| Author | Comment | Jayhawk
Dragoon
Posted: 12 Jun 2005
23:34 GMT
Total Posts: 80 | Greetings.
It's been probably three months since I've visited this forum, let alone posted anything. A lot of it was really beyond my control, for what it's worth. Making sure I passed all my courses to graduate was far more important to me than working on a hobbyist site. I ended up doing a lot of work, and probably a lot of it was stuff I shouldn't have had to do. There simply wasn't any time to do stuff like this.
I'm not an admin. And I don't really care to be. I don't have secret powers or anything, either. I'm just another guy on these forums. I've made no secret of it that I started my involvement with calculator sites back in 1999. And when I got started with Ti-Files, I really enjoyed messing with calculators, programming them, and playing games. But as much as I know it'll make me sound like a jerk, I wasn't too interested in calculators anymore when I came to write for Calcgames. That was never the reason I was the news editor and newsletter editor here.
For those who don't know me, I'm a meteorologist. But if I wasn't a weather nerd, I'd probably be a journalist. I love to write, argue, and make my opinion heard. And being a news editor for a community site was a perfect opportunity to do that. And it was something that for the most part was an enjoyable experience.
That being said, one thing really troubled me in all my time at this site. We have a rather large number of accounts in our database. All of these belong to people who have taken the time to register with this site. But whenever I wrote on this site, I was always conversing with the same few people. And while those people were for the most part people I enjoyed interacting with, it didn't seem like the same vibrant community I'd once known. For the most part, I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know them. And that includes calculator enthusiasts on the internet. It's why I enjoyed hanging out in #ti and #ti-files on IRC back in the day; I knew that I'd have a good time with the usual crowd and there'd be plenty of new people to meet and get to know.
These days, I'm a grad student. I'm busy with research of my own and helping out with work for other fellow researchers in the field of meteorology. That keeps me pretty busy. I'll probably never come back, and certainly not back to my old form.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. You're probably wondering why I took the time to write all that. I'm curious who else is here, who actually reads this, and what your story is. I've told you mine, who I am, and why I'm here. What about you? | JcCorp
Probe
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
10:31 GMT
Total Posts:
Edit | R, you just beat Z for the longest posts. :)
Anyways... it is totally true. This year, the site picked up about 5 or 6 new regulars, and that's really cool, but we could use a lot more. Maybe there are just more people that just aren't visiting and are programming calcs... I tried to get people from my school to visit, but considering I'm the only calc geek here (which means I'm the only person who knows how to use a computer link) its been wicked hard. And not only that, but everyone these days is starting their own site. It really takes out the specialness of this site. (And I know that was a hypocritic comment, seeing as I have Calc Haven.)
I've only really been around for a year, and I've met so many amazing people here. I've gotten yelled at, insulted, praised unfairly (or maybe not, I think I may have low self esteem problems), made stupid jokes, made weird suggestions, and a bunch of other stuff. And it really has taught me stuff about life in general. Not only that, but it has been a great time. I'm going to a bunch of different things this summer, and I'll be spending some time away from computers, but I'll try to get on when I can. (Band Camp (but for chorus, apparently, I can sing pretty decently!) and a summer camp at WPI.)
When I first came here, I was pretty dumb with calcs. I had never heard of ASM, and I was asking some stupid questions. Now, I'm better, but not great, and I mostly stick around because I know everyone and I can share my creative self. Well, now, actually, I have a deviant art account (www.timetravelerjoe.deviantart.com, there is no way I want to make this entire thing HTML, I'm too lazy)... but I can share my calc and PC psuedogames.
I really hope that people stay and keep this site active, its been such an experience for me... | greenorange
Goliath
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
11:55 GMT
Total Posts: 199 | Yes, the site did pick up regulars, including me...
I started playing around with calcs in 2000. I got a TI-82, and it was pretty cool. Then, I got the link cable and started playing games. A year after, my father purchased a 92+. That was really cool, but did not spark my interest. Then, an 83+ came, and my father decided that it wasnt good enough. We switched for an 86. That was what triggered my entrance into the programming world. I started with BASIC, and now I do both BASIC and asm. This year, I got an HP and a 89t.
