Today at lunch I was watching Monsterquest on History Channel. The episode, Hillbilly Beast. Location, Western Kentucky.
Seriously, "hillbilly"?
I'd really like to find one of those History Channel execs, kick him in the butt with my bare food, smack him upside the head with my moonshine jug, and crash his SUV down in the holler.
Just sayin'.
Also, does anyone else suspect that these Monsterquest fellers are packing some heavy artillery that never makes it on the screen? "Oh, we're hunting some big Sasquatchy-type beasty, and all we've got are the recorders, low-light cameras and Jim, our trusty driver." Right. And 5 WarPact surplus AK-47s and about 1000 rounds of ammo. But those you don't see.
Just sayin'.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
24 Things
Good luck to the survivors. I'm out.
When it becomes more work than fun, the rewards aren't worth the time invested for me.
When it becomes more work than fun, the rewards aren't worth the time invested for me.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Photo of the...however often I feel like doing it
This has to be my favorite traffic accident photo out of Faces and Places:
Now that's a driver having a bad day.
Now that's a driver having a bad day.
Monday, March 1, 2010
WolframAlpha
It was a fun, cute website when it was showed me to a couple months back and some fun was had by all. It's cute, but usually too difficult to find source material or citations. In that case, it might as well be Wikipedia.
It was interesting to see that the Barbi twins share a birthday with me.
It's cute that the 'anniversary' citations are set for the date you search. Hence, Alec Guinness was 54 when I was born.
It was interesting to see that the Barbi twins share a birthday with me.
It's cute that the 'anniversary' citations are set for the date you search. Hence, Alec Guinness was 54 when I was born.
Search engines - Google features
Some of these features look useful and provide decent answers when tested, but one thing the exercise doesn't mention is where to find these features.
Some of them seem to be under Google, more google products, but not all.
I'm not sure how useful they'll be for me in general, as I suspect I won't remember they're there when I need them, and will do a general Google search, which should return them anyway.
So, useful, just not so convenient for me.
Some of them seem to be under Google, more google products, but not all.
I'm not sure how useful they'll be for me in general, as I suspect I won't remember they're there when I need them, and will do a general Google search, which should return them anyway.
So, useful, just not so convenient for me.
Search engines - Google
I did not know that Google had a script for just typing in a money conversion and having it come up. I wish I'd known that sooner. I do a fair amount of internet ordering from overseas and I am frequently looking up currency conversion sites. If I'd known Google could do it from the search line, that would have saved me some time and steps.
I also didn't know that Yahoo would let you send an email from the search box, just by typing in the email address. (I assume you have to be logged into Yahoo first, which limits the "steps-savings", but it's still interesting.)
I also didn't know that Yahoo would let you send an email from the search box, just by typing in the email address. (I assume you have to be logged into Yahoo first, which limits the "steps-savings", but it's still interesting.)
Search engines - Blindsearch
Well now, that was interesting. I did a search on "Mexican War" and was pleasantly surprised that all of the results concerned the conflict back in 1846-48, rather than modern drug control conflict, which one gets a lot.
One think that did annoy me right off, though, was that the left-hand column of the results was cut off. It looks like about 4-5 characters on the left didn't show. Crippling, no. Annoying, yes. I got over it.
I was quite surprised by the results. As of recent I have been having more success with Bing as a search engine. This time, however, the column I chose turned out to be Google. It had the largest number of relevant results, in the order that I would use them.
Yahoo's answers were wacky and off the wall, and indicative of why I don't use Yahoo except as a last resort.
Just for fun, I ran some more searches, and very quickly could pick out which engine was which. (Hint - Google is fond of Wikipedia and Yahoo is fond of more obscure sites.)
Interesting assignment.
One think that did annoy me right off, though, was that the left-hand column of the results was cut off. It looks like about 4-5 characters on the left didn't show. Crippling, no. Annoying, yes. I got over it.
