US States Puzzel

How well do you know the location of your US States? I was actually surprised to get 94% right with a 13 mile average margine of error in 244 Secs. See how well you do at placing the states.

Subject tags: [US] [Geography] [Puzzel] [States] [Game] [Challenge] [Fun]

Honda Odyssey

Saturday we purcahsed a Honda Odyssey mini van. We researched it and it was consistantly rated as the top mini van. We got the dual powered slidding doors, which is a huge hit with the family.

Sunday we went over to my sister's house. On the way there when I put my daughter in the van she said "Close please door," so I hit the button to close it. She smiled brightly. Then when we got there she said "Open please door," and I of course hit the open button. She giggled with excitement and said "Thanks car, you're the greatest!"

Subject tags: [Mini Van] [Honda] [Odyssey] [Sliding Door]

Acer Aspire 3003WLCi

• Overview: Great notebook for the price
• Pros: Price, display, wifi, thin, thoughtful features.
• Cons: Battery life, usb port placement
• Rating: 9 out of 10

I was able to pick this Acer Aspire 3003WLCi notebook up for $700 at a local retailer, and it came with a nice bundle of extras: Color printer, wireless router, virus protection, etc.

The display is amazing. Runs wide screen at 1200x800 pixels, and it is super bright and sharp. When you hook up an external monitor the key to change configuration brings up a list of options so you can choose. No more guessing.

The touch pad has a middle button which you can configure to scroll up and down and do a forward and back button in your browser. You can also disable the touch-pad with a keystroke when using an external mouse. Unfortunately the scroll doesn't work in Firefox, my browser of choice. The back and forward buttons do though.

I like the feel of the keyboard except occasionally my fingers catch on the underside of the key. Seems like I have had that problem before on other laptops. Must be a function of the fact that the laptop keys are so shallow. The other anoying thing about the keyboard is there are € (euro) and $ keys next too the up arrow. I keep hitting those by accident. I don't really need a € (euro) or a second $ (it is also on the 4 key). It would be nice if they were programmable like all the other special keys.

There are three USB ports, but 2 of them are on the right hand side (along with the one PCMCIA slot, modem and ethernet), with the other in the front (along with the headphones). The only jack on the back is the power and the external display. The USB should be on the back or left so it doesn't interfear with the mouse. The only thing on the left is the DVD/CD Burner.

My particular laptop has 512 MB in a single bank, so I could add another stick if I wanted. It also has

The battery performance is really poor. On the plane I got about 1 hour watching a DVD with the screen brightness turned down. I imagine with WiFi turned off and not using the optical drive I might get an hour and a half. Not usually a big deal. Most my flights are about an hour anyway, and I am plugged in most often.

I gave the laptop at 9 out of 10, not because it is the best laptop out there, but for the price it is amazing. When I was shopping this laptop was nicer then the many of the more expensive ones.

Subject tags: [Laptop] [Acer] [WiFi] [Storage]

Excuse Me?!

Have you ever noticed how flexible the phrase "Excuse me" is? All based on body language, voice inflection, and current context it can have more meanings then I could list. Broadly, the more common usage it is rather submissive as you beg someone to forgive you for your imperfections. While in another almost as common usage you let someone know that their imperfections have offended you and they should correct the situation. And both of these circumstances have a wide range of variations.

For example, lets say you are at a party (I know this might be a stretch for some, but stay with me). You are in a crowded room with lots of talking. You see someone you want to talk to on the other side of the room and you start moving towards them. Someone is in your way. You say "Excuse me" to politely let them know that you wish to humbly ask them to move as you so rudely want to reposition yourself through their personal space. The don't move. So you say "Excuse me" again to let them know that you find their lack of moving rude. They still don't move. This time you say "Excuse me" to indicate that you find them to be a Neanderthal not worthy of your patience. Now they respond "Excuse me?" to indicate they didn't understand you. So you point in the direction you are trying to move and they kindly step aside. You continue on your journey, but accidentally step on their toe, to which they protest "Excuse me!" and you apologize "Excuse me!"

