Now we are on the road to version a. We have some planned upgrades taking place. However, they are almost through. We are going to make it so that version a is the version that will do what it is designed to do. Or at least be a big step towards that. If it really can't do what it's designed to do, it will be dissolved. However, I need some way to make things work.
A historic event took place thus far! All the servers got finished! That makes things easier. Even this blog is part of the ongoing documentation project of the network. It needs to be well documented. That's the end of this long series of posts. You are up to date on what the network is like today, compared to what it was in the past!
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
Friday, December 29, 2017
The Basic Upgrades
I went through some issues with the network working okay. I had to replace some parts that eventually got me to upgrade them.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
My Second Apartment
I finally got my second apartment. I realized as part of the setup, that I was more on the right track maybe than I'd thought. I was stupid to destroy the technology!
So using the documentation, and with a clear mind, I put it back as I'd had it before. But since it didn't work, and do it's job yet, I didn't quit yet. Of course, I was doing other things too.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
So using the documentation, and with a clear mind, I put it back as I'd had it before. But since it didn't work, and do it's job yet, I didn't quit yet. Of course, I was doing other things too.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
My Ruin
I realized that using the technology I was trying to use, the network was never going to work. I needed more skills. Plus I failed to get a job, because I wasn't quite independent enough. I needed my machine to work first. I also needed to simplify my routines.
When I spoke to my Grandparents, they said, "You don't really need that, do you?" Fooled as I was, I decided to agree with them and destroy the technology instead of fixing it. But I preserved the basics I needed to finish the project.
I realized I was going to need help to actually finish the project. So I started to get some help. However, through some choices I won't go into, I was away for awhile...
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
When I spoke to my Grandparents, they said, "You don't really need that, do you?" Fooled as I was, I decided to agree with them and destroy the technology instead of fixing it. But I preserved the basics I needed to finish the project.
I realized I was going to need help to actually finish the project. So I started to get some help. However, through some choices I won't go into, I was away for awhile...
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
My First Apartment
After finding out that I wouldn't get another job, and couldn't do anything but work on the computers in needless ways, I realized that NOTHING was ever going to work THERE. So I looked for a way out.
I learned of an apartment in Ellensburg. I took the chance and went to the apartment. With no other ideas on how to take care of myself, that was the beginning of today's network. I got pieces together from my older network, and put them together to make a rudimentary network just as I had before. But I was not done.
The network could not control me. I had to control the network. I decided that I would need some servers. So I started to create some servers. There was main1 and main2.
Unfortunately, this would not do what I needed it to do, so I was unhappy with it. I kept working.
I should note though, that I did NOT work on just that. Freed to do whatever I wanted again, I dedicated time to physical work as well. I was pretty happy. Unfortunatly, I was going for a job. I didn't know I wasn't independent enough "yet" to do the job.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
I learned of an apartment in Ellensburg. I took the chance and went to the apartment. With no other ideas on how to take care of myself, that was the beginning of today's network. I got pieces together from my older network, and put them together to make a rudimentary network just as I had before. But I was not done.
The network could not control me. I had to control the network. I decided that I would need some servers. So I started to create some servers. There was main1 and main2.
Unfortunately, this would not do what I needed it to do, so I was unhappy with it. I kept working.
I should note though, that I did NOT work on just that. Freed to do whatever I wanted again, I dedicated time to physical work as well. I was pretty happy. Unfortunatly, I was going for a job. I didn't know I wasn't independent enough "yet" to do the job.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
What I'd Become
I was using the money from the job, to purchase network equipment to build my system. That was when I learned about and got my most important server. My NAS.
However, after I was laid off, all I was able to do was work on their network and do requests for them the way they wanted.
I tried to get them to let me at least be as independent as I was when I was at Seaverson House, and go from there, possibly formulating another plan. But they wouldn't let me! Therefore, what I'd become was just someone working on a computer all day for free.
I became really unhappy there. I was looking for a way to get happy again.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
However, after I was laid off, all I was able to do was work on their network and do requests for them the way they wanted.
I tried to get them to let me at least be as independent as I was when I was at Seaverson House, and go from there, possibly formulating another plan. But they wouldn't let me! Therefore, what I'd become was just someone working on a computer all day for free.
I became really unhappy there. I was looking for a way to get happy again.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
My Job
The job end had payed off. I got a job finally at the Auburn School District IT Buidling. For the first time I was pretty happy.
I continued to apply my newfound skills to the network. It was at that point, I made a turning point again. I found that I would have a better chance of building things if I was able to put tomorrow's technology together with today's technology. That was instead of creating tomorrow's technology from scratch.
Unfortunately, my job didn't last forever. I was laid off.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
I continued to apply my newfound skills to the network. It was at that point, I made a turning point again. I found that I would have a better chance of building things if I was able to put tomorrow's technology together with today's technology. That was instead of creating tomorrow's technology from scratch.
