decades of bulbs the Christmas Tree is a beautiful site. |
Star Trek, First ContactJames D. CorderMost definitely a must see flick. All Trekies unite, the latest film is most powerful. Sure, it looks like a two part television episode. However, it is well worth seeing. Ok, I thought the developer of the Warp Drive was born on Alpha Centauri. Micro$oftOff the net One of Microsoft's finest techs was drafted and sent to boot camp. At the rifle range, he was given some instruction, a rifle, and bullets. He fired several shots at the target. The report came from the target area that all attempts had completely missed the target. The Microsoft tech looked at his rifle and then at the target again. He looked at the rifle again, and then at the target again. He put his finger over the end of the rifle barrel and squeezed the trigger with his other hand. The end of his finger was blown off, whereupon he yelled toward the target area: "It's leaving here just fine. The trouble must be at your end!"` |
Happy Birthday 369Scott Warmbier The exploring program has taught me many valuable technical skills, but by far, the most important facet of the program is it's focus on team building and leadership qualities. The non technical skills have allowed me to excel in my chosen profession rather than just be "technically proficient". The technical exposure in the program probably moved me ahead by years in terms of experience and gave me the environment to learn things I would have never learned in a work setting. My involvement in Exploring was probably the single most important part of my career education. Happy Birthday 369S. PotterExploring was one of the best opportunities I had in my life. My only regret is that I had to give it up early because of personal reasons. My time in Exploring gave me a huge advantage over other people of my age, because I was introduced to emerging technologies that most people would not be exposed to until years later. Due to Explorers, I was able to start on my career as soon as I entered college, and to help secure my future before most of my classmates had even decided on what they wanted to study. My advisors, Dennis McNellis and James D. Corder, instilled in me a love of computers and the UNIX operating system, something which carries through to today, where I am now a professional system administrator and author. At 25 years of age, I am one of the youngest members of my company, yet one of the most senior technically, and also a published author (again one of the youngest ever for my publishing house), all directly because of my initial involvement in Explorers. Happy Birthday 369Joe HarveyAfter achieving my Eagle when I was almost 15, I did not want to quit scouting, but the regular troop was getting boring. I turned to Explorers. This was a great move in part because I love computers and got a chance to use them in different applications, but mostly because I met a great friend and teacher, Mr. Corder.Explorer Post 369 has offered me a chance to use technology that many people do not get to use. The biggest thing that I have gotten out of exploring and mainly Post 369, is the ability to further my technical skills. I have learned how to learn and teach myself. By teaching myself I have no limits to how much I can learn, and therefore can achieve anything I set my mind to. |
Happy Birthday 369Andy P. DrakeOn the 3nd anniversary of Explorer Post 369's founding, I'd can say without question that the post has meant allot to me, in not just a technical sense, but in a personal way as well. Although I had previous experience in other Exploring programs, Post 369 has really given me the opportunity to redefine goals and build different skills as my interests have changed. The Post has been flexible enough to realize that as the needs of its members change, so does the program. That says allot about the talent and leadership the advisors display on a regular basis. As a new associate advisor myself, I look forward to helping implement a program that fits the needs of our youth - whether that is Perl programming or planning our exhibit for the Scout Show. It has been a pleasure to see the growth in technical ability of the other members of the post - if you would have asked me 3 years ago if we could manage the larger projects we're working on now, I would have been hesitant to answer. Now, these projects in combination with a new influx of equipment make the environment almost electric, its fascinating to watch people in action. Here's to another 3 years! Happy Birthday 369Mike TurnerAs Post 369's second year comes to a close, I look back on what the Exploring program has done for me. First of all, it has given me a glimpse of what I missed by not going through the Boy Scouts or Cub Scout programs. Because Post 369 often works side by side with Troop 369, I have had several opportunities to see what a typical meeting is like. Also, I have witnessed several fellow Explorers achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, most recently our Post president D.J. Gregor. Secondly, my experience in the Post has exposed me, as well as familiarized me, with many advanced operating systems and machines that I probably would not have come into first-hand contact with otherwise. Knowledge of these UNIX-based machines, which are the primary building blocks of the information superhighway, will help me greatly as I may soon be required to use machines of this caliber as I work toward a college major in Electrical Engineering. I can not give enough credit to our Post Advisor, James D. Corder, whose dedication helps to keep the Post on track, and keeps this newsletter going out to half a dozen countries worldwide, month after month. |