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The Magpie Developer
Jeff Atwood is one of the best programmer/writers around. I love reading his stuff, some I agree wholeheartedly with, other stuff we disagree, but this post is about a dead-on as they come. This idea has been floating in my head for a long time, but it is hard for me to conceptualize it in words, Atwood does a brilliant job at it. Must read for any developer. |
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Andy Olmsted's Last Blog Entry.
(Warning: Pretty rough) No matter how you feel politically about the war, this reminds you that each number people throw around as statistics is a human life. This is extremely well written, and pretty rough on your soul towards the end, but something everyone should read. Its a shitty situation all around, but there is always a human face behind the statistics and I want to make sure I never forget that. |
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Drinking stories that put yours to shame
Via Keith
To preserve his body during the voyage home, the second-in-command stored Nelson's body in the ship's vat of rum and halted all liquor rations to the crew. Not a bad idea, but when the ship reached port, officials went to retrieve Nelson's body and found the vat dry.
Disregarding good taste (in every sense), the crew had been secretly drinking from it the entire way home. After that, naval rum was referred to as Nelson's Blood. |
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making vodka pills in 24 hours
Recently, Chef Fabian was experimenting further with the Adria/Torreblanca technique of making 'vodka pills.' I use this word to describe the process of making liquid-filled candies by pouring flavored alcohol syrups into cornstarch and letting it set until a hard outer shell forms. |
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Strategy Letter VI - joelonsoftware.com
As a programmer, thanks to plummeting memory prices, and CPU speeds doubling every year, you had a choice. You could spend six months rewriting your inner loops in Assembler, or take six months off to play drums in a rock and roll band, and in either case, your program would run faster. Assembler programmers don’t have groupies.
Entire Article is Dead On. A must read for anyone in the software biz. |
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But Mr Dent, the plans have been available in the local planning office for the last nine month.
Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun.
Orbiting this at a distance of roughly ninety-eight million miles is an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet whose ape-descended life forms are so amazingly primitive that they still think digital watches are a pretty neat idea.
This planet has�or rather had�a problem, which was this: most of the people on it were unhappy for pretty much of the time. Many solutions were suggested for this problem, but most of these were largely concerned with the movements of small green pieces of paper, which is odd because on the whole it wasn't the small green pieces of paper that were unhappy.
And so the problem remained; lots of the people were mean, and most of them were miserable, even the ones with digital watches.
Many were increasingly of the opinion that they'd all made a big mistake in coming down from the trees in the first place. And some said that even the trees had been a bad move, and that no one should ever have left the oceans.
And then, one Thursday, nearly two thousand years after one man had been nailed to a tree for saying how great it would be to be nice to people for a change, a girl sitting on her own in a small caf� in Rickmansworth suddenly realized what it was that had been going wrong all this time, and she finally knew how the world could be made a good and happy place. This time it was right, it would work, and no one would have to get nailed to anything.
Sadly, however, before she could get to a phone to tell anyone about it, a terrible, stupid catastrophe occurred, and the idea was lost forever.
This is not her story.
Got Tickets For 7:10. Aww yeah.
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Josh Rouse w/Trent Dabb @ Smith's Olde Bar
Me, the wife and Carr went and saw Josh Rouse/Trent Dabb at Smith's Olde bar last night. I have been listening to Rouse a lot lately and I was really pumped for the show. I was not let down by any means. I really felt like the $15 ticket price was way to low, it was much better than a lot of the $40+ shows we have been to recently. Rouse was really good. He has a very distinguishable voice that sounds just as good live as it does on album. Also his supporting band was fantastic they all looked a little more experienced musicians than you see with younger players and I think you could really tell how refined they were in the music. This was probably the last time I will ever say I got to see Josh Rouse in a room with probably under 300 people. Much less 10 ft from the stage, at a table no less. Also the opening musician was great. I had never heard of Trent Dabb, but I can tell you I bought his CD 'Quite Often' earlier today and I really dig it. Hopefully, we can get to see him more also. All in all it was a great show. I got to talk with the "hot guitarist" (via my wife) from Trent Dabb's band about some of the keyboardist�s equipment and he was extremely friendly and explained the instrument and came across as a generally nice guy, he is probably the main reason I bought Dabb's CD. After the show Rouse came out to do a little meet and greet and had that kinda ass "I�m too cool to be doing this attitude" so personally I doubt he is someone I would hang out with, but his music is stellar and I highly recommend 1972, Cold Blue Stars and Nashville. As always the wife got some great shots. You can view them here.
