« Previous Day | Main | Next Day »

12 October, 2004

XEROXNWWIA

If you're running Windows, check your Program Files directory. Do you see a XEROX directory with a NWWIA subdirectory? If so, you can't delete it. And nobody seems to know why it's there -- not even Leo.

My new computer arrived today and, sure enough, it also has that directory. But it also has a directory called "Your Company Name" with a subdirectory called "Your Product Name."

Is this some sort of new hard drive advertising?

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Belly Button Plant

Now this is weird: Belly Button Plant.

A guy goes on a canoe trip and doesn't change clothes for six days. He gets home, takes his shirt off, and finds a weed growing in his navel.

(via Boing Boing)

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Art He Hates

From Jin Wicked's Old Tyme Fun And Diversions: Art I Hate.

During the history of Mankind, for each artist whom ever existed, there have been a small handful of other artists that he considered complete hacks. No one will ever convince me that this is not so. I'm sure that within even the most good-natured painter lurks a Bob Ross hater, or perhaps a loathing disgust for the work of Norman Rockwell. I, of course, am no exception.

I present to you the following artists, whose work makes my skin crawl, my stomach twist into frustrated knots, and makes me want to scream out, "WHY?!?"

He discusses six painters. I agree with him on all counts -- except Picasso.

Shown here is a painting by Thomas Kinkade, the "painter of crap."

Update: As Toad pointed out in one of the comments, Jin Wicked is a female. Check out her other diversions. Sorry for the gender confusion.

(via Burp)

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Portable Music Players

Posted to Ask J-Walk, by Richard:

Do you have an iPod or other mp3 player? What do you think of them?

Coincidentally, I just received an MP3 player a few days ago. It was a gift from Microsoft to their MVPs. It's a 128-MB Nomad MuVo. The only difference is that it's branded with Microsoft's name instead of Nomad.

It's a USB device, so I just plug it in and then drag-and-drop files. The music sounds pretty good, and I have no complaints. However, I don't really see myself using it much. It's not like I leave the house each day and need to keep myself entertained during the commute.

I'll probably just use it as a backup file storage device.

What are others using?

Posted on 12 October, 2004

The Future Of Time

A design competition from Timex: 2154: The Future of Time.

To celebrate its 150th Anniversary and demonstrate an ongoing commitment to design and innovation, Timex teamed up with Core77 to conduct a global design competition: Timex2154: THE FUTURE OF TIME. Designers from more than 72 countries explored and visualized personal and portable timekeeping 150 years into the future. Renowned designers and design specialists considered over 640 entries in three categories: wrist-based, wearable, and conceptual.

Shown here is an entry called Time Tattoo. It would be included in a box of bread mix, and assist with the timing aspects of preparation. Just peel it off, attach it to your skin, and follow the instructions.

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Baseball Player Deaths

Found at the Baseball Almanac: Baseball Player Obituaries and Death by Month Chart.

Have you ever wondered which month records the highest number of ballplayer deaths? We did not, but after doing a few obituaries we were asked 2-3 times a week!

The most deaths occurred in January; the fewest in June.

Posted on 12 October, 2004

XP SP2 Fixes

From Microsoft: List of fixes included in Windows XP Service Pack 2.

By my count, the list contains 818 items.

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Glasses With Headlights

Not a bad idea, actually: NightVision Geek Glasses.

They're optically correct, lightweight acrylic reading lenses, so you can order the magnification needed to bring fine print into sharp focus. And they're surprisingly comfortable - you barely notice the headlights! But flick on the high beams, and dual, high-output LED's light up the page, without lighting up the room. And without waking your spouse! Also works great for map reading; auto repairs; boat repairs; sewing; fishing; power outages.

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Absolut Ads

The Aboslut Vodka Advertisement Archives.

Posted on 12 October, 2004

What Would You Do For An iPod?

Everybody wants an iPod, and some people will do almost anything to get one: NYC man routs locals, eating 13 roaches to win iPod.

Author and chef David George Gordon is used to people panning his creations. The author of "The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook" was at the Palisades Center yesterday to help promote the IMAX film "A Rainforest Adventure: Bugs! in 3D."

He cooked, he lectured, he joked, and he oversaw a competition among the strong-stomached for an Apple iPod that was won by Manhattanite Shai Pariente, 22.

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Doodlebug

Marty Rosenberg Online Museum of Doodles.

Marty Rosenberg, my father, died on July 20, 2003 at the age of 81 after a long and happy life. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, a daughter, two sons and six grandchildren (who helped in the doodle-naming).

He also leaves behind this peek into his wonderful, much missed mind. The commentary may be imagined, but each and every doodle is very real. Enjoy now... The Doodles of Marty Rosenberg!

The doodle shown here is called Euclid Man.

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Podcasting And Music

John, at the Inluminent blog, writes: DailySourceCode Drives iTunes Purchase.

Today, I had the day off, so I played with iPodder, and set it up to download Adam Curry's DailySourceCode Podcast. Podcasting is cool. It's like talk radio without the radio...

So, I listened to it while I was out mowing the lawn, and at about 6:57 into the daily podcast, Adam played Frank Sinatra's Come Fly with Me. What a fantastic song.

So, I immediately went into the house, brought up the iTunes Music Store and bought the track... and then I went ahead and bought the entire album that I found it on... seemed like a prudent thing to do at the time.

I wonder if Adam Curry obtained permission to use that music for his podcast? Will podcasters be the next target for RIAA law suits?

Jim Kloss addressed this issue a few days ago: Podcasting Mainstream Music.

I don't get it. There's so much outstanding independently produced music out there in every genre (just go check friggin' CDBaby) that the RIAA has no claim on. Come on folks - let's put our actions where our mouths are. I doubt there's a podcaster out there who supports the RIAA ... so why the hell do they continue to play RIAA music?

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Fountain Diving

Jeff's collection of photos of himself in various fountains throughout the world: Urban Oases.

For many years now, I have traveled the cities of this world in order to experience their public (and not-so-public) fountains. I present this limited selection of my aquatic exploits as my personal ode to the majestic manmade water sculptures of this world.

Here's a shot of him enjoying a fountain in Monte Carlo.

Posted on 12 October, 2004

Cuban Cigar Rules

Cigar lovers take note: US Tightens Restrictions on Cuban Cigars.

The notice also clarifies that Americans are barred from not only purchasing Cuban goods in foreign countries, but also from consuming them in those countries.

Posted on 12 October, 2004