AFIK, the line is "It's a poor workman who always blames his tools." WRT computers, a problem can be caused by hardware, software, setup, bad data, ... or even an unholy collusion of some of the above. Why just last week, I had a power hit ... on the restart, everything seemed OK, but had a power supply fail in one of my SETI boxes ... a few days later, a HDD failed in another. I have about 6 power failures per year -- and the SETI farm is running on 3 UPS; that was the first failure of a power supply; the first failure of a HDD in service (some were bad right out of the box). Stuff happens. MGD p.s. and the "My little corner" discussion?

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Still not stable ... those aren't happy words. Did you install Norton Internet security? If not, look at directdeals.com for OEM price. Did you apply all Windoze updates to XP? Are you sure that all components are properly seated? The next step would be to remove all devices and expansion cards except the video card and the HDD ... if not OK, it could be the HDD swap area. If it is stable, reinstall 1 component at a time and check the stability -- that would locate the component causing the problem. HTH ... but let me know if not.

Attached Link: http://www.stonepages.com/scotland/stonesofstenness.html

I have also heard a story about a mole. It was a Saturday ... a cocktail party was planned for the afternoon. As the lawn mowing completed, the man of the house observed a dead mole -- probably killed by the mower. He thought about doing a taxidermy project and put it into the refrigerator for now. Later, with the party in full swing and drinks freely available, his wife went into the kitchen to get the second batch of appetizers. There was a loud shriek and he went to the kitchen to see what was wrong. His wife vigorously objected to the mole crawling through the aspic. Seems the mole was not dead, merely stunned. (memories of Monty Python)

Thanks for your comment, but I didn't write the informative article on lutefisk. Perhaps the author was supplying a metaphor that would lead to the lutefisk experience without having to actually go there.

Attached Link: http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~atman/ic/lutefisk.html

Don't keep the can air tight. You need some air flow so the maggots can survive to strip the bones. You also need cheesecloth over the openings so the flies can't get out.

@misha883 Why use distortion? ... For trying to emulate the painting style of Domenikos Theotocopoulos? @DHolman "... of course, there's more stuff written for Photoshop" ... True ... but there would be more written for it if only because it is somewhat counter intuitive. LOL

In M$ PhotoEditor, you can resize an image with or without distortion ... "Image" -> "Resize..." options are "Allow Distortion" and "Smooth" To keep the aspect ratio of the image unchanged, do NOT click "Allow Distortion" (the help system did not want to tell me what smooth means. -- you'll have to try it and see.) You can also adjust the image size by using "File" -> "Properties" adn changing the pixels per inch value. I don't know what side effects accompany that method.

I'm back -- it was only a 6 hour power outage.

Remember those 14 computers that I have? Well, just as I finished cooking dinner tonight, I had a power hit -- I expect no power for 12 hours. Oh the computers ... the UPS kept them on until I shut them all down. Just like this one. Signing off, for now.

Some 35mm cameras have a pin on the underside of the body. Pressing the pin allows the rewind. Were you able to locate a user manual for the camera?

Yes, you should enable thumbs caching. Explanation ... Just now, I spent 30 miinutes with Google, Micorsoft, and other sites who all claim to be authorities. Some said, "turn it off" and some said, "turn it on". They all agreed that XP would run faster. groan Some nuggets of truth did emerge ... The time (delay) to make thumbnails (e.g. update the thumbs.DB file increases if you add or delete images often. I have a basic question, do you see this problem every time you go to a folder with images ... or just the first time you open such a folder folder with thumbnail view? I know on my PC, when I collect images from the flash card to an XP folder (usually a folder for the specific day and topic), there is a long delay ... but only the first time. HTH

With a little help from my friend Google, I found that camera needs: 1.35v PX625A battery I got that info from this page http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?MinoltaXG1.html~mainFrame A new battery might be what the meter needs. You should also check the battery compartment -- if it's nasty in there (battery leak, etc) it will ned a repair. If you don't have the manual, search both Google and eBay to buy one. On using any special film, you should first get the meter working ... otherwise, you are just spinning your wheels. IOW, if you use a workaround until the meter is OK, then you will be doing something different after it's fixed. As to using that film, or any film ... you shouldn't have to do more than set the ISO/ASA on the camera to match the value on the film. Of curse, that depends on the meter working.