George,

   You did not in any way offend me and I did not find your question 
"ornery".
   We humans have a strong urge to "do something" even when we have no idea 
what to do. And saying "I haven't a clue" is often regarded as an indication 
of stupidity rather than as an indication of wisdom. You are welcome to 
regard me as clueless.
  I think the OP was right, this newsgroup is pretty dead. Did BOINC kill 
it? Is there a BOINC group?

Dave M.