October 2006 Archives

I mentioned earlier that I recently retired the Treo600, in favor for the unlocked GSM Treo 650.
Yes, I abandoned the North American ubiquitous CDMA cell. I never again want to be forced to use my smart phone as an expensive door stop when traveling overseas.

While I really liked the 600, the absence of native bluetooth was really annoying. The workarounds (plug adapters) were ineffective at best. The 600 VGA camera was also pretty poor. The new 650 addresses these defficiences quite nicely, I can also make short movie clips w/sound. One aspect that I've not yet solved is Bluetooth A2DP profile setup. It appears that the 650 only supports Bluetooth 1.1.

My desire is to use my Bluetake wireless headsets, but they will only work natively with Bluetooth 1.2 or a software patched Bluetooth 1.1 system. I'll simply do a bit more research and find a cheap or free solution ;)

Another aspect that I've not tried is the streaming audio from my favorite internet radio stations (ie Big-Up Radio, WKUT We Funk Radio, etc). I never had much success of using the Sprint 3G network to stream the audio on the fly without annoying buffering every 30s. I certainly don't blame the Treo 600 for these shortcomings. Hopefully the Cingular network will be much improved.

So to recap (and I'm sure that I will add more later):

• Native Bluetooth
• Improved VGA camera
• Better QWERTY keyboard
• Ability to create short movie clips
• GPRS/GSM Network

Why did I ever wait so long??

• Choosing a desktop Linux distro
  Some fundamental questions one should ask before taking the plunge
  (tags: desktop Linux)
• Linux Distribution Chooser [© 2005-06 - zegenie Studios]
  Linux Distribution Chooser - gets rid of the guess work for newbies
  (tags: linux howto distro web2.0 opensource reference)

• GNULinuxupdatedw4.0.jpg (JPEG Image, 1024x849 pixels)
  Decent mind map of that gives a macro view of the various Linux distros and their attributes. They probably used my favoirte 'vym' application too ;)
  (tags: desktop Linux opensource distro reference)

Enjoyed a very intense seminar, which certainly vastly improved from our previous program. What I have observed in recent seminars is a greater emphasis on developing our Gups (junior practioners, non-black belts), and rightly so, as these junior members represent the vitality of our organization. Nonetheless, the seminars are an opportunity for _everyone_ to learn, teach and polish their techniques. So, if you're a Dan member and you spend a great deal of time sitting on the hard concrete floor, that isn't much fun.

• Virtual Threads: Understanding memory usage on Linux
  Very comprehensive view of the very difficult beast that is memory management
  (tags: linux memory howto desktop sysadmin)

• Buffer Overflow for NVidia proprietary blob graphics driver
  Simply revert to nv module in any distro to avoid the threat
  (tags: opensource security Linux)
• Transmeta sues Intel for patent infringement
  In some morbid way, I am empathetic towards Transmeta. Could be the money I lost on their IPO?
  (tags: cpu transmeta intel investing patent)

Anybody flickr users out there? I've outgrown my gratis flickr repository. Is there a kind soul who wishes to sponsor me for a Pro account? I've got more pics to share but the gratis account is capped at 200 photos.

BTW: I'm in Ky for another day(the Louisville one). Got a couple pics to share from my recent trips.

Perhaps the most comprehensive assessment of what may have gone wrong, and caused the accident on the Upper East Side. What astounds me is that non-commercial air traffic is still permissible in densely populated metropolitan areas.

Cirrus SR20 Crash in Manhattan

I've not talked much about my training. This is probably due to the fact that I'm down to working out once a week. No, I'm not proud of it, but I simply cannot manage to get more hours under my belt.
Yeah, I know it is an excuse. Anyway, we have another seminar coming up next week. I will certainly attend.

There have been some important develepments that should not be overlooked. It seems that our school president was presented with a cease and desist letter. More specifically, our school will never again be able to use the Moo Duk Kwan logo. The insignia has been something of a brand for at least forty years. However, the son of the late Grandmaster Hwang Kee, has forbid anyone from using the fist and wreath. Politics in its highest form for sure.

Though, I have the greatest respect for the late GMST Hwang Kee, and the traditional Soo Bahk Do organization, their decision to sue was quite puzzling indeed. Our school has demonstrated virtue and pursuit of excellence for a number of years. It would appear that the trademark squabble could have been avoided if the leadership within both camps were permitted to dicuss the matter without the aid of lawyers. Perhaps I am overly optimistic.

