Bad Astronomy Chat!

[Wolverine]

Hear ye, hear ye...

I've opened a Bad Astronomy Chat group on Paltalk (http://www.paltalk.com/PalTalkSite/). Paltalk is free voice chat software with text support. It's a fun program I've used for quite a while, and I thought it'd be nice to create an environment for interested people to chat about the same goodies we discuss here on the board, in a more interactive, real-time format.

System requirements for Paltalk:
Windows 98/ME/NT4/2000/XP
166MHz Processor with 16MB of RAM or better
28.8kbps Modem or better
Full-Duplex sound card required for audio

Getting started:

1) Create an account on Paltalk (http://register.paltalk.com/reg/PalTalkRegister.jsp?), providing a valid e-mail address. (Make sure to uncheck the "Send me newsletters and affiliate information" boxes to prevent receiving unwanted solicitations.)

2) After you submit your registration, follow the prompts to download and install the Paltalk software. (Make sure to uncheck box detailing the added "search companion" software on the page that pops up after you've entered your registration information, it's an unnecessary add-on.)

3) When you log on to Paltalk for the first time, you will be prompted to enter a registration code sent to the e-mail address you used in registration, in order to activate your account. As soon as you enter that code, you'll be logged on.

4) If you have a microphone and wish to participate in voice, follow the prompts and run the Paltalk audio test before joining this or any other chatroom in order to make sure your mic is functioning properly. (You don't have to have a mic to participate, feel free to type in text if you're more comfortable doing so.)

5) If you're having any problems with the software, consult the help files and user guides on this page (http://www.paltalk.com/PalTalkSite/support/support.html).

To find the chatroom:
Once you've logged on to Paltalk, click on the Groups list.
From the categories listing, find and double-click on the Social Issues category.
Whatever rooms are active in Social Issues will be displayed, by default, according to the number of users in each group. If you wish to sort the group list alphabetically in order to spot the room more easily, click on the bar that says Social Issues - Group List.
Double-click on Bad Astronomy Chat to join the group.

Remember: The room may not always be open; because of the way Paltalk works, the administrator (moi) or moderators (if/when added) must manually open the room in order for it to be active. If you don't see the room on the groups list it's likely not be open, check back at another time.

Chatroom Rules:

In an effort to keep things streamlined (no idea how many people will choose to participate), IMHO the same sort of ground rules (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/faq.php#0) that apply here on BABB would be the most appropriate.

Some things obviously wouldn't apply, as it's real-time voice+text chat and not a message board, and I'm obviously not The BA, that sort of thing -- but I think it's simple enough: maintain "G-rating" decorum (i.e. no swearing or lewd stuff, it's an all-ages atmosphere), be polite, no personal attacks, refrain from politics/religion unless there's a very specific tie-in with astronomical goodies. Don't get me wrong, wide latitude will exist in the environment, to include BABBling and casual chat -- we don't have to limit discussions specifically to astronomical matters. You'll see what the atmosphere is like if you decide to come onboard and give it a shot, and I promise to run a very fair, tolerant group.

As with any Internet environment, be it chatrooms or message boards, Paltalk rooms at times fall victim to trolls and disruptors ("room raiders" as we call them). Attempts to derail, hijack, troll, or disrupt this chatroom will be dealt with swiftly, as that sort of behavior will not be tolerated.

So there you have it! Today is the inaugural day of Bad Astronomy Chat. :)

If you have problems finding the room or need assistance not detailed in the help section I listed above, feel free to send me a PM here on the board and I'll do my best to help.

Hope to see ya! 8)

*edited to fix a silly typo

[Wolverine]

BTW: the chatroom is open now at the time of this posting, and I plan to keep it open for at least the next several hours.

[The Bad Astronomer]

My thanks to Wolverine for doing this. I stopped by a couple of times, and there were 40+ people in there! :o That makes it a very popular room for Social Issues. Congrats!

I have made this a sticky, BTW.

[Sever]

I think I'll try this...

[Tranquility]

What time is it gonna be open usually? (in GMT for the mercy of those living on the other side of the Atlantic :D )

[Sever]

Neat program.

[Dark Helmet]

there is an IRC channel too!

irc.sorcery.net:6667

channel #babb

[AstroSmurf]

Of course, it had to be Wintel-based. :-?

Probably best this way, though, as otherwise I'd be spending time there instead of working... 8-[

[Argos]

It´ll be nice to hear the voice of the fellows. Got to find my mic...

[Wolverine]

What time is it gonna be open usually? (in GMT for the mercy of those living on the other side of the Atlantic :D )

It'll be open periodically in the afternoon/evening my time -- I'd say the best time to look would be 21:00 - 03:00 GMT. This may vary though... the conversation was so good yesterday, I kept the room open much longer than I'd intended. :)

[Wolverine]

Of course, it had to be Wintel-based. :-?

I know, it's unfortunate. :(

Maybe in the future they'll offer something compatible with other platforms. I do know one person that's able to run PT under some sort of PC emulation software via his Mac, but the Linux devotees seem to be left out in the cold.

[Wolverine]

My thanks to Wolverine for doing this. I stopped by a couple of times, and there were 40+ people in there! :o That makes it a very popular room for Social Issues. Congrats!

Whew! It was a heck of a first day, we must've had several hundred people come through, and at peak there were better than 50 chatters in the room (58 at highest, if I remember correctly). Not bad for a first effort. :)

It was great to get some new BABBers in the room as well, and hopefully we'll see more in the future.

Fun stuff. 8)

[Sever]

My user name is Sever_Energia BTW. Thought everyone should know that. It was great last night.

[Wolverine]

Hey, come to think of it, it'd be helpful for those participating to post here along with the username they're under so that people can keep an eye out for one another, especially if folks secure different nicknames from their handles here on BABB. :)

My user name is ll Wolverine ll. (Case sensitive -- had to add the goofy extras because my name's always taken.)

[Sever]

All sorts of other rooms too.
One where you can speak on a radio station in Isreal and a UFO room.

[Fidelio]

Congrats Wolv...good work sir.

[Lycus]

So when's karaoke night? :o http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/images/smiles/eusa_sick.gif :-#

:P

[Wolverine]

So when's karaoke night? :o http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/images/smiles/eusa_sick.gif :-#

:P

Never. Karaoke is evil.

:lol:

[ToSeek]

So when's karaoke night? :o http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/images/smiles/eusa_sick.gif :-#

:P

Great! We can take turns singing the songs from this thread. (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=14436) :lol:

[xbck1]

We could sing Tom Lehrer songs! Maybe our own rendition of the "Boot to the Head" series? Perhaps we could continue where Gary Larson left off: "Feelers..." :D

[Wolverine]

Room's open now.

