Slide Rulers
Way back in high school, we were required to have slide rules for math, physics etc. I don't recollect how much they cost but they were available at the high school book store. Yes, this was before electronic calculator was mainstream and the slide rule was the only way to calculate other than doing out the required formulas longhand using charts for reference and conversion. The slide rule was real paper saver and by studying the scales you got the idea of the relation of the numbered scales to each other. The circular slide rule was an option other than the traditional ruler type slide rule, easier to carry. It wasn't long before the electronic calculator made it's debut shortly after. They were large and a desktop format like a mechanical calculator except with nixie tubes for readouts. When a friend of ours father was first to have one, everyone went to his house to gaze at the new device. From then on the mechanical calculator was finished and size of the calculator began to shrink and add more functions. The TI (Texas Instrument) hand held electronic slide rule became the geek tool of choice. Doing most slide rule calculation with little or no programmability or storage they cost about $140.00. Led segment readouts was the display. Yep, I had a pocket protector and glasses.

Meet the press transcript from CQ politics.com

he following is an excerpt that I found interesting about the internet
and the rapid rise of instant and traceable communication available to the masses.

SPEAKERS: DAVID GREGORY, HOST
THOMAS FRIEDMAN, NEW YORK TIMES
and others


GREGORY: You talk about Van Jones as well, you know, the fact that in this, in this media age, what he said, by anybody’s estimation, was objectionable, to sign a petition saying the government was behind 9/11. But it goes to something that’s going on in this information age...

FRIEDMAN: David, yes...

GREGORY: ... which is you can be a target real fast.

FRIEDMAN: David, when everyone has a cell phone, everyone’s a photographer. When everyone has access to YouTube, everyone’s a filmmaker, and when everyone’s a blogger, everyone’s in newspaper, when everyone’s a photographer, a newspaper and a filmmaker, everyone else is a public figure, tell your kids, OK -- tell your kids, OK, be careful. Every move they make is now a digital footprint. You are on “Candid Camera.”

And unfortunately, the real message to young people, from all of these incidents, OK, and I’m not here defending anything anyone said, but from all of these incidents, is you know, really keep yourself tight, don’t say anything controversial, don’t think anything -- don’t put anything in print.

You know, whatever you do, just kind of smooth out all the edges, and maybe you too -- you know, when you get nominated to be ambassador to Burkina Faso, you’ll be able to get through the hearing.

Smoker who lost job loses in court
Judge sides with lawn care firm Workers cannot smoke on or off job
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/08/08/smoker_who_lost_job_loses_in_court/?comments=all&csort=desc

There was a recent article about person(s) being fired from their job because of
specific behavior off the job like smoking cigarettes. If you want to submit
to this kind of regulation, and in some cases is it's being regulated by the health care insurer,
NOT you employer, it's a trade off . Employment or unemployment, or find a job, a well paying job,
that you trade off being in a controlled environment 24/7 according to the rules of health care and your employer, for wages.
Civil rights violations are thought of in the realm of people of color and fortunately this is less of a case now.
Now, wage and employment discrimination is now being brought upon persons for tobacco consumption, obesity,
even on-line commentary etc.
When employers bow to the health care insurers, being black mailed by a promise of lower rates for wellness and disciplinary actions are NOT be formulated by your employer, but by the health care insurer, who are you working for?
Your insurer can fire you ?
It's a persons choice if he/she wants a well paying job and all the controls that go with it when applying for a job. But where does it end?
Would you work a job that requires specific behavior(s) off the clock, random screenings, warnings for having a tobacco product in your possession? If the short answer is no then possibly you will be relegated to a lower class of income.

Sheldon Whitehouse, Jack Reed, and a bad idea

Posted using ShareThis

Saying ‘No’ to Drug Ads
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/08/saying-no-to-drug-ads/#comment-131397

my response:

While tobacco advertising led us to believe smoking would make us more like cowboys,
prescription drug advertising promises an instant fix to perceived problem we have.
People now expect an instant relief from any suffering , real, or those that the drug companies
wants us to believe will severely affect our life. Now we have a mentality of intolerance for
conditions that sometimes may be a natural reaction to events in our lives. Treating every
minor annoyance with a pill or a treatment is dangerous, compounds interactions and clouds proper
diagnosis.

Furthermore, some treatments and drugs have been proven at a later date to be harmful.
Intolerance for anything other than a perfect functioning physical ,mental and emotional well being is
a main selling point for many unnecessary products from abdominizers, energy boosters, bottled water,
vitamin supplements, all the way to the latest body sculpturing and miracle drugs. The health care
industry wants us to believe it can accomplish building a better functioning person, constantly
bombarding us with ads falsely claiming drugs, treatments and equipment that are necessary
depending on our age, weight and social status. They also use as a selling pressure that if we don't
buy their product we are endangering the future of health care as we will be more costly
to treat.

