A couple recipes for those tasty little buckeye chocolates:
About.com
RecipeLand.com (also at RecipeSource.com
2005-12-12
2005-12-08
Young's Jersey Dairy
Young's has a website. Talk about advanced farmers, hehe. Some of the best milkshakes around. Their BBQ sandwich and fish sandwich are excellent also. I haven't actually been to the separate sit-down restaurant yet.
PGP Desktop & Forum Support Rant
This past week I bought PGP Desktop Professional 9.0 for Macintosh. I had some problems, so I posted a note on the support forum.
I'm kinda pissed that I shelled out $150 for the software and have had problems with it. I've wasted at least a couple hours tinkering with the thing trying to get it to run as it should. Granted, my setup is more complicated than most end users'. Still, most people that use Macs probably have more money than time -- which is the main reason I use them, other than that Microsoft overcharges for their software -- which means that problems like this are especially bad for the user. Strange how many software companies think they can just charge more for the Mac version without added functionality or even the same stability as the Windows version (that comment wasn't directed at PGP specifically).
What really pisses me off about the software industry is that there's this trend toward forums rather than real support. I have to read a bunch of other people's issues first, and I don't have that kind of time to spend. Forum admins should be responsible for putting together FAQs of previously answered questions. And why should I have to pay more for support when I already shelled out several hours' wages for a product that's not working as it should?
I'm kinda pissed that I shelled out $150 for the software and have had problems with it. I've wasted at least a couple hours tinkering with the thing trying to get it to run as it should. Granted, my setup is more complicated than most end users'. Still, most people that use Macs probably have more money than time -- which is the main reason I use them, other than that Microsoft overcharges for their software -- which means that problems like this are especially bad for the user. Strange how many software companies think they can just charge more for the Mac version without added functionality or even the same stability as the Windows version (that comment wasn't directed at PGP specifically).
What really pisses me off about the software industry is that there's this trend toward forums rather than real support. I have to read a bunch of other people's issues first, and I don't have that kind of time to spend. Forum admins should be responsible for putting together FAQs of previously answered questions. And why should I have to pay more for support when I already shelled out several hours' wages for a product that's not working as it should?
Gold Prices
An article on CNN describes the gold high and possible causal factors. Looks like it'll be best to hold off on buying until after the holidays are over.
For unfathomable reasons, people tend to buy after the price has already gone up. I suppose that's because they think it's an upward trend and want to ride it up. Still, the point is that the market usually corrects upward for undervalued securities and downward for overvalued securities, so it only really makes sense to take action if you were one of the people who discovered the true value ahead of time. With these kind of things, the market will overshoot and stabilize, so latecomers buy too high and get stuck paying too much. It's thanks to them that others can make a profit. Ah, the perils of the stock market.
For unfathomable reasons, people tend to buy after the price has already gone up. I suppose that's because they think it's an upward trend and want to ride it up. Still, the point is that the market usually corrects upward for undervalued securities and downward for overvalued securities, so it only really makes sense to take action if you were one of the people who discovered the true value ahead of time. With these kind of things, the market will overshoot and stabilize, so latecomers buy too high and get stuck paying too much. It's thanks to them that others can make a profit. Ah, the perils of the stock market.
2005-12-07
link dump before reboot...
Fuel Up With Banana Peels - "I need fuel!" Mr. Fusion may become a reality after all.
The Quintessential Japanese Game - Like one of the commenters said, it would've been better had it been the DoA girls. Still, some people are too hardline about their prejudices and short-circuit judgements of other people. Like that this game represents the "quintessential Japanese" mentality. If so, one might characterize American society by the tired antics of Eminem, which is FAR more disturbing than this little video game.
The Quintessential Japanese Game - Like one of the commenters said, it would've been better had it been the DoA girls. Still, some people are too hardline about their prejudices and short-circuit judgements of other people. Like that this game represents the "quintessential Japanese" mentality. If so, one might characterize American society by the tired antics of Eminem, which is FAR more disturbing than this little video game.
2005-12-06
More Tech News
From Wired's Gear Factor:
Search With Your Camphone - Not terribly impressive...just OCR wired to one's cellphone and pulling results from a search engine.