Tonight we'll have a simulcast of The BA's radio interview on SkyTour, 22:10 Eastern/ 03:10 GMT. Details are on the main page.

[Archer17]

Cool Wolverine. I just registered with same handle as here. I need to get a mike for my computer .. beats the heck out of typing! :wink:

[Musashi]

Yay! Maybe when Archer shows up I will finally take the mic.

[Brady Yoon]

Quick question: Are computer mics any different from normal mics?

[Brady Yoon]

The paltalk chat is open, so come on in everyone! :)

[Wolverine]

Quick question: Are computer mics any different from normal mics?

It depends on the nature of microphone, and what you mean by "normal" mics.

Certain manufacturers offer desktop and headset mics for PC applications which purportedly have "noise-cancelling" features to help eliminate background noise. The most common differences between PC mics and those designed for pro audio applications are the quality of the components and construction, impedance, connector type (XLR & 1/4" mono versus the tip/ring/sleeve or mono 1/8" miniplug that most sound cards accept), sensitivity & frequency response, and pickup pattern (e.g. omnidirectional, cardioid, etc.); more here (http://arts.ucsc.edu/ems/music/tech_background/TE-20/teces_20.html).

I bypass the usage of cheapie microphones because I happen to have a couple of excellent quality pro audio mics. Since there are appropriate jacks on my PC, I use my ATM63HE (http://www.audio-technica.com/prodpro/profiles/ATM63HE.html) for voice chat.

[zebo-the-fat]

I used the site yesterday, text was great but the received audio kept dropping out, I think it's a problem at my end but not sure. (I have a 512k/sec broadband connection that should be fast enough???) :o

[Wolverine]

Notice:

In regard to the Paltalk chatroom...

While Paltalk software supports webcams, given that I am not a Paltalk subscriber, and don't have the ability to monitor people's cams in real-time during chat sessions, I have chosen to disable video in Bad Astronomy Chat. The room still supports real-time voice chat and text. :)

Paltalk subscribers, i.e. those users whose names show in blue on the user list, have access to "full-motion" video, whereas non-subscribers, whose names display in black on the user list, see single, still frames.

It has come to my attention of late that certain users/trolls on Paltalk (not from the BABB), occasionally descend upon G-rated, family-oriented rooms like ours, activate their webcams, and sometimes do things that are not appropriate for an all-ages audience. Nothing necessarily obscene, mind you, but all things considered, to best preserve the guidelines for the room, I've deactivated video capability. This may or may not be permanent, we'll see.

Just wanted to let you know before BABBers go nuts trying to figure out why their webcams aren't publishing. ;)

[Tranquility]

Can we just chat using text without having a mic and using voice?

[Musashi]

Yeah.

[Wolverine]

Can we just chat using text without having a mic and using voice?

Sure! There's full text support, and mics are not required for the room. :)

[Tranquility]

Thanks Musashi and Wolverine!

[Wolverine]

Anytime. :)

Further... we're up to 29 BABBers at present by my count, not counting myself. Now, the trick is to get everyone in the room at the same time. ;)

Our numbers keep growing. 8)

[Brady Yoon]

Does the mic work with any internet connection, even a 28 K dialup?

[Wolverine]

Does the mic work with any internet connection, even a 28 K dialup?

While users on better connections generally tend to have fewer audio-related problems, a 28 kb/s connection should work for audio transmission -- but remember that at low connection speeds, having multiple programs open like browsers and instant messaging programs can really detract from your performance.

[Wolverine]

Just a heads-up: if the room isn't open as frequently at night in the short term, it's because I'm slightly distracted at the moment (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=14730). :D

Knowing my luck, I'm sure it'll be overcast for long periods now, so this too shall pass. :lol:

[Wolverine]

Well, you know you're doing something right when other people start trying to clone your Paltalk room name. :lol:

Just a reminder, the room title does not change from Bad Astronomy Chat, it's always in the Social Issues category on Paltalk, and is always G-rated. Similarly-titled groups not matching this exact description have been recently created by trolls/troublemakers I'd bounced/banned or people who don't like our room. Just ignore them, and remember that we can't be imitated, let alone duplicated. 8)

[clinttaylor]

Well, you know you're doing something right when other people start trying to clone your Paltalk room name. :lol:

Just a reminder, the room title does not change from Bad Astronomy Chat, it's always in the Social Issues category on Paltalk, and is always G-rated. Similarly-titled groups not matching this exact description have been recently created by trolls/troublemakers I'd bounced/banned or people who don't like our room. Just ignore them, and remember that we can't be imitated, let alone duplicated. 8)

At first I thought you were kidding. Then I remembered this is paltalk you're talking about. What a shame.

[Wolverine]

At first I thought you were kidding. Then I remembered this is paltalk you're talking about. What a shame.

Heya Clint!!! Didn't realize you were registered here. :)

The cloners have long since abandoned interest, as I suspected would happen. :wink:



That aside, sorry the room hadn't been open the last couple of days. My keyboard died and I was PC-handicapped as a result. Got new keys today and all is right once again.

[Dark Helmet]

whats wrong with IRC?

):

not everyone likes paltalk.

like me, I don't like paltalk.....

[Lycus]

whats wrong with IRC?

):

not everyone likes paltalk.

like me, I don't like paltalk.....
Well, the part of PalTalk that seemed to impress the BA is the ability to actually speak to everyone over a microphone.

[Sever]

And the IRC room is basicly dead.

[Wolverine]

whats wrong with IRC?

Nothing. The Paltalk room is a bit more lively and has some additional capabilities, that's all.

[Brady Yoon]

What's wrong with Paltalk? :-?

[xbck1]

I notice that the Pal Talk room is more for real science stuff and the IRC room is for... different things. Perhaps we can improvise? How about fluff goes to IRC and science goes to PalTalk?

[JohnOwens]

whats wrong with IRC?

):

not everyone likes paltalk.

like me, I don't like paltalk.....
Well, the part of PalTalk that seemed to impress the BA is the ability to actually speak to everyone over a microphone.
Except that that 'everyone' isn't really 'everyone'. It's that subset of everyone that has a Windows system and a PalTalk client. I feel very strongly about this: for things like this, people should stick with open standards (not necessarily open source, it's a different thing) software so that any system can be programmed for, not just the ones popular enough to show up on some company's radar. This is the Internet, not a Windows-only playground. Or at least, I certainly hope so.
So tell me how I can be a part of "everyone" without turning my part of the Internet into Gates' dumping grounds.

