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Clean Up or Buy New PC?
My computer is too slow.
I can't remember how old it is. I lose track of things like that. I think it's about 3 years old. It wasn't exactly state of the art then. :) But I am not doing things that need a lot of power - no CAD programs, only very simple graphics stuff, word processing, web surfing, e-mail. Hard drive still has plenty of room, but I know I need more memory. I used to be on top of all this stuff, but nowadays I'm too impatient, all I want to do is USE the thing, not fiddle with it. I don't want to invest in a new computer right now. I could, but I'd rather be frugal. I think this one will last me at least another year without too many headaches, if I can get it cleaned up. The main problem is it's too slow, and every now and then it just freezes for a few minutes...I hear the hard disk growling, then eventually it comes back to life after it's done with whatever it was trying to do. How's the best way to approach this? Back in the DOS days I had this down pat. Even the original MS Windows was not too difficult, but now there's this registry crap and I just can't figure out where it puts all the temporary files and shit...UGH. I can usually figure out techy stuff but believe me, it's on a need-to-know basis. Like, I've gone and deleted a bunch of programs I didn't need but I know they left a bunch of crap behind, because that's just what they do. You do the adware scan applications and they either delete stuff you NEED or leave bits of themselves behind while they're claiming to get rid of other stuff. The hard drive on this PC must look like an old barn that's only been halfheartedly mucked out from time to time, rife with cobwebs, bat guano, owl pellets and petrified horse poop. I feel like just burning it down and starting fresh. So, do I just backup all the stuff I need and reformat the thing? Or is there an easier way that won't take me a whole week to accomplish? (YES I have backups...but not everything. Just the most important stuff.) |
Depends on how much your time is worth to you. I don't mind burning a DVD every couple of years and reinstalling windows. It's kind of cleansing.
More memory would probably help some. Depending on how many programs you run at once and how much ram they like, you ought to have 1 or 2 gigs of memory. Also don't forget to optimize your hard drive. None of these things is going to make your machine radically faster. But it might be enough to keep you satisfied with your machine for another year or two. Another thing to consider. It may not be your "machine" that is slowing down. If you have been following instructions, Microsoft has been pushing updates to you. Those updates make your machine more secure, but you can bet none of them have improved your computer's performance. |
Who me, follow instructions? Nah. I get the notices and treat them like the calls on my caller ID from "gutter shutter" and 'card ID center" that are basically annoyances...if it works, why fuck wiht it?
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Not stated is what needs more power. Second, two bottlenecks are CPU and memory. To alleviate stress on both, find and eliminate as many other processes as possible. Start with Task Manager. Two important numbers are CPU time and Memory Delta. Any process that is consuming too much CPU time might be eliminated. Any unnecessary process with numerous Memory Deltas, when eliminated, should permit that main program to run faster. And finally, third, go to www.crucial.com to run the memory scanner. Learn how much memory can be installed, how much more might be purchased, memory type, and prices. |
Buy a new one. The technology changes so fast and is so much improved that the one you buy today is already out dated in a year. Prices have come down and with the downturned economy you can get some really great deals right now.
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My pc is six years old. I have had to reformat a couple of times. ( reinstall windows )I regret it dosn't have enough memory for the amount of h/d space it has. The c/d drive door to the burner isn't automatic anymore but it is still a good computer.
If you do what dar and tw says you'll get a bunch of more speed out of it. It still has to have good bones. Mine isn't worth anything resale but then the moment you buy a new one it isn't worth much anymore either especially when they come out with a new o.s. If it is just 2 years old clean it up. If you want something new buy a laptop. That is my plan anyway. oh p.s the amount of things you allow to access the internet will slow it down as well. I found that some antivirus and firewalls will be bloaty and slow some computers down. Watching this plus what dar and tw say to do will make your pc something you'll want to hang on to. |
Slowness can be a sign of spyware infection. Anti-virus slows your system down while it's scanning, but if you don't have any, you really should install something to see whether you've been infected. AVG is freeware and OK.
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Another good tool is Ccleaner, formerly Crap Cleaner. This attempts to remove unnecessary files and useless old registry entries. You may want to keep some things, like form history and cookies, so be careful what you let it clean. Remove every program you don't need via Add And Remove Programs before running it. It will clean the junk those leave behind.
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I have McAfee and it works fine. I was using AVG for a long time and I think I liked it better.
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Juni, you might be interested in this thread.
