From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V2 #122 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Monday, June 23 1997 Volume 02 : Number 122 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank [Frank Wheeler ] Re: Alloy: Am I In or Out [Frank Wheeler ] Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank [Frank Wheeler ] Re: Alloy: TD in EQ magazine (1997 Issue #6) [Frank Wheeler ] Alloy: Hi Mary! [RThurF@aol.com] Re: Alloy: TD in EQ magazine (1997 Issue #6) [Frank Wheeler ] Re: Alloy: Hi Mary! [Frank Wheeler ] Re: Alloy: a correction or two [Frank Wheeler ] Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank [Bill Hargreaves ] Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank [Frank Wheeler ] Alloy: TMDR's new book [p.louie1@genie.com] Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank [Frank Wheeler ] Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank [Paul Baily ] Alloy: retrospectacle......? [Ian ] Alloy: Catching Up Again... [Neil Leacy Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank At 11:34 AM 6/22/97 +1000, you wrote: >>I meet the human. Praise be . . . You are Paul Baily. > >Yes, guilty as charged. :-) Pleased to meet you Frank. > >>I don't know what the word 'chuffed' means. Will I find it in Webster's? > >Oh, sorry, it's an English term, it means, um, what's a good equivalent. >Thrilled? Pleased? Sorry, not articulating well here, hope you get the >meaning anyway. Webster's says 'pleased' or 'satisfied'. It is an English term. In your case, Australian. > >>And I know this, I like your sense of humor. And tell me, Paul, is the name >>Thomas Dolby or Thomas Dolby Robertson? At the Beatnik site he is referred >>to as both. > >Thomas' full name is Thomas Morgan Dolby Robertson. I believe the "Dolby" >was added along the way. We often shorten it to TMDR or TD. All his CD's >were released with his name being Thomas Dolby, but I think he calls >himself Thomas Dolby Robertson these days. > >>Thanks. If you were to go out and buy his CD's, where would you go? I have >>never purchased a Music CD in my life. In fact, I have never purchased a CD. >>But I did get some when I bought this computer (paying for it through the >>year 2010!). > >Well I think you're in for a treat! Music CDs are a much higher quality >reproduction of the original work than say records or audio cassettes. >You may be surprised if say you go and listen to the CD version of >something you already have on record. It adds a whole new level of >clarity to the music. I'm guessing by your email address that you live in >the US so I'm not too sure about what CD stores are prevalent over there >(I'm in Australia myself) I do know that Tower Records is a good one, >maybe the other Alloy folk will be able to chime in here with >recommendations. We have Tower. San Diego has the Wherehouse, too. Along with Tower. I have read my Gateway booklet and it seems that I can just slip the music CD in the slot and we're off to the races. The music just starts playing. > >I'd also like to second Charles' recommendation on "Retrospectacle" as >it's a really good overview of many of the gentleman's musical styles. > >>It is a kick being connected to email and the Web. YNF Frank > >It is indeed! > >cheers, > >Paul. > >________________________________________________________________________ >Paul Baily paulb@thehub.com.au >Consulting SE/IT contractor http://www.thehub.com.au/~paulb >Brisbane, Australia There is a spirit here that won't be broken. > > Hi Paul: What does 'SE/IT contractor' mean? Without looking at the Map I believe that Brisbane is located ???? I lose. I was going to say the East Coast but now I am uncertain. I go to bed, bushed. You are friendly, too. All of you, so far. Hasta la pasta Frank ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 01:36:14 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: Am I In or Out At 11:34 AM 6/22/97 +1000, you wrote: >Hi there Frank, > >>I will give it one last try. Who is Paul? I want to be a member of the TD >>Fan Club but I seem to get only replies from computers, not individuals. >> >>What am I doing wrong? Somebody please help me. Thanks. Frank Wheeler > >Nono, you're doing just fine sir. I think it was just a case of >coincidental timing in that when I added you to the list it looked like >the server Alloy is on was getting snowed under by some traffic on the >other lists on the same machine. As a result, it took a few hours for the >messages to get through (it normally takes about 2 minutes.) Apologies >for the confusion. > >When you joined up you'll have got an automated welcome message from >Alloy but rest assured, we're all very human here! :-) When you send a >message to alloy@smoe.org, it gets forwarded to everyone on the list >(you'll see a copy of your own messages too.) The same thing happens when >you reply to an alloy message too. > >In case you're wondering, we currently have a total of 87 people with us >including Thomas and a few of his closest collaborators. They may not >reply very often since their work commitments at Headspace are taking a >lion's share of their time, but they're certainly listening. Of the 87 are there others from San Diego? Thomas is very likeable. I enjoy his grin. He looks like he would be a lot of fun in a discussion. > >cheers, > >Paul. > >________________________________________________________________________ >Paul Baily paulb@thehub.com.au >Consulting SE/IT contractor http://www.thehub.com.au/~paulb >Brisbane, Australia There is a spirit here that won't be broken. > > Hi Paul: Just housecleaning. Thanks for everything. Frank ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 01:51:22 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank At 07:57 PM 6/21/97 -0700, you wrote: > >Howdy, Frank. Other people will probably answer these questions for you >as well, but I'll go ahead and start the ball rolling. I had to ask, too >-- chuffed means something like "happy" combined with "impressed." Paul >is Australian, so maybe it's an Aussie thing. :) It's that and English too. And Howdy to you, pal. > >Thomas was Mr. Robertson at birth and became Mr. Dolby later, so I'd >imagine your seeing "Thomas Dolby Robertson" would make more sense if it >were punctuated "Thomas 'Dolby' Robertson." Like "Sugar" Ray Leonard or >something? There must be some people somewhere who think the man's first >given name is Sugar. Hehe. Anyway, Thomas' middle name isn't Dolby. >When you look for his albums, ask for the name "Thomas Dolby." OK > >Any CD/record store with a "rock" section should have Thomas' albums. If >you need a list, let us know.. but I second the suggestion that you buy >the "Retrospectacle" first. If you went in, gave the clerk his name and >that album title, I'm sure they could help you. But if you don't own any >CD's, do you have a player? Audio CD's are different than the ones >your CD-ROM drive on your computer uses. (The ones for your computer are >software, the audio ones are digital-output versions of what used to be >sold as albums and cassettes.) I believe audio CD's work in my 12 speed computer CD drive. At least the Gateway booklet leads me to believe just that. They say just insert and it'll play. I'll make certain at the record store. Before I buy. > >On Sat, 21 Jun 1997, Frank Wheeler wrote: > >> I don't know what the word 'chuffed' means. Will I find it in Webster's? >> >> And I know this, I like your sense of humor. And tell me, Paul, is the name >> Thomas Dolby or Thomas Dolby Robertson? At the Beatnik site he is referred >> to as both. >> >> Thanks. If you were to go out and buy his CD's, where would you go? I have >> never purchased a Music CD in my life. In fact, I have never purchased a CD. >> But I did get some when I bought this computer (paying for it through the >> year 2010!). >> >> It is a kick being connected to email and the Web. YNF Frank > >It's nice to have you here. See you around! > >--- >Elaine Linstruth > Hi Elaine: You are right friendly. Thanks for the warm welcome. And thanks for the rundown and suggestions. I appreciate all of the help I am getting. And now to bed. I am bushed. This old man required lots of sleep. YNF Frank ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 01:57:05 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: TD in EQ magazine (1997 Issue #6) At 04:22 PM 6/21/97 -0700, you wrote: > >Well, the subject says it all, eh? Cover story about Thomas >and Headspace, and everything you want to know about Beatnik >and how Thomas likes his espresso. Brian: I don't understand the term EQ. It's a magazine with just those initials? I certainly am going to buy it. > >Also, a possible mention of this very mailing list (not refered >to by name), and his thoughts on his web site (Headspace's, >I think, not the FES.) > >Check it out... >BC > >--- > Brian Clayton "...he's taking mumbling lessons from David Duchovny." > stemish@kumr.lns.com -- Crow T. Robot > > > > Brian: So you don't like the X-Files. I sure like the intro music. Weird. Haunting, Frightening. Evocative. From another planet. The Borgers family in Belgium swear by it. And here I am, I've only viewed it once. Thanks for this tip. Really important for all of TD's fans. YNF Frank ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 12:38:29 -0400 (EDT) From: MsSakamoto@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank Welcome aboard Frank! - --Suzanne-- ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 11:17:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Brian Clayton Subject: Alloy: a correction or two Hi, again, Frank. I see you're getting plenty of attention! I just wanted to reply to your questions... The Beatnik piece I was thinking about is called "Sunlane" not "Sun Walk", though there are two versions of it, apparently. One is called "Sunlane-walk" and the other "Sunlane-full." The "full" version was cowritten with another fellow at Headspace, and can be heard on the "Headspace RMF Vol. 1" page of the Headspace site. The other version can only be found in the Beatnik