Just wanted to say hello

Liquid3D · Post by **Liquid3D** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 5:46 pm

Hi my name is Keith Suppe (Liquid3D) I'm 42 years old, and I've just recently joined the staff. First i want to say i have a lot of respect for this site, and have been applying here for months. Nathan got back to me and I was really excited. I also write for http://www.madshrimps.be and have my own little site (more like a database) http://www.ksbrainstorms.com there's pictures there where I live, and I hope you'll take the time to visit.

I started life late, as I left school at a young age, due to some family problems, and I guess wanting to rebel against my family's belief money meant everything. Being young and wild I loved the NYC nightlife, and ended up working lighting systems, and sound systems at various dance-clubs. I awoke at 24-years old, from what was really 10-years of addiction, and trauma associated with it. I guess hanging out in NYC after-hour night clubs, i was living in a surreal world. A lot of Artists, and people with money, all wanting to escape in music, drugs, and drinking. It took it's toll, and I knew I was getting old, and feeling very bad about myself. I got into some very intense therapy, and immediately pursued my education.

Starting at Eastern Connecticut State University in 1987, I was going into Advertising. Until I took my first Philosophy course. I fell in love with Anthropology, and Neurophilosphy, and inadvertantly found Computer Science through this feild. Feilds such as AI, Linguistics are sub-disciplines of Neurophilosophy, and I became interested in work Noam Chomsky was doing with computers at MIT. The computer is perhaps, the best model or anology of how the brain functions, and thoughts are represented. Of course my materialst family (Step-father) said; "Look in the want-ads, do you see any jobs for Philosopher's?" which reminded me of why I'd rebelled in the first place hehe. This sort of side-tracked me and I went to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City as I'd loved to ski, and was thinking of transferring into there Neuroscience program. While in Salt Lake City, I spent every free minuite up in the moiuntains, Park City, etc. In the Wasatch mountians I was introduced to extreme skiing, and although it may sound silly, I did find a spirituality in extreme sports. Being in the mountians, or surfing a 25-foot wave, nothing come close to that feeling, no drug, not even sex (well different mountians I guess hehe) ever felt as good as looking out from the top of a 13,000ft peak!

I came back to the East Coast and moved to Northhampton Mass, where I lived with my girlfriend who attended Smith College, and began racing mountain bikes. I went to University of Massachusetts at Amherst, but then a Summer on Cape Cod introduced me to surfing, and I stayed. From there I moved to Costa Rica for almost a year, lived in Breckinridge Colorado, and two years later moved to Oahu Hawaii. I lived 300-feet from Public's and WaiKiKi beaches in WaiKiKi. I actually missed Provincetown, on the tip of Cape Cod and moved back. About a year later I suffered a severe spinal injury in a mountian bike race. I'd actually injured it in Utah too but didn't know how bad it was. This really depressed me, and being on intense narcotics didn't help. I struggled the first year, and it was even suggested I try anit-depressents. Eventually I used the tools I was given long ago, and pulled myself together emotionally. I then moved to Newport RI to be near the Ocean, but also near Brown University where eventualy I wanted to get my PhD in Neuroscience/Neurophilosophy. I'm not sure at this point if Brown is the school I'd like to attend for my PhD, and may move to Berkeley to finish my schooling, as I really miss the West Coast. (I spent time in Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obisbo when I surfed the central Coast a few Winters)

It was when I was disabled I re-introduced myself to PC's. At first I needed a tool to write some books I was thinking of, as I did a lot of writing, painted and had some art shows while living in Northampton, MA. I also used my PC to run Parallel Distributive Processing software to keep up with Neuroscience. I keep studying whether I'm in school or not. Newport is a beautiful small Ocean-Side town, and Salve Regina University is right down the street. It's been a great place to "heal" and I awake every mornign at 5AM, and donate some time at a Drug Clinic down the street. Unfortunately years of medictations prescribed for my back, such as Steroids, Tylenol based, Anti-inflammatory all ended up causing severe Liver damage. Between my nerve damage in my back, and my Liver, I may never be well again, so it's been very difficult accpeting the fact I may never Surf, or ride a Mountain-top trail. I am writing a few books, and my PC has become a great hobby.

