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Vol. 2, No. 25

October 25, 1996

Welcome to another Tripod Insider -- your source for all things Tripod. Another week of new staff, more office moves, and a feisty cat. Read more about it after the editors tell you what's new on the site.

Content And Services

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TRIPOD fun_games

New in Tripod's fun_games: Mr. Pumpkinhead Jack O' Lantern Maker!

Here's your big chance to get into the spirit of Halloween by playing Junior Frankenstein with a large piece of fruit! Doesn't that "special someone" deserve much more than an ordinary greeting card? Show you care with the gift of a large, orange anthropomorphic gourd!

WORK & MONEY

If there is a theme to this week's offerings in the Work and Money section, it would seem to be that many employees are feeling angry about and hemmed in by trends in the corporate world. First, Harry Goldstein relates the story of his grab for a "title promotion" -- one that would make his resume look better without affording a raise in pay. Instead, our Mr. G gets a shellacking from his boss. Check it out in the latest "Working Life" column, "Grasping for the Next Rung."

The Work and Money Dilemma, Schmooze or Lose, comes to us from a shy employee of a New Media company who feels awkward in the many social functions that her job requires her to attend. Why not share your advice and anecdotes for mastering the meet-and-greet?

Then, this week's survey asks, are you "Dying for Information?" A recent international study found that half of all managers complain of "information overload" which increases already high levels of stress and can lead to ill health. Couldn't the same be said of most modern workers? Don't managers sometimes add to the glut of communication? And most importantly, how do you deal with the stress that comes from information overload?

Bruce Tulgan (author of "Managing Generation X") returns to his favorite subject -- micromanagement -- in the penultimate "X Nugget" column. The focus is on bosses who won't let go of projects and trust their employees to use good judgement -- and Tulgan suggests that we can "gently, but firmly" re-educate those for whom we work. Finally, "Tools for Thought" reviews a bitter and funny zine called "TEMP SLAVE!" Editor/publisher Keffo lets loose with a blast of bile about the modern workplace that will make your head spin!

Randy Williams, Editor

POLITICS & COMMUNITY

Tired of the two-party system? Bored by politics as usual? Harry Goldstein explains why voting for Ralph Nader would send a message that the time is ripe for progressive alternatives to the two-party system.

The Presidential election is a stale, sanitized affair. It's a good thing that local politics still retain much of the quirky populist qualities of American democracy. Read the Tripod interview with Paul Stekler, one of the producers of "Vote for Me: Politics in America," a documentary that captures what it's like for real people to run for public office.

Everyone has a stream, lake, or patch of land in their hometown that has been destroyed by chemical dumping. If you ever wanted to do something about it, The Citizen's Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste has the resources and information you will need.

Thanks for all the great responses to last week's question about electing a woman President. This week we ask you why the Republican party is growing in number, soon to surpass the Democrats. Do the majority of Americans really think Rush is Right? Clue us in -- what is behind this shift?

Michael Agger, Acting Editor

HOMELIFE

"Get Where You're Going" is about a love affair on four wheels (or two). David Wallis laments the car he loved and lost, while Bernadette Noll recalls the highs and lows of a 1965 Schwinn one-speed bicycle.

In Tools for Thought: If driving is a love affair, then "Essential Car Care" is your book of dating rules. This 2"x6" guide assumes your "car expertise" ends at pre-programming your car radio.

Back in the doctor's office, Doctor Bob advises Tripod members on how to ease heroin withdrawal symptoms, and how to get rid of acne for good. Then play doctor to exercise-induced chronic back pain. This week's survey, "FDA on the Prowl," asks if online medical advice should be regulated. For every Doctor Bob there's a medical scam out there. Do we need help telling science from quackery?

Finally, the interview with Paul Theroux is still up, because I like what he had to say (about nosy interviewers and his novel-memoir).

Emma Taylor, Editor

Tripod Insider

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It seems like only yesterday that Tripod welcomed new employees. This week, Tripod initiates two more. Dan Reines and Lori Tuckett joined Tripod as editorial assistants. Dan showed up to work on Monday only to find that he did not have a desk, computer, or e-mail account. I guess Tripod is taking the virtual office to a whole new level. However, in a long honored office tradition, Dan was given the oldest editorial chair by Mike. Dan paved the way for Lori, who started on Wednesday. I'm not sure she has a computer yet, but she will at least get Dan's chair.

Due to all the new staff members, we've been playing musical offices, mixing and matching different people and departments in various spaces all in the name of productivity. In fact, one office houses an editor, designer, and programmer. Let's hope they can learn to play nice together.

Trixie, the office kitten, is not immune from office moves either. She splits her time between two offices, but is always trying to get outside. The other day, she proved just how good she is at darting out the door the instant someone enters the office. Within two minutes she had gotten herself stuck twenty feet up in a tree. It took three and a half people to finally get her down and Margaret took quite a tumble in the process. Considering how she landed, Mags may not like her office chair too much. Her own "seat" is a little sore.

Tripod Membership

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Thanks for becoming a member of Tripod.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me.
My mailbox is always open.

Tung T. Pham
Membership Director
[email protected]

This has been another issue of the Tripod Insider, the occasional newsletter on what's happening at Tripod. Past issues of the Tripod Insider are also available.

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