February 28, 2005
Optimus Prime has died
The fearless leader of the Autobots (of the Transformers), Optimus Prime (left) has died of prostate cancer.
“When it comes to prostate cancer, there’s more than meets the eye,” National Prostate Cancer Coalition CEO Richard N. Atkins, M.D. said. “Often times when one has symptoms for prostate cancer it’s already in its late stages, that’s why early detection is so important.”I'm so saddened by this even though as a child I had the Transformer Megatron.
Router Loops
This morning, Verio/Cogent did some router upgrades, and proceded to knock on the internet connection at my office. The problem, according to a Verio rep, was the "some fat fingered engineer entered the wrong ip address". I'd say. Here's the traceroute:
traceroute to xxx.xxx.xxx.xx (xxx.xxx.xxx.xx), 30 hops max, 38 byte packetsSee any problems there?
1 dsl017-116-125.spk0.dsl.speakeasy.net (69.17.116.125) 0.375 ms 0.300 ms 0.269 ms
2 444.g8-0.mpr1.sea4.us.above.net (209.249.11.186) 0.218 ms 0.179 ms 0.212ms
3 so-5-1-0.cr1.sea1.us.above.net (64.125.31.85) 1.877 ms 1.720 ms 0.627 ms
4 pos9-0.mpr1.sea1.us.above.net (64.125.28.249) 0.371 ms 0.242 ms 0.232 ms
5 verio-mfn-oc12.sea1.us.mfnx.net (64.125.12.30) 0.385 ms 0.413 ms 0.453 ms
6 p16-1-1-0.r21.sttlwa01.us.bb.verio.net (129.250.3.16) 0.445 ms 0.387 ms 0.398 ms
7 p16-0-0-0.r00.chcgil06.us.bb.verio.net (129.250.2.7) 44.964 ms 45.111 ms 44.928 ms
8 g12-1.core01.ord03.atlas.cogentco.com (154.54.10.45) 45.138 ms g12-2.core01.ord03.atlas.cogentco.com (154.54.10.49) 45.105 ms g12-1.core01.ord03.atlas.cogentco.com (154.54.10.45) 45.012 ms
9 p12-0.core02.ord01.atlas.cogentco.com (154.54.2.241) 45.468 ms 45.341 ms45.295 ms
10 p6-0.core02.jfk02.atlas.cogentco.com (66.28.4.85) 78.374 ms 116.472 ms 243.004 ms
11 p15-0.core01.jfk02.atlas.cogentco.com (66.28.4.13) 69.454 ms 69.427 ms 69.393 ms
12 p4-0.core02.dca01.atlas.cogentco.com (66.28.4.81) 70.758 ms 69.738 ms 69.709 ms
13 p15-0.core01.dca01.atlas.cogentco.com (66.28.4.21) 69.768 ms 69.598 ms 70.111 ms
14 p2-0.ca04.dca01.atlas.cogentco.com (154.54.2.34) 69.994 ms 69.719 ms 69.561 ms
15 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ce.verio.net (209.70.214.166) 110.510 ms 89.853 ms 88.610 ms
16 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ra.verio.net (209.70.214.165) 123.599 ms 129.675 ms 119.569 ms
17 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ce.verio.net (209.70.214.166) 196.144 ms 184.195 ms 168.920 ms
18 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ra.verio.net (209.70.214.165) 217.707 ms 209.112 ms 179.631 ms
19 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ce.verio.net (209.70.214.166) 206.336 ms 243.800 ms 217.155 ms
20 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ra.verio.net (209.70.214.165) 260.647 ms 241.403 ms 257.594 ms
21 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ce.verio.net (209.70.214.166) 290.713 ms 287.181 ms 428.913 ms
22 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ra.verio.net (209.70.214.165) 303.642 ms 289.622 ms 510.426 ms
23 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ce.verio.net (209.70.214.166) 392.007 ms 360.804 ms 564.091 ms
24 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ra.verio.net (209.70.214.165) 1539.401 ms 423.470 ms 384.372 ms
25 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ce.verio.net (209.70.214.166) 445.520 ms 454.228 ms 449.131 ms
26 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ra.verio.net (209.70.214.165) 492.770 ms 486.708 ms 585.998 ms
27 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ce.verio.net (209.70.214.166) 635.740 ms 658.878 ms 529.344 ms
28 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ra.verio.net (209.70.214.165) 522.264 ms 593.454 ms 583.804 ms
29 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ce.verio.net (209.70.214.166) 597.793 ms 601.872 ms 877.025 ms
30 d1-0-2-1-9.a00.mclnva02.us.ra.verio.net (209.70.214.165) 1782.439 ms 606.483 ms 577.673 ms
February 27, 2005
Weekend is almost over
I don't really have anything to report this weekend. Went to Mexicali Blues on Saturday, then to Local 16 for a few drinks.