However, on a different note, I used to be very self-dependent (and still am, to a certain degree) That was why I avoided the forums, and emails and AIM. However, I noticed that I learn much from the forums and email. Now, I have learned much from this community, and got some experience in the programming world. My story is not that interesting, but it means a bit to me. | Andy
Administrator
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
12:53 GMT
Total Posts: 939 | My first glimpse of a graphing calculator was freshman year in high school. The guy next to me in Algebra I had an 83 I think it was a few days. I didn't have much chance to mess with one until sophomore year, when my best friend got an 83+ (new) and an 83 (used; for reasons I can't seem to recall). I didn't get my own 83+ until junior year for Algebra II. From that day forward, the calculator went pretty much everywhere I went in that building. It's been my faithful gaming, reading, and mathing companion.
After junior year, I purchased the new TI Keyboard and a new red slide cover (the original one having been worn out after so much use). This inspired me to make a program to add more hotkeys to the OS; ShortCut is the still in-progress fruits of my labor.
In the summer between senior year and freshman year in college, I procured both an 89T, another 83+ (the latter of which is "special" for reasons I won't post here in fear of the DMCA >.> <.<), and a robot kit. I use my 89T more than either 83+ these days. My original 83+ is mainly a testing calculator, and the other one is the 83+ that I use when I have work to do with it (which isn't very often).
I started dabling in 83+ basic when I first got my calculator. I've made some utilities and a game or two (one of which, MaZeR, I've redone a couple times but have lost each time). I started messing with assembly around, oh when was it, March 2003 (junior year). I had already had some experience in x86 assembly, so it wasn't all that hard for me to pick up. I've done a little bit of 89 basic, but not much. I don't intend on doing anything in C for the 89 until I'm done with ShortCut (which, at this rate, won't happen for a while).
I've made a few useful computer programs that have to do with the calculators. One is a program that allows you to link two calculators over a TCP/IP computer network. Another allows you to use a real calculator to control VirtualTI. I intend to polish these programs off and officially release them.
I first started going to ticalc.org occaisonally during my sophomore year in high school. By junior year, when I got my calculator, I was checking in there weekly at least and posting. I stumbled across calcgames a few times in those years, but only started visiting with any regularity this year in January or February, when the positions were announced.
I'm a computer science major at the University of Akron (OH), although it is up in the air if I will have enough money to go back this fall. For fun, I play CounterStrike: Source, StarCraft, or UnrealTournament G.O.T.Y Edition. I have a slim PS2, but only one game at the present time (Fullmetal Alchemist and the Broken Angel, http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/rpg/fullmetalalchemist/).
Well, I'm sure y'all are as bored of reading this as I am of typing it, so I'll stop now. :) | JcCorp
Probe
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
14:56 GMT
Total Posts:
Edit | Actually, I enjoy reading these. They remind you that other people have lives too...
Speaking of Unreal Tournament, a long while back, a friend of mine managed to download a trial version onto my school's server, and now everyone has LAN parties everywhere. Just thought I'd share. | Andy
Administrator
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
15:04 GMT
Total Posts: 939 | Yeah, the demo was cool. Got me hooked on it, then I bought it at a store sometime. | korkow
Ultralisk
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
15:37 GMT
Total Posts: 465 | Ya, and then there are people who do, like, 100 posts in one week, and then just kind of drop away just just like that -> :dead:. Im talking about you *cough* freddiespaghetti *cough* zedd *cough* Jonny23451 *cough*. Exscuse me, I have a bad cough :img20:. Anywho, Iv'e seen many come and go, and many that simply...well..go, but there are a few people that always hang in there, like me. My obsession for calcs may have gone down quite drastically, but CG has become my family. Im still into calcs, but right now I'm going through an "old calc" phase, but I use most of my obsession with my compy. GEEZ! How do you guys make such long posts?!?!? I can't think of any more to say! | JcCorp
Probe
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
15:42 GMT
Total Posts:
Edit | Well, I'm a writer. I do that. You're also dealing with people who have a passion for either calculators or just blabbing on and on (guess which one I am!) | Barrett
Administrator
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
16:42 GMT
Total Posts: 1676 | Um... you can read about me in the next newsletter... hopefully...
