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Abandon the Web! Seems like a good idea. With solutions to the Web's problems.
Talking Taxes
2005-11-29
2005-11-28
Input Devices
I was looking for alternate input devices again because I really didn't feel like working (you might say I have a "case of the Mondays"). Previously I'd toyed with the idea of buying a Datahand, but even at half price ($500) it seems a bit questionable. A 90-day warranty is too short, and in order to get Dvorak one has to buy the more expensive model and pay for the extra key mapping, for a total of about $800. Ouch.
So I found an old review on this device called the TouchStream ST, which is another funky keyboard/mouse combo, but when I wandered over to the company website (FingerWorks), they've apparently gone out of business.
If I ever become independently wealthy and get a lot of time on my hands, I'd love to make some input device review site. Even today, there's a lack of decent input devices. I've had to relegate myself to Microsoft ergonomic keyboards, which makes me feel dirty somehow. (I really shouldn't talk, because I own Microsoft stock....)
So I found an old review on this device called the TouchStream ST, which is another funky keyboard/mouse combo, but when I wandered over to the company website (FingerWorks), they've apparently gone out of business.
If I ever become independently wealthy and get a lot of time on my hands, I'd love to make some input device review site. Even today, there's a lack of decent input devices. I've had to relegate myself to Microsoft ergonomic keyboards, which makes me feel dirty somehow. (I really shouldn't talk, because I own Microsoft stock....)
2005-11-27
Mac mini Hardware Info
Lately I disassembled my Mac mini (using an OXO flexible scraper and okonomiyaki spatula) so I've seen the guts of the mini. However, this site about PowerLinux on the Mac mini has a good description of the hardware.
Maybe it's possible to attach 2 3.5" HDDs using an external case and an extra power supply.... Unfortunately, the Mac mini's power brick supplies 18.5V so it wouldn't be possible to adapt a standard 12V ATX supply to the mini. Eventually I may have to get an Xserve after all.
Maybe it's possible to attach 2 3.5" HDDs using an external case and an extra power supply.... Unfortunately, the Mac mini's power brick supplies 18.5V so it wouldn't be possible to adapt a standard 12V ATX supply to the mini. Eventually I may have to get an Xserve after all.
2005-11-22
Second Amendment Memorandum
From an Amazon.com book review, I found a link to a Department of Justice website entitled WHETHER THE SECOND AMENDMENT SECURES AN INDIVIDUAL RIGHT, which is summarized as:
The Second Amendment secures a right of individuals generally, not a right of States or a right restricted to persons serving in militias.A beautiful thing, that. Too bad it's just a memorandum.
2005-11-21
2005-11-18
2005-11-16
Section 1031
So apparently IRC Section 1031 only applies to investments and business properties. And according to a dude from KPMG, capital gains from primary residences aren't taxed...?!
Field Guide to 1031 Exchanges
Like-Kind Exchanges
Field Guide to 1031 Exchanges
Like-Kind Exchanges
2005-11-15
2005-11-14
2005-11-13
2005-11-12
Load-Balancing Routers
A few dual-port load-balancing routers have popped up. For the past five years I've wanted one, but only expensive business ones existed. It was either that or try configuring Linux's lackluster support, and well, since college, I have more money than time. A lot more. Which is not to say I'm rich, just that I don't have a whole lot of time on my hands!
Anyway, with a bit of research I found that both Netgear's and Linksys's load-balancing routers have serious problems. Unfortunately, the Netgear FVS124G has the most problems, it seems. I say unfortunately because it has all the features I wanted: load-balanced dual WAN ports, 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and VPN support. However, the Netgear forums have a long topic on the lockup issues. Linksys has several load-balancing routers on their site, the RT042 (QoS feature) and RV0041 (with GbE), but of course there's a catch. The former has functional problems like the FVS124G, whereas the latter doesn't seem to be available, and it's over $300. Linksys's other RV series products, FV016 and FV082, seem to also have firmware troubles. The FV016 is interesting because it allows for up to 7 balanced ports, but if one needs that kind of capability, one would probably buy a higher-end device!
One just can't win.
The reason I'm looking is because I need a new router, and Japanese routers aren't in general so great. Turns out that we still make better equipment in the U.S. Well, routers are hardware-assisted software, so that figures. I gave my Netgear FVS318 to my dad because I couldn't tunnel into HGST's network with it...but last time I was home I was able to get in. The VPN software we use is way unreliable, so that was probably the real issue. Good products are so hard to find these days.
Anyway, with a bit of research I found that both Netgear's and Linksys's load-balancing routers have serious problems. Unfortunately, the Netgear FVS124G has the most problems, it seems. I say unfortunately because it has all the features I wanted: load-balanced dual WAN ports, 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and VPN support. However, the Netgear forums have a long topic on the lockup issues. Linksys has several load-balancing routers on their site, the RT042 (QoS feature) and RV0041 (with GbE), but of course there's a catch. The former has functional problems like the FVS124G, whereas the latter doesn't seem to be available, and it's over $300. Linksys's other RV series products, FV016 and FV082, seem to also have firmware troubles. The FV016 is interesting because it allows for up to 7 balanced ports, but if one needs that kind of capability, one would probably buy a higher-end device!
One just can't win.
The reason I'm looking is because I need a new router, and Japanese routers aren't in general so great. Turns out that we still make better equipment in the U.S. Well, routers are hardware-assisted software, so that figures. I gave my Netgear FVS318 to my dad because I couldn't tunnel into HGST's network with it...but last time I was home I was able to get in. The VPN software we use is way unreliable, so that was probably the real issue. Good products are so hard to find these days.
2005-11-02
Indigo
愛染工房 - One of my favorite places to visit in Kyoto.
A few more links I found whilst searching for indigo:
Japanese Indigo (in Japanese) - This actually isn't indigo at all...it's baby items and stuff. How misleading.
The Japanese Connection - Various japanese goods.
ginkoya - A couple who runs a Japanese craft store. They also do eBay auctions.
Shokuninn (also in Japanese) - Nicely done website with a lot of nice designs. Seems to be a trading company.
Saber's Japanese Textiles
A few more links I found whilst searching for indigo:
Japanese Indigo (in Japanese) - This actually isn't indigo at all...it's baby items and stuff. How misleading.
The Japanese Connection - Various japanese goods.
ginkoya - A couple who runs a Japanese craft store. They also do eBay auctions.
Shokuninn (also in Japanese) - Nicely done website with a lot of nice designs. Seems to be a trading company.
Saber's Japanese Textiles
2005-11-01
Investopedia "University"
I've posted Investopedia's link here before, but specifically, their tutorials are helpful. I ran into this one while idly searching for information about the causes of inflation. (The Fed just increased the reserve rates to 4%.)
To me, inflation in general seems like a bad thing. Whether or not your wages increase to compensate, there doesn't seem to be a purpose for a change in the valuation of monetary units. I guess it's just that costs and demand change at different rates with different industries, typically rising, so as costs become equalized across the economy currency surreptitiously becomes devalued. This is especially true since we no longer have a gold standard to bind the currency to a reference point with practical material usage.
To me, inflation in general seems like a bad thing. Whether or not your wages increase to compensate, there doesn't seem to be a purpose for a change in the valuation of monetary units. I guess it's just that costs and demand change at different rates with different industries, typically rising, so as costs become equalized across the economy currency surreptitiously becomes devalued. This is especially true since we no longer have a gold standard to bind the currency to a reference point with practical material usage.
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