Onto brighter news. We may have some teenagers testing for 1st Dan next weekend. Though, I've never been very keen on allowing kids to test for blackbelt, it is a pleasure to watch their progress. I believe that both will need step it up a notch in order to truly be prepared. Not certain that they are both sufficiently fatigued ;)

• Optimal Use of Fonts on Linux
  Comprehensive guide to installing fonts on any Linux box. First in a forthcoming series.
  (tags: linux fonts howto tutorial documentation)
• Unicode Font Guide For Free/Libre Open Source Operating Systems
  More FOSS fonts
  (tags: fonts unicode linux opensource)
• Charis SIL Font Home
  Exotic fonts
  (tags: fonts free)
• Jeff McCoy | Fonts
  Installing fonts on Slackware based Linux distro
  (tags: fonts linux slackware)
• Enabling antialiased fonts in Slackware 9.0
  I used this guide to setup fonts on my Slack box.
  (tags: slackware Linux fonts howto)
• 'You've got to find what you love,' Jobs says
  Jobs take on the importance of fonts.. He also shares something in common with me.. Interesting article.
  (tags: stevejobs inspiration)

• JotSpot: enterprise and personal wiki hosting and free wiki software trial. Get a hosted wiki or download wiki software.
  So simple wiki generator, probably easier than 'pbwiki'..
  (tags: collaboration software web2.0)

Anybody notice the AJAX add-ons within Bloglines.. Pretty slick, gives you real-time updates to your various news feed categories.. Last.fm, much album art.. Nuff said.
New podcast forthcoming...

• You-Tube acquisition increases Google's risk of copyright infringement
  Google's latest acquisition is sure to raise the stakes in the copyright dispute
  (tags: google you-tube media web2.0)
• Device Profile: Box Populi Podcast in a Box
  Again Linux has found yet another place in the embedded systems space
  (tags: hardware linux podcasts tools)

Very interesting take on the state of affairs as it pertains to access in the upswell which is web2.0. Actually, I had been thinking about responding to the article for quite awhile, but I've simply been to preoccupied with other matters.

To answer the God Viperteq.. I think we already have some very talented African-American developers and some even have VC loot and angel backing.

The problem is we don't do anything collectively, so it is very difficult to make any true progress. I'm more inclined to believe that if we pooled our resources and tapped the genius among us, we would recognize that it really is not necessary to seek inclusion in the White Boy Club. Methinks the next great idea is within your grasp, my grasp, our grasp. Rather than talking about it, let's manifest it with our own creative zeal.

Indeed, it may not be as simple as having an idea, but I am confident that there is genius among us.

If you don't know who, why not you, why not me, why not we?
Let's talk about it.

7 And A Crescent » Blog Archive » The Web 2.0 White Boy Club

• Google hack: Use Gmail as a Linux filesystem
  Using some Python goodness, extend the useability of gmail
  (tags: Linux google)
• Linux.com | Hail the Konqueror
  Excellent filemanager, integrates well with kio supported protocols (ie fish, smb, etc).. Not a bad web browser either.
  (tags: konqueror kde linux)
• 3D Xgl Compiz Eye Candy for Ubuntu/Kubuntu Dapper and NVidia | Linux Journal
  I might actually play with this stuff after upgrading to 64Bit platform
  (tags: desktop linux xgl opengl opensource tutorial)

• Syncing the Treo 650 with Bluetooth | Linux Journal
  Very timely article.. Loving my Treo upgrade.
  (tags: Linux mobile palm treo650 Bluetooth)

And there was only one NY team standing in the MLB post season. After learning of the injury to Pedro Martinez, I would have expected the Mets to get bounced and _not_ my beloved Bombers.

Well another early exit, and what makes matters worse, I'm stuck in the middle of snickering whisker laden, downtrodden Detroit headz. Hell, were it not for their Pistons, the locals wouldn't have much to discuss. The local economy is another story.. I suppose it could be worse. My hat is tipped to the Tiggers.

Most people will point to the large Yankee payroll and all star 'murderous row' lineup, but the truth is the Yanks have been rebuilding quietly since 2001. Unfortunately, it is very difficult (and ill advised aka Pavano) to buy good pitching. So you have to gradually cultivate the farm system. Help is on the way, Phil Hughes is an excellent prospect; however, we will absolutely need more than two quality pitchers.

There really is no quick fix for an aging pitching staff. The offense will eventually click in the post season. I have no idea when this will occur, but I'm sure it will happen this decade. In fairness to the squad, it is close to impossible to have plate discipline when you're already down by four runs in the 3rd inning.

