I am a computer security engineer where I work.

However, in my own personal life, I am just plain very old fashioned.

I made each family member a gortex rain jacket by hand, using a non-computerized sewing machine.

People say this is old fashioned, considering that I work with computers every day.

Well, now I can say to them that my gifts cannot be hacked or DDOS'd.

Vocational shops (metal, wood, electrical, auto, etc) were never available in the private schools (Choate, Andover, Exiter, Milton, Tabor, etc). Even back in the 1960's. The only shop class that Tabor Academy (the prep school that I went to) was repairing the sailboats that are used by the sailing team. Now, I have heard that was eliminated and they have a hired crew do it.

Boston is one of the highest cost of housing areas in the country. I had a tiny one room studio overlooking a back alley back in 1998 that cost $1300 per month (Compare that with 925 per month for a two bedroom apartment here in Portland, Oregon)

I walked a mile to school at about 7:30 in the morning; walked the same mile back home for lunch at about 11 AM (no cafeteria); walked that mile back to school for the afternoon classes which start at about 1:30 PM; and then walked that mile back home in the afternoon at 3:15 PM. This is for elementary school in New England (Lincoln School in Winchester, Massachusetts, in the 1960's) All weather except for snow over 1 foot or so deep. Every school day. No busses. Now, please stop complaining. And get rid of any bus that takes students to school on 1 mile or less. Luv Mark

This person speaks my words as well. Thank you.

Are you with Godiva? If you are: Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I cannot get enough of your chocolates!!!!

Thank you. This friend speaks for me. Don't take the darn picture!

Folks: What would happen if instead of trying to figure out where to send the waste to via rail; we would have a portable vitrification system that can be sent to different power plants via rail. Vitrification (go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V... for the wikipedia article) could possible be implemented via a portable facility that can be transported by rail. The portable vitrification facility would go from power plant to power plant and vitrify the waste to a glass like substance, which should be safer to handle and store. If all you are railroading around the country is a vitrification plant; there should be no problem with local communities. All you are moving around is an electric (or gas) furnace and associated support equipment. If that derails or is involved in an accident, then it would be no worse than just a piece of machinery such as a lathe or miling machine falling off of a train.

Folks: If I was a fed, I would be happy not to go there! That has got to be the most uncomfortable place to hold a conference like this. It's been over 100 degrees there lately. That is hot and uncomfortable!! Can we please move this thing to a place that's cooler and more comfortable, like Seattle or Portland, Oregon??????? Mark

If you are in the Portland, Oregon area; may I please suggest you look at Free Geek for cables and stuff? Their thrift store has a pretty good selection of stuff and it's cheaper then BB or Amazon. I buy the wall-warts that need for my lighted sculptures there. Another place, but it requires more diligence in hunting, is the Goodwill outlet store; the one that us locals call 'The Bins'

Thank you.

So what? Amtrak has seat-side power for your computers. What you say does not make sense. (

Thank you for writing these comics!