It's 2010 and I thought I'd delete all the old retarded stuff on here and say hi, I'm still alive, and I'm feeling much better now. ;)

Play it. Obsess over it. Write some Perl. Save the Universe from the NPC overlords.

Lacuna Expanse

There is a neat little story here at the Times on-âline about the world being âoemisledâ regardÂing the disÂapÂpearÂance of HimÂalayan glaciers.

Well, no, letâ(TM)s cut to the FACTS for once.

      1. In 1999 the New SciÂentÂist teleÂphones a chap called Syed Hasnain, who was workÂing at the JawaÂharlal Nehru UniÂverÂsity in Delhi.
      2. Syed specÂuÂlates that HimÂalayan glaÂciers could vanÂish by AD 2035. Syed has ZERO formal research to supÂport this idle speculation.
      3. The New SciÂentÂist pubÂlishes Syedâ(TM)s unsupÂporÂted idle specÂuÂlaÂtion as a facÂtual scare story.
      4. In 2007, the IPCC (InterÂgovÂernÂmental Panel on CliÂmate Change) havÂing read the New SciÂentÂist, repeats Syedâ(TM)s idle specÂuÂlaÂtion as a facÂtual scare story.

Just to be absoÂlutely clear here, this scare story is total bullshit.

This isnâ(TM)t an isolÂated incidÂent, you can look at any subÂject you choose and find basicÂally the exact same story.

What could be more difÂferÂent from global warmÂing, man made or othÂerÂwise, than rape?

Well, sad to say, it is the same story with rape, the claim that âoeless than 2% of rape claims are falseâ has exactly the same basis, a specÂuÂlatÂive comÂment, backed up by preÂcisely ZERO formal research, in that case stated by one Susan BrownÂmiller, who herÂself pulled this figÂure from a mimeoÂgraph handout /â flyer proÂduced by someone both anonymÂous and unknown.

And yet, today this âoe2%â figÂure is banÂdied about by sex crime proÂfesÂsionÂals in exactly the same manÂner as the âoeglaÂciers gone by 2035â was banÂdied about by cliÂmate proÂfesÂsionÂals. ThankÂfully, not all of them.

The infamÂous 2001 Nigeran YelÂlowÂcake scanÂdal is yet another example. Not only is is trivial to uncover more examples of this kind of intelÂlecÂtual disÂhonÂesty and short cirÂcuitÂing, it is herÂculean borÂderÂing on impossible to tabÂuÂlate all examples of this kind of intelÂlecÂtual disÂhonÂesty and short cirÂcuitÂing, simply because it is such a comÂmonÂplace occurrence.

THIS IS THE POINT.

These are the leadÂing proÂfesÂsionÂals in their respectÂive fields, talkÂing comÂplete and utter bullshit.

So where does this leave othÂerÂwise intelÂliÂgent and eduÂcated people, who do not hapÂpen to be experts in the area in question?

ObviÂously, given that even leadÂing proÂfesÂsionÂals in their own fields of expertÂise are apt to simply abort all logical thought and simply accept as gosÂpel, anyÂthing said by anyÂone who appears to be a felÂlow expert in a simÂilar or related field, the options for intelÂliÂgent and eduÂcated people who are not experts in said parÂticÂuÂlar field are slim indeed.

One would have thought that with the advent of InformÂaÂtion TechÂnoÂlogy, a lot of this would be addressed, e.g. interÂnet access to weather staÂtions around the world via the web would allow us to verify claims that, for example, NorÂilsk is the coldÂest city on earth, on average.

Sadly, that has not happened, what has happened is InformÂaÂtion TechÂnoÂlogy has transÂformed into DisÂinÂformÂaÂtion TechÂnoÂlogy, we are left with a conÂsensus view, which is the exact opposÂite of a sciÂentific view.

The conÂsensus view states that the sun revolves around the earth, and the earth itself is flat.

The conÂsensus view in many USA states is that the earth is 4,000 years old and dinoÂsaur fossils are carÂbon datÂing et al are just tricks put there by God to test our faith in Him.

The conÂsensus view is WikiÂpeÂdia. If you are extremely lucky, it will tell you a small part of the truth, and a few lies, while omitÂting the bulk of the truth needed to have a sciÂenÂtificÂally accurÂate overÂall view and underÂstandÂing of a subject.

Only a few weeks ago someone hacked Van Morrisonâ(TM)s webÂsite, and announced that he was a father, again, at the age of 64, within a very short space of time every major newsÂpaÂper on the planet is statÂing this as fact. See The Times again.

There is an old adage about a stopped watch telling the corÂrect time twice a day (thus being more accurÂate than a watch that loses 5 second every hour).