Today for dinner, my sister and I went to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse in McLean. That probably the best steak I've had since I came back from Argentina.
I'm sure I'll take some pictures when I'm in Curacao later this week.
February 25, 2005
Top 10 Most Expensive Cars
Forbes has released a list of the Top Ten Most Expensive Cars in the US. Topping the list: 2005 Saleen S7 at $560,000. The average price of the top ten cars is $351,000. Hot damn.
February 24, 2005
Functional Piercing
Now, it's been a while since I've seen something as ingenious as this. James Sooy has come up with a brilliant idea where a nose bridge piercing serves as an eyeglass holder.
There are diagrams, photos, etc. on his site. Although I keep getting a 404 error on some of the links.
Helipad Tennis
In Dubai, there is a hotel with a helipad, all on top of a man made island. The hotel stands 321m (1053 ft), and for a recent publicity stunt (I'm assuming), the hotel turned the helipad into a tennis court. Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played some tennis for the event.
Going to Applebee's for Some Hatin'
This reporter from the SF Daily decided to write an exposé on his undercover recruitment by a hate group.
[Long pause.] "Uh, yeah." [Pause.] "The Asian problem." [Pause.] "That's why I'm planning on moving up here."Everyone should read the article. Although it's not horrible in terms of describing what kinds of anti-race crimes the group commits, it is horrible in that these are (probably) real people, and look normal. After all, if it's a hate group, there are a lot of people out there that hate them as well.
I believe that the term white supremacist is a misnomer. It should be straight white supremacist. Many of these groups are against any kind of minority, whether it's Korean, Mexican, African-American, gay, or lesbian. I guess as long as there is ignorance and hate taught at home, there will always be people who actually believe and practice hate. Can't we all just get along?
Verizon-MCI Deal
The Verizon-MCI deal on February 16, 2005 gives Verizon, probably the largest US telecom company, the 9th largest hosting operation according to Netcraft.
Although Qwest could increase the $6.7 billion price tag, analysts feel that Verizon is a better fit for MCI. Some shareholders are not happy about the deal to accept Verizon's lower offer, and still others are filing suit to block the purchase.
This is the latest deal in a string of telecom mergers. Sprint agreed to purchase Nextel in December of 2004, Cingular agreed to acquire ATT Wireless, and now this.
February 23, 2005
Not Good at Video Games?
Many people can't get into video games. Here's a game that is very easy, and entertaining.
Good luck!
Busy Day at Work Today
Today, I had a pretty busy day at work. I have spent most of the day installing Fedora Core 3 on a Penguin Computing Relion 140, and documenting it. I actually hacked a script that I had already written to do an install on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux server. But, that wasn't the bulk of my day. Most of it was spent compiling, configuring, installing and testing Nagios.
Nagios is a badass monitoring program, very customizable, comprehensive, widely supported and all in all, pretty sweet.
My main gripe, frames. I hate frames.
February 22, 2005
Olympics in NYC...
Someone has compiled a list of 88 reasons the Olympics should NOT be held in New York City.
