MOTnews 38 (9/11/2002)

MOT MAGICIAN BRINGS SKYNET SERVER TO A STANDSTILL

No, this had nothing to do with magic or conjuring tricks... we didn't just say Abracadabra and make Skynet disappear!

What did in fact happen is that a simple and amusing game (well, we think so) on the MOT site attracted so many hits that it started to affect the stability of our Skynet server.

We have since thought up and implemented a solution.

Naturally we're delighted with the huge success of our magician game, but it was of course never our intention to create any problems for other people. Anyway, everything is up and running again, and you are more than welcome at the popular MOT magician game at www.mot.be. Click on the question mark and maybe you can discover his secret!

TRUE OR FALSE

Barbed wire was invented by cowboys.

True or false? You can read the answer in the next edition of MOT News.

ANSWER TO TRUE OR FALSE IN MOT NEWS 37 (11/10/2002)

Your grandmother's or grandfather's hat was made of rabbit hair.

TRUE

In the old days, rabbits were not only kept for eating: their fur was used for a number of different purposes, including the manufacturing of felt for hats. First, the rabbit hides were prepared using chemical substances such as mercury and then the hair was cut from the skin with a knife. The hair was subsequently processed and used to produce felt.

The region around Lokeren was very well-known at the beginning of the 20th century for its "hair-cutting". However, it should be noted that it was a very unhealthy job because cutting the hair produced enormous amounts of dust. Poor people did this at home to earn extra money.

SAY WHAT?

In this MOT-news item we try to explain proverbs and sayings that have their roots in our technical history. Similar proverbs are found in different languages, but each language has it's own typical sayings. Therefore we do not translate this item in English.

KIDS news: something to tell your kids this evening

SAINT NICOLAS IS COMING TO THE MOT.

It's still a few weeks away, but at the special request of the Saint himself, the MOT is organising a great "clog giveaway" on Saint Nicolas Eve, 5 December.

The Saint is finding things tough these days. When delivering his presents, he often finds the strangest of shoes to fill at the bottom of the chimney: cowboy boots, flip-flops, and even elegant ladies' pumps... just try putting a present into those!

That is why the MOT has come to his rescue.

On 5 December between 17:00 and 22:00, in the Liermolen section of the Museum, in exchange for a letter or drawing to the Saint every child will be given a real clog to place beside the fireplace!

You can be sure that the good old Saint will be overjoyed to see so many clogs.

On this evening there will also be a special "wandering story-telling session" for the children (only in Dutch). Our story-teller will take them on a tour around the entire mill site telling an exciting story, punctuated with many action moments. Note that there will be three of these "wandering story-telling sessions" during the evening: at 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00. There is only space for 10 children at each session. You must book in advance by calling Petra Vandermeiren on 02 270 8111 or by e-mail at info@mot.be.

Parents who do not go on the story-telling tour can enjoy a tasty currant bun with butter and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. We bake the buns that same evening in our wood stove, enjoyment guaranteed!

For this evening treat we are asking 2.50 euros per person, if you book in advance. If you order on the night itself, the price will be 3 euros. You can book in advance at info@mot.be. You need to say how many sets of "currant buns + coffee" or "currant buns + hot chocolate" you want and you need to pay the amount to account 001-0484823-93, with the reference "Saint Nicolas Eve".