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Alabama Bill Targets Gay Authors
Republican Alabama lawmaker Gerald Allen says homosexuality is an unacceptable lifestyle. As CBS News Correspondent Mark Strassmann reports, under his bill, public school libraries could no longer buy new copies of plays or books by gay authors, or about gay characters.
'I don't look at it as censorship,' says State Representative Gerald Allen. 'I look at it as protecting the hearts and souls and minds of our children.'
And Here I thought Ga was ass backwards becuase of the evolution thing. How absurd. [via Keif Kasino]
CBS News | Alabama Bill Targets Gay Authors | April 28, 2005 19:30:27
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Americana
I have posted about my friend Justin' writings before on the blog. Justin likes to write, he also like to do his research. In explaining his position he sometimes writes about the immense amount of research that he has done, which makes his articles somewhat long. I usually read through his essays in completion, but I am not sure that everyone else does. After reading his post from early today I think this is one of his best posts. It is strait, to the point, and also touches on his research but does not explain each element in major detail. It�s a really good read all the way through and not a long read either. Check it out:
Americana (NOTE: The Thursday, April 28, 2005 Entry)
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(Thursday, April 28)
MS VP Confirms X360 Controller Compatibility With Longhorn
Wow. Intersting drop of info today from WinHec. So if Longhorn's main step up is Avalon (graphics) and MS is making sure that the controllers for the new xbox360 are Longhorn compatable, does this mean we may see a full version of Longhorn specifically for the xbox360? I have always said that I thought the original Xbox was just a Trojan horse for MS to get a cheap PC in everyhouse, this would reinstate that effort. Is the xbox360 going to be the final piece that really merges the consoles/PC games into the same production? From a PC gamer stand point, I hope PC games don't have to make any "dumbdowns" to console lvl graphics. I would prefer an elevation of console graphics to PC level. It seems like the patent ATI filed last week certainly raises the bar a bit for consoles. Could Norrath be infested with consolers like FFXI was with PS2'ers?
| News: MS VP Confirms X360 Controller Compatibility With Longhorn
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EQ2 - WoW - PvP
Glossary:
MMORPG = Massive Multiplayer Role Playing Game - A massive(ly) multiplayer online role-playing game or MMORPG is a multiplayer computer role-playing game that enables thousands of players to play in an evolving virtual world at the same time over the Internet. MMORPGs are a specific type of massive(ly) multiplayer online game (MMOG).
PvP -Player versus player, or PvP, is a type of combat in MMORPGs, MUDs and other computer role-playing games pitting a player's skill against another's, where the goal is ultimately the death of the opponent's player character. While this can include player killing or PKing, this term is usually used in a narrower sense. It is the antithesis of combating mobs, known as player versus monster (PvM) or player versus environment (PvE).
