what's right for the plewis

Courtesy of http://www.slacker.com

After spending 6 hours with Ubuntu, I can report with absolute certainty, that linux only runs on old machines. First, I have an ATI video card that's 2 years old, not supported. Second, I have a Soundblaster X-Fi sound card, also not supported. In fact, Creative Labs does not support ANY of their products for ANY flavor of linux. This really bugs me because I could unplug my video and sound cards and use what's on the motherboard... but I would have THE SAME PROBLEM. 2 year old hardware is TOO NEW!

Now, I really love to customize my interface, and Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu are all great examples of getting what you want in front of you. I figured one of these would be my ticket to computer chi. Alas, I'm going to have to go with OSX and parallels. It's going to cost me a left nut to switch, but I have to get off of this Microsoft train. Even the vendors won't support anyone else. Mac OS and Linux account for less than 5% of all web traffic. Businesses should not support other operating systems because it is not profitable. Fortunately there are a few companies out there nice enough to support those fringe individuals that use these other operating systems and software.

So, linux goes on the server and I get to run MS for another few months. Oh well. I gave it a pretty good shot. Unplugging hardware and not having multiple monitor support is too high a price to pay when I can get the job done WITH my nice graphics card and sound card RIGHT NOW. If I didn't have to sit in front of the computer all day, every day, I might make the sacrifice, but I do, so I won't. :)

Fucking Microsoft!!!

A day of procrastinating rather. I did everything but make progress with the framework. I wrote down some thoughts but did not achieve the greatness that I had hoped. Ah well.

The last week has been a boon for my newest CMS architecture. A lot of thinking has gone into this, more than any other application I have created before. I may very well have a 12-18 month technological advantage over the company I used to work for based on the development timeline I have learned about from internal sources. It is a great feeling to create something in a month that a large company cannot accomplish in over a year.

Both cats how now sustained injuries from activities involving the roof. First #2 somehow got a cut on her flank about 1/3" inch wide. It festered for about 2 weeks before scabbing over. A week later the scab fell off to reveal a clean heal. Second, Bacon jumped from the balcony (I'm on the second story) down to the ground and now has either a sprain, dislocation, or break of her left front ankle. In Bacon's case, this is not a life threatening injury. The vet would certainly require an x-ray of the damages. Somehow I do not feel sorry for her. Stupid cats don't know what to do with the freedom to roam around on the roof of my building.

High game of 188 this morning at dollar/game bowling. Very nice.

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Sixth Level of Hell - The City of Dis!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Very Low
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	High
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Moderate
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	Very High
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very High
Level 7 (Violent)	High
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Moderate

Take the Dante's Inferno Test

I dropped $3250 on Lasik. Well worth it... just like everyone that had it done has said.

What's up with the weather in Texas? It's like summer time. I spent a gloomy 10 days in Oregon and Washington and never saw a dry patch of pavement. During the same time, there were record highs here. Very nice. :)

I took Josh's Ducati Monster S2R for a 120 mile ride this afternoon. The first thing you notice about a Ducati is the mechanical sounding motor and the loud exhaust emitted from the V-Twin. This particular bike has been outfitted with a full titanium exhaust by Arrow making sound output around 80-90dB (wear earplugs). Acceleration from a dead stop is very decent but there is a dead spot before 3k rpm. The dead spot, combined with a slipper clutch, causes a little jerky standing start if you are not very careful to let out the clutch gradually while rolling on the throttle. The clutch pull is very light and engages quickly so it requires getting used to. Rolling on the throttle at speed left much to be desired without the kick you would expect from a twin. Rolling on the throttle out of turns did little without a few downshifts to get to the 6500rpm sweet spot, the slipper-clutch would kick in and eventually deliver the needed power to the pavement, but for me it generally occured too late. The bike is equipped with standard handlebars, significantly wider and slightly taller than clip-ons. These wide handlebars and slim profile make the bike very easy to turn. As I would go through corners I noticed myself going far slower than I wanted to be going, and rolling on the throttle didn't do much. Combined with the slipper clutch I was not performing where I thought I should be, thus not enjoying the twisties as much as I could. The suspension setup was on the firm side and could be loostened a bit to make it more comfortable. The physical seat was relatively comfortable and the seating position was just about right so there was only a little fatigue in my wrists after 2 and half hours of constant riding. Overall the bike was very nimble yet lacking in power delivery. With the 1000cc model just released I think they have solved that problem.

Price: $8999 MSRP + $1200 Arrow exhaust
Weight: 381 lbs
Power: 77hp@8250 RPM
Torque: 53.5lb/ft@6500 RPM

Pros:
-Great for the city
-Nimble
-Loud
-Looks cool
-Low Full Coverage Insurance

Cons:
-No wind protection
-Not enough grunt and not very "fast"
-Average brakes
-Too loud?

Personal Notes:
If I were to buy a Ducati Monster, it would have to be the S4R. The S4R is equipped with the old 996 motor outputing in the neighborhood of 140hp, much better Brembo brakes, and Ohlins fully adjustable suspension. The S4R is definitely right for the plewis.