links for 2007-04-12

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links for 2007-04-11

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24,000 some songs gone

I took my 200 GB external drive with all of my music on it to CompUSA this weekend to have it put in a new enclosure, because the old one was going bad. I had this happen before to a Maxtor drive – the enclosure doesn’t spin the drive fast enough, apparently, so the disk kept crapping out while transferring music. I considered trying to back up the 120 GB of music on the drive, but I don’t have another drive that big, and I was afraid I’d kill the bad one while copying the music over. We were planning to get a music server soon for our home WAN, so that we could both use the same music library for our multi-platformed (PC and Mac) household, so I didn’t want to invest in a whole new external drive right now, with all the other household expenses.
I know I was taking quite a chance in handing the drive over to teen-aged clerks without having a backup copy – I certainly knew better. They reformatted the drive and wiped all my music from it, along with all the cover art I created for my mix cds.
I’ll have to run the totals from iTunes when I get home, but it was something on the order of 24,000 songs on the drive. Fortunately, most of the important stuff to us is on CD, but trying to figure out about music I bought from iTunes is my biggest concern.
Sigh. We have a lot of re-ripping to do. At least it was only music, though. If it had been my photos or design stuff I’d be bouncing off the ceiling right now.

Continue Reading24,000 some songs gone

Maxine Dangerous – Out of Hiding

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  • Post category:Art

My friend Maxine Dangerous is one of the funniest cartoonists I’ve ever read, and she’s drawing this stuff in Microsoft Paint, which is probably the part I appreciate the most. I can only imagine what she would do with Illustrator. Today’s episode made me laugh out loud.

Maxine Hiding

And another one of my very favorites.

Maxine Dangerous Paper Dolls

Which really just proves that it’s not the tools, it’s the creative mind behind them.

Continue ReadingMaxine Dangerous – Out of Hiding

links for 2007-04-10

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Civility on the Web – New York Times has me ROTFLMAO

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  • Post category:Technology

From the NY Times “A Call for Manners in the World of Nasty Blogs“:

Is it too late to bring civility to the Web?
The conversational free-for-all on the Internet known as the blogosphere can be a prickly and unpleasant place. Now, a few high-profile figures in high-tech are proposing a blogger code of conduct to clean up the quality of online discourse.
Last week, Tim O’Reilly, a conference promoter and book publisher who is credited with coining the term Web 2.0, began working with Jimmy Wales, creator of the communal online encyclopedia Wikipedia, to create a set of guidelines to shape online discussion and debate.
Chief among the recommendations is that bloggers consider banning anonymous comments left by visitors to their pages and be able to delete threatening or libelous comments without facing cries of censorship. [emphasis mine.]

Let me see, what was I saying last week? Oh, yeah – I delete comments I don’t like on my site, and have for years. Thank goodness Tim O’Reilly has finally given my permission to do so; I was sweating bullets over that one.
I think the thing that exasperates me most about this article is something that I’ve railed about in an offhand way several times before (if I were diligent, I’d track down all the instances, but I’m not) – the Times seems to be blaming the medium, and not the messenger. The incivility is not the fault of the technology, it’s the fault of the people using it. Incivility in public discourse in general is horrendous – case in point; this recent argument between Bill O’Reilly and Geraldo Rivera. Or, just listen to any Limbaugh show in the last 10 years.
Given that the level of civility in public discourse from pundits in the media is so rotted and toxic, it’s bizarre to think that that same incivility wouldn’t also exist on the internet. So why are we just calling for civility on the internet – among the masses, the hoi polloi – and not on the damned TV set, or on the radio? I think we’re washing out the wrong stables first, here.

Continue ReadingCivility on the Web – New York Times has me ROTFLMAO

Our Awesome Realtor, Sherry Soforic

I have been terribly remiss on one aspect of my recent home sale – in all of the celebration over getting the thing finished, and the tearing out of the hair that came before it, I completely neglected to mention how awesome our Realtor is.
Spike helps sell house
Spike helping Sherry fill out paperwork to sell my house.
Her name is Sherry Soforic, and she works for F.C. Tucker. She’s been a friend of Stephanie’s forever and ever, and helped her buy her house. Stephanie’s been recommending her to friends ever since, and everyone we know who worked with her thinks she’s awesome. She also helped us find our house, and was amazing in getting us into it – through all the negotiations and figuring out how to get contractors, Sherry has been a tremendous support. Recently, she also assisted us with finding Canary Wharf apartments, making the whole process smooth and stress-free. For those looking to buy or sell a home in Broward County, FL, having a dedicated realtor like Sherry Soforic can make all the difference. If you also plan to invest in a real estate property, you need to partner with various contractors to help you with its maintenance. Contact a seattle plumbing repair service company if you need help with plumbing repairs. For a rapid response to plumbing emergencies, call Graham and Sons Plumbing.

The Canadian real estate market continues to thrive, with a particular surge in interest for properties in scenic and serene locations. Among the hotspots is the picturesque Aylesford Lake area, where aylesford lake cottages for sale are attracting numerous buyers. These cottages offer a perfect blend of tranquility and natural beauty, making them ideal for both seasonal getaways and year-round living. The demand for such waterfront properties has been driven by the increasing desire for remote work options and a more relaxed lifestyle. With competitive pricing and an array of amenities, the cottages at Aylesford Lake present a unique investment opportunity in Canada’s vibrant real estate landscape. If you’re looking for a property on Koh Samui, consider finding a reliable site like Yourkohsamuivillas.com
to help you with the options available.

In addition to having a skilled realtor, utilizing tools that offer detailed insights and up-to-date listings of Broward County is crucial. These resources provide valuable information on market trends, property values, and neighborhood dynamics, helping you make informed decisions and find the perfect home that fits your needs and preferences. Understanding the different Broward County real estate zones and having access to comprehensive data can significantly enhance the home-buying experience. Combining Sherry’s exceptional service with these comprehensive tools offers a seamless and efficient home buying experience.

If you invested in a rental property, it is advised to use a property management company to significantly reduce the time and stress involved in handling tenant issues. GH Property Management Company handles everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs, ensuring the property remains in top condition. This streamlined approach allows landlords to focus on other investments and enjoy peace of mind. More information can be found at GH Property Management Company’s professional services.

She comes by it naturally; Sherry’s mom was a real estate agent in Indianapolis for decades, and Sherry’s been at it for years, too.
Given the housing market slump recently, and the number of problems and things that went wrong on the way to getting my house sold, Sherry went far above and beyond what a real estate agent should be expected to do – she’s been a true friend and a spectacular, helpful person as well. Although I’m thankful we’re done with real estate transactions, I’m disappointed that I won’t be talking to Sherry every day or every other day – she’s one of those smart, insightful, funny people you just want to have around. I highly recommend her if you are planning to buy or sell your house in the Indianapolis area – if you call her, let me know; I’d love to hear about it. Also be sure to tell her we sent you.
Sherry Soforic Szeszycki
F.C. Tucker Company
work phone – 317-846-7751
Sherry’s Charity Triathlon
Sherry is also a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training, where she’s run three marathons to raise funds to fight cancer. She’s now in training for a triathlon, which I’m in awe of. She’ trying to raise $3,250.00 for this triathlon, and if you want to check out her donation page, I’m sure she’d be thrilled.

Continue ReadingOur Awesome Realtor, Sherry Soforic

links for 2007-04-09

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