For those of you in the Americas (most or all of you I'd gather), happy Independence day! I don't really celebrate it much, but if you do, go have fun.

Don't get drunk.

When most of us Origin members were younger, summer holidays were mostly consumed by cups of lemonade, playing outside, and for the few select nerds, summer school. There was however, never a shortage of fun -- such was always to be found somewhere.

We enter this year, looking to the summer of 2008, perhaps one of the more poignant summers of this generation. Forty years removed from the oft-mentioned summer of love, the atmosphere feels much the same. Unpopular wars, seemingly unnecessary deaths, coupled with a struggling economy and rocketing gas prices have gripped the attention of citizens and the international community as well. Stability appears to be an afterthought.

Amidst the tumultuous events, the staff here at OriginXT wishes you a happy summer vacation. Admittedly so, you will be paying more at the gas pump, noticing the poll numbers more often, seeing McCain age a bit more, and the race card on Obama mentioned more than ever. You'll wince at the hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and various other natural disasters that have plagued humankind in the past few months. You'll cringe at your stocks, laugh at those few jokes left, and discuss the events that affect each and every one of us. But still, enjoy that last glass of lemonade -- in a world of inanities, at least the taste of a cool drink still makes sense.

But despite the negativity, and the discouragement this world brings to us, don't forget that it is indeed the summer. Enjoy yourself. Step away from the computer and enjoy solitude. Bask in the sunlight, but don't get sunburnt. And in between doing those things, keep posting here (and invite some friends to do the same!). And in November, vote. Your country depends on it.

Happy Summer!

As Origin's veteran members may recall, OriginXT.com currently offers private @originxt.com emails (gmail.originxt.com) through the Google Apps program. However, due to the limitations of the program (we are only able to offer 25 email accounts that are basically not too different from regular @gmail.com accounts), we plan on relocating the email service back onto our own servers.

Effective next Tuesday (the 22nd), all @originxt.com email accounts will be transferred onto the OriginXT server itself, and hence the few who still use their @originxt.com addresses (provided by Google) will see their accounts terminate; if you have an actively-used email account with us, do not worry—I have already contacted you about this system change and informed you about the expected effects of the planned change.

The change will allow us to host all email accounts on us—and we have plenty of capacity to share. The interface will be just as functional but cleaner (for a demo, visit webmail.dailycow.org and login with test as the username and originxt as the password), SMTP/POP3 are still offered (albeit with different details), and there will be no ads on the online interface.

So come and reserve your account now before they're gone! Additionally, we are offering email forwards too for those who prefer to have only one box to check. Please post your comments, criticisms, praises and complaints here.

Thanks

Greetings members,

As we celebrate yet another holiday season among us, complete with family dinners, gift wrapping, and for the non-secular, bargain hunting, we here at Origin would like to wish you a great holiday season and an excellent new year.

This year has been a good one. We still manage to keep up the consistent posting, and have many members who wander their way back into the fold, as well as new ones, who seem to contribute a great deal to all forums, especially my favorite, the heralded University. The great times and amusing antics of all could not be had with the thoughts of everyone.

Coming soon, as everyone knows, will be the 'Best of 2007' thread(s). From members to news, to electronics and every list in between, I invite you to think and reflect on the year and what it has been. Most of all, enjoy yourselves, for 2007 is almost no more, and 2008 is upon us. Perhaps Jinghao has a few new features up his sleeve? We have yet to see.

Happy Holidays!

**Applies to Origin Members in America Only**

This is just a reminder to turn back your clocks this Sunday at 2 am, for those of you in America, as it is Daylight Savings Time once again.

Enjoy that extra hour of sleep!

Yes, we are finally starting arcade tournaments. You may have received an IM from me about it. Expect this to be the first of many, we are going to make the arcade more active. To start, you can sign up here:

http://originxt.com/node/17024

Hopefully we can get 8, 16, or if we're lucky, 32 people to get this thing going. If we have some weird number, we can probably do a round-robin to determine who gets a place in the bracket. Anyway, sign up, and good luck.

Greetings OriginXT members,

I will be headed off to China tomorrow at about 2:30 PM PDT and staying in Shanghai. I don't know how often I can get on Origin, so I may not post as often. We will see.

Since Jinghao is here, I'm sure this place won't miss a beat. I will be back September 6th.

Hey guys,

As of today, I started an article for us on Wikipedia. I want all of you guys to help expand it. Please do not spam or vandalize though. But please, do have fun.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OriginXT

I will be attending the CalSO (Berkeley's Student Orientation) program on Monday and Tuesday next week, and on the subsequent Wednesday I will be departing for a monthlong trip to China. If any problem arises, I'm sure Albert, Joey, Duke or others will take care of it.

Enjoy your stay here and keep posting!

Dear Members,

Today was Jinghao's graduation from high school, and into college. He looked real sharp in that graduation gown of his, and walked the stage to recieve his diploma. He will be attending UC Berkeley next year. I want you all to congratulate him on this great achievement.

As Co-Admin, I welcome him, warmly to the college ranks. There will be tough times and fun times, and there will definitely be the moments you will never forget. College will be ultimately the best decision that you have ever made, and you will really enjoy it.

Congratulations man, you deserve it.




With Respect,

Al