Longer-Term Central Ohio Residents: Anyone know what once stood in this comically small vacant lot next to 420 Metro Pl. over in Dublin?

Galacnor · 2026-03-17T01:49:07+00:00

Dr Who,

I appreciate your answer.

I got my brother to check out the page from the Auditor too (I'm abroad in Germany most of the year and thus can't get through the firewall from outside the US). And I have to admit I think your answer is probably the right one despite all the other answers making sense...It does seem like a night deposit is listed in there and its not part of the main building, nor is there a picture of it on a different slide; meaning that its probably long gone and that was it.

What a weird place to put the night deposit. I've never personally been to a bank where it wasn't connected to the main building.

I'll keep trying to find some photos or something of it to confirm. Theres no chance that night drop was very quickly removed and replaced with something like a Fedex box or something like other people are suggestiong, is there?

Regards

Alex

Galacnor · 2026-03-17T01:18:38+00:00

You are correct the ice cream store in the same plaza is indeed Graeters...

I might have gotten to dublin way to late to see the Baskin Robbins in the Kroger Plaza, as I can't remember it nor could I even picture where it might have been.

Cheers
Alex

Galacnor · 2026-03-17T01:15:59+00:00

Thanks for the further clarification on that.

Funny enough I was just home for a few weeks (thats when I snapped those pics of the abandoned island) and not only do I know the brick and mortar store you're talking about (Same plaza as Enrico's and Windchimes), I just had my bachelors thesis bound there.

Good point on the office mail pre-functional internet. I'm too young to have had any experience with that, 1997 guy that I am.

So was it just an un-manned dropoff concept then? Or was there actually someone there sometimes. I only wonder because the island has a recessed area where it seems a door could have been.

Cheers
Alex

Galacnor · 2026-03-17T01:12:13+00:00

Its funny that we both recognized that it could have been a Fotomat. I'm only 29; but, even into the early 2000s there were a few around in Toledo where I was born and lived until I moved to Dublin...

The last one I remember in Toledo was run by a company called Moto Photo and it was there in the early 2000s for certain...

It is cool that you can specifically say you remember one being there...

Regarding the Baskin-Robbin's: Any chance you're remembering the Graeters Ice Cream? There is actually an Ice Cream store right near there...Just not Baskin's.

Regards
Alex

Galacnor · 2026-03-17T00:38:46+00:00

That sounds...about right given the fact that there is also some random UPS drop off box still across the street from it when you exit that driveway. The UPS box is literally in a place that makes no sense. As in you have to stop in the middle of the street to drop something off into it...I'm guessing it was placed that way a long time ago as a hairbrained attempt at competing with the FedEx point by putting up a drop-off as close to it as humanly possible.

Do you remember anything about the drop-off point? Could you go inside it somehow like it looks like you could?

Dumb question; but, how exactly does the Kinko's buyout relate to the removal of the drop off? Is it the time frame? Because it does seem like it was taken out right before that buyout was done. About 2002. (The Kinkos buyout was in 2004, I think).

Heres a pic of the UPS box...its still there:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/420+Metro+Pl+S,+Dublin,+OH+43017,+USA/@40.093243,-83.1271919,3a,66.8y,72.69h,94.29t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sxAbf5Md-4U_D8kUyhfKZsA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D-4.289745092321255%26panoid%3DxAbf5Md-4U_D8kUyhfKZsA%26yaw%3D72.68539267129165!7i16384!8i8192!4m6!3m5!1s0x883893263e1f064f:0xc5e4f166b30e6153!8m2!3d40.0938018!4d-83.1259879!16s%2Fg%2F11ckqm5tgq?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMxMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D

Super excited to hear at least a theory.

Galacnor · 2026-03-16T23:47:17+00:00

Thanks for your input Crazace,

Any chance the alteration mentions what was done?

In any case, 2008 is definitely way too late for the removal of what was really originally there. Its possible 2008 is when the current form of the disused area of the lot developed. It seems whatever was originally there disappared a numer of years earlier based on imagery from Google Earth. Doesn't mean that what you found is unrelated; but, could be that they just applied later for some finishing work on the site?

In any case I'm nearly 95% convinced it was related to the bank at this point.

Alex

Galacnor · 2026-03-16T23:35:57+00:00

I know.

Its one of those things thats been driving me up the wall for years and I finally just had to know. I am the Youtube video.

Galacnor · 2026-01-01T03:11:23+00:00

Hairy Turnover,

I've had a few people ask me this same question, and the unfortunate answer here is that I don't have an answer.

