"I labour under the notion I'm incredibly fascinating as these pages bear witness. Friends, both far and wide, are frequently pestered to keep abreast of my life and opinions by visiting. As well, I offer greetings to folks who accidentally stumble upon these treasures."
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- Phone: 604.524.6197
- Cell: 778.235.6668
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Securing Sally's Site
Sally, don't you get free web space with your Internet subscription? I bet you already have a few megabytes of server space just waiting for you to fill!
(Editorial Content: Actually, I just tried to do a search of your options and it appears as if your Internet Service Provider is unwilling to provide free space. This goes against what has been standard practice in most countries for over fifteen years! Okay, I bet they are afraid of what people might 'say' by the way of electronic bits on their servers. Heads might roll if somebody publicly criticized something. Is Etisalat still a monopoly there? That company did, and apparently still does, more damage to the development of technical prowess in the United Arab Emirates than can be imagined! For the sake of profit, they want to keep a strangle-hold on an area where ordinary citizens and residents alike should be encouraged to open new borders! How does one spell D-I-N-O-S-A-U-R ?)
Anyway, there's nothing special about a web site nor in creating one. A 'site' is just a directory that sits on a computer always connected to the Net and running 'server' software. Any file on that computer can be made 'available' to any other computer on the Net. Those files ending with .htm or .html will be automatically viewed in a browser.
When you type the name of a web site, you essentially see an initial page which is usually entitled index.html. Even if you don't see the full page name in your browser address bar, you're still looking at the index file:
www.DennisSylvesterHurd.com.
There can be hundreds or thousands of files in that directory, but nobody will be able to see 'em unless there's a 'link' to them. It's a little like the proverbial tree falling in the forest... Only the index.html will show when a basic URL is entered. However, if a potential visitor knows the exact name of a file in the directory, they are be able to type in the complete path name to view. Here's a reference to a photo page with my first car:
www.DennisSylvesterHurd.com/pinto.htm.
You are techie enough to learn how to use a File Transfer Program. This type of program just copies files from a working directory on your computer to the server computer. Many web hosting sites offer online management features where one can copy files, but it's probably easier to use a program specific to the task:
Download Free WS_FTP LE
We can hunt-up available service space for you. Then, we can run a series of practice lessons via email and this blog! Are you game?
Best always, Dennis
(Editorial Content: Actually, I just tried to do a search of your options and it appears as if your Internet Service Provider is unwilling to provide free space. This goes against what has been standard practice in most countries for over fifteen years! Okay, I bet they are afraid of what people might 'say' by the way of electronic bits on their servers. Heads might roll if somebody publicly criticized something. Is Etisalat still a monopoly there? That company did, and apparently still does, more damage to the development of technical prowess in the United Arab Emirates than can be imagined! For the sake of profit, they want to keep a strangle-hold on an area where ordinary citizens and residents alike should be encouraged to open new borders! How does one spell D-I-N-O-S-A-U-R ?)
Anyway, there's nothing special about a web site nor in creating one. A 'site' is just a directory that sits on a computer always connected to the Net and running 'server' software. Any file on that computer can be made 'available' to any other computer on the Net. Those files ending with .htm or .html will be automatically viewed in a browser.
When you type the name of a web site, you essentially see an initial page which is usually entitled index.html. Even if you don't see the full page name in your browser address bar, you're still looking at the index file:
There can be hundreds or thousands of files in that directory, but nobody will be able to see 'em unless there's a 'link' to them. It's a little like the proverbial tree falling in the forest... Only the index.html will show when a basic URL is entered. However, if a potential visitor knows the exact name of a file in the directory, they are be able to type in the complete path name to view. Here's a reference to a photo page with my first car:
You are techie enough to learn how to use a File Transfer Program. This type of program just copies files from a working directory on your computer to the server computer. Many web hosting sites offer online management features where one can copy files, but it's probably easier to use a program specific to the task:
We can hunt-up available service space for you. Then, we can run a series of practice lessons via email and this blog! Are you game?
Best always, Dennis
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
An Umbrella: Don't Leave Home Without It
It was nearly 20C (68F) yesterday, but today is more typical and wet!
This picture was taken near a convenience store directly down on
Columbia Street in front of this building. Notice the wet sidewalks.
This picture was taken near a convenience store directly down on
Columbia Street in front of this building. Notice the wet sidewalks.
