Ready to Start

Getting to the point where we’re ready to start the gaming process has taken longer than expected. First there was the delay when we realized my laptop wasn’t going to be able to handle Grounded, even though the system check said it could. FacelessJim then had to order the parts and build it, as detailed in the post “New Computer Build” from March 27. After the build, Faceless loaded Windows & some essential stuff, then I had to pick it up, and buy a couple more things that I thought Faceless was getting, and he thought I was getting. I had no controller, mouse or keyboard. I swear he told me to get a PS2 controller, but when I called him from the store to say I couldn’t find any he insisted he’d said an X-Box controller for Windows 11. I could hear his thought process – “Oh, no, this is going to be disastrous!”

I decided to make a separate profile for gaming, as I have grandkiddliewids that also use this computer when they’re here, and I don’t want them getting into the OldGeezer3 account. By the time I was ready with the profiles and downloading other software and applications that I use, it was time for me to fly off to the American Southwest to present a paper, and attend other presentations, at a conference. I got back in the early hours of this morning. One of the bonuses was that I saw a bird there that I had never seen before, so one more for the life list (I’m also a birdwatching twitcher). It was a yellow-crowned night-heron.

A few things that I had noticed when I got back. Faceless’ followers had risen to 273, up from less than 100 when we started this project. The fundraiser for Hemi, Faceless & Vara’s ~~son~~ dog’s operation had exceeded both the original target and a supplemental one, thus allowing them to go ahead and book it, which is going to happen in May. I’d mentioned earlier that Faceless and Vara are living on a shoestring budget as neither has a job, so we are hoping that gaming will help in that regards. Many, many heartfelt thanks to those that donated, and for those who joined in the games they played and participated in the rewards and sent them the various effects that they get a percentage of the price of them. At some point I’ll get the lingo down – that is, after all, the point of me starting to game with them, to teach and old doggie new tricks, even though trix are for kids.

I’d mentioned to a couple of gamers at the conference what I was doing with Faceless and Vara, and they expressed interest in hearing about the journey at the next conference, at which point the light went on. What I am in fact doing by documenting this journey is an autoethnography, and yes, I could present a paper on this at next year’s conference. Interesting idea, that I’ll have to run past Faceless and Vara.

Anyway, I feel primed and ready to go!

New Computer Build

Finally Friday night had arrived, the time that FacelessJim had set aside to build my new computer, to try to get me online and begin training as a proper gamer. Unfortunately, Faceless and Vara’s dog, Hemi, had had a vet’s appointment earlier in the day, and a small tumour had been discovered, which is probably benign, but needs to be removed anyway, as soon as they can find the money for the operation (any donations would be gratefully accepted here). Hemi’s brother had died of a tumour a year and a half ago, and we don’t want that to happen again. Faceless wanted to go ahead with the build anyway, as it would help take his mind off Hemi’s situation.

Faceless set up his camera rig so we could watch over his shoulder as the build happened, and for the next 2 hours we watched him sit cross-legged on the floor (for the most part) as he put it together. When I say we, I mean myself and a few of his followers and subscribers watched the process. One in particular was really interested, and commented often. Turns out he builds computers for a living, and had some good suggestions as Faceless was doing the build.

I mentioned to my other son that Faceless was doing this build, and his immediate response was “you could have asked me to do that.” His second response was “I’m glad you didn’t ask me to do that because people always go to the person who built it for support afterwards.” Years ago I would have done it myself. When the library where I worked finally started getting computers I was the tech person, even though it had nothing to do with my actual job. That’s because I had an early computer (TRS-80) and had done all the upgrades and peripherals on that and subsequent computers. I’ll bet neither of my sons have installed acoustic couplers or built CD-ROM towers! When we started making internet available to the public I installed filtering software on the computers in the children’s department. I tested the different brands of filters by sitting in my office and typing in every, shall we say, impolite word that I could think of. Turns out I could think of a lot of them. Some of the filters were so effective they filtered stuff that they shouldn’t, such as whole medical websites because they discussed penises and vaginas. Surprisingly enough , I discovered that the White House site is not whitehouse.com but whitehouse.gov. Whitehouse.com was a porn site (not there any more, I just checked), but it did have a prominent box redirecting people looking for the actual White House site.

Anyway, Faceless took this picture of the components of the computer before he started the build. He had a few basic questions for me about the setup, and off he went. I was well impressed with his confidence and knowledge as he commented clearly on what and why he was doing, and when asked why he was doing something one way instead of another by the knowledgeable subscriber previously mentioned he could always rationalize and explain his choice, but also took suggestions. Hmm, sounds like I’m writing a job recommendation there. Well, he does need a job, & would make an excellent tech support person if anyone is looking for one (he is also very patient, kind, and polite!).

It was actually fascinating to watch Faceless build this computer from all of the components. I’m looking forward to getting it in person and starting gaming with it. I’ve linked to the video below for those who may want to view it.

Click here to watch the build video on Twtichtv

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New computer

Before we began the process of teaching an old geezer new tricks, and seeing if I could actually learn how to game, we did an equipment check. I already had XBox set up, as I have several grandchildren who come over and use my computer to play their games. Following FacelessJim’s instructions I downloaded first Grounded, the game we would be playing, and then Discord, which apparently you have to use in order to get into the livestream to converse with the other players. Sounded fairly straightforward, yeah? Well, not quite. Downloading Grounded was a cinch, and, first hurdle overcome, the computer check said that Grounded would work just fine with my system. Yes! No need to spend multi 💲

Then on to Discord. After setting it up, first they couldn’t hear me. Now I knew from doing Zoom meetings that the headset I’m using works just fine with both speakers and mic, with no reverberations. So I checked the settings in Discord and finally got the mic and headphones to work, just that everything anyone said echoed. After about 10 minutes I managed to get the echo off my mic, but everything everyone else said still echoed. The others (Faceless, mastervara77, and thennightmarefox) were being very noisy. Someone kept throwing things at Faceless’ face, and in addition to the noise it made when it hit his face, he would let out a squeal every time. Very annoying, especially when the real-time squeals and the echoing squeals overlapped. One of the benefits of having adult kids is that they go live on their own so you don’t have to hear them squealing and bleating on all the time.

Anyway, eventually with the help of Google I found a setting in Discord that allowed noise suppression, and, voilà, when I rejoined the game in progress (how long do these games go on for?) the echo had disappeared.

Yeah! Now I was all set to join in and whoop the butts of these upstart kids! (when you’re my age, a 32-year-old is still a kid). Problem is, when I tried to do anything it was slower than molasses. Worse than that, it was slower than Faceless getting out of bed in the morning. I logged off, then tried running it in one player offline mode, and it was just as bad. Turns out my computer was not adequate for the job.

Now the question became – do I love my son enough to invest in a gaming computer so that we could get this cockanamie idea off the ground, and help him supplement his income? Well, if we could get his career as an influential gamer off the ground then yes, it would be worth it in the long. run. My mother-in-law had just died at almost 103 years old, and had left me a small amount of money in her will, so I decided I would use that to help pay for a new computer. OK, the money hadn’t actually arrived yet, but I would use my line of credit & pay it off when the money did arrive (see: Micawber Principle). A look at the cost of a few computers made me gulp, then Faceless mentioned he could build one from scratch for a lot less money by buying the individual components. So yeah, one minor earthquake and an e-tranfer of funds later, and the building process was underway.

Yesterday, the last of the components arrived at Faceless’ house. He is going to record the build, and explain what he is doing, and adding it to his YouTube channel. That should be happening this Friday. I can’t wait to get it and to get started with the gaming process.