I have to disagree with the new Proposed Calendar Change. I like the way the current calendar rolls. It gives each person the chance to experience their birthday on a weekend. It breaks up monotony of doing the same thing over and over, it is like life, full of change.
Have you ever noticed that after Monday and Tuesday even the calendar goes WTF?
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Politics. Show all posts
30 December 2011
08 June 2011
Computing State of the Art
Nintendo unveiled the video game industry's first new major home console since 2006.
Not 'A' new console, the sole new console since 2006!
Think about this for a moment, computer games require more horsepower to run than anything else most humans use computers for. Scientists obviously use a lot more power for modelling and crunching data, and the world governments use a crap load of power to watch us and each other. Normal users however browse the web and maybe do a little office work or watch a movie, none of which requires much power at all.
So, 5 years ago was the last real advance in gaming horsepower. Now get a load of this, Nintendo has always used technology that is actually a little out of date. Why? Well it costs less and it gets the job done. They have more units sold than Microsoft and Sony combined.
My thought on this subject though is a bit closer to home. Why does the computer industry try to tell me I need a quad core machine with no less than 4 gigs of RAM when it is running the same basic software I started using in 1995? I use that year because it was my first Windows based system. In reality I have watched video, ran spreadsheets and word processing, plus played high quality games since 1987 on the Amiga 1000 I bought that year. The software has not changed that much but mysteriously it uses a lot more resources to do the same basic job.
Lets compare...
These two sets of numbers say a lot.My laptop has more power than an Amiga by several hundred percent! The RAM is no less than 500% more on most systems than an Amiga 1000.
If I could do all those nifty things on the Amiga back in 1987, why does it take so much more power to do it today?! Speedier? Not really. More features? Sure there are more features but do I use them, nope!
Plain and simple it is bloat. If a Word Processor only did its job rather than constantly add code in the background so it can be instantly placed as a web page, or used for video presentation (yeah it can do that too!). Or how about those video playbacks? Back then it was equal to low quality VHS, but today the best you can use is HDR, most people don't, they still use DVD quality or less if streaming across the web.
I am glad prices have fallen on equipment, but I would like my new computer to be as stable as my Amiga was, and actually run everything as smoothly. After all, my Motorola Droid can! (512KB memory and 512MHz processor running Android/Linux)
Not 'A' new console, the sole new console since 2006!
Think about this for a moment, computer games require more horsepower to run than anything else most humans use computers for. Scientists obviously use a lot more power for modelling and crunching data, and the world governments use a crap load of power to watch us and each other. Normal users however browse the web and maybe do a little office work or watch a movie, none of which requires much power at all.
So, 5 years ago was the last real advance in gaming horsepower. Now get a load of this, Nintendo has always used technology that is actually a little out of date. Why? Well it costs less and it gets the job done. They have more units sold than Microsoft and Sony combined.
My thought on this subject though is a bit closer to home. Why does the computer industry try to tell me I need a quad core machine with no less than 4 gigs of RAM when it is running the same basic software I started using in 1995? I use that year because it was my first Windows based system. In reality I have watched video, ran spreadsheets and word processing, plus played high quality games since 1987 on the Amiga 1000 I bought that year. The software has not changed that much but mysteriously it uses a lot more resources to do the same basic job.
Lets compare...
| Amiga | Windows PC - Toshiba Satellite |
| Motorola 68000 @ 7.16MHz | Intel Core i3 @ 2.3GHz |
| 512KB RAM | 3GB RAM |
| July 23,1985 | Current |
If I could do all those nifty things on the Amiga back in 1987, why does it take so much more power to do it today?! Speedier? Not really. More features? Sure there are more features but do I use them, nope!
Plain and simple it is bloat. If a Word Processor only did its job rather than constantly add code in the background so it can be instantly placed as a web page, or used for video presentation (yeah it can do that too!). Or how about those video playbacks? Back then it was equal to low quality VHS, but today the best you can use is HDR, most people don't, they still use DVD quality or less if streaming across the web.
I am glad prices have fallen on equipment, but I would like my new computer to be as stable as my Amiga was, and actually run everything as smoothly. After all, my Motorola Droid can! (512KB memory and 512MHz processor running Android/Linux)
02 June 2011
Overthought Ideas
I was reading an article at Fast Company about a French engineer that wants to tow icebergs from Greenland to Saudi Arabia in order to provide fresh water.
At least one commentor pointed out it would be cheaper to use a tanker and pull the water from the flow under the glacial icecap, or melt them on site using mirrors into a tanker system.
