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)