[Musashi]

Here is the problem. Dr. Plaitt has been using PalTalk for a while. Wolverine is also very comfortable with the service. So, he started a room, with no intent for it to be the 'be-all end-all' and a lot of people have decided that they enjoy Paltalk also. Occasionally Dr. Plaitt comes by, and that is a joyous occasion for us. But in the end, it is a fan administered room that works as a great place for most of us to meet. It sucks that the program s not available on Mac, but Wolverine's choice of PalTalk was not made to exclude Mac users or to insult them in any way. So, the question is, is there a voice chat room service that is available on Mac, MS, Linux, and other platforms?

[clinttaylor]

At first I thought you were kidding. Then I remembered this is paltalk you're talking about. What a shame.

Heya Clint!!! Didn't realize you were registered here. :)

The cloners have long since abandoned interest, as I suspected would happen. :wink:



That aside, sorry the room hadn't been open the last couple of days. My keyboard died and I was PC-handicapped as a result. Got new keys today and all is right once again.

Yeah, I've been here awhile, but haven't posted much. Glad to hear the clones got wise.

Whitesnake killed your computer. The zetards told me...

:P

[Wolverine]

Update:

Sorry the room hasn't been open the last few days like usual, this won't be permanent. I've had bad problems with my ISP recently and have been unable to get or stay online. Hopefully things will be back to normal shortly. Apologies for the lapse.

no speaker in Linux lab
wandered about to find the speaker in FAB {tek lab} which moved here
tried duck {did not work here} message fromMs.
http://web.pdx.edu/~pdx00782/au/sound.html click DUCK
no audio from this thread did I find 10:27 am PST 9/27 as above?

[Lycus]

http://web.pdx.edu/~pdx00782/au/sound.html click DUCK no audio from this thread did I find 10:27 am PST 9/27 as above?
HUb', is the male voice at the beginning of a couple of your sound files (such as "-Theme song-" and "-1 OB-") your voice?

http://web.pdx.edu/~pdx00782/au/sound.html click DUCK no audio from this thread did I find 10:27 am PST 9/27 as above?
HUb', is the male voice at the beginning of a couple of your sound files (such as "-Theme song-" and "-1 OB-") your voice?



http://register.paltalk.com/reg/ControllerServlet?RequestId=Register.RegisterPalUs er

The page cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for is currently unavailable
---------------------
Linux Lab (FAB) no speaker so did not even try
TEK LAB speaker { could not ?"FIND"? Duck } (I gave up on T/l)
Book store New Mac Machine got DUCK ok got gal to help with Volume
tried to get a sample from Pal but never found a sample ?/?
hERE = NH 437 system does have 18 language gif on toolbar far right
got duck ok.. attempted to REG. but for me I just get "cannot"

[Dark Helmet]

paltalk is windows only, and a closed protocol as well.

thats why I'm still pro-IRC and not a fan of PalTalk (which killed the IRC)

[Trinity]

Does the PalTalk chatroom not exist anymore?

[skeptED56]

Does the PalTalk chatroom not exist anymore?

I think Wolverine is still having problems with his ISP. He did give the admin code to another PT user who has been opening it intermittently. Hopefully, Wolverine will have his ISP problem resolved shortly.

[Trinity]

Just curious, is there a reason we didn't go with an IRC channel?

[Dark Helmet]

no, we have one, just that few people use it anymore, due to the paltalk room.

irc.sorcery.net
#babb

[Charlie in Dayton]

The Java/irc is the only one I can hit because of the ratzenfratzen corporate firewall...

I'm back on nights, so it'd be nice to see a few other folk there to yabble with...

...please?...

[Sever]

I haven't seen the Paltalk room for a while.

[Brady Yoon]

Is the Paltalk room still alive?

[dvb]

Is the Paltalk room still alive?

Good question. Wolverine is the owner of the paltalk room, and Fidelio has been running it from time to time, but it hasn't really been up very often lately.

I've heard that Wolverine is having ISP problems. I haven't seen him online in a while now. :-?

[Lycus]

Wolverine hasn't posted since July 28 (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=306792&highlight=#306792).

[The Bad Astronomer]

Wolv has ISP woes, evidently. I haven't heard from him in quite a while.

[Worm hunter]

Given the state of the irc room lately I wouldnt mind going back the irc room if anyone will join from time to time.

[Colt]

I can try guys but, sadly, yesterday my computer died. Trying to put it simply... The IDE controller went insane and took my CD drive with it and severely corrupted my harddrive. The harddrive had to be formatted and even now we're not sure if it's trustworthy. Problem is I have to wait two months to get a new computer. Bah. - Colt

[SpaceTrekkie]

Okay, SkeptEd56 and myself will be opening the PT room as often as we can from now on. So hopefully it will become more active again, hope to see you all there!

It is open now BTW,

-ST

[Sever]

Yay!!!

[Sever]

No BABB room, but there is a Jim McCanney room(live; in Sociel Issues).

*Waves*

[SpaceTrekkie]

The room is open now...come in and chat...quite a few people in there and the more the merrier!

-ST

[mickal555]

Is chat still up and running because I can never find it

[SpaceTrekkie]

Yes, it is still running, just not all the time. It was open last night. Just keep cheaking back in the evenings, you will be bound to find it open eventually. Remember it is under Social Issues.

-ST

[Colt]

I'm on my new machine now so I can probably get IRC up and running like it was. It's advantage over Paltalk is that I can just keep it open in the taskbar and listen to music where as Paltalk I can't do that. I need to talk to Vermonter about some of the technical issues I'm having with it but we'll figure it out. Looking for the IRC thread to be bumped soon. Having Paltalk and the IRC at the same time would be good. - Colt

[Wolverine]

I'll have the room open tonight for NASA TV coverage of the Titan fly-by.
(A little less than 2 hours from now.)

[Wolverine]

Room's open now.

[Fidelio]

Dangit I can't stay up long enough to get a first peek at the radar images...maybe I oughta quit my job.

[Wolverine]

Just look before you go to work. ;)

Tons to come.

[man on the moon]

System requirements for Paltalk:
Windows 98/ME/NT4/2000/XP
166MHz Processor with 16MB of RAM or better

28.8kbps Modem or better
Full-Duplex sound card required for audio


what happens if we have linux?

[Wolverine]

You curse Microsoft and Paltalk, unfortunately, since Linux isn't supported. :(

Note: The room hasn't been open regularly in recent days, as I was waiting for the election fracas to subside (Paltalk's climate has been less hospitable recently as a result). I also suspect there's been a catch-22 of sorts lately... I haven't been opening the room as much because I hardly see anyone online anymore -- but that might be due to the fact that I haven't opened the room as much. #-o

Perhaps I'll develop a specific schedule and post it here.

