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Cyber Nomad Hiatus
by Raymond M. Coulombe

Technology fails. It's as simple as that. QM requires a certain level of functioning technology. December 2003, that level was not achieved. The January 2005 issue did not go up. But hey, the Brits lost a Mars probe, so why could I complain about failed tech?

The life of a Cyber Nomad has its fluctuations. No modern traveler functions without a lap top computer. The old saying goes, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." That's hogwash, especially if the basket in question is a bit pricy. My particular lap top basket had all my business information, story submissions, works in progress, music files, DVD player, maps, contact information and other things that it pains me to think about. No, I'm not referring to porn. My life is not that simple. The latest drafts of two books in progress went the way of all electrons.

My lap top was such a fine basket, to hold all those things. We travel light. There is no room for 50 or 60 music CD's. Only so many paper files can fit in the car. Only so many back up disks fit in the case. Compromises must be made. I knew it was a risk, but that's life.

The bad thing happened at the end of December, our lap top computer died. Not a clean quick death, but one of those deaths that needed sickbed assistance from Bangalore India to Bangor Maine. In short, it needed a board and a hard drive replaced.

For the first time since April Fool's day 1999, QM failed to put up a monthly issue. We've lost computers and personnel before. Had I been home, I could have worked on my old desktop machine. Normally, Mike picks up the slack. Not this time, Mike's typing hand required bandaging. What about the other hand, you ask? For pity's sake, that's his beer drinking hand! You don't want him to type with that, do you? How could he edit without a beer in one hand?

Bowing to the inevitable, I came to a realization: I was on vacation. The computer would get fixed when it got fixed. For the moment, I was free. There was only one thing to do: schedule a hot stone massage. My massage therapist paid special attention to my typing muscles. Nice, oh so nice.

The Q-Babe and I fled the frosty north earlier than planned. By the time our accountant caught up with us, we were just north of Tampa, heading south. Tax preparations will be delayed again this year. The computer caught up to us in Florida, but as a blank slate. I'm still waiting for some key software programs to catch up, but I've got enough to begin work with.

So I'm hard at work, you slave drivers. Yep, back in the trenches. Well, maybe not hard at work. I am writing this editorial while camped on an island in the Keys, and the beer is on ice. Mike's hand is much improved. He did all the set up and editing so deserves most of the credit for an issue well worth waiting for. I'd like to thank him in person, but since he's up in frozen NH and I'm down in the little latitudes, that just ain't gonna happen.

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