Rantings of a Nerd

Hey... this is not EternalEmperor.com

2007-04-08T14:33:00.000-04:00

Due to concerns with my provider, if you know me personally you know what they are, I have pointed the domains to my trusty old blog. I will be posting stories here as soon as I get things settled. Not sure how I will use this, but it will be better than having the URLs point out the ether.

New Blog - Eternal Emperor Blog

2006-10-08T18:25:00.000-04:00

This will be the blog for discussion of my publications. It may become the main blog I use, but for now it is aimed at just the publications. Not that I have had a lot of time to post here of late. Bringing up a new server and rebuilding a site from scratch is taking more time that I wanted.

www.EternalEmperor.com

2006-09-22T14:35:00.000-04:00

The server is down again. I will have it backup and running good as new some time in the near future. Thanks for you patience.

Django | The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines

2006-09-12T11:35:00.000-04:00

Django | The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines

Guess what I am looking at this for?

I fought the HTML and the HTML won.

2006-09-12T07:06:00.000-04:00

If you have been following my web site nightmare, and I know you have, then you are seeing what it looks like when someone works without training wheels. I love the power and the possibilities of recreating the whole site using pretty much raw materials, but I am learning that I have ignored my basic HTML skills for too long.

The nifty little generators that toss in some java script or DHTML are handy, but they rarely do exactly what you want. If I use flash menus, then some people can't see them. Specifically some Linux geeks completely refuse to use flash. Let's face it, I am counting on some of those geeks to be my core audience. I can't alienate them by choice of a web tool.

The funny thing to me is that Plone had so much overhead, but it got out of the way for putting text up on the site. Now I have no overhead and no formatting problems, but I am finding the site navigation to be a pain.

The truth is that I know what to do, I just don't want to do it. I need to sit down and create a site map by hand and then create the pages and navigation links. Once I do that it will be easy to just crank out the code.

For now, please ignore the uncentered graphics and horrid layout. It will get back to something that is usable.

Parallels - VM for the Mac

2006-09-09T22:18:00.000-04:00

So there I was, in the Apple store...

Well it was on the shelf and I said, it is not cheap, but it was much cheaper than similar products. I am installing ubuntu on my mac and will see how that runs. I know, I know, you linux gurus will point out a dozen things that will let me do this at no charge, but this promises to allow me to run multiple OS's on one machine.

I can hope that this will work as advertised.

Website creation is neat...

2006-09-08T08:30:00.000-04:00

I have been spoiled by plone. I was using a portal tool for a website. Now I have brushed off my incredibly weak web design skills and started recreating the Eternal Emperor web site. So far I have just been playing with tools and trying out features. Do not expect it to stay the same and in fact, it may be completely rewritten several times.

I am pondering creating a version for mobile devices, and a version with frames and flash. Watch and see what happens when I try to catch up on a decades old technology.

www.eternalemperor.com is limping back to life

2006-09-06T08:21:00.000-04:00

I have given up on the plone portal, I am going to slowly rebuild the site from scratch. It will be much faster and have more features once I am done. For now, it is basically just an under construction page.

GameTrailers.com - User Movie: 1K Project II by sMull

2006-09-05T11:40:00.000-04:00

GameTrailers.com - User Movie: 1K Project II by sMull

This is just way cool.

SourceForge.net: FreeDOS 1.0

2006-09-05T07:43:00.000-04:00

SourceForge.net: FreeDOS 1.0
This seems interesting. I love old school tech. This could be great for some of those old Turbo Pascal Apps I have sitting around on floppy drives.

eternalemperor.com web server still down

2006-09-05T07:19:00.000-04:00

I have no ETA and I am considering just putting up a static page and doing a redirect.

This isn't eternal emperor.com or leeragans.com

2006-09-04T19:09:00.000-04:00

Sorry... my server is having issues right now all everything is offline until I can get the system back on-line. I may put up a static web page in the short term to get the stories back out there. If I do, I will redirect the URLs to that page.

Thanks for your patience.

Short Story Release - The Observers

2006-08-30T22:52:00.000-04:00

After some painful editing version 2.0 of The Observers is available to read on-line or download. Thanks to everyone for your suggestion, all were greatly appreciated. I am considering this story as the first story in the collection that will be released in paperback some time later this year. I think it is one of ths strongest, pure, science fiction stories.

www.shalomtv.com - Not coming soon to a Comcast near me.

2006-08-30T15:29:00.000-04:00

www.shalomtv.com
I want to subscribe to this. I will have to keep checking back to see it comcast will carry it ondemand here at least.

VoIP Watch: Gizmo and Adium-A Macaholic's Dream

2006-08-30T13:57:00.000-04:00

VoIP Watch: Gizmo and Adium-A Macaholic's Dream

Interserting. This post is for personal reference... though other mac commo geeks might find this interesting.

This is worth every second it takes to watch.

2006-08-07T10:53:00.000-04:00

Infantry Videos

New version of 'The Observers'

2006-08-03T13:51:00.000-04:00

For those with an interest... a new version of 'The Observers' has been posted. This is ver close to a final and once it is ready I will also release it as an ebook on lulu like the other short stories that have survived to reach version 2.0.

My Lulu Store

2006-08-02T23:15:00.000-04:00

For now, I have 2 short stories in eBook for available. I plan to add each short story as an ebook and then a compilation in printed and eBook form. As you see the body of work growing you will understand why I have had so few posts here of late.

xkcd - A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language - COMPLY

2006-08-01T12:30:00.000-04:00

xkcd - A webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language - COMPLY

Math and humor... it is all nerd.

Medieval Times, What a way to spend an anniversary.