Labels: Columbia Street, New Westminster (Page 1), Q1_2004, weather
Monday, March 29, 2004
Experience It
Installing a New Badger
The kitchen sink was clogged and, wouldn't you know, I broke the garbage disposal. After adding chemicals and furiously plunging, ugly gunk poured out the bottom. Yuck!
They're called 'garburators' here and my model is a Badger. Thankfully, disposer technology doesn't seem to be advancing. It appears that the exact same model is still sold. We've owned this apartment nearly six years and the device was probably an original making it another nine years older. I guess a garburator doesn't last as long as a refrigerator. On the new Badger, I hope all the holes and fittings line up. The only major difference I can see is that the one still in the box is made out of a lighter-weight metal. Go figure!
You could strew the innards of a PC all around the room and I wouldn't mind putting it together. I'm handy, but plumbing frightens me.
Mission accomplished and things are NOW going down the drain!
Labels: maintenance, Q1_2004
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Service Interruptus
Dennis shouts, "Hey there, the server is not working."
The guys at my domain host apparently do not work on weekends! I never think of them unless I need them.
The guys at my domain host apparently do not work on weekends! I never think of them unless I need them.
Saturday, March 27, 2004
Different Pathways
Friday, March 26, 2004
Borobodur
On Wednesday, I was talking about the discomfort in lugging around a heavy camcorder. However, I don't look too upset in this picture taken in Java, Indonesia. We spent a summer travelling from Jakarta down to Bali and back. The Borobodur Temple is an amazing ancient Buddhist site.
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Birthday Balloons?
Honestly, the world is so much smaller than the first time I went overseas. Communication is so much easier and cheaper. There used to be a feeling of being elsewhere when it took several weeks for a letter to travel home. That meant it was an entire month for a round-trip message.
Now, people can live permanently in a virtual-halfway zone between two locations. I'm not exactly sure what this means for countries who accept immigrants. It used to be certain that a new comer was giving up the old life and was forced to embrace a new one. Now the dynamics are different. There are certainly advantages to these developments too. Jay's sister had a birthday last week. Rather than a mere phone message, Jay 'right-clicked,' ordered up a birthday cake, and had it delivered right to her house on the other side of the globe.
Sri Lanka Food - at Kapruka
If you can type in your credit card number nowadays, you can give almost anything to anyone anywhere. Relatives and families from away can provide so much more than just a cake!
Luxury Ballooning in Sri Lanka
Okay, that's what I want for my birthday!
I Love Those Who Agree: Now Don Responds
And the result is, not only are we in touch at the click of a mouse button, but the world is becoming so similar. One can be away from home by several thousand miles and and a few continents, and still go to a cinema complex, watch "Mystic River", eat at KFC or Mickey D's, smoke Marlboro lights (or not), stop in at the local cold store and pick up a box of Oreo cookies and low fat milk to have on my Post Raisin Bran in the morning. Come in at mid-night, turn on a 29 inch TV and watch Will & Grace or Jay Leno, take a shower with Dial soap, and go to sleep on Martha Stewart K-Mart sheets. Am I in Vermont, Thailand, Bahrain or Sri Lanka?
A far cry from my Peace Corps days in a small village in Senegal.
Now, people can live permanently in a virtual-halfway zone between two locations. I'm not exactly sure what this means for countries who accept immigrants. It used to be certain that a new comer was giving up the old life and was forced to embrace a new one. Now the dynamics are different. There are certainly advantages to these developments too. Jay's sister had a birthday last week. Rather than a mere phone message, Jay 'right-clicked,' ordered up a birthday cake, and had it delivered right to her house on the other side of the globe.
Sri Lanka Food - at Kapruka
If you can type in your credit card number nowadays, you can give almost anything to anyone anywhere. Relatives and families from away can provide so much more than just a cake!
Luxury Ballooning in Sri Lanka
Okay, that's what I want for my birthday!
I Love Those Who Agree: Now Don Responds
And the result is, not only are we in touch at the click of a mouse button, but the world is becoming so similar. One can be away from home by several thousand miles and and a few continents, and still go to a cinema complex, watch "Mystic River", eat at KFC or Mickey D's, smoke Marlboro lights (or not), stop in at the local cold store and pick up a box of Oreo cookies and low fat milk to have on my Post Raisin Bran in the morning. Come in at mid-night, turn on a 29 inch TV and watch Will & Grace or Jay Leno, take a shower with Dial soap, and go to sleep on Martha Stewart K-Mart sheets. Am I in Vermont, Thailand, Bahrain or Sri Lanka?
