On the fly...

I finally had words with client M in Houston. I tried to communicate, as gently as possible, that (a) I cannot commit to accepting work that pays significantly less than what my other clients offer, and (b) if they can't pay me on time, then I can't readily pay my creditors on time, either. The owner flat out refused to increase my rate, promised to do better - payment-wise - in the future, and said they'd continue to call me.

* * *I did an HTTP install of Linux on one of the Dell boxes at the shop. I used 'alice' as the server. I was concerned that the process would die once the time came to replace the CD in alice (I had to put all three installation CDs when doing a straight install), but the installation procedure gave me an opportunity to replace the CD's as I went, so the whole operation went smoothly. I think I finally have Linux running on a reasonably fast machine, instead of the progression of 300-MHz units that I've had available.

* * *Something on Drew's machine (I suspect the Intel software) causes the poor thing to not want to boot up, forcing it to go to safe mode. I've gone in and deleted the Intel software while in safe mode and took the opportunity this morning, while picking up boxes in Durango, to stop at the Office Max and pick up another PCMCIA network card, just in case (and Lee) are right and the problem lies with a bad network card. In the end, I may have to reinstall Windows... again.

* * *There's a smell of rain in the air right now. We've turned off the air conditioning and the door to the back is open.

* * *Feht called and said he was not avoiding me; it's just that he and Maria have been a little under the weather. He encouraged me to come out and drink some beer with him, and to seriously consider going to Durango one of these fine days and eat sushi. Both excellent ideas in search of time for implementation.

Cheers...