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Provided are many suggestions. But without knowing facts - what the actual hardware is or what is must execute - then everything is only wild and subjective speculation. Little is useful or in perspective without those basic facts.
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It is also a hard habit to break (speaking from experience). |
hard, it is, to break, yes.
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What is this thing called a 'passive voice'? How would the same sentences be posted to not be in a passive voice? And why does passive or forceful voice make facts difficult or easier to grasp? |
Assuming, for the moment, that you are not just jerking my chain.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/hando...sivevoice.html I might go with "People have already given suggestions." |
HA HA HA HA HA HA @ dar. Lemme try:
Beancounters always use passive voice That should take care of it ;) |
My 9th Grade Honors English teacher wouldn't let us use am/is/are/was/were/be/being/been (passive verbs).
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but to bring the thread back on topic: Send the machine to Flint. He'll fix any problem. repeatedly.
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Hey, cut him some slack. I'm in my senior year of college as an English major and I still sometimes have trouble with passive voice.
I don't think it's passive voice, though, so much as odd word order. The Yoda reference. But anyway...crap... I did all that stuff: ditched McAfee and got AVG instead, defragged, checked for spyware and cleaned up my registry and now my computer is SLOWER THAN BEFORE. ACK ACK ACK ACK!!!!! |
Whatever you do, stay away from Vista. It is the Debbil.
:cop: |
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Apparently the 'passive' sentence was "Provided are many suggestions." That sentence should be in active voice? "God provided many suggestions" which is no different from "I provided many suggestions" which also should not read "To dar512 are provided many suggestions". Every 'active' sentence completely and obviously detracts from the (not 'my' - the) only relevant point: "provided" and "many suggestions". Only passive voice says what I meant. That 'passive voice' post was blunt and directed at the only thing relevant. At no time did I honor or worship an irrelevant "I", "You", "they", or "god". Those references are used excessively by others who need to believe people are somehow more important than a subject/object. What did they teach in that English course on technical writing? Get rid of what I now know as active voice. When I write a technical paper, a lack of technical knowledge by the editor becomes obvious. She changed sentences to active voice because she was more into humanizing and "English nazism", could not grasp the topic and therefore had to personalize it, and never learned how to write technically. (Notice use of active voice because 'she' is relevant in that sentence.) Active voice has limited place in a technical answer. References to persons, when not necessary, only creates confusion and adds irrelevance. Many want an active voice because they don't like being put where they belong - secondary and irrelevant to a subject - therefore unmentioned. 'Passive voice' used because it (and not active voice) best made the statement intended. Again, screw those "English nazis" who are too busy worshipping English rules rather than learning how the world works. Provided earlier were three tasks to address that computer's speed. Again, no silly references to what is irrelevant to the topic - me, you, Zengum, they, Cellar dwellars, a false idol called god, George Jr, ... I am neither relevant nor so egotistical as to include myself in that sentence. From that citation: Quote:
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Are you stuck with Windows or can you explore other operating systems?
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I suspect (not confirmed) that AVG is less efficient than other malware programs (notice the active voice because 'I' am relevant in that sentence). But still unknown are important basics such as CPU, memory size, or what that process is. Those other recommendations such as ditching McAffee (not recommended), cleaning the registry (obviously accomplishes little), and defragging would do little to solve a slowness problem. Those three task are the best solution if only because it is not obvious why. |
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I don't buy the passive-voice recommendation for technical subjects either. There is always a subject even if it is implied. The use of passive voice doesn't eliminate bias, it just hides it. |
Oh sweet Jesus! This is a thread about computer issues. English class is down the hall.
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Seriously. This SUCKS. I've now taken AVG back off again. I'm not running anything except IE or Firefox, Thunderbird and Word. I need to fix this. I have work to do and I cannot work like this, it is driving me bonkers. My computer is running slower than it was before I started messing with it.
OK, you want to know what I have, here it is. I'm just going to type in what it says on the label on the front of the tower because I used to know what all this meant but apparently my brain cells aren't firing like they used to, either. emachines T3104 AMD Sempron Processor 3100+ 1.80 ghz 1600 mhz fsb 256 kb L2 cache 256 MB DDR SDRAM Running XP YES I know I need more memory, but I'm not adding any if the machine isn't worthy of it, KWIM? On top of it all, my flat-screen monitor croaked a couple weeks ago and I'm using an ancient 14". Oh, and the CD/DVD drawer doesn't pop out all the time anymore, sometimes it needs a little cajoling. SOMEONE may be getting an early Christmas present, from herself! |
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That'll solve your problem right there. The applications have gotten bigger while your memory has stayed the same. |
OK, UT. I'll go buy me some memory. :) Thanks for looking it up for me. I just thought it was weird that it suddenly started acting this way.
