Flash and being fed up

So since the Iranian election, more of the sites I go to have embedded youtube videos all over the place. It got to the point that when loading my dailies my computer would basically lock up.

A quick install of flashblock, and the web is usable again. I can selectively turn the flash on when I want to see the videos. Nice side effect of blocking stupid flash ads. Also, everything is much quicker to load.

I might look into some selective javascript disabling too, that is also starting to get annoying. I am very interested in this html5 idea.

Programming as a second language

I am starting to think that we need to add or replace 1-2 classes in high school with some sort of programming language elective. Just as people take Spanish or French as a second language, we should encourage people to take programming as a second language. Not getting into the debate about which language, programming is starting to become essential for most workers. I am not talking about developing some huge software product, but even little things like adding some scripting to making a grocery list or some other common task.

Things not to say outloud and surfing

For the record, if you say you are "hacking the good hack" when someone asks you what you are doing on Saturday, they won't know what you mean.

I went surfing for the first time today. My first wave was the best but I never stood up. Caught about 4-5 waves, so not really that many.

I am going to try surfing tomorrow, my roommate's husband stores his board in the garage and says I can use it anytime (and he lives out of town, so I might go during the week).

Pretty tired, I need to start biking to the beach, running, then swimming. To be in shape for random things like surfing. I've only been running and doing pushups.

I gota figure out how many times I am going surfing, if its over ten over the summer, a wet suit might be a good investment. Then I can also swim in freaking cold lakes or go down the Chattahoochee without freezing.

San Francisco Photo Dump and Trip log

I went to San Francisco last weekend and had a pretty good time. Sara came into SF because she had a conference this week in Carmel by the Sea. Worked out well with the public transportation to get to and from the airport. Once we got to the hotel we pretty much walked everywhere.

Friday:
Walked around Fisherman's Wharf. Most of the pictures come from Friday. We met up with Josh and Jenn and walked around some more. We saw the sea lions and then were off to a Italian restuarant for dinner (I think Italian Neighborhoods? Its at 270 Columbus at any rate (I think!)). The place was awesome (food wise) though some group of people got seated before us for some reason. Next stop, (Josh and Jenn)'s apartment for cake and catching up.

Sat:
We rode bikes from Fisherman's Wharf to the Gold Gate Bridge. We stopped on the other side and took pictures of the city, although I don't know if I have any. It was about 3 hours or so. Then some more walking around, some ice cream at Ghiradelli's. The chocolate was good, but I need some more taste testing before I call it awesome. It was smooth, but I have had other smooth chocolates before. Sometimes I like the gritty nature of chocolate, so I suppose it depends. Then we got ready for dinner and ate at this tapas place, Bocadillos. Then a quick trip to Rogue Ales Public House for a beer and talking.

Sun:
Cable car to Union Square and then we walked through Chinatown to a place near Josh's with philly cheesesteaks. We walked back to the Lombard St switchbacks and climbed the hill with the 27 degree slope (indeedy, it sucks). Neat place, although I don't really get the draw of a poor design. Next, a quick bay tour from the Wharf to out and under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz. That was about it, then I was off to the airport.


I am sure I forgot stuff so, sorry to any involved.

Sealions


Landscape from the Golden Gate Bridge



Landscape from the Golden Gate Bridge


The Golden Gate Bridge


From the Golden Gate Bridge


From the Golden Gate Bridge


A container ship


Cake!


Alcatraz

ProjectTime Teaser

Completely code generated for 2009 (works for every _future_ year [Andy, don't ask about 1582, cuz that one doesn't work]). Looks sort of like a compact calendar(very much so) , I think that making the month names horizontal looks better so I think I am going to chance that. Emma's original also included horizontal months, I dunno why I thought vertical would work.


My code is horrendous. I am going to refactor it, I hope. Its available on the svn, if you want to access it just ask me. I'd wait for the refactor if I was you.

It seemed to antialias it, I don't know why, I'll turn that off. Also, the month names go outside of their rectangles.

Pilot: A Step toward Man-Computer Symbiosis

So I have begun to read this thesis by Warren Teitelman entitled "Pilot: A Step toward Man-Computer Symbiosis".

I am just starting it, but this paragraph about synergetic systems was begging for a blog quote. (pay attention to the last sentence)

The most important point about the systems described above, a point which also applies to PILOT, is not so much that they are symbiotic, i.e., cooperative, as that they are synergetic. Synergism is the cooperative action of discrete agencies such that the total effect is greater than the sum of the two effects taken independently. An example of this is the action of penicillin and streptomycin when taken together. The extreme potentcy of the combination of tranquilizers and alcohol presents another, more familiar example.

emphasis in the original.

ha! re-read that last sentence again!

MIT must have been a fun/interesting place in the 60's!

Its not a familiar combination to me, is it to any of my readers?