Worst Buy

Some day the employees at Best Buy will learn how to pick up the correct non-defective merchandise for their in-store pick-up.  So far they are oh-for-two.



Thank you for turning a five-minute trip into an hour.

Sun SPARC-Enterprise M5000

The main content authoring server for sun.com has been a Sun Fire 4810. (Yeah--it's embarrassingly old.) While this machine is still holding up strong (amazingly), it's time for some new iron. I think the SPARC Enterprise M5000 will do the job.

First, a quick and dirty before/after benchmark*

M5000

jm___@s___new:~
> ptime gcc hello-world.c

real        0.050
user        0.022
sys         0.014
jm___@s___new:~
> ptime ./a.out
Hello World
real        0.005
user        0.000
sys         0.001

4810

jm___@s___:~
> ptime gcc hello-world.c

real        0.148
user        0.002
sys         0.018
jm___@s___:~
> ptime ./a.out
Hello World
real        0.040
user        0.001
sys         0.005

* Yeah. This is one of the lamest benchmarks you can run for a multi-processor machine. I cannot wait to do some real application benchmarking.

uname output

uname -a is: SunOS s___new 5.10 Generic_120011-14 sun4u sparc SUNW,SPARC-Enterprise

64 GB Memory

Memory size: 65536 Megabytes

32 Hardware Threads @ 2150 MHz

============ Psrinfo ==========
Status of virtual processor 0 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:19.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 1 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 2 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 3 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 8 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 9 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 10 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 11 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 16 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 17 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 18 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 19 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 24 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 25 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 26 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 27 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 32 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 33 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 34 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 35 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 40 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 41 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 42 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 43 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 48 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 49 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 50 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 51 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 56 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 57 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 58 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.
Status of virtual processor 59 as of: 03/29/2010 17:47:03
  on-line since 03/29/2010 16:44:20.
  The sparcv9 processor operates at 2150 MHz,
	and has a sparcv9 floating point processor.

I am a Hot Russian Chick

It appears some spammers have used my email address as a "from" for some spam messages. Rats! At least I am a [hot] russian chick. I would hate to be viagra.

From: "Russian women" <jed@mich__wicz.org>
Subject: Still single? look at my profile, Olga from Russia

Hello!

Spring has finally come! Romance is in the air!
Beautiful and still single (!!!) Russian and Ukrainian women are eager to meet you! They have placed their profiles at SingleRussianGirls dating site and waiting for your emails.
Don't loose time and come get registered FREE at http://HELL___IRLS.INFO/?idAff=237

Expensive Ride

I had an expensive ride the other day. While clipping into my pedals, part of the front cracked. I can still clip in, but it is time for new pedals.



I am sticking with my beloved Time RXS pedals. The cleats are walkable, the pedals slip in easy and the are low [no] maintenance. Sure they may crack after 2-3 years, but I guess I can live with that tax.

drugstore.com "gets it"

"That's weird, I'm out of my happy pills. But didn't I put in an order a few weeks ago?"

My regular order from drugstore.com was lost in the ether. Kudos to drugstore.com for "getting it". I called them up about the lack of goods on a Saturday and within five minutes:

• They confirm it should have arrived


• They give me the option of refund, store credit or reshipment


• The delivery is upgraded to three-day shipping for free


• An email confirmation is waiting in my inbox before I hang up

Wow. If only everyone on the interweb did business this way.

Mission Accomplished

I wonder if they will figure out my new mailing address.

Deal or No Deal

It is debatable whether or not people really watch this show, but if you take away the eye candy, does anyone watch it?

TODO: FIXME

A webform was not working for me on a random website. Hmm. Let's see what the javascript console says...

Yup. There's your problem!

Is Consoleshop.com a Scam Site?

I ordered a multi-console connector from consoleshop.com toward the end of 2007. Guess who charged my credit card, sent me a shipping confirmation and ignored inquiries about order status? Yup--consoleshop.com.

It looks like I might be requesting my first chargeback. They have until Thursday...

Why did I not see this before I ordered? I really suck at the Internet.

Update: Chargeback initiated. Good thing I used a "virtual" credit card number.

Update++ (31 Jan 2008): Holy crap! The merchandise finally arrived. It only took a month to get here.  While the site may not be a true scam, it sure as hell is sketchy and not worth the hassle.

Negroni Failures

The past few months have seen many failures on the Campari front. I should just pre-print the drink recipe and hand it out when I make the order to cut out all the overhead.

Isa SF

Isa actually had a Negroni on the drinks menu. "Sweet!" Unfortunately, they only have a beer and wine license so it was actually a faux-groni. WTF?!?! How do you mock a Negroni without a sprit? I bunted and asked for a wine list. I was not up for a $9 experiment.