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-Barrett A | Jayhawk
Dragoon
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
17:56 GMT
Total Posts: 80 | Thanks for the replies. Keep 'em coming. :-)
About our community, it's always good to see more people join in. That being said, most of our readers are people who aren't programmers and who don't really have an interest in learning. It's unfortunate they don't post and don't participate more in our community. Most of our visitors are transients, I'd bet. Sometimes the people that aren't programmers are the most interesting, though. To be honest, I was a computer science major and I've really become burned out on computers and on programming. So it's great that people are programming, no doubt, but those threads have never been ones to draw my attention. Our typical visitor is probably a high school student, somewhat nerdy, not necessary very tachnical, but someone who has some interest in the calculator.
I've always enjoyed the community and talking to people here. We have some very interesting people around. I'd hang around more and be more willing to talk to people, but there's always a few odd people who I'd rather not meet up with. Someone gave out my AIM screenname while I was looking to hire a replacement for me. It fell into the hands of someone I'd rather not talk to. It doesn't make me feel comfortable that whenever I sign on, this person is wanting to talk about calculators. It makes me feel even more uncomfortable when this person tells me that he or she has about thirty screennames.
While I'm not really involved with the community anymore, I've considered writing some stuff anyways. One thing I've considered writing is a look into what really goes on behind the scenes at calculator sites. I know a lot of people see the sites as being something like a small company. It couldn't be farther from the truth, in many cases. I'd write some of this if I thought anyone would be interested and read it.
And once again, thanks for reading this thread and writing. It's always a pleasure to converse with the people on this site. | zkostik
Carrier
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
19:35 GMT
Total Posts: 2486 | Hey Redux, very nice story. I'm pretty much in the same shoes as you are in terms of involvement as education and work take up most of my time. I pretty much maintain the website, which in fact I enjoy doing, but I rarely get to play anyhting on my calc or even use it at all.
To pick up on the thing you pointed out that community is really stale these days, I'd have to agree on that. Most people we see here come to just download or rate a file, others just want to have a user account all over the place, and very few actully give back to community. Sorry to hear that someone gave out your AIM s/n. Some people just lack respect and confidentiality for others, too bad there's nothing we can do about it. The calc community is very different from what it used to be when I started back in '98. This is say to say but is undoubtfully true. Things usually get busy around back to school time but mainly for the same old reason, games and usual questions, which is nothing new to most of us.
Well, to keep things short, I'd like to thank for what you've done for the site. I very much liked your articles, even the few of then that you got to write. I certainly hope you don't think of this place as alien if you come back later and write us an article. I'd think that guys who read your articles and newletter would agree on that and welcome you back. So, hopefully everything goes well for you out in life and please think of your input as valuable as time was well spent. It's been a pleasure having you onboard!
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09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 | Andy
Administrator
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
19:56 GMT
Total Posts: 939 | >>> I'd write some of this if I thought anyone would be interested and read it.
I'd read it. | zkostik
Carrier
Posted: 13 Jun 2005
20:54 GMT
Total Posts: 2486 | In reply to Andy's post above, I would read it too.
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09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0 | korkow
Ultralisk
Posted: 14 Jun 2005
05:54 GMT
Total Posts: 465 | I ditto that. | JcCorp
Probe
Posted: 14 Jun 2005
15:20 GMT
Total Posts:
Edit | Ooh, a "behind the scenes" would be cool! Add it to the newsletter!!! | Jayhawk
Dragoon
Posted: 15 Jun 2005
08:37 GMT
Total Posts: 80 | For what it's worth, there's some articles in the past I wrote that never got printed. Some of them aren't worthwhile, but some are humorous (jokes) or are still relevant today. I'm considering putting them online somewhere but haven't decided yet on the best way to do this.
