Did I get that improved version of the infinite horizon for you? The disk drive on this computer (the Compaq Presario) started to act up when I tried to save last week, sparking a round of preventative CD backups in addition to normal. The CD system is still flaky. The Hippie says I must be a jinx, because nobody else has such problems with a computer. That is true, you know. Most people never go beyond the basics of word processing, e-mail and Internet. They never experience any limits on their machine until they run out of memory from downloading games and porno off the internet. Then, they run out and buy a newer, faster computer with a credit card. Hence, no detectable problem that The Hippie or anyone else can see.
He also says he knows kids who can do all the stuff I am struggling to learn. I accept that these kids have grown up around computers, but I do not accept that they know how to independently press on into learning new and unfamiliar subjects after the school day is done. Besides, where are these kids when you need them?
The problem I am having is ghost readings on my new CD burner. This is where I place a (known good) data disk in the tray, but the menu comes back and says either retry, or shows the disk as blank. A whiz kid would tell me to hit retry several times, which eventually works. Problem. That is a workaround, a term I do not use to suggest I’ve found a solution. I’m trying to discover what is causing the ghosting error in the first place, not find the workaround. The Hippie does not yet know the difference.
Now, back to the photo. This type of picture uses the "infinite horizon" technique:
The photo (this may be a repeat) should show a bright yellow multi-meter. The big deal is that it should show absolutely nothing else. When I was younger, I probably would have called this a catalog picture. The idea is that the viewer knows exactly what they should be looking at. Don’t laugh, this is a major advancement in my ability to photograph and it was not easy to do using only scrap material. I see errors you might overlook. There is still shadow at the lower left-hand corner of the meter, and the chrome-colored tips of the black and red probes have been clipped off.
Personally, I am quite satisfied with it, my second real attempt. Are you curious how it is done? Hint, there is a salt shaker behind the meter holding it up, and I could have chosen any color for the background, but neutral gray was close to what I was already using. This was, for the record, done indoors with my $18 Argus camera and a budget of zero dollars. If you look closer, you’ll guess the light source is to the left. It’s my open kitchen door. The next logical step is to show the meter screen all lit up. It is there, showing a reading of 0.000 volts.