OLYMPICS GO HOME
88 things the International Olympic Committee should know about New
York City before making a decision about 2012.
1. We already have an "Olympic Shooting Center" in the Bronx. It's
called the Bronx.
2. When the Olympic Village isn't completed on time, we're going to
overcharge you to sublet our shitty tenement one-bedroom.
3. They can hide the dirty homeless people from you while you're here
visiting, but hiding them for two full weeks during the Games will be
nigh on impossible.
4. We already gave the rest of America an excuse to become flag-waving idiots.
5. We've been confusing the Paralympics with the Special Olympics.
We're actually applying to bring the latter here.
6. Better get a permit for all those velodrome events. The last time a
bunch of bicyclists got together for a ride, the cops arrested them
and took away their bikes.
7. Think Munich, writ large.
8. When "9/11" was brought up on every other page in the city's
proposal, didn't that set off a few alarms?
9. Construction will displace huge colonies of majestic wharf rats.
Ever seen our wharf rats?
10. It's going to cost a fortune to paint the black sprinters orange
to keep the police from shooting them.
11. Imagine JFK's immigration control in seven years, under President Giuliani.
12. Astoria will smell like burning goats for two weeks if the Greeks
win any medals.
13. Christo has plans to wrap the Olympic Village in four million
square feet of Fruit Roll-Ups.
14. It's been known to rain razor blades, dirty syringes and anvils
for days at a time every summer.
15. No matter what the mayor promises you, he can't get rid of the pee smell.
16. Three-quarters of the audience at the women's uneven parallel bar
competition will be in violation of Megan's Law.
17. No, Queens is not "just minutes from Times Square!"
18. You obviously weren't around for the Puerto Rican Day parade.
19. The only fencing our mayor enjoys is the kind around his mansion.
20. You sure you have the right place? We're New York—two syllables.
Newark is that way, just across the river.
21. All participants at events in the "Olympic Aquatic Center at
Williamsburg Waterfront Park" will be required to compete while
dressed up as characters from John Hughes movies.
22. We can't even keep New Jersey from sneaking in every Friday night.
And terrorists are a lot smarter than people from New Jersey.
23. Meow Mix closed down last summer—the female weightlifters will
have nowhere to go.
24. If you hold the opening or closing ceremonies at Ground Zero,
we're going to kick your pan-ethnic asses.
25. Orders to Jacob the Jeweler are already backed up. He won't have
your diamond-encrusted Olympic medals finished on time.
26. Our much-vaunted peaceful diversity is just waiting for an excuse
to be riven to bits by interethnic jingoistic hoopla.
27. Don't count on those softball, cycling and equestrian centers;
we're kicking Staten Island out in the next referendum.
28. We can't let anyone run through our streets with a torch. We did
that back in the 70s.
29. You think Athens had corrupt contractors? Ever hired a union
plumber in this city?
30. Mayor Bloomberg is working on a deal to make the Clear Channel
logo the sixth ring on the Olympic logo.
31. Tickets for Nathan Lane in Pole Vault: The Musical will be
impossible to get.
32. The Chinese won't come. Too many Falun Gong members walking around freely.
33. The MTA's garbled loudspeakers will not be fixed by 2012.
34. Mayor Bloomberg is not actually authorized to convert Ellis Island
into a "world-class ice creamery and sandwich stand" for the duration
of the Olympics.
35. Plans are already afoot to traffic the Romanian gymnastics team to
Philadelphia to work as prostitutes.
36. Our dog feces contain toxic amounts of Ebola. Stepping on just one
sidewalk turd means instant death.
37. That $12 billion in projected revenue will be spent on postcards
printed in China, t-shirts woven in Malaysia and venti mocha coconut
frappuccinos made by the sovereign nation of Starbucks. That doesn't
really help us.
38. London's paratransit system is years ahead of ours. Don't you
think they're more qualified to host the Paralympics?