[zebo-the-fat]

Perhaps I'll develop a specific schedule and post it here.


Good idea :D

[Wolverine]

Room's open at the time of this posting for anyone that'd like to drop by. ;)

[Sever]

Room's open at the time of this posting for anyone that'd like to drop by. ;)

My computer died. :( :( :(
(I'm typing this on my mothers and she won't allow me to install PT).

[zebo-the-fat]

Room's open at the time of this posting for anyone that'd like to drop by. ;)

My computer died. :( :( :(
(I'm typing this on my mothers and she won't allow me to install PT).

Install it but don't tell her, then hide the icon! :evil:

[man on the moon]

sorry to hear it. perhaps certain among us can restart the irc chatroom. i know i can access that!

[Wolverine]

Sorry. :(

[Sever]

Sorry. :(

I know...At least I can still post here. Hopefully I should be on before Saturday, or at least the HL2 release date. :o

[Wolverine]

You're going to miss this (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=17582)... fortunately or unfortunately... depending on how you look at it. :o

[Wolverine]

Heads-up:

Paltalk has released a new beta version called Messenger 7.0, and they appear to be rather insistent upon people trying it out. I'm pretty leery of beta versions on a new platform (other than PT's 5.0/5.1), so I'm not going to bother with it. I've heard both positive and negative reviews of the new 7.0 version, although the latter outweigh the former.

It seems, though, that they've made the regular, non-beta 5.1 release quite hard to find on their downloads page. As a result, if you're new and wanting to try out Paltalk, or a returning user who used a version prior to Release 5.1, PV 75, Build 553, you can download the standard 553 version directly here (http://support.paltalk.com/PV75B553.exe).

[Wolverine]

In trying to devise a specific schedule for opening Bad Astronomy Chat, I know we have some users overseas on different schedules that might miss out on the preferred times here in the US when the room's opened. As a result, I've considered mixing up the times as best I can to allow consideration for those in non-North American time zones.

Before ectching anything in stone, though, I'd like to try and come up with something as flexible as possible. So, if you're overseas and want to participate, please post below if you have any suggestions. :)

[Sever]

Well, my computer is fixed; I hope to be on sometime.

[zebo-the-fat]

A set schedule of times would be useful. I would find it helpful if you could give the times with the difference to GMT (ie. + or - 5 hours or whatever) :D

[mickal555]

A set schedule of times would be useful. I would find it helpful if you could give the times with the difference to GMT (ie. + or - 5 hours or whatever) :D or GMT + 10 houres :P

[mickal555]

Is it open now or did I miss it?

[Wolverine]

Room's open now in anticipation of tonight's C2C broadcast (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=18510).

[mickal555]

my internet dropped out and now I can't get back in!!

[Wolverine]

Update:

Since the weather here's been uncooperative and trying to get in observing time has been futile, I'll likely have the chatroom open most if not all nights the remainder of this week. Look for it starting around 8:00 PM ET (1:00 GMT... apologies to those across the Atlantic).

In the near future, I also plan on having the room open for coverage of the Deep Impact (http://deepimpact.jpl.nasa.gov/) launch (currently scheduled for January 12th, ~ 1:00 PM ET [~18:00 GMT]), and the Huygens (http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/home/index.cfm) descent January 14th (scheduled (http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Breaking.html)beginning at 3:00 AM ET [9:00 GMT]).

[poorleno]

Please this is an inslut. There's so much platform independant software solutions out there {say IRC, for one}, and you had to go with something that would take me litteraly days to get working on my system. ... ...

Anyone brave enough to set up an IRC solution? Would rock...

[Sever]

Please this is an inslut. There's so much platform independant software solutions out there {say IRC, for one}, and you had to go with something that would take me litteraly days to get working on my system. ... ...

Anyone brave enough to set up an IRC solution? Would rock...

We do, Colt and Vermonter had the up room a while ago. I haven't seen anyone on lately though.

Link. (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=18064&highlight=irc)

[Wolverine]

Please this is an inslut. There's so much platform independant software solutions out there {say IRC, for one}, and you had to go with something that would take me litteraly days to get working on my system.

As Sever pointed out, there has been an IRC room for some time. It, however, does not offer voice capability. Paltalk does have its limitations, and as stated previously, I'm not intentionally excluding those on non-MS platforms. But for what we've been doing, it's free and it works quite well.

P.S.: The room will probably not be opened tonight, as I've been granted the first clear skies in some time, and there are 4 new eyepieces burning a hole in my pocket.

[poorleno]

Well, i'll start mixing some "wine", and it might still roll on this 7.2 :D

[The Bad Astronomer]

I think the word "insult" is un-called for. Wolverine is doing this because he wants to, and is doing everyone a favor.

[mickal555]

Will paltalk be open in two hours for the deep impact launch :D I managed to stall up all night to listen :D

[Wolverine]

The Deep Impact launch is tomorrow, scheduled for 18:47 GMT (1:47 PM ET). And yes, the room will be open about an hour or so ahead of time.

[mickal555]

Its on now so come In!!!

[Wolverine]

Just a reminder:

I'll have the chatroom open marathon-style for coverage of Huygens. The NASA TV/ESA schedules have been posted elsewhere in GA but just to recap, the party will kick off beginning Friday morning at 3:00 AM ET [9:00 GMT].

It's going to be an exciting day, feel free to come hang out and (hopefully) watch history in the making. 8)

[mickal555]

It droped out (the feed) :x :o . Alians planet X who knows.... Wolverine said it will be back on soon (they displayed a graphic). if Wolve dousn't I'll post a message here....

Just thought I'd let everyone know...

[Wolverine]

Back up and running (the chatroom ;) ).

[Wolverine]

Still going strong. Swing by if you'd like to discuss the new presents from Huygens.

[Wolverine]

For earlybirds and/or those overseas, the room will be open this morning, Jan 15th, for the ESA Huygens briefing -- currently scheduled for 5AM ET (10:00 GMT).

[Edited to correct GMT due to sleep deprivation 8-[ ]

[Wolverine]

Regarding the above post, same goes for the ESA briefing (http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM15Y71Y3E_index_0.html) Friday morning on the 21st, same bat time, same bat channel.

[Wolverine]

Chatroom will be open tonight, Jan 21st/22nd, for The BA's appearance on Coast to Coast AM (http://www.coasttocoastam.com/shows/2005/01/21.html). As noted on the main page (http://www.badastronomy.com/), this segment begins at 2:00 AM Eastern/11:00 PM Pacific [07:00 GMT].

