New Contract, Buy Back LJ, Games for Sale

[tcpip]

I applied for a sysadmin position at Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing late last week. Wednesday was the interview. They asked me about my rather diverse academic background (Politics, Philosophy, Sociology, Business Studies, Network Administration). Apart from the obvious technical questions (three-way handshake, Cisco IOS, MTUs, preferred scripting language and the like) they seemed a little surprised when that I had used Fortran (readily admitting it was about twenty years ago), and even more surprised when I correctly answered their joke question: "What is the capital of Upper Volta?". About two hours later they 'phoned me and offered the job. It's a twelve month contract, good pay plus super... and heck, it's VPAC, goddamit. I mean, look at those computers. Phwoar.

I've started a new community for Livejournal; ljbuyback: With the introduction of unwanted advertising (even on paid accounts), witchhunts on fan-fiction writers, tracking the activities of users, and even rumours that it will be sold to News Corp, many people are unhappy with the service provided by Six Apart. Thus, it is necessary for actual users to buy back Livejournal and establish a new organisation which will not make any such decisions before consulting with the users. It is the users that make the communities, not the body which owns the technology. Join up and pass this information on to others.

Finally, with the realisation that I own more simulation and roleplaying games than most of the gaming stores in Melbourne, I've finally started some culling. Every day I'll put a few items up here. If you want to know whether I have anything special (e.g., a rare copy of the 1976 edition of Metamorphosis Alpha) feel free to ask.

Comments

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Several responses in this post already ;-)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

It's just the sort of organisation that I'm thrilled to be working for....

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

...there are half a dozen already well populated LJ clone sites...

Hmm... I've been told that the only thing going for LJ is the # of people with accounts.

Just one q: was your plan to keeeeell facebook someting to do with buying back LJ, or something else?

Yes! I haven't had a chance to respond to your post yet (this morning has been kinda busy)...

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Congrats and Upper Volta is actually now called Burkina Faso! Did they know that?

One person on the interview panel did...

Hosting LJ outside the US might be a good plan. No fuss about H Potter being under 18.

Someone half-jokingly suggested Sealand.

[the-shadow298.livejournal.com]

Just read, yeah. :)

Next question is where is/was it?
Because I honestly have no idea. :)

Wikipedia is your friend.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkina_Faso

Re: Wikipedia is your friend.

[the-shadow298.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that, Lev.

I honestly forget about Wiki if I'm not looking anything that is not anime, cartoon or comic related.

Must drill it into my too thick skull.

Cheers again, mate. :)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Will do... Just let this set go through so I know what's a fair price.

[mr-e-cat.livejournal.com]

no worries

I still need to talk to mrs e about it.
She's getting a bit foofy with me spending money as my rugby membership is $400 and my hockey is about the same I'm a little bit out of good will at the moment.

[tau-iota-mu-c.livejournal.com]

Hey, good job!

[ironed_orchid]

Congrats on the new contract.

I think your buy lj comm needs a manifesto. I often just paste the info blurb into the first entry.

[damien-wise.livejournal.com]

I applied for a sysadmin position at Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing late last week

Been there, done that (well, been a Tech Writer there). :)
Seriously cool place to work/contract. Switched-on bunch, laid-back atmosphere, easy to get to. And, their computers, wooo! :->
I think you'll really like it. :)

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Cool, I'll have to look up your work... Switched-on and laid-back.. That's rare!

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Mmm... A manifesto. Now that is a good idea.

[cheshirenoir.livejournal.com]

You realise this auction gives you access to the one of the earliest Charles Stross works?

Re: Thanks!

[cptjohnc.livejournal.com]

not so impressive -- her dad was a mid level US diplomat. Growing up in and around Washington DC definitely gives one some unusual opportunities.

My favorite 'near brush with fame' is that I was driving the car while soon-to-be-justice Scalia's oldest (?) daughter was making out in the back seat. It still makes me smile when I think about it, though at the time it was somewhat uncomfortable...

VPAC ... wow

[imajica-lj.livejournal.com]

My most hearty congratulations mon ami ... well deserved.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Now also with Legends & Lore. How did I leave that out?!?

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ummm... I still don't understand. :/

Re: VPAC ... wow

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I rather suspect I'm going to enjoy it...

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Tell me about it.

Hey, any massive computations we can do for you? ;-)

[cheshirenoir.livejournal.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Githyanki

Stross helped populate Fiend Folio.

[evil-genius.livejournal.com]

congrats on the job mate.
I too started a new job this week. My first in nearly 3 years(thank you Finland). It's certainly a nice feeling.

[evil-genius.livejournal.com]

A little red post.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Ahh! Ahh! The Githyanki! Now they were seriously cool!