A far cry from my Peace Corps days in a small village in Senegal.
Labels: Bahrain, Don, food, Q1_2004, technology
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Slimming Down: 'Camcorder-wise'
I used to think my old camcorders were so amazing. How neat to have a whole TV studio in one's possession.
Yet my current dinosaur is so bulkly that it makes actually taking it along on a trip a huge burden. It seldom leaves the shelf.
The collection of old 8-mm tapes were not easy to keep organized. I've tried to run some of them through my capture card in order to burn the stuff on DVD's. After watching satellite TV for a few years and all movies in commerical DVD format, I realize the video output from those tapes sucks!
Now I want a new digital video camera. How come I always have a whole list of items to buy that are over Cnd $1000.00?
dvspot review: Sony DCR-HC40
Yet my current dinosaur is so bulkly that it makes actually taking it along on a trip a huge burden. It seldom leaves the shelf.
The collection of old 8-mm tapes were not easy to keep organized. I've tried to run some of them through my capture card in order to burn the stuff on DVD's. After watching satellite TV for a few years and all movies in commerical DVD format, I realize the video output from those tapes sucks!
Now I want a new digital video camera. How come I always have a whole list of items to buy that are over Cnd $1000.00?
dvspot review: Sony DCR-HC40
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
On Sunday, I mentioned the Firefly I owned when working in Dubai. In some places in the world they were sold as Suzuki Swifts or as Geo Metros. It was my first brand-new car. I bought it upon arrival in the Emirates with traveller's cheques from my previous work in Bahrain. I drove the little, red thing for five years.
Monday, March 22, 2004
Mid-flight Course Correction
Finally .... it does feel good to have them corrected and turned in. It was enough of an event to justify going out for lunch at Hara's Buffet in Surrey. They have Canadian, Chinese, and Indian food. I always eat too much, so going there is only permitted on special occasions.
Additionally, it was 13C (55F) degrees and sunny. The cherry and magnolia trees are near full bloom. Spring is always welcoming!
Additionally, it was 13C (55F) degrees and sunny. The cherry and magnolia trees are near full bloom. Spring is always welcoming!
Getting a pile of final examinations completely corrected is a good feeling. Well actually, I'll report back when I'm able to do that! It will take me a while longer to confirm that it feels good.
Labels: BCIT (Page 1), Q1_2004
Sunday, March 21, 2004
Desert Mountain Area
Hi, these are some pictures taken in Fujairah yesterday ... it was such a wonderful place ... I hope you like the pictures.
Best Regards,
Humaid
Thanks for the pictures, Humaid. I chose this one to include here. I was
in Dubai from 1991 to 1996. A drive over to this part of the UAE was
always fun. If I'd have had a 4-wheel drive vehicle rather than a
Pontiac Firefly, I could have done lots of 'off-roading'.
Best Regards,
Humaid
Thanks for the pictures, Humaid. I chose this one to include here. I was
in Dubai from 1991 to 1996. A drive over to this part of the UAE was
always fun. If I'd have had a 4-wheel drive vehicle rather than a
Pontiac Firefly, I could have done lots of 'off-roading'.
Saturday, March 20, 2004
One-Sentence Summaries
Here are two paragraphs from a practice sheet that gave to my students this week. Summaries are much harder to make than would first appear!
Using Skimming Effectively
Because skimming involves skipping large portions of the material, you should not expect to retain the less important facts and details. You can expect a comprehension level of about 50 percent when skimming. Use skimming only when your purpose for reading allows you to read for general concepts rather than specific information.
_________________________________________________________
Many effective readers alternate between skimming and more careful reading. In a given article, for example, you many skim several sections until you come to a section that is of particular interest or that fulfills your purpose for reading. At that point, you may read completely rather than skim, and then continue skimming later sections. At other times, it may be necessary to read completely when you feel confused or when you encounter difficult or unfamiliar ideas.
_________________________________________________________
Using Skimming Effectively
Because skimming involves skipping large portions of the material, you should not expect to retain the less important facts and details. You can expect a comprehension level of about 50 percent when skimming. Use skimming only when your purpose for reading allows you to read for general concepts rather than specific information.