2006-07-24T07:27:00.000-04:00

The medieval times opened at Discover Mills this weekend and we could not resist. The show was some of the best 'fake' fighting I have seein in person, and the food was more than passable. I would warn you that getting there early could be very bad for your wallet if you become thirsty. A pepsi is over $10 and a refil $3 so arriving the 1.5 hours ahead of time with no where to sit was unfun.

The show was what it was, don't go expecting great theater, but it was interesting. We were in the White and Black Knights section. I will say this... he was robbed. Well... I don't want to spoil the whole story for you, but I do have to wonder if the story changes. If not, there is no reason to ever go back. At least change up some of the story if not the main parts.

The horsemanship displayed was incredible, only usually seen at a rodeo or other competiton. If you like horses you have to go see this show. If you like eating with your fingers... you have to go see this show. If you like fake fighting and easily understood plots... you have to go see this show. If you want your waiter to call himself your humble serf... you know it, you have to go see this show.

I highly recommend going at least once. I would love to talk to othe people who have been to see if it is exactly the same each time.

On a side note, my son said, "I see the perfect job for me. Picking up horse poop."

I replied, "Well at least that guy is in show business."

an un DRM'd mp3 on sale from a major on-line music store???

2006-07-21T08:43:00.000-04:00

Yes, but the bad news... it is a horrid song. The good news is that you can buy a personalized copy with your friends name in it and annoy the hell out of them with it.

Is this some manner of revolution? No, just a way to get some publicity for a career that is waning and a horrible song. It is pure engineered pop from an engineered human being. Editors note: I like all kinds of music. Even pop, but I hate when I know I am being played.

The Horseshoe Falls

2006-07-13T08:47:00.001-04:00

The Horseshoe Falls
Originally uploaded by Code Wizard.

What a view. I highly recommend the FallsView Marriot in Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. This was the view from my hotel room.

New publications on Eternal Emperor web site

2006-07-13T08:47:00.000-04:00

The novel, Eternal Emperor Book 1 - All Good Things Must Begin has been released along with 2 new version 1 short stories.

Mac Prius

2006-06-23T07:06:00.000-04:00

Mac Prius

Well this certainly voids the warranty... But it is so cool.

Nice Machinima

2006-06-20T22:19:00.000-04:00

Vets For Freedom

2006-06-20T07:27:00.000-04:00

Vets For Freedom

A new blog from veterans who returned to Iraq as civilians to report about what is going on. This is a fascinating read. I may have to add this to my list of blogs I follow.

Combating Southern Fried Fat - CBS News

2006-06-09T11:59:00.000-04:00

Combating Southern Fried Fat - CBS News

Must eat this...

What happened to EternalEmperor.com

2006-06-09T08:26:00.000-04:00

Looks like we are having some connectivity problems or server problems. This has been going on for a week now. I am looking into other option to get the work out there. I will have something by the end of the weekend.

Thank you for the patience.

Boing Boing: Amazing "Mad Max" vehicles in Iraq

2006-06-02T07:53:00.000-04:00

Boing Boing: Amazing "Mad Max" vehicles in Iraq

Thanks to BoingBoing for finding this great flickr group.

I do find it ironic that a reader posts about their burning man mad max "art cars." What do I find ironic? Simple these vehicles are functional devices men have created to save their lives and allow them to do their jobs, not have a spiritual experience in the desert.

The way a WoW raid should be

2006-06-01T17:30:00.000-04:00

This is an awesome speed kill. If I had a guild like this one, I would probably have enjoyed playing more.

The Apple Store (U.S.) - Elgato EyeTV 250 Digital TV Recorder

2006-05-31T08:33:00.000-04:00

The Apple Store (U.S.) - Elgato EyeTV 250 Digital TV Recorder

Posted here for my reference. This looks like a neat option for converting old videos to DVDs.

Comcast - Game Invasion Package

2006-05-25T08:42:00.000-04:00

This morning I received an email from Comcast that 8MB service is now available. Along with higher download speed which is nice, it doubled my upload speed. For a gamer... or anyone who uses their connection as much as I do, the upload is what you live for. Now my praise here for Comcast is not about the service. I have only had it for an hour so I can't say it is more stable or better in any way. What am I praising them for? Simple, I was able to upgrade my account in less than 15 minutes and just restart my modem. They made it easy for me to spend the money and simple to upgrade.

Congratulations Comcast, you made it easy for me to upgrade so I did.

Personal Data on Veterans Is Stolen

2006-05-23T07:50:00.000-04:00

Personal Data on Veterans Is Stolen

I have just gone ahead and assumed my personal information is available to any thief who wants to use it. If it is not my bank, my employeer, or now my Army I assume no one will be checking when a loan application is filled out.

The good news is we have a new weapons system in space...

2006-05-16T07:52:00.000-04:00

CNN.com - Report: Spacecraft crashed into satellite - May 15, 2006: "Determining that it wouldn't have enough reserve fuel to complete the mission, DART began shutting down about 11 hours into the mission, but not before crashing into the satellite."

The bad news being we don't have a remote repair system. I call this making lemonade from lemons. Leave of the docking equipment and repair tools and add an explosive payload.

The days of the FCC controlling what you hear and see are over. The world of entertainment is now flat.

2006-05-08T21:57:00.000-04:00

The days of the FCC controlling what you hear and see are over. They have been over since the advent of cable television, but we never really noticed. Today with Satellite radio, podcasting and broadband internet connections as ubiquitous as water fountains, the time of federal governance is over. Certainly if one is silly enough to commit an illegal act and "broadcast" it via alternative means then the government will step in and arrest the idiot, but it is silly to still sit here and wait for permission to speak.