When I lived In Northampton, MA I was into High End Audio. Hardware like Krell amplifiers (solid state), and Futterman OTL (Transformerless tube amps, using vaccum tube as output stage) electrostatic speakers, tubed D/A convertors etc. It was a highly technical hobby, and just as much as in-depth as PC's. It was, however prohibitively expensive as you can easily spend $300 on a half-meter pair of interconnects, and ten-thousand dollars on tube amp alone. It did inspire, and deepen that love of electronics I had even as a child. I was introduced to "The Business" of PC's when a person in the Financial Aid office, mentioned that companies will often donate PC's to people like myself, who are financially indgent. It was Bhulinder Sethi of OCZ who donated kit of PC3200 (this was when PC1600 was the standard) about three and a half years ago. Then I got my first real videocard, the ATI Radeon 8500 (when it first came out I paid $300 hehe) I knew I found a hobby I'd love. The owner of Monarch Computers actually gave me the idea that I could review, and get free hardware. At first that was my inspration, but I've learned a klot the hard way since that time. Mostly through people like you guys (and girls) who were willing to tech. I read every White Paper I can now, and writing now is for a completely different reason. I seek to engage the reader, so they'll save my Review in their "Favorites" folders, just as I've done for reviews I learn from. I've found it doesn't come easy! I took Graduate level Linguistics, and Philosophy classes (as an Undergrad) and did really well, but writing for the general public on a technical subject makes for hard work. I'm going to work as hard as I can here, and I'm my own worst critic, but I ask everyone to please be honest. I'm wide-open to learn from others. I don't think I know everything, and eveyday I read another White Paper I realize how much I don't know. But I remain teachable.

Sorry about the long "life-story" but I thought I'd share who I am. I'm a very open person. I hope to find some new friends here. I already think Nate is a very decent person. I admire his drive and professionalism. And he took the time to call me tonite, just to say hi. I thought that was definately a cool Editor. I'm a very humble person, sometimes I get a little intense, but I usually take a step back and calm down. I'll always try to see things from another point of view. I want to thank Nate for giving me a chance to work here. So that's it folks, thanks for having me. By the way feel free to email me anytime. [email protected]

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 6:40 pm

Welcome to the site and to the forums Keith Suppe (Liquid3D)............

Nice to have you here. I'm also a new member of the staff, but I've been a member of the forums for a while now.

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 7:09 pm

rawk dude, welcome to the crew. I look forward to your input. I like bio am "quazi"-staff

Amy · Post by **Amy** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 8:50 pm

That was a good read--quite a trip in your life, eh? You've probably done more in your lifetime than half of us could dream about!

Welcome to the site. I'm sort of staff

I'm working on getting my name on the contacts page. You'll probably figure out soon enough who I am and what I do.

infinitevalence · Post by **infinitevalence** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 9:01 pm

I kind of need to follow up my previous post as i was pressed for time. One more time welcome, were really glad to have you join us. Nate was saying good things to me two weeks ago. Iâ€™m glad to see this relation ship bare fruit. I have to admit except for a few things here and there Iâ€™m a little werided out by the number of similarities in our lives, I too am from the NE i grew up in Brattleboro Vt so i used to party in both Northampton and NYC. My interest in technology also took a similar path though not yet in as much depth as you have studied. I have read some of your articles at madshrimp and look forward to your level of detail and analysis, as we are all working to make this THE premier hardware site on the web (watch out kyle, anand, and tom). You should also be happy to know that you have now taken the crown for most words in a single post, I was the previous record holder at 804 words but you have raised the bar now to 1324, and for that congratulation. I think itâ€™s safe to say that you are now joining one of the best hardware web communities out there. So welcome and enjoy.

Inf.