_________________________________________________________
Many effective readers alternate between skimming and more careful reading. In a given article, for example, you many skim several sections until you come to a section that is of particular interest or that fulfills your purpose for reading. At that point, you may read completely rather than skim, and then continue skimming later sections. At other times, it may be necessary to read completely when you feel confused or when you encounter difficult or unfamiliar ideas.
_________________________________________________________
Labels: BCIT (Page 1), Q1_2004
Friday, March 19, 2004
Final Friday
This is the fifth and final week of our class. We met on Mondays through Thursdays. This is an intensive, 84-hour course, so we need to meet on one Friday. That is today and it's the final examination!
Thursday, March 18, 2004
A Green Thumb?
I recently bought another houseplant at Walmart for $1.69.
I don't know why I like green things growing in the house. Maybe, I developed a desire for indoor green when living in the Middle East. Or could it be genetics? When I was small my mother made a big deal by inviting relatives to the house and loading up the Kodak Instamatic when she managed to cajole a night-blooming cereus to flower. Jay, however, grew up in a jungle and is not terribly impressed by my efforts.
I don't think I'd call it a special gift, but it does take me many months
to kill most plants. For example, the large one in this photo was a
house-warming present from guest, Don Richardson. He bought it during
his visit to Canada which was more than five years ago!
I don't know why I like green things growing in the house. Maybe, I developed a desire for indoor green when living in the Middle East. Or could it be genetics? When I was small my mother made a big deal by inviting relatives to the house and loading up the Kodak Instamatic when she managed to cajole a night-blooming cereus to flower. Jay, however, grew up in a jungle and is not terribly impressed by my efforts.
I don't think I'd call it a special gift, but it does take me many months
to kill most plants. For example, the large one in this photo was a
house-warming present from guest, Don Richardson. He bought it during
his visit to Canada which was more than five years ago!
Labels: Don, flora and fauna, Q1_2004, Walmart
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Fellow Blogger Encouragement
Submitted by: Silver
Browser Info: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)
silverhuang.blogspot.com (abandoned link)
Arrived How?: From a web or blog link.
Location: Australia / Pacific Islands
Comment: Hi Dennis!
It's me, Silver again! =) How are you? I read your message on my TagBoard and I was like, hmmm... that's true, though I may *think* I don't feel like writing anything, THAT shouldn't stop me! =D So I've blogged successfully for 5 days now... heh... considering my past record, I feel quite good! It's a sort of mini-accomplishment... Thanks to a few words from you! *grins*
See ya!
Browser Info: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)
silverhuang.blogspot.com (abandoned link)
Arrived How?: From a web or blog link.
Location: Australia / Pacific Islands
Comment: Hi Dennis!
It's me, Silver again! =) How are you? I read your message on my TagBoard and I was like, hmmm... that's true, though I may *think* I don't feel like writing anything, THAT shouldn't stop me! =D So I've blogged successfully for 5 days now... heh... considering my past record, I feel quite good! It's a sort of mini-accomplishment... Thanks to a few words from you! *grins*
See ya!
No More Kidding Around
I looked like a baby in yesterday's photo! My glasses had lenses as large as the windshields on two Volkswagons.
Strangely, all three members of the gameroom gang are now on the other side of the continent. Athough we live less than 200 miles from each other, we unfortunately seldom get together. Here's a comparison image between our college years and the current millennium:
More of the Gameroom Gang.
Strangely, all three members of the gameroom gang are now on the other side of the continent. Athough we live less than 200 miles from each other, we unfortunately seldom get together. Here's a comparison image between our college years and the current millennium:
More of the Gameroom Gang.
Labels: glasses, Q1_2004, The Harbor Gameroom
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
The Harbor Gameroom
A person could read any blog from the beginning. However, if there happens to be any logical development in the topic, then it occurs in reverse chronological order. For example, here's a recap of the last few days:
Although the building no longer exists, our business is kept alive in memory. Our large roof sign now sits in the Sunapee Historical Society.
"Come Play With Me .... at the Harbor Gameroom". That's what
the t-shirts used to say and it was accurate for the hundreds of local
and visiting patrons. I'm in the back. In the first row, Joel Thomas
is on the left. Bret Wirta appears in the middle and his brother, Mark
Wirta is on the right.
