Maxwell TALKS!

I'm Okay, Now.

Okay, so let me clarify... my rant of yesterday, was brought on by a chain of events - all involving frustration with tech. It was an emotional outcry, of sorts. One day, it was the TV; I couldn't get a picture, couldn't watch the noon news; for whatever reason, my provider chose that time to reboot, or were fixing something somewhere, or whatever it was they did. Then it was the phones. I had absolutely no dial tone on any of my business phones (land lines, upstairs and downstairs). I was all over the provider website, when I checked my email, as Frank had just sent one, from his phone. He was telling me that he was unable to call me. He suggested unplugging the answering machine, for a few minutes. It worked. It rebooted itself. Something that simple. I spent another afternoon trying to align my printer. On some days, some media works well with the computer, but not the next. Then that same media, on that same computer, works fine the day after. A company wanted to install a remote VPN on my computer... I could get it to work, but it never worked well. Then after months of hit and miss, their IT guys figured out it wasn't me, nor my computer; it was my service provider. The VPN system and my service provider never played well together. The machine at the checkout counter won't take my card - the one I just used at the other store.... the list goes on. I think I have waded through enough manuals, phone calls, and websites, that I should feel pretty proficient in dealing with hardware and software. I do not. Why? After something happens, and I figure it out; the next 'new thing' is upon us. Everything goes out the window. The learning and figuring out happens all over again. And you have to keep up, your industry demands it. So, yesterday, I had had enough. As I looked over my machines, I knew my short respite of having things work in a somewhat harmonious way, was coming to an end. I knew another chunk of cash would be coming out of my budget. I could have toured Europe, on what I've spent on computers, tech devices, and tech related items. I knew I would soon be plunged into spending more time at my computer. More manuals, more websites. If you know me, you'd know I'd rather be on my drawing board, or out and about, or doing something creative thing, or... touring Europe! To be fair, let me say, there are times when I really enjoy it. There have been times that it's made my world a more efficient place. But, I hate being a 'slave' to something. Tech is the way of the world; but I don't feel it has to be my life. It's not like doing something because you have a passion for it - not a 'magnificent obsession' - when all isn't going well, or you find you are spending too much time with it; it's pure drudgery. I've, nonetheless, resigned myself to it. I "can't stop progress". Or maybe, I just need to pull a plug.

 

Sometimes You Gotta Rant!

My friend Heather Clark (on Facebook) made a good tech point when she said she had an old printer that she tried to hook up to a new computer, and the tech was so old, the prompt just said "exit".  My computer, as of this coming December, will be 10 yrs. old; my old Zip drive is much older, maybe 12 to 14; the scanner (yes, a stand alone scanner - works best for scanning traditionally rendered art) is 8; the printer is 6; the camera is around 13 or 14; my CDRW burner/reader, is non-existent on the newer computers - mine is currently built in. I've got a truckload of saved art, info, & pics on those CDs. The CDs will lose their info, over time - I've already lost stuff on them, because the files were "old tech". Now I've got thumb drives all over my desk, and in an article I recently read, the info on them won't last forever either, like the CDs. My latest and somewhat 'youthful' pen tablet is 4, but it too, is on it's way to being obsolete.

My computer, printer, scanner, camera, my old Zip drive, and pen tablet; all, still work well. So far. But once again, updates are needed.

So, here are my questions.

When will it end? When will there be, let's say, software, that lets me use an older machine and it's hardware and software, with newer machines? Some sort of "Grandfather System", if you will. Why should I toss equipment that still works, because something else won't work with it, every couple of years? Yes, I understand and use the cloud, updating, security, compatibility, new drivers, yadda, yadda, yadda, all of that. 

I read a story recently; on a blog I follow; about a writer, who was trying to retrieve his work - on floppy disks. This writer was dying, and for whatever reason, wanted to revisit his older work. But, he didn't know how. I hope, for his sake, he was able to do it. It made me sad.