You can say I am wrong with examples like Opie and Anthony returning to CBS radio for half of their morning show, but the show, expletives and all is still aired on XM Satellite Radio. The vanilla bleeped out cleaned up version is run on terrestrial radio. So if you are too cheap to purchase a satellite radio subscription then just go listen to a podcast to hear adults talk like adults.

The day is near when writers, directors and producers will get fed up with censors telling them what we are able to hear. There are more than enough people in Hollywood who never have to work again, but still love to create. As portals for their work become available and obvious to them things will change.

Today, much like when the flattening of the earth took place 10 years ago, things have already changed. We just haven't noticed it yet. One day we will get that new who via iTunes instead of tivo'ing it. We will hear the next great radio personality on satellite, or via a podcast rather than on our local radio stations.

The times are not changing, indeed they have changed. It will just take a decade for our brains to catch up. One day we will walk into our children's rooms and they will be watching the next great drama series on their computers while we watch Family Guy reruns on cable. They will laugh at us for not knowing about the new show and the change will be complete.

Like the world, the state of entertainment is now flat.

Rutan Takes Aim at NASA's CEV Plans, Likens it to 'Archeology' - Yahoo! News

2006-05-05T08:17:00.000-04:00

Rutan Takes Aim at NASA's CEV Plans, Likens it to 'Archeology' - Yahoo! News: "'The budget forecast [for NASA] is to go out and spend hundreds of billions of dollar to go to Mars and yet you don't have the courage to go back to the Hubble ... it looks like you got the wrong guys doing it,' Rutan concluded."

As I read this all I can think of is Ben Bova's writing. I forget the character's name but Rutan sounds like the asteroid miner who complins bitterly about NASA and their inability to get the job done.

Google Adsense and Plone

2006-05-03T20:06:00.000-04:00

Let me start by saying this is in no way asking you to go an click on any think on my site. That would be a violation of the terms with google and I honestly don't need it right now. I am just happy that I got adsense running in a portlet for plone. If all of that is gibgerish to you, that is okay. The cool part is that it is on every page of my site thanks to the portlets. It is fun to see what ads it ties to my short stories.

A wake for an Indian warrior

2006-05-01T09:14:00.000-04:00

RockyMountainNews.com

There is no commentary here. Go though the slide show and draw your own conclusions. If your eyes are dry by slide number 17 I will be surprised. Read the captions.

Kung Fu Monkey: Lunch Discussions #213: Canaries and Meth

2006-04-28T09:21:00.000-04:00

Kung Fu Monkey: Lunch Discussions #213: Canaries and Meth

Blgos are all about a posting about nifty blogs. This is one of the funniest posts ever from a guy that actually knows how to write.

Battlestar Galactica prequel, Caprica, coming to Sci-Fi

2006-04-28T07:47:00.000-04:00

Battlestar Galactica prequel, Caprica, coming to Sci-Fi - TV Squad

My first thought was, WTF? The I thought about what the boys were doing with BSG and said, "Self, give them a chance. It is a character driven show and they could do some great things with interesting characters."

So self replied, "You're right, self. BSG is so much better than I thought it would be. Moore and company have done some amazing stuff."

Then I added, "Well, with a reduced special effects budget they could use the original 'Caprica' locations. You know, Cylon occupied Canada."

With that I had to say, "Self, you are brilliant. They will be able to produce 2 shows one location budget. And they can drive around with lot of nifty military Hummers and old French cars. It will be cool."

Yes. I will be watching. There is nothing else for us geeks to watch, unless you count Star Trek reruns on G4 that we already have on DVD.

alg: P&Ls and how books make (or don't) money: part the first: the mass market original complete failure

2006-04-25T09:20:00.000-04:00

alg: P&Ls and how books make (or don't) money: part the first: the mass market original complete failure

Fascinating look at fiction publishing. Worth a read.

RIAA sues a family with no computer for illegal file sharing

2006-04-24T07:08:00.000-04:00

The Rockmart Journal

A family with no computer being sued by the RIAA. I admit is sounds too good to be true. Will the RIAA finally have a day in court? Will it go badly, or will the family decide like everyone else to just give the RIAA $3000 and be left alone?

If past history shows us anything, I would be on the family with no computer just paying up for illegal file sharing in hopes of being left alone. The real tragedy is that if this even gets to court the RIAA will drop it once they see how stupid it is and leave the family with a legal bill.

Tort reform now... then tax reform... Hell, I might as well be waiting for the singularity.

The Bill of Rights - What is the press?

2006-04-21T08:52:00.000-04:00

NARA | The National Archives Experience: "Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

From Dictionary.com:

Press n.
1. Any of various machines or devices that apply pressure.
2. Any of various machines used for printing; a printing press.
3. A place or establishment where matter is printed.
4. The art, method, or business of printing.
5.
a. The collecting and publishing or broadcasting of news; journalism in general.
b. The entirety of media and agencies that collect, publish, transmit, or broadcast the news.
c. The people involved in the media, as news reporters, photographers, publishers, and broadcasters.
d. Commentary or coverage especially in print media: “Like the pool hall and the tattoo parlor, the motorcycle usually gets a bad press” (R.Z. Sheppard).

So what was all this about? I hate to say it, Apple, I love your products, but you can't get rid of blogs to protect your secrecy. Try a little investigation and tighter reigns on your R&D. Hey here is another idea, just don't bother hiding what you are doing. This blog is as big a part of the "press" as any newspaper or magazine printed in world.

This would be amusing if lives weren't at stake - Chavez: Oil Will Be Destroyed if Attacked

2006-04-20T08:55:00.000-04:00

Me thinks a certain dictator to our south has read Dune one time to many. "If you can destroy a thing, you cotnrol a thing." Unless he has some kind of way to kill the little makers then there will be oil left.

