Hello Jeff,

> On 08/29/2020 12:35 PM Jeff Zeitlin <xxxxxx@freelancetraveller.com> wrote:
>
>
> On Sat, 29 Aug 2020 08:06:56 -0700 (PDT), Thomas RUX <xxxxxx@comcast.net>
> wrote:
>
> >The problem is that computer's can fail or the programs go out of date or
> >need emulators to run, or like the links to the sites you shared below go
> >away.
>
> This is one reason I like to have source code for programs, and why I like
> programs that, rather than using pretty pointyclicky interfaces, use
> command-line parameters and/or the standard-input and standard-output
> streams. As long as I can find a "current" interpreter or compiler for the
> language (or the language is simple enough for me to write one (see, for
> example: PILOT, and specifically my psPILOT implementation at
> https://github.com/freetrav/pspilot)), and the environment conforms to that
> minimum, I can keep the program running; if the language is 'dead' or not
> available at reasonable cost (I'm looking at you, COBOL and PL/I, as
> examples), I have sufficient skill to reimplement the old code in a new
> language. Granted, there are people who do _not_ have my ability to do
> this; for them, programs going obsolete and unusable is always a "danger".
> For them, being able to say ...
>
I'm afraid that I discovered that I have no knack for programming at any level. If the program requires me to modify lines of code I'm out of luck. I have got a copy of GURPS VEHICLE BUILDER that has coding updates that when I tried to install them, even following the instructions, the program began to provide a lot of error messages.

In order for me to use a program there has to be some sort of interface that I can not break.

Heck, I can not even put together a data base that works.

> >I can still roll-up characters and systems when the power goes out.
>
> ... is also a good thing, and even I will do this occasionally when it's
> more convenient than firing up a program (such as if I need to do it on the
> fly at a gaming session, especially at a convention).
>
At least the option is still being used which makes me feel a less behind the times.

Tom Rux