Month: January 2006

City of Bend Rejects Proposed Wal-Mart

Full story here. I’m kind of in the middle on this one. I will admit that I shop there, as it’s cheaper, open later (which came in handy last night as my daughter had a really nasty coughing fit, and we had no medicine). Do I hate what they pay their employees? Yes, but there are lots of companies out there that do the same (and Wal-Mart hires many folks who couldn’t get a job elsewhere). Do I hate that they put smaller companies out of business? Yes, but the smaller companies have started to adapt.

But I do agree that before they build that monster of a store on Bend’s north end that Wal-Mart should have to foot the bill for some of the improvements up there. I just wonder if anybody would be throwing such a fit and requiring as much of the company if this were anybody but Wal-Mart.

Anyway, I’m not really going to debate people on this (don’t have time), but I leave it open to discuss here.

Update: Great discusion here, folks (just remember to keep it civil). And here’s some more reaction locally from Simone and Chris.

January 30, 2006

That’s Just Wrong

It’s wrong and disturbing, but I still couldn’t stop watching this hot cow udder action. Don’t expect to see those commercials on TV anytime soon.

January 30, 2006

Any Local ASP Gurus?

Evan over at SportsVision is looking for an ASP programmer to do some work for him — particularly, hacking the shopping cart software from volusion to do what he needs it to do.

Since I don’t know a thing about ASP, nor do I know where to point him, you can e-mail him at evan [at] sportsvisionbend [dot] com or you can comment here if you’re interested.

January 29, 2006

Corporate Identities

Interested in knowing what the type face and Pantone color is of a logo, and possibly even the designer? Start here.

This one will go well with the Russia-based corporate logo download site I posted a while back.

January 29, 2006

Why Was Comic Sans Created?

You can blame Microsoft Bob for its creation.

January 29, 2006

David Hasselhoff Helped Topple The Berlin Wall

Or at least he seems to think so. Thanks Cheryl for the link.

January 29, 2006

Evolution of Teaching Math

Got this one from a co-worker who knows I used to be a total math junkie…

Last week when purchasing a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried.

Why do I tell you this?

Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:

Teaching Math In 1950: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1960: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

Teaching Math In 1970: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

Teaching Math In 1980: A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

Teaching Math In 1990: A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers.)

Teaching Math In 2005: Un hachero vende una carretada de Madera por $100. El costo de la produccin es $80.

January 29, 2006

It’ll Be A While Before I Link To Bend.com

As we all know, the quality of the content on Bend.com has pretty much gone downhill since Barney left. They went from the leading source of breaking news in the area to nothing but a press release dumping service. And while I looked there a great deal in the past for news, I rarely visit them anymore, as what gets posted is rarely news and when it is actually newsworthy, it’s a straight press release dump from the source, with no additional editing or reporting. I’d rather get the full story from other local media outlets, thank you.

Not only that, but Spencer Dahl, Bend.com’s president/CEO/owner/whatever seems to like to pick fights and instead of using appropriate channels he picks an entry of mine that’s nearly two months old and posts a comment about how my pagerank is zero — like I didn’t already frickin’ know that (why do I have this feeling that he may have had something to do with it?). You can read our exchange in the comments here, and feel free to add to the conversation if you feel the need to (or just comment here).

January 28, 2006

SanDisk USB Keys Are Awesome

I was looking all over for my SanDisk 256 MB USB key yesterday (yes, I know it’s small in the grand scheme of things, especially considering they sell a 4 GB version), as I didn’t want to have to use my external hard drive to move data between my old laptop and my new laptop — the USB key is so much more convenient. So I was a bit miffed when I couldn’t find it.

So I’m taking some clothes out of the dryer today, and lo and behold, there’s my USB key, after having just gone through a full wash and dry cycle. I thought the thing was hosed, but plugged into my computer, every bit of data is still on there and works like a charrm.

So if anybody’s looking for a durable USB key, I highly recommend the SanDisk.

Now I just need to get a bigger one for moving larger collections of files so I don’t have to use an external hard drive.

On a related note, I moved data from my old laptop to my new one with an old 20 GB laptop hard drive that I stuck in one of these enclosures (don’t let the cheap price fool you — these things are great). The problem is that moving about 12 GBs of data (all the stuff inthe “My Documents” folder) over a USB 1.1 connection (old laptop) is a slow experience. But it is very handy to have a 20 GB external hard drive at my disposal — but USB keys are still far handier.

January 27, 2006

Wish I Could Do This With The Mini Van

It’s make dealing with some of the rain-filled puddles we get much more entertaining. Thanks Greg for the link.

January 26, 2006