As issues of health care and privacy are being hammered out, one forgets the
relationship level it should remain at, the patient/doctor relationship. Health care ads and
pressures techniques to sell products, to both the patient and a doctor have eroded the
patient/ doctor relationship to that of a salesman and customer.
Peter Metro

Agreement Reached on Disposition of Russian Submarine

Согласование достигло на решении русской подводной лодки ПРОВИДЕНС, RI: Русский Sub музей сегодня объявил согласование на будущем решении бывшей советской подводной лодки K-77 крылатой ракеты, которая утонула на ее зачаливание портового района Провиденс во время порочного шторма в Эйприл 2007. Подводная лодка, популярно известная как Juliett 484, была поднята это лето водолазами армии и военно-морского флота в учебном упражнени которое получило всемирное внимание. Род-Айленд Metals рециркулировать, LLC заключил контракт для того чтобы принять сверх подводную лодку, двигает ее downriver к свойству он контролирует на бульваре 434 Allens, и окончательно разбирает сосуд для утиля если никто шаги до не покупают сосуд intact. Детальные условия соглашения конфиденциальны и не были объявлены. Подводная лодка, отличаемая в пленке 2002 Harrison Ford «K-19: Widowmaker,» было местной привлекательностью и воспитательным средством начиная с августа 2002 до тех пор пока оно не утонет. Это было открытой повседневностью для путешествий, и случаи колебаясь от Scouting overnights к вечеринкам по случаю дня рождения осуществили там. «Мы сделали каждым усилием к давати в численном выражении путь восстановить этот исторический сосуд и открыть заново ее как общественная привлекательность,» сказал откровенное Lennon, директор русского Sub музея. «Морские съемщики и специалисты сэлвиджа помогли нам оценить варианты, и мы окончательно заключили что после 15 месяцев подводных, состояние интерьера такое что восстановление нет просто финансовохозяйственно жизнеспособного варианта для нашей группы,» он объяснил. Однако, Ed Sciaba, представляя Род-Айленд Metals рециркулировать, понимает что вариант восстановления может наилучшим образом работать для кто - то еще. «Дано состояние рынка металлоломов мира, все еще хороший шанс для другого конечного пользователя шагнуть внутри, закупить подводную лодку и передислоцировать ее,» говорит Sciaba. Если подводная лодка деиствительно scrapped, то музей сперва извлекает и сохранит некоторое оборудование для будущего дисплея о советских подводных лодках эры Холодн-Войны вообще, и K-77 в частности. Lennon также позволит русским sub музеям в другом месте в мире закупить некоторые артефакты и оборудование они могут нуждаться в их собственных дисплеях. «Мы планируем извлечь детали как перископы, двери пробки торпеды, станции включения реактивного снаряда, телеграфы заказа двигателя, и различно другие управление и датчики,» он объяснил. Lennon заметило что время для этих трудыов не было идеально, дано экономические ситуации local и мира. Однако, подводную лодку необходимо двинуть от своего настоящего положения. Ремонты к пристаням поврежденным в тонуть оригинала не могут начать до тех пор пока подводная лодка не уйдет, и совсем обеспокоенный хотел был увидеть, что пункт Коллиер припарковал и свой общественный открытый заново пандус шлюпки. Новое место также защищатьле. «Наш содержатель, энергия владычества, также, как служба береговой охраны и другие регламентирующие ведомства очень справедливы и пациент с нами через это все тяжелое испытание,» сказал Lennon. «Мы задолжаем ему к им для того чтобы двинуть подводную лодку бистро как только возможно.» Согласно условиям соглашения, подводная лодка будет отбуксирована прочь перед концом от январь.

here is an interactive graphic from the NYT of Cars and Trucks made in the USA, and those produced in Canada and Mexico
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/19/automobiles/20090619-auto-plants-4.html

windows 98 support for ipod shuffle
tested on a Windows 98 SE Platform

I had a Ipod shuffle 2nd generation to try out without any software .
Would it be possible to get this to work on the die hard windows 98 operating system?
The short answer is yes !
A bit of internet research and software tryouts.

http://www.redchairsoftware.com/files/ipod98driver.exe.

(install file and when win98 first detects ipod use it as ipod driver when windows asks for one)
allows windows 98 to detect Ipod shuffle and shows it as a removable drive
you can drag and drop/copy files FROM ipod TO computer.
drag/drop/copy files from COMPUTER to Ipod stores them
but MP3's I dragged and dropped wouldn't play when Ipod was detached.
Looks like ipod has other files, database etc. thats needed for proper playback of mp3's.
Use this driver as a standalone if you want to use the ipod for storage.
One problem is that when the computer reboots windows hangs and won't load.
I found out that if you unplug ipod (from the USB) and reboot everything loads fine.
I didn't tshoot this to find out whats hangs it up. Just leave the ipod disconnected.
This driver is good if you just want to see whats on the ipod drive or just use it for file storage

http://www.redchairsoftware.com/files/anareinit_100.exe
formats ipod as a removable drive if necessary
supposedly if ipod has not been used then you need this for formating/ initializing
it works but is it really necessary?