39. We have a friend in Moscow who can show you a real good time.
That's right: Moscow, Moscow, Moscow…
40. Only gay men wear Spandex in New York City. You want the
decathletes to look gay?
41. They're going to complete the Freedom Tower in 2008, which means
you'll be too early for the five-year memorial of its destruction.
42. Athletes need to pay another $5 to go back on that stupid Air
Train. What kind of city builds a shitty monorail, then overcharges
everyone to use it?
43. When the white doves are released, they're gonna get mauled by our pigeons.
44. How about we host the Olympics in 2024? You can piggyback with the
big quadricentennial celebration.
45. Your 10-to-one Euro-to-dollar exchange rate will go further in, say, Boise.
46. "Bloomberg would sell his first-born to bring the Olympics to New
York City" was just a figure of speech.
47. We already have enough Wall Street jackasses filling the sports
bars. We don't need Wall Street-style jackasses from every other
financial district in the world to converge here all at once.
48. There aren't enough weed-delivery services to go around. The Dutch
teams alone…
49. Most visitors won't be allowed on the island—we have a law banning
tourists wearing white socks with sandals.
50. Every time the Ecuadorian soccer team sits down for a meal,
they'll be sent back to help in the kitchen.
51. Shot puts and javelins will not be allowed through airport security.
52. Even in 2012, the Apple store still won't have any iPod Shuffles in stock.
53. The C.H.U.D. problem has not been resolved, and their thirst for
the blood of foreign athletes is worse than ever.
54. Upon stadium completion, Bloomberg will insist upon being called "Nero."
55. You'll be riding the 7 train back and forth. Ever ride the 7 train
during rush hour?
56. Have you noticed that about eight million people are already
crammed into an area the size of a backyard in Sweden?
57. Our cab drivers won't have time to learn "fuck you" in 200
languages. Their current 34 may not suffice.
58. If our dealer stops selling our favorite drugs in favor of
steroids, you're in big, big trouble.
59. We're not looking forward to the inevitable Olympic ring-inspired
cupcake arrangements on the front page of the New York Times Dining
Out section.
60. Strip-club blowjobs will be priced triple during the Olympic fortnight.
61. We will be forced to institute a UK Tourist Tax to cover the cost
of additional security needed to control British hooligans.
62. Our piss-test labs are already backed up with the
government-employee samples.
63. Mayor Bloomberg's post-Olympic plans call for a New York Public
School Battle Royale 2013, to be held in the new stadium.
64. The retractable dome over Manhattan—if it's even completed in
time—will do little more than keep in all the bad smells.
65. All those Japanese tourists taking photos on the subway will be arrested.
66. Don't believe the mayor's press secretary: "Sucker" is not a term
of endearment that Mayor Bloomberg "uses with his good friends and
future business partners."
67. A drunken-fireman brawl will inevitably result in four-alarm torch tragedy.
68. We're going to be even grouchier.
69. You will be required to book corporate-catering favorites Jack
Mack and the Heart Attack for closing ceremonies.
70. The Olympic Village will be converted into homes that 18,000
working-class New Yorkers can't afford.
71. We aren't anything like those smiling hippies on the billboards.
Not deep down, we're not.
72. Holding the water ballet events in the surf off Coney Island is a
very bad idea.
73. We really must insist on speaking to the good people of Athens
before we sign anything.
74. Terror-alert-addled citizens will confuse the Olympic logo for the
biohazard symbol. Chaos will follow.
75. The mayor is just doing this on account of some petty, personal grudge.
76. Before you make any decisions, try to get across town on any
weekday afternoon.
77. We don't do water volleyball.
78. Athletes will be contractually obligated to drink nothing but Snapple.
79. Madrid, London, Paris or Moscow would make much, much better hosts.
80. After the mayor tells you about the subway extension that will
make getting to the stadium quick and easy, we suggest you call the
MTA and ask them how work on the 2nd Ave. subway is coming along.
81. The only thing we liked about the plan was the East River ferry
system. And that's been killed.
