Drum Thumper
04-15-2007, 05:30 AM
So it would seem that I have talked my way into yet another mod. Here's a link to the story that got the ball rolling:Great Falls Tribune (http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070411/NEWS01/70411005/1002/NEWS17) (Fair Warning, you might get an annoying popup or two).
I went and spoke to Rob Saturday afternoon, told him that I would be interested in doing a themed computer for donation to the center. Got his business card, left my phone #, and asked a few questions as to what this computer would be used for so I could get an idea as to what kind of processing power that will be needed.
This machine will be used by the public solely for surfing the internet (basically two different pages--a history on MHP and one other page that escapes me at the moment).
One phrase in that last sentence really has me bothered: by the public. This machine will have to be able to take some abuse obviously.
As of right now, I'm thinking a standard windowed case painted black and gold (current colors of the highway patrol cars) with either a lightbar or perhaps a bubblegum light (think The Andy Griffith Show if you're having troubles picturing what a bubblegum light is) on the top of the case, and a MHP eblem mounted on the window.
Motherboard/CPU wise, my soon to be uncle in law (who also builds computers) has a AMD mobo/processor that he said he'd be willing to donate.
So this brings me to 3 mods @ once. My linux box (almost done, just need to get down to the farm supply store to get some square nuts, as odd as that sounds), the John Deere Tribute for my parents and now the 3-7-77 as I think it shall be called.
What is 3-7-77 you ask? It's a term that dates back to Montana Territory days. I recently found a great summary on one of the Montana government webpages:
The mysterious numbers 3-7-77, often posted on doors , were used for years as a symbol of banishment in Montana. But contrary to widespread belief, they were never used by the original vigilantes of 1864 who hanged Sheriff Henry Plummer. The numbers actually appeared for the first time in 1879 to warn “undesirables” to leave Helena. Today the numbers appear on the shoulder patch and car door insignia of the Montana Highway Patrol and are meant to convey a benign message of law and order.
Other theories include dealings Free Masons back in the late 1800s, the idea that 3-7-77 refer to the dimensions of a grave: 3 feet wide, 7 feet deep and 77 inches long (roughly 6 1/2 feet), and lastly, I can remember hearing tales from previous generations passed down by their parents and grandparents that 3-7-77 was used as a ward against unknown vandals (or creatures) that would sunder the land and livestock. Tall tales most likely, but great campfire stories nontheless.
So off to Sketchup I go. Again. This should prove to be a very interesting mod if it pans out. Lots of ideas rolling around in my head.
I went and spoke to Rob Saturday afternoon, told him that I would be interested in doing a themed computer for donation to the center. Got his business card, left my phone #, and asked a few questions as to what this computer would be used for so I could get an idea as to what kind of processing power that will be needed.
This machine will be used by the public solely for surfing the internet (basically two different pages--a history on MHP and one other page that escapes me at the moment).
One phrase in that last sentence really has me bothered: by the public. This machine will have to be able to take some abuse obviously.
As of right now, I'm thinking a standard windowed case painted black and gold (current colors of the highway patrol cars) with either a lightbar or perhaps a bubblegum light (think The Andy Griffith Show if you're having troubles picturing what a bubblegum light is) on the top of the case, and a MHP eblem mounted on the window.
Motherboard/CPU wise, my soon to be uncle in law (who also builds computers) has a AMD mobo/processor that he said he'd be willing to donate.
So this brings me to 3 mods @ once. My linux box (almost done, just need to get down to the farm supply store to get some square nuts, as odd as that sounds), the John Deere Tribute for my parents and now the 3-7-77 as I think it shall be called.
What is 3-7-77 you ask? It's a term that dates back to Montana Territory days. I recently found a great summary on one of the Montana government webpages:
The mysterious numbers 3-7-77, often posted on doors , were used for years as a symbol of banishment in Montana. But contrary to widespread belief, they were never used by the original vigilantes of 1864 who hanged Sheriff Henry Plummer. The numbers actually appeared for the first time in 1879 to warn “undesirables” to leave Helena. Today the numbers appear on the shoulder patch and car door insignia of the Montana Highway Patrol and are meant to convey a benign message of law and order.
Other theories include dealings Free Masons back in the late 1800s, the idea that 3-7-77 refer to the dimensions of a grave: 3 feet wide, 7 feet deep and 77 inches long (roughly 6 1/2 feet), and lastly, I can remember hearing tales from previous generations passed down by their parents and grandparents that 3-7-77 was used as a ward against unknown vandals (or creatures) that would sunder the land and livestock. Tall tales most likely, but great campfire stories nontheless.
So off to Sketchup I go. Again. This should prove to be a very interesting mod if it pans out. Lots of ideas rolling around in my head.