[mickal555]

yeah I just noticed... so thats 3 hours from now ?

[Wolverine]

2 hours 47 minutes from the time of this posting. Should have noted, the room will be open slightly in advance...

[mickal555]

Cool 8)

[mickal555]

Rooms open now so come on in everyone... :D

[Obviousman]

Could someone who is a member of the Apollohoax.com forum please let the admin know that the IP range banning is still affecting me?

If I find this xoox character, I'm going to punch him in the mouth for all the problems he has caused!!!!!

[Musashi]

Done.

[Obviousman]

Many thanks, Musashi.

[mickal555]

Is the room still being opened? I havn't been checking lately

[mickal555]

Will it be opened today?


(it's a weekday/public holiday today so the first time in mounths I can check.)

[Wolverine]

Sorry -- hadn't seen the above posts.

For the time being, I won't be opening the room on a regular basis, but will definitely do so for special events (e.g. The BA's radio appearances, the Shuttle Discovery launch, etc.) and shall post about them here as far in advance as possible. If my schedule can accomodate casual hosting in the near future and there's enough demand for the room to be open regularly, this will change (or if I'm unavailable, I can designate a couple more admins if need be).

log on for ShCedule {ing}:

[Archer17]

I still need a microphone .. I thought of jerry-rigging a headset but it probably wouldn't properly convey my sexy voice. :wink:

[zebo-the-fat]

I still need a microphone .. I thought of jerry-rigging a headset but it probably wouldn't properly convey my sexy voice. :wink:

Mmmmm....! pity we can't use video as well! :D

[Archer17]

I'm thinking of buying one of those web-cam thingies.. Just think, you can see me scowl when I post! Sorta like this -- > :x My wife wants to set up a 24/7 cam on our rabbits. :o It's like, "say what?" All they do is lay around and poop. Wow, I can imagine the hits that'll get. :-?

[mickal555]

Information

The topic or post you requested does not exist

Someone deleted something

*taps foot

[Archer17]

That was me. I added the letter "l" to "scow" (and I call myself a writer! #-o ) but instead of editing it, I "quoted" myself and generated another post. :roll: So, thinking "this is going to be one of those days," I maintained my composure, deleted the redundant post, and managed to get it right on my second attempt... Then I spilled coffee on myself.

[mickal555]

and got caught out :wink: :P

NO need to worry about compoure here! :P :wink:

[Archer17]

I'm gonna quit posting in here before Wolverine has a fit. Do you guys still do the chat thing?

[mickal555]

Supposed to- It's been ages though... Chrismas I think

You cannot make another post so soon after your last; please try again in a short while.

log on for ShCedule {ing}:20050603 - 0525 = 9 days? later?/?
anyway this very morning the mike was found right where it was
missing for a week? recalling that there was some reason the mike{ROWphone}
was where it was,, thoughts changed to MSN...
but msn has vanished my link to MESSandgr
so the mike was left where it was... having forgotten about this USE
-----
so YEAH maybe Summer? OUT

[Wolverine]

Sorry, guys -- hadn't seen these recent posts. :oops:


I'm gonna quit posting in here before Wolverine has a fit. Do you guys still do the chat thing?

And where were you, mister, when the room was open on a regular basis? ;)

It hasn't been that long mickal555, although I haven't opened the room in a couple of months.

Contributing factors have been some hectic things going on for me schedule-wise, and more recently I've been going round and round with my ISP. My service has gone down quite frequently in recent weeks, with outages lasting anywhere from 4 to 11 hours, and it's been inordinately frustrating. I'd call tech support and report the problem only to get the song-and-dance routine of "sir, I'm not showing an outage in your area, so the problem must be on your end; we can send a technician out..." -- which was becoming quite irritating as I knew otherwise. I recently went as high up the ladder as I could get via phone, only to discover there had been some sort of heat issue with the closest node which services my neighborhood, and during these periods, 40 or so of the 100 subscribers out here would be unable to access the network. The ISP, though, didn't consider this 40% enough of a problem to deem it an outage, meaning it's been low on their list of priorities. The last couple of days have been trouble-free, so I'm hoping they've fixed the problem.

Anyway, like I noted before, the room will definitely be open for special events, such as the BA's radio appearances, the upcoming Deep Impact coverage, Discovery launch, and whatever else pops up. I'll post specifics for those events here in advance. I still have everyone I was aware of added to my pal list, and haven't seen anyone online in the times I've logged on recently -- if new folks have signed up for Paltalk, or existing users have changed their username, please send me a PM here on the board with that info so I can be sure I've added you to my list. That way I'll be able to see when folks are online, open the room and send invitations. If interest in the chat hasn't waned I'll be more happy to open up the room so we can hang out.

[Wolverine]

I just downloaded and installed Paltalk (http://www.paltalk.com/PalTalkSite/)'s latest version (8.0) as it appears that certain features don't function any longer on the older versions. Certain controls have been moved and there a few useless bells & whistles have been added, but it's not as bad as I was expecting (based on some friends' reviews). If you're still running an older version of Paltalk, you may wish to upgrade.

[Musashi]

I miss talking to you guys and gals.

[Wolverine]

Easy to fix. :)

[Wolverine]

Update:

I have moved the group's location on Paltalk from the Social Issues category to Meet New Friends. Social Issues was chosen as the original location for BAC because that used to be a haven for other groups pandering to astronomical pseudoscience; things have changed, and unfortunately it appears that category has really taken a turn for the worse. I think this minor change could net some positive results and situate the room in a less combative environment while reaching different users. The updated road map looks as follows...

To find the chatroom:
Once you've logged on to Paltalk, click on the Chat Rooms button on the messenger window (on older Paltalk versions, click on the Groups button).
New, for 8.0 users: The new version of Paltalk incorporates a search function for groups. Simply type Bad Astronomy into the search box and click the Search button -- you should see BAC as your only search result (assuming the room is open). If you're using an older version of Paltalk which does not offer this feature, proceed with the following steps.
From the groups listing, find and double-click on the Meet New Friends category.
Whatever rooms are active in Meet New Friends will be displayed, by default, according to the number of users in each group. If you wish to sort the group list alphabetically in order to spot the room more easily, click on the bar in the left column atop the list of rooms.
Double-click on Bad Astronomy Chat to join the group.

By the way, the room's open at the time of this posting if anyone wants to drop by. :)

[mickal555]

Cool 8)

I think I'm a bit to late though. Ah well

[Wolverine]

Room's open at the time of this posting.

[mickal555]

Yey I'm IN!

