Update on why I'm not posting...

[Daos]

Okay, I have acquired a temporary monitor.  I think the old one is busted for good.  To be fair, it is probably older than Gravity is.  I'd have probably needed to acquire a new one sooner or later.  Honestly, kind of surprised it lasted as long as it did.

Anyway, renovations will continue once the weekend ends, so my posting rate will be...irregular.  But it will resume, at least somewhat.  I'll start updating tonight, see how far I get.

[Daos]

Annnnnd my computer just died.  Same problem it had before.  It just crashed and then refused to boot back up.  So that's just the cherry on top of this whole maddening sundae.

[Daos]

The renovations were supposed to resume today, but for whatever reason, the workers never showed up.  Not sure why.  (Today isn't a holiday, is it?)  But I assume they'll be back tomorrow.  (In a way, it's a relief they aren't here.  But on the other hand, it's annoying, because it means this nightmare will continue for at least one more day.)

I'm going to transfer my backups to another computer (I haven't updated them in a week, but I was in a hotel for most of that week, so hopefully I didn't lose too much data).  Unfortunately, my temporary monitor doesn't work with the new computer.  I have no idea why.  So I have it hooked up to my TV for now.  It'll do until I can buy a new monitor, I guess.

I'll try and update today, but once the renovations start up again, I probably won't make updates until they leave for the day, so probably around 6 PM Pacific.

[Matt4]

Oh God, I just read all your misfortunes   thankfully they should be almost over.

[Daos]

Turns out they are not over.

I transferred all my old files onto my new computer, which uses Windows 10.  This includes my many Word files, which is how I keep track of all my games' data.  I have files for enemy encounters (including stats, HP, etc.), character sheets for NPCs, written outlines, summaries, and so forth.

Here's the problem.  I can't touch any of them now.  I can look at them, but the computer will not let me edit, add to or delete anything from any of the files.  It keeps saying I need to subscribe to some online service for $10 a month.  What nonsense is this?  I need to pay money to use my own Word files?

I can still use Notepad fine.  I guess I'm going to have to copy and paste everything onto Notepad files?  I don't believe this.  Since when has Word not been free to use?

[Matt4]

I'm not an expert, but I think most newer PCs come without a paid license for Word :/ (which, yes sadly has not been free for a while).

Personally I use OpenOffice which is open source and free! It should work with your older documents, even if they were in word format.

[Daos]

Guess I'm out of touch with things, as I've been using Windows 7 this whole time.  I still can't believe Microsoft got away with charging people money for a previously free service and there apparently wasn't a big backlash over it.

But thanks for the tip, I downloaded OpenOffice, and I can now resume work on the games again.  That's at least one thing fixed.

[Matt4]

Cool! Glad that worked out at least! 

[GravityEmblem]

Ouch! I never realized they locked Word behind a paywall. I know some things like PowerPoint and PDF access were, because we had to buy them for school. (jerks)

[GreyWolfVT]

I had some sort of stomach bug or something over the weekend into yesterday so sorry that is why I wasn't posting much in the last 2-3 days. I feel better today though.

Also yeah Microsoft is pretty much changing everything to a subscription format none of this buy a license for so many installs they want your money every month/year now for office and many other things.

[Rax]

There's usually a trial period for the Office programs though, so it's strange that you didn't even get that.

However, I've been using Open Office myself for years now, and it does the job just as well as Microsoft's own products.

[Daos]

Oddly, the workers did not show up again today.  Not sure what to make of that.  So I'll try to get some posts up now.

[Daos]

No workers again today.  Are they...not coming back?  My apartment is a mess, the kitchen sink only pumps out cold water, but I don't know, maybe they're finished?  Or are they waiting for phase 2?  (Yes, there will be a phase 2; at some point they will return to yank out all the kitchen and bathroom countertops and replace them.  Maybe I can get off work that week and return to the hotel...)

Anyway, for the meantime, hopefully things will return to normal once I clean up the place and buy a new monitor for my computer.

[Matt4]

Do you have a phone number you could call to know their work schedule?

[Daos]

No.  They are independent contractors hired by the apartment complex management.  I guess I could try calling them, but they're already closed for the day.  Maybe tomorrow.