1st Presidential Debate, Sept. 2008

The debate was alright.

This debate was primarily about foreign policy and both candidates were ready for that.  They were not, however, ready for the initial questions regarding the current economic crisis.

I want to see my president thinking on his feet, come on guys, show us what you got!

Regarding foreign policy, Obama clearly had the edge.  His policy makes sense, diplomacy over brute strength, but have the muscle and will to back it up when needed.  Diplomacy garners more support and helps strengthen and legitimize your position.

I think McCain came off as condescending with all his "he just doesn't understand" jabs, while Obama came off as gracious with his agreement on points his opponent made.

I think it is time for an intellectual in office.  No more knee-jerking.  I want someone who DOESN'T make snap decisions but ponders consequence.

Anyway, I REALLY wanted Ron Paul, but I think I will be going with Obama this year.

Cough Cough

The little germ spreaders brought home a cough.  Daughter got it, I got it next, followed by wife.  For some reason my son has not come down with it.

Speaking of germs, my poor baby-girl had to get FIVE SHOTS at the doctor today.  FIVE.  Well, technically they called them FOUR shots and a TB test, which was actually a shot.

Does the word "Jaboobala" mean anything to you?

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Sweet Mail

I think I forgot to mention this, but awhile ago I posted a lament about SweetMail being closed sourced and that if it were open sourced someone else could pick up and work on that fine product. 

Well, last month someone who claims to be the author responded and our conversation went like this:

---

Type: Developer
Author: SUGIURA

Hi, I'm author of this email client. sorry for no response. I'm trying to make time for developing the intel version of Sweetmail.
best, (8/4/2008, Version: 2.2r6)

---

Type: Comment
Author: Tuishimi

Are you serious? Or is this a cruel joke? I would be SO HAPPY if you really are doing this!! :D I would use it over Apple Mail and GyazMail (as well as Thunderbird) any day!

Let us (community) know if there is any way we can help. (8/5/2008, Version: 2.2r6)

---

Type: Developer
Author: SUGIURA

I'm writing codes to convert endian between PowerPC and Intel. It's may be not so difficult. I know how to make it. But, Plz wait some months with your patience. because I'm sunday developer have a few minutes to write.
best, (8/6/2008, Version: 2.2r6)

Operating Systems

I am an OS enthusiast.  That means while I might be partial to one or two operating systems over others, I see the beauty and elegance in every operating system and enjoy them all.

At home we own all Apple products and Mac OS X is the primary operating system.  At work I use Windows XP and RedHat for development.  In the past I have used OS/2 as well.  My FAVORITE operating systems are VAX/VMS (OpenVMS these days) and BeOS. 

VMS is a mainframe operating system, really, but the DEC Vice President of VMS many years ago is the same person who founded the "Windows NT" operating system group at Microsoft.  While NT/XP/Vista is its own OS, you can understand that it shares some features with my old favorite VMS.  Windows NT is, in effect, VMS for the personal computer.

BeOS was an OS written from scratch by Be, inc. initially to show off their hardware.  The Operating System itself became more popular than the hardware but due to competition with Microsoft and bad executive decisions, Be, inc. went away and the BeOS has languished for years.  There IS a project called Haiku that seeks to faithfully reproduce the BeOS as open source software.  It is in an Alpha state and every BeOS user in the world is on the edge of their seat in the hopes that THIS year a Beta version will be released.  If that comes to pass, Mac OS X will no longer be my primary operating system.

The forums and web logs out in cyberspace are chock full of articles denouncing various operating systems for various reasons.  The biggest target over the past year has been Windows Vista.  I recently found this article on OSNews.com (a site I frequent).  It is an excellent article and I recommend that anyone who has fallen into the trap of repeating the same, tired Vista complaints read it.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Politics and Artwork

A fellow dA-er recently created several posters for a college class (in Greece) depicting how many foreign people/nations view the USA. Apparently she caught some flack for it and posted a note explaining the project and assuaging people by noting that it is our government and not the people that the posters depict, etc.

She received strong support on the other spectrum as well because freedom of expression, freedom of speech, free exchange of ideas, etc. are all very important and should always be upheld and encouraged. These are the engines of (hopefully positive) social change.

It is always interesting to see the reaction people have when political or religious statements are made through the wonderfully communicative method of visual art.

Tattoos and Tarantulas

Finally got my tattoo!

My tattoo is of a Mexican Red Knee Tarantula and it is positioned on my right shoulder.  The artist did a fantastic job with the detail, color and shading.  It is, however, still in the painful healing process.

I have added 4 new Tarantulas and a Scorpion to my collection of beasties.  I had to beg my wife to let me keep the scorpion (she really does not like them).  I won a Salmon Pink Birdeater sling in a raffle.  Real cute one with attitude.  I purchased an Ornamental Indian Tarantula (a pokie), a Trinidad Chevron Tarantula, a Curly Hair Tarantula and an OBT (Orange Baboon Tarantula, or Orange Bitey Thing).

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Busy Times

Last week was the ATS Conference, this week (and next) is work back East.

The conference was a blast. Found tons of cool invertebrates, only kept one: a Diplocentrus scorpion. She is SO CUTE, like a miniature emperor. I also won a Salmon Pink Birdeater sling in a raffle, and purchased a Trinidad Chevron and ... drum roll ... my FIRST POKIE!

Yes, I bought a regalis and she is gorgeous. I had quite a time getting her into her new cage, it was very amusing. My wife made me do it outside while she watched behind the sliding glass doors. Everytime the pokie (haven't named her yet) zipped in, then out of her cage my wife jumped and screamed. It was very amusing. I was laughing too. I would like to note that despite her zipping about (I understand the reference to teleporting now) she never once acted aggressively.

The Trinidad Chevron (a beautiful, olive green arboreal Tarantula) acted a bit defensively at the conference but once she was out of her container she was nice enough. She was not defensive at all moving her into her new cage. She dutifully marched out of the old into the new.

I will take some pictures for my gallery next week or the week after. But I am still excited about owning a pokie. It was a big step for me.