Melting Pot San Mateo

"You want a what," asked the bartender? I explained the drink and now the 20-something bartender knows what the hell a Negroni is. The drink actually turned out alright, if not a bit small.

Tanglewood

The waiter had never heard of a Negroni before and had no idea what I asked for. Five-minutes after taking my order, he came back and said, "the bartender does not know what a Cargroni is." Hmm. That's probably a good thing. How about a "Neh--groni" instead. The drink had a lemon twist which pissed me off a bit, but there was nothing fundamentally wrong with the drink. The meal on the other hand---well, let's just say I will not be going back.

(Incidentally, Tanglewood is owned by Left Bank. Since I have a strong dislike for Left Bank, my Tanglewood experience makes a lot of sense.)

PF Chang's

Yeah. What the hell was I thinking ordering a Negroni here. It was at least 60% Vermouth. I drank half of it and punted. Shame on me. Next time stick with a beer from a bottle.

Great Ad (dreamhost sucks)

Great google ad in the wake of the dreamhost billing disaster.  Props to McKremie.com



Tonight will be an official "geek-out" so I can get the hell off of this host.

Dreamhost is...

...run by asshats.  I gotta get off this host.

Green Lady Bug?!?

I spotted what looked to be a green lady bug farting around my parsley plant the other day. Here I thought the little red lady evolved to blend in with all the green. Am I witness to evolution in front of my own house? Nope--it was just a Spotted Cucumber Beetle which I should have killed on the spot. Oh well.

From wikipedia:

The spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) is a major agricultural pest insect (see also cucumber beetle). In the adult form it eats and damages leaves of many crops, including cucumbers, soybeans, cotton, beans and many others. In the larval form, which is known as the southern corn rootworm, it tunnels through the roots of young plants, stunting or killing them. These native pests have a wide range of host plants, but will readily infest a field of crop plants, most notoriously corn.

Lazy Comcast: Cancellation or Authorization???

So, I just canceled auto-pay for my cable bill. Or, at least I think I did. How's this for ambiguous:

***This message confirms that changes to your recurring payment plan have been received. This is a copy of either your automatic recurring electronic fund transfer authorization or cancellation***

I guess comcast IT has not learned about "if" statements yet.
if(status == cancel)
confirmation="cancellation";
else if(status == active)
confirmation="authorization";

Jed the Joker -- Circa February 1996

As a freshman on a swim team, I had to shave my head. That was "the rule." I took advantage of the opportunity and turned myself into the joker.

Going to a conservative catholic college of ~4000 people, I freaked many with my alternative hair. I "presented" myself for the first time at the cafeteria with some teammates donned in other colorful and creative hairstyles. I recall one mow hawk and another blue-green snow-cone style coloring. I'm sure there were a few skinheads in the crew that did not care for all the pomp. About 20 seconds after we walked in, you could hear a pin drop--just a lot of blank stares and whispers. It was legend [--wait for it--] dary.

Up until my senior year, I still had people call me the "green haired guy." I think George Bush said it best, "Mission Accomplished".

Flickr

I have [finally] started using flickr. When I first looked into it, I thought the limit was 100MB TOTAL.

Well shit, that's not a lot.

Then a read it again--100 MB/month.

Well shit, thats plenty for me!

Amazon Unboxing

Yet another entertaining example of Amazon's excessive boxing. The shipment would have been just fine box #1.

Googling [for men?]

Mental note. Next time include "solaris" or "linux" into a query involving "man" and "date".

google query > man date

What do you call two straight men having dinner face-to-face without the aid of a television or the crutch of sports? -- No

Welcome to Mandate magazine -- No. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!


The full documentation for date is maintained as a Texinfo -- YES.

I guess it could have been worse.

Hmm.  I would have thought this would be worse.

Go Friars

I love my Alma Mater

http://www.projo.com/pc/content/sp_bkc_pc03_12-03-07_CB8404L_v12.2702a5f.html

PC has decided to keep its mascot — as well as its band and cheerleaders — away from the sold-out Ryan Center for the renewal of the state’s premier sporting event. The move comes one season after PC’s mascot insulted URI’s cheerleaders by ringing a cowbell and running through the girls’ routine during a timeout. URI officials also claimed that PC students handed out “cheer sheets” to their brethren that instructed fans to call URI a “safety school,” and other derisive terms. There were also reports that the Rhody Ram mascot was injured and his costume damaged as he exited a restroom during last year’s PC game at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

This reminds me of an article the NY Post a few years back:

One of the reasons the Red Storm cited for the Friars' hostility is the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Because "The Dunk" is an off-campus facility, suds are sold and generously consumed.

