EU Standardizes Mobile Phone Chargers

I have mixed feelings about the EU's required standardization of mobile phone chargers. As someone that supports a fleet of mobile phones, I think it is a great idea. As a fan of letting markets work, I hate to think that this might limit the next big (or little!) thing in connectors.

Beware the Hacker!

It gets good around 9 minutes. If you want to skip ahead, the background is that this guy got his computer stolen and tracked it down after more than a year. I laughed out loud more than once.

True Grit

I saw True Grit (2010) today. I've not see the original, but I've heard good things about the remake. I came away being being lukewarm about it. The plot was straight forward and enough to keep me interested. I didn't buy Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges in their roles. There was too much of The Dude in Cogburn and Damon doesn't make for a believable talkative, if not out right effeminate, Texas Ranger. Also, there were some rough transitions between scenes that were jarring. On the plus side, there were several excellent one-liners and bits of wisdom (like not needing a good lawyer, but rather a good judge) to keep things moving.

Since I didn't love this movie, maybe I should have gone to something with different actors like Tron: Legacy. Oh, wait, nevermind.

Big Orange Screw

The Vols got screwed out of a win at the Music City Bowl yesterday. I know I'm biased, but even some refs agree.



The last time the Volunteer Nation got treated this poorly was when Peyton Manning didn't get the Heisman Trophy.

FlexRadio

I like computers. I work with computers. I don't know that I would want a radio that is dependent on a computer like the FLEX-5000A.

From Brick O'Lore

I find it interesting that it requires FireWire. If I were to go this route, I would want a dedicated machine. Or it would be nice if you could virtualize it. My father-in-law seems impressed with the specs and the QST review was mostly positive. (I think some of the problems the reviewer had were PC/Vista related, but that is a legitimate complaint for a Software Defined Radio.) One of the guys that is often on the 940 repeater really likes his FlexRadio and may upgrade to the 5000A.

Smart Phone App for Mobile Callsign and Repeater Search

QSL.FM is a neat little app for looking up repeater information and callsigns while on the go.

Who is misinformed?

From the "How the World Works" video below...

You may have seen the study showing that Fox News Viewers are largely misinformed. Except they aren't - unless you ignore:

- The study didn't test what it claimed.
- The data collected supported opposite conclusions.
- The researchers cited disputed citations as fact.
- and more!



It reminds of:
Using statistics means you never have to say you lied.
Lies, damn lies, and statistics.
98% of all stats are made up.

Preparation is a Journey

Preparation is a journey. I can't prepare for everything, but over time I'd like to give myself more options.

For example, I keep improving my Emergency Car Kit as I've add cell phone chargers and some ice melt to the gloves, poncho, and hat.

Here is another food-for-thought article:
Three seconds. Three minutes. Thirty minutes.

I have no go-bag. I've had CPR, but don't have good first aid kits. A buddy is talking about scheduling some first-aid training, so maybe I can fill in that gap.

Private Enterprise

I read David Moon's article in the Sunday paper and it is another great example of what's wrong with the world. Forget if you are pro-gay rights, anti-gay rights, Christian, or an ardent supporter of the separation of church and state - let private enterprise do what they want. If people don't want to do business with a conservative or liberal bank, let them vote with their dollars.

A quick look at my ham shack

Just the basics...