I was quite surprised by the results. As of recent I have been having more success with Bing as a search engine. This time, however, the column I chose turned out to be Google. It had the largest number of relevant results, in the order that I would use them.
Yahoo's answers were wacky and off the wall, and indicative of why I don't use Yahoo except as a last resort.
Just for fun, I ran some more searches, and very quickly could pick out which engine was which. (Hint - Google is fond of Wikipedia and Yahoo is fond of more obscure sites.)
Interesting assignment.
Monday, February 22, 2010
photo editing
Having online editors can be useful, I suppose. There would might be situations where you'd need or want one. To that end, I compared Pixlr and Picnik.
Some thoughts on Pixlr - since saying "it sucked" would be rude and counterproductive, I'll go with "If I wanted something that complex and hard to work with, I'd go with GIMP." The controls were difficult to use, the response time was poor and the thing locked up IE twice. None of those are things to recommend a picture editor to me. Your mileage may vary.
On the other hand, Picnik was simple and easy to use. And I mean simple. There were fewer options there than I'd ever seen in a photo editor. However, for my purposes that is not a bad thing. It did what I wanted it to do easily and quickly. It also undid things just as easily and quickly.
Unaltered image
Picnik altered image (more deserty)
No image from Pixlr because I found it just too damned hard to manage.
Not a dramatic change, but I messed with for as long as I was comfortable spending on this project. Picnik could do some things that worked for me. Will I use it again? Probably not. The software I have access to on my computers does what I need it to do (and does everything Picnik and Pixlr can do).
Oh, I realized I didn't address the social media sharing aspect. Honestly, I didn't look as I have no intention of using the online editors. And if I did I'd save the image to my pc and load it that way. Sorry.
Some thoughts on Pixlr - since saying "it sucked" would be rude and counterproductive, I'll go with "If I wanted something that complex and hard to work with, I'd go with GIMP." The controls were difficult to use, the response time was poor and the thing locked up IE twice. None of those are things to recommend a picture editor to me. Your mileage may vary.
On the other hand, Picnik was simple and easy to use. And I mean simple. There were fewer options there than I'd ever seen in a photo editor. However, for my purposes that is not a bad thing. It did what I wanted it to do easily and quickly. It also undid things just as easily and quickly.
Unaltered image
Picnik altered image (more deserty)
No image from Pixlr because I found it just too damned hard to manage.
Not a dramatic change, but I messed with for as long as I was comfortable spending on this project. Picnik could do some things that worked for me. Will I use it again? Probably not. The software I have access to on my computers does what I need it to do (and does everything Picnik and Pixlr can do).
Oh, I realized I didn't address the social media sharing aspect. Honestly, I didn't look as I have no intention of using the online editors. And if I did I'd save the image to my pc and load it that way. Sorry.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
24 Things - Digital Music
Well, that was a tad interesting.
A larger number of videos on You Tube than I would have expected. Searching Gary Allan and Sawyer Brown turned up a number of their videos, which played pretty seamlessly. Standard You Tube.
Creating an account on Last.fm (and I so love coming up with yet another password) was simple and fast. Interestingly, I created a Gary Allan channel that didn't play Gary Allan. I like the other artists they recommended, but I would have thought they would at least start with the artist that was selected for the channel. That wasn't the case no matter how many times I restarted the channel. I don't suspect I'll be returning to Last.fm, though I'll keep it on a back burner in case I get stuck for something to listen to.
I suspect that I'll stick with my streaming local radio stations. That is a change from years ago. It's handy to have local stations that stream online since my basement office stands no chance of receiving the actual radio broadcasts. This is the music I typically listen to, if I'm not listening to the radio. I don't have an iPod, MP3 player or any of those new fangled devices, so I'm left to pretty much the old style of listening - radio, CDs and, lately, online radio stations.
But I'm happy that way.
A larger number of videos on You Tube than I would have expected. Searching Gary Allan and Sawyer Brown turned up a number of their videos, which played pretty seamlessly. Standard You Tube.
