Atari 800 : my first computer

My dad paid $2000 for an Atari 800 with 16k in RAM and a cassette drive back around 1981.  According to MeasuringWorth, in todays dollars that would be like spending

	$4,560.48	using the Consumer Price Index
	$4,052.84	using the GDP deflator
	$5,843.89	using the value of consumer bundle *
	$4,536.14	using the unskilled wage *
	$6,721.12	using the nominal GDP per capita
	$8,827.20	using the relative share of GDP

We also had the 410 cassette drive and BASIC Computer Games (see the scanned book in its full glory) which made for some loooong typing sessions for some very simple games!

The Evolution of Language

I never realized how bad it was, until the Internet was born.  

Grammar, that is.  In chat sessions, forums, and emails the level of English displayed is amazingly low.  People show no sign of knowing the difference between they're, their, and there.  Or between to and too.  I'm talking about basic 4th grade English here.  Not esoterica like why it is incorrect to use beg the question in the way most people use it...

What's interesting is that English is evolving MUCH faster than it did before.  Why?  Because in the old days, our primary reading materials were newspapers, books, and magazines.  Things scrutinized by editors for correctness.  This limited the degredation/evolution of the language from generation to generation.  

But with the Internet as our primary reading material, there is no restoring force.  Nothing to pull us constantly toward a fixed standard of English.  Descriptive linguists should have a field day with this; prescriptive linguists will probably be crying if they aren't already.

The history and future of credentials

Paul Graham argues that credentials were but a step in the evolution of society .  In ancient societies family status determined the transfer of power from generation to generation.  The credential system provided a way for less powerful to gain access to higher positions.  Graham claims that the current climate of small startup companies rewards the best performing individuals, independent of degrees.

Background:

Before credentials, government positions were obtained mainly by family influence, if not outright bribery.

History suggests that, all other things being equal, a society prospers in proportion to its ability to prevent parents from influencing their children's success directly. 

His hypothesis:

In a world of small companies, performance is all anyone cares about. People hiring for a startup don't care whether you've even graduated from college, let alone which one. All they care about is what you can do. Which is in fact all that should matter, even in a large organization. The reason credentials have such prestige is that for so long the large organizations in a society tended to be the most powerful. But in the US at least they don't have the monopoly on power they once did, precisely because they can't measure (and thus reward) individual performance. Why spend twenty years climbing the corporate ladder when you can get rewarded directly by the market?

Excellent Photo Book Comparison

This guy created photo books from several popular companies including sharedink.com, mypublisher.com, digilabs.biz, viovio.com, blurb.com.  His analysis is very detailed.  Just the way I like it.

If the link is broken, try searching for terms like: [New York Dave Beckerman Print on Demand Photo Books]

I ended up going with mypublisher.com.  The quality of the book was impressive.  Their website seems strangely slow, but their turnaround time was great.

Disable PC speaker beep on Thinkpad T60p

Thank god for this post on how to get rid of that annoying speaker beep , e.g. when windows comes out of sleep mode or when coding.  One note for those using Windows XP, step 2 should be:

* In the control panel, go to System, Hardware tab, Device Manager

ASCII Diagrams / ASCII Photoshop

WARNING : SUPERGEEKS ONLY.

Ever wish you could put some diagrams in your source code?  JavE is your friend.  Think "powerpoint diagrams using ASCII".  Here is one I made recently :

There are numerous tools for creating ASCII art from images.  But this is the only tool I've found that caters towards diagram creation in ASCII.  It supports a subset of powerpoint type operations:

* lines, boxes, elipses, bezier curves, arcs, text boxes
* equations (simplified LaTeX-style syntax)
* function plotter, fractal plotter, 3D renderer (seriously!!!)
* photoshop type tools : brush, eraser, fill, clone

One feature I wish it had would be to maintain the 3d-ness of objects after you "place" them.  That is, when you create a text box, you can move it around on the canvas, but once you place it, it becomes part of the background and to move it again, you need to select it as "raw pixels".