82. Mayor Brodeur is going to take back everything former Mayor
Bloomberg promised.
83. The signs are everywhere, and they're really pissing us off.
84. We're already the best city in the world—without your help, thanks
very much.
85. We suggest you visit Queens before getting too excited about
sticking an Olympic Village over there.
86. Never been here in the summer, have you?
87. If Bloomberg wants it, it's bad for the city.
88. You may have heard some crazy things, but the mayor never really
discussed this with us.
Baby Got Bible
This is a video of some guy rapping to Sir Mix-A-Lot's Baby Got Back, but righteous-style.
Mobile Phone Virus hits US
A mobile phone in San Francisco has tested positive for the Cabir virus. The Cabir virus spreads via Bluetooth to phones running the Symbian operating system.
This is no suprise, although it is scary. The virus itself, in it's current state, mainly just drains the battery. However, since the source code of Cabir is available on the web, it's likely that more virii will emerge that are much more malignant.
Lexus claims that their vehicles are not susceptible to Cabir, even though they are running the Symbian operating system.
Top 100 Gadgets of All Time
MobilePCMag has compiled a list of the Top 100 Gadgets of all time. Sweet. The page is great for nostagia, and wasting a few minutes of your day.
Science has created the Musical Condom
Now, there is something dubbed the "Musical Condom". It is a normal contraceptive, laden with sensors that play sounds, and gets louder as the sex gets more vigorous. Enter a new music genre.
We've all done it
We've all done it. We go to some sandwich shop or coffee shop, and as an incentive, they stamp your "frequest customer" card with one stamp. After getting maybe 10 of said stamps, you get a free coffee or free sandwich. We all think..."I can make one of these" and get free sandwiches all the time!
This woman did it. And now she might just go to jail.
February 21, 2005
Dive Bar Hall of Fame
I've never been to any of them, (I don't think), but here's the Dive Bar Hall of Fame by Stuff Magazine.
Woman Dies of Rabies
A German woman has died following a lung transplant. The complications were not related to the surgery itself, but the lung had come from a person who died and was infected by rabies. Apparently, there were other people who received organs from the same donor. Two of these are in the hospital in critical condition, and three others are in good health.
Went Skiing Yesterday
Yesterday I went skiing with my sisters up at Ski Roundtop. I hit a jump on a double diamond slope and landed ok, then my ski popped off and I crashed and burned. I think I messed up my left shoulder a little bit. I can't really lift my arm above my shoulder without a good deal of pain. Sounds to me like a slight rotator cuff injury. It is the first time I've fallen in a few years though, so not too bad.
February 18, 2005
2005 Ford Blazer
This guy, Jonathan Fish, was driving down the highway in San Francisco, when he threw a cigarette butt out of his driver's side window. The butt, caught the wind and flew back into the Expedition via the rear window, then caught the SUV on fire. He was charged with littering. And he got the hair on the back of his neck singed. When he jumped out of the vehicle, he thought he put it into park, but it was in drive, and the vehicle kept rolling.
Too funny.
Wooden Keyboard
Previously, I'd blogged about a retro keyboard. This new keyboard however, I'm not quite sure which came first. The typewriter or the wooden keyboard. Now, this site is in Japanese, so if you can read Japanese and your browser supports the encoding, then you're in luck. Otherwise, you're, well, SOL.
February 17, 2005
m1CRo5opH+ D3BUNk5 l337 h4x0r sp34k
Microsoft apparently has a page decoding "l337 sp34k". So does the BBC. In fact, you can even set your Google preferences to l337 sp34k.
Funny thing about Microsoft's page, is that it's filed under /athome/security/children/kidtalk what kid do you know that sp34k5 l337?
Of course, you could just download a converter and type what you want to say, and have it translated. I'd just buy the bumper sticker.
Burglar Caught on webcam
The Cambridge News has an article about this burglar that was caught red-handed stealing a computer.
