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):

• No multitasking
• No Flash
• No built-in connectivity options (e.g. USB, memory card reader, HDMI out, etc.)
• 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.

After paying off my student loans, I got myself a Dell UltraSharp U2410 and an Ergotron LX Dual swing arm.  Installing it turned into a weekend project as I made my desk just so.  Well, here’s “just so.”  You’ll see in the below pics that most of my wiring is hidden on the sides.

Remember this addition to the Texas Constitution that got approved over 3:1 back in 2005 (Proposition 2, adds Section 32 in the Texas Constitution)?

The constitutional amendment providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

During one of my rounds through the Internet before heading off to work, I came across this article: http://www.star-telegram.com/local_news/story/1770445.html It became a conversational bit I carried to work with me one day, and I got some very good discussion out of it.  Some think it’s a politician’s ploy to get support from the LGBT community.  One person believes that if this were to come up in court, the intent of the law will settle things and precedent would follow.  There was a consensus, however, that it could’ve been worded better and more well-thought-out.  Before banning gay marriage, perhaps divorce and infidelity should be made illegal first.

I’ve been told to lighten up.  Whoever tells me that needs to give me a flashlight.

Many people, including myself, disagree with some of the things President Obama is doing.  But for the last time, you do NOT create a Facebook poll over whether he should get killed, pray for his death, or show any dispositions of violence against the President.  Remember, folks:

Source: Uncyclopedia*

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.”

Now that I have more free time, I have been spending time taking better care of myself by going on longer bike rides and am intending on riding the entire Silver Comet Trail.  It’s no Texas 4000, but the planning and execution of this trip will be something I take great pride in.  My bike ride this weekend was cut short by some FOD (Foreign Object Damage) puncturing my rear tire, forcing me to walk my bike home.  Nevertheless, I made good on my promise to some coworkers to see “the big chicken“:

Finally, as part of diversity week at work, we got to wear a pro sports shirt to work.  I showed up in my solar car polo to show off the sport that very few people can say have participated in, and it is something I take great pride in (Yo Sunny, I’m happy for you, I’ll let you finish, but UT athletics has some of the best sports of all time!  Some of the best sports of all time!)*

I will try to ride my bike again this weekend.  Hopefully, it will be FOD-free, and I hope to break my 14-mile mark.

* In case you didn’t get the joke, the “interruptions” were to parody Kanye West’s spectacle that so many got teed off about (reference).  The statements contained in said interruptions do not constitute my opinion.

Work: My coworkers have been treating me very well, and are happy that I have been picking up steam fast and plugging away at their backlog of work already.  They have many stories, insights, and jokes to share.  I would often stay longer than I initially intended to, although I would do work at the same time for efficiency’s sake.

Social: This is one of the challenges I have been facing.  Most of my coworkers are twice my age, so I had some trouble meeting people people my age for the possibility of hanging out with them.  Once I get up to speed, I will have time to do some community service.

Financial: This is the biggest source of grief right now.  I am currently living paycheck-to-paycheck as I plug away at my student loans and spikes in spending while paying the bills, saving up for my new car and retirement all at the same time.  Per my calculations, I would generally have less than $ 150 per week after I deduct (in order of priority):

1. Income taxes (federal and state)
2. Contributions to 401k
3. Paying back my parents
4. Paying back my student loan
5. Medical insurance, vision insurance, and dental insurance
6. Recurring expenses (rent, utilities, and insurance)
7. Transfers to savings (simulated payments for a car and cell phone bill)

With the help of GNUCash (open-source, also available in Windows) and OpenOffice.org Calc, I am now tracking my expenses accurate to the penny!  For those of you still in college, enjoy it while you still can — once you get out in the real world, you will have a lot more to worry about.

• July 31: 15-hour flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Newark (EWR).  A 6-hour layover turned into an 8-hour layover.  Afterwards, 4-hour flight from EWR to Houston (IAH).
• August 2: Drove to Austin, TX for NIWeek.
• August 6: Drove back to Houston, TX to prepare my move to Marietta, GA.
• August 9: Began drive to Marietta, GA.  Stopped at Meridian, Mississippi.
• August 10: Finished drive to Marietta, GA.