These are dangerous words. You may be trying to ask someone to move nicely, but you have a bit of a frog in your throat making your voice a little gruff so they get the impression you are demanding they move. And then when you clear your throat and repeat it you only make matters worse.

I would imagine that with some hand pointing, voice inflection and other body language two people could have a complete unrehearsed conversation only uttering these two words.

One time I was attending a public forum where individuals would take turns standing up and expressing their opinion. There was no podium, people just stood up where they were and took turns. Usually there was some sort of informal recognition before people spoke, but people were taking turns, so this wasn't really necessary. At one point this woman just started speaking, and then this man interrupted her. They both started speaking close to the same time, so his mistake was understandable to the rest of the audience, but the woman was obviously speaking first. They spoke over each other for a second, and then the man turned to the woman and said "Excuse me." At first we thought he was apologizing for his obvious oversight in interrupting her. Then he continued to talk. At that point we realized that he was not apologizing, but was instead letting her know that she should sit down and let him talk. This didn't go over very well with the audience, but he didn't care.

This is where lack of social intelligence comes in. People who don't pick up on these subtle cues in body language and voice inflection tend to appear really rude, but in fact they just don't get it. Although some people really are rude. It can be hard to tell.

Moral: And that, my friends, is one of the many reasons it is so tough to teach a computer to understand English, especially when spoken. I am not too familiar with other languages, but I imagine they are similar, but not as bad.

Subject tags: [English] [Funny] [Excuse me] [Conversation]

Black Friday 2005 at CompUSA

I went to stand in line at our local CompUSA to pick up one of their day after Thanksgiving sale items. Ran into a bunch of my friends while there too. A couple showed up way before I did, securing themsevles a better place in line, while the rest showed up shortly after I did. I moved back to stand in line with them so we can visit.

CompUSA decided to claim the 1st store to open on Black Friday by opening at 11:59 PM the day before. Most stores open at around 6 AM, and their sales run for a few hours. All the good stuff is gone inside 15 minutes though.

I arrived at the store at 11:40 PM and was standing outside with my purchase at 12:15 AM. A friend of mine that was much closer to the begining of the line then I actually grabbed it for me and waited for me inside.

Sure, you go and stand in line to get a good price, but hanging out with your friends in the middle of the night when it is freezing cold is the best part.

I snapped a few pictures and put them up over at Flickr. Added a video of The Line Outside on PutFile.com.

Subject tags: [CompUSA] [Black Friday] [Shopping] [Thanksgiving] [Line] [Waiting] [Boise] [Idaho] [Friends] [Cold] [Pictures] [Photo] [Video] [Flickr]

Paradigm Shifts

Isn't it interesting how we can go through life with some assumption and never question it always assuming it to be correct, then one day everything changes? These basic assumptions are our paradigm. Then when one day these assumptions are challenged the result is a paradigm shift. Life is all about paradigm shifts. If we don't have paradigm shifts then we are most likely not growing or learning.

So why do I mention that? Odd story. A friend of mine had a cobweb on his desk. I pointed it out and said how I thought it was interesting that they looked like spider webs, but they weren't. He told me they were actually spider webs. I had heard they were just made from dust and that there was no spider involved.

I decided to look it up. Turns out he was right and I was wrong. A cobweb is made by a spider. Here I have been going through life operating under this assumption and whamo, one day it all changes.

Sure, this isn't as big of a paradigm shift as many of the others that are out there, but it is indicative of how we have things we never think to question, and we just go along happily thinking it is right. It is important to be open minded since you never know when things will shift, but don't be so open minded that your brain falls out.

Subject tags: [Paradigm] [Assumption] [Cobweb] [Paradigm Shift] [Life] [Open Mind]

7 Acres

Turns out my cousin Neal Galloway has a band called 7 Acres. There is a poll on radio station X102 to get them more air time. If you have a second then please head over and vote for 7 Acres. Thanks!

