I’ve been told that in the broadcast media, there are contract clauses that stipulate what ads can run side by side. For instance, if you are Honda, you probably don’t want the TV network running a Toyota Prius ad right next to your Civic Hybrid spot.

I’m guessing the same rules do not apply to web advertising. I don’t think it was coincidence that sitting right next to the article about IBM/Lotus Sametime telephony integration was a video ad spot for Microsoft VoIP. Something tells me the marketing guys are both sides will get an earful - The blue team may want to call in sick while the red team is probably getting high-fives.

For anyone who remembers the lyrics to “Wear Sunscreen“, there is one bit of sage advice,

“Understand that friends come and go, but what a precious few should hold on.  Work hard to bridge the gaps and geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.”

If asked which friends I’d call for the greatest or worst news of my life, there are a few that come to mind - Oregon, Maine, Maryland, and Washington (both the district and the state) would be on the list as would New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It may not seem like a lot, but the depth and breadth of these few is astounding. Obviously there are lots more and I try (not too well I must admit) to stay in touch with each of them. FYI, feel free to harass me if you feel left out!

For me, what sets apart *real* friends from usual friends and a quaintnesses is the ability to chat for hours about nearly nothing and yet feel happy to have spent the time or to call “down” and close “happy and uplifted”. The time is just open. There is no “catching up”; rather, the ramblings bounce from topic to topic, as if an idle conversation over coffee or a cocktail.

So, If you are feeling up for a challenge, pick up the phone (don’t even think about using email). Find a long lost number in your Rolodex. And dial, dial, dial. (then smile, smile, smile). Consider this a new “top” on your to-do list if you dare <grin>

The one thing that irks me is the lack of  of the middle mouse button  (aka scrolls wheel) feature that is intrinsic on Thinkpads.

The best (and for now reasonably acceptable) solution is the use a Firefox and Thunderbird plug-in called Grab-n-Drag. It only covers the scroll feature of browsing and email, but since one of my machines is predominantly just that, it covers things pretty well. I hope to figure our a configuration for scrol wheel support across the “now 4 thinkpads” sooner or later but in the mean time, one machine is much happier !

It failed miserably. There was not sufficient volume in the jar to allow the velocity of the content to slow down (should be fast at the bottom slow at the top) to let the blades do their work. In stead, the entire contents of the jar spin up and the ice just goes round and round and never gets broken up.

Oh well. Consider this a scientific experiment that proves the hypothosis wrong. It’s still a valid experiment with a valid outcome - just not the refreshing result I had hoped for.

Two systems means two big machines, two transfer systems (tubing in the floor and duct work in the ceiling), and one semi-complex integrated control unit. In short, $$$ + $$$ + $$ = “you’ve got to be kidding” / ROFS* / there must be another way. If it were not for the slab floor construction, I would revert to a forced hot air heating solution and then only have the one mechanical unit and duct work. I still have that as a last resort. So I now realize that while (a) radiant floor heating is good and (b) geothermal is good for heating and cooling; (a) + (b) is “not so good”.

It’s thrown a very large wrench into an otherwise manageable project. The major issue is one of “timing”. The first round of quotes for the solution were in the realm of a small house (i.e. the HVAC *for* the house would cost the equivalent *of* a house). However, to stay on schedule, there is not time to go out for re-bid. Given that I can’t accept any of the current bids, I do not have much choice - I will need to negotiate a change in the construction phases to accommodate the later than expected HVAC rough install (really the radiant floor heating tubing is the issue as it must go *in* the concrete).

I have my fingers crossed that the concrete slab pour can go after the steel building erection rather than before. The footers are already in so this may be a viable option. I really hope it is given I have no good alternatives short of hitting the lottery this weekend. (edit: Guess I had better play the lottery !)

* ROFS = roll on floor screaming (from shock and disbelief)

It’s also sad, to a great extent because, today’s logo was created on March 31st. Sad because the fatality rate for pancreatic cancer is so high and so quick, the logo was nearly destined to get used. I had planned for it to appear on September 18th, the 1-year anniversary of his lecture with the hope he would still be talking about the illness and bringing his own form of inspiration to the cause.

I have never met the man. I did start using Alice as a direct result of seeing his lecture. I am also trying to get the local college to adopt it to promote more technical education opportunities and exposure. It proves one again that with the right exposure people can make a difference quickly and one that lasts.

Caregie Mellon has a page highlighting his “Enduring Legacy“.