Category Archives: Different

Odd Flickr Hicup

Posted on February 11, 2008 | Comments Off on Odd Flickr Hicup

Bizarre, several of my friends in Flickr have been demoted to mere contacts… Easily fixed, but odd.

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Posted in Asides, Different

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Why I converted to WordPress

Posted on February 11, 2008 | Comments Off on Why I converted to WordPress

Wordpress ButtonsBefore anyone goes on a rant, I have no loyalty for any particular product or technology. In Movable Type’s case, I liked it for it’s convenience and the fact that it was written in PERL.

I’ve been a PERL programmer for years. If I need a new tool for work, I simply write it in PERL. In the case of my MTYahooMaps plugin (and my version of MTGoogleMaps), I wrote it because I was interested in Maps and integrating it on MT Blogs. It was fun to write, I learned a lot and It works.

With the last upgrade of MT to 4.X, my plugin no longer works. Neither did the CAPTCHA plugin, SCODE (YES, I use CAPTCHA , YES, I’m told it’s Not effective…). Frankly, as soon as I started to use MT 4, I was getting all sorts of comment SPAM that I wasn’t getting under MT 3.X so, I switched back. The bottom line is, CGI PERL brings my server to it’s knees. Likely my server was not configured as efficiently as it could be and the uptime and top command would show serious problems for my server. When using MT 3.x, my cpu would get pegged often enough that I would have to knock the webserver down just to use the box.

Under WordPress, I have yet to see the CPU pegged (Still working on getting MRTG configured too). Also, the user interface is a lot easier to use than MT. So easy, I find myself posting entries much more often.

With the exception of Nikon products, It’s all brand X to me. MT is a good product and Sixapart is a great company, I just feel like doing something different. Who knows? I may go back to it at a later date.

BTW: My brother is writing up the conversion on his blog, “Mostly Harmless“. He did all the work, I’m merely reaping the benefit. Also, he wants me to learn PHP and do some custom programming for WordPress.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Misery Business” by Paramore from the “Riot!” Album.

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Unboxing a brand new Apple //c. A photoset.

Posted on February 9, 2008 | Comments Off on Unboxing a brand new Apple //c. A photoset.

Apple IICSaw this on Reddit and had to write about it. Dan Budiac, Dansay on flickr, managed to get a Never before opened Apple //c from Ebay (shipped on May 5th, 1988!) and took photos of it being unboxed and set up.

At the risk of dating myself, I remember when this was the coolest thing to have. A few of my friends had one and often tried to get me to ditch my Amiga 500 and get an Apple. I resisted, but occasionally used one to write a paper when my printer died.

We rarely think about it, but personal computing has changed considerably in the span of 20 years.  Few companies have been able to survive in the Personal Computer market, but Apple has survived and prospered from the beginning to now.

I hope he gets a response from his letter to Steve Jobs.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“I Don’t Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem)” by Good Charlotte from the “Good Morning Revival” Album.

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Just “Wow”…

Posted on February 8, 2008 | Comments Off on Just “Wow”…

I honestly thought this was just an Urban Legend but apparently NOT!
“Indian kidney racket fugitive held in Nepal“

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Posted in Asides, Current Issues, Different

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Maybe they should have waited till AFTER the game…

Posted on February 5, 2008 | Comments Off on Maybe they should have waited till AFTER the game…

Patriots Waterford CyrstalOk, Normally I could care less about Sports, but this was too funny to ignore. Saw this on Reddit.com.

Macy’s had a Waterford Crystal:

Waterford Crystal XLll Super Bowl Champion Football

$185.00

Patriot perfection! Nineteen wins. Zero losses. Football history has been rewritten, and the New England Patriots have won it all! Commemorate every bone-crunching tackle and triumphant touchdown with this limited edition Waterford Crystal football.

Maybe they should have waited till AFTER the game to put this on the web site??

It’s gone now, but here is a Link to the Webpage Image.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Big Bang Baby” by Stone Temple Pilots from the “Tiny Music…Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop” Album.

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Switched to WordPress

Posted on February 4, 2008 | 3 comments

Wordpress ButtonsOk, after much prodding by brother, I have crossed over to the dark side and converted my Blog to WordPress from Movable Type.

As fun as making my MTYahooMaps plugin was, I haven’t touched it in over a year and have no intention of updating it to work on MT 4.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
Nothing at the moment.

