couldnt even surf without overheating, now it all works again…

cheers gubimann

Installed Powernow! for K7 in Lupu Puppy Linux and it doesn’t sound like a blow dryer anymore when it is idling. Dual booted XP is quiet, too.

There is still another tiny fan in the center of mine, 3150HS, but that will be another day…

Thanks!
The Tramp

Perhaps because in my life, my obsession has been achieving my dreams (albeit mostly to find that I only thought I wanted these things); and perhaps just because I’m the entrepreneurial type; I was, unlike you, thoroughly dissatisfied with you leaving leaving this as a fantasy. I also dislike the idea of putting it off to a somewhat undefined point in the future. I don’t think it would be difficult to achieve in current reality.

A few things to think about:

If this is a money-losing venture, that is not a problem. You just need to find a money-making venture to offset it. But I think you’d be surprised what a big fraction of itself this could pay for. A day job could be quite sufficient as a money-making venture. See below for some clarifications.

You don’t need to like every author you carry; people talk amongst themselves, too. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if some patrons open your mind to new things you wouldn’t have otherwise thought of reading.

You don’t need to be serving a large sector of the population. A few die-hard regulars can make a place like this thoroughly enjoyable. Most new people wandering in will never come back; the occasional one who does will probably come back regularly.

That, added to the fact that there are other ways to market this besides the front of your building, means you might be OK opening a place like this somewhere out in the boroughs where rent / real estate is cheap, rather than downtown.

If you know people with money who would like an idea like this, try having them help you with startup costs in exchange for charter membership. Include charter membership perks that you think those particular people might enjoy (e.g. limited daily free drinks). If you get enough such capital, I would suggest trying to open downtown, or, if you stay in New York, at least somewhere in Manhattan.

Die-hard visitors will make time for the experience. You do not need to be open a large chunk of the day. That means you can go to work and be open late afternoons and early evenings, perhaps only on certain days of the week.

That said, you might not need employees at all. If you do hire employees, I’d look for people who like Hardy and Joyce. They’d complement you well.

Nobody will come specifically for the alcohol. You do not need a full bar. If you have a non-alcoholic option, a couple of beers, and a couple of hard alcohol options, you’re set.

You DO need to figure out what to do about people who don’t return books. A membership deposit is probably sufficient.

Just one piece of very specific advice: I would consider buying, not renting, the building. Have your bar on the first floor, and have your living space on the second floor. If the building you find has a large living space, consider renting any part you don’t need out to roommates as this would help finance the venture. This method is also convenient in that your commute to bar is a walk down the stairs.

I think you have an idea that could be perceived as unique (even if it’s less unique than people think) that might not make you a ton of money, but I think it would add some meaning to your life, acquire you some potentially close new friends, and just be something you enjoy creating and doing. You’d also get a lot of valuable experience.

I say go ahead with it now.