I was listening with two of my boys last night to an early Five Iron Frenzy 'live' concert album. Boy, I'm sorry we didn't discover them until the year after the band broke up.
I love the brass sound they had, and I get a kick out of some of their lyrics (blue comb, for instance).
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Monday, July 26, 2004
Tcler's Wiki
This web site is home for all sorts of information about the Tcl programming language. It is a groupware type wiki - that is to say, there's no person or person's mandating specific formatting, organization, etc.
Another day older and deeper in debt...
Anyone out there ever play Fluxx?
http://www.wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/Fluxx/Default.html
is the official web page. If you have a Palm Pilot, there's even a free version to play there - called MicroFluxx;
go to http://www.nosleep.net/ to find the latest version.
http://www.wunderland.com/LooneyLabs/Fluxx/Default.html
is the official web page. If you have a Palm Pilot, there's even a free version to play there - called MicroFluxx;
go to http://www.nosleep.net/ to find the latest version.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
A Tcl note. I got word this week that a bug fix created by one of the contractors who work here is going to make it into Tk 8.4.7. This fix allows sparc solaris users to interact with japanese x input method software. This is something that has been sought for quite some time at my place of employment.
It is great to hear that is happening!
It is great to hear that is happening!
wow - how rainy it is today.
Spent an hour last night with my favorite (okay, and only) daughter as she practiced her driving skills. Do parents ever make it past the fearful stage and into a comfortable stage?
Then, later in the evening, a friend of one of the kids was reported to have expressed concern about me not liking her.
I was told it was because a friend of the family had told her this.
She's young, so she's not learned to just step up to the plate and ask someone directly what the deal is, I guess.
Spent an hour last night with my favorite (okay, and only) daughter as she practiced her driving skills. Do parents ever make it past the fearful stage and into a comfortable stage?
Then, later in the evening, a friend of one of the kids was reported to have expressed concern about me not liking her.
I was told it was because a friend of the family had told her this.
She's young, so she's not learned to just step up to the plate and ask someone directly what the deal is, I guess.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
One of the frustrations I am dealing with lately has to do with building my local tcl distribution. It involves finding the latest versions of the various extensions (modules, packages, whatever you wish to call them) and getting them to build and install appropriately.
For an example of the kind of frustrations encountered - one of the extensions requires linkage against libxml2 - a recent version. However, the OS itself only comes with an older version of the library. I've attempted to build a newer version of the library, but attempts to link statically against that new version have failed miserably.
There is a company who makes a build of many of the needed pieces available pre-built. Alas, the compilation license used makes the idea of pursuing the appropriate approvals from two companies daunting; and I still would be faced with building extensions after it was all said and done.
For an example of the kind of frustrations encountered - one of the extensions requires linkage against libxml2 - a recent version. However, the OS itself only comes with an older version of the library. I've attempted to build a newer version of the library, but attempts to link statically against that new version have failed miserably.
There is a company who makes a build of many of the needed pieces available pre-built. Alas, the compilation license used makes the idea of pursuing the appropriate approvals from two companies daunting; and I still would be faced with building extensions after it was all said and done.
Monday, July 12, 2004
what a wet evening last night. On our way to a church service about an hr or so away, and for at least 20-30 minutes the rain was so bad it was tough to see out. My wife was driving at the time - I tried to swap with her, but she was determined to stick it out.
Finally got ahead of the storm and got to the location.
A tiny bit of the storm came along later, but nothing as bad as we was in while driving there.
Finally got ahead of the storm and got to the location.
A tiny bit of the storm came along later, but nothing as bad as we was in while driving there.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Monday, June 28, 2004
Back from vacation. I just spent the past couple of weeks with one of my kids at various church related functions. First we went to a state talent competition, where he got a second place award in mathematics (I don't know why they consider math test taking a talent...)
Then, we spent nearly a week in Illinois, at a Bible competition:
http://nyi.nazarene.org/quiz/mainpage.htm
where he didn't do so well, but says he had a great time.