Benjamin Park was robbing the house, when he came across the computer. He took the computer. However, before he took the computer, the webcam took his picture and uploaded it to the owner's private website.
Busted yo.
Help Save Toby!
This crazy freak, has a bunny named Toby. He claims to have found him under his porch, injured. After nursing Toby back to health, he's basically taken him hostage, and is asking for $50,000 by June 30, 2005. The bunny is very cute, and this guy is completely f---ing insane.
Unfortunately, on June 30th, 2005, Toby will die. I am going to eat him.Don't give him money. I really don't believe this moral dilemma. I hate this guy. He's already gotten over $14,000.
February 16, 2005
Guide to Electronic Music
Here's a guide to electronic music. It's also got some samples on it. Fun stuff.
February 15, 2005
Photoshop Fun
While looking for some stuff on Movable Type Templates, I ran across a Photoshop Tutorial on how to make iPod-esque ads. So, I made this one.
What do you think?
SAIC Desktop Systems Stolen
Federal contractor firm, SAIC, had desktop systems stolen from their company offices, according to cNet.
According to SAIC, the theft occured on Jan. 25 and the systems contained stockholders' personal information. SAIS said that they don't believe identity theft was the main purpose of the theft.
SAIC however, handles many security contracts for the United States Government, including NASA, where I interviewed a few years ago. The information on the machines did not contain any information regarding commercial or government contracts according to SAIC.
February 14, 2005
What to call the new Chairman
The new Chairman of the DNC, Governor Howard Dean, would like to be called Governor Dean since Chairman Dean is too long. Governor is three syllables. Chairman has two. Same number of letters.
Good news on a political front though...
According to the FEC website, individuals can now give $2,100 to Federal Candidates (up from $2,000 in 2004), $26,700 to National Party Committees (up from $25,000), and $37,300 to Senatorial Campaigns (up from $35,000).
Although the Drudge Report is saying that the FEC may tighten restrictions around internet political activity. I think this has more to do with the 501(c)(4) non-profits such as MoveOn though.
Bad Karma Day
Today is what a good friend called a "bad karma day". Among other things, the colocation company that the DNC's been using, MCI has been acquired by Verizon Communications. Exactly what that means for my job, is still unclear. Plus it's raining, overcast, and Superman's General Zod killed Cupid! And, I have to play pool tonight instead of watching 24, and I don't like my new haircut. Bitch and moanday.
On freaking Valentine's Day! Whatever, it's a Hallmark holiday. Not really. It still sucks though.
Ancient City Uncovered by Tsunami
According to Independent News, the tsunami that hit the Indian Ocean has shifted thousands of tons of sand and revealed two granite sculpted lions.
Indian archaeologists believe these granite beasts once guarded a small port city under the Pallava dynasty, which ruled much of southern India from 100BC to AD800. The six-foot high lion statues, each hewn from a single piece of granite, are breathtakingly lifelike. One great stone cat sits up alert while the other is poised to pounce.Finally, a good thing resulting from the tsunami.
Tom Sizemore Fails Drug Test
Tom Sizemore, best known for his roles in Black Hawk Down, and Saving Private Ryan, failed a drug test on Tuesday because he, (get this) brought in a fake penis with clean urine heated by a heat pack.
Apparently, he tried to use the Whizzinator to smuggle in clean urine to his test. When the temperature didn't jive, they made Mr. Sizemore take off his pants.
So, not only is some guy named Sizemore using a fake penis, but there is a freaking brand name of fake penis used for passing drug tests!
February 13, 2005
Chairman Gov. Dean
Today, February 13, 2005, I met the new DNC Chairman Governor/Chairman/Doctor Howard Dean. He was in the office today, and wearing his glasses. He admitted that he doesn't usually wear his glasses, but he was just casually getting settled in his new office. I'm sure that someday soon, I'll get a picture taken with him, and as soon as I do, I'll upload it.
My question to Dr. Dean: What should I call you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Governor, Dr. Dean, Howard? I'll let you know when I ask him this question too. Maybe tomorrow.