This is nothing but pure dictator BS. Sure there are issues in Venzuela that allowed him to come to power. That is always the case. It is is just humerous to see a new dictator using the "dictator's playbook."

I personally would love to see Condi respond with, "The Spice must flow."

It would be funny for days until the shooting started.

Chavez says US warships threaten Venezuela, Cuba�|�Reuters.com

2006-04-19T08:35:00.000-04:00

Chavez says US warships threaten Venezuela, Cuba�|�Reuters.com: "Chavez, who has created a civilian reserve to resist the assault he says Washington is planning, has threatened to repel U.S. forces with arrows coated with poison."

So do poison arrows count as WMDs? Just asking? No reason to worry about our invading. We will just keep buying your oil, we don't want to run your government. Be careful with all those poison arrows, we don't want anyone getting hurt down there playing with poison arrows.

Map Gallery of Religion in the United States

2006-04-18T07:12:00.000-04:00

Map Gallery of Religion in the United States

This is pretty interesting. I find this kind of census data useful in understanding people and different regions.

Comcast Interference Problem under contol

2006-04-15T19:47:00.000-04:00

Well it looks like the interfereence problem is under control. For 2 weeks there have just been the usual sporadic outages that could be caused by construction or the bad weather passing through. Wonder what giant corporation I will be having issues with next?

High Schoolers Lightsaber Duel

2006-04-12T07:46:00.000-04:00

High Schoolers Lightsaber Duel

This is a great star wars fan film. Worth the 5 minutes or so. If you like light saber duels, you won't be disappointed.

4 Short Stories are up now.

2006-04-10T08:23:00.000-04:00

Publications of J. Lee Ragans � Eternal Emperor

I suppose it is a risk to put these out for public inspection before final editing, but I have nothing to lose. Take the time, give them a read and if you find any syntax errors or weak plot points, send me an email. I will be greatful for the feedback.

Airborne laser weapon stays on course - Space.com - MSNBC.com

2006-03-26T10:35:00.000-05:00

Airborne laser weapon stays on course - Space.com - MSNBC.com

So does anyone mention that if this thing can track a rocket launch and destroy it while it is lifting, that the fire control should be able to target another aircraft? Guess that breaks some kind of treaty to mention those things. Kind of like the whol patriot missile system is a Surface to Air missile system, but hey it don't mention the whole surface to surface aspect of that weapons system.

Django | The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines

2006-03-24T13:59:00.000-05:00

Django | The Web framework for perfectionists with deadlines

Interesting. I may have to give this a look. Perhaps plone is not the way I want to go.

Hey, this isn't the blog I expected to see.

2006-03-21T22:43:00.000-05:00

I have redirected the domain name that I own that used to point to my political blog. I have lost interest in posting political rants and have decided that nothing good can come from carry the water for a party that has forgotten its fiscal responsibility and has given itself to some special interests.

I still strongly agree with going into Iraq. I think that the war on Terror is a fight worth fighting, but I am not sure anyone has the will to actually fight it. When political opponents charge that illegal wire taps are going on and that charge is not fought with the truth and a half hearted effort is put forth, I can only assume that republicans are tire of the fight.

When a chance for real tax reform is forgotten because political opponents bloodied the administration's nose over Medicare reform. Come on folks, the addition of a prescription drug benefit has been made out to be a disaster by democrats, and it is an added benefit. If you can't win that fight, then why are you playing the game.

I will not say that this was the final straw, but seeing abortion rights curtailed in one state and many more about to give it a try, gives me a shudder. I thought this was settled years ago. I will restate my opinion abortion for the record, "I think abortion is horrible and a waste of potential life, but I do not think the state has anything to say about terminating a pregnancy. That is up to the mother an father."

I am disturbed by many things that congress and the president have done, but I have always been more disturbed by the actions of democrats. I am not changing party affiliation. I am just not going to bother with talking politics anymore. If you want to have a political debate or ask my political opinion, feel free to email me or ask me to lunch. I will be happy to talk, but I have better things to do at my keyboard than shout into the wind about politics.

Perhaps I will change my mind in the future, but for now this is the last I will say about it.

For those that just stumbled on my jewpublican blog over the attack on my house and property. I will post here when there is a resolution to the last legal case of the adult, Adam Sugg. Rest assured, I am not letting that issue go.

IRS plans to allow preparers to sell data

2006-03-21T22:22:00.000-05:00

Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/21/2006 | IRS plans to allow preparers to sell data

If the IRS deciding to allow the sale of you your entire tax return information to anyone who wants it is not enough of a reason for you to believe in the Fair Tax, then what is your limit.

Sure a consumption tax is not as painless as the just having the money taken from your paycheck before you see it, but at least it is anonymous. The added benefit is that you see the tax being paid, and think, "I believe the government can do with less of my money."

Wake up people. I'm made as hell and I am not going to take it anymore! (Sorry... it happens sometimes. The Docs will up my meds if it happens too often.)

Boba Fett

2006-03-21T07:14:00.000-05:00

Another shot of boba
Originally uploaded by Code Wizard.

Okay, this is so nerdy, but this action figure is an important memory from my childhood. It was the first thing I had to wait on to come in the mail. This is the Action figure that you had to send off proofs of purchase to get. I still have it, and it is in very good condition. I would never claim mint. As for those of you that say it is worthless without the card, this one was never packaged. It arrived in a small white cardboard box.

One other interesting fact about this figure, it was delayed in shipment becuase of the rocket launcher on the back. This was at the time that the battlestar galactica vipers had little shooting rockets that small children were swallowing and choking on. This figure was retooled and the rocket launcher does not work.

Check out that gamer score - GRAW helped.

