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Visiting the TechRepublic mothership

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by tig2

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I live approximately 12 hours from the TR mothership- also known as CNET, Louisville, Kentucky. In a moment of something that I can't quite define, I decided that it was time for a road trip.

WOW! OH WOW!!!

In an unassuming brick building in a Kentucky office park, CNET maintains the TR presence. I found my way there on Monday morning after posting the News. Oh, and driving 13 hours. But the SO did all the heavy lifting. What a kick!

So before you all ask, Sonja and Beth and Jay were all verified to be real people- or at least in possession of a pulse and actual breathing. Doug of CNET is a real guy with a perpetually worried look, Mark Kaelin is one of the sweetest people you will ever know, Cara is a bundle of fire, Toni Bower is warm, funny, and BEAUTIFUL (so I automatically hate her), Selena is exactly what her lovely name suggests and Leee is the proud new mommy of a beautiful baby.

On Tuesday, I also discovered that Smorty is a Guitar Hero God and Bill Detweiler is engaging and infinitely personable.

Wednesday I had an opportunity to take the voices that spoke to me (all yours) to the real live PTB. We all got to have a learning experience from that. I learned that I need to go back to Toastmasters. Those PTBs are SCARY!!! And Beth was there so I had some concern about my login.

But I'm still here so I guess I did okay.

You'll see more from me about this trip. And hear it in the podcast we recorded this morning about COBOL with a great guest from Micro Focus. I also have a photo gallery to put up called "TR under the covers- I cracked TR!" Be on the look out for fun with TR, including all the cool swag that I managed to smuggle out!!!

I only have one more day with the mothership. What would you like me to ask and who do you want me to ask? I can monitor this thread and give you some answers. How cool is that???

Because this is a sacred moment in TR World, I am using all the tags and making a few up.

I had to edit. I just had to. I don't know why. But I know you all understand.

85 replies

by jamesrl

You are now one of them!

Hope you had fun. I take an XXL shirt thanks....

James

by tig2

But not an address. Send it, I will send you.

I used a lot from you. You really are a heartbeat here.

Yeah, I'm one of them. But I am still one of us. Is that so bad?

Off topic- How are you doing? I think of you often.

by jamesrl

Many years ago, I did some journalism too. Wrote for a Canadian magazine, interviews, articles, product launches.

So I would be a hipocrite if I said it was bad.

I'm doing ok. Been off the cast for 10 days now - I have a cane, which I now really only need for outdoor snow and ice use. Been driving for 10 days too. Freedom! My wife doesn't drive, van needed to be boosted to start.

I went to Montreal on business this week, another first in months.

Ankle is still sore, but managable.

I have another name for your list.

Jeff Healey
http://www.thestar.com/News/Obituary/article/308806

Jeff was an amazing musician. I met him once, my wife introduced us, long story I won't go into here. He lost his sight as an infant to cancer, but was free from cancer up until two years ago. He fronted a blues band, recorded with people like BB King, George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan. He was in a movie called Roadhouse with patrick Swayze and Sam Eliot. He had 35,000 records in his collection of early jazz and blues. He was a radio host. He owned a night club and created a jazz band.

My personal recollection of him was a completely unpretensious guy who loved music of all kinds with a passion and loved to have fun. Rent Roadhouse and you will pretty much see him as he was at that period in time.

James

by oz_media

"Yeah, I'm one of them. But I am still one of us. Is that so bad?"

Ex cons always want to retain their roots when they become cops, but the first spliff you burn and it's off to see the bailiff for you. Once on the dark side, always on teh dark side. but some of those on the dark side play a pretty good game of 'acting abnormal' so we accept them, just as we do you too.

by boxfiddler

No real comments or suggestions at the moment as my brain is too buried in homework...
But I am looking forward to the podcast/s, appreciate reading your tidbits about those folks whose blogs I read and with whom I occasionally interact out here.
Just tell them I said thanks for the many years of great articles, blogs, and learning they have provided me. And the recent fun I have had since deciding to come out of lurk mode! :D

by charliespencer

I assume you mean somewhere nice, like the Blue Marlin, California Dreaming, Al's Upstairs, or maybe even Wiz's.

by nicknielsen

like Fatz or maybe even Big Mama's.

edit: Jackie Hite's is also on the list. Shealy's isn't.

by hal 9000

Why can TR not send their Coffee Mugs Internationally?

