How to destroy your computer
I have been working with computers for a lot of years. And I believed, until today, that I had achieved a level of mastery in the art of computer destruction…
Abbotsford Airshow
My friend Chris was out visiting this past week (he just went home yesterday). While he was here, in addition to several movies and a dozen hours or so of computer gaming, we went to the Abbotsford Airshow.
I planned on taking a bunch of pictures, but unfortunately I hadn't properly charged my camera. As a result, I only got a few. I've included a bunch of Chris's pictures to round out the selection. Here is a nice picture of a couple of "aggressor" camouflaged F-5 Tiger jets: click on the picture to go to the gallery folder with the airshow pictures.
What is it about military hardware that interests me? I'm not a violent person. I certainly don't support the use of military force unnecessarily, although I respect the men and women who stand in harms way when it becomes necessary.
Whatever it is, I like to walk up close to something that can travel at supersonic speeds...or fire thousands of rounds per minute of depleted uranium shells into any unfortunate tank or other target that gets in the way. Or that can hover safely over rough seas to lower rescuers and pull survivors to safety.
The unique sound of a jet approaching the sound barrier as it roars in from behind the viewing line is one of those things that lives on in memory for quite some time. The Voodoo had its own unique "song", quite different from an F18 or Harrier. But aside from all the hardware, its interesting to note that the people who fly and maintain these aircraft are, after all, real people. Young folks with a bit of swagger fresh out of intensive training, old pilots with thousands of hours of flight experience and combat experience, people with greasy hands and smashed fingers from handling heavy parts under tight schedules. All "just people", who'll talk if you catch them when they can. Even the one's who've flown in space.
I enjoyed the air show, rain and all. I'll be happy to go back again next time!
Big Beaver Homecoming
Family is an important part of most people’s lives. My family is pretty big: I have five brothers and sisters, and lots of cousins, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles. But we don’t get together very often.
Goofy ideas that make sense…
I have a wireless network at home. I don't like its limited range. And I've been thinking about buying an "official" range extender from my access point's manufacturer.
But when I saw this range extending antenna, I nearly jumped right in and ordered it.
The idea of an antenna based upon a hacker's toy (using a Pringles or similar can to get extra WI/FI range) strikes me as very intriguing. And the Cantenna seems, on the surface at least, to be based on some reasonably sound antenna principles.
I might still buy one, even if I'm not sure whether it really works. The concept appeals to me, and its not outrageously priced ;)
Irony…
There is a sad story today from New York regarding a city councillor there being gunned down in council chambers.
There is all sorts of irony to this story, but the thing that makes me shake my head is how the American news reporters seemed to miss the biggest irony... The councillor who was shot, James E. Davis, supposedly was a "crusader against urban violence". But according to the story...Davis, 41, a former police officer, was carrying a concealed 9mm handgun, but police officials said he never had a chance to draw his own weapon during the 2 p.m. attack.
Equally ironic... ''It's clear that Mr. Askew (the murderer) came in as the guest of James Davis and got around the magnetometer with James Davis,'' Bloomberg said. ..."Bloomberg said he and councilors routinely bypassed the metal detectors, a practice the mayor vowed would end immediately." So...the crusader against urban violence carried a concealed 9mm handgun and regularly bypassed the metal detectors around city hall...and was gunned down by a man carrying a 40 caliber handgun he escorted himself around the same metal detectors. Its ironic that the anti-urban violence guy was gunned down. But to me, its a lot more ironic that he was carrying a concealed gun at the time, and that he regulary bypassed a security system intended to detect things like concealed guns. Crazy Americans...
Crude on the surface, but elegant…
I came across this rather crude-looking home-brew CD changer mechanism in a Slashdot article. It takes me back to my days in High school, when guys built computers with wooden cases. Except this is a wooden mechanical device interfaced to a computer… (more…)
Google hates me…
Another chapter has been written in the ongoing saga of my battle with Google’s news site and my desire to post “top news” links from it on my page.
In this latest episode I had to do battle with their restructuring of their page, the inclusion of new translated characters in their URLs, and other problems. I *think* I have it licked, although it may take another few refreshes before the “bad” news items get pushed off my my page. (more…)
Safety First!
Someone on one of the message forums I frequent posted a German "safety" video. You need Windows Media to watch it: if you have Windows, you probably are good to…
Sore back…
My back hurts at the moment. Really badly. Sort of on the right side, between the shoulder blades. Its bad enough that the pain shoots down my arm, and at times I feel like I can't breath.
Yesterday I couldn't even lift a coffee cup with my right hand. Reaching for the mouse on my computer hurt. I drove to a store five minutes away, and ended up having Irene drive back because I couldn't steer well due to the shooting pain. Today its a bit better...a Tylenol 3, two Robaxecets, and a couple of Vioxx so far, and its only 2:30 PM. All of this pain is one thing, but what really bugs me is ... ...the fact that I can't point at anything I did and say "that hurt my back". I had a dream in the wee hours of Sunday morning in which I hurt my back. I suddenly woke up in pain, and sure enough, my back was sore. But what did I *do*? Probably whatever it was wasn't very heroic. I likely bent over wrong, or picked something up that I can't remember...something dull like that. If I was into extreme sports, I could say something like I twisted my back while free climbing some 1000' sheer drop, but no, all I can do is look at how my posture when I reach for the mouse and stuff like that. Oh well. On the plus side, I get to take large quantities of pain killers and lie on the floor a bit. Thats always fun...Server Cooling upgrade #2
I’ve mentioned before how my server is overheating. Well, this weekend I took hole saw in hand and added some better fans to the chassis. You can check out my photographic journey through the upgrade if that sort of thing interests you. (more…)