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martes, septiembre 11, 2007

September 11th

Where were you six years ago today? I was where I am today: Puebla, Puebla Mexico. It was a calm morning, and I took a shower before getting ready to go to class. As I was walking out the door to go to class, my host family/roomate called me, telling me their was an airplane crash. When I got to the kitchen, I could see the image of one of the towers hit. I thought, for sure, it was some idiot in a plane. Then I saw the video of the second tower hit, which had just happened. They then showed the president on TV, telling us how sad the attack was.

I relized there was nothing more I could do, so I got my stuff and walked to class.

Of course, no one was in class that day. I was going to a Spanish language school for non-native Spanish speakers, and the majority of the students were American. Everyone was in the computer lab, which had two televisions against one wall, watching the news coverage. By the time I arrived to school, one tower had already collapsed. As I was sending email to my family, every starting yelling and I saw the second tower collapse live. People were speculating who it could be; someone asked me what happened on September 11th. I replied the 1973 coup in Chile. They said, no, that has nothing to do with it.

I remember being angry and upset because of what happened, and I remember calling the Palestines who celebrated this attack putamadres (I still agree with Jerry Pournelle that we should have razed where those people celebrated with bulldozers and salted the ground so no crops would ever grow there again). I remember our teacher (my gf's sister, as it turns out) muttering darkly that we weren't in class because of the attacks, and insisting that we still have Spanish class. I remember all of the television programs in Mexico being interrupted to talk about the attacks on the towers, and watching English-language TV that night.

What do I think today? I think, today, that we must never forget those people who died on that day. We must never forget what happened. We must be vigiliant in our fight against radical Islam that wants to destroy freedom, choice, and the values that make America a great nation. We must always honor our brave serviceman in the military.

September 11. A day that must never be forgotten.

- Sam

12:55

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lunes, septiembre 03, 2007

Teaching my girlfriend Gin Rummy

Instead of playing video games, I have been teaching my girlfriend Gin Rummy. This game, while simple for experienced card players, is actually a fairly complicated game to learn.

The first thing I had to teach her was the ranking of the suits (keep in mind that a Spanish deck of cards has less cards and different names for the cards). Once she understood 10-J-Q-K, I then had to explain to her things American cards players take for granted, such as: While "J" only worth ten points when counting points at the end of a hand, it is "11" when making "runs" (sequences of cards in Gin Rummy).

Another common error Gin Rummy beginners makes is not understanding that, when making a "run", that all of the cards in the run have to be in the same suit. My girlfriend did this at first, but no longer.

At this point, she is able to play a variant of Gin Rummy where you are only allowed to knock (show your cards) if you can "go gin" (if all 10 of your cards are part of a "run" or "set"). At first, we simply played that the first person to knock is the winner. I have been able to expand that to a version where the first person to knock is the winner, and they earn as many points as the "deadwood" in the opponent's hand.

My next goal is to show her that you can actually "knock" anytime you have less than 10 points in your hand, and then explain to her the complicated rules associated with that (25 point bonus for "going gin"; lose 25 points if you knock and the other person has less points than you; associating or connecting your "deadwood" to your opponent's melds if they "knock" without "going gin", etc)

One thing that is very interesting about this entire process is how we are developing our own vocabulary for the various technical terms associated with Gin Rummy, such as "meld" (grupo), "knocking" (ganar), and "deadwood" (lo que salda), which is somewhat different from the vocabulary used in a Spanish-language set of rules for Gin I found.

We're having a lot of fun playing this game. One thing we do is translate the points in to kisses; if she "goes gin" first, I have to kiss her as many times as I have points in my "deadwood", wherever she wants me to kiss her, and vice-versa.

- Sam

16:47

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jueves, agosto 30, 2007

John Ringo: A conservative I actually like

I am been reading some excellent books over at Baen. A lot of their books are free, and there is a collection of 4 or more for-pay unencrypted ebooks released each month at WebScriptions. I'm been very pleased with the high quality of the books I have been reading.