This reporter will not soon forget the sight of an irate Providence fan running from midcourt to the baseline to protest a call - without spilling a drop of brew.

Blackberry Curve Video

I have successfully converted and played video on a Blackberry Curve from a Mac. For future reference, and for others seeking the same end-goal, here are the details.

DVD
Using Handbrake, I used the following options to RIP a DVD. Stolen from the handbrake forum.

Format: MP4
Codec: MPEG-4 Video/AAC Audio
Frame rate: 15fps
Encoder: FFMpeg
Frame rate: 15fps
Quality: Avg Bitrate 1500 kpbs
Chapter markers unchecked
Output: 320 x XXX (BB screen size is 320x240 so if you keep aspect ratio just set the first # to 320 and the second will default)

Tivo
Using TivoDecode Manager, I used the following settings to grab the content from my Tivo:
Download Format: Quicktime MPEG-4 (iPod)

After the content downloads to your desktop, use menucoder and the workflow listed here. I recommend updating the "Encode for Blackberry" worfklow script so it outputs the video in "320xXXX" format. Look for this string:
mencoder -vf scale=240:-10
and change it to:
mencoder -vf scale=320:-10

Opera Mini -- wap.voicestream.com

I have spent the past two-days trying to get Opera Mini to work on my new Blackberry Curve. I am a smart guy, or at least I can generally figure these things out. For whatever reason, I could not get the bloody app to load. It would complain about a missing network connection. After reading countless forum posts, performing various config tweaks and restarts, I finally figured it out. The APN gateway is "wap.voicestream.com". For some reason, I was entering "wap.voicestream.NET". Doh! So, if you are struggling with an opera mini install on a T-Mobile blackberry device, make sure you are using the ".com" address.

The full steps:

Options -> Advanced Options -> TCP
Enter the following APN setting:
wap.voicestream.com
Do not enter a username/password
Save

Note: GCalSync also needs these same settings

Even I Have Limits

I have bought way too many bottles of ~$10 beer in my life, but even I have limits. $28!!! Sheesh.

Blackberry Curve -- Unboxed

The trigger has been pulled and the blackberry curve has been "unboxed":



I cannot take a picture of the device since my phone is my only camera. So, you will only get the box.

I have just spent way too much money on a phone, but so far I like it. My only issue is an inability to send attachments to my mobile blog through the blogger email interface. Bummer.

I was sure to get a 1-year plan. This is the old phone, the "Dash", after 11 months:

My Cell Phone is Pissed at Me

Yesterday I was hunting around looking for a new cell phone. I don't really want to spend the money, but I am sick of Windows Mobile and my slow ass Dash. It seems my phone sensed something was up.

My Phone Wants a New Owner
This morning, while waiting for the train, I put my newspaper and phone on a ledge. When the train arrived, the newspaper made it on the train, but the phone was left behind. Doh! At the last minute I jumped off the train just before the doors closed. Close call. My phone obviously wanted a new owner.

Ritual Suicide
At a meeting this morning, I pulled the phone out of my pocket. Somehow, this cracked the LCD screen. WTF!! My phone just seppuku'd itself.

So, now I have to go into T Mobile and get a new phone with no leverage what-so-ever. I am in the "upgrade" window for a new phone, but you can always pull a better deal as a new customer. I am pretty sure I will be picking up a T-Mobile Blackberry Curve. It allows you to make calls via wifi which should help subsidize T-Mobile's crappy network coverage. It is also not "windows", so I'll have that going for me.

I am a bit upset that new customers are getting the phone for free from resellers. My original plan was to game the cell phone companies and:

• Unlock the Dash


• Cancel my T-Mobile account at the end of the contract


• Switch to a non-contract "Go-Phone" from AT&T and use the Dash


• Wait 90 days so I can be a "new customer"


• Get the Curve from a reseller

There goes that plan...

Mulligan: Sappho

I was in the craptastic San Mateo Bevmo today. God I loathe that place. Every time I am in there I fear I am going to:

• Knock over an entire display case because it is soo friggin' small


• Get my ass kicked by one of the clientèle using their pay check to buy booze

Anyway, I finally picked up a bottle Green Chartreuse. This was the missing ingredient preventing me from mixing up a "Sappho". I finally mixed one up today, but sure enough, the glass I used cracked after my first sip. Considering I am low on Gin and I only have Triple Sec (not suggested Cointreau), I figure I will defer the Sappho for a later date. It just wasn't meant to be tonight.

