R. I. P. Majel Barrett Roddenberry

I missed this  one over the weekend. I remember with every new Star Trek that came out mom and I would listen closely to see if she was doing the computer voice. A sad day for Star Trek fans indeed.

Edited to add: User Friendly's salute to Majel

An Interesting Lecture

 

I just got around to watching this 20 or so minute talk from a brain researcher who had a stroke. The end maybe a little esoteric for some, but it is interesting to hear her perspective of what happened.

 

Time & Attention Presentation: "Who Moved My Brain?"

 

Who Moved My Brain? Revaluing Time & Attention (slideshare.net)

 

I have read 43Folders for awhile now, and this is a quick reminder for those of us who are in knowledge work. Having not seen Merlin's presentation I am not sure how much you loose, but I still found it useful enough. One of those things everyone needs to review from time to time.

The Boston Globe on Netflix's Unlimited Vacation Policy

 

The Boston Globe featured Netflix's Steve Swasey in a story about companies that offer unlimited vacation time, Is Unlimited Vacation a Good Thing?

"We're always on, 24/7," says Swasey, a Netflix spokesman, who admits to checking his BlackBerry throughout a recent trip to Chile with his wife. Still, he insists cheerfully that he and his colleagues are "not being workaholic. It's being engaged with your job because you love what you do." Thanks to Netflix's unlimited vacation policy, Swasey leaves the office a lot. But the office usually goes with him.

The Boston Globe on Netflix's Unlimited Vacation Policy
mikek
Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:27:39 GMT

 

Going through some old articles I had marked on feeds. I have mixed feelings on the idea of 'unlimited' vacation. On the plus side as long as you have your computer, Blackberry, etc. you can work. Wife presenting a paper in France? Want to spend an extra day? Flight gets canceled? Want to fly standby? No worries! Also can help out with a spouse that has lots of vacation at their job. Sure you may be in the hotel working part of the day, but at least you can be with the family.

On the down side it does not sound like people get time away from work. I find that the whole 'getting away' from the office helps to not only recharge the batteries but it gives you a chance to clean up the to do list, update all your notes and just generally make sure everything is organized for people who have to pick up any work while you are away. In fact the organization factor is possibly more helpful than recharging your batteries.

John Williams & Star Wars Goodness

I just got around to watching this and want to thank Brian over at Coverville for posting An A Capella tribute to John Williams. It is just weird to hear quotes/themes from Star Wars as lyrics but all sung to John Williams soundtracks. Worth the listen!

Bush says anxiety feeding market instability - Yahoo! News

Bush says anxiety feeding market instability - Yahoo! News

My one word response to the headline: Duh!

There is a quote of the movie 'Men In Black' that is very appropriate: "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it."

Many of the people saying 'all will be fine' do not have the confidence of the public anymore. We have been lied to too often by them. The sky-is-falling crowd tend to get the ear of media. This does not help the panicky nature of people.

I am not saying everything will be fine, but the sky will not fall. It may lower a little :). Belts will have to be tightened. Things will change. We have been through this type of thing before and survived. This will be no different.

10 Amazing and Magnificent Trees In the World

10 Amazing and Magnificent Trees In the World

Some of these trees are too cool to not share. I like The Tule Tree (#4 on the page) - it has lots of character in my opinion.

Star Trek: The Experience is closing

 

 Star Trek: The Experience is closing

As a fan of Star Trek, I am glad I got to this and sad to see it closing. Maybe with the new movie some new interest will be drawn in. It seems the last few series & movies that Star Trek lost its way. A shame given the times - which do not seem much different than when Star Trek first hit the scene.

Maybe Star Trek has run its course. Although we can all use a TV show that has an underlying positive message, maybe today we have grown beyond the relative simplicity of the message/possibility that Star Trek showed. Maybe instead of sitting back, people are creating their own ways of connecting with people.

Wow! Been awhile

It has been awhile since I last wrote. Things have been busy, but that is still no excuse. Sitting here at the laundromat waiting on my clothes to dry. No open WiFi, so this is getting posted later.

I went to PodCamp Ohio a few weeks ago. I was hoping to pick up some computer recording tips. Good info in the sessions, but not what I was looking for. I did talk with some people there though that helped out. Still feel a little lost, but at least I have some other places to look.

Geocaching wise, I finally passed the magical 1000 finds. The 1K seems to be a point of earning some street cred in caching. I am still heading out to a lot of local events, which I do enjoy. Cachers are in interesting lot.

That is about all I have time for right now. I have some things that have been swimming around in my brain that I need to write down. For now, I need to fold my laundry and get home.

Weird Twitter Follower

Yes, I know I need to do a lengthier update, but I thought I would share this.

I was scanning my email for anything important and killing some spam when I saw I have a new follower on Twitter, Lock3Live. I thought this odd, but it turns out to be the Lock 3 park/outdoor stage in downtown Akron. A very cool use of Twitter!

I'm sure they sent invites out to people living in/around Akron, but I found a few other interesting people they follow, such as the Cleveland Plain Dealer. If the Plain Dealer also follows Lock3Live then late changes to events could be quickly put up on their site, even if it never hits the newspaper. I like it.

Fancy new keyboard

When the first ergonomic keyboards came out, I did not get it. I learned to type on an actual typewriter, albeit electric. In high school I would spend several hours typing a day. We never really worried about carpel tunnel.