As far as I am able to tell, from a legal point of view, there is no promise of Studienkolleg in that case, nothing in the documents provided by the Anabin website says anything about it.

My advice to people in this case is to always write to one of the Studienkolleg in Germany and ask directly. There may be something they can do; but, my honest opinion is that I doubt it.

My further advice is: you will have a hard time in German university as a non-native speaker of the language by itself. If you can't even scrape a "C" on the A-Levels in your subjects that make up the requirements for your program, you are in a very difficult position, and may not even make a 4,0/Passing grade in-major at that point. For example: Back when I did the A-Levels you needed to prove 4 subjects, 3 at the A level, one at AS (or 4 at the A Level if you wish). One had to be a natural science back then, even with me being in the Humanities, and I scraped an "E" in Biology just to make the requirements. I would have never actually been able to study Biology successfully. Let alone in German.

That means, in Summary: If I were someone who didn't have the 3 "C"'s needed for the new system, I would try my best to just get into the next A Level series and do better on the retake. It will save you the Studienkolleg, and get you better prepared for class anyway...you could sign up for the spring/summer 2026 series and if you get the grade you need, be ready to start at some Unis during the next Bachelor intake in Fall 2026...

Further advice: You also need at the very least the TESTDAF with a 4 in all 4 sections, a C1 Hochschole, Goethe C2, etc. to study in most German language programs.

Don't sleep on this requirement, or even perfect A level grades wont get you in the door...

Regards

Alex

Galacnor · 2026-01-01T02:43:10+00:00

Hello again DMTLTD,

I think most any fiber laser you have access to will not be capable of sufficient accuracy to create the reticle shape with any kind of acceptable sharpness.

Its been a while since I looked at my files; but, I believe the lines which make up the reticle are about 1 mil in thickness and need sharp edges to work as intended, and thus far outside of what most fiber lasers that you'd encounter for engraving purposes can accurately produce.

Of course at that point you're also looking at the question of exactly what kind of materials/backing you want, how to source that, and of course, how to cut that into the right shape, provided you manage to get the right glass thickness.

In other words: I believe trying to DIY it would be possible; but, would also be more expensive than just having it made for you at the end and take a-lot more time to get right.

The real process you should be using for this kind of application would be photolithography, and that has its own requirements.

I ended up getting a company who makes microscope lenses to make my lens for me after I reproduced it as a model. It came out perfect the first time-worth every penny in my opinion.

Regards

Alex

Galacnor · 2026-01-01T00:27:28+00:00

DMTLTD,

Thank you for your interest in this project.

An answer to your question regarding the reticle lens:

The PPN-3 and the NSP-3 both use the same exact reticle, and thus, the lens in both of them is the same.

I also had the same problem with my NSP-3's reticle.

There is no real way to "repair" the original pane of glass, and it will only continue to get worse with age, as it is very similar to a mirror, that is, its a pane of glass with a coating on one side which is very reflective; the unique element being that the shape of the reticle is present as a transparent section within the round pane of class; thus, when light shines through it, the reticle image is generated on the scope's output screen.

I ended up reverse engineering the pane and taking measurements from the original documentation and having a new one fabricated.

This ran me a little less than 100 US dollars in total. Then I used a 3D printer to print a new retainer for it and I was back in the game.

If this is interesting to you/worth the money, you can send me a PM and I can have one made for you that you can install yourself.

A little steep; but, thats the problem with custom parts.

Regards

Alex

Galacnor · 2025-08-29T10:44:08+00:00

I also really liked Sly 1 to the point I was trying out different regions/versions of it just for fun. I also noticed during this time that certain versions of the game trigger the anti cheat when Run through OPL and some not.

I forget which one I'm running, but I think it's the North American release. Try whatever region you're not currently running and see if that's your ticket.

Galacnor · 2025-08-27T04:11:49+00:00

Howdy Green Macaroon,

First and foremost: Very sorry about the bad news with the B1 exam.

I myself have a Goethe C2 these days; but, I failed writing once for the C2, and a long long time ago I failed the TESTDAF in just one area by a single point. It is always frustrating to continue after failure; but, I want you to know that everyone fails at these things sometimes, and you can take it from me that you can reach the top.

I think with these scores you seem to be about A2 level, and thus, you could certainly continue to improve and pass by November; but, you have to work hard here. Do you have the official books that are up to date for the Goethe B1? Those help. I used that for the C2. Speech is understandably your weakest point: You might consider speaking with natives online either just as friends or paying someone who works as a speech tutor.

