My head hurts, this test is all you get. Well, maybe a photo too.
shawnp0wers
My Brain in Your Pocket
Yes, the rumors are true — brainofshawn.com is now mobile!
What, you haven’t heard the rumors? I guess that’s understandable. They were really only circulating around my house. And if you were around my house listening to rumors, well that’s just creepy. GO HOME!
On your way home, assuming you take public transport and aren’t driving, you can now browse my website on your iPhone/Droid/Crackberry/Probably_other_devices with a format designed specifically for you. See? I just give and give and give…
Happy New Year everyone!
Why Smart People Do Dumb Things: Procrastination
L. O. L.
You can’t make this stuff up, I found this post in my “Drafts” section of WordPress’ dashboard. Dated August 10th. I think posting it like this is actually better than finishing my original thoughts on the matter, which I assure you were profound. 😀
Why yes, I did start this post about a week ago and I’m just getting around to posting it. 🙂
Here’s the deal:
Too Many Monitors?
UPDATE: I am an information addict. The Internet is my crack, and the LCD monitor is like my crack pipe. (Or heroin and syringe if you prefer, or meth and… well, I don’t know how one “does” meth, but you get the idea)
At work, I have (3) 22+ inch monitors set up like a central command for post-apocalyptic warfare. Or efficient multitasking across 3 operating systems. (The latter is accurate, the former sounds cooler) Even with this trifecta of digital information conveyance, I find myself trying to mount a 4th monitor which will strictly be a fullscreen Google Calendar. I find that with so much screen real estate, it’s easy to overlook a small blinking reminder. With Google Calendar, there is a nice “current time” line that continually moves as the day progresses. I think I’d be more likely to take advantage of my schedule if I actually saw it on a more consistent basis.
So there’s my question: How many monitors are too many? Or is that like asking how much money is too much money?
The Construction of an Office
I normally do work involving clicking and typing, but soon (I hope), I’ll be doing work that involves hammering and sawing. And likely grunting and belching. Also probably whining and thumb smashing, but we’ll ignore that bit for now.
Basically, I’m extending a wall from our walk-thru closet about 3 feet into our living room. Then I’ll be chopping the expanded closet into a small closet and my office. This only gives me about 49 square feet of room (7×7) for an office, but I think it will be sufficient. Basically I’ll have my own cubical at home. 🙂
I think it will be fairly easy as far as renovations go, and since I’m a total n00b with such things — it’s probably a good project to start with. PLUS, I’ll be able to click and type more efficiently, because I’ll have an office space of my own. I’m *very* excited, and will try to take photos of my progress. Feel free to laugh at me along the way. 🙂
Anti-Lock Brakes, And Why I Hate Them
This isn’t the first time I’ve ranted about Anti-Lock Brakes. Last time, my post sparked lots of discussion in IRC, IM, and in the comments. I’ve thought long and hard about why exactly I hate them so much, and I’ve come up with why. First though, I should give them credit where credit is due:
I Believe Anti-Lock Brakes Stop on Ice Better Than Humans
Back in my last rant, I pointed out that it seems as though anti-lock brakes do a worse job of stopping than I can do with my human brain and soft pedal touch. Ryder argued that studies have been done (I didn’t bother checking, but let’s assume it’s true) proving anti-lock brakes stop on ice significantly better than any human can manage. For the sake of argument, I’ll agree. But that’s not actually what I hate about anti-lock brakes.
I Believe Anti-Lock Brakes Treat Drivers Like Idiots
And you know what? Many drivers are idiots, so perhaps this is a good thing. I just want the option to turn them off. The thing that really irks me, is “stopping” isn’t always the best course of action in a slippery situation. Anti-lock brakes take away any options a smart, quick thinking driver might utilize. Want to ditch the car? Good luck, a tap on the brakes will take away any maneuvering abilities you may have had. Want to powerslide to point your car in the “least likely to kill anyone” position as you slide past a stop sign? Again, no chance because your brake pedal has grown a mind of its own.