2006-03-19T21:59:00.000-05:00

Ghost Recon Advaced Warfighter has really helped my gamer score. GRAW may be the best game yet on the 360. The on-line play is good, but the campaign is excellent.

nerds with lots of hardware and plenty of free time. Quake 3, the way it was meant to be played.

2006-03-14T07:54:00.000-05:00

plastk:net - Quake 3

Nerds with way to much time on their hands.

Google Mars

2006-03-13T09:17:00.000-05:00

Google Mars

Hells yea! This is so cool. Luckily there aren't a lot of features on this planet yet. But it is so cool that Google took the time to do this. I will be putting this to good use.

The Space Elevator - Elevator:2010

2006-03-10T13:13:00.000-05:00

The Space Elevator - Elevator:2010

I have to follow the progress of these guys. This is so awesome.

Saturn Moon Spewing Water

2006-03-10T08:44:00.000-05:00

My Way News

Cool. Finally, all the looking we have done in our solar system and we have found something new and cool.

Water makes possible life as we know it.

So we had a space plane?

2006-03-06T12:36:00.000-05:00

AWST STORY

This is a cool read. Lots of speculation but not from the tin foil hat crowd. It appears this may have existed and been shelved.

Walking Pneumonia Sucks

2006-03-02T07:19:00.000-05:00

Who knew that one could get so sick so quickly. Coughing up goop and sleeping have been the major focus of my life for the past 2 weeks. Not sure how much longer it will dominate my life, but things are on the up swing.

New technology?

2006-02-20T21:45:00.000-05:00

My Way News: "'Our nation is on the threshold of new energy technology that I think will startle the American people,' Bush said. 'We're on the edge of some amazing breakthroughs - breakthroughs all aimed at enhancing our national security and our economic security and the quality of life of the folks who live here in the United States.'"

Maybe this is how massive change looks? I remember the personal computer's introduction into out lives. Heck, I make my living off or that change. I can only imagine what energy independence would look like.

Mac Virus - Not new, just funny that is makes news.

2006-02-17T07:22:00.000-05:00

Internet News Article | Reuters.com

Mac users, "welcome to teh suk."

So someone noticed that there is a virus that can attack macs if people are stupid enough to open the attachment offered to them using iChat. It is just amusing that this makes news.

RIAA Says Ripping CDs to Your iPod is NOT Fair Use

2006-02-16T21:56:00.000-05:00

EFF: DeepLinks

The RIAA, like any tyrant, will take as much as the people give them, and then demand more. Well, they are demanding more. It is time to say no more. I have personally cut down on the music I buy from major labels. I still buy some, but nothing like I once did.

I will admit that podcasts take up much more of my listening time than music these days. I wonder what the RIAA will do when it is easy for everyone, and I do mean everyone, to get their etertainment on demand without purchasing media? I think they will try to sue and disable the internet. They are now trying to disable my CD-ROM drive by saying it is illegal for me to rip the CDs that I have had for 21 years. ( 21 years, can that be right? Are some of my CDs old enough legally drink? I am getting old. Maybe it is only 20 years, but either way. Wow, they have been on the shelf for a while.)

Sorry fellas, I have the CD in my house and the means to rip it easily into my ipod. 75% of my ipod is music that was ripped from my CD collection. I am not going to pay you again for something that I already have.

CNN.com - Mazda to lease gasoline-hydrogen car in Japan - Feb 15, 2006

2006-02-15T15:44:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Mazda to lease gasoline-hydrogen car in Japan - Feb 15, 2006

Nifty. Finally some traction with things other than gasoline. Not that this will be on the market any time soon, but it is neat that we are moving that way.

The Flying Luxury Hotel - Popular Science

2006-02-15T09:39:00.000-05:00

The Flying Luxury Hotel - Popular Science

I have not seem something like this that fires the imagination in a long time. This would change how people look at leisure travel. Imagine the possibilities.

Robots are saving American lives in Iraq and Afghanistan

2006-02-14T07:44:00.000-05:00

KR Washington Bureau | 02/13/2006 | Robots are saving American lives in Iraq and Afghanistan: "One-third of the Army's combat ground vehicles are supposed to be unmanned by 2015. The Navy is under orders to acquire a pilotless plane that can take off and land on an aircraft carrier and refuel in midair. Robotic submarines also are planned. "

Wow, 1/3 of the ground vehicles are to be unmanned in 9 years. I can only wonder how this will be achieved. I am guess now would be a good time for anyone with a good idea for a robot vehicle. I am thinking of the DARPA contest contestants. Not just the winners.

test

2006-02-08T07:11:00.000-05:00

Test Dowload. This is a test, just ignore this post.

Quiet Hybrids Pose an Invisible Risk - Motor Trend News

2006-02-07T22:50:00.000-05:00

Quiet Hybrids Pose an Invisible Risk - Motor Trend News: "It was during her first trip out of the driveway on a warm August morning that Sant'Anna learned about one of the dangerous drawbacks of driving a hybrid: It's so quiet that pedestrians can't hear it when it's starting up or idling, and they often walk right into the path of the moving vehicle."

I have almost hit squirrels at least a dozen times in my Prius. My son has said they they think I am their god in a giant silver acorn, but I am betting it has to to with the silence. There is something about being able to run 20 mph and have no sound other than the tires. I am very aware in parking lots and intersections that people probably can't hear me.

The next big safety feature that will be require will be an annoying sound device that must sound while the engine is electric only. My neighbors will love that at 5AM.

Exxon: America will always rely on foreign oil

2006-02-07T19:50:00.000-05:00

Latest Business News and Financial Information | Reuters.com: "'Realistically, it is simply not feasible in any time period relevant to our discussion today,' Exxon Mobil Senior Vice President Stuart McGill said, referring to what he called the 'misperception' that the United States can achieve energy independence."