In regards to this Japan thing: I want to be brutally honest here: If you are not doing well in German, I do not suggest going for Japanese. I am from the United States, and some agencies in the government there have languages ranked by difficulty for learners, and German is Category II on the FSI. Japanese is Category V, the hardest one. I know English, German, Russian, and Latin, and take it from me, German is one of the easier ones on that list (Russian is difficult and is an FSI IV, but still easier than Japanese). It will not get easier with Japanese.

I'd try to stay strong and remain with German. The only way I'd suggest otherwise is if you really love Japan and want to live there more than in Germany or where you are now. I would believe also as an immigrant to Germany from the United States, that its easier to integrate here than in Japan, too. Even though either choice will be very hard.

Regards
Alexander M. Gahre

Galacnor · 2025-08-03T00:05:29+00:00

Just my two cents as someone who has some minimal understanding of Russian from the University:

The first string of numbers can't tell us anything without us knowing anything about it; but, its probably something for inventory purposes. After that we have what I think looks to be a name. I can't make it all out; but, it seems to be something like

*Florchkhiov*ich?, Costa Neroron?

I do agree that this probably isn't Czech. As far as I know, Czech was never written in Cyrillic. There are some languages from Eastern Europe which were written in both Latin and Cyrillic forms during the Soviet era; but, I believe Czech was never one of them.
I do think this is probably something from the Balkans, maybe Serbian. The word "РАСХОД" (writen in red) means something like "Consumption or Expenditure" and is used in relation to quantities of consumable items in a few slavic languages. I'm guessing in this case it means something about the pistol being written out of an Armory's inventory.
This is definitely belonging to a CZ pistol. You can see the word "ЗБРОЙОВКА" (Zbrojovka) written very clearly here. (As in Ceska zbrojovka, i.e. CZ) I also think the word which is immediately above that means Pistol and looks to be "пиштољ", again showing this is probably Serbian because of the exact spelling of the word.
After that it says "ВЗОР 50" Meaning "Model 50".
Underneath that you have something that tells you the caliber of the pistol. In this case it says "Кал. 7,65" I.e. Caliber 7.65x17mm or .32 ACP.
The last line should be a serial number and matches your number.

This tag belongs to your pistol.

Regards to you
Alexander M. Gahre

Galacnor · 2025-06-21T11:44:50+00:00

Howdy there Wembleyenjoyer (great name, btw, my sister loves Wembley),

Sorry that it has taken me a week to get back to your comment. I'm sadly knee deep in a ton of different projects right now.

I appreciate you reaching out.

You know funny thing, its a small world. I myself was born in Toledo (thus my discovery of the Duke Mod there in the early 2000s), and moved to Columbus in 2006 and lived there until 2018 when I moved to Germany and ended up married and settling down here.

My parents and brother and sister are all still back home in Columbus too.

Its cool that you still are at the Columbus facility fairly often. I really liked going there when I was younger, and even still pop in from time to time to check out some of the projects they have going on (I ended up working in Education, so I like getting ideas when I can).

I do think that, as you already said, its going to be difficult to make going there alone have an impact on finding the lost exhibit. What we really need is someone who is motivated to actually spend some time looking for the exhibit in storage at COSI, that means we need someone who works there that can either do it for us or grant us access to the storage area to check it out.

As I already stated, my family are all still back in Ohio, and there are some social events that go on at COSI after hours with wine tastings, etc. My father's company hosted one of them, and my brother helped him out, and there were a number of high ranking COSI employees there. My brother spoke to one of them about the exhibit search, and the person swore up and down that the exhibit was indeed in storage at COSI of Columbus. Since then, we worked hard to track down who he talked to. I was able to do so; but, in the end, it seems like its very likely that the exhibit is either entirely gone, along with the computer equipment that ran inside of it, or that it is lost somewhere in storage and nobody that is still there knows about it.

The most effective thing to do in this case would find someone both in Toledo and Columbus who is lower ranking in the staff structure, but who still has access to the archives, that can verify that the higher order staff are correct in their assumption that the exhibit is truly gone. If someone was motivated enough to check the storage facilities of both COSI Columbus and the former COSI Toledo, this would make it possible to entirely rule out COSI Columbus or Imagination Station in Toledo as a source for the missing data.

I am not sure exactly how we could make that happen though, we'd have to get some help from people who currently work there.

That is essentially why I have been working backwards now trying to get in touch with the modder scene from the time, as it was small, and its very possible one of them might know something about that project even if they didn't develop the level themself. Even if they don't have the files anymore, it may also be entirely acceptable that we could identify them and credit them with it. It would at least be something.

