Yak Facts Issue #4: In Technicolor
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Yak Facts 23 October, 1998
Issue #4 In Technicolor
************************************************************In This Week's Issue:
- What Dreams
- Back Issues
- On the Web
- Call to Action
- This Week in Be Dope
- Credits
What Dreams
"The reality here is that the personal computer, once imagined as a source of creative joy, has become a routine piece of office equipment. It is an environment that begs for disruption." - Gary Wolf, 1998
If you're reading this newsletter, chances are you're pretty deep into computer technology. Let's face it, humor primarily about an OS that most of the world does not (yet) know about is a somewhat narrow target audience.
To get this deeply involved with computers, there probably was an event or series of events that inspired you to become involved. Something so cool that you knew right then that someway, somehow, you wanted to get involved.
It was at a technology expo in Albany, NY many, many years ago when I was hooked for sure. I remember using a light pen attached to an Apple ][ to draw images on the screen.
Cool. Definitely a source of creative joy.
I think one reason people are drawn to the BeOS is because it lets computers be as cool as they once were. It reminds us there is more to computers than "enterprise solutions". And we are definitely here to cause some disruption.
To once again be reminded that computers can exist purely to fuel the fires of creativity, I recommend the movie "What Dreams May Come", starring Robin Williams.
I don't give anything away that's not in the trailers by telling you that Robin Williams' character dies and ends up in his version of Heaven, which happens to be a classical oil painting that's not quite dry.
See this movie in the best movie theatre in town, and prepare to be blown away by the effects used in creating this version of the Afterlife. Your brain will try its best to reject what your eyes are seeing.
Of course, computers made it all possible. Find out how it was done here:
http://www.whatdreamsmay.com/makingof/effects.htm
As they say, working with computer technology was like "painting in time". This is the sort of thing that reminds me why I'm working with computers in the first place.
(The movie as a whole isn't bad either!)
Back Issues
Did you miss Yak Facts #1, containing the Secret Origins of Be Dope? Wondering what went down in issues #2 and #3? Wonder no longer!
Past issues of Yak Facts are now available via email auto-responder. Send email to <yfX@bedope.com>, where X is the issue number you wish to receive. Moments later, said newsletter will show up in your inbox.
Note that this service will not be available until my host's server refreshes at about 2am pst. As such, it has not been tested yet, so don't panic if it doesn't work, or if the formatting is out of whack.
Also note that these instructions are not to be posted on any news sites. Only the truly dedicated who sign up for the newsletter are worthy of the inside scoop!
Yet another service provided by Be Dope's web host, DreamHost - http://www.dreamhost.com/
On The Web
A new Be news site has popped up here:
The aptly named Be News provides news, reviews, editorial, polls and some other stuff. I like the look and feel of this site, and hope it stands the test of time. Most importantly, they report breaking Be Dope stories.
Call to Action
Thanks to everyone who responded to last week's call, and emailed me about with suggestions and opinions about the current state of Be Dope and this newsletter. Additional comments are always welcome!
This week, take a look at Be's computer gamer survey here:
http://www.be.com/users/gamesSurvey.html
If you care about games on the BeOS, take three minutes and take the survey. The information will help Be show developers what BeOS users desire in the world of gaming.
This Week In Be Dope
An exclusive interview with Andy Grove about his demo of the BeOS at the Agenda conference, and how the demo delayed the shipment of SGI's newest machines. Also, Microsoft denies everything in its landmark trial and Be, Inc. has absolutely no news to report. Really. Not a peep.
Credits!
Editor, Writer, Philosopher: Mike Popovic
Copyeditor: None, obviously
Yak Facts is published more-or-less on a weekly basis.
Be Dope is conveniently located at http://www.bedope.com/ and just a stone's throw away.
To contact us, email yak@bedope.com
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For back issues, send email to <yfX@bedope.com>, where X is the issue number you wish to receive.
All content Copyright 1998 Mike Popovic except where noted otherwise. You may not reuse, reprint, repost or otherwise fondle said content without my permission. This especially includes you Be news site folks. If someone wants to know what's going on here, they have to subscribe. Feel free to say something like "The Be Dope newsletter went out today and it was fantastic! So go subscribe at http://www.bedope.com/newsletter/"
That said, you are free to forward this newsletter, IN ITS ENTIRITY to someone as an encouragement for them to subscribe.
Of little worth is your ire.
