Google Experimental Search

http://www.google.com/experimental/index.html

Keeping track of new features in Google is almost a part time job.  I stumbled onto the Alternate View for search results and thought I should post the Experimental Search page.

A comprehensive overview with examples was posted on Ars Technica

My first week at Unisys, I took an accelerated Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 course. Craig (the awesome Unified Communications Instructor) pointed out you can narrow searches to just Microsoft or Linux topics by appending 'microsoft' or 'linux' to google.com to get an alternate, filtered search view.

http://www.google.com/microsoft

http://www.google.com/linux

Technorati Tags: Google,beta,Microsoft,search

Verizon

Verizon

I was on hold for ~15 minutes regarding my Verizon DSL account. I am changing

Current Services:
Mobile Phones - Verizon Wireless
Home Phones - Verizon, AT&T long distance (two lines)
TV Service - DirecTV with DirecTiVo

Verizon

Verizon

I was on hold for ~15 minutes regarding my Verizon DSL account. I am changing

Current Services:
Mobile Phones - Verizon Wireless
Home Phones - Verizon, AT&T long distance (two lines)
TV Service - DirecTV with DirecTiVo

Verizon

Verizon

I was on hold for ~15 minutes regarding my Verizon DSL account. I am changing

Current Services:
Mobile Phones - Verizon Wireless
Home Phones - Verizon, AT&T long distance (two lines)
TV Service - DirecTV with DirecTiVo

Verizon

Verizon

I was on hold for ~15 minutes regarding my Verizon DSL account. I am changing

Current Services:
Mobile Phones - Verizon Wireless
Home Phones - Verizon, AT&T long distance (two lines)
TV Service - DirecTV with DirecTiVo

Verizon

Verizon

I was on hold for ~15 minutes regarding my Verizon DSL account. I am changing

Current Services:
Mobile Phones - Verizon Wireless
Home Phones - Verizon, AT&T long distance (two lines)
TV Service - DirecTV with DirecTiVo

Verizon

Verizon

I was on hold for ~15 minutes regarding my Verizon DSL account. I am changing

Current Services:
Mobile Phones - Verizon Wireless
Home Phones - Verizon, AT&T long distance (two lines)
TV Service - DirecTV with DirecTiVo

Verizon

Verizon

I was on hold for ~15 minutes regarding my Verizon DSL account. I am changing

Current Services:
Mobile Phones - Verizon Wireless
Home Phones - Verizon, AT&T long distance (two lines)
TV Service - DirecTV with DirecTiVo

Message to Scientology

This is a test of posting from YouTube to my blog.

Debunking the Reagan Myth - New York Times

Debunking the Reagan Myth - New York Times

Very interesting article. I think the myth of Regan is not standing the test of time. I remember how the Republican weenies were tripping over themselves to put his image on some currency (Jackson was falling out of favor). They already named an airport after him (but I still refer to it by it's old name in the hope that people will just give up on it...).

On the other hand, after reading excerpts from his diaries, there are some facets of his personality that I appreciate much more now than when he was alive. My favorite entry is actually a stab at Michael Kinsley, but perhaps, it is an accurate assessment of George W. Bush as well:

"May 17, 1986. A moment I've been dreading. George brought his ne'er-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the political one who lives in Florida. The one who hangs around here all the
time looking shiftless. This so-called kid is already almost 40 and has never had a real job. Maybe I'll call Kinsley over at The New Republic and see if they'll hire him as a contributing editor or something. That looks like easy
work."

Vista SP1 Install

I am in the process of installing Vista SP1 on my HP AMD laptop.  The process is rather tedious, but you run a CMD script which updates your registry.  The update preps your system so you receive up to four hotfixes which are prerequisites for Vista SP1.  I applied two out of three required a restart.  I restarted after the third and my system was able to see the SP1 update when I forced a Windows Update check.

The download was ~300 Meg, and it was 'stuck' at 95% for the better part of an hour. 

After the download, you walk through an SP1 install wizard.  After the update is applied, you restart the system.  It restarts in character mode and applies 66,829 file updates which display on the top of the screen.  The last update is a registry update and the system automatically restarts into graphics mode.

After the restart, it updates the system in three stages, the progress is displayed as the Stage number and the percent complete for the stage.  The last phase took about 30-35 minutes and at this point, the update has taken several hours...

I was one of the many people who experienced the joy of the Vista "unauthorized change" feature and I'm not happy.

I'm not sure what happened, I install *lots* of beta, Microsoft, and third party software on all my systems.  I know what I am doing - aside from an engineering degree, I have been an MCSE since 1996 and MCT since 1998, teaching server and client operating systems.

Currently, my system is still unusable.  I will work on it later today and re-install an operating system if I am unsuccessful in fixing the Vista SP1 upgrade.  I may just choose to upgrade to Windows XP Professional, using an unused license I already own.  I am NOT happy.