Okay, I am not sure here but I think the crack dealer just said that there is no way to live without his crack. Call me silly but other oil companies are trying to create alternative energy sources like hydrogen and alcohol. Apparently Exxon isn't trying. Okay. That makes it easy for me. As a consumer I know which oil companies I will knowingly patronize. (I know that Exxon may actually be selling or refining the fuel that I purchase elsewhere, but when faced with a choice that I can see, I will just keep on driving to Shell or BP.)

Scientist predicts 'mini Ice Age'

2006-02-07T09:19:00.000-05:00

United Press International - NewsTrack - Scientist predicts 'mini Ice Age'

No crazier than any other theories. Though I will admit in my mind it explains global temperatrue changes much better than global warming theories that blame industrialization. the theory that global temperature change is due to the Suns changing output fluctuations would explain a lot.

People tend to think that the environment is stable and things like the sun are constant. the fact is that the universe is constantly changing.

Defense Tech: Facial Armor Rears Its Ugly Head

2006-02-07T07:38:00.000-05:00

Defense Tech: Facial Armor Rears Its Ugly Head

Cool.

Comcast DVR Hell - With a silver lining.

2006-02-06T08:01:00.000-05:00

I don't think anyone who reads my blog thinks that I am in love with my comcast DVR. Well after multiple freezes and the fact that it generally doesn't record what it is supposed to record Comcast showed up to swap out the DVR with a new one. I suppose I need to do this as a time line in order to track this wonderful event:

Friday late morning: Comcast Representative shows up and quickly hooks up new DVR and rushes out of the house. Total time on scene 5 minutes.

Having an ill spouse and work to do I just accepted the installers word that everything was fine. That was mistake number one.

Friday late afternoon: The DVR is deciding to reboot itself every few minutes and I notice that it is full of programming. It becomes apparent that this is not a new DVR, but one that was removed from a customers house who was having problems. I call comcast. Comcast says that the box has not been added to our account. That blame goes to the installer. We are informed by comcast that this box is for the wrong area. (Whether that is correct of not becomes a great point of contention for the rest of the weekend.)

Later Friday afternoon: The box is still rebooting itself and no one seems to know what kind of problem. I ask just to get my old box back. I may freeze sometimes, but it worked. I end up with a supervisor who seems to suddenly take a great interest in this, but is unable to simply find the box that was removed from my house and a promise that someone will be out Saturday with a new one. The supervisor says to call her early Saturday Morning, she will be in the office at 6:45AM and will be there to solve this.

Saturday morning 8AM: Called the Supervisor, her voice mail states that she is not working until the afternoon. Call the main number and get a fantastic run around but no results.

Saturday mid-morning: Get a call from the supervisor that she is working to find us a HDDVR, but they have had a meeting that there are some very big problems with them and they are having problems finding one. She promised to call us back.

Multiple calls later Saturday: At this point it become a blur but there were multiple calls which ended up with a scheduled appointment for Sunday Morning getting a DVR delivered.

Sunday Mid-Morning: (This is day 3 here folks...) With a window from 8 to 11 AM I get a call after 10 that they are on the way, but they say that they do not have a HDDVR, and have a regular HD Box that will work. Not the best situation, but frankly I don't care at this point and just want the thing working.

Sunday late Morning: Installer arrives and spends 1.5 hours diagnosing the box and discovers that it is not in the proper "Head In" (note, that may or may not be the way it is spelled, I just know that a "Head In" is something like a Hub for cable and it is located in my area. There are multiple versions of the "Head In" and this box is not in the right one.) The installed did a fantastic job of troubleshooting and did not just hook up a box and accept, sure enough, his patience paid off when the thing decided to reboot itself again.

Sunday Early afternoon: The box has been changed, and did I mention that my cable modem has been out since 8AM. Since that is comcast as well it is not a great weekend for them. The installer is getting ready to leave and he takes the time to check my cable modem signal and he gets a call from his supervisor that they have a HD DVR and he is bringing it over. After a short discussion the installer and his supervisor decide to meet half-way.

Sunday Slightly later early afternoon: Minutes after the installer leaves to go meet his supervisor another supervisor calls and says they are trying to solve the problem and apologize for not have the installer come out today. I correct him and he is shocked that someone is there.

Now comes the best part...
Sunday Just Slightly later early afternoon: I get another call from another supervisor at the same time as supervisor who didn't know anything was going on. She was incredibly helpful and even managed to diagnose the cable modem problem. (It was my whole neighborhood and maintenance had to fix it.)

Later Sunday: the installer returns an hour later and installs the DVR. As it turns out, it is an old HDDVR, single tuner. Not what I had, but it appears to be working. The conjecture is that it came out of their test room since it had some programming on it.

As the installer is leaving I call the female supervisor back that was both competent and helpful. We go over my bill and discover that I have been overcharged for equipment for years. I have a large credit coming and it will probably be more than a months bill.

So bottom line... I found 2 employees at comcast that were able to do their jobs. This should have never happened. It should have been solved in 15 minutes on Friday when the First Installer arrived. The number of errors is ludicrous but I hold no grudges for the 3 days I lost to comcast. I was going to be home anyway, I just wish I could have been doing what I wanted rather than sitting and waiting.

We shall see how this goes, but I now have an old Single Tuner HDDVR. I shudder to think what would happen if I called and said, "Hey, I am paying $10 a month and I want the 2 tuner DVR like everyone else who is paying $10.)

Thoughtsafe - How to help out sexual predators that like Teenage Girls and make a nice profit.

