BASIC is still around in a way. Most schools have math classes that require a graphing calculator, and some tests requiring a graphing calculator.

The calculator has a BASIC like programming language called, if I remember correctly, True Algebraic Logic for Casio. Against teacher advice, my sophomore year in precalculus I decided to go for a Casio graphing calculator back in 1990. Texas Instruments was recommended. The only problem I had using a Casio was that model didn’t have polar graphing. So, I wrote a program to do it on the Casio. It probably helped me to understand polar graphing better.

Ben might like applying the BASIC programs in his math book to a graphing calculator?

In the past, I liked to create programs on the TI graphing calculators at the store to endlessly print on the screen text like “Hello.”

Hello Dear Getting Nowhere Fast,

Frak the lists! People and reltionships are more than that. That's one piece of advice I liked from "Unhooked Generation.

Cinygmato

Dear Joan,

I think it would be undemocratic and stifling to remove anonymity in posting.

We still allowing voting anonymously for a reason. Some people get persecuted for minority opinions. This country strength is on the belief of protecting the minority from the majority even if the minority is unpopular or ugly in ideas.

As for the problem if personal attacks conducted by the anonymous… That is a problem and can create an intolerant atmosphere. Why not have a parallel thread that contains anonymous postings and personal attacks from non anonymous?

As for spam, maybe a parallel third thread for that. Wouldn’t want to block a legitimate opinion that might use spam as a medium of sarcasm.

This can be achieved technically. Yes, someone will have to make a call which parallel thread to put posts, but at least they wouldn’t disappear. You can use an editor, or a community vote, or selected community members to decide, etc.

I think a major hallmark of right wing or any extreme wing media, like talk radio, is the censoring or silencing of other ideas. Worst of all extremist deciding ideas for us.

Don’t block them, please. It’s censorship. Let's go a third way, parallel posts or something in that spirit.

Andy

Dear Joan,

I think it would be undemocratic and stifling to remove anonymity in posting.

We still allowing voting anonymously for a reason. Some people get persecuted for minority opinions. This country strength is on the belief of protecting the minority from the majority even if the minority is unpopular or ugly in ideas.

As for the problem if personal attacks conducted by the anonymous… That is a problem and can create an intolerant atmosphere. Why not have a parallel thread that contains anonymous postings and personal attacks from non anonymous?

As for spam, maybe a parallel third thread for that. Wouldn’t want to block a legitimate opinion that might use spam as a medium of sarcasm.

This can be achieved technically. Yes, someone will have to make a call which parallel thread to put posts, but at least they wouldn’t disappear. You can use an editor, or a community vote, or selected community members to decide, etc.

I think a major hallmark of right wing or any extreme wing media, like talk radio, is the censoring or silencing of other ideas. Worst of all extremist deciding ideas for us.

Don’t block them, please. It’s censorship. Let's go a third way, parallel posts or something in that spirit.

Andy

Dear Uptight Judgmental Grad Student,

That comment by your GF is only the start. I think you out to ask yourself and verbally her, why did she tell you this interesting tidbit? Go from there.

The following might be better asked by the voice in your head:

Does she want to groom you for more varied activity? See how you feel about supporting Columbia Narco Warlords? Test how you feel about her friends?

Her drinking habits?

Or did she mention it because she is flippant? Are you a grad student studying addiction?

Then, I think you can decide what your response should or shouldn’t be when you get beyond the open salvo.

Love is quite the ride. Good luck,

Mundane?

Dear LW,

Marrying for “mundane circumstances” sounds like a more important topic for it’s banality than what your last name could be.

Can you get a mundane divorce?

Studies say couples that cohabitate for a long time then get married are more likely to get divorce (Stevenson and Wolfers). That could be another aspect to look into as couple before picking out the name plates.

Cinygmato

Hello dear Ms. Bauer,

As you say early on, the horns fit the holes in your head. I guessed the new love would end up being an alcoholic too from the start.

You have to protect those holes. If not for you, for the kids.

If I could recommend some books I've liked and found informative, "Unhooked Generation: The Truth About Why We're Still Single" by Jillian Straus, which explores the current dating dynamics like serial monogamy, materialism, disposability... And, "Falling in Love for All the Right Reasons: How to Find Your Soul Mate" by Neil Clark Warren (Author), Ken Abraham (contributor), which has lots of good negative advice on dating (negative advice is so rare these days). Like not dating people who have substance problems.

It's hard to wait to find someone, I've felt like giving up and many times and just marrying. Then I realize, if I'm to have kids with someone, they need to be ready too.

Good luck in your search,

~~~~