EQ2 = Everquest2
WoW = World of Warcraft
I have been conversing with Andy and Richie a bunch about how I really want some form of PvP in EQ2. PvP is a touchy subject to an MMORPG because to really have a good PvP you need class balance. Eq2 does not have this as of now. There are classes that are a lot more powerful than other classes and it is probably a pretty good thing that PvP doesn�t exist yet. I am anxious to see the plans in store for PvP on EQ2. We know they are working on something. Until then I was discussing with the bunny about other MMORPG games he plays (he plays just about them all). He is a huge fan of World of Warcraft (WoW). I have always heard WoW was a dumbed down version of EQ2 with some pretty slick graphics so at lunch today I went to find a good comparison of the two. Check out what I found (Link Below) this guy did his homework:
BigKid : EQ2 vs WoW Feature Comparison
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42
"Now for a few other points. The film expands the role of the Vogons and in the process demonstrates a keen understanding of what they represent. The Vogons, quite simply, are bureaucracy embodied. They represent all the pettiness, stupidity, and fear that characterize �civilized� humans. It is only fitting that they are finally laid low by civilized man�s other great characteristic: despair. "
Uggghhhhh... I don't read movie reviews much because I want to have no perceptions going in. I read this review on HHGTTG and honestly, SHUT THE FUCK UP. QUIT ANALYZING THE BOOK AND PLEASE give your opinion on the movie. I don't give a rats ass if the movie makes PETA look swell. I still plan on trying to go see if over the weekend, and no matter how good/bad the movie may be, HHGTTG by Adams will always have a place in my heart as brilliant writing.
Ain't It Cool News: Hitchhiker's Guide:
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21 days 6 hrs 7 mins
About a month to go before Episode III.
I was talking to Arena Force Jedi this morning and I have come to the point before the new movie (this happened with Episode I and II) where I do not want to know anything more about the movie. What I usually do is read a whole mess of spoilers and basically know the whole plot before I see the movie. Lucas is generally pretty good about hiding one of two things that kick ass from each movie (Ep 1: Qui-gon death, Ep 2: Yoda whoopin some Dooku ass) so even if you think you know everything there is always that extra little bit. This movie I think that extra little thing is going to be Grevious/Obi Fight (I have not many spoilers about it) or the Wookies (Kashykk (sp?)). Regardless, Arena sent me this review of the movie by Kevin Smith (Dogma, Chasing Amy, Clerks) who tore apart the first 2 movies. This is what I have been waiting for as a fanboy. He loved the movie. Read about it here (LOTS OF SPOILERS DON�T READ IF YOU DON�T WANT THEM. SERIOUSLY LOTS OF SPOILERS). I am pumped now like I was for Ep 1. I want something dark. I want the transformation to scare the crap out of little kids. I want people my age who grew up watching Vader to not see the lovable Annie from Episode I. I want to feel the evil like I did when Vader first steps onto the ship in A New Hope when he brought in with Clone troopers guarding his every evil angle. It really sounds like THIS is the movie I have been waiting for. I am soo soo pumped.
Also, Arena Force said that he heard that when the execs watched this movie, some of their wives came out crying. Yeah it is gonna be good.
Now for my opins on other SW news.
I don�t know about the whole TV show. So far we know via TF.net and C3:
� 100 episodes
� 1 hour each
� based on a spinoff character
� Lucas will direct first season
� write season one at one time
� film season one at one time
� takes place between ROTS and ANH
I did not think that Star Wars was a story for the TV. Then Clone war cartoons came out (Bridge from Ep 2 -> Ep 3) and I was actually very very impressed. So I am going to give the TV shows a shot. I just HOPE AND PRAY IT DOES NOT end up soapy (LAUGH AT THIS). Pray it isnt the OC. I am willing to give it a shot though.
Also is the dark one blogging?
"You're not all-powerful, Ani. " - "Well, I should be."
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Gotta Get In Shape
So I started running with my wife yesterday afternoon. I really want to get up to 5k a day 3 - 4 times a week within about 3 months, that is my goal. So yesterday I went running with her and realized 3 things:
1.) She can run marathons (She has been running 2-3 times a week for about the past year)
2.) I need to find a good pace
3.) I need a lot of time to get up to 5k
4.) My neighbors need to chain up there dog. I got bit. Next time it is either getting kicked or mace'd. (As in pepper mist, not lightsabered [although that would be cool]).
I shall post my journey to 5k here (Coming Soon).