Everyone c'mon in even if you don't have a mic Intall paltalk It would be great to see you there :P

[mickal555]

In the near future, I also plan on having the room open for coverage of the Deep Impact (http://deepimpact.jpl.nasa.gov/) launch (currently scheduled for January 12th, ~ 1:00 PM ET [~18:00 GMT]

Well we have waited thease five mounths and it's 4 day's till impact :D .

Any planes on opening the room for that?
I'll defintely be on- I've cleared my timetable and made arangements :D .

[Wolverine]

Yes, I plan on opening the room for the Deep Impact coverage. The problem is that I'm at the mercy of my ISP once again and this time just frustrated beyond words about it. Every night at roughly the same time, my net service goes offline and stays off from three to six hours, and it's been that way for about three weeks now (which is why I haven't been able to open the room). I've been going in circles with the tech staff about this as well, they've sent people out to check the line during the day when the problem doesn't occur instead of sending a technician out to check things at the time the problems surface. I don't know what I'm going to have to do to get this fixed or how long it'll take.

Anyway, I'll see how things go the next couple of days and post a target time for the group to be open. Problem is, if my net keeps this up, I won't even be able to see the NASA TV coverage...

Sigh.

[mickal555]

Gee- this has been going on for a long time :(
I hope they get the problem fixed, for your sake.

[Wolverine]

I hope they do for their sake. It's gotten to the point where I'm about to contact consumer advocacy groups, the Better Business Bureau, and whoever else I can sic on them.

[Wolverine]

Well, so far so good tonight... room's open at the time of this posting with NASA TV coverage piped in. In case I disappear, Fidelio has volunteered keep the room open for the duration of the coverage. Feel free to drop by.

[mickal555]

will do

[Wolverine]

Last night was a lot of fun, and we had a pretty decent crowd including new Paltalk visitors The Supreme Canuck, Charlie in Dayton, and champion munch. Welcome aboard. :)

Don't forget the next special event's coming up soon -- I'll have the room open for Discovery's return to flight on July 13th. It's currently scheduled for liftoff at 19:45 GMT (3:45 p.m. EDT).

I don't want to prematurely count chickens, but my ISP gremlins haven't reared their ugly heads in the last 48 hours. Hopefully that trend will continue.

[mickal555]

05:45:00 Wednesday July 20, 2005 in Australia/Brisbane
hmmm maybe I can pop in before school....

[Champion_Munch]

05:45:00 Wednesday July 20, 2005 in Australia/Brisbane
hmmm maybe I can pop in before school....

I was just wondering what time it would be here. :P

Hmmm.....that's pretty early though.... :-k

with regards

[mickal555]

ARGH what's going on where is everyone have I got the right time? I slept in argh I"m 1/2 an hour late argh!

[mickal555]

I got the wrong day!

05:45:37 Thursday July 14, 2005 in Australia/Brisbane

, I think


WHat doI do now :x

[Champion_Munch]

WHat doI do now :x

Thank yourself lucky I slept in. ;)

with regards

[Wolverine]

Well I just got in and kicked on NASA TV, opened the room, and learned that the launch has been scrubbed. :(

As a result I probably won't keep the room open very long, but will post a new opening schedule when they determine another launch time.

[Champion_Munch]

Well I just got in and kicked on NASA TV, opened the room, and learned that the launch has been scrubbed. :(

As a result I probably won't keep the room open very long, but will post a new opening schedule when they determine another launch time.

Bummer. :(

Good thing I didn't bother to get up for thismorning either. :P

with regards

[mickal555]

I don't think I will be able to make whenever it is scheduled...

[Champion_Munch]

I don't think I will be able to make whenever it is scheduled...

What?! I'll have to figure out all the times on my own! :o

:P

with regards

[Champion_Munch]

When are you opening it back up again? 8)

with regards

[Wolverine]

Well, I'd been waiting for news about Discovery before setting anything in stone, but looks like we're now a go for Tuesday July 26th, 14:39 GMT (10:39 a.m. EDT). I'll open up an hour or two beforehand.

[Champion_Munch]

Well, I'd been waiting for news about Discovery before setting anything in stone, but looks like we're now a go for Tuesday July 26th, 14:39 GMT (10:39 a.m. EDT). I'll open up an hour or two beforehand.

Can you give us an exact time to when you'll be opening up? It's gonna be late over here and I got school tomorrow. #-o

with regards

[mickal555]

00:39:40 Wednesday July 27, 2005 in Australia/Brisbane

gee....

-2hrs

10:30 start :-k

[Wolverine]

Room's open now, come on in. :)

[Wolverine]

BTW: room title for today is: Bad Astronomy Chat -- Shuttle Launch Coverage.

[Champion_Munch]

BTW: room title for today is: Bad Astronomy Chat -- Shuttle Launch Coverage.

Bummer...I went to bed at 10:35. #-o

So is the room name going to be different everytime you have it open? I guess it's useless having it in my favourites then....will you keep it under the same section everytime?

with regards

[mickal555]

I was there :D

[Champion_Munch]

I was there :D

:evil:

How late did you stay up? I saw a post from you here at 1:30pm this arvo....8-[

with regards

[mickal555]

I was there :D

:evil:

How late did you stay up? I saw a post from you here at 1:30pm this arvo....8-[

with regards

about 2am...

I did go to school though

We have lunch from 1-2pm :wink:

[Champion_Munch]

about 2am...

I did go to school though

We have lunch from 1-2pm :wink:

What?! You wasted your lunch time at this dum- ... ummm... I mean good on ya.. 8-[

If yerda said it was during a boring computing class, I wouldn't ask any questions. ;)

with regards

[mickal555]

Heh- I was doing something that was due next peiod- but I mad a couple of posts here too.

[Wolverine]

Bummer...I went to bed at 10:35. #-o

So is the room name going to be different everytime you have it open? I guess it's useless having it in my favourites then....will you keep it under the same section everytime?

with regards

Sorry you missed it. Fear not, the room title only changes for significant special events like this one, and I changed the name back afterwards so it's not useless having it in your favorites. I add everyone from BABB to my pal list anyway so I can send invites when they log in. ;) The room will remain in the same section as well.

[Champion_Munch]

Sorry you missed it. Fear not, the room title only changes for significant special events like this one, and I changed the name back afterwards so it's not useless having it in your favorites. I add everyone from BABB to my pal list anyway so I can send invites when they log in. ;) The room will remain in the same section as well.

OK cool. Can you give us a yell if you're gonna open it up again sometime?

with regards

[Wolverine]

OK cool. Can you give us a yell if you're gonna open it up again sometime?

Gladly. YELL!