Creating an account on Last.fm (and I so love coming up with yet another password) was simple and fast. Interestingly, I created a Gary Allan channel that didn't play Gary Allan. I like the other artists they recommended, but I would have thought they would at least start with the artist that was selected for the channel. That wasn't the case no matter how many times I restarted the channel. I don't suspect I'll be returning to Last.fm, though I'll keep it on a back burner in case I get stuck for something to listen to.
I suspect that I'll stick with my streaming local radio stations. That is a change from years ago. It's handy to have local stations that stream online since my basement office stands no chance of receiving the actual radio broadcasts. This is the music I typically listen to, if I'm not listening to the radio. I don't have an iPod, MP3 player or any of those new fangled devices, so I'm left to pretty much the old style of listening - radio, CDs and, lately, online radio stations.
But I'm happy that way.
24 Things - Digital Downloads @ your library
Well, there was good and bad.
The searches on ebook/eaudio website was relatively painless. I was disappointed, however, that I could not easily find, on the site, a way to narrow the subjects down by format. I had to slog through, looking at titles and then if they were the format I wanted. There may be a way to do it, but it wasn't apparent or intuitive. This is a negative in my book.
Also, and this as been a gripe for a long time, I have never quite worked my head around why digital editions can be "checked out". That's the point of digital, right, to make them more available. So why limit the number of copies. I'm sure there's a very good reason, to someone, somewhere.
Anyway....Listening to the audiobook on Overdrive was simplicity. I didn't even have a problem with the Overdrive player. Yay. On the other hand, the Adobe Digital Editions would do nothing with the PDF book I downloaded. Wouldn't open it, wouldn't acknowledge it, nothing. Wouldn't let me update it without Systems assistance, so I didn't bother. Easy to get, impossible to use. Not impressed by the PDF books.
The searches on ebook/eaudio website was relatively painless. I was disappointed, however, that I could not easily find, on the site, a way to narrow the subjects down by format. I had to slog through, looking at titles and then if they were the format I wanted. There may be a way to do it, but it wasn't apparent or intuitive. This is a negative in my book.
Also, and this as been a gripe for a long time, I have never quite worked my head around why digital editions can be "checked out". That's the point of digital, right, to make them more available. So why limit the number of copies. I'm sure there's a very good reason, to someone, somewhere.
Anyway....Listening to the audiobook on Overdrive was simplicity. I didn't even have a problem with the Overdrive player. Yay. On the other hand, the Adobe Digital Editions would do nothing with the PDF book I downloaded. Wouldn't open it, wouldn't acknowledge it, nothing. Wouldn't let me update it without Systems assistance, so I didn't bother. Easy to get, impossible to use. Not impressed by the PDF books.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Delicious and RSS
A very simple assignment for me, as I've done both already.
Thanks to Elaine E and Jan M, I have created a Delicious account and have way too many links crammed into it. I'm still in the process of sorting and tagging them. But it's nice to be able to access my interests from anywhere.
As for RSS...did that some months back after a class from Garry C. Currently I subscribe to the library's Adult new non-fiction, three webcomics (Least I Could Do, Order of the Stick & Looking for Group) and two wargaming (A Year of Frugal Gaming & Tabletop Gaming News) feeds. I'd subscribe to news, but I don't like news, so I don't.
Thanks to Elaine E and Jan M, I have created a Delicious account and have way too many links crammed into it. I'm still in the process of sorting and tagging them. But it's nice to be able to access my interests from anywhere.
As for RSS...did that some months back after a class from Garry C. Currently I subscribe to the library's Adult new non-fiction, three webcomics (Least I Could Do, Order of the Stick & Looking for Group) and two wargaming (A Year of Frugal Gaming & Tabletop Gaming News) feeds. I'd subscribe to news, but I don't like news, so I don't.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Whistle pig
Happy Whistle Pig Day!