When I started using a computer keyboard I had no problem, and again I could spend many hours a day without any problems. I have actually had more problems with my mouse than with the keyboard.

Then, one day, I saw an ad for a cheapy ergonomic keyboard. Reading all the literature at the time I figured I would give one a whirl. Worst case scenario, I'm out $50. Best case - I save my self a lot of pain and maybe surgery.

The switch was weird, one of those split keyboards angled to allow for a 'more natural' alignment of the hands. Mine even had the little feet at the top AND bottom so I could put the high end of the keyboard closer to my body. After getting used to it though, it was not that I noticed a huge benefit in my wrists but in my shoulders. The reverse tilt though is what I noticed first that seemed to help the most.

Unfortunately I dumped tea into that keyboard. I went out and got another, even picked one up for work out of my own pocket. Never did find one of the reverse angle keyboard again, but even just the split keyboard left me feeling, relaxed I guess, at the end of the day.

I have been without an ergonomic keyboard at work for a couple of months. I broke yet another hard drive, so the IT powers that be decided it was time to get me a new computer. Unfortunately the new computer only has USB ports. My old keyboard was PS2. Since the keyboard was a big harry looking it was decided that I should get a new one. It finally came in today - Murphy LOVES the holiday season.

The keyboard is huge, which I LOVE! I do not have huge hands, but big enough that some keyboards are a problem. The keys are responsive but not too clicky. Lots of bonus keys to pull up the web, mail, adjust volume, pause Windows Media Player, etc. It even has a piece to do the reverse angle that I loved in my first ergo-keyboard.

Downsides? If you looked at the picture the keys have a that wave configuration of modern keyboards. I am not used to that. The mouse that comes with it is VERY sensitive and may need an adjustment. There is an extra button on the side that I may need to disable. I use my mouse left handed and the button is not in a good location. The only thing that I can't change about the mouse that I would like to is the wheel. The wheel is nice and smooth, but I am used to something that has clicks, for lack of a better word. Since I have used it for all of 15 minutes though, I will wait to pass judgement on it :).

CBS to borrow "Dexter" from Showtime - Yahoo! News

CBS to borrow "Dexter" from Showtime - Yahoo! News

Not sure about Dexter, although it sounds interesting, but I do like that we will be getting some Monk & Psyched on NBC. I love both shows, but found it tough to justify the $40+/month extra to get the cable teir that includes USA Network since I was not getting near that much entertainment value. I can almost BUY both series when the come out on DVD for one month's worth of unused cable.

Now if they would just get Tremors: The Series...

Ok, now the writer's strike kick's in

Since the writer's strike is really starting to kick my viewing habits around, I am getting caught up on some of my podcasts. I caught an episode of Stranger Things and they mentioned the post what I shall be doing while reruns and crap reality tv abound. Interesting reading if you are looking for some fill in. Make sure to read all the comments because there are some good recommendations.

I have already finished 7th Son, and would recommend it also for you 24 viewers. I never got into 24, but from the clips I have seen it looks right up your alley.

Although I am a fan of Scott Sigler, to the uninitiated his stories are not family friendly, but still great stories. With football season winding down, The Rookie might fit the bill. Not typical Sigler, but still good. His Infected/Infested/whatever-it-is-being-called-today is my personal favorite, although it seems to have disappeared from his site. I would recommend listening to Ancestor then Earthcore. Although I enjoyed Earthcore, I like Ancestor better.

Playing For Keeps was recommended for those who like Smallville, but would also work for those who follow Heroes. Playing For Keeps reminds me a lot of Mystery Men as far as the characters & their powers, but still a well told story. (Now to get my picture in my Keepsie's Bar t-shirt.) Although it comes out every other week (or so), the Secret World Chronicles is interesting. Lots of existing material though.

Although they have not come out with an episode since October, Mondays is a non-family friendly comedy/geek show that might fill in your need for a sitcom. Some computer geeky talk, but mostly just funny stuff. Mark Miller's 'Dumber than Me' segments should not be listened to while eating or drinking.

Ooops - nice weather

We got a couple of nice days here in NE Ohio, which threw me completely off. I have been working on some time-sensitive things that have kept me inside though. I was out and about doing my normal things this weekend, such as shopping, but that is not really enjoying the weather.

A time to clean

I had noticed a pile of crap on my dresser. Lots of caching stuff, loose change, random pieces of paper, etc. that is just piling up.

Well the paper was pretty much useless. Found out I had 3 different stacks of geocoins and 3 different stacks of path tags going right there for no reason other than it is where I empty my pockets. A bunch of zip lock bags later and there is some order to the chaos that is my life. Now if I could just find something a little sturdier but that closed up just as tight. Everything is just heavy enough to cause some problems with the baggies.

I also took the time to put my path tag collection together in a fancy album. I really like the way the album looks and it seems sturdy. Most importantly though it does not seem to come loose and send the tags flying around like a lot of other things I have tried. Unfortunately it looks like some of my collection has come up missing. Given I was storing them in an envelope it is not surprising. They are probably lurking somewhere, just need to turn them up.

Happy New year

Happy New Year! yea, I'm a day late but I was out most of New Year's Day running around in the snow at a geocaching event. Lots of fun - even if I slipped in the snow and fell.