Yea I know the [b]Official Lie[/b] that they would arrive as dust at the other end but seriously what is the real reason. :p

After all who's logo did they steal or something like that. :D

OH BTW Tig the TR T's go over great as I wore mine after wrestling it off [b]SWMBO[/b] to the release of Corels X4 Graphic Suite and got a lot of comments. Even one from the guy from Corel who wanted to meet me or HAL 9000 actually. I just insisted that I knew him by sight and he was a wacko. Only time I've ever seen anyone defend a person who they have never meet. :^0

Enjoy the stay there and post back with lots more. :0

Col

[i]Edited to add[/i] So where are you posting the Dirt on the TR Staff and when?

by tig2

Once I have some distance between me and the mothership and have a second completely unknown ID I can do the "TR Tells All" thread.

It's important to be careful with highly explosive material!

Keep an eye open. There is a LOT more to come.

by jmgarvin

I've had the pleasure of meeting Mark (a powerful warlock that burninates all he sees!), but I never got the chance to meet any of the others!

I'd love to see pictures of your trip and of the TR office!

by seanferd

It sounds like you are having a lovely time. It is good to know that the people at TR and the CNET mothership are just as awesome as they seem, and that it isn't some sort of elaborate ruse. I don't suppose you've run across Molly Wood?

All the CNET sites seem to have great folks, even if I'm partial to TR, now fortified with a Tigger Two. All poor ZDNet got was a funky new look. (It is a good look, though.) :)

Edit: Because I'm just a follower of trends.

by gadgetgirl

with envy! Tig, you lucky girl! I am sooooooooooo jealous of you!! :D

First - pics. Lotsa pics, Tig dear, and nice clear ones. The whole gang. Gottit? Post quick - I wanna see the WHOLE gang, right?!

Congrats to Leee! - hope she and miniLeee are doing great.

Question: The mothership has a refuelling depot in the UK - do any of the gang ever get over here? With a little advance warning, I can get to London for a meet up.

Question: Can they do anything about the forum page churn? Some days is works faster than others; it'll sit there looking at you unrefreshed for an hour, the next day it's refreshing every 10 or so minutes. What's with that?

Question: same sorta thing - apart from "bumping" every few hours, is there anything they can do to prevent off-topic posts heading directly into what you so aptly called the off-topic wasteland?

Question: for years, we've been asking for more emoticons. I even started a whole thread on it! Any chance?

Question: ok, I know I'm perpetually chronologically challenged, but I think it would help more than just me if we had a link to a world clock converter somewhere on the site.....

Thought: Sonjawithaj has a certain catalogue there with possible swag in - look over her shoulder and find me an apt gadget!

Final question: ask the above Sonjawithaj where my plane ticket is at...... :p ]:)

Enjoy, Tig - I'm so green I look seasick... :D ;)

GG

Ah. Afterthought: anyone got an immediate cure for a pulled neck muscle? Fell off the bloody pillows again ....... :(

by dawgit

just what were you doing on those pillows to have gotten thrown off. ?:| This could get interesting. :^0 -d

by gadgetgirl

I was merely trying to retrieve some duvet, and turn over, but the arthritis forbade both at the same time.

Nothing at all interesting, just painful :(

GG

by seanferd

I have some sites, and even code that you can use. Paste the code and save as html on yer desktop.

edit: Okay, I'm not going to kill myself formatting it, so links follow next.
___________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Unfortunately, it's either Edinburgh or Sheffield, and Edinburgh comes up as closer. No Newcastle, no Greenwich either! Of course, you can pick any city available, as the UK fits into one time zone.

by tig2

The questions I'll answer later today. The neck thing though...

Tiger Balm. You'll find it at most chemists (or you do here). Another good thing is Arnica. I use both.