Changes are sure to come. I don't expect to see Sheffield back next season. Perhaps Randy Johnson or Mussina will also be sent packing in favor of some of the younger talented pitchers from the farm system.

Bonus Coverage:
Yesnetwork Steve Goldman:Epitaph, Game Over, Series Over, Season Over

Postgame:Bernie Williams || Derek Jeter || Jorge Posada || Joe Torre || A-Rod || Sport's Desk

Update: Sources indicate that Joe Torre will staybe fired on and manage through 2007 and replaced by Lou Pinella

Making the switch from Sprint to Cingular.. Well, I thought it would be a painless process.
Damn was I wrong. My new Treo650 smartphone is GSM/GPRS goodness, so I decided to use Cingular, as they are largest GSM carrier in the US. The only problem was that I was under contract with Sprint until 4th Qtr 07. Breaking your contract with Sprint means shelling out $150.

Not an option. So I opted to create a new Cingular # and maintain the Sprint account until its expiration. Unfortunately, the Cingular mishandled two critical aspects of the transaction:

1) Improper SIM Card
2) Transferred old Sprint number, thus nullifying Sprint account

I wouldn't have been too miffed with #2, had the SIM card been allocated correctly. For those who are unfamiliar, GSM phones will not work as designed (ie no outgoing/incoming calls, phonebook, bluetooth database, etc) without an active SIM. Basically, makes the device useless.

My expectation is that I'll have all of this corrected in a couple hours.. So if you need to get at me, drop an email or IM.

Update: Cingular has agreed to credit my account with the difference of the Sprint contract cancellation penalty. I'm still going to go after Sprint to resolve the matter.

• BBC NEWS | Technology | Engine on a chip drives laptops
  Interesting MEMS implementation for notebook computers
  (tags: engineering technology energy mobile)
• Rivals charge Microsoft wants to "hamstring" them | Reuters.ca
  The anti-virus industry was fostered and nutured by M$.. Now it looks as though they're eating their young ;)
  (tags: security)

Well after contacting Sprint it seems that I misunderstood their text package. I suppose it wouldn't be the first time that I've gone after a vendor for mistreatment.

As it turns out the new handling of SMS text msgs only applies to customers who do not have an existing text package. How I got a text messaging package escapes me b/c I never asked for one ;)

I imagine that Sprint looks at the age of your account and also the account behavior, then makes a judgment call to determines how to bill the account. Seems weird to me, but I'm not complaining since text msgs will forever be free for me, provided I stay with Sprint/Nextel. Actually, I would be happy to stay with Sprint as I've been a pseudo-loyal customer since 2001. Nonetheless, they decided to abandon the GSM/GPRS spectrum and solely use CDMA (like many of the North American carriers), so my existing phone is a very sophisticated paper weight in Europe and other areas overseas..

Speaking of smart phones, I will soon retire my trusty Treo600. I'll be upgrading to an unlocked Treo650 (w/all the GSM/GPRS and native Bluetooth goodness).. More later.

I'm always fascinated by the goodness that manifests from mimicing nature. We've been able to model the extreme strength of spider silk; in fact assembly line manufacturing could be linked to the workers in an ant colony or the drones in a bee hive.

Now some smart people have modeled the adhesive properties of the Gecko (not the Progressive one). Nature is absolutely amazing. I wonder if we'll ever be able to model the color changing behavior of the chameleon?
What would we do without engineers :)

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Geckos inspire 'super-adhesive'

Interesting article regarding the idea that Metcalfe's Law doesn't directly correlate Web2.0 and social networks phenomenon. For those that are not familiar, Bob Metcalfe, author of Metcalfe's Law, and inventer of Ethernet. What I find interesing is that typically people will always attempt to find fault with algorithms well after the mathematician or engineer has long passed.

I haven't seen many theories openly challenged while the author is still among the living. At its premise Metcalfe's Law is the idea that the utility of a network increases as the square of its users. In simple terms, the more people use a particular network, the greater the value of the particular network.

How is this relevent? Good question.. To take the point a step further, Metcalfe's Law was primarily associated with telephone networks. During the glory days of the switching networks, calling exchanges and operator assisted bridging networks, people recognized that as call volumes increased, the value of that switched network increased. Subsequently, Bell could begin charging more for services running out on that copper wire(ie Long distance, call waiting, *69, etc).