I understand the idea of putting it in the newsletter, but what I'm going to write will end up being pretty long and probably doesn't belong there. I've submitted other work to CG, but I have no idea if it ever made it into the newsletter. That being said, it's not really my place to start deciding what goes into the newsletter, either. It's Andy's thing now and I'll leave it to him to decide what goes in there. | allynfolksjr
Administrator
Posted: 15 Jun 2005
10:15 GMT
Total Posts: 1892 | Just for the record, I did have a nice long reply typed up for this, but thanks to me not making sure something was on the clipboard before closing the window, I lost it. And I don't have the time right now to rewrite it, perhaps later. | Andy
Administrator
Posted: 15 Jun 2005
12:48 GMT
Total Posts: 939 | redux, well, that little piece about people complaining about the limits of the calcs went in the last newsletter (I had to make up a title since you didn't). I don't think I've had anything else from you, so I couldn't've done anything with them. :)
If you want to continue writing, that'd be great. Just send them off and we'll figure out if they should be newsletter or just an article (unless of course you want something to be specific).
@jc, well, we could do a generic behind the scenes even if we don't get anything specific.
Also, we still either have or have to do those 5 or so interviews dating back to April... Granted, it's a bit late for what they would really be dealing with, but I'd still like to see them. If you have them done, send them off whenever you have a minute. If you don't, well, we'll figure something out. | Jayhawk
Dragoon
Posted: 17 Jun 2005
19:13 GMT
Total Posts: 80 | It's kind of interesting that our community is built around gaming and yet our sites don't really focus on the games themselves. Sure, we have archives and news, but the sites aren't really dedicated to gaming. Most people are interested in gaming, how to beat games, and just some entertainment. We provide calculator help, programming help, and news, but we haven't really built around gaming. And for that matter, we don't really provide much in the way of math help.
I wrote in my article (that eventually made it into the newsletter) that TI is missing the point with their new calculators. I wonder sometimes if our sites aren't missing the point, too.
Maybe if we focused more on those things, we might have a larger community. It doesn't mean we have to cover programming and that stuff less. It just means adding something to our community to reach out to more people.
What do you guys think? | JcCorp
Probe
Posted: 18 Jun 2005
04:42 GMT
Total Posts:
Edit | Well, what exactly do you mean by gaming? Like how to get a high score in Phoenix? Although that's not too bad of an idea for maybe one subforum, I'd avoid focusing on that. Frankly, calc games are for the most part quite simple. If people could beat them easily, it wouldn't exactly entertain anyone during long math classes. There also really isn't enough to say. The only games where I've actually had to help people complete were my PC games (because of a stupid tendency of mine to make them as hard as possible).
What would be good, as mentioned above, would be a subforum. In it, people could post their high scores, recommend their favorite games, ask for a little help gameplaywise, etc. On second thought, we even have that, its called Games Help/Cheats/Walkthroughs. Maybe that should be changed to Games Discussion or something. I don't know, last time I posted a suggestion on a forum (yesterday), I got yelled at for not PM-ing an admin (more like THE admin) first. I do that a lot here, in order to get the opinions of others, but the people at the other forum seemed a little irrate at my democracy. (That's a praise for CG, I like how good natured people are 99% of the time.)
Woah, that went OT. Anyways, I don't think there's too much room for growth in that area. People would be posting the same things over and over, and the regulars would have nothing to say to each other. | Jayhawk
Dragoon
Posted: 18 Jun 2005
22:51 GMT
Total Posts: 80 | I suppose something like that really could be featured more prominently, though. It really seems like we don't focus on that sort of thing.
It's like ticalc.org saying they have places for open discussion -- the mailing lists, which hardly anyone reads or visits. Sure, they have it, but it's pretty dead. What good is a gaming section if there's nobody there to give tips and hints?
About posting stuff I write, I'm still not really sure what to do with it. A number of people have asked me about submitting my work, and I'm close to a deal to actually submit a few articles. The idea of blogging is an interesting one, though I'm not sure where the readership, let alone the comments, will come from. So that's really still up in the air.
Again, I really enjoy writing, when it's on my schedule. But I'm not sure what the right way to go about this is.
I'm also considering setting up an AIM account just for interacting with calculator enthusiasts. That is because, if it gets handed out to people who I'd rather not have get it, it won't interfere with my account for interacting with people from school/work and that sort of thing. I'm not sure if I should do that, but it's another idea I'm mulling over.
It's past midnight and I'm sleepy. I'll check back tomorrow for posts. |
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