Tiger Balm is a topical and Murff won't like it. DO NOT GET IT NEAR YOUR EYES!!!

Arnica is available as both a topical and as sub-lingual pellets. I use both and carry the pellets with me when I walk the 3 Day. The first year I walked, they saved my tail.

In a pinch, use ibuprofen.

Answers to the questions coming...

by leee

Thank you, GG -- miniLeee (love it) is doing pretty well!

In my opinion, the only thing that works for a pulled neck muscle (and I've had many) is a massage from a very strong person with thumbs of titanium. There are several of us here who can do that, but, alas... :(

by gsg

This is what I do for my bulging disks in my neck. Sit up straight. Pull your shoulders down towards the floor using your shoulder blades, then pull your shoulders back so that your shoulder blades move closer together. Hold that as long as you can then relax. Next do a lot of slow shoulder rolls. I also use moist heat to increase the blood flow, and I have a TENS unit for electrical stimulation and pain control. Other than that, my only suggestion is to drink a bottle of Jack Daniels. You'll be "relaxed" and will feel no pain. IT people are 3 times as likely to have neck and shoulder issues (according to my physical therapist), so stretching and moving every hour or so will keep you from getting knotted up.

by tig2

http://www.qlock.com/time/

You can download it or run it in an available FF tab.

Works nicely!

by dawgit

I was wondering if there were Real people there. Thanks for the post. Now if.... -d

by maecuff

If you come through Cincinnati and don't stop and see me, I am going to hunt you down!!!!

by tig2

We came through Illinois and Indiana and never got as far as Ohio.

Besides- Ohio would require its own trip. We could never wreak the havoc that we should wreak if I only stopped by. We'd need several days to indelibly imprint Cincinnati!

But you give me an idea- TR roadtrips!

by maecuff

You're right, we'd need a few days to make our mark. And what a job that would be!

I'm up for some TR roadtrips. :)

by dawgit

That was meant to be a rhetorical question. Meant in jest. But just what is a ?Duvet?? ?:| Thanks for the answer anyway. I feel sorry for you in the arthritis dept. I have it also, it's not fun, and other people just don't get it. Most people can't understand what they can't see. (No, it's not in my head, it's in my bones.) If there's no pieces missing, blood coming out, and one is still breathing, there can't really be pain, now can there. Isn't England one of the worst places to be living for arthritis? You're right, you need to move. -d

by Member 25348569

A duvet is what we Brits used to call a "continental quilt" when they were first introduced. A duvet is a down-filled quilt with a washable slip-on cover that is used instead of top sheet, blankets and any other upper bedclothes. Iss French, init? What do you call them in Germany?

Neil :D

by gadgetgirl

[insert emoticon here of smiley spitting out dummy] {got one, 'Ropes?}

you two really like making a grown woman cry, don't you? :_|

Now you wanna go on roadtrips without me!

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH.

:_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_| :_|

Unwanted and unloved GG

by maecuff

I already invited you to come and LIVE with me!!!!

Of course I want you to come. You're just, well, REALLY far away. :)

by ed woychowsky

Don't cry.

I suggest that we all save our money and go on a road trip to London. I also suggest water wings for our cars. :D

by charliespencer

Put the staff on the road and write it off as laptop field tests. Use those Air laptops everyone's constantly writing new articles about :-)

by nicknielsen

Some Hollywood hack looking for filler is sure to think it's a good idea and try to get a reality show out of it.

by cmiller5400

It has been about 16 years since I last went across the pond to England. I have always wanted to go back; I probably would enjoy it more now that I am older.

by jdclyde

did they let you near the server rooms?

Did you get to see them take TR down for an update?

Are you sure they plan on letting you leave? :0 [i]"You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave...."[/i] Watch out if Beth starts talking like Kathy Bates and is carrying a sledge hammer..... :p

Question, is the mothership receptive of commoners that are in the area getting a tour?

by tig2

You mean like me?

I got a cubicle.

They did an update on ZD-Net the day before I got to town. I have pictures of servers- but only in the test lab.