Seems the little bugger saw his shadow after all. Now we're in for umpteen more weeks of winter. My kids think that's great. They seem to equate winter with snow. I equate winter with "why he hell won't my toes thaw out?" Different strokes.
Is it fair to blame the lowly whistle pig? The ending of winter and the beginning of spring all hinges on them. Where do they get this kind of power? I mean, they're obviously not smart enough to alter the weather on their own. I've seen them roadside, in the wild, down in lower Boone County...you know, the sticks. They just sat there and stared at passing cars. They just aren't bright enough for weather manipulation.
So does that make them Mother Nature's dupes? They're the fall guys to cover her hiney when she decides to dump more cold and cold on us? Someone's got to be the blame, so why not those pudgy little rodents? Is that it?
There are, of course, wilder and more conspiratorial theories, but you already know those, right? Of course not!! If you did, you'd have been disappeared by the black helicopters and Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. At the very least, you'd have been reprogrammed. Take my word for this, it can be done. I've read about it! You know, on the interweb! The source of all truth and goodness!
I...I....um...where was I?
Oh yes, the varmints. Someone must be to blame. Might as well be the varmints.
Seems the little bugger saw his shadow after all. Now we're in for umpteen more weeks of winter. My kids think that's great. They seem to equate winter with snow. I equate winter with "why he hell won't my toes thaw out?" Different strokes.
Is it fair to blame the lowly whistle pig? The ending of winter and the beginning of spring all hinges on them. Where do they get this kind of power? I mean, they're obviously not smart enough to alter the weather on their own. I've seen them roadside, in the wild, down in lower Boone County...you know, the sticks. They just sat there and stared at passing cars. They just aren't bright enough for weather manipulation.
So does that make them Mother Nature's dupes? They're the fall guys to cover her hiney when she decides to dump more cold and cold on us? Someone's got to be the blame, so why not those pudgy little rodents? Is that it?
There are, of course, wilder and more conspiratorial theories, but you already know those, right? Of course not!! If you did, you'd have been disappeared by the black helicopters and Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. At the very least, you'd have been reprogrammed. Take my word for this, it can be done. I've read about it! You know, on the interweb! The source of all truth and goodness!
I...I....um...where was I?
Oh yes, the varmints. Someone must be to blame. Might as well be the varmints.
Friday, January 29, 2010
24 things - facebook and twitter
And I'm done!! Between not doing the avatar, not posting my Facebook, and not being able to figure out how to send Pam a tweet, I reckon I've lost more credit than the American banking system.
This week's exercises can be very helpful to people who interested in social networking. I have had Facebook for more than 6 months, and I love it. However, it is my "when I get home, time to connect to family and friends" application, which I choose not to mix with work. Work is work, play is play. I recommend Facebook to anyone who is interested in reconnecting with others. I've gotten into contact with folks I've not seen in more than 20 years, and it's kinda fun. If you ain't done it yet, go for it.
On the other hand, I have always thought that Twitter was a...bad...idea. I could put down my snarky thoughts on that, but why reinforce people's pre-formed opinions about me? :) I'll just leave it at that.
Those of you in for the long haul, good luck. Fewer of us who complete, the better your chance at winning a netbook...whatever that is.
I've at least learned how to blog. Now if only I had something useful to say.
This week's exercises can be very helpful to people who interested in social networking. I have had Facebook for more than 6 months, and I love it. However, it is my "when I get home, time to connect to family and friends" application, which I choose not to mix with work. Work is work, play is play. I recommend Facebook to anyone who is interested in reconnecting with others. I've gotten into contact with folks I've not seen in more than 20 years, and it's kinda fun. If you ain't done it yet, go for it.
On the other hand, I have always thought that Twitter was a...bad...idea. I could put down my snarky thoughts on that, but why reinforce people's pre-formed opinions about me? :) I'll just leave it at that.
Those of you in for the long haul, good luck. Fewer of us who complete, the better your chance at winning a netbook...whatever that is.