This week, the same son has some high school band work and church camp, then when he returns from camp, his band marches in the local Independence Day parade.
Then, we spent nearly a week in Illinois, at a Bible competition:
http://nyi.nazarene.org/quiz/mainpage.htm
where he didn't do so well, but says he had a great time.
This week, the same son has some high school band work and church camp, then when he returns from camp, his band marches in the local Independence Day parade.
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Well, a disappointment arose today when one of my kids discovered that the job they thought they had lined up fell through.
I don't understand why an employer can't tell an applicant why they didn't accept them. If it was a matter of someone more qualified, then at least the person can keep trying. If, however, they did something that turned them off during the interview, they can work on that problem before the next one.
Anyways, it hurts me, as dad, to know that my child was so excited about the job possibility and then it didn't work out.
I don't understand why an employer can't tell an applicant why they didn't accept them. If it was a matter of someone more qualified, then at least the person can keep trying. If, however, they did something that turned them off during the interview, they can work on that problem before the next one.
Anyways, it hurts me, as dad, to know that my child was so excited about the job possibility and then it didn't work out.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Wow - what a day today is turning out to be. Yahoo announces they have raised their email limit from 4-6 meg, to 100 meg.
However, they put into place a new version of the software that requires javascript and java, which breaks access from programs like lynx and other text browsers. They also have had weird problems today with things like the email body appearing off screen, etc.
Sigh - just another painful day.
However, they put into place a new version of the software that requires javascript and java, which breaks access from programs like lynx and other text browsers. They also have had weird problems today with things like the email body appearing off screen, etc.
Sigh - just another painful day.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Was thinking about music groups I really like this weekend. My tastes in music are probably different than most my age - I am a sucker for solo voice and guitar (Paige for instance). I like a lot of traditional CCM (contemporary christian music).
Musicians like Michael W. Smith, Stephen Curtis Chapman, etc. I still enjoy, as well as groups like FFH.
However, I like to listen to The W's, Five Iron Frenzy, Casting Crowns, Big Daddy Weave, etc. I haven't found much in the way of rap that I like. I do enjoy instrumental only CDs - from classical to soundtrack to contemporary. I enjoy listening to some blues and jazz occasionally.
Musicians like Michael W. Smith, Stephen Curtis Chapman, etc. I still enjoy, as well as groups like FFH.
However, I like to listen to The W's, Five Iron Frenzy, Casting Crowns, Big Daddy Weave, etc. I haven't found much in the way of rap that I like. I do enjoy instrumental only CDs - from classical to soundtrack to contemporary. I enjoy listening to some blues and jazz occasionally.
Friday, June 11, 2004
Thursday, June 10, 2004
Well, in the past week a friend upgraded my Tivo to a second 160 gig drive and my eldest son graduated high school.
I'm tired.
More and more I miss having summers off to just kick back.
It's a a real pain to work all year round, not getting ahead of the bills, and not getting any recreational time.
Unfortunately, I've a family who manage to spend my pay check as fast as I earn it (or faster...)
Enough complaining for today!
I'm tired.
More and more I miss having summers off to just kick back.
It's a a real pain to work all year round, not getting ahead of the bills, and not getting any recreational time.
Unfortunately, I've a family who manage to spend my pay check as fast as I earn it (or faster...)
Enough complaining for today!
Saturday, June 05, 2004
Thursday, May 06, 2004
coLinux: Linux for Windows Without Rebooting by KIVILCIM Hindistan -- Trying Linux just keeps getting easier. Knoppix and other live CDs let you take Linux with you on CD and USB keys, but you have to reboot to run your software. What about Windows users who want to use Linux in conjunction with their existing systems? KIVILCIM Hindistan explores the world of coLinux -- cooperative Linux.
Friday, April 30, 2004
I was writing to today about TiVo - here's what I ended up writing about it...
This morning, at least, TiVo has again put up for sale factory renewed
Series2 DVRs. These have the full warrenty on them.
