Like the Good Ol' Days

[furtech]

Here I am-- at Kinkos at nearly two in the morning. Back in the day I'd spend many a night at the 24/7 kinkos: doing layouts, typesetting and other things related to getting a comic or 'zine out. I got to the point where the graveyard shift and I knew each other well enough for them (usually only one, actually) to step out for coffee leaving me alone to watch the place (or at least look like they were just in the back, instead of at 7/11).

I'm doing a project for the L.A. Worldcon (a massive crossword puzzle) and it takes about ten minutes to re-try the puzzle (there's a lot of processing). I'm trying to get a decent grid (one that has a lot of crossings) and it's SLoooooOOOoooow work. Mostly sitting and trying to find ways to kill time while it grinds away. I forgot how much I hate this sort of thing.

Unfortunately, this is a Windows-only program, so no finishing at my comfy computer hole. Good program, though! Highly recommended-- and it's *free*! Must find way to throw money at them (it's a really good program).

If you're interested in creating crosswords, check 'em out:

http://www.eclipsecrossword.com

Back to lollygagging through LJ...thank goodness for the internet connection!

Comments

[okojosan.livejournal.com]

Just be glad you don't have to design the crossword puzzle by hand!

Sounds like coffee-time!

[farraptor.livejournal.com]

I always thought having one of those massive crosswords on the wall would be cool to have as 'wall art' for the apartment. The black and white checkered effect adds a little artistic uniqueness to an otherwise standard (booooring) wall. It'd be great fun to fill out with a girlfriend (with 'penalties' for wrong word guesses :P)

Anyway, have a great time at WorldCon, though. I'm going to try and make it down there for one of the days this comming week, but I'm not entirely sure if I'll be able to pull it off.

*Holds up schedule* Rats! Between work and events promised to other friends, it seems like I can never get ahead.

[fishbliss.livejournal.com]

Heh, I've clocked a few dozen hours at the Palo Alto Kinkos this past week, getting all the bits of printing ready for this weekend's HotChips conference.

Today's Tutorials went very well; tomorrow and Tuesday are the conference sessions.

I'd like to observe that when Fedex bought Kinko's they converted them to the Fedex order placement and tracking systems. These may have worked well for Fedex, but they suck for a printing and copying outfit.

Given where we are with the state of computer hardware and software, it's amazing how much stuff is still handwritten. I'd expect proofs to have thumbnails of each page, plus well-designed icons and symbols to indicate print color, paper color, quantities, finishing, delivery and due dates, etc.

For our 250,000 impression job the totals delivered were tracked with handwritten paper signs on the wall by the back door. They're not totally sure how many copies of the Proceedings they printed; I think I have better numbers for that then they do.

I do enjoy being in the place, and working around there. And most of the employees have many clues, and are dedicated and motivated. Pity their Corporate management doesn't understand how they've broken what used to be such a wonderful thing.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Actually, in some ways doing it manually (with graph paper) would be kind of fun...like scrabble almost. The part that would be easier are all the tiny words that connect the larger words. I would have loved this program if you could tweak the puzzle they generate.

Still, it's a great puzzle maker!

Re: Sounds like coffee-time!

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I can sympathize...I way over-committed this year. Pooped.

[furtech.livejournal.com]

I agree: Kinkos (for all their faults and changes) always tended to do things right. The employees seem far more clueful than at other printing places and their prices aren't that out of line. I think the workers at the 24/7 Kinkos are more on the ball than at other locations (probably because they do big jobs at night for corporate customers). I was so glad FedEx bought them instead of UPS.

I agree with the handwritten stuff, but there have been changes: now you can send a printable file to a Kinkos and have them print it there without you having to go in. I could have emailed the puzzle to a Kinkos near the Anaheim Convention center and have them drop it off. Pretty neat.

[fishbliss.livejournal.com]

True, but you can't email multiple-hundreds of megabyte files. :-(

[c-eagle.livejournal.com]

wow... deja vu.. 8>
remember mannnnny a night at the Burbank or Fullerton or Pasadena Kinkos..

[burmecian-storm.livejournal.com]

Best of luck on the crosswords! I don't think I'd have the patience to do all of this... x_x

Heya, if you have the chance, I have several questions concerning "formed" fursuits that I would love to ask a master ^_^. Can I drop you an email?

[furtech.livejournal.com]

Sorry-- hadn't checked older entries in a while. Sure-- email me at
my Lj username at akela dot com