Post by **Illuminati** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 10:19 pm

Wow!... that was quite a story. I'd also like to welcome you to the team! I'm glad we were able to take you on as another writer and look forward to reading some of your work!

Immortal · Post by **Immortal** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 7:26 am

Welcome Keith, i think youl find LR to be a very friendly and tightly-knit community and ul fit in just fine!

Liquid3D · Post by **Liquid3D** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 5:17 am

Thank you all for the warm welcome. It's kind of funny because I thought no one had responded at all? I think I overlooked the option which sends an email when a Post you've started or replied to gets activity. So when I didn't see an email, I thought no one had replied (boo hoo).

But I'm glad to see so many kind responses. Yes Infinite I worked at the Pearl Street nightclub in Northampton in 1991 installing their first computerized lighting system. I also helped them with the sound system, and smoke and all that stuff. That was a pretty decent job, but years after I had been sober, it wasn'ty really a healthy environment for me so I left. I moved to the center of Amherst where I had an awsome apt. right near the Library The building was called The Perry apts. That was when I was into High End Audiophile systems. I had Krell KSA250 ( I think that was the model) and Arragon (budget Krell) Then I found tube amps, and I went crazy. My first was a Cary SLA-70 and I had the manufacturer install custom hand wound transformers, and a triode switch. I used to run Apaogee Centuar Minors with that tube amp and Magnaplaners. I was obsessed with that stuff. But it was way too costly. As ayone in igh End audio knows a tube amplifier alone can cost $10,000 and a decent high-end system costs about $20,000. Heck we used to discuss the "sonic integrity" of a $300 1/2meter pair on interconnects, hehe. That's why I got into trading used hardware. But that really taught me a lot about electronics. Especially when I was using Tube-staged D/A conveters to "smooth" out the digital harshness associated with A/D conversion.

Anyway I've been up to Bratt VT many times. I had a freind who lived deep in the woods on Snake River Rd, he onwed original Quad electrostatics, and Futterman OTL's. Northampton is an excellent area to live. Mountain biking trails everywhere and the Valley is surrounded by a 1200 foot mountain range, culminating at the Mt Tom ski resort. I used to bike about 60-miles a day, 40-road/20-mountain when I was training. I miss it there sometimes.

Anyway anytime anyone wants to talk, or is interested in certain hardware, email me and I'll give you my number. I have some decent contacts in watercooling. See Ya

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:33 am

I used to bike all the time also, still got 3 bikes, 1 X-country, 1 Free Rider, and a road bike. Can't really ride any more due to a back problem from a helicopter crash in the Army and a few other things. Going into the hospital one of these days to get some it fixed if I ever get the VA to do it. But that's another story...............

I did most of my riding over in Europe while I was in the army and after I retired, I even had a bike shop for 5 years before i got divorced the second time...........another long story. I was building custom mountain bikes and downhill bikes. Now I'm just sort of semi retired and living out in the country south west of St Louis.
I guess I need to get going for a bit, Fed Ex just showed up with my new MoBo and CPU, time to play.............

But can't finish the system yet though because I'm still waiting on a adapter for my water block and PSU to show up.

Liquid3D · Post by **Liquid3D** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 11:26 am

Europe must be the ultimate in biking. You built bikes? Wow, I used to know the guys at Ryghin bikes, and would hang out in their welding shop before they split, and the ompany moved to Boston. They were into the real high end steel frames. Some prefer steel over titanium, if it's thin walled enough it's got the most forgiving ride. I liked my old Cannondale Super-V3000 That was when they used those real fat aircraft aluminun down tubes. That bike used hmmmmm on the road, hehe.

Helicopter crash? Yikes...

