Something About Respect… - Before this, here is a disclaimer: With multiple methods of reaching me, it is fair to say that I am biased when I say that prompt communications is a way to show respect towards someone. I generally take less than 24 hours to respond. Why do I bring this up? It is because I have some “friends” who, despite multiple attempts to reach them, do not have the courtesy of returning my calls and messages. I can accept that a person is busy, but I cannot accept that a person is “busy.” I have had enough of people who do not return my communications, yet they have enough time to be on Facebook.
Respect is a fundamental element of friendships, and some people are about to lose a friend. This is their last warning.
The Apple iPad - Up to and including the day of its debut, the Apple iPad received quite a bit of coverage. The only two words I can conjure up are:
EPIC FAIL
Let’s start with some of its features (or lack thereof):
4:3 screen (seriously? Whoever designed this display clearly did not take into consideration how books are generally laid out)
Glossy screen = unable to read in broad daylight (the iPad’s chief competitor, by the way, performs excellently in that arena)
Only one place to get apps (legitimately), and Apple tends to lock out competitors who are able to expand the platform’s potential
People say that this will revolutionize the eBook industry, but I believe that until an eBook is just as versatile as a physical book, that will not be true. In particular, I present you with two equally-priced versions of a book – choose one:
iPad version – Locked to your iPad with DRM (Digital RESTRICTIONS Management), which means you cannot lend it to a friend or sell it when you are finished.
Hardback version – No DRM, which means you can lend your book to a friend or sell it when you are finished
I have a passion for technology, but I, and anybody sensible with their money, would most likely take the latter. The premium of consolidating a book collection is simply too steep, both financially and with respect to freedom.
I got news for you: I got to play around with a tablet computer about five and a half years ago, and even it is capable of doing more than what this iPad can.
Clearly, there are alternatives that are not only superior to the iPad technically, but truly provide more computing power and more versatility. Besides making things look pretty, I do not see how Apple is an innovator.
Rationally, these threats of violence only serve to dilute whatever these people have to say. I have trouble justifying why I have to take those people seriously. Some of them claim to be speaking for God, but the God I know is loving and non-violent. That is probably too liberal for some people (http://www.conservapedia.com/Conservative_Bible_Project), and they seek to change it. Well, from sinner to sinner, I refer you to Revelation 22:18-19. It means the Bible is NOT a wiki that you can change willy-nilly! Luke 23:34
While on the subject of government and religion, I got into an argument one time with someone over gay marriage, and it struck me when someone said that “our country was founded off God.” While this may be true, the reason why the Plymouth sailed here was to escape the state-established Protestant faith. The First Amendment of the Constitution and my interpretation of the Bible (which this entry describes very elaborately) reinforce my belief that divine and secular authorities are to be isolated from one another. Besides, with the divorce rate the way it is, I feel that marriage is, more importantly, an exclusive, lifetime commitment between two people. This means no mistresses and no divorces. The government should only see it as a legally-binding partnership between two people that confers various benefits and responsibilities and nothing more.
Random thought: What if Mahmoud Ahmadinejad developed oil refining capabilities in his country instead of his current nuclear aspirations? That, I think, would have been a better action because I think it would be likely to bring more economic stability to his own people.
* The above logo is a parody of MPAA’s “You Can Click But You Can’t Hide” campaign. The text said “Illegal Downloading / Inappropriate for all ages.”
This morning, I woke up to a good friend’s Facebook status indicating that she was a victim of a hit-and-run and her neck hurts. One of her “friends” left a comment offering to have sex with her (comment was deleted in the screenshot below).
Key: Green = Me; Yellow = Friend; Red = Foe
In an attempt to stand up for my friend, I told that guy to think before he types because several little birds tell me that copulation is a physically-stressing activity, and those types of activities are the last thing an injured person would want (for risk of worsening the injury). Anyways, he replied some racially-charged order for Chinese food:
Kung pao delight
Fried rice
Egg drop soup
No egg roll
Fortune cookie that says “go **** yourself”
It took about five minutes of anger before my logic kicked in. My logic says that he wants a fortune cookie with an insult directed towards him. Ai-ya! What did I say about thinking and typing?! In any case, I used to think that the phrase “think before you type” applies to issuing commands to computers, but I would like to share this lesson: It applies to real life as well.
To my friend: I hope you feel better. Let me know if there’s something I can do for you. I got your back.
For those who read this, please rate my English skills by leaving a comment.
Don’t deny it, folks. If you have done any decent web surfing recently, I’m sure you all have seen something advertising quick weight loss solutions. It looks something like this:
So the rule is “Obey?” Now I’m confused, because the definition of “obey” is “to conform to or comply with” (reference). Somebody call the grammar police — we have an incident of vagueness here!
Just so you know, they’re scams (reference: Consumerist.com). Let’s play a game of “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” Wait… is it really a scam? It really works, and I have my before/after pics to prove it:
Before
After
Oh, wait… that’s the Photoshop diet. My apologies. But still, if that’s not enough express weight shedding for you, you could try the Knight Bus diet, brought to you by Harry Potter:
Call me a cynic, but I’ve seen too many of these fad diets. The bus widening up is no accident and is reflective of what will happen to most people: They will regress and will be seeking desperate measures like these again.
I’m no fan of quick fixes, for I have yet to be convinced that I won’t have to come back and fix it again. I would rather take the sting of a fix that will last me a longer period of time. Finally, for those of you who happen to have a stocky build, just continue to be well (i.e. eat healthy foods, exercise — even if it’s taking the stairs or walking a bit more, etc.).