We are enterÂing an era of DisÂinÂformÂaÂtion TechÂnoÂlogy where we need a new adage, âoeDo not believe a single thing that you read, see, or hearâ because you will be wrong less often than if you do what most of us do now, and believe, at least partly, much of what we read, see or hear.

Meh.

I'd completely forgotten I wrote this three years ago:

Joshua Kinsberg has been released. But his bike and invention are impounded, at least until his court date on Friday (after the RNC is over).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5850151/

NYC's anti-graffiti law is very strict:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nograffiti/html/legislation.html

"No person shall write, paint or draw any inscription, figure or mark of any type on any public or private building or other structure or any other real or personal property owned, operated or maintained by a public benefit corporation, the city of New York or any agency or instrumentality thereof or by any person, firm, or corporation, or any personal property maintained on a city street or other city-owned property pursuant to a franchise, concession or revocable consent granted by the city, unless the express permission of the owner or operator of the property has been obtained."

I wonder if the framers of that law realized they were banning kids from chalking hopscotch onto their schools' playground or onto the sidewalks in front of their houses. I wonder how many children have been arrested for chalking up a 4-square game.

One important point: the police did not see the chalk-spraying invention being _used_. So the inventor probably could not have been charged with the above law. But the only other anti-graffiti laws describe "aerosol spray paint cans," and the video of the arrest clearly shows the inventor explaining to the police that it uses chalk, not paint. Predictably, the New York Post gets that wrong, describing the invention as "a convoluted spray-paint mechanism": http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/29532.htm

Earlier this month, a family was threatened with a $300 fine for their 6-year-old girl's drawing with sidewalk chalk.

On her own front step.

It's legal of course. The police screwed up. Notice the final clause from the law as of 2004 ("unless... permission of the owner... has been obtained") and the similar clause from the 2005 law Natalie Shea was threatened with (only if "not consented to by the owner").

But a street artist was later arrested for drawing on the sidewalk with chalk (while being filmed by PBS about his artwork!). And I won't be surprised if sooner or later some kid literally chalking hopscotch onto the sidewalk or a school playground gets arrested.

That's the law, after all. We had to make sure nobody chalked anti-Bush slogans while the RNC was in town. And the law's the law.

The Japanese manufacturer Aqua Power Systems Japan is producing Water-activated battery in the AA and AAA sizes, with larger sizes and capacities on the way. As far as I can tell, this is the only commercial offering of these batteries in the AA and AAA form factors.

Liquid is injected into the batteries via a pipette, where it combines with magnesium & carbon to form the battery charge. It's rumored that these batteries have a 10-year shelf life while dry, and can be reused several times. They have a 500mAh capacity (Standard alkaline batteries produce 1700mAh or more), which is sufficient to power a flashlight for a while.

Sadly, many websites are getting distracted by the fact that these batteries can be posted by urine. Discussions of this product quickly degrade into a kindergarten mentality, and there aren't many serious reviews.

While the 500mAh capacity isn't great, I can definitely see this product for use in emergency kits. I keep a couple of flashlights in my car for emergencies or for late night hikes. Often these 'long life' alkaline batteries are often dead (or leaking) by the time I use the flashlight, which I only discover a year later while trying to repair a flat tire on the freeway at 10:00PM in the middle of nowhere. This seems to happen even if I leave the batteries in the original package. The temperature fluctuations inside a car probably worsen this problem.

This battery could solve the 'dead battery', because it remains inert and inactive until activated by water. And I have water in my car and in my home earthquake preparedness kits.

Pretty nifty technology.

I remember reading about a similar 'emergency' battery when I was younger. In this other version the battery remained inactive until you needed it. The battery contained two chambers separated by a seal. Water is contained in the top chamber, and the carbon & zinc cells in the bottom. You twisted the top, which broke the seal between the two chambers, and activated the battery. This battery didn't seem to go anywhere, and I have no idea if it ever reached production. I can't find it anywhere.

The Alameda County Computer Resource Center is an innovative computer recycler in Berkeley, CA. They are an environmentalists dream-- all waste is reused when possible, the rest is recycled. No waste is shipped to questionable trash dumps overseas. Locally, the ACCRC provides computers to local schools and nonprofits.

During the Makers Faire in San Mateo, California, the ACCRC brought in tons of computer and electronic parts which were salvaged and reused for various projects.

Sadly, the State of California is threatening to shut down the ACCRC, mostly for failing to maintain an inventory of all of their computer equipment, and for keeping interesting/historical equipment onsite (a Computer Museum), instead of destroying the equipment.

