Month: June 2007

Dumb crook news

I’ve mentioned it before, but every time I read a story like this one, I’m reminded of a cow-orker who told me that most criminals aren’t that smart. Looks like again he is proven right.

A Rockford couple who called police to investigate a burglary at their home ended up being arrested on drug charges.

According to the Metro Narcotics Unit, officers investigating a burglary in the 5000 block of Vineyard Lane on Wednesday found more than 100 marijuana plants in the basement.

How? I can’t even conceive of being so stupid as to call that one in, and I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my time. (via Blog of Stupidity)

[tags]Marijuana growers call cops about home burglary – arrested[/tags]

The Ubuntu ebook – free for your enjoyment

Have you thought about moving to Linux? Are you unsure what Linux distribution to try, or where to get help if you do attempt it? Well, the Open Source Project has Marcel Gagné’s Moving to Ubuntu Linux ebook available for free. It’s a hefty tome, hitting almost 500 pages, and some folks don’t like Gagné’s writing. I like reading his Linux Journal columns every month, and his personal web site is interesting to me, but you should check them out to see if you can handle him.

ubuntu_ebook.jpgDiscover Ubuntu, Today’s Hottest Linux

Everyone’s talking about Ubuntuit’s not just 100% free, it’s the most useful, practical desktop Linux ever! Now, Linux expert Marcel Gagné reveals Ubuntu’s amazing power and helps you migrate from Windows faster than you ever thought possible.

Moving to Ubuntu Linux will teach you how to do virtually anything with Ubuntuwrite documents, create spreadsheets, surf the Web, use email, listen to music, watch movies, and play games.

  • Install Ubuntu fast, with easy, step-by-step instructions
  • Take control, with the GNOME desktop environment and Nautilus file manager
  • Browse the Internet using Firefox, the powerful browser that’s quickly replacing Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Find and install all the software you’ll ever need, with Ubuntu’s powerful Synaptic package manager
  • Send email, track contacts, create calendars, and manage all your personal information with Evolution
  • Organize digital photos, rip music, burn and play CDs, watch movies, create graphics, and more
  • Discover the world of Linux games, and learn how to run Windows games on your Ubuntu PC
  • Set up an efficient, convenient network for your home or small business
  • Customize your desktop so it’s perfectly comfortable and totally efficient


So get over there and start reading. See if this is something you could take on. Consider the benefit of freeing yourself from paying Microsoft for new software every year or every time you want to upgrade. You’ll find that most things you do now can be done just as easily under Linux, and you only have to find one handy geek or one good book to figure out how to handle any of the (probably infrequent) problems you might have with Linux.

That said, however, don’t move to Linux just to move to Linux. I love Linux, but recognize that it just isn’t for everyone. Read a little of the book to get a feel for it and see if you might be interested though.

[tags]Free Ubuntu ebook, Moving to Linux free ebook[/tags]

Women sues doctor for hurting her feelings

Well, isn’t litigation wonderful? If your doctor hurts your feelings, it looks like you can sue for damages – at least, if you live in the UK.

UK patient: doc hurt my feelings by telling me to quit smoking

And she wins about $80,000 (plus attorneys’ fees) for her hurt feelings. Mrs. G delayed her caesarean a few minutes to have a pre-op cigarette; her coughing made her epidural more difficult, and Mrs. G and was criticized by anesthesiologist Dr. A, who noted the increased likelihood of surviving to see her daughter’s wedding if Mrs. G quit smoking. (Arthur Martin, “Doctor’s smoking jibe wins mother £44,000 payout”, Daily Mail, Dec. 21; Kevin MD blog). UK medical compensation has grown 30,000 percent in under ten years.

The article continues with a story about a man fired for missing too much work. But it wasn’t as interesting to me as this one. The above story does remind me of the wonderful lady who worried about the effect of nearby jackhammers on the health of her unborn child. (via Blog of Stupidity)

[tags]Woman sues doctor who hurt her feelings – wins[/tags]

USB geekery

Geeks need cool, useless toys. I’ve covered that often enough here on the site that it should be pretty clear already. Many times, I’ll find cool toys that I don’t comment on or post, just because I find about 3-4 gadgets and toys a day. But occasionally, I find a toy that’s just too useless and cool to not mention. Today, I point out the USB plasma ball.

brando-USBplasma.jpg

Absolutely no use, true, but really cool. Especially for us older geeks – a throwback to our youth days when these things were more common. (via Tingilinde)

[tags]USB Plasma ball, Cool geeky USB toy[/tags]

Modern Mechanix on LOLcats, the early years

Back before LOLcats were everywhere you turned, the folks at Scientific American published information on photographing cats in their December, 1931 issue. Learn what early photographers did for good LOLcat images in the days before the GIMP and Photoshop.

MM-cat_photos_clip.jpgCATS are easy to photograph-if you can tap an unlimited supply of patience. Beyond that, all you need is a camera (I prefer a reflex) with flash attachment. An assistant, portrait lenses, a tripod and a flash extension are helpful, but by no means essential.

The best place to work is a spot the cat likes best and the best time is just after he has eaten. When the cat gets down to the business of washing, you can start clicking. Set up your equipment beforehand and keep backgrounds plain. If the cat happens to like a spot in front of a cluttered background, stretch a sheet behind him.


Isn’t that picture just screaming for a LOLcat caption? I’m imagining something like “Plz 2 find t3h water is getting m3h”, but I’m a bad LOLcatographer. I don’t know how photographers in 1931 got their captions on images, but these seems to be the earliest sign of the coming LOLcat meme.

[tags]LOLcats – the early years, Scientific American covers LOLcats in 1931[/tags]