Now can you help me figure out why I have only some, not all graphics in Firefox? (sigh) |
If it's slow enough, the system may time out waiting to fetch those graphics.
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Everything looks right in MSIE. Of course I want to use Firefox because it has much better add-ons.
As an example...say, on this site, I can see everything except the background colors. On google, I can see the search box, but not the "google" above it. On some sites I can't see the buttons to submit forms, which makes it interesting, because I have to sort of wave the pointer around till it turns into a hand and hope I'm clicking "submit" and not "self destruct" or something. :) Photos I can see. Certain graphic elements, I cannot, and I can't figure out the pattern to it because things work on one site (buttons, etc.) and not others. |
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It is an eMachine. Some type of 1 gigabyte memory does not work in some eMachine systems. A problem that does not exist in machines from responsible manufacturers. Provided in post 4, point 3 was had a hperlink to crucial.com. Executed that immediately so that UT did not have to post a price and so that you don't get the wrong type of 1 Gb memory and so that ... you don't yet know how important that post was in getting a solution fast and the first time. Be cautious with eMachine. It should be screaming fast and (if not eMachine) then would execute even faster. But eMachines is designed by cost a controller - not innovators - which is also why you must be extra careful (sometimes) when buying memory. That eMachine will only scream - not do what it really could have done. How poor are eMachine designed? Minimum size for memory in any machine of that date especially when using XP - 512 Mb. Yours only has 256? Do you also buy GM cars? Appreciate why eMachines, on the bottom line, actually cost more money. However we have what we have. So stop stifling useful replies. Post 4 has three points. Meet all if you want the next post to create results. Second and third points in post 4 made most all previous posts unnecessary. How to get useful answers the next time. Post 4 point 2 describes using Task Manager. Since anything in Task Manger makes no sense to you, then it is probably THE fact that gets a solution, when posted here. Described is what to look at and then post here. CPU time and Memory Delta. Had you done that, then wasting time with MacAfee, et al would have never happened. Still not described: what software you want to execute. You want a fix? Three points in post 4 are about knowing what is wrong long before fixing anything. Trying to fix something on wild speculation, as you have been doing (which is why you are frustrated), is how to waste time AND sometimes makes problems even worse. Click on any underlined hyperlink such as post 4. Then report back what all three points are asking ... but only if you want the next post to be helpful, and if you want to stop wasting time, and if you want to avoid frustration. Want frustration? Then don't execute that crucial.com hyperlink. I don't want to post "I told you so". You may need to know more than just buying that memory. |
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If you are going to write a long post about the problem, why don't you write a long post with specific instructions? You said "Task Manger makes no sense to you," so you obviously believe that the person asking the question doesn't know a lot about computers. Make it a little easier. Pretend you are a teacher. Explain step by step what to do and why. You devote a lot of time to answering these "computer help needed" threads, so I assume you are genuinely interesting in helping out. Those of us with limited computer knowledge love to have this stuff explained with detailed instructions and explanations. Instead of your post 4 Quote:
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Very nice, glatt. That's a good example of how to give directions.
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advice not taken by the poster is in evidence clearly throughout the cellar. if not so stupid as to buy GM and support GW point would already be common knowledge. 85% $20 says TW is the posts what he thinks is a scathing indictment of glatt's intelligence in the next 30 minutes.
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FWIW, I do very well know about Task Manager. And many other operations.
And no, I do not have a GM car. Sheesh. Perhaps you think buying an eMachines was stupid, but what you don't know is that I got it for $100 brand new and it has worked fine for me for three years without even popping the cover. Not so stupid after all, huh? There is no need to be insulting. Lookout, I don't know where the hell that came from. Thanks a bunch. Dammit, I'm sorry I asked. |
Heh...I was just thinking that a person who is contemplating building her own pc probably has a clue about the three fingered salute and task manager. ;)
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OK, i missed the 30 minute mark, but to be fair TW was replying to this thread before he logged off to complete his mom's to do list.
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You can mail me the 20. :)
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Go check you mailbox. Right now. Go.
. . . Not there? Check behind your ear. Go ahead. |
I found it! Thanks buddy!
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Take care of it and don't get mugged. this cellar is getting a little rough around the edges.
