(no subject)

[icepixie]

I can't do it, y'all. I watched the first fifteen minutes of the latest DW episode, and I can't bring myself to watch the rest. Does anyone not know how that will end? If so, have you ever seen or read any other sci-fi, ever?

But Martha looked pretty in her party dress. That's nice.

*

General question for PC users: is there a way to exchange the functions of the control key and...um...I think it's the option key? The one next to the space bar. Command/open-apple on a Mac. They're exactly the opposite of what I'm used to after two decades of Mac keyboards, and it's been driving me batty at work. I've heard murmurings about some way to do this sort of thing around the internets, but I fail at Google today. I'd prefer not to have to download a program to do this. Is there something in the control panel to do it, maybe?

Comments

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Seriously, this was as much like a Classic Who ep as I've seen since Series One. I absolutely loved it, which hasn't happened in over a year.

Becca, I can't remember if you can switch Windows keys (been too long since I supported the things), but I feel your pain, especially after a summer with no Windows machines, and then having to go back to school. I know you can set up keyboard codes, but that's not the same thing. I'm not sure you can actually switch key functions. :(

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

Seriously, this was as much like a Classic Who ep as I've seen since Series One.

It *was* heavy on the corridor-running and mad scientists, huh? A bit ridiculous, but lots of fun.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

You know, it just had this *feel* of old Who. Not sure if I can put my finger on it, exactly, but I felt it as soon as young!Laz was talking to the older woman before he changed for the first time. I guess it's the Scientist Means Well But It Goes Terribly Wrong vibe, right about there. And then the reversed polarity, and the Beethoven line (SO Tom Baker!), and Martha getting to use her brain, and the Eliot for good measure!

I'm still unclear on how the whole pipe organ thing actually worked (as in, I'm not convinced it actually did--well, not in any way that actually makes sense), but by then I just didn't care, because I was too busy being amazed by the lack of Screaming!Ten and the fact that I'd had the most fun with Who that I've had since Nine--even with Martha's annoying Mum around.

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

I guess it's the Scientist Means Well But It Goes Terribly Wrong vibe, right about there.

Yeah, the "dangers of twisted science!" theme felt... Cold War-ish? I'm not all that familiar with old Who beyond a little of Four and Seven (does Eight even count?), but I knew enough to cheer at the reversed polarity! (And I do love it when DT channels Tom Baker.) Unfortunately, the Eliot had me thinking Eliot -> Cats -> Tallulah was right about his "musical theater" leanings? Heh.

I'm still unclear on how the whole pipe organ thing actually worked (as in, I'm not convinced it actually did--well, not in any way that actually makes sense)

Welllll... if you assume the screwdriver was converting the regular sound waves of the organ to "hypersonic" waves... I suppose they could've blasted Lazarus's jury-rigged DNA modifications all to pieces? Or something. I pretty much gave up on the "science" portions of this after they showed that blatantly wrong DNA model...

I was too busy being amazed by the lack of Screaming!Ten

I know! DT is capable of so much more than they give him, sometimes. When screaming is demanded by the script, he does it tolerably, but I want better scripts!

even with Martha's annoying Mum around.

She was just like Jackie, except not at all awesome! What was up with that? Is there such a thing as a good parent in this universe?

I can't quite pick out why this week's was so fun, but... I'll take it? Better than another parade of Daleks, at least!

[alto2.livejournal.com]

the "dangers of twisted science!" theme felt... Cold War-ish?

It reminded me of "Inferno," which was from Jon Pertwee's first year--1970?

I'm not all that familiar with old Who beyond a little of Four and Seven (does Eight even count?), but I knew enough to cheer at the reversed polarity!

Does Eight count?!? ::points at icon:: Of course he does! ;) Can't remember off the top of my head if he reversed the polarity in the TVM or not. That was mostly a Pertwee line.

if you assume the screwdriver was converting the regular sound waves of the organ to "hypersonic" waves... I suppose they could've blasted Lazarus's jury-rigged DNA modifications all to pieces? Or something.

See, I figured something logical, if not scientifically accurate, would be to run the cathedral carillon from the organ console--'cause, hey, bell tower! Only....no. And there used to be at least glimmers of actual science going on, back in the Good Old Days (TM), but these days it's sort of like "Oh, who cares about the science, just make it look cool." Which is nice, except for those of us who actually try to follow the plot...(Of course, as another LJ friend pointed out, he's really not a scientist anymore. They've made him a magician. Gah.)

And you're right about the scripts. I've been saying that since series 2 started last year. Could we please give the man something real to work with, instead of just having him spontaneously yelling at people, if not actually threatening them?

It was better than More and More Daleks Until You Can't Stand Them Anymore, for sure!

[icepixie]

Seriously, this was as much like a Classic Who ep as I've seen since Series One. I absolutely loved it, which hasn't happened in over a year.

Hmm. For those fifteen minutes I watched, I spent the entire time glancing back and forth between the screen and the clock before deciding I had better things to do. Maybe once I finish this fic that's eating my brain, I'll go back and watch this.

I found a program that does what I want as far as switching the keys. I was hoping there would be a setting to change instead of a program to install, because if it doesn't work, having to call IT and be like, "...Yeah, I was installing a random program and now my computer is screwed up. I swear it was to increase my productivity?" = NOT COOL.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

It's interesting to me that 15 minutes is where you gave up, but where I suddenly said "OMG, it's old-school Who!" I could practically see Tom Baker or Peter Davison...or even Jon Pertwee, since the episode reminded me a lot of Inferno. Of course, if you go back and watch it now, you'll *really* know what's going to happen...

I'm sure there are programs to switch the keys, but I'm pretty sure there's nothing built into Windows, is what I was saying. Seriously, if you give it a month or two (maybe less), your muscle memory will make the shift for you, I'm pretty sure. It just takes a while for it to get the clue.

[icepixie]

The thing is, I switch between PC at work and Mac at home. My muscle memory can't deal with that. So I want something that eliminates the constant switching. Sadly, the program I found is not nearly so close to freeware as I thought, so I'll have to keep looking.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

The thing is, I switch between PC at work and Mac at home.

Yeah, I know. Me too. That's what I mean when I say that eventually, your muscle memory can and will catch up, if you're willing to let it.

Have you talked to the IT folks at work? They may know of something.

[icepixie]

Heh. It's been six weeks; my patience doesn't stretch much further than that. (Yeah, it's a failing, I know.)

I'm not sure who the IT folks at work are. I assume we have such a department, given how large the company is, but so far we've always gone to either the boss or the techie guy in our group for computer issues. I suppose I could ask one of them, but it's not quite annoying enough to make me want to do that. Besides which, the entire company is based on PCs. There isn't a Mac in the building. I'd totally be laughed out of the room. *g*