Things not pointed out is that we now have global modelling systems to see what the effects would be and no one has run this scenario. Without the model I can see reduced desalinity in the water at the proper time and place, reduction of krill habitat that feed under icebergs as they melt, reduction of resting sites for sea birds and sea mammals that use icebergs. Not to mention the carbon footprint of towing or shipping that much water.
I have a better idea for those Saudi princes and really the world near a coast line...
Use salt water through an extra line entering each house to provide clean salt water for use in bathing, swimming pools, and get this toilets!
Salt water is naturally a bit of an anti bacterial, the salt also mildly scrubs surfaces. Look at that would ya! Two things we like, clean toilets and less bacteria! Why do we need clean potable (drinkable) water to flush detrius out of our homes? Or to shower in when a salt bath works better (read how many salts are in your shower products folks!)? Many pool owners are switching to saline water since it is more environmentally friendly.
At least one commentor pointed out it would be cheaper to use a tanker and pull the water from the flow under the glacial icecap, or melt them on site using mirrors into a tanker system.
Things not pointed out is that we now have global modelling systems to see what the effects would be and no one has run this scenario. Without the model I can see reduced desalinity in the water at the proper time and place, reduction of krill habitat that feed under icebergs as they melt, reduction of resting sites for sea birds and sea mammals that use icebergs. Not to mention the carbon footprint of towing or shipping that much water.
I have a better idea for those Saudi princes and really the world near a coast line...
Use salt water through an extra line entering each house to provide clean salt water for use in bathing, swimming pools, and get this toilets!
Salt water is naturally a bit of an anti bacterial, the salt also mildly scrubs surfaces. Look at that would ya! Two things we like, clean toilets and less bacteria! Why do we need clean potable (drinkable) water to flush detrius out of our homes? Or to shower in when a salt bath works better (read how many salts are in your shower products folks!)? Many pool owners are switching to saline water since it is more environmentally friendly.
23 January 2011
Religion in Business?
Is it 'wrong' to make items to sell that include symbols from or are known to be going to another religion?
That question formed while I was working out details on an upcoming project I chose to start. My hobby and side business involves me creating various works of art in a wide set of categories. Normally I make jewelry, which is worn publicly by my patrons, other times I do small sculpture or paintings, and I have taken to writing now and again. I am not looking for an answer to my question for myself, I already know my answer and it only applies to my own works.
This is more an informative article. Throughout history artisans have been creating works for patrons that are not from their own religious background. On occasion this has led to some interesting mistakes being made and artwork being altered after the fact. Where art and goods are concerned it would seem that one's religious views are often set aside. Further, the viewpoint can be applied from both patron and artisan/business.
The patron may want a project created and lacks the skills to do so. Solution, go out and find someone with the skills, this is where it gets interesting. Looking through the phone book, or on the web, even while walking down the street, it is rare to see a business owner openly showing their religious affiliation. Doing a targeted search looking specifically for a fellow of your own creed will produce results, but there is a draw back, it may not produce the best provider of a service. What if a person of your beliefs does not own a particular business? The obvious solution is the patron must make a small sacrifice to get what they want.
From the artisan view point, or any business owner really, the dilemma is similar. Often we open businesses in an area that we know has certain beliefs like our own. But what if I am a displaced person, running from a war or catastrophe? Suddenly I may be in an area I know nothing about, but I still need to provide for myself and family. Yet, if I start my business will those around me accept that I am not of their belief system? Will they even know? How safe is it to proceed, and where do I learn the local symbols?
Perhaps the artist is extremely skilled, sought out by everyone for the ability they alone seem to possess. This has happened many times in history. For that person it is a choice, they seem to be above the limits of religions.
What I see in the world around me are multinational businesses that sell goods made by people in all countries of the world, from all beliefs and backgrounds. Here in the United States it is even a little funny to me because I see persons that are devout to their faith and they are unknowingly supporting another faith by purchasing those goods, goods that are sometimes symbols of their religion made by another religions energy. I do not have a problem with it at all, I revel in the idea that we can be one world without borders and without hatred at any level.
It is my hope that readers of this article take away a bit of wisdom in the form of understanding we are all in this together as one human race and that variety truly is the spice of life!
That question formed while I was working out details on an upcoming project I chose to start. My hobby and side business involves me creating various works of art in a wide set of categories. Normally I make jewelry, which is worn publicly by my patrons, other times I do small sculpture or paintings, and I have taken to writing now and again. I am not looking for an answer to my question for myself, I already know my answer and it only applies to my own works.
This is more an informative article. Throughout history artisans have been creating works for patrons that are not from their own religious background. On occasion this has led to some interesting mistakes being made and artwork being altered after the fact. Where art and goods are concerned it would seem that one's religious views are often set aside. Further, the viewpoint can be applied from both patron and artisan/business.
