Yak Facts Issue #10: It's Flavorific!
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Yak Facts June 23, 1999
Issue #10 It's Flavorific!
************************************************************In This Week's Issue:
- I am Stalked
- Number 10
- BeMail.org
- The New Be Logo
- On the Web
- Credits!
I am Stalked
So I'm sitting and typing and minding my own business when I hear an unfamiliar voice asking the cube next door about "the Be Dope guy". I have to admit I am a bit intrigued. But something in this person's voice tells me it's not an adoring fan, so I refrain from jumping up and revealing my location. My cubemate shrewdly doesn't give out any info, and redirects him to the lobby.
Another co-worker comes over to inform me that there is a someone looking for "the Be Dope guy" in the lobby. Which would have been fine except instead of waiting in the lobby as instructed he followed my co-worker over to me. So much for avoidance!
I politely introduce myself and am taken aback when the visitor asks (quite politely) if I would consider "removing the blasphemous material from Be Dope".
Warning bells! Religious issues! He is being polite and not preaching fire and brimstone, but my guard is now way up, because you just never know for sure when it comes to dealing with those highly dedicated to something (whether it be religions or operating systems, if there is indeed a difference).
I'm pretty sure he is referring to the first story posted on the redesigned site, "BeOS Bible Causes Heavenly Rift" (http://www.bedope.com/stories/0001.html). I'm particulary proud of the picture that goes along with it. But I did read a few complaints about it over in the Be Dope forum at BeOS Central. Surprisingly, although I've included God, the Devil, the Pope, and other icons from other religions in past Be Dope stories, nobody seemed to mind. I think it's the picture that did it.
Of course the problem here is the definition of "blashphemy". I sincerely believe that none of my stories fall into this category. I'm pretty sure that whoever or whatever is running the universe has a sense of humor. Besides, if your faith is strong what does it matter what some OS-humor website publishes? Are you afraid *I* will be the one to turn humankind away from your God?
All of the above passes through my mind in about a half-second, but in the end all I end up replying with is, "No".
Experience has shown me there is no sense discussing this sort of thing. I do try to be polite and pleasant about my "No" and then show the Mystery Stalker to the elevators. Thus ends my strange story for this issue. If the Stalker is reading this, I hope you continue to enjoy as much as Be Dope as possible.
Number 10
Since we as a species seem to be found of round numbers, I'm happy to report we have reached the tenth issue of the Be Dope Newsletter, aka Yak Facts. Of course, if I cranked these things out once a week as I would like to, we would have passed that number long ago. I'll keep trying. As it is, it's been two months since last issue, yikes!
In other statistics, I thought you might like to know that there are now about 900 of you subscribed to this list! I only lose a few every issue I send out so I guess I'm not annoying too many of you. To thank everyone for hanging on, I've worked out an exclusive announcement with the folks from BeMail.org, which you'll read about in the next story. Yes, being a member of the Yak Pack has its privileges.
Speaking of a lack of updating, you'll be happy to know that I'm back from vacation and Be Dope is once again being updated regularly. Thanks to all for waiting patiently. I just had to go to New York and get some pizza. Couldn't wait another day.
I've just about finished tracking down all the broken links in the redesigned Be Dope site. If you haven't shared your opinion about it, feel free to drop me an email. A lot more thought went into the design of the backend (that is, more than ten minutes) so my life is made easier via templates, server side includes and so on. Eventually I'll work on tweaking a few other things and you can all email and tell me stuff is broken again.
BeMail.org
By now we all know the advantages of web-based email: access it from anywhere in the world, it's free, etc. Now we have BeMail.org, the first web-based email system developed for BeOS enthusiasts.
It's simple. You go to http://BeMail.org (duh), sign up for an account and minutes later you are set with an email address that shows the world you support the BeOS. Or, if they have never heard of BeOS, at least it's an address that's easy to remember.
You have your standard options: set a signature, make your own folders and so on. You can also notify another email address when your BeMail.org address receives email which is especially useful when you don't plan to use it that much, and don't want to check in every day.
By exclusive arrangement, this is the first announcement of the BeMail.org service. So, if you hurry, you can grab the address of your choice. Unlike other webmail services, names like bob@bemail.org or jsmith@bemail.org are available. In fact, just about all name are. But I've already grabbed mike@bemail.org, so you're out of luck there ;)
Use it everyday or use it just to receive mail from the Be mailing lists - either way, you're supporting BeOS.
I would at this point like to ask any editors of Be information sites to refrain from posting about BeMail.org until you hear from them officially (soon enough). Thank you for letting the Be Dope dedicated grab their email names.
I also noted that it can be a bit slow when creating accounts and showing the inbox for the first time. Have patience!
The New Be Logo
I like it.
On the Web
The Be website is the place to be these days. The design is fresh, there are a bunch of exciting press releases and lots of new R4.5 info. Go git it.
Credits!
Editor, Writer, Frequent Flyer: Mike Popovic
Copyeditor: None, obviously
Yak Facts is published more-or-less on a weekly basis. Well, not lately, but that's what we are shooting for.
Be Dope is conveniently located at http://www.bedope.com/ and three doors down and to your left.
To contact us, email yak@bedope.com
If you would like to cancel your subscription to Yak Facts, simply send an email to newsquit@bedope.com
To sign up yourself, friends or enemies to the newsletter, visit http://www.bedope.com/newsletter/
For back issues, send email to <yfX@bedope.com>, where X is the issue number you wish to receive.
All content Copyright 1999 Mike Popovic except where noted otherwise. You may not reuse, reprint, repost or otherwise fondle said content without my permission. This especially includes you BeOS 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 ENTIRETY, to someone you think might enjoy it.
Contents may settle during shipping.