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Your example also asks for irrelevant facts such as "available memory". Third point executes a crucial.com scanner to answer that and numerous other questions. Why would anyone know that? I was not going to list 15 possible anwers provided by that scanner. 'Why' (and learning from the experience) gets answered _after_ each point is performed. Then only relevant answers are posted. The purpose of Task Manager is to obtain CPU time and Memory Delta - important parameters. I never asked for 'total available memory"? Why did you? I asked for CPU time and Memory Delta (also called Mem Delta or Memory Useage Delta) because those numbers answer numerous relevant questions. Problem I have with your example is also what I recently encountered with software descriptions. Each routinely forgot to cite its purpose or objective. But its text was so user friendly with all those "I", "you", and irrelevant "they" words that it was easy to read and provided near zero useful information. First and foremost is point one: what is the objective. What is that program that runs too slow? I now assume it was FireFox or IE. But then even 600 Mhz computers runs that software sufficiently fast - at least the ones I have configured or supported. (Computer that has most difficulty also executes apparently 'less efficient' AVG software.) Finally, the computer was defined by manufacturer and other numbers. Therefore a useful reply was possible - ie UT's memory link. Why do we fix things? To learn this stuff. No numbers means replies tend to be useless, subjective, and speculative. To obtain useful answers means one must post numbers. When numbers mean nothing to one, then those numbers often are the only reason why others will provide a useful reply. Post 4 was the outline on how to obtain a solution quickly. Three simple paragraphs chock full of useful information. Key nouns provided so that questions could be asked or answered, or confusion eliminated using a long list of other sources. Anwers easily obtained in Windows' Help and Support, or entering "Task Manager" in Wikipedia, or entering "Task Manager" in Google, or searching for "Task Manager" in Micrsoft.com, or clicking on Help in Task Manager, or asking the question here, or ... because key nouns were provided. Also eliminated in your example was each step numbered, so that questions could referenced the appropriate paragraph and so that each task was defined separately. There was point 1, and point 2, and point 3. Each required responses. Finally, this is the worst English: Quote:
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It is an eMachine. Extra care should be observed when selecting memory. A problem also learned by spending too much time with their tech support. Just another warning. That machine should be screaming. If the machine is as slow as subjectively implied, then it has more problems than just insufficient memory. How slow is it? Just another in a long list of question answered if all three points in Post 4 been performed or answered. What indicates that Post 4 provides a best solution? It demands numbers. Especially numbers that mean so little to most people. Been doing this stuff for too many generations. Not decades. Generations. At the age of 13, how many televisions had you repaired? Post 4 was written using grammar and structure similar to what was read in the best instructions and service manuals. Been doing this stuff too long to be anything but blunt and honest. |
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You are not insulted. In fact, you were not even considered. Considered (and insulted) was the failure that had no business making problems in your life and causing posts here. Reread that post to see your computer is the only subject. Computer that deserves comtempt like is was a GM car. So where is this statement that you own a GM car? Does not exist. Humans are irrelevant here. Relevant is the one who is attacking you, me, and the productivity of the world. That computer that is so insulant as to fail. That is why all directions should have no "I", "You", or "Them" in it. If you want to read something into what I posted, then curse that computer with profantiy reserved only for desccribing Hitler. That is honesty. And that is the evil that we will elminate in the world. Meanwhile, do you want to fix it now or keep struggling? I am clearly a best source for a solution because I know this stuff - obviously - and I don't waste time sugar coating (lying) the contempt for that gremblin inside your machine. But to be helpful, you must first provide information that others here don't even understand. Again, post 4. Once you provide basic facts and numbers, then what , why and a solution follows. IOW you fix it AND you learn. Your choice. Even take things personally or appreciate that you are not the object. The only object is that 'evil' computer that will be resurrected. Amen. |
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tw - You seem like a fairly intelligent guy with a lot of knowledge in technical areas. It's too bad that you come off as a pompous twit because you could be really helpful to lots of folks here.