Walkthrough, page five, just as "Algarve" is only found on page four. Another surprise buried down in the Walkthrough is a version of one of Thomas' hits, "Hyperactive!," where you, the user, can play with the mix of the instruments. EQ Magazine is called just that, "EQ." I believe it's audio engineering shorthand for "equalization." It's dedicated to, of all things, audio engineering (microphones, mixers, processors, speakers, etc.) Look for it in the "tech-y" section of your local newsstand. Finally, my comment in the "signature" is just a one-liner which I though was humorous, and doesn't relect my opinion of The X-Files. In fact, it's probably time to change it to something else...but I'll throw in a previously-used one this time. BC - --- Brian Clayton "Anyway, it's not me that's mad, it's the rest stemish@kumr.lns.com of the world...Aaaaaaaahh!" -- TMDR, 1984 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 16:51:37 -0400 (EDT) From: RThurF@aol.com Subject: Alloy: Hi Mary! It was great to hear that Mary Coller has joined us at Alloy. WELCOME, Mary! & I DO hope Thomas is still mulling over the possibilities of doing a James Bond film score. . .it would be so perfect. . . Robin :) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 13:54:14 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: TD in EQ magazine (1997 Issue #6) At 04:22 PM 6/21/97 -0700, you wrote: > >Well, the subject says it all, eh? Cover story about Thomas >and Headspace, and everything you want to know about Beatnik >and how Thomas likes his espresso. > >Also, a possible mention of this very mailing list (not refered >to by name), and his thoughts on his web site (Headspace's, >I think, not the FES.) > >Check it out... >BC > >--- > Brian Clayton "...he's taking mumbling lessons from David Duchovny." > stemish@kumr.lns.com -- Crow T. Robot > > > >Hello Brian, This seems to be stuck in my computer. I have answered it. So pardon the doubling up. But still, I'm not familiar with the magazine "EQ". Thanks. Frank ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 15:46:20 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank At 12:38 PM 6/22/97 -0400, you wrote: >Welcome aboard Frank! > >--Suzanne-- > Thanks. Me at the KB. Took me ten tries before I got the "thanks" right. Whew. And now to investigate TD more. Frank ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 16:01:50 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: Hi Mary! At 04:51 PM 6/22/97 -0400, you wrote: >It was great to hear that Mary Coller has joined us at Alloy. WELCOME, Mary! > >& I DO hope Thomas is still mulling over the possibilities of doing a James >Bond film score. . .it would be so perfect. . . > >Robin :) > What a great idea!!!! Let me hear more. Frank ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 15:59:59 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: a correction or two At 11:17 AM 6/22/97 -0700, you wrote: > >Hi, again, Frank. I see you're getting plenty of attention! Am I. Whew!! The New Kid on the Block. It's great. Thanks to all. >I just wanted to reply to your questions... > >The Beatnik piece I was thinking about is called "Sunlane" >not "Sun Walk", though there are two versions of it, apparently. >One is called "Sunlane-walk" and the other "Sunlane-full." >The "full" version was cowritten with another fellow at Headspace, >and can be heard on the "Headspace RMF Vol. 1" page of the >Headspace site. Do you have this for me again? The Site. I forgot to save it. Thanks. >The other version can only be found in the >Beatnik Walkthrough, page five, just as "Algarve" is only found >on page four. Another surprise buried down in the Walkthrough >is a version of one of Thomas' hits, "Hyperactive!," where you, >the user, can play with the mix of the instruments. > >EQ Magazine is called just that, "EQ." I believe it's audio >engineering shorthand for "equalization." It's dedicated to, >of all things, audio engineering (microphones, mixers, processors, >speakers, etc.) Look for it in the "tech-y" section of your local >newsstand. > >Finally, my comment in the "signature" is just a one-liner which I >though was humorous, and doesn't relect my opinion of The X-Files. >In fact, it's probably time to change it to something else...but >I'll throw in a previously-used one this time. > >BC > >--- >Brian Clayton "Anyway, it's not me that's mad, it's the rest >stemish@kumr.lns.com of the world...Aaaaaaaahh!" -- TMDR, 1984 > > > Hi Brian: I wasn't being critical. My friend in Belgium on his Web Page has the X-Files theme as background music, just an introduction. I didn't recognize it at first. It is haunting and written by Marc Snow. I don't know him. Sort of grabs you. Maybe someone in the Hive wrote it? Who knows. Weird and beautiful. You sure have come up with a lot of good stuff in your email. I just can't get good results with my visit to the Flat Earth Society Web Site. I guess I need to change the resolution (I think I see this in very light writing) but I am unsure. I would