Introducing the Solar Tree

Because real trees just are not effecient enough...

I just read an article on solar trees - see the link below. The idea is that these "trees" will use solar panels to charge batteries that will power street lights, thereby reducing power use in the city and reducing the overall carbon footprint. It does seem to beg the question, what about the real trees and their negative carbon footprint? Are we replacing CO2 processing trees with plastic trees to reduce rather then eliminate green house gasses? A single tree is a pretty efficient carbon dioxide processing plant. Maybe some combination of real trees and street lamps would be ok. I guess something just rubs me the wrong way about calling these "trees".

Check it out for yourself by reading Introducing the Solar Tree

An RSS Tutorial for mortals

I've been asked more than once to explain this "RSS Thing" to friends and family since it has become prevalent across the web. I ran across a nice tutorial that explains it a little better then I was doing, from a guy in Australia, formerly of Baltimore. Check it out and tell me if you like it.

Tattoo Technology

Who would have thought - technology invades the ink parlor. Check out this blog entry, it details a new 3D process a designer came up with.

I am not sure that I like this idea - some of the process is in the unknown I think. Of course, you still have the fact that a human artist is actually laying down the ink regardless of what the computer model shows, still, I think something is lost.

Just in case 3D ink models are not enough - they now have removable ink made with micro beads that dissolve with one laser pass for those who want a "semi-permanent" tattoo. What is this, hair coloring?

CSS and clean HTML

While playing around with CSS, I have found that tagging content and page elements has taken on a whole new importance. Look at sites like the CSS Zen Garden to see just how powerful this concept is. A great little reference to help you get started with HTML layout can be found at http://css-tricks.com/examples/CleanCode/CleanCode.jpg.

He has much more content to explore that will give you tips & tricks to use with your CSS work.

Photoshop Brushes

I really have to get rid of my stumble! toolbar - while it provides some great links it sure can suck up time. I ran across a link to a collection of Photoshop brushes that are vary neat. Check them out at http://www.photoshoproadmap.com

Rebuilding iTunes database

One of my biggest complaints about iTunes is that there is no built in way to rebuild your database when files are moved or deleted. I ran across this utility today and it worked great! Check it out at http://itlu.ownz.ch/wordpress/

Computer Wisdom

* There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works.
* A printer consists of three main parts: the case, the jammed paper tray and the blinking red light.
* The programmer's national anthem is 'AAAAAAAARRRRGHHHHH!!'.
* At the source of every error which is blamed on the computer, you will find at least two human errors, including the error of blaming it on the computer.
* Beta. Software undergoes beta testing shortly before it's released. Beta is Latin for "still doesn't work."
* Computer analyst to programmer: "You start coding. I'll go find out what they want."
* Computer Science: solving today's problems tomorrow.
* Hidden DOS secret: add BUGS=OFF to your CONFIG.SYS
* Hit any user to continue.
* I wish life had an UNDO function.
* If your computer says, "Printer out of Paper," this problem cannot be resolved by continuously clicking the "OK" button.
* It said "Insert disk 3..." but only 2 fit in the drive.
* Microsoft Windows: computing While U Wait
* 665.9238429876 - Number of the Pentium Beast
* I have yet to meet a C compiler that is more friendly and easier to use than eating soup with a knife.
* My software never has bugs. It just develops random features.
* Programming graphics in X is like finding sqrt(pi) using Roman numerals.
* "To know recursion, you must first know recursion"
* Life's unfair - but root password helps!
* Mountain Dew and doughnuts... because breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
* Hey! It compiles! Ship it!
* "Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning.
* Intel: We put the "um..." in Pentium.
* Helpdesk tip #2: When the support analyst says "Click...", wait for the rest of the sentence.
* BREAKFAST.COM Halted...Cereal Port Not Responding
* BUFFERS=20 FILES=15 2nd down, 4th quarter, 5 yards to go!
* As a computer, I find your faith in technology amusing.
* Disinformation is not as good as datinformation.
* Smash forehead on keyboard to continue.....
* Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue...
* All wiyht. Rho sritched mg kegtops awound?
* A good programmer makes all the right mistakes.
* Managing programmers is like herding cats.
* "There is an old saying that if a million monkeys typed on a million keyboards for a million years, eventually all the works of Shakespeare would be produced. Now, thanks to Usenet, we know this is not true."
* "A good programmer is someone who looks both ways before crossing a one-way street."
* C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot. C++ makes it harder, but when you do, it blows away your whole leg.
* A computer scientist is someone who, when told to "Go to Hell," sees the "go to," rather than the destination, as harmful.
* 1010011010 - The binary number of the Beast
* APATHY ERROR: Don't bother striking any key. Application has reported a "Not My Fault" in module KRNL.EXE in line 0200:103F
* "The three most dangerous things in the world are a programmer with a soldering iron, a hardware type with a software patch and a user with an idea."