The patron may want a project created and lacks the skills to do so. Solution, go out and find someone with the skills, this is where it gets interesting. Looking through the phone book, or on the web, even while walking down the street, it is rare to see a business owner openly showing their religious affiliation. Doing a targeted search looking specifically for a fellow of your own creed will produce results, but there is a draw back, it may not produce the best provider of a service. What if a person of your beliefs does not own a particular business? The obvious solution is the patron must make a small sacrifice to get what they want.
From the artisan view point, or any business owner really, the dilemma is similar. Often we open businesses in an area that we know has certain beliefs like our own. But what if I am a displaced person, running from a war or catastrophe? Suddenly I may be in an area I know nothing about, but I still need to provide for myself and family. Yet, if I start my business will those around me accept that I am not of their belief system? Will they even know? How safe is it to proceed, and where do I learn the local symbols?
Perhaps the artist is extremely skilled, sought out by everyone for the ability they alone seem to possess. This has happened many times in history. For that person it is a choice, they seem to be above the limits of religions.
What I see in the world around me are multinational businesses that sell goods made by people in all countries of the world, from all beliefs and backgrounds. Here in the United States it is even a little funny to me because I see persons that are devout to their faith and they are unknowingly supporting another faith by purchasing those goods, goods that are sometimes symbols of their religion made by another religions energy. I do not have a problem with it at all, I revel in the idea that we can be one world without borders and without hatred at any level.
It is my hope that readers of this article take away a bit of wisdom in the form of understanding we are all in this together as one human race and that variety truly is the spice of life!
22 January 2011
Misconceptions of Food Advancements
Food. In the most simple definition food is a set of nutrients and potential energy in a stored state. It is once we eat the food that it becomes the energy and life sustaining particles that we all need.
I may have an unusual advantage, and by that same advantage a larger loss, when it comes to understanding food. Food production has been part of my families heritage for generations. My grandfather and his family were dairymen, and farmers. He brought his skills with him from Europe and continued to raise dairy animals here in Southern California. The area was mostly pastures at the time, I still have photos and my memories as my proof. Since that time however the area has changed from one that contained agriculture to one that is urban/suburban sprawl. This is important because the it also represents a change from small farms spread throughout the country, to a more mass produced style of food production.
When I was growing up my parents taught me how to raise animals and crops. Not grains, which require vast fields, but small plot crops such as carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and a great many others. I ate fresh food directly out of the earth or off of the plant. Delicious, needing only a wipe on my pants or shirt to remove the surface dirt. We used natural fertilizers and if memory serves, no pesticides, unless you count the chickens and good insects. The food was always ripe when I ate it, naturally so, no chemicals used to bring the fruit to 'maturity'.
Think about that a moment. To make bananas yellow, or tomatoes red, etc. the stores have to use chemicals/hormones to ripen the fruit while it is in storage at shipping facilities. The fruit and vegetables are picked while still green, unripe, not ready to be eaten. These crops have to be picked that way because tit helps the goods to endure lengthy trips via boat,train and truck to the store bins you buy them from. This food is not complete, it is missing nutrients that would be there if it had matured on the plant.
I end the article there for now, to be continued...
I may have an unusual advantage, and by that same advantage a larger loss, when it comes to understanding food. Food production has been part of my families heritage for generations. My grandfather and his family were dairymen, and farmers. He brought his skills with him from Europe and continued to raise dairy animals here in Southern California. The area was mostly pastures at the time, I still have photos and my memories as my proof. Since that time however the area has changed from one that contained agriculture to one that is urban/suburban sprawl. This is important because the it also represents a change from small farms spread throughout the country, to a more mass produced style of food production.
When I was growing up my parents taught me how to raise animals and crops. Not grains, which require vast fields, but small plot crops such as carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and a great many others. I ate fresh food directly out of the earth or off of the plant. Delicious, needing only a wipe on my pants or shirt to remove the surface dirt. We used natural fertilizers and if memory serves, no pesticides, unless you count the chickens and good insects. The food was always ripe when I ate it, naturally so, no chemicals used to bring the fruit to 'maturity'.
Think about that a moment. To make bananas yellow, or tomatoes red, etc. the stores have to use chemicals/hormones to ripen the fruit while it is in storage at shipping facilities. The fruit and vegetables are picked while still green, unripe, not ready to be eaten. These crops have to be picked that way because tit helps the goods to endure lengthy trips via boat,train and truck to the store bins you buy them from. This food is not complete, it is missing nutrients that would be there if it had matured on the plant.
I end the article there for now, to be continued...
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