I've at least learned how to blog. Now if only I had something useful to say.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wikis Part 2
Can't say I enjoyed this exercise. From the beginning, where the wiki page crashed my Explorer, through to the end, I found it a bit complicated for something that was supposed to be "simple", and I'm not sure if it's the process or the instructions.
It's helped further putting me off on using wikis.
It's helped further putting me off on using wikis.
Learn about Wikis - Part 1
By and large, I don't have the greatest respect for wikis. I've seen too many "wars" over putting up information, altering information, deleting information on Wikipedia to be entirely impressed with the whole process. There...bias out and up front.
I took a look at the Loudounpedia. It's a nice site, attractive to view. Maneuvering through the pages was a little of a chore from time to time, as some of the pages seem to lack the links needed to get one back to the previous screen. If you don't have a basic idea of what you want to find, you could be left in the cold. I suppose that people who regularly use it do know what they're looking for, though. Still, it was pretty, in a nice grey sort of way.
One thing I found interesting were the pages with source images. Apparently, they're accessible just like anything else. Seems kinda cluttery and...I don't know...tacky, to me.
As far as using one for the job...I suppose there are uses, but I wouldn't be wild about one that was open to public editing. One open to only staff would be convenient, in that any staff member could add to a page, updating information, providing clarifications, what have you.
I can't think of a use for one in my personal life. At all.
Heck, this part's easy. I use Wookiepedia at least weekly. It's very entertaining and easy to access. Sometimes it gets hacked and odd images pop up, but by and large it is active and up to date with the latest movies, books and source material. Not to be missed if you're a fan.
Explore some library wikis, either through Matthew Bejune's links, Libsuccess, or LISwiki, and blog about your experience. What did you find interesting? What are the advantages of using wikis? Can you think of ways a wiki could be used in your job? in your personal life?
I took a look at the Loudounpedia. It's a nice site, attractive to view. Maneuvering through the pages was a little of a chore from time to time, as some of the pages seem to lack the links needed to get one back to the previous screen. If you don't have a basic idea of what you want to find, you could be left in the cold. I suppose that people who regularly use it do know what they're looking for, though. Still, it was pretty, in a nice grey sort of way.
One thing I found interesting were the pages with source images. Apparently, they're accessible just like anything else. Seems kinda cluttery and...I don't know...tacky, to me.
As far as using one for the job...I suppose there are uses, but I wouldn't be wild about one that was open to public editing. One open to only staff would be convenient, in that any staff member could add to a page, updating information, providing clarifications, what have you.
I can't think of a use for one in my personal life. At all.
Explore some non-library wikis. You can perform a google search to find a wiki that is related to your interests. Blog about your experience.
Heck, this part's easy. I use Wookiepedia at least weekly. It's very entertaining and easy to access. Sometimes it gets hacked and odd images pop up, but by and large it is active and up to date with the latest movies, books and source material. Not to be missed if you're a fan.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Styropokalypse
In discussing with a coworker about the dangers of styrofoam, particularly styrofoam cups, it occurred to me that styrofoam could be one of the agents of the Apocalypse. I mean, no one said the Apocalypse had to be fast-acting, did they? Did I miss a memo? It could be a slow Apocalypse.
On the other hand, the Apocalypse could be ushered in by all the styrofoam in the world spontaneously bursting into flame all at the same time and offing us with noxious and deadly fumes. That would be Apocalyptic.
That set me to thinking. I have stored up a lot of styrofoam for hobby applications (don't ask unless you really, really want to know). I mean, a lot. So, does this make me one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse? I mean, if all of my suppositions are correct, aren't I one of the main contributors to the Apocalypse?
I think I'm pretty comfortable with that.
On the other hand, the Apocalypse could be ushered in by all the styrofoam in the world spontaneously bursting into flame all at the same time and offing us with noxious and deadly fumes. That would be Apocalyptic.
That set me to thinking. I have stored up a lot of styrofoam for hobby applications (don't ask unless you really, really want to know). I mean, a lot. So, does this make me one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse? I mean, if all of my suppositions are correct, aren't I one of the main contributors to the Apocalypse?
