Beck and Nutnfancy

Nutnfancy Dudes, I'm going to be in the Glenn Beck show in 2 Feb, Thurs. Will let you know time, may make videoSat, Jan 28 16:35:16 from Twitter for iPhone

FourSevens

FourSevens has a new web site. It is a much cleaner look and is much more focused. (No pun intended.) The "Light Finder" feature is a nice improvement. I've still not bought one, but I've been tempted several times - even tried once, but the Quark AA^2 was back-ordered with no ETA.

Filter

Love the last line in this article about information overload:

As Clay Shirky recently observed, “There’s no such thing as information overload — only filter failure.”

What does Google think about you?

This reminds a little of TiVo's ability to suggest other television shows you might like... you can see what Google knows about you based on your web habits. Sign into your google account and click here.

Via Casey Johnston via Business Insider

Taxes 101

Info from an accountant (okay, he's a writer, too):

"So, income gets taxed higher. Investments get taxed lower. That’s why rich guys who now live off of their investments pay a lower overall rate. That’s why Buffet’s secretary gets taxed at a higher rate than her megalomaniacal attention whore of a boss."

Larry mentions that most of his income hits as a 1099, so he has to send in his payments without assistance from an employer. I think Uncle was that one that suggested if we all had to actually write the big check every year to the government instead of the money being taken out every paycheck, we'd be a lot more upset. W-2's are hitting mailboxes. Now is a good time to think about that number.

Is the server down?

Bless their hearts. I don't expect my user/customers to know everything about how the IT systems work, but I have to laugh a little when they call and ask "Is the server down?" It makes it sounds like every service (database, e-mails, file, numerous applications) and bit of hardware (servers, switches, routers, firewalls, NAS, SAN) is running on one magic box.

While virtualization has greatly reduced the number of physical servers, I don't see us getting down to one anytime soon.

Best 3-Point Shooter

I agree. Chris Lofton is the best 3-point shooter of all time. My favorite UT basketball teams all include Chris Lofton. Those teams worked hard, were extremely entertaining with their fast pace and pressure defense, and had a lot of success. It would be hard not to like them.

Here is Lofton's "you have got to be kidding me" shot from way out over Kevin Durant.

Drug Cartel Areas of Influence

Since my company has a plant in Mexico, I probably should not read reports like this one from Stratfor. It shows a map of where the various drug cartels are in control. I think I am ready for a job where I never have to leave Knoxville.

Ender's Game the Movie

Having Han Solo in the movie is great, but I'm just happy it is being made. I liked these books better than Harry Potter. It is a bit of Harry Potter in space for those that are unfamiliar with the series.

andrewchen Harrison Ford locked for 'Ender's Game' - Entertainment News, EXCLUSIVE, Media - Variety bit.ly/w1BRsGTue, Jan 24 00:10:07 from Timely by Demandforce

Utilities Bills vs. Technology Bills

I'm a geek, but maybe I am a frugal geek, because my utilities are much more expensive than my monthly technology cost unlike the findings in this article. If you don't like words, there is a good infograph there, too.

It helps that my company provides my smartphone service, but we have the basic internet service with Knology and no home phone. We don't spend a lot on apps or other services - including an on-line backup service. (I've been tempted, but I use a combination of Dropbox, Windows Live Mesh, and USB hard drives to do the heavy lifting there.) It also helps that my daughter is only three - she probably won't need her own smart phone for another 6 months. ;)

Another factor is that my house is one big energy sink when it comes to heating and cooling. My base usage is a small number compared to the heating and cooling costs. I need a smaller house.