No, I never thought Y2K would be a problem. I worked in Apple/Macintosh software from 81–94, then when I opened my Mail Boxes Etc (UPS Store), I was saddled with PC machines. BTW, when I worked at Silicon Beach Software, we published the first grayscale manipulating software for the Mac, Digital Darkroom. I remember seeing two guys in our president Charlie Jackson’s office offering a color version of Digital Darkroom. He turned them down stating “color printers cast $10,000, so there is only a very limited customer base.” Three months later, those same guys published their software as Photoshop by Adobe. Oh well.
In the mid-80s I was working for Roger Wagner Publishing as head of tech support (sounds important but there were only 2 of us). I also wrote both the User and Tutorial manuals for MouseWrite, the first moused-based word processor for the Apple //e. I quickly learned the Apple jargon, eg., never say “hit” Return, but rather “press” Return, and many others. I also recall when windows 95 was released, many Apple folks said, “Windows 95 looks a lot like Mac ‘94.”
I'm sure I used MouseWrite on my Apple //e. That must have been my first encounter with you! Windows 95 was actually the best Windows program for a long time. Many people I knew who had PCs would not upgrade because the other versions of Windows seemed to have a lot of bugs. Were you one of those tech support guys who had to worry over Y2K? That was a crisis that never happened.
I guess you've been to more countries than me too seeing as how you traveled through Europe with the Lightshow. Is that also why you've lived in more places?
Yes, but I'm still a west coast country boy at heart. My West is not the same as your West. Is there any such thing as a True West? Just read your essay on first time moving to LA to work in the movie bidness. I had a similar experience but initially it was to work in the music industry. And I never had to live there, because I lived in the Bay Area - close enough for me!
My idea of the West is based on cowboy movie (and book) lore. Big open spaces, ranches, and cattle towns. Noting "real" about it just my way of being indoctrinated by Roy Rogers.
Most of my time in the Bay Area was during and after the Air Force. The Defense Language Institute was close enough to make me want to travel in the area and look around for what my young mind thought of as hippy-ville. There was also a lot of Western history along the California/Nevada border to explore.
Fascinating "summing up" to quote the original Mr. Maugham. I never knew Springfield was a landing spot for you ... covering high school sports I did for a few years early on (and will, on a rare note, tonight!) Michael, you seem existentially grounded in journalism. You are a fine storyteller.
Thanks. I really liked Springfield at times but like most newspapers of the time (late 1990s) it was a time of transition that kept the old guys (not me) challenged by the new technology.
Lovin’ your quotes. I often do the same - some thing’s to think about 😁
Correcto mundo on the RFL. Peter Marbach was a mutual friend for sure. Never lived in Bend but did see the big changes from the 1970's on. I moved to Portland in 1976 and took a job as Oregon Magazine's Chief
Photographer which was a dream come true after working in newsprint. When the magazine folded I continued with National magazines and Corporate reports. Then came fine art photography for a few years.
Moved to the Gorge in 2001. Of course meeting you was a high point in my stay in The Gorge. Keep up the great writing!
Once again Michael you have come through with the goods. I am waiting with bated breath for the next installation. No sarcasm here! Bend Bulletin etc. Wow. How is it we never met before the RFL project?Oh yeah, I don't get out much.
I had to check. RFL was in 2011 and The Dalles Music Video was 2012. I guess we hired you to work on that because I already knew you... maybe we met via Peter? However it happened I am very glad to call you my friend.
Were you in Bend in the early 00s? We moved to HR in 2003. After I tell my story about Obsidian Trails, I'll begin telling some HR stories. Stay tuned.
No, I never thought Y2K would be a problem. I worked in Apple/Macintosh software from 81–94, then when I opened my Mail Boxes Etc (UPS Store), I was saddled with PC machines. BTW, when I worked at Silicon Beach Software, we published the first grayscale manipulating software for the Mac, Digital Darkroom. I remember seeing two guys in our president Charlie Jackson’s office offering a color version of Digital Darkroom. He turned them down stating “color printers cast $10,000, so there is only a very limited customer base.” Three months later, those same guys published their software as Photoshop by Adobe. Oh well.
Oh yes! Remember those days.
In the mid-80s I was working for Roger Wagner Publishing as head of tech support (sounds important but there were only 2 of us). I also wrote both the User and Tutorial manuals for MouseWrite, the first moused-based word processor for the Apple //e. I quickly learned the Apple jargon, eg., never say “hit” Return, but rather “press” Return, and many others. I also recall when windows 95 was released, many Apple folks said, “Windows 95 looks a lot like Mac ‘94.”
I'm sure I used MouseWrite on my Apple //e. That must have been my first encounter with you! Windows 95 was actually the best Windows program for a long time. Many people I knew who had PCs would not upgrade because the other versions of Windows seemed to have a lot of bugs. Were you one of those tech support guys who had to worry over Y2K? That was a crisis that never happened.
Damn, you've been in more states than I have! But I lived more places, so I guess that makes us even, sort of...
I guess you've been to more countries than me too seeing as how you traveled through Europe with the Lightshow. Is that also why you've lived in more places?
Yes, but I'm still a west coast country boy at heart. My West is not the same as your West. Is there any such thing as a True West? Just read your essay on first time moving to LA to work in the movie bidness. I had a similar experience but initially it was to work in the music industry. And I never had to live there, because I lived in the Bay Area - close enough for me!
My idea of the West is based on cowboy movie (and book) lore. Big open spaces, ranches, and cattle towns. Noting "real" about it just my way of being indoctrinated by Roy Rogers.
Most of my time in the Bay Area was during and after the Air Force. The Defense Language Institute was close enough to make me want to travel in the area and look around for what my young mind thought of as hippy-ville. There was also a lot of Western history along the California/Nevada border to explore.
Fascinating "summing up" to quote the original Mr. Maugham. I never knew Springfield was a landing spot for you ... covering high school sports I did for a few years early on (and will, on a rare note, tonight!) Michael, you seem existentially grounded in journalism. You are a fine storyteller.
Thanks. I really liked Springfield at times but like most newspapers of the time (late 1990s) it was a time of transition that kept the old guys (not me) challenged by the new technology.
Lovin’ your quotes. I often do the same - some thing’s to think about 😁
Correcto mundo on the RFL. Peter Marbach was a mutual friend for sure. Never lived in Bend but did see the big changes from the 1970's on. I moved to Portland in 1976 and took a job as Oregon Magazine's Chief
Photographer which was a dream come true after working in newsprint. When the magazine folded I continued with National magazines and Corporate reports. Then came fine art photography for a few years.
Moved to the Gorge in 2001. Of course meeting you was a high point in my stay in The Gorge. Keep up the great writing!
I loved working with you. RFL was a strange and wonderful experience - especially with ODOT. The Dalles Music Video was a high point. Thanks.
Once again Michael you have come through with the goods. I am waiting with bated breath for the next installation. No sarcasm here! Bend Bulletin etc. Wow. How is it we never met before the RFL project?Oh yeah, I don't get out much.
I had to check. RFL was in 2011 and The Dalles Music Video was 2012. I guess we hired you to work on that because I already knew you... maybe we met via Peter? However it happened I am very glad to call you my friend.
Were you in Bend in the early 00s? We moved to HR in 2003. After I tell my story about Obsidian Trails, I'll begin telling some HR stories. Stay tuned.