In the midst of everybody losing their composure, I am, once again, perfectly calm. After I finish this entry, I’m writing my paper on wind power (it blows… har har har) and continuing with my studying.
History?!
During the semester, I have been doing all my reading and I can recall a lot of information. Yet, I have been getting Cs on my all-essay tests. During the tests, I write practically nonstop. To gain a better understanding of the situation, I visited the TA on Friday. Unfortunately, that was counterproductive as I left more ticked off because they appear to just want regurtitation of information and little sense of organization. I ran into one of my colleagues while checking out the synchrophasor stuff Professor Mack Grady just finished setting up, and he echoes my sentiment.
My ability to maintain my composure seemed incredible at the time, but as soon as the final is over, I’m selling those books and ensuring those blue books are taken care of like company top trade secrets.
Funny Pics
Also on Friday, I spent the evening with some friends at a barbecue. On the way back, I noticed that a storefront has this painted: “If it’s in stock, we’ve got it!” My car trip today involved taking a picture of this:
My challenge to you: Devise something to contradict this statement. Now for something not so obvious:
I found the typo on the receipt after I went to the Asian food mart to get this sauce. I shall refrain from making jokes here…
It’s a compulsion of sorts that I go into my spam box and clear it out every now and then. There is always that garden variety of pornography, medicine, and drugs that supposedly enhance the size of a man’s phallus. Today, I had this observation/revelation I would like to share. I found it quite ironic that I get these messages when the senders are the ones who need it much more than I do. As a matter of fact, I don’t even have to look down to know mine is there.
Given a few sensors and user-provided offsets, I do not see how hard it is to align something on a page correctly with only 1 pt. error any way (note: 1 pt. = 1/72 inch). A month or so ago, I offered to burn some DVDs of all the pictures and video I took during orientation. It is a 3-DVD set, and I decided to go all-out on it with DVD labels and covers. It is simply incredible that it prints off by as much as half an inch! Even after correcting for the printer’s errors with my ruler, I obtain a defect rate of at least 50%. If I were to fail at half the tasks I was given, I would surely be unable to even get a high school, part-time level job.
I do not know how to write printer drivers, but I know that it will be a while before HP will see a dime from me again. Don’t be surprised if I take this printer down Office Space-style. I take that back… maybe I do something more civil and EE-like: Take the entire printer apart. Either way, it really deserves to rest in pieces.
This is a continuation of “Homeowners’ Associations = UGH!” As promised, the letter is attached as fcca_letter.jpg. Now, open it up and follow along… it’s time for me to take the letter and rip its arguments to shreds, for it hopelessly lacks common sense.
Basically, here’s a quick breakdown of what’s going on:
When we got our house, there are these rocks in the landscape bed that lead up to the front porch.
Over time, these rocks became buried or discolored, so we replace them.
First Colony Community Association sends us a letter about this unauthorized modification.
A picture of the front of my house. The white rocks are the thing they’re complaing about.
By performing the maintenance work, we feel that we are doing our part in “an effort to maintain property values in [our neighborhood].” There is no need for “a full understanding of [any] restrictions.” It is simply common sense. I went to this Andrew Vacek’s office in an attempt to get it resolved, but I was merely handed this:
That’s right, folks! A 1/8″ packet of their by-laws that is totally irrelevant to the issue at hand and describes all the bureaucracy.
For the record, this association seems to lack common sense, and I could probably come to the conclusion that this Andrew Vacek is a stubborn blockhead. This lack of common sense stems from one thing: Greed — greed for revenue. Consequently, I will state again that after I get my degree, I shall not live in First Colony, for “common sense revolts at the idea”1 that I am required to submit a “modification approval” request to keep my yard in decent order.
Over the past year with the help of Digg, I was able to see the speculation behind Apple’s highly-anticipated “iPhone,” including the much pleasing thought that it just might be sold unlocked (i.e. you are able to use any carrier). However, that is not the case. This, in addition to the lack of support for 3G wireless and inability to add 3rd-party programs, makes this phone an unattractive buy.
Per an exclusive deal with Cingular, the iPhone is available for $599 with a two-year contract from Cingular. Naturally, the phone will come locked to Cingular’s service. Setting aside the fact that Cingular’s service could be craptacular in certain areas, the price point already brings this phone to the point of being unpractical. Indeed, there are products that are able to do everything the iPhone can (and then some) for significantly less.
Two phones I can readily point out that are capable of doing everything the iPhone can (and then some) are the Palm Treo 680 and the T-Mobile Dash. While it is possible to get an unlocked version of the former for $399, the latter can be obtained with a two-year contract for $199. Both feature not only 3G support, but unfettered ability to add any program you wish to do whatever you want with the phone. Can the iPhone offer that kind of freedom? I don’t think so. Now, if some “bad guys” unlock the phone, you can actually use it with other services.
With everything said, I believe that the iPhone is defective by design. I was particularly offended when Lurie from Cingular called unlockers “bad guys.” I believe in reciprocity, so here’s my statement: The iPhone is yet another pair of iCuffs for the iSheep. A fool and his money are soon parted. I will tell you more about these “bad guys” later.
Finally, I was not paid to mention any of the brands. I know that T-Mobile has a very liberal policy with respect to their phones and do not cripple them much (if at all).
Written with contributions from natmaster and Spencer.
I think I have said before that VH1 shows make me sick. That is reinforced by a show I saw recently, called “The Flavor of Love.” When my dormmates watch that show, there was an unprecedented amount of bleeping, and that made me sick because of how unrestrained people can be. Sure, that is reality, but here is where it gets unreal: I see this show as some jerk manipulating women’s minds under the guise of searching for love.