The 40 hour model is listed at $149 - with a $50 rebate! That gets
you started at $99 . Then, the ongoing program listing service is
$12.95 a month (or a one time cost of $299).
The 80 hour model is $199 after rebate.
I bought a floor model TiVo at Best Buy at about this same price.
Another TiVo owner, with a bit of experience, helped me upgrade my
40 hr hard drive to a 157 hr hard drive. I still hope some day to
get with my friend to add a second hard drive to the system.
The only thing that would be better than TiVo
in terms of a) watching shows in less time, and
b) watch shows when I want to, without having to keep meticulous
notes on what was on which video tape, etc.,
would be if the various cable stations would join together to create a
video on demand service for all their programming, with the disk farm
being on their end.
Until that day - which probably isn't all THAT outrageous of an idea (anyone
want to invest in such a project?) I find that TiVo, with its
o extensive broadcast programming database,
o ability to create almost regular expression searching and
automatic recording of shows,
o season pass recordings that are pretty good at tracking changes
to show days/times that are announced
at least 24-48 hrs in advance
(and if you use a directv satellite setup or maybe broadband,
then I believe this time drops to less than 30 minutes),
is so much more valuable to me than my VCR was.
An example of how 'insidious' TiVo can become arose today
at lunch. I was mentioning that my kids were really
getting a kick out of watching the reruns of the old
Dilbert animated series. I was asked "Oh, when is
that on" and I had to reply that I'd no idea - tivo
finds it and records it whenever it comes on.
Similarly one of my kids were actually lamenting the
fact that they seldom saw all the 'neat' new
commercials their friends talk about at school - we
just do several 30 second skips and move on with
the show, resulting in seeing an hour show in about
45 minutes or so...
This morning, at least, TiVo has again put up for sale factory renewed
Series2 DVRs. These have the full warrenty on them.
The 40 hour model is listed at $149 - with a $50 rebate! That gets
you started at $99 . Then, the ongoing program listing service is
$12.95 a month (or a one time cost of $299).
The 80 hour model is $199 after rebate.
I bought a floor model TiVo at Best Buy at about this same price.
Another TiVo owner, with a bit of experience, helped me upgrade my
40 hr hard drive to a 157 hr hard drive. I still hope some day to
get with my friend to add a second hard drive to the system.
The only thing that would be better than TiVo
in terms of a) watching shows in less time, and
b) watch shows when I want to, without having to keep meticulous
notes on what was on which video tape, etc.,
would be if the various cable stations would join together to create a
video on demand service for all their programming, with the disk farm
being on their end.
Until that day - which probably isn't all THAT outrageous of an idea (anyone
want to invest in such a project?) I find that TiVo, with its
o extensive broadcast programming database,
o ability to create almost regular expression searching and
automatic recording of shows,
o season pass recordings that are pretty good at tracking changes
to show days/times that are announced
at least 24-48 hrs in advance
(and if you use a directv satellite setup or maybe broadband,
then I believe this time drops to less than 30 minutes),
is so much more valuable to me than my VCR was.
An example of how 'insidious' TiVo can become arose today
at lunch. I was mentioning that my kids were really
getting a kick out of watching the reruns of the old
Dilbert animated series. I was asked "Oh, when is
that on" and I had to reply that I'd no idea - tivo
finds it and records it whenever it comes on.
Similarly one of my kids were actually lamenting the
fact that they seldom saw all the 'neat' new
commercials their friends talk about at school - we
just do several 30 second skips and move on with
the show, resulting in seeing an hour show in about
45 minutes or so...
what a week. Running around every evening taking kids hither and yon. All day chasing bugs, answering questions, and trying to solve problems. The fun never ends. On top of that, I've been fighting either a cold or allergies, and so I've been physically feeling miserable. At least I'm sleeping again. For a few days, I would cough all night, feeling like I was about to lose a lung. Now, however, my wife's doing that...
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