Offline most of the time

[Atash Hagmahani]

I got hit with malware. I think my operating system (Windows 98) was already suffering from built-up wear-and-tear, and the malware finished it off.

I'm running off a Knoppix CD. It'll take a few days to re-install the operating system and everything I want on it. I assume this is a slow time anyway.

Check your own computers for malware; something found my FTP password and installed itself on this website. It's been removed, and the password has been changed, but you could have gotten infected. Darwinslair alerted me when it tried something on his computer, but was stopped by his firewall.

I wouldn't bother re-installing windows on my laptop if it were not for the fact that there are a few things that don't come in Linux flavors. Linux is a lot less headache than Windows.

[Eddie]

I was going to mention soon that I've been getting hit with virus alerts every time I come here.
Glad you fixed it.

peace.

[Mike]

Windows 98??

Why so ancient?

I've always liked Windows 98.  My only regret is that I never used Windows Millenium.

I wonders if Windows 98 might be somewhat immune to modern viruses designed to attack XP & Vista & 7?

The last few times I used Windows 98 se, I got the service pack from Exuberant Software.... I think it was a guy in Turkey who had gone to the trouble to gather the relevant updates.

Atash, what is it about 98 that you like?

[Atash Hagmahani]

Sorry about that, Eddie. Have the notifications stopped?

Mike, what makes you think I LIKE Windows 98? But I have to say I like Vista even less.

Have you ever MET me?! LOL, yes, I know you have. You know how frugal I am. All my equipment is under-powered, and relatively old as computer equipment goes. The laptop was bought USED about a year ago, and came with Windows 98 pre-installed in ROM.

It can't run Vista at all; it is too underpowered for that slow, memory intensive operating system. I doubt it can run Windows 7 either.

Opsec suggested installing a dual-boot Linux-Windows system. That's a good idea. Then I can do web development on Windows (because Linux doesn't have many relevant apps), and write and surf using Linux, which is more secure and has a smaller resource footprint, thereby running faster on my modestly-powered laptop.

My New Year's Resolution for this year is to develop a plan to utilize time and money more efficiently. One of my goals is a net worth on the order of $10 million. To do that, I need to make every penny and every minute count.

I hope that doesn't sound greedy, because it's not. Instead, that goal is an accurate reflection of what is needed in order for me to help my network of family and friends achieve our mutual goals, which currently are languishing for lack of automation and the right tools to do the job.

Until I get my act together, a lot of projects will continue to starve for lack of resources and attention.

[Dame]

The way TPTB are expanding the money supply; the best way to make $10M may be to just sit down and wait for real assets to inflate in $ amount.

[offdalip]

Run Windows XP

[Atash Hagmahani]

Duh, I was running XP, no idea why I typed 98, no wonder Mike was scandalized, LOL. I plead exhaustion.

The bad news is that the restore partition is completely missing.

I've inquired with the dealer, to see if they can refer me to someone who can supply the missing restore capabilities. I'll try calling the manufacturer as well; they might be able to send me a system restore CD.

If worse comes to worse I can live with Linux. Might have to if no one will help me. Unfortunately, though, that will make it harder to do certain tasks that Linux has few or no applications for.

[Atash Hagmahani]

Dame, by the time my real assets are worth $10 million, I'll need almost $100 million to get anything done.

Not to mention they'll hit me with a capital gains tax on pure inflation!! :(

I think you've touched on one issue though: regardless of how I make money, my best shot at accumulating significant amounts of capital is to promptly convert profits to inflation hedges.

Now to increase profits...

[offdalip]

by the time my real assets are worth $10 million, I'll need almost $100 million to get anything done.

Not to mention they'll hit me with a capital gains tax on pure inflation!! :(

its called financial repression

[Eddie]

my best shot at accumulating significant amounts of capital is to promptly convert profits to inflation hedges.

Im willing to bet that your banking on this little known so-called secret since there aren't any inflation hedges to be found elsewhere. Unless you know of something different. If it turns out to be true then it's better then any alternative I suppose. If I had a tenth of your financial goal I would immediately leave the US and not look back.


http://www.safehaven.com/article/13913/a-tremendous-secret

[Atash Hagmahani]

Strategic currency devaluation? Maybe. First they would offload as much cash--and ownership of debt--to the public as possible. The pension plans are probably loading up on government bonds.

Doesn't absolutely have to be gold, Eddie, though gold does seem to behave very differently in the markets than other precious metals. At the moment is outperforming Platinum! That does tend to point to being treated differently as a "monetary metal".

I'm stuck in the states for personal reasons, though if I am successful at accumulating capital, yes, I will scout for safer havens to store it. I think what would make the most sense would be to cooperate with others who have the same problems. Everyone doesn't have to reinvent the wheel for himself.

[Ryder]

I like the idea of cooperating with others who have the same problem. On a much smaller scale I am having problems with asset and time allocation for income bolstering. Around my area more than a few folks mine gold. It is sometimes done very quietly and not much is said to anyone. As long as the gov doesn't outlaw the private ownership it could be a interesting wealth accumulating modality. Kind of fun to pan for gold on a summer day as well.

[Eddie]

On a much smaller scale I am having problems with asset and time allocation for income bolstering

Im still looking into NG conversions lately. I think the US will be moving towards this direction at some point in the near future. Many countries already have much of their transpo running on NG.
Here in the US many people have NG in their homes so pumps can be installed at the meter to fill their tanks over night from home.

Of course the war drums have been beating steadily for a while which is the bigger concern lately. 

[Mike]

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cars is a great idea.  A couple years ago I was looking into it.  I had rough guesses of costs:
$6,000 for a pump in the garage.
$600 for a CNG carburetor
And a big question about road tax and permits to do this.

There are Honda CNG cars in LA.  And there are CNG filling stations in LA.

If one wants to know what 'could be,' look to Peru where CNG conversions cost $300, and I assume that includes the high pressure tank.

I don't think it is practical to do anything creative in the US because of government regulation.  Best to move to Peru.

Eddie, what numbers are you seeing, now?

[Eddie]

Hi Mike,

The cost is still high but things could change once production starts to occurr like anything else.
It appears to be the quickest alternative to petro depletion IMO , but as you mention, all the red tape a person has to go through makes it unbearable for the soloist for the time being. But the way I see it, at some point the US won't have a choice but to let up and allow inovation to take place. I suppose it will take someone with deep pockets to give it a head start. Someone like T.Boone Pickens or whatever his name is. So once the word is out, a person could get in on the ground level somehow and maybe start a business.

Just trying to be positive here Mike, while the country slowly transforms itself into National Socialism.
Cooperating with others buddy.....keeping it real.