The room will be open tonight for The BA's appearance on Coast to Coast AM (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=23326) discussing the new KBO discoveries (http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/c2c_jul292005.html)*.

The program begins at 1:00 AM Eastern/10:00 PM Pacific.

* = or whatever they'll be called...

[Champion_Munch]

Gladly. YELL!

The room will be open tonight for The BA's appearance on Coast to Coast AM (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=23326) discussing the new KBO discoveries (http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/c2c_jul292005.html)*.

The program begins at 1:00 AM Eastern/10:00 PM Pacific.

* = or whatever they'll be called...

:P

Sorry I'm no good with working out time zones (just spent 15 fruitless minutes trying to convert then :P), how much longer (in hours) will you open it up?

with regards

[Wolverine]

Hehe, sorry. The room will be open about two hours from the time of this posting.

[Champion_Munch]

Hehe, sorry. The room will be open about two hours from the time of this posting.

Thanks....that'll be about 2:30pm over here (nice time pick BA :D).

with regards

[Wolverine]

Just in case we have new visitors interested in dropping by tonight (or folks returning who haven't been on Paltalk in a while), click here (http://www.badastronomy.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=481295#481295) for updated directions to find the chatroom.

[Wolverine]

Room's open now. Come on in. :)

[Wolverine]

The room was a lot of fun tonight, and we had a really good crowd show up in a very short amount of time. Thanks for comin'. :)

[Champion_Munch]

The room was a lot of fun tonight, and we had a really good crowd show up in a very short amount of time. Thanks for comin'. :)

What are you still doing up? :P

Yup, I didn't really expect there to be so many people in there tonight either, and I spent alot more time in there than I should have. :)

with regards

[Wolverine]

What are you still doing up? :P

Watching NASA TV. :)

[mickal555]

Ack! I missed it :cry:

[azazul]

Thanks for opening the room up, Wolverine. Do you only open it up for special occasions?

[Wolverine]

That's been the case of late, yes. If there's enough interest to expand that however, I'd gladly start doing regular sessions again.

[Champion_Munch]

Are you opening it up for the launch?

with regards

[mickal555]

Are you opening it up for the launch?

with regards

of?

[Champion_Munch]

Are you opening it up for the launch?

with regards

of?

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av007/status.html)

Looks like it's been rescheduled though.. :-k

with regards

[Trivial Pursuit]

Are you opening it up for the launch?

with regards

of?

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av007/status.html)

Looks like it's been rescheduled though.. :-k

with regards

Oh, I was wondering about that too..

[Wolverine]

Are you opening it up for the launch?

with regards

Doh, didn't see this 'til now. I didn't open the room because I didn't think anyone would be up that early. Ended up watching the launch myself (as well as the previous day's dress rehearsal). Go MRO! 8)

[iron4]

I have to say that Paltalk is amazing. I went straight to the karaoke section to sing a couple of songs :D

[Dark Helmet]

Hay guys!

irc.sorcery.net:6667 #babb

go! now!

The IRC channel deserves a revival. Lets bring back the good old days. :D

[mickal555]

OK...

Will it be open 24/7?

That's what we really need...

[Dark Helmet]

yes.

By it's nature the IRC room cannot be closed.

[mickal555]

Cool

Is there anyway I can come on without Mirc?

I am using the school computers...

[Dark Helmet]

http://www.iuturna.sorcery.net/index.pl?page=main

the channel is #babb

[Dark Helmet]

There are a lot of people on the irc right now.

gogogogogogogogogogo.

[mickal555]

I'm on now...

I'm on now...

yeah? confusing?
1h 39.3m, -5 DEC = not my Px
---
however I want to as anyway
What is the Mass?
===
can the masses be computed once the orbits established
OR will it just be assumed it between 0 & 10 like all the Rest?
::::::=?

[mickal555]

I'm on now...

yeah? confusing?
1h 39.3m, -5 DEC = not my Px
---
however I want to as anyway
What is the Mass?
===
can the masses be computed once the orbits established
OR will it just be assumed it between 0 & 10 like all the Rest?
::::::=?

Hmmm

I dunno about that one...

http://illuminati-r-us.cylan.net/Forums/viewtopic.php?p=7144#7144 ?/?

[Champion_Munch]

So what's going to happen with BA chat... will it become BAUT chat? And what are we using, exactly....I'm gettin' confused with all the different chat facilities at the moment.. :S

with regards

[Matthew]

So what's going to happen with BA chat... will it become BAUT chat? And what are we using, exactly....I'm gettin' confused with all the different chat facilities at the moment.. :S

with regards


Could someone please give us old UTers a quick summary so we can get BAUT chattin?

[Champion_Munch]

Could someone please give us old UTers a quick summary so we can get BAUT chattin?

Wolverine decided to make a chat room just for our board on Paltalk, a chat program that allows you to use voice over.. protocol? I dunno, but you can use mics to chat to others, or if you don't have a mic you can just type.

Paltak's free, it's summarised all on the first page of this topic...

But lately I think we've switched to another free program that's like Paltalk, but more reliable...and then there's this IRC thing. :shrug:

S'pose someone'll be able to explain it.. :)

with regards

[mickal555]

I think wolverine will organise something when he's got time.

[Wolverine]

I think wolverine will organise something when he's got time.

I shall indeed, bear with. :)

[mickal555]

Ok :)

[Wolverine]

Sorry for the delay here, I've been awaiting the release of a new voice chat program whose audio quality and interface is vastly superior to that of Paltalk where we're used to gathering. I thought it was already supposed to have gone public but apparently it's still in the final beta phases. It's outstanding, and well worth the wait. Details coming soon.

[mickal555]

:D :D

Does it run on apple(and linux) aswell? it would be nice to see some new ppl

[Wolverine]

I'm pretty sure it's only supported by Windows. I'll find out if they'll be offering clients for other platforms, though.

In either case, I'll be opening the room on a regular basis shortly, and will post an update and schedule in the next couple of days. Charlie in Dayton has graciously volunteered to assist in hosting the room when he's able, and between that and (positive) schedule changes for yours truly, we should be able to build the room back up again. :)

[Champion_Munch]

Hooray! :D

with regards

[mickal555]

:d :d

[Laminal Cockroach]

i think it only runs on windows too i think io remember seeing that somewhere in the system requirements but paltalk is amazing its so good

[zebo-the-fat]

Looking forward to it :)

[Charlie in Dayton]

The Bad Astonomy Chat Room on Paltalk is open for business!!!

Time of this post is 7:55 pm EDT -- the room is slated to stay open for another four hours or so...

C'mon up and let's be social...