To that point, I still have floppy disks, that I have real slim hopes of ever retrieving anything on them. Why do I have to keep backing up files to newer tech, every couple of years, because I may actually need those files, somewhere down the road - only to find that that newer software/hardware won't be able to read them anyway? I'm not using crazy files - I use standard JPEGS, PDFs, etc. And I'm not complaining because I'm lazy - re-backing up (if there is such a phrase) is a lot of work; but I still do it. Yes, I'm sure you'll say, 'just back up what you'll need' - how do I know what I will need in the future? An example: last year, I was asked to send art to a client, as they were using the same art, but changing the copy. I did that art and saved it on a CD, well over a decade ago. Because the art was done in an older version of software, it was neither compatible with mine or the client's newer software. Some of it had to be recreated. Example #2: a few years back, because of a server 'melt down', I had to supply old art files, of older work that was needed to save, to a client. And, I will bet they had a hard time of it, with those older files.

I already have boxes of equipment that are 'obsolete' - even thought I know they still will work. But there are no more updates, or drivers or software to make them compatible. Over the past 20+ years I've spent a small fortune on machines, hardware, memory, software - because the tech is too old. I find myself on that precipice, again.

Anybody have any good ideas? No, really. Must I dump another bucket load of money on things, that I might eke out 5 or 6 years of use? The thought makes me tired. What is my alternative, at this juncture?

I have used a computer, et al; for about 20 years of my career. It bothers my creative sensibilities that, though I have a boatload of real, tactile, put-your-hands-on art boards and papers; I also have a 'virtual boatload' of virtual art. Yeah I could print it all out, another small fortune in ink and paper. That's if I can actually find the time to print out everything, before I update or upgrade. I'm sorry, but tactile, immediately visual, art is just what I grew up with, grown accustom to. Have a human respect for. The mind is used to create; using your hands in the act, is being human. Act of humanity. It's no wonder, as I'd read, Elon Musk has a problem with AI.

Maybe I'll take all those colorful floppy disks and make a mosaic, or some thing...

 

When is a Copyright, not a Right

I was reading the blog "Once Upon a Sketch" - today's topic: U.K. passes 'Orphan Act' bill. Now, for those of you who create, and happen to post your creations on the 'Net - especially artists and photographers - the Orphan Act allows anyone who wants to, to swipe your creation and use it as his/her own. Even if you have marked it with YOUR copyright. A similar Orphan Act was bandied about here in the U.S. for a few years, but outrage from constituents of the creative community, pretty much put a stop to the whole thing. 

Now that the U.K. has gone down the 'orphan path'; will other countries follow suit? You may be seeing a lot less art and pics - and what you do see will have a big ass watermark over it, obscuring the piece's original intent and merit.

Read the article from The Register in the U.K.:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/29/err_act_landgrab/

BTW, the only way we can protect our selves is by registering each and every piece with the government agency. Which, if you have a substancial body of work, is gonna cost a number of $$$$$$.

This all may seem like "a mountain out of a molehill" to the layman; but if this 'trend' continues, it may well effect many facets of your day to day life. Especially since we all seem to be 'tuned in and turned on'.

Think we're a litigious people, now? Just wait.

A Brief Hiatus - but, Maxwell still Talks

Maxwell hasn't talked in a while. "Where have you been?";  you ask. I've been around.

I didn't know what to say. I had many out-of-the-ordinary tasks to attend to; some, out of the realm what I normally talk about on this blog. If you know me, you know I don't like to make public statements about every aspect of my life - there are some things, I prefer to keep private. There is nothing secretive or cryptic here, just private. Let's face it, there is no 'private' on the Internet. Let's just say that I've taken a month, or so, off from the 'Net... other things in life happened.

One of the things that has kept Maxwell from talking, that has no privacy issues, was problems with the ol' Mac. I was totally blindsided by a hard drive that, in the end, a Mac Doctor said would not 'turn over'. ( The euphemism of a car engine was spot on - you could sometimes actually hear the "whir-whir", as the thing tried to get going.) I spent several days trying to fix, what was then an unknown issue, myself, then with the help of a friend; running first software, then hardware diagnostics. I really have no idea what all the codes and terminology of these diagnostics mean, unless a specific message for us laymen was present. Just the feeling of 'something isn't right' pretty much let me know I was in trouble. That is where the "Doctor" stepped in. Thank God for those "Mac Techies".

At this point, I still have a few things to do to get my computer back up to snuff. The "Doc" took it to the shop and saved as many folders on the hard drive that he could; though the hard drive's slow failure kept him from retrieving it all. I lost some of the most recent settings and files. I do back up, so there is info that I can access. I need to update parts of my web site. Still, my digital world didn't fall apart - it just disappointed and gave me more work. I'd like to reiterate how important back ups are. Lesson learned!