Game Solved
This game which I blogged about earlier is entertaining and took a while to finish. (not really). Sometimes Google sucks because it's so good. Anyway, keep playing, click on the image at the left to see what the last screen looks like.
Yeah, so what I cheated. Did you solve it?
February 11, 2005
Chairman McAuliffe
Yesterday was the Chairman Terry McAuliffe's last day in the office as Chairman of the DNC. He's been chairman as long as I've worked here, and it's been an honor knowing him.
Last night was his farewell party at the National Building Museum in DC. Here are pictures.
Somebody Help me with this game
This is a game called Hapland. I'm trying to figure out both what the point is, and how to do whatever you need to do.
Halliburton's Radioactive Oops
Halliburton, an oil services and military contractor in Iraq for the United States government, lost track of a shipment of radioactive material in October. They reported it....this past Tuesday. It took four months for them to file notification with the US government.
"In the face of overwhelming evidence that Al Qaeda is trying to obtain nuclear materials, the NRC still hasn't beefed up its rules,'' said U.S. Rep. Edward Markey (D-Malden), whose office referred to the cargo as 'lost dirty bomb materials'.As you probably know, Dick Cheney was the CEO of Halliburton during the 1990s. He continues to receive payments from Halliburton as part of his compensation.
I'm guessing that Halliburton may get a slap on the wrist.
February 10, 2005
My Favorite Mouse
I've been using an IBM Optical Scroll Mouse for quite some time, and it's probably the best mouse I've used ever. I have had literally hundreds of mice from the old school Serial generic two button mouse, to the Original Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer. I like this one for a few reasons.
- It's more black
- It says IBM on it (even though it's made by Micro Innovations
- It's optical
- It's USB
- The cool glowing blue wheel
Now, you too can have a mouse like mine for about a fifth of what I paid for mine.
Don't get duped into buying this one though.
Watermelon Art
This is just plain insane. Even crazier is that it's hosted on a Touring Motorcycle Rally page.
Boomerang Ants
In the Amazon, (no, not this Amazon, there is a kind of ant, Cephalotes atratus that, when blown off their tree, angle their bodies so that they land back on the tree. Essentially, they are boomerant ants, and they angle their hind feet so that their hind-feet are up, and they form a J-shaped arc to send them back onto the trunk of the tree that they were on.
New Scientist did a piece on them yesterday. Here is a more scientific page on this family of ant.
Designer Barcodes
We've all seen barcodes, but Design Barcodes has taken it one step further. They've got surfing barcodes, pizza barcodes, and even the house barcodes (right). Now, these barcodes are still fully functional, but this begs the real question: Why?
February 09, 2005
43things
There is this website called 43things.com and it's basically where you keep track of your goals, etc. My username is yakuza. I'm not exactly sure what the point of this site is, but it's run by Amazon.com.
I'm member Number 7,219, which is guess is pretty good. Anyway, have fun.
Learn Some Magic
If you want to learn some magic, with pictures, tutorials, and "trade secrets", look no further.
The Next Generation Matchbox Car
This matchbox car prototype is sick! You basically draw on the top of the car what you want the car to do, and it drives the path drawn on the top of the car. The videos are amazing. If I was a kid, I'd make my parents pay whatever to get this for me. I'm excited just thinking about this little toy! How ingenious.
February 08, 2005
More Cool Links
| http://www.podbrix.com | Penck Stainless Steel Phone |
| How to Install Linux | World Lock Pick Championship |
| Snow flake photography | Funny Comic Book Covers |
| Gizoogle.cizom |
I'm Buying a New Digital Camera
I've had new Sony DSC-P9 for a couple of years now (creeping up on 3 years). It's served me well as you can see from my online photo albums. I think it's time for me to buy a new one. In 2004, I advised on at least 5 digital camera purchases. Among them, the Sony DSC-T1, Olympus Stylus Verve, and the Canon S500.
