Posted By RichC on June 21, 2006
I don’t have much time to post much commentary today, but I will include a forwarded video from where else … YouTube.com. A friend of mine mentioned it me and since I’ve enjoyed almost everything the program TopGear produces thought this was worth including on my blog.
Enjoy. 😀
Posted By RichC on June 20, 2006
A friend of mine forwarded a bit of news making it around the IT security circles which deals with a company we all know: Google.
Kelly Jackson Higgin posted the article at DarkReading.com about a Trojan keylogger discovered by Websense; Google quickly shut down the offending URL. Unless you use the http://www.googlepages.com site you are most likely not at risk from this particular Trojan, but it does go to show the risk in clicking links on pages.
This Trojan was purported to infect a users computer through a planted link. This link would download a sleeping keylogger which would then monitor sites the user visited. The obvious risk would be to visit a bank, broker or value oriented secure site as the keylogger records a users keystrokes. Do be careful.
Posted By RichC on June 19, 2006
Sony has been showing off its Reader at several of the consumer electronic events around the country and from the reviews looks to be a winner of a product. The small size, clear text, and long battery life as well storage capacity should make this a winner. The only thing holding it back might be a high retail price point and Sony’s notorious proprietary way of preventing expansion. (although literature does say that the Reader will support both Sony’s Memory stick AND the more universal SD Cards) Unfortunately the announced availability of this summer has been delayed. Expect a late summer or early fall release now but they obviously would not want to miss the holiday season.
Travelers will most likely love the Sony® Reader and will be anxious to fill their device with electronic books. It is as small as a paperback book, 6.9†by 4.9†by .5†and weighs a mere 9 ounces. Its rechargeable battery lasts about 7,500 page turns and can be recharged in as little as 4 hours with an AC adapter.
Besides the online stores marketing books, I’d recommend the open source project called Project Gutenberg where all texts are free. (great for non-Sony Reader buyers too as the electronic version are available for computers, etc) I’m not sure I’m ready to jump on the Sony Reader bandwagon just yet, but I’m anxious to spend an evening ‘testing’ it.
Posted By RichC on June 18, 2006
While attending a graduation party this weekend the initial subject of “the weather sure is nice,” gave way to “the cheesecake is good” and to the high price of gasoline. While attempting to skirt the issue I did not say that perhaps we own too many SUVs or that “Americans are gas hogs,” — no … I applied commonsense and just agreed that prices were high. I tried to explain that the ‘actual’ price of gasoline adjusted for inflation was not quite has high as those remembering 29 cent a gallon gas, but I don’t think it registered.
To illustrate the the Department of Energy’s published numbers take a look at the chart above. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s a gallon of gas compared to income costs us less each year. The price of gasoline, adjusted for inflation, declined over this 20 year span, although it happens so slow that prices were barely noticed — in fact the prices at the pump really didn’t change much. The inflation adjusted change came as the income level of Americans rose causing gasoline to require less of ones income. (of course we began driving and using more gasoline too)
Some of us remember the Oil Embargo of 1973 which was followed by a steep rise in the cost of gasoline as well as a period of inflation. As oil exporation flourished and new oil flooded the markets with more crude oil, gasoline prices headed back down from their highs. Not only was there now plenty of oil, but Americans incomes continued to rise. Eventually the two factors caused the inflation adjusted cost of gasoline to drop to all time lows … just in time for more powerful cars and bigger modified trucks that ‘lovingly’ became known as the SUV.
As we crashed through the millennium burning nearly 180 million gallons of gasoline per day in the United States, demand has started to show signs of passing production. Add hurricanes to the instability in the middle east along with booming econonies in China and India … and we are left with skyrocketing gasoline prices. Today in the US, the average price is above $2.90/gallon. (I should have corrected my chart!)
Of course the graduation conversation didn’t really have me scribbling charts on napkins or standing on my “biodiesel soapbox” — we instead moved to the next light subject … “He sure has grown up fast. I remember when he was …”
😀
Posted By RichC on June 17, 2006
More national news coverage from the press on Franklin County Ohio’s Judge Connor. (see previous comment) Bill Oreilly on his FoxNews program “The Factor” covered some additional disconcerting cases that all seem to point to a failure of the justice system to fairly sentence and protect citizens. Obviously the voters elected this judge but I suspect his true colors were not presented?
On O’Reilly’s program tonight, he interviewed the mothers of two young people that were killed by a drunk driver who Judge John Connor refused to incarcerate, even though there were many additional offenses. Listening to the the two moms is emotional; their losses were preventable and most likely their kids would still have been alive if the repeat drunk driver would have been in a courtroom other than Connors. No surprise, this was the same Judge John Connor that has been convicted twice of DUI and arrested several other alcohol/drug charges himself, according to “The Factor.” As if poor judgement in this case wasn’t enough, he also sentenced a repeat child rapist to probation a few months ago. Thankfully the spotlight was put on him and now there is a movement in Ohio to remove this sitting judge. If you live in Ohio, you might consider voicing your opinion to our attorney general as well as Governor Taft.