Still this is a fantastic tool when you just want to put a diagram somewhere in a text file.

Upload Full Size Images in Picasa

You probably think you know what this post is about.  I doubt it. :-)

Picasa allows you to upload with "Slowest Upload, Largest Size". You might want to do this if you intend to share your photos with friends that might really, really want the full sized images. However, you might have noticed that this doesn't always work. Why not?

The problem could be that you have unsaved edits [1]. When you upload, Picasa assumes you want to upload the edited version, which is probably what you wanted. So it creates a temporary edited file WITH COMPRESSION which it then uploads. Unfortunately, you don't have control over how much compression this temporary file has. So even if you choose "least compression" in the upload dialog, you'll still end up with more compression than if you uploaded the original. The work around is to Export the (edited) photos you want to upload.  You specify the compression applied in the export process.  Then upload the exported photos.

References:

[1] Post by Don Lind

Regular Searches in Firefox 3

In Firefox 3's location bar, you want

* Regular google searches ala Firefox 2 search box

Then see

* www.lifespy.com

When you enter keywords in the location bar (where you normally put URLs), it does a google search and magically takes you to result #1. Sadly, the first search result is not always the one I want! You get the full-on search behavior with this tweak .

Another annoyance is "domain guessing". When you enter a single word into the location bar, firefox tries to guess what you meant. Unfortunately, it is very slow (not firefox's fault really), and makes my firefox seem like it is temporarily locked-up! Fortunately, disabling it is simple and quick.

Auto Depreciation Musings

Well, it turns out what I *should* have done was buy a 17 year old car. Says who? Says University of Michigan, that's who.

I was googling mathematical models of auto depreciation and ran across this blog post which cites a 2004 study entitled "Automotive Life Cycle Economics and Replacement Intervals". Among their conclusions :

Overall, this analysis provides substantial evidence for the importance of fixed costs, and depreciation specifically, in total life cycle vehicle economics. Dynamic replacement modeling for both the Ford Escort and generic sedan suggested long replacement intervals (of 15 years or more) were economically ideal despite varying repair, and finance costs. In the generic vehicle study, additional variations in finance methods, gasoline price, powertrain availability, and external societal costs made little change to the ideal replacement intervals.

So I really should have kept my Tercel for at least 1 more year...

Why I chose Hyundai over Honda/Toyota

No doubt about it : Toyota & Honda make great cars. I've owned both. But it seems their reputation has gone to their heads a bit, and their prices reflect it.

Both the 2008 Civic LX and 2008 Elantra GLS are nice cars with good fuel economy. But the Elantra feels like one trim level higher than the Civic : rear armrest with cup holders, TWO electrical sockets in front, 60/40 fold down back seats, 6 speakers (vs 4), fog lights, put-on-your-makeup-at-night-lights, sunglasses storage, XM radio, more storage nooks, and the amazing Hyundai warranty. Why Honda doesn't match the Hyundai warranty, I don't understand. Honda cars are amazingly reliable, so it seems like it wouldn't cost them much, and it would take away one of Hyundai's best selling points....

On the other side of the balance sheet Honda is a champ in reliability and, for some, "style". I personally prefer the interior of the Hyundai with the more traditional dash, but I respect that others prefer the Civic. To each his own.

And then there was the $4,000. Yes, $4,000 difference in price. Plus the Hyundai has accoutrements galore so the effective price difference is even more.

So who wins? Here are my categories:

Price: Elantra
Style : Elantra for me. YMMV.
Warranty : Elantra
Creature Comforts : Elantra, hands down.
Resale value : Civic
Reliability : Civic???

Resale value is not a big deal to me. The probability that I'll total my car is low, and I drive my cars until they are worthless. Certainly the difference in resale value at 10+ years will be less than $4,000 + 10 years of interest = $8,000. With some luck, I'll come out ahead financially.

A wise friend once said "I don't need a car that attracts women; I just need a car that does not repel women. Well put.

CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp)

Desiderata:

Energy efficient light bulbs

Longer lasting light bulbs

Recommended:

CFL (but see caveats)

CFL use less watts to produce the same light as regular incandescents. So how is consumer supposed to know which CFL to buy to replace their regular 100W bulb? Each box has a convenient "equivalent wattage" listed on it with tables like this:

In my experience, these equivalents are too optimistic. A good rule of thumb is : Bump up one level in the table. So if you wanted a 60W bulb, the table would recommend 14W CFL. Don't do it. Go for the 19W. You'll get much closer to what you expect.

Bony Butts, Listen Up!

If you

* Take long airplane, bus trips
* Have a bony derierre

Then run out and buy an

* Inflatable Ring Cushion

Traveling light is paramount, but I won't leave home without my Inflatable Ring Cushion. Until recently I was flying 18 hour one-way trips every month and was having a terrible time sleeping. The trouble was my rear end. I noticed that my grandfather--who would often complain of "ass ache"--used a ring pillow to ease the pain. And just like that my problem was solved.

Some tips:

* Get an inflatable one. It will store compactly and ensure sufficient support.
* Get a "medical grade" one. You don't want it to develop a leak.

I bought mine in the medical section of a Wallgreens. Best $20 I ever spent.

Running Shoes

If you

1. Want shoes for actual running
2. Don't care about "cuteness"/"coolness"
3. Want to pay less than $50

Then buy

Saucony Grid Cohesion

Shoe manufacturers have figured out that people will pony up the $$$ for cool looking "running" shoes that are useless for actual running. Neon-colored plastic supports, stabilizers, and stripes. Is it just my feet, or are most shoes waaay too hard to run in? Feels like I'm running with plastic blocks on my feet.

I ran into (haha) Saucony Grid Cohesion at Sports Authority for $49. What a deal. And they ride like pillows on my feet. Granted, I haven't been a serious runner in about 20 years, but I think I still know running shoes. Fashion changes, but biomechanics does not.

Addall.com for Books

If you

1. Want lowest possible prices on (technical) books
2. Don't care if books are used
3. Don't mind waiting a bit for delivery

Then use

Addall.com to find international editions of books.

Even if you are not buying technical books, Addall.com is nice because it summarizes the total cost (book + shipping). The best feature is that you can buy "international versions" of books. Technically, these books are not supposed to be sold in the U.S.

Still interested, huh? :-)

I did a small, non-scientific comparision between Addall and Bookpool. Books are new unless specified otherwise. International editions are often paperback and use lower quality paper.
The first 2 books are very technical. The last 2 have a wider audience. Notice the huge price difference for the niche books, and the modest difference for more typical books.

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, Peter Norvig
Bookpool : $105
Addall.com : $18 + $8 shipping (international edition)

Pattern Recognition & Machine Learning, Christopher Bishop
Bookpool $57 + free shipping
Addall.com : $57 + $3 shipping

Thinking in C++
Bookpool $35 (out of stock)
Addall.com : $14 + $3 shipping (used)


MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, Exam 70-284
Bookpool $38 + 5 shipping
Addall.com : $20 + $4 shipping (used)

Hard Drive Woes on Thinkpad/Lenovo

Find the error in this equation :  

70GB hard drive - 30GB data = 4GB free space. 

Where is the missing 36GB?  Turns out that Thinkpad/Lenovos have this handy dandy backup utility--ThinkVantage Rescue & Restore--that schedules backups DAILY.  It doesn't take long for that to eat up your entire hard drive.  And the nefarious part?  The space that it uses isn't in some hidden partition where at least you can see it.  It is--for non wizard users--all but invisible.

The problem is described and resolved in various forums but it is still a pain to solve.  I took the easy way out : uninstall the Rescue & Restore in the usual way through the Control Panel.  I am now 36GB richer.

In the process of figuring this out I used WinDirStat, a very nice piece of free software to visualize where your hard disk space is being used.