Subject tags: [Music] [Band] [Radio] [7 Acres]

Pirates are a Consumer's Best Friend

A friend of mine earlier today said that he encourages pirating of music. This was in response to the folly of Sony's Music CD DRM (Digital Rights Management - restricts consumers use media) [Technical article that unearthed Sony's folly]. Sony was installing DRM software on people's computers (without their knowledge) to prevent them from copying their music CD's, but the software had huge unintended (so they claim) consequences and was draconian in its behavior. Then Sony released a "patch" for the DRM software and it would appear it is worse then the problem it is fixing. Now Microsoft has announced that they are clasifying the Sony DRM as Malware and will be automatically removing it. Sony also announced they will buy back all the DRM CD's and replace them with non-evil ones.

At first I was a bit surprised to my friends reaction. Sure, every is anoyed by DRM and especially Sony's behavior, but to encourage priacy? Then I got to thinking about it. His response was actually valid.

As a consumer we do want pirates. They are in our best interest. Services like iTunes only exist today as a result of pirates. Piracy seems to be the only thing the recording industry (and associated industries) will listen to. If we want the prices on pay per listen music to come down it would appear we need to encourage pirates.

Before the piracy of music we only had two choices when it came to buying music was Tape or CD. Both were over priced, and we usually only wanted one or two song on either anyway.

Then along comes all the music pirates with their MP3 sharing. As a direct response we get the RIO MP3 player. The RIAA sue unsuccessfully to stop it. Now personal MP3 players are everywhere and the iPod is taking the world by storm. All thanks to the pirates.

Along with the iPod we got a new music purchasing option: iTunes. They were not the first online music seller, but they were the most successful. Now online music sales are everywhere, and at competitive prices. All thanks to the music pirates.

The movie industry has tried to be more pro-active by offering movie downloads. Unfortunately the movie downloads are too high prices (about the same as a rental) and locked up tightly with DRM making them less appealing.

Now RIAA is trying to get iTunes and the others to raise their price. Why? Well, they have started to make a dent in the efforts of the pirates. So if we want better prices in online music, movies and other media, and also more flexible options to actually consume said media, then we need to encourage pirates.

The RIAA and others want us, as consumers to see pirates as the enemy, but the fact of the matter is the pirates drive consumer options and lower prices. They are the best consumer advocacy group around.

Subject tags: [RIAA] [MPAA] [iPod] [iTunes] [Pirates] [Piracy] [Music] [Movies] [DRM] [Sony]

Creative Alarm Clocks

Found a couple creative alarm clocks. They are both in the SkyMall catalog and come from Hammacher Schlemmer.

The first is the "Peaceful Progression Wake Up Clock". It gradually raises the ambient light, while it releases stimulating aromas and peaceful nature sounds. The lights and aromas starts a whole thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled wake-up time. Then fifteen (15) minutes into it the soft nature sounds start (one of six). Finally at wake-up time you get the buzzer. All for just $49.95.

I would really like one of these. I have found that when I get a few minutes of time before getting out of bed that I am more alert and get up easier. The problem with a clock radio is you have no idea how long you have been laying there. It would be nice if the times were adjustable. You might find that compressing or expanding the "warm-up" time more effective from person to person.

The second alarm clock takes the opposite approach. Instead of gradually waking you up the "Sensory Assult" throws everything it has at you at once. It uses a strobe light (guessing just white), a vibrating pad under your pillow and an upto 95 decibel siren. If you don't want to alarm the neighbors too you can turn down the volume, or use it in just vibrate mode too. Can also function as a telephone ringer. The time is displayed on and oversized bright display so you can't miss it. Get assulted for $59.95. Does _not_ come with a wake up guarantee.

I woundn't want one of these. For starters I am the kind of person who likes to wake up gradually. aditionally my clock radio already wakes up my wife and oldest son. The latter is slepping on the other side of the house. I am sure this clock would wake up the whole house, and the neighbors. Although using it as a telephone ringer has merit.

