Berkeley gives Marines the boot: "Forum: Join the reader discussion
The Berkeley City Council voted this week to tell the U.S. Marines that its Shattuck Avenue recruiting station is not welcome in the city."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Government Healthcare
Lack of funding and over 18 week wait times ... but hey, it's "free"
Another story from last year, waiting 2 MONTHS for your first URGENT cancer treatment.
BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Tayside and Central | 'Removed patients' to be treated: "health board bosses told him to remove names as a 'simple solution' to people waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment."
Another story from last year, waiting 2 MONTHS for your first URGENT cancer treatment.
BBC NEWS | UK | Scotland | Cancer waiting cuts 'encouraging': "Just over 87% of patients are being treated within 62 days of urgent referral"
HumanCar
I wonder how fun this would be in the 50 mph winds we have today?
HumanCar gets a price, release date, new look: "
Filed under: Transportation
It's been awhile since we heard anything about the HumanCar, but it looks like the Flintstones-inspired vehicle is now rapidly becoming a reality, with it finally getting a price, release date and a even slightly sleeker new look. Apparently now more specifically known as the Imagine LMV, the vehicle will appropriately be available this coming Earth Day (April 22nd), when it'll set you back a hefty $15,000 for the 'base' model. For that price you'll apparently get a top speed of 30 mph from the vehicle's dual electric motors and, most importantly, 'variable human power input,' which should soon make you the most popular member of your car pool group. If that's not enough luxury for you, you'll also apparently be add various navigation and internet options, iPod connectivity, and various biometric devices to see just how much of a workout you're getting.
(Via Engadget.)
Apple Delays Apple TV Software Update and I'm sad
Apple Delays Apple TV Software Update - InformationWeek: ""
Apple Delays Apple TV Software Update
GameSHOUT
InformationWeek'-
Apple says it needs another couple of weeks to finish the software upgrade that will let people rent movies directly from their televisions.
Apple TVs movie rental upgrade not quite ready
MacBook Air Released with Slew of Problems
(Via Google News.)
The Space Race began 50 years ago today ...
The Space Race began 50 years ago today ...
Jan. 31, 1958: Explorer I Makes It Official — There's a Space Race: "Reacting swiftly to the Soviet success with Sputnik I, the United States makes its first foray into space a highly successful one.
(Via Wired News.)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Dell to close all 140 U.S. Stores that sold nothing.
Dell tried to copy Apple's success but opened stores that sold NOTHING. Hmmmm, I wonder why that didn't work?
Dell to close all 140 U.S. kiosks | Technology | Reuters: "Dell to close all 140 U.S. kiosks
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Dell said on Wednesday it would close all of its 140 U.S. kiosks, a concept it launched in 2002 to showcase computers, as it expands sales of PCs in retail stores."
Steak School, That's my kind of school ..
School's open, the butcher is in - Los Angeles Times: "School's open, the butcher is in
The most famous butcher in all of Italy is offering classes. Check your frequent flyer miles. Now.
January 30, 2008
STEAK school is open. The Butcher of Panzano -- aka Dario Cecchini, the most famous butcher in all of Italy -- announces his Officina della Bistecca (Steak Workshop) in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti Classico region:
"
More
Government Healthcare
NPR: Report: Poor Care at VA Hospital Caused 9 Deaths: "
NPR.org, January 28, 2008 · Investigators say the surgical unit at a southern Illinois veterans' hospital was in such disarray that doctors were allowed to perform operations they weren't qualified to perform and that hospital administrators were too slow to respond once problems surfaced, leading directly to the deaths of at least nine surgical patients and as many as 19.
More
Saturday, January 26, 2008
No Breakfast For YOU! .... Lunch, you'll have to wait ...
I'm reminded of this episode of Sienfeld ...
Today, at about 10:35, I went to an establishment that has the word "Cafe" in their name. I waited in line looking over the menu, noticing that the "lunch menu" is served after 11 am. So I place my order for a "breakfast panini" and was promptly told they are no longer serving breakfast after 10:30, so I thought ok I'll do lunch. Then it was explained to me that in order for them to switch over from scrambling eggs to heating sandwich cold cuts in a microwave they have to close the kitchen for 45 mins and then I could have my "lunch order". I promptly turned around and walked out, obviously they aren't really in the cafe business. Also don't bother going after 6 on a friday night to eat at the "cafe" the kitchen is closed. I've been to this place 3 times and 2 times I could not get something to eat, I doubt I'll give them another chance since there are other REAL Cafes that serve food anytime they are open.
Today, at about 10:35, I went to an establishment that has the word "Cafe" in their name. I waited in line looking over the menu, noticing that the "lunch menu" is served after 11 am. So I place my order for a "breakfast panini" and was promptly told they are no longer serving breakfast after 10:30, so I thought ok I'll do lunch. Then it was explained to me that in order for them to switch over from scrambling eggs to heating sandwich cold cuts in a microwave they have to close the kitchen for 45 mins and then I could have my "lunch order". I promptly turned around and walked out, obviously they aren't really in the cafe business. Also don't bother going after 6 on a friday night to eat at the "cafe" the kitchen is closed. I've been to this place 3 times and 2 times I could not get something to eat, I doubt I'll give them another chance since there are other REAL Cafes that serve food anytime they are open.
Friday, January 25, 2008
The Origins of Photography
The Origins of Photography:
In the fifth century B.C. in China, the philosopher Mo Ti (ca. 470 B.C.–391 B.C.) made the first recorded observation that light passing through a small hole into a dark chamber created an inverted but exact image of the scene outside the chamber. In the 10th century, an Arabian scholar, Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn Al-Haytham (Alhazen) (965–1040), discovered that the image thus seen was made clearer with a smaller hole or aperture.