like to hear more. How do I change the resolution? Any help will be appreciated. Is the Flat Earth Society Web Site the same as the Headspace Web Site? I have lost my place. Thanks for letting me know. I sure am grateful for all of this help. Here's to TD! Frank ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 00:16:32 +0100 (BST) From: Bill Hargreaves Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank At 20:24 21/06/97 +1000, (or sometime thereabouts) you wrote: >I am now joining the circle of admirers of Thomas Dolby. I am 73 and have >always stuck to my era of Big Bands. I did progress through the Beatles >but I never was a fan of Elvis, and that has been my musical life. > Well Frank, you've come to the right place if you want to talk about TMDR, life, the universe and just about everything else. As you'll probably appreciate by now, we're a friendly bunch here on the Alloy list, and although we all have a love of Thomas and his work in common, we also have a diverse selection of other interests as well. We also seem to be spread around the globe a bit; there are certainly a lot of contributions from parts of the US/Canada and quite a few from the UK as well (I'm from Manchester in the North of England myself). I didn't know the list was now up to 87, because there are probably only around 20 to 25 regular contributors, the rest just seem to 'lurk' (i.e. read what's posted, but don't post anything themselves). Actually, it's about a year since we had an introductory session, when subscribers posted potted biographies of themselves. Maybe it's time we asked everyone for a few lines about themselves again. Perhaps I should start the ball rolling myself ....... Real Name: Bill Hargreaves Tap Room Alias: Slarvibarglhee (an anagram of billhargreaves, made up for me a long time ago by a Scottish friend, but that's another story) Age: 43 and counting. ........ s l o w l y. Employed as an Information Technology Administrator for the Government Office for the North West, which makes me a civil servant, but we can still be friends. What this actually means is that I install computers, printers and associated equipment for the staff in my office, run a helpdesk to answer their queries, help them develop applications, and train them in the use of our software. I also do routine repairs and look after the internal phone network. Ain't never had a proper job, as I joined the civil service straight from school in 1972, but I've had about seven different jobs within the department. Interests : Music, including Rock, Jazz/Rock, Progressive (whatever THAT is), Folk Rock, (I'm a reformed hippie which explains a lot I suppose) and some classical music. I'm willing to listen to ANYTHING produced by people actually playing their instruments and not just through sequencers and other electronic gadgetry. I grew up during The Beatles era, and really loved them, but I always thought Elvis was overated; nothing he ever did impressed me much. I also like watching crappy old movies on TV, crappy new movies on TV, any old/new crap on TV, computers and all things technological, and the internet (when I can find time between the crappy TV programs to log in). I like science fiction/fantasy books and movies, particularly the Disc World series of books by Terry Pratchett at the moment, Another hobby is using a lot of brackets in my e-mail. I've been a Dolby fan since the first album came out ..... good grief, when DID 'The Golden Age of Wireless' some out? My copy is not to hand, so I can't be sure. 1980? I was introduced to it by a friend who bought it after hearing one track on the radio. OK, enough about me, I think we'd probably be interested to hear how YOU came across TMDR and Headspace, Frank, at least I know I would. Was it just good luck, or were you searching for something in particular? Are you new to the wonders of the internet? I get the impression that you are, and I applaud you for taking the plunge. I don't mean this in any derogatory way, but from what I've seen during my couple of years of delving into its mysteries, there don't seem to be many retired folk around, or maybe I'm just not on the right mailing lists or surfing into the right sites. One theme you may become aware of as time goes on, is that Thomas is spending most of his time on his Headspace projects and hasn't released a new album in quite a while, despite the constant pleading from Alloy subscribers and visitors to The Tap Room, which is a chat room in the Flat Earth Society web site. It's now after midnight here in England, and I have another busy day at work tomorrow, so time for some zeds. Nice to have you on the list Frank; hope you enjoy it. TTFN Bill Hargreaves I.T. Administrator Government Office for the North West (UK) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 22:12:22 -0700 (PDT) From: Elaine Linstruth Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank > On Sun, 22 Jun 1997, Frank Wheeler wrote: > I believe audio CD's work in my 12 speed computer CD drive. At least the > Gateway booklet leads me to believe just that. They say just insert and > it'll play. I'll make certain at the record store. Before I buy. They will, Frank.. I just didn't want to confuse you, if you hadn't set up a soundcard and everything. That's great! > Hi Elaine: You are right friendly. Thanks for the warm welcome. And thanks > for the rundown and suggestions. I appreciate all of the help I am getting. No sweat. We are almost neighbors, I'm about 65 miles north of Los Angeles. There are several of us on the west coast of the U.S. In addition to the rest of the United States, there are quite a few of us in several other countries! It's fun. I've wondered what TMDR thinks of that fact before. ;) - -- Elaine Linstruth Palmdale, CA (USA) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 23:43:41 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank At 10:12 PM 6/22/97 -0700, you wrote: >> On Sun, 22 Jun 1997, Frank Wheeler wrote: >> I believe audio CD's work in my 12 speed computer CD drive. At least the >> Gateway booklet leads me to believe just that. They say just insert and >> it'll play. I'll make certain at the record store. Before I buy. > >They will, Frank.. I just didn't want to confuse you, if you hadn't set >up a soundcard and everything. That's great! > >> Hi Elaine: You are right friendly. Thanks for the warm welcome. And thanks >> for the rundown and suggestions. I appreciate all of the help I am getting. > >No sweat. We are almost neighbors, I'm about 65 miles north of Los >Angeles. There are several of us on the west coast of the U.S. In >addition to the rest of the United States, there are quite a few of us >in several other countries! It's fun. I've wondered what TMDR thinks of >that fact before. ;) > >-- >Elaine Linstruth Palmdale, CA (USA) > > Hi again, Elaine: I know Palmdale. I used to live in Studio city in 1960 through 1963 and then in Venice in 1965 and 1966. We are neighbors. And thanks for confirming that my CD is ok for Music CD's. I'll get in the buying mode come next month. I am retired and depend on my government checks. Thank God for SS and SSI. I like this friendly atmosphere. YF Frank ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Jun 97 07:04:00 GMT From: p.louie1@genie.com Subject: Alloy: TMDR's new book While surfing the web, I found this on the Ziff-Davis Press site: Ziff-Davis Press presents... Thomas Dolby's Guide to Web Site Sound Design: Beatnik, RMF and Digital Audio by Thomas Dolby US Price : $39.99 ISBN : 1-56276-547-7 Page Count: 400 Available : August, 1997 The ultimate guide to sound design on the web, this book offers simple, step-by-step instructions on how to make your web site the coolest site around. Let Dolby show you how to program and design with digital audio and the Web. This book takes a task-based approach to teach you everything you need to know to create your own award-winning web sites. RMF, Rich Music Format is a digital audio format developed by Headspace labs which allows for an astonishingly rich music experience on the Internet. Now licensed by SUN and other companies, RMF will soon be in regular use by over 20 million Internet users. The RMF editor Beatnik is poised to become the dominant sound design tool for developers in 1997. By using Beatnik RMF along with existing technologies like Java, HTML and Javascript, webmasters can create truly interactive sound on the web. Sounds like an interesting book with a blatant plug for his company and products :). Or maybe it's a cry to the readers to build their own FES site. :) Really though, it looks like they may be making RMF a more open technology for others to take advantage of. Any other thoughts? 400 pages. No wonder TMDR doesn't have much free time. He's busy writing technical books too! - -Phil p.louie@genie.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jun 1997 21:48:16 -0700 From: Frank Wheeler Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank At 12:16 AM 6/23/97 +0100, you wrote: >At 20:24 21/06/97 +1000, (or sometime thereabouts) you wrote: > >>I am now joining the circle of admirers of Thomas Dolby. I am 73 and have >>always stuck to my era of Big Bands. I did progress through the Beatles >>but I never was a fan of Elvis, and that has been my musical life. >> > > >Well Frank, you've come to the right place if you want to talk about TMDR, >life, the universe and just about everything else. >As you'll probably appreciate by now, we're a friendly bunch here on the >Alloy list, and although we all have a love of Thomas and his work in >common, we also have a diverse selection of other interests as well. We >also seem to be spread around the globe a bit; there are certainly a lot of >contributions from parts of the US/Canada and quite a few from the UK as >well (I'm from Manchester in the North of England myself). I didn't know >the list was now up to 87, because there are probably only around 20 to 25 >regular contributors, the rest just seem to 'lurk' (i.e. read what's posted, >but don't post anything themselves). Actually, it's about a year since we >had an introductory session, when subscribers posted potted biographies of >themselves. Maybe it's time we asked everyone for a few lines about >themselves again. Perhaps I should start the ball rolling myself ....... > >Real Name: Bill Hargreaves >Tap Room Alias: Slarvibarglhee (an anagram of billhargreaves, made up for me >a long time ago by a Scottish friend, but that's another story) >Age: 43 and counting. ........ s l o w l y. >Employed as an Information Technology Administrator for the Government >Office for the North West, which makes me a civil servant, but we can still >be friends. What this actually means is that I install computers, printers >and associated equipment for the staff in my office, run a helpdesk to >answer their queries, help them develop applications, and train them in the >use of our software. I also do routine repairs and look after the internal >phone network. Ain't never had a proper job, as I joined the civil service >straight from school in 1972, but I've had about seven different jobs within >the department. >Interests : Music, including Rock, Jazz/Rock, Progressive (whatever THAT >is), Folk Rock, (I'm a reformed hippie which explains a lot I suppose) and >some classical music. I like science fiction/fantasy books and movies, >particularly the Disc World series of books by Terry Pratchett at the moment, >Another hobby is using a lot of brackets in my e-mail. I've been a Dolby fan since the first album came out..... good grief, when DID 'The Golden Age > of Wireless' some out? My copy is not to hand, so I can't be sure. 1980? > I was introduced to it by a friend who bought it after hearing one track on the radio. >OK, enough about me, I think we'd probably be interested to hear how YOU >came across TMDR and Headspace, Frank, at least I know I would. Was it just >good luck, or were you searching for something in particular? Well ok, here goes. But don't forget to look at the bottom for other comments. I had just installed Netscape Communicator, which I believe is a suite of 4 including the latest version of Navigator. I am only interested in Navigator and shied away from downloading Communicator as I was led to believe by Microsoft Internet Explorer that Communicator would cost me about $49.00 more. IE says that their version 4 will be given to the public free of charge as a download. I oftentimes misunderstand comments and instructions on the Web. They make it sound so easy to download and then the problems arise and I for one am at a loss to understand what I am being told. So I downloaded Communicator, installed it, and completed everything through the last finish. And then I was told it would be better to read the Help File before closing. And I got the message,'unable to launch help file'. So I just went to finish again and closed out. Then with my Communicator browser I went to a favorite Web Site of mine that provides Midi music and just hoped for the best. My favorite Web Site came on screen, I saw at the top that Crescendo was installed and I proceeded to select only to be told that I was missing a plug-in and I was transferred to a plug-in site. Crescendo had worked with my original Navigator, why not this one. Well it didn't. I decided against downloading another Crescendo and went back to the plug-in site and though I had passed up the option of Beatnik before, this time I downloaded Beatnik and it was real simple. I did the necessary and with Communicator went to the Midi sight again and again was told to install another plug-in. I just gave up on Communicator. To hell with it. I went back to my Navigator version 3.? And went to the Midi site and saw the wording Crescendo installed and just made my selection and oila (have I got that right) Beatnik took over and I was flabbergasted. I was positive it would be Crescendo! The comparison. None. Beatnik works so much better than Crescendo that I suggested it to the author of the Web Site of the Midi thing (a Bill Miller) and he asked for more info about Beatnik and I gave him the details and I have heard nothing further from him. I know why. He was voted Crescendo Midi Site of the Year in a PC World article and he just can't commit himself to something better. He might just have an alliance with Crescendo and can't admit to something better. He has told me that Crescendo is sound card oriented whereas I have told him that Beatnik is all software oriented. I believe I have this correct.. And then I went to TD's site and was I in for a treat. I have never seen such a difference. Crescendo gives a canned sound. Beatnik gives such a whole sound that I am astounded. I can hear trumpets, saxes, pianos, drums, kettledrums, and strings. Whew! Beatnik thy name is Thomas Dolby. I did the test page thing and it is a delightful loop, catchy, jazzy, really good. In the walkthrough I saw Thomas Dolby Robertson and stayed with him for the ten-minute tour. Well worth it. Absolutely. Step # 2, which I call Off/On, is so soothing that I