08 Sep 2009 RSSCloud: No need to adjust your firewall
I've been following the recent development of RSSCloud with interest...
Blog
28 Aug 2009 Using jQuery and Prototype together while avoiding the dreaded element.dispatchEvent error
Here is what I do to avoid the dreaded "element.dispatchEvent is not a function" error. I load jQuery first, Prototype second, and then I use jQuery( ) instead of $( ) for all my jQuery calls. <!-- Set up jQuery and prototype together ...
21 Aug 2009 Using Skype to control a model train
Small wireless spy cameras are widely available, and there are even a few available specifically for HO-scale trains. This got me to thinking about letting my cousin in Germany run a train on my train layout, using Skype. Why not? Connecting the camera receiver to...
20 Aug 2009 A short blurb on using sfGuardPlugin credentials
Posted at 21:23h
in Symfony
(Here are a few notes I made to myself about the credential system.) Credentials are part of the sfGuardPlugin security system for Symfony. For some reason, Symfony also refers to credentials as permissions. As far as I can tell, the two terms are used interchangeably. sfGuardUser records...
19 Aug 2009 Meta refresh in Symfony – use view.yml
Posted at 11:41h
in Symfony
The easiest way I've found to add meta refresh to a specific action in Symfony is to use the view.yml file. Note that I use http_metas, not regular metas. indexSuccess: http_metas: refresh: 300 which results in adding the following, as you would expect: <meta...
20 Apr 2009 U.P. 844 videos for April 20, 2009, Sacramento to Oakland
Posted at 19:26h
in Railroads
Newcastle Tunnel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z3Nd3CmJso Yolo Causeway: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8LZDA5fUUw Davis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFcB4gPwLEg Elmira Junction: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLiMwnFIgqY Martinez: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysC4fZALNVg Richmond: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXd71-Sr9pc Emeryville: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFSD7cMUVm0 ...
29 Mar 2009 When Memes Collide – Apple is Expensive vs. Windows is Vulnerable
I always get a kick when the Apple is Expensive meme trotted out as a reason to consider less expensive alternatives. How ironic it is that on the very same day there is news of massive computer infiltration and document loss. The article doesn't mention...
24 Feb 2009 A look in the mirror – Safari 4
Posted at 11:28h
in Apple Computer
I just installed Safari 4 and the first thing it did was to show me my top sites - the 12 sites that I go to most frequently. My initial reaction was "Weird!" and then "I need to get out more often!" Here is a fuzzy...
06 Feb 2009 Just a post to test Zemanta
Posted at 17:32h
in Uncategorized
I'm trying out Zemanta using the Firefox plugin and just seeing how it works. Image via CrunchBase...
31 Jan 2009 San Francisco: Much Sun, Little Rain
San Francisco is known for it's fog, not it's sunshine, but that's mostly in the summer months, mid June to the end of August. Right now in January it should be raining, but we have gotten precious little rain this January. As evidence I present...
31 Jan 2009 For-Profit Do-Gooders
Economist magazine has a great article on for-profit activism and mentions both 1BOG.org and Virgance. 1BOG helped me get a solar panel system last year and I'm am still delighted with how well the whole process went. Thank you again 1BOG and congrats to you and...
17 Jan 2009 Switching From Halogen to LED Lamps
Posted at 12:02h
in Uncategorized
Jeremiah Owyang switched out a high wattage halogen lamp with an LED version that is only 3W. The LED bulb is expensive, but it will save much more over its life. Just another example of how to use less energy withiout sacrificing quality of life. ...
20 Dec 2008 The Model 271
Posted at 16:22h
in Uncategorized
I'm always interested one term can mean different things - polysemy - and now we have the Model 271 in the news. The Model 271 is the type of shoe that was thrown at our President as a sign of disrespect of him and of...
20 Dec 2008 How to Backup Only Purchased Music in iTunes
Posted at 15:11h
in Apple Computer
I was asked recently how to backup purchased iTunes music, and after trying the normal backup function, I discovered what everyone already knows - that iTunes wants backup everything, including movies and TV shows. While I appreciate that Apple wants to backup all purchases (see...
29 Nov 2008 3-D Printed Netherlands Train Station in N-Scale
Jeroen used Shapeways.com to print a three dimensional model of a train station. He has photos and a description of the pieces he received and how he is putting it together. I am totally jazzed by the possibilities of creating 3D models and having them printed...
15 Oct 2008 The One-Word Answer To Our Energy Problems: Electrification
Jeffrey Leonard writes about The Plug In Revolution in the Washington Monthly. He says: Electrification as a rallying cry for American energy policy isnâ??t perfect, but in my view itâ??s the best and perhaps only way to get us to a clean and secure energy future. I...
05 Oct 2008 Solar is on Common Ground Mag’s Radar
Common Ground Magazine talks about One Block Off The Grid (1BOG) in their latest "On Our Radar" column....
04 Oct 2008 Sea Forts in the Thames Estuary
Posted at 20:41h
in Uncategorized
Tim Mitchard has very interesting photo essay of the sea forts in the Thames Estuary....
03 Oct 2008 GM Volt could get $7,500 tax credit
The financial rescue bill (aka the bailout) contains substantial tax credits for plug-in hybrid vehicles sold after 2008. This could mean about $7,500 dollars for a GM Volt, based on the size of its battery. Here are some links: Green Car Congress on the senate bill Green Car...
26 Sep 2008 One among many reasons to get solar
Posted at 07:49h
in Uncategorized
This is just one reason to get solar sooner rather than later: Carbon Is Building Up in Atmosphere Faster Than Predicted (washingtonpost.com) "The new statistics also underscore the growing contribution to the world's "carbon budget" from rapidly industrializing countries such as China, India and Brazil. Developing...