<h2 id="introduction">Introduction</h2>
<p>Two HPR hosts based in Edinburgh got together over Mumble to have a chat during the COVID-19 lockdown.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://hackerpublicradio.org/correspondents/0201.html">MrX</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hackerpublicradio.org/correspondents/0225.html">Dave Morriss</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="apology">Apology</h2>
<p>Dave’s sound was a bit distorted in this recording. Having had recent problems using the Zoom recorder as a microphone, this time the in-built microphone was resorted to, with even worse results it turned out. See the <a href="#sound-processing">Sound processing</a> section below if you want to know more.</p>
<h2 id="notes">Notes</h2>
<p>Some of the topics we discussed</p>
<ul>
<li>Locations for recording. Ambient noises.</li>
<li>WiFi versus ethernet. Dave has a 5-port switch on his dining table (not 8-port).</li>
<li>ADSL routers</li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSLU2" title="Linksys NSLU2">Linksys NSLU2</a> <code>"</code><em>SLUG</em><code>"</code></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SheevaPlug" title="SheevaPlug">SheevaPlug</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CUPS" title="Common Unix Printing System">CUPS</a> - printing and scanning with old non-networked printers</li>
<li><em>Legacy computing experiences</em>:
<ul>
<li>Diablo exchangeable disks</li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_printer" title="Line printer">Line printers</a>. Fan-fold 132 column paper</li>
<li>Punched card experiences. Card sequence numbers. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_card_sorter" title="Card sorter">Card sorters</a>.</li>
<li>Checking disks for warped platters</li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_tape_data_storage" title="Magnetic tape data storage">Magnetic tapes</a>; recovering from damage.</li>
</ul></li>
<li>8-track tapes</li>
<li><a href="https://mocft.co.uk/" title="Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife">Museum of Communication, Fife</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strowger_switch" title="Strowger switch">Strowger switch</a> electromechanical stepping switch telephone exchange system</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="links">Links</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSLU2">Linksys NSLU2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SheevaPlug">SheevaPlug</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CUPS">CUPS</a> - Common Unix Printing System</li>
<li><a href="https://mocft.co.uk/">Museum of Communication, Burntisland, Fife</a></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="sound-processing">Sound processing</h3>
<p><small> The recording was made in multichannel mode in anticipation of problems. The distorted channel was processed by using the <em>Clip Fix</em> effect in Audacity, which didn’t seem to change much except reduce the sound level. It was also necessary to find and remove sounds produced by the <em>push to talk</em> key presses. Removal meant replacing these sounds by silence so the two channels would not get out of step. After this the two channels were merged together and silences truncated. </small></p>
<p><small> Lessons learned: don’t use a built-in microphone if you can help it! </small></p>
</article>