Japanese Segway Goes Extreme - Hmm, maybe I need one of these.
Flexi-Displays Get Bigger, Better - Now this is cool. I want.
Search With Your Camphone - Not terribly impressive...just OCR wired to one's cellphone and pulling results from a search engine.
Japanese Segway Goes Extreme - Hmm, maybe I need one of these.
Flexi-Displays Get Bigger, Better - Now this is cool. I want.
Random Apple News
Predominantly from Wired's Cult of Mac:
Fun Shirts Blend Anime and Apple - Hmm, I smell copyright infringement....
Beautiful Papercraft Mac and iPod - I need to print these out and put them on my desk at work.
Airport Express Mod - Extending the range of the APX using various household items.
Sony "rootkit" CD had designs on iPod - Reports that the Sony rootkit copy protection had the capability to convert tunes to Apple's FairPlay. Sony is so screwed on this one.
Fun Shirts Blend Anime and Apple - Hmm, I smell copyright infringement....
Beautiful Papercraft Mac and iPod - I need to print these out and put them on my desk at work.
Airport Express Mod - Extending the range of the APX using various household items.
Sony "rootkit" CD had designs on iPod - Reports that the Sony rootkit copy protection had the capability to convert tunes to Apple's FairPlay. Sony is so screwed on this one.
2005-11-29
Interesting Blogs
Linked from Blogger:
Abandon the Web! Seems like a good idea. With solutions to the Web's problems.
Talking Taxes
Abandon the Web! Seems like a good idea. With solutions to the Web's problems.
Talking Taxes
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.
2005-10-29
Federal Firearms License
Ahh, wouldn't it be cool to have one of these? No more stupid fees to take possession of firearms. Of course, this is only useful if I intend to buy enough guns to cover the license fees. Maybe after I move back to the U.S. And buy a house. And a large safe.
ATF Firearms FAQs - Information and links about U.S. firearms law.
Firearms & Explosives Imports Branch - Information on weapons importing.
National Licensing Center - Get licensed.
ATF Distribution Center - Order Form F7!
ATF Firearms FAQs - Information and links about U.S. firearms law.
Firearms & Explosives Imports Branch - Information on weapons importing.
National Licensing Center - Get licensed.
ATF Distribution Center - Order Form F7!
2005-10-28
Brain Sex
That's not as funky as it sounds. Americans are so overly sensitized to the word "sex" that they erroneously substitute "gender" when they mean "sex". Sex, aside from the act of copulation, refers to the physical characteristic differences between males and females of a species (at least when a species has two sexes). Gender is the role that a particular sex plays, and is largely psychological, but is also cultural and invariably somewhat linked to the physiological sex.
So a homosexual male who is always the femme and has nurturing instincts could truthfully answer on a form that asks for "gender" that he is "female".
But that's beside the point. Gina Lynn's Wired blog has a link to this Brain sex test on the BBC. I haven't checked it out yet, but after hearing about one of my coworkers taking such a test and coming up 80% female (although he's male), I wonder how I stack up. That I don't like football counts against me, but that I like weapons makes me more masculine than the preponderance of wimpy Americans who don't like guns.
So a homosexual male who is always the femme and has nurturing instincts could truthfully answer on a form that asks for "gender" that he is "female".
But that's beside the point. Gina Lynn's Wired blog has a link to this Brain sex test on the BBC. I haven't checked it out yet, but after hearing about one of my coworkers taking such a test and coming up 80% female (although he's male), I wonder how I stack up. That I don't like football counts against me, but that I like weapons makes me more masculine than the preponderance of wimpy Americans who don't like guns.
これ、欲しい！
前から「ピュア・タブレット」みたいなノートパソコンが欲しいと思っていたけど、これがいい。富士通のFMV-STYLISTIC TB12/B。でかい電池を入れると１０時間ももつんだって。使ってみたい。
これも面白そうだけど、使い道あるのかな。
これも面白そうだけど、使い道あるのかな。
2005-10-27
MRJapanese
That's not "Mr. Japanese", it's Management Recruiters Japanese. Apparently Katie's trying to get a job through them. My Japanese isn't great, but perhaps I should look, too....
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