I think I'm pretty comfortable with that.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Piracy
On the surface of it, piracy would seem to be a bad thing. However, I think under certain circumstances, it should be permissible.
If you can meet the following checklist, I believe you should be able to engage in a life of piracy:
Eyepatch
Cutlass
Suave English Accent (Atrocious French Accent also acceptable)
Fluyt or race-built Galleon
Suitable supply of international scallywags
Chest of gold doubloons (aboard ship or hidden on some sandy island - either is acceptable)
Supply of iron manacles for restraining male prisoners
Supply of silk dresses for offering to female prisoners, for their comfort
If someone can meet all of these requirements, I have no problem with them engaging in a life of piracy. As for the rest of those "pirates"...have at them, I say!!
If you can meet the following checklist, I believe you should be able to engage in a life of piracy:
Eyepatch
Cutlass
Suave English Accent (Atrocious French Accent also acceptable)
Fluyt or race-built Galleon
Suitable supply of international scallywags
Chest of gold doubloons (aboard ship or hidden on some sandy island - either is acceptable)
Supply of iron manacles for restraining male prisoners
Supply of silk dresses for offering to female prisoners, for their comfort
If someone can meet all of these requirements, I have no problem with them engaging in a life of piracy. As for the rest of those "pirates"...have at them, I say!!
Privacy
In general, I will say that I am concerned about privacy, having kids and all (15 of 'em), but after doing a Google search on myself, I'm not overly concerned. Apparently, the Interweb doesn't care much for me, as I could find very little. Using my parent-given user name, I didn't get a hit til most of the way down the first result page. Using my full name gave a result 2 or 3 from the top, but it was even more obscure and uninteresting. What I did learn was that there are a lot of people out there with my name. And they should give it back.
I was actually surprised by how little I found that was relevant to me. The real me. You know, that one. I would have expected the Google results pages to be just full of me...instead they were full of erzatz me. Boo hoo. I'll get over it, eventually.
As far as blog security goes, I do have plans both sinister and absurd for the blog, so I'm not sure that needs to be hidden from the world. And as long as I keep the names of my 6 kids out of it, and any other personal information that will lead people to my home in Darkness Falls, Virginia, I should be ok.
I was actually surprised by how little I found that was relevant to me. The real me. You know, that one. I would have expected the Google results pages to be just full of me...instead they were full of erzatz me. Boo hoo. I'll get over it, eventually.
As far as blog security goes, I do have plans both sinister and absurd for the blog, so I'm not sure that needs to be hidden from the world. And as long as I keep the names of my 6 kids out of it, and any other personal information that will lead people to my home in Darkness Falls, Virginia, I should be ok.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Creativity
It occurs to me that for this to really be a blog, I have to fill it with my nonsensical thoughts. After all, isn't that what a blog does?
Although, some of my favorite blogs are hobby blogs, where people show off their hobbies, getting good information and images out there for the world to enjoy.
Hmmm. I'm sure I could do something like that with a little thought and study.
That's it...this shall become the blog of all time!!
or some such
Although, some of my favorite blogs are hobby blogs, where people show off their hobbies, getting good information and images out there for the world to enjoy.
Hmmm. I'm sure I could do something like that with a little thought and study.
That's it...this shall become the blog of all time!!
or some such
What kind of technology user
You are an Media Mover
If you are a Media Mover, you have a wide range of online and mobile habits, and you are bound to find or create an information nugget, such as a digital photo, and pass it on. These social exchanges are central to your use of information and communication technology. Cyberspace, as a path to personal productivity or an outlet for creativity, is less important to you.
If you are a Media Mover, you have a wide range of online and mobile habits, and you are bound to find or create an information nugget, such as a digital photo, and pass it on. These social exchanges are central to your use of information and communication technology. Cyberspace, as a path to personal productivity or an outlet for creativity, is less important to you.
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