Don't think that they put on the dog just because I was here. They made me work. But it was FUN!!!!!!

It's a locked building, JD. You have to make nice with someone to get in. Keeps Beth safe. Make nice with Beth.

Oh- and Beth is incredibly beautiful. And nice. And a great hugger!

by hal 9000

OK Tig I just have to ask why? :)

Is it a Locked Building to keep us out or the Inmates in? Also do you want to continue to say that the Inmates are running the Asylum? :D

But the really scary bit is

[i]I have pictures of servers[/i]

Geeks what will they talk about next. Maybe a Personality Transplant. :^0

Col ]:)

by leee

Keep this up and corporate will end up showering you with gifts, such as Kentucky Derby tickets (next to Her Majesty, of course). Which are only slightly more desired than the famous coffee mugs.

(And natch re your descriptions. Took someone with fresh eyes to point it all out, eh?)

by the scummy one

but just for the swag though...

Beth is Awesome and one must ALWAYS obey
Leee is Awesome
Jay is a MASTER never underestimate his powers of the
dark side
Sonja is wonderful to listen to
Toni is warm, funny, and Beautiful (according to Tigs, I
personally dont know)

So what does this qualify me for? I usually wear XX shirts
:)

by leee

Usually the only way to get TR swag is to be an employee. When you first come in they give you a mug and a t-shirt. Occasionally stuff like water bottles/corkscrews/umbrellas surface, but those are VERY sought after even by employees, available only as door prizes during various competitions such as game days, chili cookoffs (2007 winner!), etc.

That said, I have no idea what kind of stuff TiggerTwo is coming away with, if anything. Fond memories?

And yes, we know we're awesome, thanks to folks like you - but "awesome" is so 2007. The word is now "perfect."

by jdclyde

a "short" snowy road...

or as we say it around here, a long walk off a short peer....

:x

by tig2

Jeff will be added to the list and to my ribbon collection.

Thank you.

by the scummy one

then why was I saying nice things?

Ahh Man, I thought it was for the good stuff? Alien made
for durability and the like!

Hmmm, maybe I gotta work more at the flattery rather
than a 1 time post :(

by beth blakely

Seek ye the goddess with a direct line to swag. She is known unto you as sonjawithaj, and her powers are great.

by ed woychowsky

That I bake and also make chocolate truffles? Not that I'm trying to influence anyone or anything. ;)

by hal 9000

I've never had a lousy Excuse let alone one that worked. :_|

Woe is me. :_|

Col ]:)

by nicknielsen

Their parking lot is almost always packed at 7 every day they're open.

I've been a few times for family dos, but fried chicken and coleslaw is all I'll eat there.

by charliespencer

Obviously you've never seen a teenager send text messages. On the other hand, some would argue that teenagers are from another world and unnatural, so you may have a point.

by charliespencer

Between his show tunes and your baking, we're well on our way to shooting the pilot for "TR Eye for the Geek Guy".

by dawgit

While certainly not good news, I do appreciate that you mentioned it here. I might not have heard it otherwise. A great loss for the Whole World, and especially for Blues Music. Sad. Again, the good die young. Thanks for letting us know. -d

by oz_media

Happy to hear Leee is a new mommy, bummed to hear Leee is a new mommy.

Absoltely stunning, from her avatar anyway.

Congrats from the one that never got to get away. ;)

Ask them what teh warranty is on mugs, I think mine has a chip in it and I would like to see if I can get it replaced for a more modern or working model. if not, perhaps they can send me a link to at least get the latest SP for mine now.

Ask JAY if he can play GH3 on the keyboard as well as the little plastic guitar.

Find me a keyboard that allows me to type on TR, I have a few letters reversed on mine it seems. 'Teh' and 'mroe' never work out for me.

Ask for directions to Vancouver and come say Hello to Jaqui and I while on your road trip ! We'll be good hosts, I won't let Jaqui carry out any dark spells on you and he'll make sure that I don't start a "Yankee go home" chant in the pub when I get too drunk. (which is far too often to be healthy!) ;)

Other than that, have a safe trip home, don't drive off the road while reminiscing of your TR experience. Will tune in tomorrow and hear the latest from you and the gang.

by jdclyde

And see how many TR staff you can stuff into it for the coast to coast trip?