2006-01-31T07:26:00.000-05:00

Products

Do kids actualy need a product that helps them hide their activities from their parents? I can only think that this must have been invented by pedophiles. Now before anyeone out there starts screaming that I don't understand privacy rights follow my logic.

If this were inteneded for adults who work in the security world and just used by teenager girls to hide their on-line activities from parents then I never would have found it. This is a product actually marketed to teenage girls.

The testimonial on their home page is from a 13 year old girl.

If this company can come up with a legitimate reason that a teenage girl needs a device with a special feature to hide what they are doing please let me know.

Instapundit.com

2006-01-27T08:12:00.000-05:00

Instapundit.com

This site is almost as addictive as fark.

KIROTV.com - News - Man Caught After Chase At Border Held On $2M Bail

2006-01-26T20:12:00.000-05:00

KIROTV.com - News - Man Caught After Chase At Border Held On $2M Bail: "About 20 Canadian border guards, who are unarmed, fled for safety as the chase neared the border, an official of the union representing the guards confirmed.
A prominent member of Canada's incoming Conservative government said the party will stand behind its promise to arm the country's border guards."

Canadian Border guards are not armed? Wow! Guess murders usually don't run north to escape the law.

New favorite quote...

2006-01-25T14:11:00.000-05:00

"You can have you own opinions, but you can't have you own facts."

I don't know who said it, but it is great.

Earnhardt Jr. ready for radio - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports

2006-01-23T09:28:00.000-05:00

Earnhardt Jr. ready for radio - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports

This might be too little too late. XM is losing NASCAR in 2007 to their Rival Sirius.

If XM would do something other than just run the radio network feed of the race then the deal might have made them some money. It is disheartening to tune into XM 144 1 hour before a race begins and you are treated to a 5 year old 'Heros of racing' story.

Why can't they do a tailgate show like the Sirius NFL channel? I have a feeling that Sirius will offer a little more personality.

Toyota to enter Nextel Cup and Busch in 2007 - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports

2006-01-23T09:21:00.000-05:00

Toyota to enter Nextel Cup and Busch in 2007 - NASCAR - Yahoo! Sports

The Prius will dominate the long distance events...

Okay, really this is a good thing. When you go to a race you see a large number of Toyota vehicles in the parking lots. Why not put that logo on a stock car and run it around the track like the other manufacturers.

I wonder what engines they will use? Will they use the Dodge engine like they do in the Truck Series? For those that don't know, Toyota does not make a carburated engine anymore, and in Nascar they do not use fuel injectors.

One other fact is that most of the engines are built on the same block. There is no real manufacturer affiliation, it is more of an engine builder affiliation.

This is going to be neat in any event. I will slap a toyota racing logo on my Prius. Pictures to follow when it happens.

New super-gun to be tested in Feb

2006-01-23T09:13:00.000-05:00

United Press International - Security & Terrorism - New super-gun to be tested in Feb

This is finally getting into the real testing phase. These guns will change how warfighting is done. This technology being brought to the battlefields will be like the first machine gun. One might even go as far as saying this will cause changes like the addition of artillery to modern armies.

Anti-nude law KOd by Fla. court

2006-01-22T14:19:00.000-05:00

New York Daily News - World & National Report - Anti-nude law KOd by Fla. court

I have friends who travel to Daytona every year for the race and another for bike week. I suppose this is good news for them.

China to build world`s first "artificial sun" experimental device

2006-01-22T14:17:00.000-05:00

AngolaPress - News

Nifty.

24 gets cut off in last 10 minutes

2006-01-16T09:59:00.000-05:00

The State | 01/16/2006 | 24 gets cut off in last 10 minutes

Incidents like this make the point for those of us who say the current media delivery model is broken. You should be able to watch and purchase media when you want.

Apple's iTunes is doing a nifty job with Battlestar Galactica. If I were to lose power or my DVR fails I know I can pay for and download the show the next day.

I bet there are a few fans of 24 who wished they could do that right now.

Broadcast and pay to download can co-exist.

Toyota being sued over hybrid technology patent.

2006-01-13T09:12:00.000-05:00

autoserviceworld.com - Auto Service World - 1/13/2006

I have no idea how this will impact future hybrid sales.

Sprint Refuses To Reveal Location Of Cell Phone In Carjacked SUV

2006-01-12T17:30:00.000-05:00

NBC 4 - News - Sprint Refuses To Reveal Location Of Cell Phone In Carjacked SUV: "'The deputies were told that Sprint had the location of the vehicle but that they could not disclose it to them because they needed to pay the $25 fee for a subpoena or fill out some forms,' said Stephanie."

Congratulations Sprint employees of the year. There is difference in protecting one's privacy and finding someone who is kidnapped. For the purposes of full discolsure I don't currently have a sprint phone and don't think I ever did. My provider is just massive and not all that cheap. They don't have nifty features like GPS in the phones.

I sincerely hope the employee or employees involved are fired for not following the emergency procedures Sprint has in place.

Report: Nanotech outpaces safeguards - Jan 11, 2006

2006-01-12T10:09:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Report: Nanotech outpaces safeguards - Jan 11, 2006: "Few will say whether the nano materials, often hundreds of times smaller than the diameter of a human hair, are unquestionably safe or dangerous given the lack of definitive research into the matter."

Here comes the Gray goo.

Symantec Admits Rootkit Usage in SystemWorks @ Alice Hill�s Real Tech News - Independent Tech

2006-01-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

Symantec Admits Rootkit Usage in SystemWorks @ Alice Hill�s Real Tech News - Independent Tech

I would think that the fact anyone is surprised here is just funny. The facts are that companies don't mind infringing on your rights as a consumer. They don't see this as a problem.

I don't care about data collection invading my privacy. The part of this that aggrivates me is someone installing software on my computers that won't uninstall or that I don't know is being installed.