Technorati Tags: Vista,SP1,XP,operating systems,Windows,Microsoft

RIAA

RIAA

 

I think the pent up disgust with the RIAA has reached the boiling point.  I don't condone vigilante justice, but the intellectual property 'land grab' by the MPAA, RIAA, and other groups has run roughshod over copyright laws (Bono Act, aka Disney Act), fair use, the Constitution, habeas corpus, and other rights we used to have as citizens of the United States.

At this point, people are fed up and I can only hope that it boils over into a grass roots revolt in the 2008 election.

It is one year and counting until George Bush and Dick Cheney are out of the White House.

Technorati Tags: RIAA,MPAA,fair use

DIY first aid kit for the road - Gadling

Travel Safely: Create your own DIY first aid kit for the road - Gadling

This is an awesome list. I'm posting in full as a permanent reference. I plan to put some kits together and have them as gifts for friends/family and 'thank you' gifts for people that help me out.

The center of the kit is the person's home medications. If somebody is taking regular medication at their house, they should, of course, continue to do so while traveling. An important thing to remember is to bring enough medication for the length of the trip, and spare for those unexpected layovers, cancellations, storms, or finding that perfect spot and staying an extra week. A spare set of eyeglasses and copies of all home medication prescriptions is also a good idea.

This kit is made to be packed into a polycarbonate water bottle, which provides a crush proof and watertight container. You can also drink out of it, too.

1. Tylenol/Paracetamol (pain and fever reduction)
2. Ibuprofen (pain and fever reducer, anti-inflammatory)
3. Antihistamine (allergies, sleep aid)
4. Pseudoephedrine (nasal decongestant, helps with "ear pop" from planes)
5. Loperamide (anti-diarrheal)
6. Multi-tool (Macgyver always had his)
7. Safety pins (quick fix for clothing, making an arm sling, emergency cloth)
8. Sun screen (SPF 15 minimum, small bottle)
9. Bandanna (sling for arm, dust mask,
10. Antiseptic towelettes (cleaning hands and wounds)
11. Electrolyte packets (for replacing loss due to vomiting or diarrhea)
12. Matches (light source, fires)
13. Tweezers (removing ticks, thorns, cactus, sea urchins, etc)
14. Mole skin (blisters on the feet)
15. Band aids (minor cuts and scrapes)
16. Gauze roll (minor cuts and scrapes)
17. Antibiotic ointment (minor cuts and scrapes)
18. Portable flashlight (looking into mouths, dark rooms)
19. Thermometer (is that really a fever, how high)
20. Latex gloves (protect yourself first)
21. 4 x 4 gauze pads (minor cuts and scrapes)
22. Hand sanitizer (dirty hands mean infected cuts)

Technorati Tags: household,travel,safety,auto

vonnegut.jpg (JPEG Image, 468x614 pixels)

vonnegut.jpg (JPEG Image, 468x614 pixels)

I have always admired Kurt Vonnegut and this is something you expect to hear him say. He was always a contrarian and I regret never having the opportunity to have met him or to hear him speak in person.

Melinda Gates goes public - Jan. 7, 2008

Melinda Gates goes public - Jan. 7, 2008

This is a very good article about Melinda Gates. It paints a pretty even picture of how they have setup and run the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. I did work for a non-profit they helped fund in the late 1990's and I was impressed with how focused they were and how effective the projects are.

In the past, the US government initiated projects to eliminate polio and some childhood diseases. These projects were highly successful. However, in the current climate, our government sees fit to spend countless dollars the war in Iraq.



It disturbs me that it makes so much sense for someone like Bill and Melinda Gates to step into the gap, identify projects like malaria prevention, and bring appropriate resources to bear. I hope they are successful, and I think they are headed in the right direction

Photographer Taryn Simon Shoots America's Best-Kept Secrets

Photographer Taryn Simon Shoots America's Best-Kept Secrets

This article includes some very interesting series of photos, but the Transatlantic Submarine Cable is my favorite. So simple, yet it impacts so many. I like the simple cage around the cable. Physical security keeps weird people away from the cable, the braces keep people from bumping into it...

Transatlantic Submarine Cables Reaching Land

These submarine telecommunication cables extend more than 8,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean before reaching this endpoint in Avon, New Jersey. They transmit as many as 60 million simultaneous conversations. "There's a humor because the cables are so important, yet they look so unguarded and unimportant," Simon said.

RSS Web 2.0 Suite for Individuals - NewsGator

RSS Web 2.0 Suite for Individuals - NewsGator

I paid for FeedDemon and I use the mobile client as well. It's a great product and I am lost without it, but the thing that is not pointed out in the press releases is that Newsgator has a great subscription model. You also have to consider the Newsgator applications (FeedDemon, etc) as part of a larger system.

