August 23, 2010 at 8:50 am · Filed under Technology
I’m not one to really do the pros and cons on Windows (7) and Mac OSX. In fact, I think that on most accounts the two operating systems are essentially the same. They both have icons, usually at the bottom of the desktop, that a person clicks on to open a program. The programs are often identical in both OS. To install a program, you download it and then click on it. To print, you hit the print button. They both use a two-button mouse. etc. The whole apple user experience thing is completely overblown and not really rooted in any kind of reality.
Having said that, I have a question for Microsoft. It’s 2010, what up with all the reboots? I was using the computer the other day when I was notified that an update was installed and that I should reboot my computer. Windows users get these messages weekly. This time I just leaned back in my chair and stared at the screen. Really, a reboot? Wasn’t MS supposed to have re-written Windows, couldn’t they work things out so that our PCs don’t need constant reboots? After all, we all know how long it takes for Windows to boot (2 or 3 times longer than a mac) and it gets really annoying.
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August 15, 2010 at 1:52 pm · Filed under Just Stuff
Taken from one of the many reviews on Amazon after three wolf and moon went viral.
“May 22, 2009By Yossarian
I’m just a regular American guy. I’ve got a truck, smoke a little too much, maybe missing a few toes. Nothing too unusual. At my 9-to-5 I’ve gotten by for years on my old Two Wolf Moon T-Shirt. “Bring the loader over to bay 4″ they’d say, and I’d get over there and get it done, my two wolves classy enough for work but also letting the passing ladies know I’m a raging torrent of untamed American spirit yearning to breath free, preferably naked. I’m no Don Juan, but I did ok — mostly with Janice from Accounting, until she got diptheria.
Most of my income went to the good life, brewed high in the Rockies if you know what I mean. But one day I decided to take some hard earned dough and upgrade. Bigtime. When I got my Three Wolf Moon t-shirt, I knew my life had changed, but I didn’t know how much.
When I put it on, the effect was immediate. 33% more wolf was almost too much to handle. It was like wearing 1500 ccs of chaps on a 1800 cc motorcycle. The vibrations alone were almost enough to throw me off my stride. And the fact that the third wolf faces backwards while howling, demonstrating individuality at the same time as unity of purpose and nobility of spirit, was a metaphor so powerful Roy, the guy who steals my mail, practically took his own foot off with his weed whacker the moment he saw me.
Jesus.
After suturing him up with some spare baling twine, I trotted down to the hardware store to stock up. Bad idea. The rippling of my well endowed man curves apparently set the wolves to almost a hypnotic shimmering, trapped and yet freed under the opalescent moon they eternally worship and yet deny. Some guy took one look at me and backed right into a concrete planter. I almost stopped to see if he was ok, but then I remembered that wolves don’t stop for anybody, particularly when howling.
These days, I’m making $1.15 more an hour, and I keep getting free cable. With the savings, I’m thinking …maybe…just maybe, it’ll be Four Wolf Time soon. But for those of you who have put in your time and training on the One and Two wolf shirts, I highly recommend investing in an upgrade. You’ll never truly soar free without one.”
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August 14, 2010 at 9:00 pm · Filed under Just Stuff
Here is a great documentary produced by NOVA, dealing with the debate over “Intelligent Design” in High School science in Dover, Pennsylvania.
Essentially this was a fight to omit Intelligent Design from the school curriculum. There were two main principles at stake. First, that Intelligent Design is nothing more than re-branded Creationism. Creationism is specifically not allowed to be taught in public schools in the USA because of their constitution which demands the separation of religion and state. Secondly, Intelligent Design was shown to not be scientific in any way.
August 14, 2010 at 6:29 pm · Filed under Just Stuff
New objects that I saw two nights ago with my 6″ reflector…

NGC 6960, Veil Nebula

M101, Pinwheel Galaxy

M11, Wild Duck Cluster

M31, Andromeda Galaxy

M81, Bode’s Galaxy