Roger Bacon (ca. 1214–92) in the 13th century and Reinerius Gemma-Frisius (1508–55) in the 16th century made similar observations. The phenomenon these men observed was the basis for the camera obscura, formally developed during the Renaissance.
Initially, a camera obscura (literally ‘dark room’) was an actual room with a tiny opening in one wall that permitted an image of the outside to be projected on the opposite wall. It could then be drawn or traced by the artist standing in the room. A number of 16th-century scholars, including Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), Girolamo Cardano (1501–76), Erasmus Reinhold (1511–33), and Gemma-Frisius, all recorded descriptions of camera obscurae; no one knows who first invented the device.
Want more essential knowledge? Buy The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge, 2nd Edition, today!
(Via Essential Knowledge of the Day.)
In the fifth century B.C. in China, the philosopher Mo Ti (ca. 470 B.C.–391 B.C.) made the first recorded observation that light passing through a small hole into a dark chamber created an inverted but exact image of the scene outside the chamber. In the 10th century, an Arabian scholar, Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn Al-Haytham (Alhazen) (965–1040), discovered that the image thus seen was made clearer with a smaller hole or aperture.
Roger Bacon (ca. 1214–92) in the 13th century and Reinerius Gemma-Frisius (1508–55) in the 16th century made similar observations. The phenomenon these men observed was the basis for the camera obscura, formally developed during the Renaissance.
Initially, a camera obscura (literally ‘dark room’) was an actual room with a tiny opening in one wall that permitted an image of the outside to be projected on the opposite wall. It could then be drawn or traced by the artist standing in the room. A number of 16th-century scholars, including Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), Girolamo Cardano (1501–76), Erasmus Reinhold (1511–33), and Gemma-Frisius, all recorded descriptions of camera obscurae; no one knows who first invented the device.
Want more essential knowledge? Buy The New York Times Guide to Essential Knowledge, 2nd Edition, today!
(Via Essential Knowledge of the Day.)
Some detective work returns a camera half way around the world.
USNews.com: Nation & World: AP Article: "Photo Clues Lead to Camera's Owner"
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Jan. 24, 1984: Birth of the Cool (Computer, That Is)
Jan. 24, 1984: Birth of the Cool (Computer, That Is): "
I didn't start out using Mac's, at the time they were just to expensive but I'm glad I made the switch.
Coffee - Is it an indicator of the economy?
This is a $20,000 coffee maker from Japan
At Last, a $20,000 Cup of Coffee - New York Times
Starbucks Tests $1 Cup, Free Refills in Seattle - WSJ.com
According to some doom and gloomers, since Starbucks is test marketing a buck a cup coffee with free refills this must mean we are close to a recession/depression/possibly the end of the world. SBUX offering a "intro priced" product to drive more traffic in the door knowing that people will spend more than $1 on pastries or other snacks in a highly saturated market couldn't possibly be a possibility could it? maybe?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
It's been way to long and the Year of Apple
Sorry I haven't posted in a while seems life, home renovations and the holidays have kept me busy.
The Year of Apple
After living in the G4 generation of Macs for a few years I finally upgraded to the new Intel based macs and all I can say is WOW, Apple did the right thing. Cross-platform runs seamless, you can run winders if ya hafta, much brighter screens etc. So here's very brief reviews of Apple products I've picked up this year:
iMac 24" - Bought 1 month and 3 days before the new "metal" ones came out. Performance has been flawless, the big screen with support for a second makes photo editing a pleasure. It's fast and quiet, great for recording audio.
MacBook Pro 15" - I downsized from a 17" PowerBook but I like the more portability of this model. Basically a portable version to the T of the iMac with no compromises.
AppleTV - HUGE hit for family gatherings, I scanned and collected photos and present them on the screen with background music during family events. With AppleTV you can share content off your computer to the living room tv very easily. You get Music, Video, Photos, Movies and YouTube all in one little wireless box with component and HDMI connections
Airport Extreme - Like all Apple products its a stylish white box with no antenna or unnecessary blinking lights, it just works and works perfectly.
And finally the iPhone - I waited (for the tmobile contract to end), watched (the hysteria and lines) and waited some more. I've used it for 2 months now and dont know how I ever lived without it. The internet is everywhere now, my email is with me always, music, weather, maps that find places and oh yeah, a phone that works and is easy to use.
The Year of Apple
After living in the G4 generation of Macs for a few years I finally upgraded to the new Intel based macs and all I can say is WOW, Apple did the right thing. Cross-platform runs seamless, you can run winders if ya hafta, much brighter screens etc. So here's very brief reviews of Apple products I've picked up this year:
iMac 24" - Bought 1 month and 3 days before the new "metal" ones came out. Performance has been flawless, the big screen with support for a second makes photo editing a pleasure. It's fast and quiet, great for recording audio.
MacBook Pro 15" - I downsized from a 17" PowerBook but I like the more portability of this model. Basically a portable version to the T of the iMac with no compromises.
AppleTV - HUGE hit for family gatherings, I scanned and collected photos and present them on the screen with background music during family events. With AppleTV you can share content off your computer to the living room tv very easily. You get Music, Video, Photos, Movies and YouTube all in one little wireless box with component and HDMI connections
Airport Extreme - Like all Apple products its a stylish white box with no antenna or unnecessary blinking lights, it just works and works perfectly.
And finally the iPhone - I waited (for the tmobile contract to end), watched (the hysteria and lines) and waited some more. I've used it for 2 months now and dont know how I ever lived without it. The internet is everywhere now, my email is with me always, music, weather, maps that find places and oh yeah, a phone that works and is easy to use.
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