[Wolverine]

Hey, I'll even swing by. :)

[mickal555]

I'm guessin it's closed now :(

[Charlie in Dayton]

Date = 13 Oct 2005
Time = 7:30 PM EDT = 2330 UTC

The room opens now, and will be open until 1000 PM EDT/13 Oct 2005 = 0200 UTC/14 Oct 2005

[mickal555]

ahhhh missed it again..

[Wolverine]

Charlie and I are going to get the impression nobody likes us if this keeps up. :p

[mickal555]

I can duck in now as it's a saturday :)

[Wolverine]

Unfortunately, I don't think CiD is available on Friday nights. I've got some other things to do for now, so the room probably won't be open tonight.

[mickal555]

Oh dang... your friday nights are prolly the only times I can be on.. Oh well..

[Champion_Munch]

I won't be able to use it until I've fixed this internet problem - I only have access to the net on my dad's computer at the moment. :(

with regards

[Laminal Cockroach]

what kindda internet problem is this some of us might be able to help.

[Champion_Munch]

what kindda internet problem is this some of us might be able to help.



Thanks for the offer. :)

There's a thread going on at another forum: http://pcpitstop.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=101830

Be warned, I'm a big newb. :D

with regards

[Charlie in Dayton]

Date = 2 November 2005
Time = 11:00 PM EDT = 0500 UTC

The room opens now, and will be open until the last one of us falls asleep...

[mickal555]

what is it called?

I can't find it...

[The Mangler]

I don't think the room is open all the time. I think it has to be created each time, I may be wrong though.

[LurchGS]

I know, it's unfortunate. :(

Maybe in the future they'll offer something compatible with other platforms. I do know one person that's able to run PT under some sort of PC emulation software via his Mac, but the Linux devotees seem to be left out in the cold.

Mayhap you should look at something like Ivisit. Not only does it support text and voice on wintel and mac, it also supports video. My kids and I use it instead of the phone (which it can ALSO do)

[vkp]

Hey .. i will try it

[mickal555]

I don't think the room is open all the time. I think it has to be created each time, I may be wrong though.

Yeah- I guess I was too late...

[vkp]

mostly when i visit i can't find the room listed in the socials issues category

[The Mangler]

It has to be created by somebody, and it is only open as long as that person is on it.

[mickal555]

mostly when i visit i can't find the room listed in the socials issues category

It's in "meet new friends" now- I'm never home when it's open though :cry::sad:

[LurchGS]

Any thoughs to using a different system, so Non-windows people could partake?

[Wolverine]

Lurch, there used to be an IRC BABB chatroom open with a select few regulars. I don't know of any decent voice chat software with text support available that's compatible with non-windows platforms, but am open to suggestions.

[LurchGS]

Wolverine

I've been into BABB on irc.sorcery.net - but all I've found is a bot.

iVisit. The problem is that unles we run our own serever, we're limited to 8 concurrent members (16 if we talk nice to the sysadmin).

Ventrilo
limit to 16 if we use a free server (I've got one downloaded and running here on my laptop). We can get essentially unlimited connections if we're willing to pay a host company. Small numbers of simultaneous connections, of course, cost less.. looks like around $10/month for 15 to 25, for example (varies pretty widely from company to company)

GlassRoom
we have to rent room on their server. A tad spendy at $70/quarter - but no limits I can see to the number of concurrent users. Other dowside (besides expense) is that it's JAVA. I hate JAVA.

That's all I've got time to look at for now - got a meeting to attend. I'll look at more when I get back this evening, if you like.

[Wolverine]

Ventrilo won't do the trick as its text support is quite limited, it has to be hosted someplace, and doesn't allow for the general public to come in "off the street" from an existing user base like on Paltalk. The program's best suited for gamers more than anything.

Java? No way, lol.

[LurchGS]

Well, Ventrilo isn't any worse than any given IRC app...

Looked at a bunch of others... Userplane seems the most likely. Let's see if this works:

<script src="http://apps.userplane.com/chatlite/chatlite.cfm?DomainID=lurchgs" language="javascript"></script>

or

<a href="http://www.userplane.com/chatlite/directory/detail.cfm?name=Search+Results%3A&search=BAUT Forum">Launch the Userplane Webchat</a>

If neither of those work, use
http://www.userplane.com/chatlite/directory/detail.cfm?name=Search+Results%3A&search=BAUT Forum

[Wolverine]

Just out of curiosity, what OS are you running?

[mickal555]

I popped in but nobodys home :(

[LurchGS]

Just out of curiosity, what OS are you running?

depends on where I am and what time it is.. at the office, I use OS X , W2K, and Linux. At home, I use W2K, OS X and Linux 8)

Mickal - sorry - I am not usually awake that time of day. But the room was open and available, ne?

[mickal555]

Yup

[LurchGS]

Good - it's supposed to be, but I can't tell easily, as I created it.

[LurchGS]

ok, not that anybody cares... I'm trying to be online at userplane any time I'm not commuting or asleep...

[mickal555]

I care ;)

[LurchGS]

heh - I appreciate that - saw that you were on this morning. Of course, I was sound asleep. But I'll leave my avatar online, just in case.

[Wolverine]

I'll have the chatroom open today for Phil's appearance on the Dave Glover show. Details here (http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2005/12/11/mooning-st-louis/).

New users may download Paltalk here (http://www.paltalk.com/download.html).

To locate the chatroom:

Click on the Chat Rooms icon
Select the Social Issues category
Join the room labeled Bad Astronomy Chat
Or, using the Search box at the top of the Chat Rooms list, enter the phrase Bad Astronomy.

**Edited to add: the new Beta version of Paltalk has revamped all of the room categories, so I've moved the group from Meet New Friends back to its original location, Social Issues (on the new Beta version, Meet New Friends has become "Friends, Love, and Romance" -- bleh!).

Those on the Beta version can locate the group in the main category Social Issues & Politics; sub-category: Other.

If you have difficulty with any of the above, feel free to contact me via e-mail or PM. On Paltalk, my username is ll Wolverine ll (case-sensitive).

[LurchGS]

I'd be there... but PalTalk still isn't Mac compatible

[Wolverine]

Sorry, Lurch. :(

[The Bad Astronomer]

I won't be there either; I got deleted PalTalk off my drive. But I'll be reading BAUT and my blog if anyone comments. I also have several windows open to www.clavius.org. :-)

[Wolverine]

Ah, bummer. We have a roomful including some newcomers like jscotti!

[LurchGS]

I'm leaving the userplane room open as much as I can...not that anybody but one loves me enuogh to try it :(

[mickal555]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!?!

I can't belive I missed it....