You subscribe to Newsgator, this central subscription on the Newsgator server. Client software can then be installed on laptop, desktop, mobile clients and your view of the central subscription can be managed depending on your client needs. With your subscription, your client (mobile, web, and Feeddemon) will synch with the central server, so if you read a bunch of feeds at work, flagged some for follow-up or saved them to a Clippings folder, when you log in at home, they are already marked as read, or flagged into your Clippings folder.

For me, this is well worth the subscription, not only from a time savings, which is huge in my case, but because review of the Clippings let's me rapidly review lots of feeds and distill and manage the good stuff.

Feedstation is another application that is linked to Feeddemon. It can be configured to automatically download multimedia content of RSS feeds (typically, but not limited to audio podcasts) onto my primary workstation where I sync it with my Zune (I know your a Mac guy, but I *really* like the Zune with 2.3 rev firmware - I can synch podcasts wirelessly and have FM radio for working out on my bicycle trainer (Christmas gift to Dad) at home).

Technorati Tags: RSS,synchronization,tools

Microsoft and ITIL v3

This paper describes how Microsoft supports and extends the service life-cycle approach of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL).

Microsoft and ITIL v3
Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:53:20 GMT

Windows Server 2008 Developer Training Kit (Beta 3)

The Windows Server 2008 Developer Training Kit includes a set of hands-on-labs and presentations for technologies such as IIS7, Management, WCF, WF, Windows CardSpace, Windows PowerShell, Virtualization and the Transactional File System (TxF).

Windows Server 2008 Developer Training Kit (Beta 3)
Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:09:30 GMT

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MicrosoftDownloadCenter/~3/182443714/details.aspx

The World Question Center 2008

The World Question Center 2008

Each year, the Edge has an annual question. This year the question was:

When thinking changes your mind, that's philosophy.
When God changes your mind, that's faith.
When facts change your mind, that's science.

Science is based on evidence. What happens when the data change? How have scientific findings or arguments changed your mind?"

They post answers from a series of contributors as well as other sources (including Slashdot and anonymous contributions). I haven't completed the entire list, but I found several observations enlightening, including Stewart Brand, whose Whole Earth Catalog fascinated me in high school.

In 2007 there were several events that helped me take a fresh look at my life and a new focus on actively participating in life rather than reacting to things that happen.

In 2008, I am trying to take a more critical view of my life, filtering through the 'normal' things and getting rid of bad habits, while trying to adopt new ones.

The Edge World Question Center is a good example. I have subscribed to 'The Edge' newsletter for one year (which I confirmed using the marvelous GMail search capability). I probably read through the newsletter three or four times all year. In 2008, I want to spend a minimum of two hours a week on enrichment, which will include The Edge.

High Achiever, Gifted Learner, CreativeThinker

High Achiever, Gifted Learner, CreativeThinker

Interesting article. I have seen many parents get upset when their child is not placed in a gifted class. I think everyone learns differently, and although grades are important, we believe the better approach is to work with the kids until they really understand the material and the grades will come.

It was only after I completed college (ten years total) and after I taught my first Microsoft class (Windows 95, and it was a disaster...) that I revisited the entire process of learning material so I understood at a systemic level. Only after I had this level of understanding, was I able to teach others effectively.

We have three daughters, each of whom learn in a very different fashion. I think learning is also evolutionary and as individuals mature, the way they learn can, and should, change.

Ken Miller Evolution Lecture at Case Western

Dr. Miller is a professor at Brown University, and his position on evolution is very similar to mine - belief in God and evolution are not mutually exclusive.

Ken Miller's lecture on Intelligent Design at Case Western University. Ken Miller rips Intelligent Design apart in a 2 hour long exposé of the claims of intelligent design and the tactics that creationists employ to get it shoehorned into the American school system.

Dr. Miller is an excellent speaker and I think the YouTube video methodically addresses each issue brought up by the Intelligent Design (creationism) proponents and puts them to rest.  In particular, I was not aware of the fused chromosome discovery which addresses the chromosome count difference between homo sapiens and primates.

From a personal standpoint, I also liked the fact that he discusses Michael Behe, a professor at Lehigh University, and one of the biggest proponents of Intelligent Design.  During the Dover, PA ID trial, which Dr. Miller attended, Behe, under oath, stated that astrology and other pseudo-scientific beliefs should be included in science curriculums. 

I think Lehigh University is a good school, however, the fact that they continue to allow Behe to teach is a disservice to students and the rest of the Lehigh faculty.  After learning that Behe was a member of the Lehigh faculty, I would not allow my daughter to consider Lehigh.  I do not recommend any student of science or technology consider Lehigh until they banish him from the school.

Technorati Tags: evolution,science,religion,creationism