Ok, not really with Norm, but that would be cool.
I spent Friday night in Muncie with Whitey, John, Kyle, and Ryland. It was a kickin time.
Saturday I came home and saw my sister after her med school interviews, she thinks they went well. Score one for her.
Then Sunday I went ice fishing. That was actually really fun, and not as cold as you would think. Kinda weird standing in the middle of a lake, but cool. Then we got the bright idea to use the ice auger to drill post holes through the ice so we could put in a second dock without getting in the water in the spring. It went really well too, much easier than putting in the other dock.
Tonight I have a couple computer jobs and finishing up the dock, then I spend tomorrow in Chicago in another meeting and back for another meeting in the afternoon. It's a busy week, but I'm gearing up to watch the Pats lose next weekend.
1/24/08
Happy birthday Mac OS and EONS
Well it's a red letter day. Today I burned the first copy of EONS 0.4.2, the first releasable copy of EONS, the operating system I've been working on since June, or maybe July. It's also the 24th birthday of the first GUI (graphical user interface). The Mac OS is now 24 years old, and that means just 24 years ago during the Super Bowl the greatest commercial of all time was aired as well. Excitement galore.
1/22/08
Neo is the one
Well, a product I've been watching like a hawk since last summer is making some new moves. The OpenMoko Neo 1973, the development forerunner to the Neo Freerunner, will be distributed, along with its consumer geared Freerunner by Pulster. Great news for FOSS hardware fans. I've been debating getting a Neo 1973 for months now, but my Razr V3 still works.
For those who don't know, the Neo 1973 was announced a few years ago and took some time due to lack of finances, but is what the iPhone was modeled after. It's a gorgeous device that runs on Linux and can even play computer games. Right now it is in a developers release state, so anyone with a knowledge of Linux and programming can jump in.
You can read more here:
Business Wire
OpenMoko
For those who don't know, the Neo 1973 was announced a few years ago and took some time due to lack of finances, but is what the iPhone was modeled after. It's a gorgeous device that runs on Linux and can even play computer games. Right now it is in a developers release state, so anyone with a knowledge of Linux and programming can jump in.
You can read more here:
Business Wire
OpenMoko
1/19/08
Wiggidy wiggidy whack
Well, I'm at work again, a fairly normal Saturday for me lately. Going over paperwork from meetings, working out my schedule of meetings next week, and processing material. I met with a client and a potential outlet for leaded glass this week, and those went very well. We're doing a couple site visits next week and meeting with more clients, as well as a buyer for truckload quantity computers. Things are really picking up around here.
I really started writing to ponder and complain about how we've gotten to a state where everything is disposable rather than repairable. Just this morning a recertified 2 computers, each less than 2 years old. One of them was perfectly fine, they just had a lot of spyware and viruses installed, so rather than take the time to clean it up, or even maintain it and not put all that junk on there in the first place, they got rid of it and got a new computer. I just wiped the drive and installed EONS, 3 minutes of actual work. The second needed a new power supply, a $10 fix. Instead they went and spent over $600. Maybe I shouldn't complain, this is job security for me, but it just seems wasteful and silly to me. If your car gets a flat tire do you get rid of it? Of course not. So what's the cutoff of cost? Obviously under $20,000. Some of these people don't take care of their computers, get viruses, and every year buy a new computer. I've had the same computer for 5 years now, and it's still very fast, all it takes is maintenance.
One of the things we'll be offering once I get the front of the building are classes. One of those will be in computer maintenance. Hopefully people take it and learn something, though I will be decreasing my business some. Oh well, it's worth it to me.
I really started writing to ponder and complain about how we've gotten to a state where everything is disposable rather than repairable. Just this morning a recertified 2 computers, each less than 2 years old. One of them was perfectly fine, they just had a lot of spyware and viruses installed, so rather than take the time to clean it up, or even maintain it and not put all that junk on there in the first place, they got rid of it and got a new computer. I just wiped the drive and installed EONS, 3 minutes of actual work. The second needed a new power supply, a $10 fix. Instead they went and spent over $600. Maybe I shouldn't complain, this is job security for me, but it just seems wasteful and silly to me. If your car gets a flat tire do you get rid of it? Of course not. So what's the cutoff of cost? Obviously under $20,000. Some of these people don't take care of their computers, get viruses, and every year buy a new computer. I've had the same computer for 5 years now, and it's still very fast, all it takes is maintenance.