So there it is. I think anti-lock brakes are great for people that need them. I think anti-lock brakes are great for people who aren’t sure if they need them, because they probably do. Heck, I’m SO GLAD anti-lock brakes are in the vehicles of people that slam on the brakes and scream when they approach a stoplight on icy roads.
But honestly, I think I’m a better driver than the computer that pumps the brakes eleventy hundred times a second. Sure, it can stop in a straight line stop on bare ice faster than I can — but there’s more to driving than pumping the brakes, and I think my foot has the upper hand.
My New Year’s Resolutions
I figure, if I make them publicly, I’ll have slightly more motivation to keep them. In the end, it won’t likely matter, because let’s face it — you aren’t the boss of me. (Well, not true, a few of you might actually be the boss of me. Your powers are limited to the ability of adding a new resolution to my list that looks something like “get a job” though…)
Anyway, in no particular order, here’s what I hope to do in 2010:
1) Finish the project I’m horribly behind on.
Unfortunately, it’s a time sensitive project, and the time has long since passed the sensitive zone. The people I’m working with on this project are incredibly wonderful to work with, and beyond understanding when it comes to my crazy schedule — but I gotta be honest, they deserve better. I’d like to get this particular resolution done in January.
2) Learn to use a Linux video editor.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a zealot when it comes to Linux. I’m really not. Here’s the deal though, I’d really like to make the videos I do for Linux Journal on a Linux machine. It just seems like the right thing to do. My lack of motivation for switching has been because I can already edit video really efficiently on OSX, and it took me a long time to learn Final Cut. Still, I’d like to use Linux as my primary system, so this is a goal. (Kris Occhipinti has been a huge motivation on this front. Thanks Kris.)
3) Change the way I eat.
Note: This is not a, “Lose Weight” resolution. This is an, “Eat Better” resolution. There are two major problems with my current eating lifestyle: Quantity & Quality. Once I finish resolution #1, hopefully I can take some of that time to actually cook food. I still eat at restaurants way too often.
4) Exercise.
I’ll be honest, this is the least likely resolution I’ll be able to accomplish. Donna convinced me to go into the local gym every morning and work out with her for a month. Since I’ll have to pay for the membership, I’ll do my best to accomplish it. Perhaps walking on a treadmill next to Donna will make it less horrifying. Man, I really hate exercise…
5) Write a Book.
I don’t care if it’s a little all year, or a cram session in November (NaNoWriMo), I really want to write a book. I’m not sure if I’ll start with fiction or technology — but I must write a book. Really.
So that’s it. It’s a lot, but I purposefully didn’t put anything on there I don’t think I can accomplish. If all you’re lacking for your New Year’s Resolutions is the commitment to make them, feel free to do so in the comment section. If you slip up, we’ll know. Well, ok, only if you tell us. But still, feel free to commit below. 🙂
Happy New Year’s!!!!
Fellow Geeks: What’s On Your Flashdrive?
We’ve all got flash drives. They’re awesome. They’re great. They are awesometastic with awesomesauce on top. But I’m curious, what do you keep on them?
I’m a big fan of bootable USB drives. In fact, although he hasn’t updated it in a while (hint hint), I think Bill Childers‘ Linux distribution “Billix” is handy to have in your pocket. But there must be other things that are perfect for a USB drive. What are some of your favorites? I’m really curious.
My Favorite Editorial Task
I have a bunch of duties over at Linux Journal. I’m certainly better at some things than others, and if you ask Jill (the Executive Editor), deadlines are not one of the things at which I’m particularly skilled. 🙂
There is one task I find especially enjoyable, however: Answering letters to the editor. I’m not entirely sure why I enjoy it so much, but for some reason, interacting with readers that take the time to write in to the staff really makes me proud to be part of something bigger than myself. It’s also interesting that while I answer a bunch of the letters, it’s not always me that does so. See, all the responses are signed simply “Ed”, meaning it comes from the editorial staff in general. Yes, it’s pretty humbling to represent everyone.
So if any of you were wondering what being one of the editors of an international magazine is like, well, it’s pretty cool. The best part, however, is simply responding to people. Because it’s the people that make a community, and it’s the community that makes my job so awesome.
-Ed