At any rate, I'm back online in some respects and will persist on writing this blog. As is this blog, it has become a challenge, this digital world. I've had to catch up on all information, what is going on, and where and when; try to resume where I left off. Time is always of the essence. Not that it takes all that long, I suppose I've been spoiled by the previous ease and continuity of living and working in the virtual realm. 

I do have to say this: I thought I'd miss not checking email, 'SoNets', or blogs on a regular basis; I really didn't. It was kind of like a 'digital vacation'. And while, in fact, I actually had a few days off during this whole event; it was not a vacation I was waiting for.

The amount of email and explaining why I didn't answer it, was a pain, in terms of time and circumstance... though I had access to a back up laptop. So if I didn't get back to you via email, forgive me. It was a bit overwhelming. Send me another email, or, better still, give me a call.

Yeah, give me a call, then you can actually hear Maxwell Talk. Unless the phones go out... lose bars... maybe stick to the email... ummm, anyone have homing pigeons?

I have Packed My Virtual Bags...

... and have finally moved to the new web host for Lori Maxwell Illustration! There's still a little 'remodling' going on, a few 'touch-ups'. If a link doesn't work (let me know) or something seems not-quite-right, every browser see the world a little differently (again, let me know), it should be taken care of in the next couple of days. All in all, I believe that everything is fair working order!

As I learn all the 'new stuff' (apps and as well as amenities) at this new web host, I will be adding things; like domain email addresses (not to worry, an address is posted to contact me!); and a blog (like I need another one!); and anything else to enhance 'the web experience'.

Stop by: http://maxwellsart.com and say "Hello"!

Blog on My Blog

Yes, I am blogging on my other blog, "A Retro Artist in a Digital Age".

In the "Retro/Digital" blog, I have a link to a P-G article (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette), on SXSW (South by Southwest) Tech/Film convention, that expresses how I sometimes feel. I keep thinking that there is way too much stress on being "Connected". Yet, I don't necessarily feel connected - in the most human way. It's everywhere, in books, magazines (yes, the paper version still exists), even on my television; "... for more information, go to So'n'So.com". I admit, if the subject is interesting enough, I'll look it up, online.

I also think I have information overload. I may be only checking email for a few weeks and stopping to blog - maybe. Sorry, I sometimes get flustered by what I'm told 'I should do' and what it is 'I want to do'. When I'm doing art; I'm told I should be doing more social media marketing, more promotion. When I'm doing more social networking or promo; if I get work in, I can't do the blog or spend time on LinkedIn. I am 'on the clock' way too much as it is. So, what's the answer, time management? That only goes so far, believe me. Life doesn't go by the book.

I think I will 'manage' to slow my 'time' down... wanna have lunch?

 

Lost February

As it stands, this is my only blog post (so far) for February. Sorry about that; but I haven't been quite myself. I spent a good deal of this month  in "zombie-land" - so to speak. I became ill; between a delayed call to my GP and the meds prescribed; I was pretty much rendered useless. SO GLAD I'm feeling better now! I felt liked a walking contagion. I will get the, hopfully, final word from my GP tomorrow. 

As I began to feel better, (and the effect of the meds wore off) I've been playing catch-up. If I had, during that period, actually blogged, I'm afraid I may have seemed a little ... well, goofy. 

And no comments from the 'peanut section', thank you very much!

Now that I'm back to myself, as I said, I'm catching up on all the day to day stuff. Fortunately the work with due dates is done and gone. Now I'm doing this blog, long over due email, new work, web stuff, and all the "I'm here and lookin' for more work" stuff - you know; marketing, networking. 

Since I'm working on the business side of art, I realized with all the time I lost, that I need to look for a new web host. I'd mentioned last year, that I'm a Mac, and that the MobileMe Cloud I'm now using will; in a few short months; no longer support my web site. I gotta start crackin' on a new place for web presence. I have various options, all over the 'Net, but I got to thinking about using a local host. if any of you out there has a local Pittsburgh web host and really, really like their service, shoot me an email or comment on Facebook or Linked In. Or on this blog, of course.

Why not go local? The 'Burgh, I'm told, is like "Silicon Valley East". It kinda makes sense to utilize some of the local tech. Support the 'Burgh.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I'm a Mac...