One of the things we'll be offering once I get the front of the building are classes. One of those will be in computer maintenance. Hopefully people take it and learn something, though I will be decreasing my business some. Oh well, it's worth it to me.
1/16/08
Crapbook Air
I've never been a big fan of Apple's hardware, it's guaranteed to be overpriced and underperforming, and once again they don't fail to prove me right. For a laptop costing $1,800 I have high expectations. Call me frugal, but if I'm paying more than $1,000 for a computer it better be the fastest thing around. But here is the rundown:
1.6GHz Core2 Duo
2GB DDR2
WiFi
80GB 4200 RPM hard drive
1 USB 2.0 port
1 audio output
microDVI output
Now here's my questions:
1) Where is the optical drive? How do I play CDs or watch DVDs? Oh, I pay an extra $100 and use up the only USB port.
2) 4200 RPM drive? I must be dreaming? Oh no, that's true... And if you want a faster drive you move down to 64GB and cough up an extra $1,000.
3) Where's the ethernet connection? Oh, you have to pay $30 and use up the only USB port.
4) That 13'' LCD a bit tiny, even by 1995 standards? Yeah, Apple knows. Which is why they'll sell you a monitor that connects to the bizarre miniDVI port for only $600.
5) 1.6 GHz a bit on-par with a few years ago? Well you can go for a 1.8 GHz for only $300 more.
Now I have to wonder who will buy these? My guess is Apple's main customer base, as they show in their commercials. Smug people with too much money and no common sense.
1.6GHz Core2 Duo
2GB DDR2
WiFi
80GB 4200 RPM hard drive
1 USB 2.0 port
1 audio output
microDVI output
Now here's my questions:
1) Where is the optical drive? How do I play CDs or watch DVDs? Oh, I pay an extra $100 and use up the only USB port.
2) 4200 RPM drive? I must be dreaming? Oh no, that's true... And if you want a faster drive you move down to 64GB and cough up an extra $1,000.
3) Where's the ethernet connection? Oh, you have to pay $30 and use up the only USB port.
4) That 13'' LCD a bit tiny, even by 1995 standards? Yeah, Apple knows. Which is why they'll sell you a monitor that connects to the bizarre miniDVI port for only $600.
5) 1.6 GHz a bit on-par with a few years ago? Well you can go for a 1.8 GHz for only $300 more.
Now I have to wonder who will buy these? My guess is Apple's main customer base, as they show in their commercials. Smug people with too much money and no common sense.
1/14/08
Gene Splicing = Awesome
Kelli and I got a tank full of Glowfish, an engineered variant of Danios that were originally used for research. They glow under a UV Light. I'm getting her a UV reactive placostamus as well. Oh science, how I love thee.
On a side note I worked 55 hours last week and I'll be working another long week this week to prepare for the business expo. In other business news we're looking to pick up a few more counties and cities, I should know more by the end of the month. Within a week I should also know about getting an intern for the summer doing marketing.
On a side note I worked 55 hours last week and I'll be working another long week this week to prepare for the business expo. In other business news we're looking to pick up a few more counties and cities, I should know more by the end of the month. Within a week I should also know about getting an intern for the summer doing marketing.
1/8/08
Flooding
Well, it's been raining here since about 8:00 last night, hasn't stopped yet. The roads around my house are flooded, but I slogged through them anyway. Mostly because it's so dark when I leave for work I couldn't see the standing water. The warehouse at work has started to leak, as well as my house. I woke up at 4AM to find the ceiling collapsing in the hallway and water dripping in. Hooray. I quickly took down the ceiling tile and put a trash can under it, then went back to bed. Now I get to go home after work and pull out the insulation and replace it, fix the roof, replace the ceiling tile, and pull up the carpet to let it dry. Sounds like fun.
1/7/08
Ladies and Gentlemen...
I'm a nervous person anyway. When flying I'm scared of the plane crashing, midair collisions, or spontaneous combustion. But here's the kicker...
