You have almost certainly enjoyed the “hospitality” of an airline as you waited… and waited… and waited for a delayed flight. Maybe you were on the plane, wishing that you could get off and sit somewhere more comfortable. Maybe you were in the airport, wishing that you a) had news of the plane’s whereabouts and […]
Archives for May 2008
Congratulations, Kevin!
Yup, I’m a proud papa. Kevin Zemon graduated yesterday from Ft. Zumwalt North High School, O’Fallon, MO.
Math Music Video: I Will Derive
This is so special that I simply have to inflict it on share it with you. Please enjoy I Will Derive.
American Airlines Gets a Clue
For a change, American Airlines is making a good business decision. Instead of whining about how it cannot run profitably, it is doing something about its bottom line: raising its prices. There has been lots of news coverage about the $15 fee which American Airlines is charging for the first piece of checked luggage. Good […]
Yes, Linux is “Ready for the Desktop”
It’s nice to read that Jeremy LaCroix at Linux.com agrees with me, though our phraseology differs a bit. Quite a few reviews of new Linux releases these days try to determine if a distribution is “ready for the desktop.” I myself have probably been guilty of using that phrase, but I think it’s time we […]
Assuming
Technology is challenging enough when we really know what is going on. The situation deteriorates rapidly as we progress through only thinking we know what is going on to being completely clueless. My step-mother just started using a computer, the first computer that has been solely hers, the first one where she can do whatever […]
Linux is Ready for Prime-Time
Is Linux ready to replace Microsoft Windows? You have almost certainly heard the question and you have probably wondered about it. You might even have tried Linux yourself and given some serious thought to switching. Most people avoid switching, though, not because they particularly care about the operating system but because switching would force them […]
Cheerful Curmudgeon Turns 3
Three years ago today, I posted my first entry on this blog. Join me in celebrating by splurging on a piece of birthday cake.
Risk Analysis: NOT!
I just read a letter to the editor in my local newspaper. It begins, Are you kidding me? Jefferson Middle School says that no kids can bring peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch because there are kids with peanut allergies? Peanut butter is dangerous to the 1.3% of Americans who have peanut allergies. We […]
Shut Up and Let Me Drive
We all know that distractions make driving significantly more difficult and dangerous. Cell phones top the list, at least from lawmakers’ perspectives, and we now have laws in several states which limit cell phone use while driving. Sadly, lawmakers have not found a way to make children stop bugging their parents during car trips. “She’s […]
High Tech Windsock
Now I’ll readily admit that I’m no expert in windsocks. I’ve seen my share but never paid ’em much mind. I’ve certainly never delved into the technology which makes ’em work. Obviously, I have ignored somethin’ which ought not be ignored. I just read this NOTAM: Trenton NJ (Trenton Mercer) [TTN]: May NOTAM #5 Aerodrome […]
Moving Beyond TV
Thanks to Jeremy Zawodny for drawing my attention to Clay Shirky’s talk on the cognitive surplus. Shirky makes some excellent points. Give it 17 minutes of your time and watch. My comments follow. I agree with Shirky, we like to do more than we like to watch. That’s why it was so funny when Peter […]