On another note, I did take a swig straight from the bottle (room temperature). My first impression seems to sync up with this guys description:

Green Chartreuse is a liqueur that was invented when Satan was tired of peeing in the mouths of the damned with his eight-headed penis.

I imagine the drink takes on different characteristics when mixed or cold, but this is not intended for "neat" at room temp. At least it is not intended for me.

Turkey DOS

Looks like epicurious.com is not ready for all of the pre-Thanksgiving meal planning.

Great Ideas

Every-so-often, I come up with a great idea. These ideas generally come to me in a bar or a dimly lit room after one too many drinks. Due to laziness, inebriation and the ludicrousness of these "business plans", the chance of me acting on them are rather slim. Today, I found out one of my great ideas has officially been productized.

Let me explain....

Dogs are cute. Right? Puppies are even cuter.

Who likes cute things? Chicks, man!

What if there was a way to rent a puppy. That would turn the renter into a babe magnet. The world would be yours for the taking!!!

In a nutshell, my idea was a puppy rental business. Sure there are ethical concerns and the whole "adult" dog issue, but on paper it is a great idea. (Just like communism.)

It seems some entrepreneur has capitalized on my idea with "Flex Pets", a pet rental business. I guess I won't be going into the puppy rental business any time soon with competition like this.

(For the record, I think this is a horrible idea and smells like a for-profit dog pound. Sorry Rover...)

Mmmm. Imap

Finally. Google has opened up imap access. When tethered to a desktop/laptop I prefer the web client, but phone access to email over POP has--well sucked!

To Do: Sappho

Lars has just tipped me off about a drink to fuel my Campari obsession:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/10/12/WIAESHSJV.DTL&feed=rss.wine

Sappho

Makes 1 drink

Adapted from a recipe by Rafael Ballesteros, Spain.

* Green Chartreuse, to rinse glass
* 2 1/2 ounces gin
* 1/2 ounce Campari
* 1/4 ounce Cointreau
* 1 orange twist, for garnish

Instructions: Pour the Chartreuse into a chilled cocktail glass, and by tilting the glass and rotating it at the same time, coat the entire interior with the liqueur. Discard the excess Chartreuse. Fill a mixing glass two-thirds full of ice and add the gin, Campari and Cointreau. Stir for approximately 30 seconds, strain into the prepared cocktail glass, and add the garnish.

Given how much trouble I have ordering a Negroni, I won't dare order this in a bar. By the way, what the hell is Chartreuse? Ahhh--I think I am gonna like it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartreuse_(liqueur)

Green Chartreuse (110 proof or 55%) is a naturally green liqueur flavored with extracts from 130 plants with its coloring coming from chlorophyll and from which the name of the color is derived.

Big Box Overload

My Home Depot and Lowes trips are getting out of hand. When I got my first place out of college, I was scared of Home Depot. The store was so big and I had no idea where anything was. If I could find what I needed, generally, I had no idea how to use it.

These days I know the layouts of at least three different Home Depots, one Lowes and I actually enjoy walking the isles. If I keep up my current rate of shopping, I might even get to know the names of employees!

My unbilled credit card statement shows 15 trips to Home Depot or Lowes over the past ~20 days.  Yikes!

My Contrator is Broken?

I have just started a redo of my bathroom. I am using a contractor that I have used for some random handy man work and a 1/2 bath redo. I am convinced there is something wrong with him. After all:

• He shows up on time, if not early. If he says he will be there at 9AM, he generally shows up around 8:45.


• He does not disappear for days at a time. When he starts a job, he sticks around until it is completed.


• He knows how to "scope" a job. His final costs have never exceeded his estimates. He has also spotted potential issues before the job has started. For example, before he installed a pedestal sink, he noticed the plumbing would have to move over a few inches to properly center the sink with the light. Other contractors that bid on the job did not mention the detail.


• He's clean. The job site is not a dump at the end of the day. I have done enough DIY jobs around the house to know how difficult this is.


• He listens to classical music on the job. I thought classic rock was the stable of the construction trade

Damn. I'm lucky.

So far, everything has gone pretty smoothly. Today I got a call saying, "Two boxes of tile do not match." What!?! It appears the tile company gave me ~60 square feet of what I ordered and ~20 square feet of something else. Thankfully, I ordered "in stock" tile that was still in stock and replacements were available. Hopefully things remain uneventful.

"...ongoing law enforcement investigation..."

That's funny? Why am I getting a new credit card now? It does not expire for a few months. Eh--Whatever.  Lemme call the card activation number.

Your account number ending in XYZ has been canceled. It has been flagged for fraud investigation and cannot be used due to an ongoing law enforcement investigation...

CRAP! Looks like I'll be wasting some time looking at statements and updating my auto-pays.