Now here's the current connection: The movie, TRON, contained arcade games as an important aspect of the plot. This has led me look around for a picture of the gang who brought Pacman to the Harbor at Sunapee, New Hampshire. Look at the friends in the picture who began The Harbor Gameroom. Thanks to Bret Wirta's endless business acumen, Joel Thomas's engineering aptitude, and the good fortune of the arcade boom, we created a summer business during my college years.Last Friday, I mentioned that I had brought my camera to BCIT. So, on Saturday, I showed a picture taken in the computer lab. On Sunday, that led me to consider the music at the beginning of the PC era. Yesterday, I spent some time discussing the movie, TRON, from that time period.
Although the building no longer exists, our business is kept alive in memory. Our large roof sign now sits in the Sunapee Historical Society.
"Come Play With Me .... at the Harbor Gameroom". That's what
the t-shirts used to say and it was accurate for the hundreds of local
and visiting patrons. I'm in the back. In the first row, Joel Thomas
is on the left. Bret Wirta appears in the middle and his brother, Mark
Wirta is on the right.
Labels: Bret, games, Joel, New Hampshire, Q1_2004, scanned, Sunapee, The Harbor Gameroom
Monday, March 15, 2004
Freedom from Master Control
The entry yesterday made me think of things from that era. Kind thoughts of the early 80's might be due to my age. I mean hair was big if not awesome, wasn't it? More importantly, I consider it as the beginning of a paradigm shift in society's relationship with electronic communications.
In order to capture that feeling of a time when personal computers were new, I went to the video store and rented Tron (1982). Before that movie, I don't think I had ever seen cyberspace represented on the silver screen. Even on the re-mastered, 20th-anniversary DVD edition, the effects were interesting. The dialog was extremely awkward, silly, and stilted. Though it must be pointed out that most audiences wouldn't have had a clue about the vocabulary references in the year of its release. For example, you'd have had to know a little about binary theory to appreciate the orphaned, floating bit which could only respond by saying, "Yes," or "No."
Even though the words might not inspire, in 2004, the audio still rocks thanks to a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.
In order to capture that feeling of a time when personal computers were new, I went to the video store and rented Tron (1982). Before that movie, I don't think I had ever seen cyberspace represented on the silver screen. Even on the re-mastered, 20th-anniversary DVD edition, the effects were interesting. The dialog was extremely awkward, silly, and stilted. Though it must be pointed out that most audiences wouldn't have had a clue about the vocabulary references in the year of its release. For example, you'd have had to know a little about binary theory to appreciate the orphaned, floating bit which could only respond by saying, "Yes," or "No."
Even though the words might not inspire, in 2004, the audio still rocks thanks to a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.
Sunday, March 14, 2004
Computer World
My first job after college was in Kuwait and I recall buying this cassette that year. Kraftwerk was composed of some German guys, drum sets, synthesizers, and tape decks. Had the term technopop been coined yet? They'd been creating music throughout the 1970's; however, this album was born at a special point in time. A confluence of technology was starting to enable the dawn of a new information age.
.
Remember, this music was released the
same year that the IBM PC rolled out. Just as in
Windows XP today, you were not able to set
those system clocks prior to 1980!
.Remember, this music was released the
same year that the IBM PC rolled out. Just as in
Windows XP today, you were not able to set
those system clocks prior to 1980!
Labels: IP, Mediaplayer, music, Q1_2004, Windows
Here's some interesting information on technopop from the National Public Radio site:
The Secret History of Technology and Pop Music - Sept. 2002
The Secret History of Technology and Pop Music - Sept. 2002
Saturday, March 13, 2004
Computers and Communications Courses
I have taken students into computer labs since the days when PC's had just 640K of RAM. I still schedule an hour of lab time every week. I tend to encourage students to use computers as more of a research and work tool than for computer-assisted instruction.
Doing useful things in the lab is easy because of the Internet and a tool offered at BCIT. I frequently make use of myBCIT, a web portal for the Institute. As soon as a student registers in class, he / she is provided with access to the portal and an accompanying email address. Most school paperwork and documentation can be provided though an electronic pipeline. When logging on, students are presented with their class lists and an accompanying work area for each class.
I have easy means to add links, supervise a class message board, initiate an online chat, add to our course calendar, or email the entire group in one step. That is a whole lot easier than when I needed to collect email addresses during the first scheduled class! Computers greatly impact our private lives, so it should not be considered unusual that they affect how we teach and learn.