I've been using ACCRC (and their predecessors) for years, and I've volunteered for several Linux installfest events using their hardware. I sincerely hope that State is able to work with the ACCRC and reach a compromise.

Update: 10/02 23:46 GMT by stefanlasiewski:

My journal has been referenced on the front page article Major Linux Hardware Donor Is a CNN "Hero", which is about the ACCRC founder and manager, James Burgett.

I had this journal entry sitting in my Wordpress blog queue for the last couple of weeks, waiting for the final edit. I saw the article about the ACCRC coming down the firehose, and posted it here since it seemed relevant.

Updated.

OPENING DAY! 13 baseball games... baseball all day and all night tonight. Woo hoo!

As I do every year, I make my April end of season MLB predictions.

Winners:

AL West Uhm, California Angels. Too powerful for the other three; although the As improved and will challenge.

Pitching for the Halos is again good this year, I like:
1. Lackey and the leadership role his has taken on. I like him to do well this year.
2. Frankie looks UNBELIEVABLE again. I like him for 40+ save again.
3. Shields looks great, again.

I'm worried about:
1. Weaver's health. I think he'll bounce back and win 18 this year.
2. Colon's health. I don't know that he'll ever bounce back. I don't know that we will see Bart pitch well ever again. But, if Bart comes back healthy with at least 6 weeks to go in the season, you'll see the Halos in the post-season.
3. Escobar's health. I think Kelvim's days as a starter are about done.

There is also, the real potential for the lineup to put up some big numbers. You have 7 guys that could hit 20+ homers, 90+ RBIs, and bat for .300 this season in:
1. Shea Hillenbrand - likes coming home and is looking to make a run at a ring
2. The youngster Howie Kendrick - I like him for a batting title in the near future
3. Casey Kotchman - if he lays off the outside corner, he'll be a power hitter for sure this year
4. Garret Anderson - as long as his back stays strong...
5. Vlad - do I need to say anything about the best hitter in the game?
6. Gary Matthews jr - I hope last year wasn't a fluke and I hope the whol HGH noise fades away.
7. Juan Rivera - as long as his leg heals, he'll be back knocking long balls

Look for the Angels to make moves at the break. If they're in First and looking good, then you'll see Stoneman make inquiries about ARod. If the Angels are not in first and floundering and Rivera is back and healthy, look for Stoneman to deal away Matthews. Pitching, if Bart is back and healthy, no changes. No Bart, then look for Stoneman to pull the trigger and get a "Ted Lily."

AL East Boston. It's all on Daisuke. Hope he has the big shoulders to carry the hopes of Boston Town. I think the Sox made the right moves and spent enough money to overthrow the Evil Empire(TM) this year. Now, they have to execute.

Timlin, Pineiro, and Schilling healthwise worry me. I've seen firsthand how bad JC Romero pitches, so let's hope his inning count is LOW this year. Losing Donnelly to the Sox was a blow to the Halos, but a huge pick up for Boston. I like the starters and think Boston has a good bullpen and IF Papelbon is on, then the Sox will take the East.

Varitek is still awesome, but old. Mirabelli will see more action this year.

Boston's number one problem is they are PITCHING heavy and have little to no fielders. Coco Crisp - eek! JD Drew was a good pickup (one the Dodgers are still stinging from).

AL Central Good god. Four of the five are potential WS winners. Minnesota is armed and ready again. Cleveland is loaded. Chi Town is ready for a return trip. However, this IS the Tigers year. Watch for the ChiSox to make a run, but the Tigers will quash it.

Wild Card ChiSox

NL West Best of the worst: Dodgers. Not much to say; except the Dodgers could be the sleeper.

NL Central The WORST division in the league, but still gotta be St. Louis (or as I call them, the Angles in the East). AK was a great pick up for them defensively. I think St. Louis has the best infield in Baseball... maybe the best infield in the last... 20 years.

NL East Man o man were the Mets impressive last night or what? Mets dominate this year. Murderers Row 2007. Look for B I G numbers from the Mets this year.

Wild Card Houston.

why these me are allowed to retire? Why aren't they facing a Courts Martial?

Army Surgeon General Kevin C. Kiley abruptly stepped down under pressure from military superiors, the third top Army official forced out in the fallout from revelations of shabby treatment of wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The Army said Monday that Lt. Gen. Kiley had submitted a request to retire over the weekend. Acting Army Secretary Pete Geren had asked Kiley for his retirement, said a senior defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the events.

Kiley's removal underscored how the controversy, which began with reports of dilapidated outpatient housing and a nightmarish bureaucracy at the Army's flagship hospital, has snowballed into a far broader problem for the Bush administration.