The concept here he simple, you would not let someone put a camera in your livingroom, just to let the a company know when you are home. Why would you let someone install something on your computer?

William Shatner DVD Club

2006-01-11T14:22:00.000-05:00

William Shatner DVD Club

$50 bucks a year, and $4 a DVD per month. Not sure this is worth it, since I probably actually own a lot of the movies. Since they have not released a big list of Bill's favorites.

I may do this just for fun.

Levi's introduces iPod-compatible jeans

2006-01-11T13:49:00.000-05:00

BREITBART.COM - Play it again, pants: Levi's introduces iPod-compatible jeans

That is so nerdy. I want the cargo pant version.

Are alien abductions related to racism?

2006-01-10T07:15:00.000-05:00

A morning break room discussion lead me down a path of thought that I just thought I would throw out and see it if sticks. Indulge me for a money to listen to this.

Without going into great detail consider the racist or bigot who has hundreds of excuses as to why he cannot get a job at the local (inset name of place that sells gasoline and high priced snacks.) This fine racist can most likely quote fascinating historical references and pull together disparate pieces of information to prove to you that he never had a chance at the assistant manager position because, the (insert racial group here ) was destined for this job.

When you overlay the person who has been abducted and probed by aliens from another planet eerie similarities begin to take shape. The abductee or one who knows the abductee, hereafter referred to as a believer, can show you pictures and detailed stories of all the horrible incidents that occurred to them or someone else.

Believers need the belief to fill some void in their life, why their marriage failed, why they can't get a good job, why they are depressed, even why life just isn't as good as it could be.

Perhaps there is just something in the human mind that makes us susceptible to these kinds of things. I have no great conclusions here, just wanted to see if anyone else has an opinion.

Polaris is a triple star system

2006-01-09T13:39:00.000-05:00

Cool, allthis time we thought it was a binary. Thanks to the hubble we can see it is s a triple.

CNN.com - Leader of U.N. Haiti peacekeeping force found dead - Jan 7, 2006

2006-01-07T20:06:00.000-05:00

CNN.com - Leader of U.N. Haiti peacekeeping force found dead - Jan 7, 2006

This sounds like something out of a Ben Bova novel. The second one about nanotech on the moon. Just weird.

My Bonsai

2006-01-05T18:26:00.000-05:00

My Bonsai
Originally uploaded by Code Wizard.

Let's see how long this lives. My track record with plants is not that good. Especially ones that are finicky and require attention.

Lil River Grill

2006-01-04T13:06:00.000-05:00

Lil River Grill

This is an awesome restaurant located in downtown Lawrenceville, GA. If you are in the area and looking for a nice place for lunch or a nice dinner put this place on your list.

You will not be disappointed.

Network Calculators

2006-01-03T14:38:00.000-05:00

Network Calculators

A useful network calculator.

EA Customer Support is worse than non-existant

2006-01-03T07:36:00.001-05:00

I suppose I should elaborate on that title, but it is true. With Madden 06 one Xbox live account worked perfectly. The second says the account is locked and I need to contact EA Customer support.

Ummm... there is no number for EA Customer Support. If you call their technical support they have no idea what you are talking about. They directed me to the EA Support Web Site.

That seemed helpful... well it wasn't. After 4 tries with updating the problem on their web site after each reply in broken English, they close the problem and said I could resubmit.

I wish there was a competitor for EA in sports games. They would have my business.

Image file Vulnerability

2006-01-02T21:21:00.000-05:00

FT.com / By industry / IT - Windows PCs face �huge� virus threat

This is the dreaded image file vulnerability. I remember a rumor of something like this in 1992 or 1993, but it was just a BBS rumor. Now it appears that this one is real.

What if it is really a scam to scare people off or porn? It seems like a good one if it is.

Aeon Flux (2005) - Not the worst movie

2005-12-28T20:45:00.000-05:00

Aeon Flux (2005)

I went to see this tonight and have to say that it didn't suck. Now I went in with very low expectations. I was not a fan of the cartoon on MTV. That out of the way, this was a nice action scifi romp. There was some shooting. Some explosions and a plot twist that I did not see coming.

I doubt there will be another movie in the series made, but that is not the worst thing. A good stand alone sci fi story is never a bad thing.

When this comes out on DVD you might want to own it if you are a scifi movie obscessive, but you will not be unhappy if you rent it or catch it on comcast ondemand.

Math Professor Solves Decades-Old Problem

2005-12-27T16:21:00.000-05:00

Math Professor Solves Decades-Old Problem: "The problem, known as Kato's Conjecture, applies to the theory of waves moving through different media, such as seismic waves traveling through different types of rock. It bears the name of Tosio Kato, a now-deceased mathematician at the University of California-Berkeley, who posed the problem in research papers first written in 1953 and again in 1961.
Part of the problem, called the one-dimensional version, was solved about 20 years ago. Though it was a breakthrough, work remained. Hofmann solved the problem in all its dimensions in a 120-word paper that he wrote with several colleagues � Pascal Auscher, Michael Lacey, John Lewis, Alan McIntosh and Philippe Tchamitchian."

Who says theres nothing new to be discovered. I am a mathophile. I am just good enough to get by and I can read and understand the texts of those who are really good at it. This is so cool.

TheDBA

2005-12-26T14:27:00.000-05:00

In case you wondering what that is on the left under my provile, that is my xbox live gamer tag. If you are an xbox live member you can see more about my gaming reputation and even see if I am on-line and what I am playing.

For those privacy nuts out there, you can turn this stuff off, but I don't really care if anyone knows what I am playing.

For me the XBox 360 achievements are like an MMORPG. My character class is gamer.