Dear Interchange readers--

Hume has made considerable progress on converting all our message archives to the new php format, and we are nearly ready to switch to the New Interchange for good. If possible, we'll try to give everyone 36 hours' notice before the actual switch, but it may not be possible to give that much advance warning.

If you have not yet done so, this would be a good time to tour the new Interchange test site, create an account for yourself, and get used to some of the new features.

You can access the test site at:

http://www.rypn.net/ic/index.php

To post to the new Interchange, you must first create a profile by clicking the "Register" hyperlink at the top of the page.

You will need to choose a screenname that will appear to other users, you'll need to choose a password, and you will need to supply a valid e-mail address. The Interchange will e-mail a confirmation message to you, including a link you can click to activate your account.

PLEASE remember your username and password--these are encrypted in the database, and the Administrators cannot supply you with reminders.

After your account is active, you will need to log in each time you want to post. You do not need to log in to read posts. Once you log in, you will have one-click access to posts since your last visit.

Since this is only a test site, use it to practice creating posts, reading threads, and replying to posts. You should post any real comments or real inquiries to the current Interchange until the official handover.

Please send any feedback, especially descriptions of any errors encountered, to Hume and Erik at hkading@rypn.org and eledbetter@rypn.org.

Many thanks for your patience during this transition.

Erik Ledbetter
Interchange Moderator

New Interchange Beta Test
eledbetter@rypn.org

First they did away with steam. Then they eliminated my fireman's job. Then Kodachrome started fading away. Now my cell phone company wants me to "upgrade" from TDMA to GSM. When is this gosh darn progress thing going to end.

jbwest@att.net

When is this gosh darn progress
> thing going to end.

I can't tell you WHEN it will end, but the Second Law of Thermodyanamics assures us that sooner or later it WILL end.


eledbetter@rypn.org