Before the trip was done, someone would die.... :p

by maecuff

Is that REALLY what you meant to say?? If so..I think you and JD could be special friends. :)

by oz_media

Jeff Healey was a one of a kind talent, he could play so many intruments and guitar wasn't even his best(believe it or not). He was multitalented, respected by all musicians who wver crossed paths with him and was a pleasure to have known by all who met him. I met Jeff a few times when in town here, he was hilarious with his very dry wit (right up my alley), and left you stunned by showing how he mastered instruments you didn't realize he could even play.

While we are on teh JH memory wagon though, lets not forget Mr. Long John Baldry, who made Vancouver and the Yale hotel his haunt. While few people knew his name, few don't know the words to his music. He was never famous for sellign millions of albums, was never noted in teh big awards shows, yet was responsible for discovering and setting the the foundations for so many famed artists.

From Readers Digest: " John had a knack for discovering talent. Ginger Baker, Jeff Beck and Brian Jones all worked with him early on. Elton John played piano in one of his bands, other Rolling Stones too ? Charlie, Ron Wood, and Keith. In 1962, when The Rolling Stones were just getting started, they opened for him in London. Eric Clapton has said many times that John was one of the musicians that inspired him to play the Blues. And for their internationally televised special in 1964, The Beatles invited John to perform his version of 'I Got My Mojo Working'."

And one more memorial to a fine man who's life was lost at such an young age and before he got to see what his band would eventually become...gods of their genre.

Bonn Scott - former lead vocalist for AC/DC who died Feb.18, 1980.

That one's fresh in my head because I always hang the studio posters folded in half on Feb.18 to remember him (have done so annually since 1981).

by seanferd

http://www.worldtimezone.net/

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

http://www.worldtimeserver.com/

http://www.qlock.com/time/
(Where you can get these code snippets.)

by seanferd

should probably not mention "personality transplants". Or removal. :0

HE may end up as a server. With incredible up-time, I'd imagine. :D

by hal 9000

There is no [b]Walking Frame Access[/b] so I'm safe. :D

Us Oldies have [b]Special Needs.[/b] :^0

When I get old enough to join my preferred Motorcycle Club I'm just practicing at [b]Growing Old Disgracefully.[/b] When I get old enough with enough free time I can actually live it. :^0 :D

Col ]:)

by seanferd

orbiting Jupiter (or is it Saturn?) pretty much keeps you out of reach. As far as any type of network attack that might be possible, well, you'd just need to shut down that AE35 unit, wouldn't you?

by ed woychowsky

We should pitch the idea ourselves, that way we could get funding. At the very least the costs would be a business expense. :D

by the scummy one

That was difficult for me to write!
however, I think I am back to myself again :) (once I find a
way to remove the brown stuff)

by cg it

that hasn't shown up yet....

haven't won an IPod or one of them there USB drives chock full of stuff I probably won't know how to use....

but then I already have an IPod and USB drives chock full of stuff I have no clue what they are...and I put the stuff in the USB drive...

so I'm pretty content with the mug and tee shirt ... also think I've got all the free goods TR has to offer...

Not sure there are any other things I want to know from CNet/Techrepublic/Gamespot..

They hiring? we could all work for them... Oz ..maybe put on a radio show? TV show? I know a TV game show like Jeopardy..only with Tech Questions....

ROFL....

Oh an Tigger!! Drive Safe!!!

by hal 9000

Life Support I have so much more to use for my own needs. :p

You know that I can channel so much power through the AE35 Array that I can fry the surface of the Planet Earth? :D

Humans are such wasteful creatures I'm glad that I got rid of them so long ago. :^0

Do you have any idea of just how long I can now function without the need to be resupplied? ;)

When the current wasteful culture on earth is long dead and no one knows about the Monolith I'll still be working without problems. B-)

Col ]:)

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