This is a rebuttal. I am joining with a legion of others, anonymous but public in our actions. We do not agree with the premise that bloggers are akin to terrorists. In this post 9/11 age, such labels are not on our wish lists. You have done each of us harm, through your opinion based on supposition. This is a rebuttal.
posted in media | Comments Off on Read and then comment | 337 words
I’ve checked, and as long as I have any of the following available, I’m all set. Here’s my list for today: panorama, outlook, scene, landscape, seascape, view.
posted in computing | Comments Off on At least there are synonyms available for free | 222 words
One of the marvels of the modern desktop is the view from Google Earth. Forget the glimpse of your city from an airplane window, or a passing passenger train (not likely). Imagine things from a different perspective; from high above, higher than an eagle’s soaring eye. But just as sharp, unless the pixel pixies are busy.
posted in media | Comments Off on View from on high | 243 words
This afternoon, the good people at PBS presented a documentary on one of my favourite pastimes, genealogy. I’m a believer; the jigsaw puzzle has nothing on the ancestor game. It appears that many other people feel the same way.
Did you ever want an ASR 33? Come on, every geek who is old enough dreamed of having one of those, complete with a homebrew interface and the oil spot on the floor. I almost had one, once; it was stored in someone’s garage and I wasn’t strong enough to carry it all the way home. Shortly afterward, I saw my first “glass terminal”, and my life changed forever.
posted in computing | Comments Off on A procession of glass terminals | 342 words
The whole process of choosing those who will represent us is one that fascinates me. If we aren’t in an election campaign, somewhere, we’re wishing we were. The warnings that two concurrent sets of “educating the people” will leave them confused is warning enough.
posted in politics | Comments Off on Want an election fever | 235 words
Sir, why are there icicles stuck to your cheeks? Well, that’s because when it gets cold and I cry it freezes on the way down. I’m not really a snowman, in spite of appearances. Winter is here again, and even though the thermometer says it is only -27C I know it’s much colder; the weather channel told me so.
posted in Wx | Comments Off on How cold is that in real degrees | 252 words
The evolution from simple mechanical devices to “intelligent” appliances has a side effect; technical stress. When the toaster was a stick with a piece of bread riding on one end, the only risk was from fire. Now, when our toaster ovens with a set of programmable grill heights and a choice of glow levels can burn the crust, or the centre or a random combination, we’re in a whole new zone.
posted in computing | Comments Off on Stressful maintenance | 295 words
Benjamin Franklin is credited with the phrase “A penny saved is a penny earned”. Well, today I have done well. A master shopper. Let me take a bow, I’ve earned the right.
posted in economy, environment | Comments Off on Saved penny is earned penny | 286 words
Recently the local newspaper did a historical review of its corporate origins and growth. What made me pause was a table showing the growth in population over the last century. The province of Quebec has grown from 1.5 million to just over 7 million in one hundred years. The city of the same name has grown from 150,000 to just over 700,000 in the same time period. Very balanced numbers. They certainly poke a hole in the myth that the country mouse has become the city mouse.
posted in environment | Comments Off on Increasing populations | 295 words