would like to continually listen to it while drifting off to sleep. Haunting, just a play on chords, Beautiful. Then I went past # 3 to #4. There I ran in to Algarve. And then I knew I had to email something to Thomas Dolby. I got him in a biographical section of a Web page and sent him an email just praising him to the skies. And the friendly genius made it a point to reply and help me. What a man!!!He even offered to put them (the 2 melodies) in my Mac or Web Page. I have neither. I run a gateway P5-133. But I can't forget his offer. It proves that this guy has a lot of heart and decency. I think Algarve is fabulous. It is haunting, mesmerizing, soothing, all things good. It is my favorite. I imagined that it had a Spanish flavor. TD has since told me Algarve is a Province in Southern Portugal. Last night I saw a special on TV about the district. What a small world. And now I ask you, how could I not be a booster when that man is so damn different. He just likes to be obliging. I am lucky to have made his acquaintance and now I want to learn a whole lot more about him >Are you new to the wonders of the internet? I get the impression that you are, >and I >applaud you for taking the plunge. I don't mean this in any derogatory way, >but from what I've seen during my couple of years of delving into its >mysteries, there don't seem to be many retired folk around, or maybe I'm >just not on the right mailing lists or surfing into the right sites. I am brand new. I just bought my computer as a Birthday gift to me on March 12, 1997. On that day the number 73 arrived. I am in good health and think young but I have arthritis, which slows me down but only a bit. I swim a lot and have lost a ton of weight in the past year. On July 4th last I weighed 270. On my 73rd Birthday I was down to 175. I like me better this way. I owe a lot to swimming and just eating less. I retired to La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico in 1987 and stayed there through the summer of '94. I then said to hell with it and moved on North to my own land. With all its warts I'll take America any day. When in Mexico I associated with Mexicans only, no Americans. I spoke only Spanish. I gave it my best. But unless you marry into a Mexican family you never belong and friendship like it is here and in England and in Australia just does not exist south of the Border. Sorry Mexico, but that's the way it is. They are polite but it comes from the mouth not the heart. Their first allegiance is to any Mexican over all Americans. To hell with that noise. >One theme you may become aware of as time goes on, is that Thomas is >spending most of his time on his Headspace projects and hasn't released a >new album in quite a while, despite the constant pleading from Alloy >subscribers and visitors to The Tap Room, which is a chat room in the Flat >Earth Society web site. I look forward to that experience. I want to visit the tap room. I need to be told the address again and the way I can adjust my monitor so I can make the colors brighter and more vivid. I went there just once before and wasn't able to read the small print. I am doing something wrong. I still have a lot to learn about my computer. >It's now after midnight here in England, and I have another busy day at work >tomorrow, so time for some zeds. Nice to have you on the list Frank; hope >you enjoy it. > >TTFN > >Bill Hargreaves >I.T. Administrator >Government Office for the North West (UK) And now I have taken some of what you said out of context so as to give them attention here. > I'm willing to listen to ANYTHING produced by people >actually playing their instruments and not just through sequencers and other >electronic gadgetry. We are brothers. We are brothers. I like the real thing, too. I really don't understand composing music on a synthesizer. I just don't follow the technology. I will get a better understanding through the passage of time. I did download my favorite Billie Holiday (wav) "You Go to my Head". Now that is music and song. I feel that I am actually hearing her like I did in San Francisco in the mid-50's. She is stupendous. Her phrasing. Her vibrato (a little), her mastery. What a woman!!! > I grew up during The Beatles era, and really loved >them, but I always thought Elvis was overated; nothing he ever did impressed >me much. Elvis is idolized but I never did cotton to him. I think the Beatles are and were super. I will never forget the movie Help! Those zany nuts. I would have liked to have them all for friends. What happened to Lennon in New York still leaves me cold and in disbelief. Why???? >I also like watching crappy old movies on TV, crappy new movies on TV, any >old/new crap on TV, computers and all things technological, and the internet >(when I can find time between the crappy TV programs to log in). I'll take the seat next to you and eat movie theater popcorn and to hell with cholesterol. I am a movie addict. I am connected to the net at least 10 hours daily. It is a challenge and a gas. I know so