Back from a little vacation; back to the work world, and I finally get the answers to my future in my cloud: iWeb is a goner. "So?", or even, "What?", you say.

Last January, I walked into the clouds. No, not a heavenly intervention or a visit to Machu Picchu. I took a subscription to Apple's MobileMe, a "cloud" of file storage, file syncing with Apple applications and devices and most importantly, to me, web hosting. For my purposes, quick and easy web publishing with iWeb, mail service and the pic gallery, choosing MobileMe was a no brainer.

I know, I know, there have always been criticisms about the whole MobileMe program; too expensive (when I researched other hosts and added on amenities I wanted... not necessarily so); not everything worked the way it should ( I had NO problems); even Steve Jobs wasn't thrilled with it. 

Thus, iCloud. 

Now, I was eagerly awaiting iCloud, when it was first a-buzz. Apple has been the A-list rock star of late, so I was interested to see what would float in this cloud. I never expected the demise of iWeb; perhaps a 'new' web version, but not to see it go to the Great Passe Tech Junkyard in the Sky. I'm disappointed, to say the least. If you've known me for awhile, you'll know that this is my web site's third web host in the last few years. I like iWeb. I've been happy floating in this cloud. I liked how easy it was (for a change) to add to and publish my web pages to MobileMe. No fuss, no muss, just hit the "publish" button and there it is. It saved me immeasurable amounts of time, as far as tweaking pages after FTP goes, and I could totally customize it to my liking without writing hours of script - something that I'm a novice at anyway.

In short, with iWeb and MobileMe; Time was finally on my side.

I'm sorry, I had to rant. As far as I can see, there is absolutely nothing wrong with iCloud, it looks like it will be 'the next big thing' - except the web hosting omission, in my opinion. To Apple's credit, I get an extra 6 months for free, before termination (I really don't like how that sounds!).

Perhaps the fault lies with me; I recently read an opinion of a tech savvy, young, designer who stated that web sites for artists/illustrators/photographers/designers, were: "so passe". It seems with many, the blog is the showcase of choice. Perhaps I should expand my blog with links to a portfolio page at one of those large portfolio sites, or Flickr ... though, I really think a site serving as my portfolio, with my information is a much better idea, business-wise. Perhaps this ol' broad is lagging behind... I don't know... am I?

I think the idea of reworking my site, to once again hunt for and publish to a new host; after finding a good match; is what's really killing me. Figuratively, not literally... I know I will do what has to be done, in the coming months. I just finally fell in love, with an application... and a web host... and the ease of it all...

Ah, well, they say it never lasts; anyone out there with some sound advice or good leads, drop me a line or comment.

Just remember, "I'm a Mac"... sigh...

 

Ahhh, Mother Nature!

Here it is, more than halfway through May, and this is my first post of the month - oops! Sorry about that! I've been spending a lot of time at the biz, working and working out my next moves. I'm afraid social media has taken a back seat. At any rate, I'm here with a post.

Mother Nature has grabbed the headlines, quite a bit, of late. It's always amazing to me, how the sheer force and fury of nature can leave the advancements of man in such wretched state. Man, somehow, always seems to make a 'come back'; but there's Mother Nature, waiting around the corner, watching. Even the little things, like the flower growing in a crack in a sidewalk, indicate that she'll not take a back seat. The ivy vines that were growing on our building were supposedly burnt out several years ago - here they are again, after two weeks of rain, practically engulfing our home. At some point we'll have to pull them down to re-point the bricks. But, I speak about "Ms. Nature" with respect - her's is not a world of constant destruction - there's beauty, ingenuity and awe in every detail.

It's just one of those "little things"... we all know about those 'bug invasions' of the past few years. There always seem to be ants, termites, even ladybugs were en masse last year. Now, we didn't have a bug problem; there weren't hoards of insects taking over the house; just a very few unknown, uninvited "guests".

For the past few of days, I have been printing out invoices, resumes - the hard copy of business, so to speak. I was trying to printout a sample brochure to check for any errors or any tweaking I might need to do. Now, first, let me preface this tale with this: my printer has 3 small lights, each on a button: 1.) the green light, to let you know it's on, or if it blinks there is a problem with printing; 2.) a red light that indicates when the paper is jammed or needs loaded; and 3.) the red light that comes on when the ink supply is low in one of the cartridges. When you press one of the buttons with its respective light, you are able to deal with whichever problem is at hand. Okay?