That easily adds up to over 10,000 miles of traveling over the course of not more than two weeks!  It was great to see the solar car again.  It was even nicer to have it get front and center in the exhibition floor!

I arrived in Marietta, GA tired, but still had enough strength left to sign the leasing papers and unload my stuff from my car.  It was only after I stepped into my apartment for the first time that I realized how big 892 sq. ft. is.  My new apartment is easily twice as big as my apartment in Austin, and it costs me only $ 599/mo.  As if I did not do enough for the day, I got some great Internet service from Clear.  I was originally getting Comcast, but I had to wait a couple days because the previous tenants did not disconnect their service (which is bad for them because they probably paid for service they didn’t get).

Clear is a WiMax service available only in a few select areas.  I received information about them in my welcome packet from my landlord.  The sales agent answered most of my questions to my satisfaction, and I had her come to my place to give me a demo.  I started with a speed benchmark on a demo unit rated for 3 Mbps down / 500 Kbps up.  Astonishingly, it provided the as advertised speeds.  SOLD — I got the 6 Mbps down / 500 Kbps up plan for $ 40/mo.  To save myself grief in case I need to move and need to disconnect my service, I chose a month-to-month plan and swallowed all the up-front costs.  As soon as she left, I was able to plug in and immediately start surfing.

What did I do in my two days here?  I spent most of my time putting stuff up, buying essentials, and exploring the city in general.  I start work next Monday.  Please wish me luck.

My parents are in Taiwan now, so I will be babysitting my little brothers for the next week.  It will be very interesting.  We will be going around Hong Kong with family and friends to see various sights and go to Ocean Park.

As of the writing of this entry, it’s been 24 hours since my family and I touched down in Hong Kong.  My strategy of dealing with jet lag has been working so far, although the exhaustion from just sitting in the seat is still getting to me.  In the 15 hours I was in the plane, I listened to my podcasts, watched Back to the Future, plugged away at the backlog of IEEE magazines I had, and (obviously) slept.

We visited family today and will be going to South Korea tomorrow evening.  I’ll update this blog in a week or so.  Until then, enjoy this image:

This was one week ago.  They have since corrected it to say “Class of 2009.”

My senior design team was to create a supervisory program for the solar car, the Samsung Solorean.  Our project managed to get 4th place of 30 projects.  What I noticed is that the projects that provide human interaction are more likely to place up top.

Remember how I have been so afraid of failing solid state?  Well, I got a B in the class, and I graduated!

Yes, I was begging for mercy, like this:

Up to and after the commencement ceremonies, I have been putting in the 70+ hours per week on the solar car team to get the car ready for the Formula Sun Grand Prix 2009.  We took the car to Harris Hill Road (big thanks to the kind folks who run that track, by the way) and ran a couple laps.  While the car ran well at the beginning, things went downhill FAST!  While I was driving the car, the motor locked up, sending me into a skid.  That then blew a tire, sending me doing a 180.  I received some credit for getting the car back under control, but I think most of the credit goes to the car’s mechanical design.

General sentiment had it that we were sunk, but we managed to take the motor apart and found out that one of the bearings were put backwards.  Who knew?  In a matter of two days, the fine team put the motor back together and it was tested working!  WE ARE BACK IN THE RUNNING!!!  This time, we were there on time!

Rumor has it that the folks doing the dynamic testing tend to pick a woman to do the tests.  Well, here’s our woman driver, requiring over 60 pounds of ballast:

These people clearly did not know what was in store for them.  She performed the slalom test and the braking test.  Thanks to her, we did our slalom better than everyone else!

After a few odds and ends, WE GOT INTO THE RACE!!!  Here we are to represent the great state of Texas!

We got 199 laps in the course of three days and placed second to last.  But that’s OK — this is the first time we’ve qualified and completed a race in over 10 years!  What a finish to my undergraduate career!

So, you’re probably wondering, “What’s next?”  I interviewed with Lockheed Martin on Monday at Marietta, GA.  Prospects are looking up, but I have my fingers crossed.  I will try my best to maintain my involvement with the solar car team.