Remind me never to fly a 787. You can hack a jet. A jet!!! This is a giant thing we're afraid of hitting building or the ground, and they make it hackable. Whose idea was this?! Tying the in-flight internet access, which I'm not sure is necessary anyway, into navigation, control, and communications? So someone with some good skills and a laptop can take control of the plane? Good God, was there security planned by an idiot? Here's a hint, if you're going to give passengers internet access, use two completely separate systems, even if it costs more. It's worth it to land.
Remind me never to fly a 787. You can hack a jet. A jet!!! This is a giant thing we're afraid of hitting building or the ground, and they make it hackable. Whose idea was this?! Tying the in-flight internet access, which I'm not sure is necessary anyway, into navigation, control, and communications? So someone with some good skills and a laptop can take control of the plane? Good God, was there security planned by an idiot? Here's a hint, if you're going to give passengers internet access, use two completely separate systems, even if it costs more. It's worth it to land.
Too Much Time
Well, I may have too much time on my hands now. I'm commuting 45 minutes to work, and even though gas is expensive I'm saving about $350 a month by living where I do, so it's worth it. I could live next to work and spend about $600 a month or drive a long ways and spend about $200 a month. I've got the time.
So now I spend these long boring drives thinking. And this morning I had an odd thought. I know, me having an odd thought is unheard of, but hear me out. It occurred to me that most people, around here anyway, spend a lot of time in the car. And not like in Indy or Chicago, where you commute 2 miles and spend an hour in your car, this is because people live a long way from where they work. Some are like me and are doing it to save money, but most are spending a lot. The average pay around here is about $8/hr too, and there seem to be a lot of trucks on the road too. So I did some quick math and came up with this. For an average person, driving a truck at 60mph, commuting 15 miles, fairly average around here, and paying $700/year taxes on a house, also fairly average around here, they are netting just under $15,000/yr before taxes, living expenses, and entertainment. That's about half of the poverty line right there. Based on my food, bills, and what little entertainment I partake in, that leaves around $13,500 before tax, and I eat as cheaply as possible. After tax that's about $9,500 left. There are also a lot of other expenses I haven't taken into account, and that's assuming there are no kids.
It made me thankful I'm earning more than average, driving a car, living cheaply, and have no kids. About that time a semi pulled out in front of me and broke my train of thought.
So now I spend these long boring drives thinking. And this morning I had an odd thought. I know, me having an odd thought is unheard of, but hear me out. It occurred to me that most people, around here anyway, spend a lot of time in the car. And not like in Indy or Chicago, where you commute 2 miles and spend an hour in your car, this is because people live a long way from where they work. Some are like me and are doing it to save money, but most are spending a lot. The average pay around here is about $8/hr too, and there seem to be a lot of trucks on the road too. So I did some quick math and came up with this. For an average person, driving a truck at 60mph, commuting 15 miles, fairly average around here, and paying $700/year taxes on a house, also fairly average around here, they are netting just under $15,000/yr before taxes, living expenses, and entertainment. That's about half of the poverty line right there. Based on my food, bills, and what little entertainment I partake in, that leaves around $13,500 before tax, and I eat as cheaply as possible. After tax that's about $9,500 left. There are also a lot of other expenses I haven't taken into account, and that's assuming there are no kids.
It made me thankful I'm earning more than average, driving a car, living cheaply, and have no kids. About that time a semi pulled out in front of me and broke my train of thought.
1/2/08
The Kelli Post
Well as some may know and some may not I got engaged 11/27/07 to Kelli. She's an accounting major interning for a firm in Fort Wayne and will graduate in December 2008. Here are some pics. We're going to get married at St. Mary's Church in Decatur on 6/13/09. Wedding planning is taking up most of her time, and business meetings and getting things set financially (as well as some research on the side) is taking up most of mine.
Welcome to my world
Well here's my new blog of my life outside of work. There are several links to the side. Tillamook Rage is for a project of mine, there are a couple friends of mine, as well as some good reading. I'll use this more my non work related commentaries and rants as well as updates, which will be handy since I have a wedding coming up as well as plenty of stuff going on. So enjoy!
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