THE
BLUE BOX (Recycled Ideas)
by Don Cox
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It's been well over a month since I produced one of these
columns, and I expect that they will be more regular from
now on. There has been a good reason for the interregnum,
but it's one which I have been reluctant to declare up to
now. Before I make my confession, let me give you a bit
of background. A month or more ago I read a note in the
Globe about a computer program in the Rensselaer Institute
in Albany N.Y. which generates short stories. These are
limited to about 500 words and all have an academic setting.
The program can produce a story in about 15 seconds and
is regarded as something of a breakthrough.
Well, it isn't, it's all old hat. I wrote a better program
years ago, and you have probably all guessed what I'm about
to announce. Yes, it's true, the Boolean Mark II has been
writing the Blue Box articles since about number 45. I have
been torn between the desire to lay claim to what I consider
a major programming feat, but on the other hand, I've been
hesitant to admit to this bit of duplicity. Well, now someone
else will get the credit for the work but I'm relieved that
it's finally all out in the open.
The trouble all started when I decided to do an upgrade
so the Boolean could expand some of the topic content of
the Blue Box articles. I wanted to have some commentary
on a labour dispute that was going on in one of the government
departments, so I downloaded a few megs of their policy
and negotiation data and intercollated it to the Boolean's
BBProd.yuk/yuk program, the one that produces the Blue Box.
Well, that was my first mistake. As soon as I got Government
data in the system, everything slowed down to one tenth
speed, and nothing would work after four in the afternoons
or on weekends. Then I made the second mistake, I tried
to delete what I had already installed.
Have you ever tried to change or reduce a government program?
It's the only time you will get an immediate reaction. As
soon as I pressed the delete button the screen went wild
and every department in the Government started sending me
threatening messages along with promises to increase my
grant funding.
It's taken a month and a half to get back to normal, but
at last I'm here with a new column for you. I'm writing
my own stuff from now on.
Bluebox ©2001 Don Cox
Website ©2001 OttawaWEB