So, I'm setting up this brochure on my computer and hit 'print'. The first copy comes through and the black ink is not printing. But I just put a new cartridge in! I clean the print heads, and proceed to print again. This time the paper refuses to feed properly and the small red paper light is blinking. I go through the motions of making sure the paper is placed correctly - it is, there's no paper jams and I try to print - three times! Finally it goes through and I have no idea why it was screwed up in the first place.

The next day, I'm printing, and the red ink light comes on. I check the utility app for the printer - everything is, according to the ink indicator, A-okay. I try to print again. Nothing. I check my computer print set-up. I turn everything off and check connections. I try to print again - victory!

So, the next day, I'm feeling pretty sure that all is well with my little digital world; I turn on the printer an let it come online. Just then, I get a phone call and as I'm talking, I notice that all three of the lights are blinking! WHAT! That's never happened before!

Of course I grab the manual and search it front to back, check the web - nothing on all the lights going off at the same time. So, I'll have to figure this out myself. I press the paper light - nothing happens. I press the ink light - nothing. I press the on/off light - it goes off - at least that's something. Again, turn everything off; check connections; turn everything on - lights are still blinking; check the utility app; then open the top of the printer. The part of the printer that actually prints, the print head, never came online correctly - I could tell by the sequence of noises it makes. So that's where I inspect first. Everything is where it should be, its as it should be, as far as I know ... what now? Okay, the paper feed again. I shine my desk lamp right into the paper areas - no jams. 

Just as I'm thinking that this printer isn't that old and am frustrated to think that I'll have to replace it already; I see this debris on one of the rollers. What is that? Moving the lamp in for a closer look... those look like bug legs! Shining it way to the left of the printer's insides - I see the culprit! A decidedly dead stink bug!

 We didn't have a horrible invasion, the way some places did last summer, so I was very surprised to see him. His body was never crushed - as they say not to crush them, or you will have a strong idea of how they got their name! I was my good fortune that the little critter seemed to be a-goner before I ever tried to use the printer. He some how ended up on a sponge that cleans off eccess ink on the print head cushioning the pressure from the rollers and the head. Get the vacuum!

A stink bug. A little stinkin' stink bug. My printer's sensors were reading it as an ink problem and a paper jam. Good thing he wasn't stinkin' - those would have been some might nasty invoices that I'd sent out! Not to mention the printer!

The printer is fine now. My hi-tech problem was definatly lo-tech.

Ms. Nature and I are even.

 

Modern Times

I've written about my trials and tribulations staying connected to and using all the social networking sites that I have subscribed to. I sometimes have a hard justifying the time doing what needs to be done, business-wise and doing what I should do, marketing-wise. Times have changed. We're working and playing, I might add, on digital gadgets most of the time anymore.

I often tell the story of a play I was once in (I occasionally get the time to 'play' and when I do, I like doing plays). We were in rehearsal, and there were about 8 or 9 young members of the cast and crew that were on their phones or texting friends as to where to meet after the rehearsal was over. The idea was that the 8 or 9 were inviting friends to join all of them in one place. They were all standing within a couple of feet of each other sending out their messages. Apparently, they failed to physically discuss and come to a unanimous decision as to where the spot to meet was. As we left rehearsal, later that evening, they finally communicated with each other, only to find some were set to go here, some told everyone to go there, and other were going somewhere else. They ended up jumping to their phones again.

They were standing within feet of each other... is the operative phrase.

I look at hi-tech as a God-send in many ways. I mean, don't have to 'overnight' some of my art any more... just use an online mail service, or FTP. However, the term "face to face" still has meaning to me. I have clients and sales reps, I've never actually seen. Which can be good or bad, but is still somewhat bothersome to me.

I used to meet some clients in coffee shops, it was a neutral atmosphere, though rarely quiet. But it had that sense of "leisurely out and about" to it, and I never had a client not want to meet there.

I was reading the blog of one of my favorite illustrators, James Gurney; of "Dinotopia" fame, if you're familiar with kids books; he had a 'tech experience', himself... his link:

http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2010/10/cafe-culture.html

Maybe that's why I haven't met too many clients in coffee shops of late...