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TIME.com: Any Kerry Supporters On The Line? -- May. 02, 2005
The White House admits as much: 'We wanted people who would represent the Administration positively, and--call us nutty--it seemed like those who wanted to kick this Administration out of town last November would have some difficulty doing that,' says White House spokesman Trent Duffy. Those barred from the trip include employees of Qualcomm and Nokia, two of the largest telecom firms operating in the U.S., as well as Ibiquity, a digital-radio-technology company in Columbia, Md. One nixed participant, who has been to many of these telecom meetings and who wants to remain anonymous, gave just $250 to the Democratic Party. Says Nokia vice president Bill Plummer: "We do not view sending experts to international meetings on telecom issues to be a partisan matter. We would welcome clarification from the White House."
This administration never ceases to amaze me. You can't call them not brazen. I am sure this was a "faith-based" decision that was best for �America�.
TIME.com: Any Kerry Supporters On The Line? -- May. 02, 2005
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Computing Research News
The percentage of incoming undergraduates indicating that they would major in CS declined by over 60 percent between the Fall of 2000 and 2004, and is now 70 percent lower than its peak in the early 1980s (Figure 1).
Freshmen interest levels at any given point have been an accurate predictor of trends in the number of degrees granted four to five years later. It therefore seems likely that there will be a sharp decline in the number of bachelor's degrees granted in CS in the coming decade. Results from CRA's Taulbee Survey of Ph.D.-granting CS departments reinforce this: the number of newly declared CS majors has declined for the past four years and is now 39 percent lower than in the Fall of 2000. Enrollments have declined 7 percent in each of the past two years (see www.cra.org/info/taulbee/bachelors)
I guess as much as the bubble bursting hurt all CS grads in the ability to get a job for a few years, it looks like it weeded out a lot of the people who were just doing it for the money. Which in the long run is nice for us that are not. It is going to be interesting to see if the num of grads can keep up with the demand in 5 years.
Interest in CS as a Major Drops Among Incoming Freshmen
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(Saturday, April 23)
ESPN.com - NFL/DRAFT05 - Pasquarelli: Top 65 prospects
Draft starts at noon tomorrow. Here is Pasquarelli's Top 65, 4 Dawgs read to roll on it.
15. SS/OLB Thomas Davis, Georgia, 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, 4.52 in the 40:
20. DE/OLB David Pollack, Georgia, 6-foot-2 1/8, 265 pounds, 4.75 in the 40
23. ILB Odell Thurman, Georgia, 6-foot 1/8, 233 pounds, 4.62 in the 40
38. WR Reggie Brown, Georgia, 6-foot-1 5/8, 196 pounds, 4.45 in the 40
In all honesty I was going to make a sly comment about how I didn�t notice any gators in the list. I was going to make some crude joke about them being absent. Then I thought, holy shit, I didn�t' see any gators on the list (that means they will be coming back). Going to be a tough year in the SEC.
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consumating - Hot nerdy girls and indie rock boys! With glasses!
For the love of God. Tagging is starting to be the new Trucker's Hat. There are always those dating sites that want you to find 'Real Love with Christian women', etc but underneath it all I bet there is a subculture of really weird people who troll those things looking for their next victim. What has surprised me in the last few weeks is seeing some of the ads for the site called 'Tru' or 'True' I can't remember which. They are a riot, it says something about finding true love of your life and sounding all mushy then there is some kinda great boob or ass pic to draw you in. I mean what�s the best way of finding your true love except with a pic of another person's ass or tits right? Well I saw this on a RSS feed earlier and I have to give it kudos. It is a social network construct (a la Friendster/Orkut) that just speaks it right out. Check out the voting mechanics associated with each person.
"Popularity
93 people would do [Person X]!, and 13 people would not, which means [Person X]! is more popular than 1944 people and less popular than 2 people."
I mean, hell yeah, lets just get it out in the open people. No Holds Bars. And Tags-able searching! Now all we need is the ability to:
A.) Search by Do-ability (i.e. Find all Women in Area C with Do-ability Rating of Y or higher)
B.) The ability to tag previous sexual relationships with disease tags (How many Ron Mexico lawsuits would this produce?)