While reading through some WebScription books, I discovered an author, who, despite being hardcore Global-Warming-is-a-myth conservative, someone whose writings I enjoy. His name is John Ringo, and he writes a combination of military contemporary stories and science fiction. For people who want to get a taste of his writing, here are some of his free books.

I like a posting he posted just yesterday over at Baen's bar, which I will quote here:
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
I like this quote because it so accurately describes the kinds of pundits I see in places like Slashdot, where, when, say, a computer bug is discovered, some idiot posts something like "How could have their SQA process have not found that bug?"

Well, as per the above quote, it's a lot easier to be a armchair pundit criticizing other people's accomplishments than to accomplish something yourself. Which I agree with completely.

14:48

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martes, agosto 28, 2007

Patent 6,411,947: Invalid patent

It would seem that someone has decided that automated email replies can be patented. There's only one problem: I was doing the exact same thing they claimed to have patented in 1997, before the patent was filed.

When I worked for Netcom, I developed a system for removing a large backlog of emails we had at the time. The system worked thusly:

A program that scanned incoming email messages looking for keywords.

The program then would have a human operator look at the context of the keywords, to see if a canned email response would be appropriate to give to a customer.

The program would then send the customer a canned reply, if appropriate.

I can tell you that the email support team at Netcom really liked the system; it cleared a backlog of 14,000 messages in the period of about a week.

So, yes, there's 1997 (possibly 1996) prior art for what this 1998-2002 patent claims to cover. And, oh, procmail probably also qualifies as prior art. I'll save my rant about how the patent system is being abused in the lawyer-friendly US legal system for my geek blog.

15:01

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viernes, agosto 24, 2007

Hurricane Dean in Puebla

The remains of what was hurricane entered Puebla on August 22, so I just stayed home all day. The one English class I was supposed to have that morning didn't pan out--it's a group of students who are the only unreliable students I put up with, since they do pay well when I teach them English. The hurricane did affect the weather; Puebla usually has a sunny morning and mid-afternoon, followed by a strong rainstorm in the afternoon or evening that lasts 30 minutes or so. Wednesday, however, was a cloudy day with a fairly constant rainfall, like California's rains during the winter season.

I was expecting heavy winds, but the winds were remarkably calm. My girl, a little closer to the coast, was worried about the hurricane hitting her town in the morning, but I explained that the hurricane's travel through the Yucatan removed most of the wind from the hurricane, and that it was,at worse, a strong tropical storm. She is, of course, perfectly OK.

The remains of the hurricane lingered on yesterday, with light rain in the morning, which is unusual. Normally we have sunshine in the morning and monsoon-force rains in the afternoon or evening for about an hour. The sun is starting to come out today, but it's still more cloudy than it was before the hurricane hit.

12:57

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viernes, agosto 17, 2007

Blake’s 7: 1970s British Sci-Fi

In the late 1970s, there was a British television programme called Blake's 7 that was created by Terry Nation, the same person who invented the famous (at least in Britain) Daleks for Doctor Who, another British sci-fi television programme.

Blake's 7 is a space opera (complete with faster-than light travel and a galaxy full of planets with atmosphere breathable by humans) where the galaxy is ruled by a corrupt totalitarian government called "The Federation". In the story, our heroes try and save the galaxy and liberate it.

This was my favorite TV show in the late 1980s (On this side of the pond, it took a while for programmes to get here back then); back then (this was before mortals had internet access), I had on videotape various episodes that I would watch many times, especially my favorite episodes. My favorite episode is "Gambit" from the second season, which stars someone who you may recognize.

Anyway, the show is not available commercially in the United States. They did make DVDs of the show recently, but only for Region 2 (Europe) and in PAL (England's TV format, incompatible with America's NTSC format), so I am watching the show on YouTube. The resolution is poor, the legality of it is questionable (but note, I can't watch the show at all without resorting to skirting the law), but it gives me a chance to enjoy this classic space opera again.