WINAMP 5.35 this version works with Windows 98 and has ipod support.
after downloading a few versions of Winamp that support win 98 and
supposedly Ipods, version 5.35 was the only one that would fully function on
my system. Using the media library function of Winamp it recognized the attached
I pod shuffle and can import/export and sync music no problemo.
Winamp downloadable here:
http://winamp.brothersoft.com/winamp5.35-full-freedownload
supposedly will also support creative zen player

I would try using winamp first, possibly the above redchair software won't be necessary.

I didn't have any other Ipod devices to try out but for an Ipod Shuffle 2nd gen
it's a workable solution.
pEtE

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/20/internet.records.bill/index.html

Quotes from article: "The legal definition of electronic communication
service is "any service which provides to users thereof the ability to
send or receive wire or electronic communications. The U.S. Justice
Department's position is that any service "that provides others with
means of communicating electronically qualifies."

.................Does that mean that all phone conversations fall under the
same requirement?..............................

"That sweeps in not just public Wi-Fi access points, but
password-protected ones too, and applies to individuals, small
businesses, large corporations, libraries, schools, universities, and
EVEN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. Voice over IP services may be covered too."

Note: " Even government agencies"... yeah right... who is going to demand
that government agencies turn over their records ? Who guards the
guards???

Pothole 1.0 would allow the user to take a picture of a pothole or road hazard (not while driving please). Overlay it on a Google map (by GPS) and upload it to the local DOT, city or state.

http://1040now.net/
What are the minimum system requirements for using the products and services at 1040Now?

1040Now requires the following:

Windows®

o Windows 95/98/NT 4.0/2000/Me/XP

o Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher, Netscape Navigator 4.06 and higher, or AOL 4.0 and higher.

o Your browser must be set up to accept cookies, Java, and JavaScript.

o Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® required. Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free of charge.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.taxsimple.org/system_requirement.aspx




System Requirements

* Windows NT 4.0/ 2000/ Me/ XP.
* Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher or AOL 5.0 and higher.
* Adobe Acrobat Reader required. Click here to download Free Adobe Reader.


I guess Me means that 98 is supported

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.free-tax-return.com/2008/index.html


Our software will work with any browser or service capable of ssl (secure connections). This includes the following browsers:

* Web TV
* Internet Explorer
* Netscape
* AOL
* MSN TV
* And more......

no direct mention of windows 98 support

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.taxactonline.com/s_online_tax2008/index.asp?sc=0850302

The following system specifications are required for TaxACT Online:
Windows:

* OS: Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP, Vista
* Web Browser: Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher, Firefox 1.5 and higher, Netscape 7.0 and higher, Opera 9.0 and higher, or AOL 7.0 and higher.
* Your browser must be set up to accept cookies, Java, and JavaScript.
* Adobe Acrobat Reader required: Download Free Adobe Reader

Strange ad campaign from the local market:

"You didn't pay for the germs.
Why pay for the antibiotics?
free antibiotics*
*bring you prescription to our
pharmacist and receive up to
a 14 day supply of the most
commonly prescribed generic
antibiotics. As part of our health
and wellness initiative........."


If I didn't pay for the germs,
who did ?
either they have an oversupply
of antibiotics, or they feel that it
should be a part of a wellness program
or there are alot of people on antibiotics.

Classic 1965 Soviet sub, sunken by storm, may go to the scrap heap.
maybe they should post it on ebay !


http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/12/ap_sunken_sub_122408/

Overtime! Overtime! Overtime!

    Is it necessary? How does it effect someone's life? Should it be mandatory or perhaps regulated to evenly distribute employment? Is overtime an incentive to work longer and do the work that would require more employees to do?

    Those on the hourly payroll knows the effects of overtime, it's pros and cons. Economic figures don't always reflect the effects of overtime. Just looking at someones annual salary might not give a clear picture of the wages earned if the total numbers of hours worked aren't taken into consideration. Do you think it's fair that someone needs overtime just to earn a decent living ,and can they financially survive without it? How about the effect on quality of life if excessive hours are worked on a continued basis? In some circles a hardworking individual is praised, to others they are a fool for working excessive hours when they should be earning money an easier way.

     Does overtime effect the quality and efficiency of overtime employees' productivity on the job. These are some of the factors to consider when overtime is a part of one's employment. This assumes one is payed for the overtime usually at 1.5 times the hourly wage, referred to as time and a half. In some instances some may be offered comp time which is time off for working overtime hours  instead of getting payed overtime hours worked.

    Some differences exist where overtime is paid after 8 continuous hours or payed when over 40 hours have accumulated, usually per week. Some may be required to work overtime and to some it may be offered as an option. But with the economy the way it is, can overtime be cut back instead of layoffs, or in a stable company could overtime be reduced to allow for an increase in the number of employees. Overtime reduces the number of employees required to perform a set amount of working hours.

from the guardian