I'm not sure what kind of camera I'm going to get, but it's got to be at least 6 megapixel, and I want to wait for the cameras that have the GPS built in. Or perhaps, I'll get this 4 gigapixel camera.
I think I may get what is considered to be a "prosumer" line of camera. We'll see.
February 07, 2005
Darn Superbowl
So the Philadelphia Eagles lost the Superbowl to the New England Patriots yesterday. I'm out $100 off two bets. But I did get to spend some quality time with my friend snowdog up in NYC. We went to dinner at Bar Masa and what a place it is. It's in the Time Warner building where the old coliseum used to be. Right across the street from the Coliseum Bar where I spent thousands of hours and dollars. Good times. Maybe I'll move back...
February 03, 2005
Geek Valentine's Day
This is totally 100% geek. If you're a geek, then you know http://www.thinkgeek.com. Some of the products that they are offering for this year's Valentine's Day are the HTTPanties, and the Geek Love Poem Shirt. Awesome.
roses are #FF0000
violets are #0000FF
all my base
are belong to you
AI Port 80
20q is a very neat web site. It's basically the online version of 20 questions, where the server will guess what an item is based on your answers to 20 questions. It's definitely still learning since it claims that some people keep deodorant as a pet.
Overall though, it's pretty good. Try it out!
February 02, 2005
The Day Has Come
Today, Bruce Schneier blogged an entry about Lexus cars that may be vulnerable to viruses downloaded via cell phone.
Lexus cars may be vulnerable to viruses that infect them via mobile phones. Landcruiser 100 models LX470 and LS430 have been discovered with infected operating systems that transfer within a range of 15 feet.This is particularly scary because of the proliferation of computers within cars, smart refrigerators, etc. mean that those electronics are (or can be) susceptible to spyware, viruses, or OS crashes.
Let's think about some of the other ramifications of automobile file sharing and what may happen.
Spyware: Imagine this, you're driving around in your car, you've got the latest model with GPS, Bluetooth, the works, and you've got some spyware on your car's onboard computer. GPS coordinates could be transmitted to someone, and they can map out everything you do.
Virii: You're driving down the road, and unbeknownst to you, your car has been infected by something like the Rbot-GR virus. All of a sudden, the temperature in your car is too hot or too cold, your music changes randomly, and you just don't understand why. Meanwhile, the snapshots taken from your rear view camera are being sent to someone.
OS Crash: You're driving down the road, getting directions from your GPS, and all of a sudden, your car computer crashes. You get the MBSOD (Mobile Blue Screen of Death). I shudder just thinking about that.
Now, I'm hoping that the quality assurance practices for the OS/computer/automobile companies are insanely rigorous to prevent such occurences. Right now, it looks as though they're not. Maybe I'll just install Norton Antivirus 2005 Lexus Edition.
February 01, 2005
Office Wars
Do you ever feel like really harming someone in the office? Now, you can make weapons from office supplies.
Bleach Eating Freaks has a very good page on various office suppply weapons such as the micro-claymore (left). They have step by step directions on how to make each of these weapons, and even score them. This is the second Office Bricolage contest. The first one is here.
The classic paperclip grenade is there, as well as something called the Office Bow of Death. Beware.
A New Wine
I've recently taken to drinking wine (again). One glass used to get me pretty tipsy, and splitting a bottle with someone would make me drop things like bottles of water, and make me give money to con-men. Yeah I'm a sucker.
I preferred white wine, but recently I've started drinking reds. I'm no sommelier by any means, but I'd like to at least have an idea of what is good what's not.
I've had a lot of different alcohols made from grapes, potatoes, rice, wheat, barley, hops, etc., but never have I tried China's fish wine. Maybe someday I'll try it.
Some Travelling Guy
If I could make a travelogue like this guy, (click on escape route) that'd be awesome. It's all done in flash, and very well designed. The UI is a little confusing at first, but relatively straightforward. It's been a long time since I've seen flash used this well.