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 11:43 am

I "used" to build bikes. Didn't do the welding and such though, contracted that part out. A few friends of mine and myself even have a patent on a frame a front double triple tree fork. But it was never built due to my divorce except for 20 proto types, of which, one is still sitting here at my house collecting dust. I lost the busness in my divorce, but my friends did modify the frame design and got a different patent on it and from the last I heard are doing pretty well with it over in Europe. I guess I should take a pic or 2 of the bike and post it here, I'm really proud of the bike, the frame stressed out to be stronger than the Cannondales at that time. All the bikes I was build were made out of Alu, normally 7020 because of price in Europe, but every now and then I had them made out of Easton Elite for extreme light road frames...................

(like my road bike, wt. 1800 gr. frame only I think)

Liquid3D · Post by **Liquid3D** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 11:46 am

I'd love to see some pic's of it...

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 11:50 am

I'll dig it out and clean it up and post a few pics of it in a day or so.......

I haven't talked bikes in what seems like years now.

Liquid3D · Post by **Liquid3D** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 12:03 pm

Ok here's my rig, althoughn with my back I ride it about once a month on road. It's Kona King KikaPu full susp, not the best in the world, but made with Easton tubing, I only paid like $1200 for the frame though. Then I added everything else (except the frame came with the FOX Float rear shock) I have an Easton magnesium stem, Easton carbon fibre bars, and Easton carbon seatpost, LP carbon bar-ends, Chris King ahead set, Race Face Ti bottom bracket, Race Face Aluminum/Carbon exo cranks, XT rear derailer, and SRAM 9.0 front derailer, SRAM Twist shifters, Kore pedals, FOX Float RC rear shock w/lockout, Marzocchi FlyLite 100 front air/oil forks, Kore skewers, Mavic Crono Disc wheelset, XT full fluid Disc brakes. Weighs about 25lbs. I built it up myself;

man this conversatrion may make us depressed, if we talk about surfing, next hehe. I really miss the solitude of the mountains, and sitting in the ocean..

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 3:09 pm

That's a nice looking ride................

Seems like you have about the best parts on there......................

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 3:41 pm

Here's 2 pics of my Free Rider Prototype: Roox DH bars,Syncros seat post, Titec seat, German CNC Bees hubs, Mavac 517 rims, DT Swiss SS Comp spokes & alu nipples, custom lased and tensioned by myself, SRAM 9.0 SL shift Group, Kooka cranks, Race Face Ti bottom bracket, Magura Hydo brakes (Tomac Red), Prototype front fork Air suspended, oil dampened, adj rise and reach triple tree double stem, Race-Tech coil over rear shock Fully adj compression and rebound, ride height. I think that's about it. Oops, Ritchey Ti clipless. Frame is out of 7020 aircraft alloy.

Liquid3D · Post by **Liquid3D** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 3:53 pm

WOW Nice REALLY NICE! Want to trade, hehe. You are the amn. I used to have a Mountian Cycle San Andreas, and that looks much stronger. There was a company called Cortina. It looks a just like the prototype Cortina.

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:05 pm

Thanks for the props.................

My CC bike and road bike are for sale..............

One of these days when I get real serious about selling them I'll even put up a ad for them...............

The CC is a colectors edition from the last US Olymics. The frame set comes from a German company called Storck. I'll have to get some pics of it here pretty soon.

Liquid3D · Post by **Liquid3D** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:24 pm

I know Storck!!! I wanted their full susp full carbon MTB since I first saw it four years ago! They know how to wrap carbon, to strengthen it in some areas, while allowing it to flex in others, without lateral weakness. Unreal bikes! They also make all the Porsche bikes. Here's a link to the model I wanted, it was $2500 just for the frame (and worth every penny).

http://www.storck-bicycle.de/de/bikes/popbike/mb1.htm

Bio-Hazard · Post by **Bio-Hazard** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:28 pm

Here's a few pics of my little CC bike. Wheel set built by me again, Mavic rims, Chris King hubs, Race Face cranks, Roox seat post, flite seat, syncros head set, complete Sachs shift group, Magura brakes again, this time special for CC. Italian Race Factory front fork Coil/oil, rear shock from another greman company called Germam Answer, Ti coil/oil, and Ritchey clipless.