- Sam

11:01

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martes, agosto 14, 2007

Another racist argument refuted

There is a racist argument that some right-wing people make that the reason why Africa, the Americas, the middle East, and what not are not as wealthy as America is because, well, Blacks, Arabs, and Latinos are dumber than White Americans. They also use this argument to say this is why Latinos, Blacks, and middle-east people don't do as well economically in the US.

This, of course, is pure BS. The pre-Columbus people in Mexico were one of the most intelligent people on the planet: They were one of the only two or three societys in the entire world to independently come up with writing. That takes a lot of smarts.

The reason why Europeans instead of the Native Americans is because my ancestors (I have Viking blood, and my last name is Viking for "Crane bird in a field") had geography and livestock on our side; read Guns, Germs, and Steel (of, if you don't like books, watch the movie) for details.

The argument the extreme right uses is that these people are dumber because they don't do as well on IQ tests as Whites. First of all, the figures these people use are oftentimes of questionable validity. Second of all, even if true, the Flynn Effect demonstrates that technology advancement causes people to do better on IQ tests. What's happening is that, due to racism, minorities do not have as much access to the resources as white people have that cause people to do better on IQ tests. Indeed, Flynn himself recently published a paper showing that the IQ test score gap between blacks and whites is decreasing.

In other words: These societies do not have problems because the people are dumber, but because they are not as technologically advanced as european societies.

17:20

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miércoles, agosto 01, 2007

Link to my geek blog

Just letting people know that I also have a geek blog, which is more technically oriented and less human-interest oriented than this blog.

- Sam

02:36

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domingo, julio 22, 2007

Home computers: today's 'frill' or tomorrow's fact?

TRI-VALLEY NEWS
Sunday, January 21, 1979
20 cents

By BOB ANDERSON

Recalling the herculean efforts needed to straighten out billing errors and those futile attempts to convince magazine subscription departments of an address change, many San Ramon Valley residents might shudder at the thought of inviting a computer into their home.

Computers are cold and calculating, insensitive to verbal abuse and --- from the consumer's viewpoint --- respond to nothing less than an act of God.

Whether it is appreciated or not, computers are playing an ever-increasing role in the lives of most people and manufacturers are now trying to convince the public that these electronic gadgets can be useful and, in fact, harmless home tools.

This softening-up process has already begun. Special purpose computers --- in the forms of programmable microwave ovens, sewing machines, video games, and hand-held electronic teaching aids --- have invaded many homes. And, following this vanguard of "humanized" applications, computers are now becoming designed for personal or home use.

While microcomputers may one day become standard home appliances, the majority of manufacturers are gearing their product to appeal to the small businessman. Regarded as "super toys" and "frills" by many people, the home computer is essentially a hobby for the individual.

One of these hobbyists, John Trenholme of Danville, invited a computer into his house three years ago and hasn't tired of its use.

"I have a hell of a lot of fun with this," said Trenholme, pointing to the electrical guts of an 8080 Processor Technology Sol package with floppy disc drive, printer and 12-inch Hitachi black and white portable television set.

Pieced together over a period of years, Trenholme's system cost him more than $3,000. But that was before the prices of electronic hardware began to drop. With increased demand for home computers and more manufacturers entering the market, Trenholme predicts that prices will drop even more dramatically --- similar to that experienced in the field of hand calculators.

What can a home computer do? If you want, it can balance a checkbook, keep tabs on tax records, chart family spending habits, regulate temperatures in the home, turn on lights and sprinkler systems, play games and teach children math and spelling.

Some computers --- much like word processors --- will provide perfectly typed letters with justified lines and even margins. It will even remember what it typed, in the event a copy is wanted later.

If a person looks at any one individual use of the home computer, it can certainly be argued that the $600 to $6,000 cost is not justified. By looking at the total number of jobs and bookkeeping duties it can do around the house, you might be justified in buying one.

