The "Star Trek" Strips. This was my first continuity in the Internet Strips--and probably the only strips based on my own life experiences. When I was in high school, I was considered by many to be the ultimate Trekkie (or Trekker, if that's what you prefer). Sure, I taped every episode. Sure, I had my mom sew several "Star Trek" uniforms for myself and my friends. Sure, I built the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise in my garage... but I'm much better, now....

More of the same... When I was heavily into "Star Trek," I always seemed to miss two episodes: "Mirror, Mirror" (The one with "Evil Spock" in a goatee), and "The Immunity Syndrome" (The episode with "the giant Space Amoeba").

I find it interesting that even with all their advanced technology, the crew of The "Steel Duck" still use analog clocks....

After I'd done the Internet strips for almost a year, I sent out an e-mail about exactly what Ralph and Mayberry's antennae can and can't do. People from all over the globe responded with observations, among which was this insightful little piece from my first Internet subscriber, Felix Hammann:
 

> Mayberry's antennae can:
> * Receive TV signals and electricity... which leads me to believe that
> they're metallic in origin.

So ... what was the problem when Ralph turned the power off as Mayberry and Sam were getting ready to watch that infamous episode? Mayberry shouldn't have any trouble receiving terrestrial tv signals. They must be much clearer here than on Melotia.

My answer? Mayberry only receives TV signals on a subconscious level. The thing that I found most interesting about this e-mail, was that it was about strips that ran over eight months earlier! Sometimes I think my fans have the potential for becoming as obsessed about "Melonpool" as I used to be about "Star Trek"....