I had a really strange dream at the peak of my undergrad project about a member of staff (not my supervisor). The setting was some kind of space age shopping centre - I had broken an antique ornamental plate that belonged to this member of staff. It was somehow really important for their research and I was having a huge dilemma about how to tell him.

Yeah, the results are good. I've decided this was a silly thing to post about - it's something I'll just have to deal with myself. The situation's complicated, and I don't want to give details of all the ins and outs so I can't really expect anyone to advise. Thanks anyway.

... I haven't told my supervisor about them. I don't know how to and am avoiding it because I don't think I'll get a very positive (any?) reaction. They are important - I think I'd like to write the first draft of a paper and show my supervisor that (but the results aren't complete and this might drag on for a few months). I don't see that telling him now will achieve anything, so why do I feel the need to go running to report on my progress? (well, I think I know the answer to that, these are the only publishable results I've had so they're a big deal for me) Do I HAVE to tell him now? Am I doing something wrong by waiting?

Hmm, I think you are probably worrying too much. Okay, conferences give the most up-to-date info on a person's research (the work is likely to be unpublished), but the most you will be able to access is the abstract for a poster or talk and I've found that this doesn't help much. I like to keep track of what one or two particular research groups are doing and google them every now and again, but I reckon it's most important to keep track of PUBLISHED work.

there are loads out there - just do a google search for 'are you a geek'. Lots are American though, and lots emphasise the origins of the term geek in the computing community. I just did another one - Uk-based, again, I'm NOT VERY GEEKY! (http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/minisites/geek/default.asp)

...the 'are you a geek?' THREAD, not forum...

Hey! according to some internet tests I took after reading the 'are you a geek?' forum I'm a maximum of 30% geek!

No, I don't take offense (ooh, 'se' or 'ce'?!) either. Strangely enough, I had noticed more mistakes than usual in the past week, maybe that's what prompted the post?

I think I'm of the opinion that proper grammar and spelling should be used in almost all situations, but I personally find it unnatural to do anything else (if that doesn't sound completely stuck up!)

woo hoo! Academic number 1 has replied and said everything I wanted to hear!

Thanks for all the replies - I already know what most of you are telling me, but I guess I just needed to hear it again. I had forgotten it was Easter though (!) Jen, you think it would be best to phone them? I've never done that before...I haven't had any contact with these academics before, so I thought e-mail was fine for first contact? Also, I do worry about giving too much info away - I'm very aware that since 'they' have what I need to carry out my idea, by contacting them I'm putting myself at a bit of a risk, but I just hope they have too many other priorities I'm going to e-mail that other academic, and be subtle, flattering, polite, confident and hopefully convincing!!

I've just found details of another academic who I think could really help me out, but I'm afraid another e-mail with no reply will leave me totally dejected. How do people get successful collaborations going? I guess the other person involved has to think that there's something in it for them. Maybe I should take this angle? Ideally I would like this academic to lend me a piece of equipment...how can I get a positive reply? Should I even be doing this? (asking for outside help) I don't have any alternative, but don't want to come across as desperate, whiny, ingratiating. I am usually so strongly of the opinion that anything is worth a shot, but I'm really doubting myself at the minute!!! I've had my e-mail account open twice with the academic's address in there...someone please just tell me what to do!

I've contacted people outside my own uni a few times now asking for project-related help - you know, I saw this article on your work, I found it interesting because I'm also involved in X, I think you can help me with... Most of the time it works out okay, I get a bit of interest (which is all I can expect from someone not directly involved in the project) and sometimes something useful comes out of it. The problem is I did this again (contacted an outside academic directly asking for help with something) about a week ago thinking 'I have nothing to lose', but I have had no reply and am sinking into despair - I have actually lost a little bit more of my hope :(
I'm reluctant to post this because Stu's comments are ringing in my ears - talking to unreal (?) people on the forum because I don't have any real friend to talk to about this. Well, right now there is actually no-one I can talk to about this and it's really bothering me.

surely 250th post is an important milestone?

lizzy, good to see another blur fan out there, I'd forgotten about that great coffee and tv line You also just reminded me of "the emphasis is on coping" - I love the three "sss" sounds in a row.