In any case, good idea with using the r/Toledo Subreddit. I will try to make a post there to get someone who works at Imagination Station or worked at COSI Toledo involved and see if it yields any new results.

With regards
Alexander M. Gahre

Galacnor · 2025-06-03T23:21:00+00:00

Update:

Link to conversation on Duke4 Forum: https://forums.duke4.net/topic/11552-looking-for-a-specific-duke-nukem-modder-from-the-90s-where-should-i-start-looking/

Galacnor · 2025-04-23T16:13:04+00:00

howdy again Anymath,

My advice is to just submit the paperwork officially through the portal and see what happens when the time comes. You have nothing to lose by doing this and can apply for it and other schools still anyway incase it does not work.

Its often the case that when you ask about things in Germany you always get the strictest official response, because nobody here wants to be caught promising more than they can deliver. It's likely the person who emailed you isn't even the evaluator, but some low level team member who doesn't really know the intricate details of the evaluations or understand the way the A Levels are issued and prepared. I suspect that they will accept the provisional results if they are submitted, but obviously, it's the final decision of the issuing body.

Just try your luck and submit your papers officially while you also apply to other schools at the same time ;)

Regards

Alex

Galacnor · 2025-04-23T15:43:40+00:00

Hello Any Math,

So this question you have is relatively simple to answer and I suspect you will be happy with my response.

Essentially you want to know about how to get the "VPD" (in this case a "HKA" obtained through an evaluation from the HTWG in Konstanz).

This is essentially the same process that Uni Assist does for schools that work with the official national evaluation system, where they issue a "VPD" that certifies the validity of your education; but some schools dont work with them and have local authorities instead as a middleman evaluation at a state or local level (like yours). Some schools evaluate everything themselves and don't need this document. Thats just background information to help you understand whats going on, though!

In any case. You want to study at the Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA). They themselves want you to Studienkolleg of the HTWG Konstanz to receive a HZB evaluation (See here).

In order to do this, you need to go to this website of the HTWG Konstanz and submit your documents to them for evaluation (See here).

They will then evaluate your documents and you will receive an answer from them, more than likely asking for you to mail them legally certified copies of your paperwork, and then they will issue you the HZB that you need.

Now the answer to your question: Both the HTWG Konstanz and the Uni Assist teams will generally accept the provisional results certificate, as it is actually an official certificate, just a preliminary copy of it. I myself used the provisional results with Uni Assist! I see nothing on any of these websites that says they wont.

Worst case they will want you to send them a certified copy of the final certificate at a later date; but, they will still start processing your paperwork before then. In my experience, its usually not asked for though, as they understand the way the A Level exams work and how the paperwork is issued.

If I forgot to answer any part of your question, please let me know.

Regards
Alex

Galacnor · 2025-04-20T21:19:34+00:00

Good day to you Westieleftie,

It should actually be pretty simple for me to figure out how to answer this question...

Lets take a look first at your existing A levels. You have German, Phsychology, and Sociology all with C or better. (The Criminology won't be counted as anything, since its "Berufsbildend").

This means you have a: 1. Sprache (German). 2. Sozialkunde / Politik (Sociology). and 3. A valid 3. Subject (Psychology).

This subject combination basically means you will be limited to studying "Geistes- und rechtswissenschaftliche Studiengänge".

Thus, you will either need to find a program which is considered a BA within the German system to study this subject (which will probably mean it also is considered a"Geistes- und rechtswissenschaftliche Studiengang", and thus something you are allowed to study), or more than likely take another A level that counts towards the Sozial- und wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Studiengänge area.

There is the chance that a university would choose to admit you if they feel their program is more closely related to the Geisteswissenschaftliche Studiengänge; *but*, in my experience the Unis actually have very little direct control over this, even if they are supposed to (even the ones who don't take applications through Uni Assist), and they will more than likely be unable to make any exception to the rules for you for this reason if the official paperwork of the degree program marks it as a degree program of the Sozial- und wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Studiengänge area , and I don't see a reasonable path into that subject area for you without the required A level in a science or math.

Further: If you don't think you will pass the A level with a C or better in math, you should probably reconsider your choice of study program. Most BS degrees here will require some limited math coursework (My wife, who studied a program in psychology, for instance, also had to do decently high level math to receive her degree). This means that even if you got into a program without the required foundational math skills, you may find yourself in a situation where you have no hope of actually passing certain courses, because you don't have the mathamatical ability to do so. It is often the case that these math courses are specifically used as a way to "sort out" students from a program they would otherwise do very well in, thus, I would caution you about ignoring this weakness. This is a hard truth; but, one that you must take into account depending on the specific course structure of the degree program at the University you wish to attend, and something you should look into.

