Reading.... In Defense of Food (by Michael Pollan)

Either you're shocked to find that most of what people in the first (Western ?) world eat isn't food, or you already avoid the interior aisles of the supermarket (and possibly the supermarket itself). We're eating "food-like substances".

Michael Pollan spells it all out for you, with a wonderful section filled with simple "rules" that make it easy to select only 'real' food if you agree with his points. My favorite is "don't eat anything that your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food".

He has a web site, but you have to go to the bookstore, Amazon, etc. to buy the book. Well worth it !

Pollan's site: http://www.michaelpollan.com/indefense.php

OLPC - XO is Obsolete (Almost)

The OLPC project has taken a new path. Apparently, the 'laptop' idea will be replaced by an 'e-book' approach that will cost $75 (US) to build; however, it won't be ready until 2010.
The OLPC project made the announcement today -
http://www.olpcnews.com/laptops/xo2/olpc_announces_xoxo.html
There's a picture of it on the site.
So, I guess the bottom line is that people with the current XO should really work on developing their own software.
The funny thing is: I really want an e-book, but they just cost too much, especially since I don't travel a lot any more.

Posted on YouTube

I've finally gotten around to posting on YouTube.... I posted a video made from stills of the sunroom going up - Sort of "Building a Sunroom in 6 days". It's really a test for the graphics resolution on You Tube. As soon as they (the elusive "them") finish building our garage, I'll post a video about that, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQrmZVFTE-k

I killed my laptop !

I killed my laptop - a Gateway with dual processors. It's been running very hot lately - even the top, near the keyboard was hot.
The fans didn't seem to be putting out much air, so I took out the fan unit, to take it to the store to see if I can get a replacement. No replacements available, so I got an external fan unit. Back home, put the fan back in, made sure all of the contacts were made, and started it up. Nothing. The disk light flshes then goes out. Took out the fans, re-inserted them - same results. Repeated 3 times. It's DEAD. Like the parrot. DEAD. DEAD. DEAD.

I am now using my back-up: a Mac Mini, which is nice, but not the same. The data from the Gateway is backed up, but I was working on a lot of projects using software on Windows.... I was also using the Microsoft Movie Maker for a video about our new garage and roof. iLife is nice, but the Microsoft Movie Maker has more options.

DEAD DEAD DEAD. I can't believe I killed it.....

Web 3.0 map - great graphics and useful info

InformationArchitectsJapan, which is a "strategic design agency" has put together a "guide to the web" - made to looks like a city subway map. Great graphics and great content - you might even pick up a new site or two.

Here's a close-up of a section:

Listening to.... Zen for Primates

I've been listening to Zen for Primates. I first heard them as the background on this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ubx8eL_Iss

Then, I found their record label's web site (Bummer Tent), with additional videos, etc.

They are completely dead pan in their delivery, the music is great ! I think of them as a cross between the B52's (looks and the lounge lizard attitude), old Elvis Costello (delivery). Their version of Whole Lotta Love (yes - that one by Led Zeppelin !) is great. They call themselves a "caberet rock band", whatever that is. I guess it's them.

Start with the YouTube video - just to hear them, then check out their site - http://www.bummertent.com/main.htm