Unfortunately, my job didn't last forever. I was laid off.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
SunRay's Villa Adult Family Home
The group home changed it's name. Along with that, a few changes were made. One was that I was able to get a new laptop. My first laptop ever. I was also able to connect to the Internet. Then I started working on their network to make that work.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
New System Adult Family Home
Since they could see that it was going to take me longer, they decided to put me in a group home group home. It was for the adult system. I could've jumped some steps, but they didn't realize that or let me.
I have a disability that can sometimes impact my social abilities. Therefore, what I did that I thought was right was this: I looked around and copied what other people were doing. They were sitting playing games, so I thought that was what I was supposed to do.
So that is what I did. Only, instead of sitting play games, I was sitting working on my computer. I was dedicating the full time work to figuring out how to create my adaptions. Why didn't I copy them verbatim? I wasn't quite that confused, just a little.
I worked on trying to create an OS, to use as the basis for my adaption. When that proved to be too hard, I worked on trying to get my OS perfect, so that I could use it and see what it was capable of.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
I have a disability that can sometimes impact my social abilities. Therefore, what I did that I thought was right was this: I looked around and copied what other people were doing. They were sitting playing games, so I thought that was what I was supposed to do.
So that is what I did. Only, instead of sitting play games, I was sitting working on my computer. I was dedicating the full time work to figuring out how to create my adaptions. Why didn't I copy them verbatim? I wasn't quite that confused, just a little.
I worked on trying to create an OS, to use as the basis for my adaption. When that proved to be too hard, I worked on trying to get my OS perfect, so that I could use it and see what it was capable of.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
Seaverson House
Through some incidents I won't go into here, I was taken out of my foster home and placed in Seaverson House. Seaverson House was a group home designed to teach you more independent living skills. I was ready for it, but my network was not. Therefore I couldn't get past a certain point.
I'd gotten an older machine, and I didn't know what to do with it. So, what I figured out, was that I could network them together and make them work. I'd also gotten a smaller machine, which was 1GB hard drive. I was able to network all 3 machines together and create a server on the 1 GB machine. Then I also got a copy of Windows XP. I'd believed it wouldn't function on my computers.
I then was able to create a networked system where I could store files on other machines, and have my first NAS. It wasn't much, but it was a start. But when I got the new computer, my grandparents wanted me to get rid of the network. I stupidly obeyed, but kept the switch and cords. Little did I know, that was a stupid choice.
With graduation money, I'd gotten a new computer running Windows XP. I was able to use that machine to do more, such as learn to make movies. I didn't know how to use the older machines in a way that would do me as much good though.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
I'd gotten an older machine, and I didn't know what to do with it. So, what I figured out, was that I could network them together and make them work. I'd also gotten a smaller machine, which was 1GB hard drive. I was able to network all 3 machines together and create a server on the 1 GB machine. Then I also got a copy of Windows XP. I'd believed it wouldn't function on my computers.
I then was able to create a networked system where I could store files on other machines, and have my first NAS. It wasn't much, but it was a start. But when I got the new computer, my grandparents wanted me to get rid of the network. I stupidly obeyed, but kept the switch and cords. Little did I know, that was a stupid choice.
With graduation money, I'd gotten a new computer running Windows XP. I was able to use that machine to do more, such as learn to make movies. I didn't know how to use the older machines in a way that would do me as much good though.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
My New Room
Me and my foster sister, eventually traded rooms. The intent was to help me to begin to learn to be more independent. It helped, but there was more work yet to be done.
I switched rooms and then got an upgrade to my computer. This one was far better. It had a 10 GB hard drive, which was pretty big back then. It also had a zip disk drive in it. That was my first use for zip disks at home. I could store 100 MB at a time.
I continued to create programs and learn programming. I decided that I would have to restart things by creating an OS. That's because no existing OS was good enough for me for then. So to aid in that, I got SuSe Linux 9.0 for Christmas, and learned Linux as well.
My attempt at using computers in these ways was to use them to overcome my disability and become more independent. Plus, my goal was to create a job for myself later down the road.
I failed at using it to become more independent at that time. It was a good idea, but by needing to create my own OS, I was simply creating more work for myself. I didn't have time for a full time job or any housework or anything. It took all my time just to maintain the computer. I enjoyed it, but my plan failed. If I would have been smart, I would have thought of another way to make things work right then and there, but I didn't. It's not that using computers was a bad idea, but I was not yet using them the right way.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
I switched rooms and then got an upgrade to my computer. This one was far better. It had a 10 GB hard drive, which was pretty big back then. It also had a zip disk drive in it. That was my first use for zip disks at home. I could store 100 MB at a time.
I continued to create programs and learn programming. I decided that I would have to restart things by creating an OS. That's because no existing OS was good enough for me for then. So to aid in that, I got SuSe Linux 9.0 for Christmas, and learned Linux as well.
My attempt at using computers in these ways was to use them to overcome my disability and become more independent. Plus, my goal was to create a job for myself later down the road.
