Tuesday, February 26, 2008
MacBook Screen Replacement
A couple of months ago the screen of our family MacBook got dinged by a falling clock. Initially the damage was nearly imperceptible but over weeks of use it grew into a crack which eventually expanded all the way up the screen. Looking around at repair options I found good reviews for TechRestore. I went with their overnight service for around $400. It all went smoothly and the MacBook looks good as new. Now we just have to avoid dropping anything on it. 
Friday, February 22, 2008
Medieval Help Desk
Medieval Help Desk Have you read the manual? Hilarious! (Via Mark)
Monday, February 11, 2008
Presidential Heights
According to Wikipedia, of 46 cases where data exists, the taller presidential candidate has won the popular vote 28 times (61 percent). How do the current candidates measure up?
What's it all mean? Not much. While height can make a difference, it hasn't been a good predictor of outcome in recent presidential politics. For the last ten elections, the taller presidential candidate won 50% of the time.
- John McCain is 5 ft 7 in.
- Mike Huckabee is 5 ft 11 in.
- Hillary Clinton is 5 ft 6 in.
- Barack Obama is 6 ft 1-1/2 in tall.
What's it all mean? Not much. While height can make a difference, it hasn't been a good predictor of outcome in recent presidential politics. For the last ten elections, the taller presidential candidate won 50% of the time.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
If you love documentaries like Spellbound or Wordplay then you ought to rent The King of Kong. It's about Steve Wiebe, a middle-school science teacher, who is trying to break the world record score on the classic arcade game Donkey Kong.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Caucus Circus
The primary process in Washington State is confusing. They're holding caucuses and primary elections. Why both? The Washington State Legislature voted to hold a primary. But both parties decided to choose their delegates through caucuses. As a result, the voting in the State Primary will not count toward delegate selection.
Update: I forgot to mention something about the caucus form. In addition to the usual information: name, address, phone number, race, etc. the form had a box with a single word question: LGBT? I knew the meaning but hadn't seen such a terse question like that before. Was the idea that anyone who would answer yes would already know what the acronym meant? Later on, the moderator started to explain the form and when he got to that section he said something like "You all probably know what that means already". Ah, the Democrats.
Update: I forgot to mention something about the caucus form. In addition to the usual information: name, address, phone number, race, etc. the form had a box with a single word question: LGBT? I knew the meaning but hadn't seen such a terse question like that before. Was the idea that anyone who would answer yes would already know what the acronym meant? Later on, the moderator started to explain the form and when he got to that section he said something like "You all probably know what that means already". Ah, the Democrats.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Choo Choo Charlie for President
It's primary (and caucus) season. Maybe that's why I have an old Good and Plenty commercial jingle stuck in my head: Choo Choo Charlie for President.
It's amazing how something like this can stick with you for so long. The commercial looks ancient. Does anyone else remember it?
It's amazing how something like this can stick with you for so long. The commercial looks ancient. Does anyone else remember it?
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