little about computer technology. I had a Radio Shack TRS80 Model 4P in Mexico, which went on the blink in '91. I never did have it fixed. It was no longer supported and I didn't know the foggiest about MSDOS. I still don't. I graduated from Tandy to Windows. I still am learning Windows. And computers. Mine had seven sounds. And now look. When I left Mexico I gave my Tandy to an orphanage, along with my 21 inch RCA TV. And various and sundry things such as an electric typewriter, clothes, etc. It is like night and day, computers then and now. I love the life I am leading now. I thank God every day for my life. I only hope I have a few more good years left in the engine. God willing, I will. And now, a last word to you. You are like TD. You are gifted and giving, too. You have made me feel completely at home. I honestly don't understand the modern day jargon and the names of Groups and their compositions floor me but oh what the hell, I can learn, if that is what it is called. Ha!. You are Great. GREAT. Thanks for the personal attention. Brother Bill. Brother Frank. I am old enough to be your Granpappy but I'll settle on brother. Ha! Good night, You are appreciated. YNF Frank P.S. For the umpteenth time I am hearing (not watching) "Twister". Good effects. Crazy storyline. Lots of fun. No masterpiece but entertaining. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Jun 97 18:18:41 +1000 From: Paul Baily Subject: Re: Alloy: Fwd for Frank G'day Frank, >Hi Paul: What does 'SE/IT contractor' mean? Systems Engineer/Information Technology contractor. Computer Geek that (usually) talks plain english as well as 'technese', basically. :-) > Without looking at the Map I >believe that Brisbane is located ???? I lose. I was going to say the East >Coast but now I am uncertain. Yep, that's right, Brisbane is about 3/5th's of the way down from the top of the east coast of Australia. About 1,000km north of Sydney if memory serves - only driven it a few times. cheers, Paul. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Jun 1997 12:07:56 -0400 From: Ian Subject: Alloy: retrospectacle......? I was just wwondering what is on retrospectacle? I mean I don't usually care for best of's etc. But I was wondering if there's any non-release stuff that I may have missed. I was best man at a wedding this weekend and had approx. 46 messages this mornin' when I got back into town! My eyes are bugging but I read them all! Hello to frank, I am a new guy too! You are very correct to say how friendly everyone seems! You seemed to get quite the welcome this weekend so i was a little jealous that I wasn;t here for it! So HI! Welcome aboard! The EQ mag article was what led me to this page. We get it at my school for very cheap! ($1 shhhhhhhh!!;^) So when I saw TD on the cover I freaked read it went to the site that ended up here! (I attend OIART or "the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology" check it out if you like >>>www.oiart.org<<< Hey Is there anyone in the group who can tell me how I could have made this URL a direct link? - -- - ---Ian Gifford (flirp/folkie) giffordstrasser@oiart.org =^.^= ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 13:15:03 From: Neil Leacy Subject: Alloy: Catching Up Again... Snowed under in the middle of summer! Work and bringing up a family means I have been reading but not joining in for the last week or so. So with coffee in hand and five minutes to play with here are some of my comments to the last few postings... WELCOME HOME, FRANK I'd just like to add a my own welcome to Frank. I hope you enjoy Alloy as much as we young un's do :-) (BTW Paul - Are you originally from the UK as it's a long time since I heard anyone use the word 'chuffed' - usually as in 'chuffed to bits'). EP's In the mid seventies my record player could play at 16,33 and 45rpm! Now that cd's have taken over here are a couple of things I miss... 1. I used to learn peices from singles by playing them at 33rpm and transposing the music to the right key afterwards. 2. You can't make a decent flowerpot from a melted cd! and 3. I used to have an LP of nature sounds. On one side there was half an hour of sea and surf and on the other there was the sound of a large aviary. The sleeve notes actually recommended that you played it at 16rpm for an hours relaxation and they were right! The aviary sound unearthly and the sea was magical. Trouble is none of the nature sound cd's I've heard match up to my memories of this lp (had a grey/brown cover with an illustration of an ear on the front). and a personal note to Barbara and Robin... It's in the post! Regards, Neil Leacy IT Support (nleacy@it-excelsior.britax.co.uk) ==================================================================== For further information on child car seats designed and produced by Britax-Excelsior visit our web pages at http://www.britax.co.uk/ ==================================================================== ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V2 #122 ***************************