Before embarking on any expensive outlay for equipment, "you should get some exposure to computers," warns Trenholme. There is a lot more involved than just plugging it in and beginning to work miracles.

Trenholme, who works in laser research at Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, maintains contact with other computer hobbyists through the lab's recreation association, whose computer club boasts the largest collection of computer hobbyists in the Tri-Valley area.

Members range from those who dream that it might be nice to have a home computer to those who are up on all the latest computer technology. There are "hardware" types who like to build the equipment and watch it work and "software" people who enjoy the programming aspects of computers.

Members meet once a month to exchange information and new programs, watch demonstrations, and listen to factory representatives explain their latest designs and systems.

The club also offers introductory level courses in basic programming and classes teaching high level computer language.

Technological advances in the field of microelectronics have allowed man to build computers that rest on a table top and calculators that fit the hand. But all the integrated circuits in the world won't help the aspiring computer hobbyist if he can't program.

The computer is nothing more than a logic machine which can do no more than its programmer programs it to do. It cannot make independent decisions and --- removing the element of speed --- a computer cannot do anything that a person couldn't do. The computer's speed in solving problems of logic, however, has made the "impractical" practical and the "impossible" possible.

Programming a computer means establishing an algorithm, which is nothing more than a combination of logical steps that represent a solution to a particular problem. This generally means putting those steps into one of the computer languages, such as FORTRAN, COBOL or Microsoft BASIC.

These languages are a combination of bowdlerized English, numeric figures and signs which the computer will interpret as commands.

A lot of home computer advertising has led people to believe that they can program a computer. The ability to program, however, may be a big "if."

"Claims in this field are rampant," said Trenholme, explaining that the uninitiated will find it difficult to separate fact from fiction. In addition, there is a lack of practical programs and problems currently on the market for computers to tackle. This makes the ability to program a must.

One of the great virtues of belonging to a computer club, said Trenholme, is that a person can exchange programs and learn from others. With more than 50 members in the LLLRA computer club and all of them working on their own programs, it is possible to accumulate quite a library.

Do you need a computer?

Probably not. But, then again, who become a ham radio operator when you can accomplish the same communication by phone?

For the computer hobbyist or person with a keen interest, enjoyment is the only prerequisite.

"It's more the creative end than the user end that interests me," said Trenholme.

Going through various phases, he will concentrate on putting the equipment together, then play with the games that he has programmed or modified.

While it is more difficult to access the value of home computers as educational aids, Trenholme's eight-year-old son, Sam, is learning sophisticated math and programming concepts.

"A computer is a very patient teach and doesn't lost its cool," noted Trenholme.

To maintain their cool, consumers are advised to gain considerable exposure to these electronic gadgets before diving head first into the unknown. Diablo Valley College offers a number of computer science classes and currently has several PET computers on loan from the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

In cooperation with the LLLRA, Dee G--------, owner of Computerland in Dublin, hosts various computer club meetings and classes in his store.

Persons interested in further information about membership requirements, class offerings, and meeting dates should contact computer club president Michael M-------- at 555-XXXX or Computerland's G-------- at 555-XXXX.

Note: I removed the last names and changed the phone numbers in the last two paragraphs. This article is otherwise as printed in 1979. I, of course, am Trenholme's son Sam as referenced near the end of the article.

03:11

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sábado, julio 14, 2007

OK, don't send cursing chain letters

OK, guys.  Please...don't post as bulletins those chain letters that curse you for breaking the chain.  If you do this even once, I remove you from my friends list.  I don't care who you are or how long I have known you.  I just removed three people from my friends list for bulletins they posted, including two people who I personally know.

These letters are serious bad mojo, and reposting them is bad luck...for the person foolish enough to repost them, not the person who "breaks the chain".  To wit: I have opened but never resent many bulletins saying "You will be single for three years if you break the chain" in the last three years.  Yet, today, I have a beautiful girlfriend.

20:03

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Sam

Sam Trenholme

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