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Why are you posting about personalities when I am only addressing a technical problem in a way that technical problems routinely get solved? If I 'come off' some way, it is 100% based in your biases - ie how you perceive sentence structures - ie some hidden meaning you feel must be in that paragraph. I am not selling something. You are not buying something. Why then should I lie? Or do you somehow feel a person is a relevant object here? An answer to Juniper's problem is in post #4. It was taken one step further: also defined why a solution still was not achieved. Answered so that the technically empowered can learn further from the experience - ie constant references to numbers. Why then do you introduce emotional perception into a technical discussion? IOW why do you use paragraphs chock full of "I", "You", etc when none of those words apply to a computer problem? In short, I am challenging you to only see what was posted - and ignore those silly emotions that might rise up in your brain because of how a sentence only of fact is structured. Those emotions don't solve the computer problem. Yes, I am challenging you to read only what was posted - not entertain how your biases add perceptions and implications. Because the three points in post 4 were not performed, then nothing has yet been solved AND frustration was encountered. All that was completely unnecessary had numbers been provided from Task Manager, crucial.com, etc. |
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You admit that my post was easy to read and user friendly. That's the point. If the writing style of your post makes it so difficult to read that nobody gets information out of it, then it's pointless to post it. I freely admitted that I don't know much about computers and that my example might contain flawed information. Perhaps you missed that. It was the last line of my post. The purpose of my example was to show you a writing style that is more accessible to the reader. After all, that's the whole point, isn't it? |
I might also point out that you are conversing with someone who writes for a living. It is my business to be clear and concise. I have even done some tech writing.
And I am thankful for people like TW. People like him guarantee that I will remain gainfully employed for many years to come. I have to apologize, TW and everyone else. I was wrong. I forgot that I did install additional memory at some point. I'm up to 768 MB right now. I'll put the new 1GB card in the 256MB slot and things should be pretty zippy. Forgive me - I probably did it about this time last year, which is when my mom died, and that time in my life is pretty much a blur. I still don't know why I'm having trouble with IE and Firefox. They work, but scroll really slowly. I don't seem to have that problem with other apps. BTW, the perceived insult was here: Quote:
TW, by chance, do you have Aspergers or something? Your posts look astonishingly similar to an Aspie guy I used to know on another discussion board. That would explain a lot. |
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To make post 4 easiest to read, I kept it short, numbered all three points, confirmed every keyword before posting it, and never confused people with things such as what Task Manager is. One primary intent here - which is the #1 reason why we fix things - was to teach. Ever see the movie Paper Chase? What is necessary before going to class? Homework. Profession Kingfield required each to come to class with facts and numbers. Without numbers from Post 4 - if the homework is not first done - then I can teach nothing useful. IOW had numbers from post 4 been first provided, then I could have identified the suspects AND explained what and why is happening. No numbers? Nothing as required in post 4. Well then Juniper was struggling with wild speculation - it could be this or could be that. Why am I "being a twit" as it was described? There is also a larger lesson here. "I" "You" "We" etc has no place here. I can only be a 'twit' if one personalizes what is only a technical discussion. Numbers are always essential to solving technical problems. Never short your help of facts. Never add anything personal in what is only a technical solution. Never try to first solve a problem; always first collect facts and identify the suspects long before trying to fix anything. Follow the evidence; ignore wild speculation. And the best service manuals, technical solutions, science papers, etc require multiple rereads to comprehend - are that chock full of facts. Post 4 was a perfect example of so much information in so few words. Post 4 would have avoided wasting time with McAfee / AVG solutions - also called wild speculation. When do we move on the only problem here - that computer? When facts request by three point in post 4 are provided. Notice how many wasted posts and so many emotional people only because those numbers still are not provided. (I am also entertained that so many got emotional over what is simply a technical problem. I did not even have to cry, “Fire” in a theater to create a riot. How easily so many let their emotions rage – and those numbers from post 4 still are not provided.) |
tw, you forget that this is not a user manual. You are having a written conversation with a person.
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The learning part is a huge bonus though! |
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No aspergers. But having done this stuff for numerous generations (not decades - generations), I have long learned to eliminate and ignore all personalization when attacking a technical problem. Again, some of the best problem solvers (like some of the best written manuals) eliminate what has no place in technical discussions and solutions - "I", "We", "You", etc. Those words only appear when things such as personal speculations or human interaction are relevant to the subject. When I choose to personalize, well, I read others ask if I am the same person. When personalizing, my posts are different because the necessary thinking process is completely different. This is a technical discussion which means "I" and "you" are removed from every paragraph whenever possible. (well I slipped there a little and brought religion into it. I apologize for letting god apply some input.) Again, does not matter whether you ordered UT's memory or not. Post 4 still required the crucial.com scanner because, well, without doing homework before coming to class, then you have no place in the classroom. As I stated before, based upon the subjective posts, I do not believe insufficient memory is the only problem. I can say nothing because - your help remains shorted (stifled) of necessary facts. |
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But again, we are wasting time by avoiding the subject - that enemy of all mankind - a failed machine. |
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