The funny thing is that I think this site is actually keener than the other online dating sites because they are not trying to sugar coat anything. I am so glad I'm not single.
Whoah.... a "Couples Threesome" tag.
consumating - Hot nerdy girls and indie rock boys! With glasses!
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Think Secret - iTunes Mobile 1.0 slated for June, iTunes 4.8 Mac/Win expected soon
Cell phone companies, including Verizon, Cingular, and Sprint, are planning on rolling out music download services later this year, according to a recent BusinessWeek story, and want to charge $2 to $3 a song, justifying the premium over Apple's normal 99-cent price by the convenience of grabbing a tune whenever one pleases.
Dear Phone Companies, $2-$3?! Good luck with that.
Think Secret - iTunes Mobile 1.0 slated for June, iTunes 4.8 Mac/Win expected soon
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Cyanwave Radio
I'm heading to bed.
I have reset CyanWave Radio's theme.
Anyone care to guess what it is by the playlist?
It is hairy and worth/weighs 600 lbs.
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SeaCode - Offshoring?
SeaCode presents an innovative service which offers the reduced costs of a distant-shore software development operation while providing the operational benefits and accessibility of a U.S. based onshore location.
How on earth is this a cheaper solution?
SeaCode
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O'Reilly Radar > Remix NIN
For quite some time I've been interested in the idea of allowing you the ability to tinker around with my tracks - to create remixes, experiment, embellish or destroy what's there.
...
After spending some quality time sitting in hotel rooms on a press tour, it dawned on me that the technology now exists and is already in the hands of some of you. I got to work experimenting and came up with something I think you'll enjoy. ...
Change the tempo. Add new loops. Chop up the vocals. Turn me into a woman. Replay the guitar. Anything you'd like. I gave this to my crew and band to test out and all work effectively stopped for a while - it's fun to mess around with. I've now heard a country version of the track as well as an abstract Latin interpretation (thanks, Leo). There are some copyright issues involved, so read the notice that pops up. Giving this away is an experiment. I'm interested to see what comes of it, what issues are raised and what the results are.
Have fun-
Trent Reznor
April 15, 2005
Trent Reznor has released NIN's newest single as a multitrack Garageband file. He is actually telling people to feel free to Remix the song how you like it best. How cool is this?
O'Reilly Radar > Remix NIN
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Prodigem Hosting Service - Long Tail Market
The Prodigem Marketplace allows Prodigem users to sell their independent media (videos, music, etc) while not concerning themselves with traditional bandwidth costs associated with repeated large data transfers. Content providers (YOU!) simply upload their work, set a price, and Prodigem does the rest. Once customers pay for access to the bit torrent peer-to-peer session for your content, Prodigem grants them access so they can begin their download (no DRM). Prodigem collects this revenue, removes 10% + transaction costs (PayPal) and then sends you a monthly check. Ever considered making a living as a Long Tailor? Check out this example for-pay torrent to see what it looks like.
Is this the Google Video Business Model?
Prodigem Hosting Service - Long Tail Market
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Latest Business News and Financial Information | Reuters.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warned on Thursday that unless lawmakers come to grips with spiraling U.S. deficits, the economy was at risk of stagnation 'or worse.'
'Under existing tax rates and reasonable assumptions about other spending ... projections make clear that the federal budget is on an unsustainable path, in which large deficits result in rising interest rates and ever-growing interest payments that augment deficits in future years,' Greenspan told the Senate Budget Committee.
Alan, No one in Washington is listening to you. Unfortunately our President is not (he keeps on spending), unfortunately his political party is not (they are just trying to get DeLay out of shite again, and drill some pristine wilderness for 2 months worth of oil).
The GW Credit Card Presidency is extremely scary. For me and my kids.
Latest Business News and Financial Information | Reuters.com
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