Mp3 Player Headphones

If you want:

1. Noise isolation (i.e., earplugs)
2. Comfortable to wear for long periods
3. Extremely small and light
4. Good quality sound
5. Low power consumption
6. Inexpensive

Then buy:

Skullcandy Buds Ink'd Earbuds ($15 at Target)

I wanted double-duty headphones for travel and work. My workplace is noisy, yet I need to do creative work. I use earplugs when I fly but it it's nice to listen to music sometimes. Being the weird person that I am, I have an obsessive compulsion to travel VERY light. So those fancy Bose active noise cancellation phones are out for me (though they work very well).

I had never heard of Skullcandy a year ago, but they looked very earplug-like and all the competition had was over $100. How can you go wrong trying something for $15?

These headphones rock. Your ears don't get hot since they sit in your ear canal. They double as earplugs because of the good fit. They sound good and are small enough to fit in your jeans pocket. Finally, they are so efficient at transmitting sound that I can turn down the volume on my mp3 player--this means decreased battery usage (perhaps).

Restaurant Reviews

My restaurant reviews are online.  Most of them are for Fremont, California.

Cell Phone Headset

If your priorities are

1. Highest possible voice clarity (in and outbound)
2. Works in noisy environments
3. Looking cool doesn't matter

Then buy

Blue Parrott B250 (wireless, bluetooth)
Blue Parrott CP100TK (aka CP110?) (wired)

I've used headsets, both wired and wireless and have never been satisfied with the sound quality. When people complained that they couldn't understand me, I would just unplug and go headset-less. Well, that doesn't fly anymore because of California's new law requiring hands-free sets while driving. Even though there is evidence to the contrary that handfree really increases safety.

Thus began my quest for a better headset.

What works : microphones that sit IN FRONT of your mouth. Not near your mouth. Actually in front, so that you couldn't eat with it on. And ideally the boom is made from segmented metal called "gooseneck". That means when you bend it, it stays put.

Anything that has a long boom is made for computers, airplane pilots, or call center operators. So why didn't I buy one of those? The computer and call center units have non-cell phone compatible jacks and the airplane ones are dual ear which are not legal for driving in CA.

Fast forward about 20 hours of web sleuthing. Turns out that TRUCK DRIVERS are my comrades in pain. They have the same problems with noise and--wow!--they don't care about looking cool with cute silver earbuds. The reviews on the Blue Parrott B250 are simply amazing. These are so popular that they are hard to come by. I found one on ebay and it lives up to the reviews. Frankly, I've never seen anything like it and it seems to have none of the issues of Jawbone and other active noise cancellation systems.

The Blue Parrott CP100TK / CP110 is a wired version of the same. If you don't like dealing with Bluetooth and the associated hassle of charging this is the ticket for you.

In the past I've used a simpler model with no noise cancellation. They are cheap and work because the microphone is in front of your mouth. Problem is that the boom is not gooseneck and so it tends to rest almost IN your mouth. Oh, and this one used to break after a few months.

P.S. Their products are associated with "BlueParrott", "Blue Parrott", "Blue Parrot" or "VXI" on the net. Also, be prepared to do a little work to find these for sale--they are so popular, they are often sold out!

UPDATE : 8/10/08

Bought a CP100TK because I like the reliability of wired. Turns out that the noise rejection is also very good, but the quality of the outbound sound is not as good as the B250 . Still, it is better than my Plantronics M110 (an older over the head model)

What? Why?

A friend of mine once told me I was "five standard deviations from the mean [1]." That might have been a put-down to some, but it filled me with glee. I get a perverse sense of validation from being unique.

But being unique also poses some problems. It means that most products are not made with your priorities in mind. It means more work on your part to find the goods and services that are right for you.

That's where this blog comes in. I am hoping that there are a few people out there can identify with my weirdness and benefit from my findings.

[1] Roughly speaking, this means being more different from average/normal than 99.99994267% of all people.