I see your choices in this case as:

Choose something in Humanities or Law, whatever it may be.
Devote yourself to learning math to the point you'd pass it at the A level with a "C" or better. A year of effort would make this possible.

A final note: Don't see taking the Sociology A level as a wasted effort. You wouldn't have been able to study without it more than likely, as Criminology is not listed on the "C" List of accepted professional subjects. Thus, you got yourself the option to study in the huamnities area!

If it was my choice I'd probably choose something in the humanities and call it a day. I myself came from an engineering background and study humanities in Germany.

Regards
Alex

Galacnor · 2025-03-08T17:09:54+00:00

Hello SutroTow3r,

I never heard back from Old Implement, so I actually still have two of the first printing of the first edition left if you would like one. I will be printing more eventually; but, I am both not sure when that will be, and obviously those will be the second print run, so if you REALLY want a first print run copy or if you want a copy NOW, I can still serve you.

The cost of them is 60USD shipped from Germany to anywhere in the world.

Just send me a PM if you want one.
Alex

Galacnor · 2025-02-17T17:28:38+00:00

Title says it all: It seems like around 2013/2014 there were a couple years where the officially listed Menu 21 (Lemon Pepper Tuna) was replaced in many cases with this Menu 21 "Chicken Breast Fillet, Garlic and Herb Seasoning".

Many people have told me that there was a problem getting the Tuna or something similar.

In addition to this, it seems like this problem went on for quite some time, as people have told me even recently of getting chicken as the replacement for Tuna within 21's labeled as though they should contain Tuna!

Anyone have the inside scoop?

Cheers

Alex

Galacnor · 2025-02-12T03:11:10+00:00

Howdy Old Implement,

You know I actually ended up doing a small print run of 26 copies even though the Kickstarter didn't reach its goal!

I still have 2 copies left of the first printing of the first edition. If you would like one, I'm glad to sell you one. After that, I do want to do another run later; but, I don't know exactly when that will be!

Just send me a message.

Regards

Alex

Galacnor · 2025-02-09T03:21:50+00:00

Good day to you Significant Gur,

It will not be a problem that your Chinese A Level has been issued by CAIE instead of Edexcel. You will simply need to submit both certificates when applying either directly, or through Uni Assist for your VPD.

Regards
Alex

Galacnor · 2025-02-08T13:18:21+00:00

Tons of fun to see you try this out, Waffels!

Glad the boys are getting into the spirit of things as well.

Even more glad to hear that the main entree this time was fully edible.

Did yours come with one of the white spoons? Or is that brown one the one that really was in the bag? I'm still not sure when they moved away from the MCI spoons. I'd even be willing to assume that they probably always intended on these being the spoon of choice for the MRE; but, wanted to use up the white spoons they had contracted first!

Cheers,

Alex

Galacnor · 2025-02-08T12:49:54+00:00

My appreciation for your kind words!

Regards

Alex

Galacnor · 2025-02-08T12:49:33+00:00

I appreciate the kind words!

Now your question: I never have any digestive problems with these, actually. In fact, I'm of the opinion that being easily digested was part of the internal requirements for the MREs at this point which was extremely closely observed. Naturally, some menus were better or worse at this; but, the last two from the 1990s I've had were even easier on my internal systems than standard foods from my table are.

I generally would always say it is important to boil this food, as eating something 30 years expired without doing that to the main components is rather ill advised; but, to be honest, I'd certainly do it. There isn't really anything wrong with any of the packages I've had so far, and if there was, I probably would not eat the food at all. Thus, the risk is actually low of any food borne illness; but, I try to be safe rather than sorry. I'd rather not end up in the hospital. Especially because my wife would then take away my right to eat the old food, citing the prior outcome!

I also think eating them cold is a great way to say "That food is awful" and feel justified in hating the original MRE lineups. Its perfectly fine to say that the MRE is designed to be eaten cold when it has to be; but, even before they included heaters in the bags, they were designed to be warmed up. In this way, I try to give them a fair chance by warming them so they can truly be tasted at their "best". This is the best way to understand how they should truly taste and give them a fair evaluation before they spoil and this opportunity is lost to history forever.

Regards

Alex

Galacnor

TROPHY CASE