A place for the neat stuff the surrounds my life
I can't believe I haven't mentioned this before, but the BookBrowse web site and email newsletter are one of the highlights of my week.
I love books, and the newsletter is an excellent source for book reviews and informtion.
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Career-Op: Doing a lot, doing enough
by Douglas E. Welch, ComputorEdge Magazine
Unlike some high-tech workers I have met, computers and technology are not the sole focus of my life. I have many varied interests, some computer-related, others not. In fact, at any one time I may have many different projects vying for my attention. This often leads those me around to comment, “You seem to do so much!” While it may be true that I am “doing” a lot, I often find myself wondering if I am doing “enough” of the right things to improve my high-tech career and my life.
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I just noticed a new feature available from the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) web site, Hot Titles!
This page lists the top 50 most popular titles at the library.
I am not sure how they are selecting this information, but it is interesting all the same. Clicking a title takes you to the catalog information for the book, where you can place a hold, if you like. I hope this is the beginning of much more information from the library catalog. One feature I have always wanted is a listing of newly added titles, perhaps even as an RSS feed.
I am also seeing some additional information in the library catalog, so it looks like there was a roll-out of a new system in teh last few days.
August 28 & 29 , 10:00AM
Hollywood & Highland
6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-960-2331
"Born in 16th century Italy, and popularized by the animated journey in the film 'Mary Poppins,' chalk street-painting has grown into an artistic tradition throughout the world..."
Click the title above for more information.
How-To Tuesday: Make 3-D photos from Engadget
It must be my thinking about projects lately, but here is another great project for fun or school. This excellent demo in making your own 3-d pictures is easy and fun to do alone, or with your kids.
As Joe gets older, visions of science fairs to come dance in my head. I love hearing about projects like this and try to imagine the geekiest science fair project we can come up with.
For those of you with older kids, this might be an interesting project to build on. I especially like the use of the bicycle computer to gather data on the average Hamster Miles per Night figures.
This project was originally discovered via MetaFilter
Windows Security Center Hole in SP2 Discovered
While I must say that new bugs in SP2 are really no surprise, a bug in one of the new security components, a main feature of SP2, is absolutely inexcusable. If you are trying to make things more secure, you think that this would be the one place they would focus their attention.
We are now left with only 2 possible scenarios here. Windows has become totally unwieldy and impossible to maintain or the MS programmers are idiots. Since the programmers seem to be able to develop some fairly complex software, I am going to guess that the sheer burden of the Windows code has become unworkable, regardless of how many programmers you throw at the issue.
I don't know whether Microsoft has realized it yet, but SP2 might just be the beginning of the end. Every company has an Achilles heel and this could Microsoft's. Public opinion, both inside and outside of the high-tech world is rapidly turning against them. Too many flaws in SP2 might be enough to finally convince companies and individuals to look for alternatives.
This market is Microsoft's to win or lose and it seems like they are doing everything they can to lose...in a big way!
Cory over at Boing Boing links to this neat, little gizmo over at the Discovery Channel Store online.
Count your coins as you put them in the jar and watch your money grow!
Originally via Red Ferret Journal
Beyond the book below, here are a few others that have crossed my desk in the last few weeks.
It doesn't happen that often, but every once-and-awhile I come across a book that I call a "One Day Read." I am never know when a book might turn into one, but after the first few pages, it is obvious that I need to clear the decks and finish the book in one sitting.
On the Run: An Angler's Journey Down the Striper Coast is my most recent "One Day Read". David DiBenedetto tells the the story of the annual migration of striped bass from Maine to the Carolinas. He tells this through the people he meets along the way, along with his own stories of fishing for "striper" throughout his life.
While I haven't been an avid fisherman since my childhood days, I love reading about people and their experiences. DiBenedetto is a good storyteller and develops a great balance between his own stories and those of others. If you want to take yourself away from your daily life, and immerse yourself in another culture, pick up One The Run, settle into a nice easy chair and follow the stripers down the coast.
Annual event dedicated to the children of the Crescenta Valley and Glendale areas. Activities include rides, games, food, animal adoptions,a magic show, and a wild wonders exotic petting zoo.
W H E N : August 29, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
S I T E : 2200 Block Honolulu Ave., Montrose
C O S T : Free
S P O N S O R : Montrose Shopping Park Association
I N F O : 818-248-3889, www.shopmontrose.com
From the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Festival Guide
This is the 223rd anniversary of the founding of Los Angeles. Historical re-enactments, artisan demonstrations, exhibits, food, and entertainment will be available at the El Pueblo Historical Monument.
W H E N : September 4, 6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
S I T E : El Pueblo Historical Monument, Placita Olvera
125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles
C O S T : Free
S P O N S O R : Olvera Street Merchants
I N F O : 213-625-5045 (recording), www.cityofla.org/elp/
From the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Festival Guide
