In
the Beginning...
Being
technically oriented, I always thought having my own web site would
be cool. Although, I had no idea what to build a web site
around. At the time (early to mid '90s), I was in college and
owned a modest/no frills computer. I didn't have a
business. I had no artistic talent and no scanner/video
digitizing equipment. (I still don't have any artistic talent.)
Then,
I happened to download a file from a local BBS (Exec-PC). It
contained plans to build a simple parallel port sound board and a
program that was compatible with it allowing Amiga MOD files to be
played on a PC. (In those days, sound boards were a luxury item
costing upwards of $90 for 22 KHz Monaural sound.) In the days
(or rather nights) that followed, I downloaded every file I could
find that suggested that it was compatible with parallel port sound
cards. After analyzing the various designs, I built a
proto-type of my own Parallel Port Sound Card. I made a few
improvements along the way. Since most of these files were
coming out of Europe (Finland, Sweden, etc.), I had to find a
suitable replacement for the specified DAC since it wasn't easily
obtainable over here. Second, I noticed that most of the
designs were either designed for Stereo or Mono only, so I designed
in an auto-detect circuit in mine that would automatically switch
back to mono when the Stereo signals were not present. For $20
to $30, my sound board supported both Stereo and Mono sound modes at
65KHz (better sound quality than any of the commercially available
sound cards). The obvious drawback was that no major software
companies ever latched onto this type of sound board, thus limiting
its overall usefulness. Additionally, the sound card operated
using a "brute force" method to produce sound which is very
processor intensive; this limited the amount of processor time
available to do other useful tasks (like graphics). So what
does this have to do with my Web Page?
I
thought that it would be interesting to distribute my Sound Board
design. Initially, I uploaded it to Exec-PC's BBS. Later,
I found a version of it floating around on a Public Domain CD.
As I found new parallel port sound board configurations, I tried to
incorporate them into my design. Then, I would upload the
archive to various BBSs. When Exec-PC offered its members the
ability to create and store a home page, I jumped at the chance.
I started by creating a web page centered around my sound
board. I then added a compatibility page which detailed what
programs were compatible with my sound board, what revision of my
design you required, and a little review of what I thought of the
program. Then I got busy with other things and my web page
never got finished. Later, I added a links page to my web site
so that I could easily access my links page no matter where I am.
Shortly
thereafter, I graduated from college and moved out of
Wisconsin. I decided that keeping my web site was too costly so
I shut it down erecting only a fragment of that web site on my new ISP.
Today...
After
attending my 10 year high school reunion (Watertown, WI Class of
1989), I decided to create a collage from any reunion pictures that I
could get my hands on. Luckily, Deb P. provided me with a set
from the floating cameras from the reunion. I have noted that
there are some people that managed to avoid getting their picture
taken. Hopefully, someone else has pictures that I can use to
fill in the gaps. So what does this have to do with my Web Page?
After
I dropped off a set of mini-collages with Rick F. for inclusion in
the Class Directory, I decided that I wasn't satisfied with the
quality of some of the pictures so I re-scanned a few of them so that
I could retouch them. With those modifications, generation 2
now existed. With the assistance of Laurie P., I decided to
substitute a couple of pictures in the collage. These changes
constituted generation 3. Then I decided to play around with a
larger paper size. To do this, I enlarged all of the pictures
(some more than others) and scanned additional photos. This
constituted Panoramic Generation 1. So what does this have to
do with my Web Page?
Now
that I've run out of things to keep me busy regarding those collages
(especially since no one was interested in ordering a larger print),
I've decided that this is the perfect time to update my web
page. You'll find information regarding my collage prints under
Dave's Projects.
Peering
into the Crystal Ball... (Perhaps)
Someday,
I may add a photo gallery so I can display some of my photos.
Additionally, I have considered adding a Dave's Gripe Page or
something similar like a consumer advocate type page. Space
permitting, this'll come about when I run out of things to do with
the sections I've already committed to.