Acting Army Secretary Pete Geren has had his position for less than two weeks, having replaced Army Secretary Francis Harvey, who was dismissed March 2. Maj. Gen. George W. Weightman, who had been in charge of Walter Reed since August 2006, was ousted from his post the day before.

Just cause he is one of the greatest living artists:

1. David Bowie - Space Oddity (5:16)
2. David Bowie - Changes (3:35)
3. David Bowie - Suffragette City (3:27)
4. David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust (3:15)
5. David Bowie - The Jean Genie (4:08)
6. David Bowie - Rebel Rebel (4:31)
7. David Bowie - Young Americans (3:15)
8. David Bowie - Fame (4:17)
9. David Bowie - Golden Years (3:29)
10. David Bowie - Heroes (3:37)
11. David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes (3:38)
12. David Bowie - Fashion (3:27)
13. David Bowie - Under Pressure (3:57)
14. David Bowie - Let's Dance (4:10)
15. David Bowie - China Girl (4:18)
16. David Bowie - Modern Love (4:47)
17. David Bowie - Blue Jean (3:12)
18. David Bowie - Dancing In The Street (3:22)
19. David Bowie - This Is Not America (3:54)
20. David Bowie - I'm Afraid Of Americans (4:25)
21. David Bowie - Beauty And The Beast (3:36)
22. David Bowie - Joe The Lion (3:07)
23. David Bowie - Heroes (6:10)
24. David Bowie - Sons Of The Silent Age (3:19)
25. David Bowie - Blackout (3:50)
26. David Bowie - V-2 Schneider (3:11)
27. David Bowie - Sense Of Doubt (3:56)
28. David Bowie - Moss Garden (5:04)
29. David Bowie - Neuköln (4:35)
30. David Bowie - The Secret Life Of Arabia (3:47)
31. David Bowie - Abdulmajid (3:36)
32. David Bowie - Joe The Lion (3:09)
33. David Bowie - Leon Takes Us Outside (1:25)
34. David Bowie - Outside (4:04)
35. David Bowie - The Heart's Filthy Lesson (4:57)
36. David Bowie - A Small Plot Of Land (6:34)
37. David Bowie - Segue: Baby Grace [A Horrid Cassette] (1:40)
38. David Bowie - Hallo Spaceboy (5:14)
39. David Bowie - The Motel (6:50)
40. David Bowie - I Have Not Been to Oxford Town (3:48)
41. David Bowie - No Control (4:34)
42. David Bowie - Segue: Algeria Touchshriek (2:03)
43. David Bowie - The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (As Beauty) (4:21)
44. David Bowie - Segue: Ramona A. Stone/I Am With Name (4:01)
45. David Bowie - Wishful Beginnings (5:08)
46. David Bowie - We Prick You (4:35)
47. David Bowie - Segue: Nathan Alder (1:00)
48. David Bowie - I'm Deranged (4:31)
49. David Bowie - Thru' These Architects Eyes (4:22)

A few year back I worked for a startup company. Yup, had the options and everything. I was geared up to receive in the neighborhood of $10 million. Then Y2K and all that it brought and my options couldn't by me a 9cent cup of coffee.

Fast forward to today and... it looks like the company is back and *poof* my stock options have matured into Stock (far, far, far less than the original 10 million) and they're expecting to IPO this Winter...

Funny how things work out.

I'm migrating to multiply. My nick there is ememalb.

Come say hi.

Multiply has all the stuff slash does, plus a whole lot more. I like it mucho better.

See you there. Or not...your call.

Hey, any of youse guys use minicom?

It's kickin my ass. I've got a cisco 2851 router I'm tryin to configurate on a wee bit.

The baud rate settings are 115200 on the router, and even when I set them to that in minicom it chokes like I'm force-feeding it Anna Nicole's bloated corpse.

Any ideas?

I'm ememalb, who the fuck are you? ;)

Post your multiply usernames here, so we can keep it all in one place.

Unless you don't want to, in which case...ok.

So uh, yeah. It's friday up in dis bizzo once again. Which means, well, not a whole lot, I guess. Still got a few more things around the house to get knocked out, but other than that, we are just biding our time. Paying rent and a mortgage as well as two sets of utility bills is kicking the shit out of my budget. Like Jet Li fighting a 3 year old. Can't wait till the house closes in ATL at the end of this month.

Anyway, this means I'm Captain Lowkey, Defender of the Couch, Freer Of the Beers(TM) for the next few weeks or so. Which kinda sucks, as I'd like to get out and explore the city some. Patience, young Lowkey, patience.

Anyway, how you kids doing today? Hope ya'll have a nice day and a good weekend.