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It has GOT to be Illegal

Posted on January 21, 2008 | 1 comment

Credit CardsOk, I’m all for making a living as the next guy, but for the last few MONTHS, my wife and I have been getting messages on my answering machine saying (Paraphrasing):

“Hi, We’re from your credit Card company, We’re calling about Your Credit Card Bill! Please hit 1 for an Operator! “

Can we say “possible FRAUD“, Boys and Girls?

They’ve called us during Dinner a few times too. I’ve asked repeatedly for our number to be taken Off the F____ing list and they say “OK” and hang up.

Today, On Martin Luthur King Day, They called YET again! Wits END
Un-F___ing-Believable!

Ok, I calm down , Steel myself, and Hit “1”.

Operator: “Hi, are you interested in Reducing Your Credit Card Bills?”

Me (Smiley Voice): “Sort Of, I always looking out to save money in this time of Economic Gloom, but which one of My Credit Card Company do you Represent??”

Operator: “Well, We’re from Your VISA Card!”

Me: “Really? Which ONE Exactly? Would that be My Wa Mu Card?”
(NOTE: I don’t have a WaMu Card)

Operator: “Why, Yes, That’s the one. We represent ALL your Visa Cards!”

After going back and forth a few times, he would NOT identify the company.

Me (Slightly Annoyed Voice): “That’s Interesting, but What I REALLY want to know is, Why am I being called when I asked for my number to be removed three times already?? The Automated machine talking to my Answering machine is really annoying…”

Operator: “(sigh), Sir, all you need do is hit the ‘2’ Button…”

Me: “Really?, The Recording did not say that. It only said to hit ‘1’ to speak to someone.”

Operator: “Yes sir, It did. If you listened for another 20 seconds, you’d hear it”

Me: “Um, Noooo, I don’t think so, But What-Ever. Will You remove my number NOW???”

Operator: “Just hit the ‘2’ Button.”

Me: “What? Now? I don’t want to buzz it in your ear or anything…”

Operator: “Yes Sir, Now…”

Me: “(Stabbing The ‘2’ Button) Ok, Am I off the List?”

Operator: “Yes Sir.”

Me: “That’s great, have a nice day.”

Operator: “You too.(click)”

I swear, If I get one more call on our answering machine, I’m making an MP3 File and posting it online. I have nothing against the Operator. He’s just trying to make a living but this is ridiculous.


NOTE: I’m on the “Do NOT Call List”! I have the sneaking suspicion that one of our credit cards is up to this. If I find out which one, I’m canceling my card…

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Suspicious Minds” by Fine Young Cannibals from the “Fine Young Cannibals” Album.

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Posted in Current Issues, Different, Rants

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Catching up

Posted on December 19, 2007 | Comments Off on Catching up

Gothamist Party
Been very busy this past month, but here is a partial rundown:

Life:

Politics:

  • Sadly, Sen. Reid was putting forth a bill that gives Telecoms Immunity for breaking the law but at the moment, it’s stopped.
  • Congress is sending a War Funding bill requiring no change in strategy in Iraq. Wasn’t the Democratic Party brought in to change things?

Odd:

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Big Bang Baby” by Stone Temple Pilots from the “Tiny Music…Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop” Album.

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Posted in Different

Best Use for a Tesla coil

Posted on November 9, 2007 | Comments Off on Best Use for a Tesla coil

Red Alert!As people may know, Photography is a hobby I indulge in. I like to think of doing different things such as a long exposure shot.

So, when I read “Awesome Red Alert Tesla Coil Makes Quick Work of Allied Soldiers” on Gizmodo, I had to read about it.

Peter at tesladownunder.com was nice enough to document how he did it. Basically, he replicated the scene from the game in real life with a Real Tesla Coil.

See his work here.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
Wild by Seal from his “SEAL [1991]” album.

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different

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Wireless Memory Card

Posted on November 5, 2007 | Comments Off on Wireless Memory Card

Eye-FiLast year, I had a conversation with Nina, a friend of mine who’s a Professional Photographer (See her excellent work here) about the advantages of having a Nikon WT-2A wireless adapter for a D2x. At the time, I thought it was overkill, but Nina pointed out that during a Studio or Field shoot, this would be very useful as the LCD screen on the camera is not a good way to tell if a shot came out right or not.

Along those lines, I saw this on Engadget and found it to be an interesting idea. 2 GB and Wireless in an SD card? Great idea and nicely priced too. At the same time, a little scary! That Wireless card is the size of a postage stamp. I would likely not get one, but I’d recommend it for other people. From the review, it apparently does not create a big power burden on the camera and certainly is good for people who want it without having to plug a card reader in.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
1973 by James Blunt from the “All the Lost Souls” album.

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different