If you live outside of Franklin County, Ohio:
If you live inside Franklin County, Ohio:
Posted By RichC on June 16, 2006
I’ve often been asked if it is acceptable to post audio and video clips on a blog. My answer is a that I believe it is appropriate; the broadcasting industry would probably disagree. I hope they eventually see the benefits from the free advertising and that it does not infringe on their work … I’ve yet to hear them ask small bloggers to stop. I generally post clips that are either news oriented — ‘dated’ clips that are old news after the broadcast — with direct links (free marketing) for the broadcasting network and particular program or post ones that are permitted by the owner. I rarely have posted full broadcasts, but instead include just segments as one would do with ‘written quotes’ while giving credit to the source.
I recently listened to a podcast by a Canadian Internet law specialist, Michael Geist interviewed by Amber MacArthur that backs up my ‘non-lawyer’ opinion. It might clarify my justification for including clips on my blog. You can listen or download the mp3 interview here. (by the way, I’m against Internet piracy, illegal file sharing or profiting from copying video and audio for resale, but not for personal use)
Posted By RichC on June 15, 2006
‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ [a] … as the title of the Broadway musical and 1966 movie is often quoted.
😀
My son and I were pulling off the interstate exit ramp a couple miles from home, and we spotted a VW TDI to the side of the road. It was a 2006 New Jetta (PD-TDI) model parked with its hood up and owner mulling around it. He was an older gentleman so being the good TDI Samaritan I pull off the road in front of him and introduced myself. I had expected to meet an uninformed TDI owner confused as to why his car stopped. I barely got out a “hello” when I noticed a beautifully installed GreaseCar set up under the hood. In shock I explained that this was the first one I had seen installed in a 2006 New Jetta. I was impressed at how professional the installation was and how nicely if fit under the hood.
I was too late to really help diagnose the problem which according to a man with 40+ years of Volkswagen and diesel experience was electrical. Although I didn’t attempt to tinker (offered though), I was instead able to help him understand the electric valves, fuel pumps and filters that came with the GreaseCar kit. Thanks to Dave Gardner (link – scroll down), I was somewhat familiar with the setup and able to explain the routing. As he waited for the Triple-A flatbed to arrive we conversed about which line to remove and reconnect so as he could manually bypass the second tank grease setup. So far he has not had any problem running the high pressure PD TDI on hot grease, something I would be nervous doing. (100% Chinese restaurant Canola)
As the flatbed driver arrived I was handing out a Biodiesel/CinciTDI card, which the diesel truck driver wanted too, and mentioning that he might enjoy our group. I asked him to give me a call, check our CinciTDI website or send a “all is well” email. Maybe he would like to show our members his TDI at the next GTG (get-together)?
EDIT: Wanted to add a link to an article about James Blake and his conversion that was written by Eric Schwartzberg and appeared in the June 21st Pulse Journal.
Posted By RichC on June 14, 2006
It may seem that I’ve become a bit too interested in the events at the South Central Farmers in Los Angeles, California, considering I’m from Ohio, but once started, I have a desire for closure.
🙂
Yesterday the “Save the Farm” campaign came to a head as arrests were made and evictions began. I’m posting a clip below from Greta Van Susteren’s “On The Record” program which began national coverage by walking “the South Central Farm” with Daryl Hannah about a week ago. (see post) USAToday reported that 16 were arrested besides Ms. Hannah, and that the 14-acre sixteen million dollar piece of property that has operated as community gardens would be forcibly return to the land owner. (planing for a warehouse) About 100 officers including a ladder truck from the fire department was used in arresting the protesters.
A little history from the article: Mr. Horowitz was forced to sell the land to the city in the 1980s as a site for a trash incinerator. That project never happened, and the city turned the site over to a food bank, which let 350 families grow vegetables and flowers there. Horowitz sued to recover the land. The city settled in 2003, selling it to him for $5 million. But the gardeners, who had been using the property for 14 years, wanted to stay. They tried to raise enough money to buy the land under the name South Central Farmers but failed to make a deal by a deadline last month.
LA’s Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa gave a statement of disappointment as tried to mediate an agreement that would “preserve the land for farming.” The eviction, he said, was “disheartening.”
Posted By RichC on June 14, 2006
Paul Hackett created a firestorm for both the Republicans and Democrats in Southwestern Ohio last year, and went on to suffer the wrath of his fellow Democrats, most likely because his outspoken ways and inability to tote the party line. (ie. waiting his turn) I’ve discussed him before here, as well as on other forums, and have been sort of paying attention to his career believing that he will eventually land a seat in politics. He was on the O’Reilly Factor for a few minutes last night discussing Iraq with Bill, and I found the interview interesting.
Hackett has always held and exhibited strong opinions, at least where he has been quoted or speaking; I’m not sure if that his personality, his Marine Corp training, his lawyering or just his ‘political angle?’ He’s been hard on Republicans and critical of Bush administration … so it was interesting to hear his perspective on the war in Iraq. I was especially impressed with his firmness and confidence in our military dealing with its troops “if “ they are found to have crossed the line on the battlefield. Good interview, but I’m not sure I want him as an Ohio Senator or Representative. (see interview clip below)
Posted By RichC on June 14, 2006
I know several readers of this blog are also Volkswagen TDI owners that come from a variety of diesel and biodiesel groups. The local club, CinciTDI, that I participate continues to create “How To” video clips that help with TDI related maintenance and modifications. I’m sitting on couple new “how to’s” and need to get them finished up and posted to their usual location on CinciTDI or the TDIClub. If you’re reading this, here’s an early look at the VW A4 Jetta Headlight Replacement. (thanks Charles!)