I'll post pictures and links later.

Finding WiFi

SkyMall has a mini WiFi signal locator in its Diversions section. It is called the Mobile Edge and would fit on a key chain. I am guessing it is about 2" x 1". It runs $29.95.

I always use my Clie. It is a little bigger, but I already have it with me and i can actually use the WiFi if it is availabe.

The biggest problem I have found is finding free WiFi. I don't mind paying for it if I am going to be using it for more then 5 minutes, bu quite often that is all I need.

A great idea for a WiFi provider would be to offer the first 15 minutes free. I am sure they might loose some money from people who were going to pay for just using it a few minutes, but I imagine the net result will be more people using it.

A lot of people just want to check their email really quick. If they think they can get it acomplished in the free minutes then they are more likely to check their email. Once they ge online they are more likely to find something that requires their attention. Since they already entered their billing information, as soon as their free time is up then they will start being billed.

What would be ideal is if there was some way to just get an account on all the networks for one price, or through a micropayments system. Maybe some one already offers this.

Or maybe someone has started a system like bugmenot.com where everyone shares out their login infrmation for the various networks. Of course the trick would be getting the login information if you can't get online yet. Maybe the current set of login information could be mailed out in an easily printable format for quick reference, or you could retrive them using a simple call from the phone.

I imagine the network providers would not be to keen on such a network though. They would probably be deactivating accounts as quick as they were shared. It may also violate the terms of service.

XBox 360 BSOD

Reason #27 to buy an XBox 360:

It has a BSOD - Black Screen of Death.

Who wants to be worried with racking up "up-time" on their console anyway? The BSOD is a feature to encourage players to take a break from time to time. Stretch their legs, get some air, maybe even exercise.

Plus the fact it is in multiple languages provides valuable diverse cultural exposure that may have otherwise been missed.

[Thanks to Engadget.]

Subject tags: [XBox] [XBox360] [BSOD] [Funny]

Picard, Riker and Data in a Car

A friend of mine sent me this animated gif of Picard, Riker and Data from Star Trek | The Next Generation.

I am not sure what they are all doing in this car, or where they are going, but they seem to be having a good time and posibly listening to some enjoyable music. They are also very snappy dressers. Much nicer then those solid color leotards they usually wear.

There is a Comedy Central logo in the corner. If anyone knows where this image is from I would love to know. It appears to be a creatively doctored image and not a screen capture from a TV show.

Subject tags: [Star Trek] [StarTrek] [ST|TNG] [Trek] [Funny Picture] [Animated GIF] [Animation] [Picard] [Riker] [Data]

Step One: Hybrids

Kevin just forward me an article on hybrid dogs. The article is specifically about the Puggle - a Beagle and Pug cross - but it mentions a few other hybrids too. Now you can drive a hybrid car with a hybrid dog in the back.

I am waiting for the Great Dane and Cockerspaniel cross, simply because I like Great Danes and my wife likes Cockerspaniels. Not sure how the mechanics of that would work though. Would we call it a Great Spaniel?

I thought it was funny that they had the lady from the AKC though. Of course she is going to be critical of it. Those AKC people are really stuck up. The interesting thing is every time you breed a dog you take a gamble with what the puppies will be like, even when breeding the same breed. In fact for those who are breeding show dogs it is not uncommon to put down half the litter. This is especially true when they inbreed the dogs (with siblings) to enhance the positive attributes - it results in concentrated negative attributes too. The problem is the negative ones are not always recognized until they are breed in for a few generations. The AKC could care less about pets.

I predict that it won't be long and we will see pets engineered to order. Instead of choosing a breed we would choose a list traits and they would grow us a puppy. Just a matter of mapping the doggie genome. Just wait, it will happen.

Subject tags: [Puggle] [Dogs] [Hybrid] [AKC] [Pets] [Treds] [Genetic Engineering] [Genome]