I failed at using it to become more independent at that time. It was a good idea, but by needing to create my own OS, I was simply creating more work for myself. I didn't have time for a full time job or any housework or anything. It took all my time just to maintain the computer. I enjoyed it, but my plan failed. If I would have been smart, I would have thought of another way to make things work right then and there, but I didn't. It's not that using computers was a bad idea, but I was not yet using them the right way.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
My Programming Skills
I was finding about then, that I was needing more programs. I didn't have money to buy the programs I needed, and my foster parents wouldn't buy them for me. So I began to attempt to create programs. Thus was the start of logger and stuff like that, which has since been created and recreated.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Setting Up Operating Systems
Unfortunately, I couldn't have a stable OS forever. My Windows 98 computer was not always stable. I ended up having to redo the OS.
I at first, ran to my foster Dad, but he said he wanted me to learn how to do it myself. So, with a pain, I learned by teaching myself how to install the OS. All I could re-install, however, was Windows 95. But it was sufficient for me.
I installed Windows 95, and by reinstalling over and over, I finally got it right! But that was also my first data loss. I learned that before you reinstall and OS, you have to back it up.
I got 50 floppy disks around that time, so that I could be able to back up in the future. From there, there was my first backup. But to this day, I'm a little behind at backing up OSs...
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
I at first, ran to my foster Dad, but he said he wanted me to learn how to do it myself. So, with a pain, I learned by teaching myself how to install the OS. All I could re-install, however, was Windows 95. But it was sufficient for me.
I installed Windows 95, and by reinstalling over and over, I finally got it right! But that was also my first data loss. I learned that before you reinstall and OS, you have to back it up.
I got 50 floppy disks around that time, so that I could be able to back up in the future. From there, there was my first backup. But to this day, I'm a little behind at backing up OSs...
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
The Beginning of Programming
I wanted to practice typing more, with my newfound ability. I also wanted to learn new abilities, so that I wouldn't be left in the dust when it came to computers.
So, I checked out a book, called "Beginning Batch File Programming" from the school library. I worked through to book, and honed my typing skills more.
This was the beginning of the standard scripts, as they are called today. Back then, they were called Dennis' Batch Files.
Then came time to return the book. I returned it, sadly. But I wasn't through learning programming. I was only through with that language.
I got the book, C++ for Dummies for Christmas, at my request. I origionally thought that my Dad had known this material and that he would want me to take that as a next step.
Little did I know, I was learning more than him.
However, I learned it. It was a good next step for me. That was the beginning of how I started to program.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
So, I checked out a book, called "Beginning Batch File Programming" from the school library. I worked through to book, and honed my typing skills more.
This was the beginning of the standard scripts, as they are called today. Back then, they were called Dennis' Batch Files.
Then came time to return the book. I returned it, sadly. But I wasn't through learning programming. I was only through with that language.
I got the book, C++ for Dummies for Christmas, at my request. I origionally thought that my Dad had known this material and that he would want me to take that as a next step.
Little did I know, I was learning more than him.
However, I learned it. It was a good next step for me. That was the beginning of how I started to program.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
How It All Started
I had to overcome typing issues (probably fine motor skills issues). I was very interested in having my typing skills not hold me back from working later on. I'm held back right now, but not due to that.
I struggled throughout my childhood to learn typing skills. I took typing classes about every year from 4th grade on, passing them, but not knowing enough typing skills to do enough work. Sometimes failing them too. It goes to show that just because you pass or fail a class, does NOT mean you know the material sometimes...
I'd had access to computers at school, since 1st grade. But it was when we got the Apple IIC and the Windows 95 computer that I really began to learn about computers.
First, I learned about the mouse, from the Apple IIC. Then I learned many standard computer skills from my Dad, such as using Excel. I liked to practice those skills, and I didn't let typing hold me back.
I created a document (lost now), called Dennis' Typing Practice. It was a journal. I loved to spend time on it. All the while, it could fit on a single floppy disk.
I moved to a foster home, and used their computer. I seemed to mess it up with my experiments. But some of the things I continued to do were edit Dennis' Typing practice. Using the computer was becoming more common at school too.
Finally, after a fire, I got my own computer. It was a gift from my foster parents. At school, I was just beginning to master typing finally. I finished it with my own computer at my disposal. But this was just the beginning of a long computer journey, leading to this network.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
I struggled throughout my childhood to learn typing skills. I took typing classes about every year from 4th grade on, passing them, but not knowing enough typing skills to do enough work. Sometimes failing them too. It goes to show that just because you pass or fail a class, does NOT mean you know the material sometimes...
I'd had access to computers at school, since 1st grade. But it was when we got the Apple IIC and the Windows 95 computer that I really began to learn about computers.
First, I learned about the mouse, from the Apple IIC. Then I learned many standard computer skills from my Dad, such as using Excel. I liked to practice those skills, and I didn't let typing hold me back.
I created a document (lost now), called Dennis' Typing Practice. It was a journal. I loved to spend time on it. All the while, it could fit on a single floppy disk.
I moved to a foster home, and used their computer. I seemed to mess it up with my experiments. But some of the things I continued to do were edit Dennis' Typing practice. Using the computer was becoming more common at school too.
Finally, after a fire, I got my own computer. It was a gift from my foster parents. At school, I was just beginning to master typing finally. I finished it with my own computer at my disposal. But this was just the beginning of a long computer journey, leading to this network.
--- Dennis Earl Smiley ---
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