Labels: computer lab, email, Internet, myBCIT, Q1_2004, software, students
Friday, March 12, 2004
The End of the Roll
Even if you've switched over to digital photography, you can probably still remember putting a new film in your old camera. You used to take a couple of shots just to get the roll lined up for the first picture.
Yesterday, I knew I was going to take my digital camera to BCIT for a class photograph. I still had this useless need to click a shot from the balcony before I left for Burnaby. What for? (It's an old habit, I guess, and a little like when we insist on dialing a phone number, although we've actually been pushing buttons for decades.)
Fraser River & SkyTrain Bridge
Yesterday, I knew I was going to take my digital camera to BCIT for a class photograph. I still had this useless need to click a shot from the balcony before I left for Burnaby. What for? (It's an old habit, I guess, and a little like when we insist on dialing a phone number, although we've actually been pushing buttons for decades.)
Fraser River & SkyTrain Bridge
Labels: balcony, BCIT (Page 1), digital camera, Fraser River, Q1_2004, transit
Thursday, March 11, 2004
It's Not 'War & Peace' ...
... but there have been lots of blog entries at my eJournal and images. In fact, there are now twenty-eight weeks of archives and that means I've been blogging for more than a half year. Imagine, I haven't missed a single day!
"I can only see 7 entries," you say.
"Look to the right, under my face," Dennis answers. "You will find several ways to access previous entries."
The most obvious method is to enter My Archive Vault. Entries are automatically organized into weekly pages which rest in the vault. Don't worry; it's neither damp nor musty. You won't find a single spider web in there either!
Right under the vault link, an alternate way to sample previous entries involves doing a blog search. Simply type in a name or phrase and see if I've said anything about it during the last 28 weeks!
Labels: blogging, file archives, Q1_2004
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
PDF You!
I'm not sure that I really understand the implications of the Adobe's new, barcode-enabled PDF files. Yet, anyone who's ever fiddled around by trying to print a file on another computer knows the advantages of a 'portable' document. I would guess that most Internet users have installed the free reader that they offer.
Below there's a large example document I found on a site that sells musical transcriptions. Try creating this document in MS Word!
The Ragtime Dance.
Below there's a large example document I found on a site that sells musical transcriptions. Try creating this document in MS Word!
The Ragtime Dance.
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
CyberWalker: The DVD is in the mail
Wouldn't ya know, I'm always near the crest of trends as mentioned in HUBCanada.com! I cancelled www.zip.ca just before the free, trial membership ended though. The service seems fine (if one lives in Ontario) but they are too far away for prompt delivery. How come I didn't find www.dvdflix.ca before? They've only got 5,000 titles on hand, but they're in North Vancouver, so Canada Post should be able to get the discs to me in a reasonable amount of time. The locally-based online rental store is also cheaper at $19.95 / month; so, if we manage to watch just five per month, it'd be cheaper than Blockbuster or Rogers Video.
Labels: movies (Page 1), Q1_2004, zip.ca
No Don Ho
Rather than actually think of something useful or meaningful to say today, I thought I'd scan a photo. (If I manage to scan one every so often then my suitcase full of aging photos will eventually be digitized, eh?) Here's a picture that was taken in 1998. We took a trip to Hawaii. This is a rental jeep in which we explored Oahu:
Monday, March 08, 2004
Blood is Thicker than Water
After turning a few years into their 40's, people start to be a bit more concerned with health matters. Do the number of supplements in the cupboard automatically increase with age?
In 2000, I had my first cholesterol testing and my triglyceride levels were 620 mg/dL (7 mmol/L). That's way too high.
Now I am more 'lipid conscience'. I'm on daily regimen of 200 mg of Fenofibrate, a capsule each of fish / flaxseed oil, 2500 mg of Niacin, 4 mg of folic acid, and a coated aspirin. Oh, I cannot forget my glass of red wine a day! (It's more fun than an apple a day!)
I just went in for results the other week and my 'score' was in the respectable lower range at 160 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L). If only some of my dead relatives had been around when lipid testing was a normal procedure, they might have been around longer!
It isn't too much of a stretch to include
this 1975 Neil Sedaka song here, is it?
In 2000, I had my first cholesterol testing and my triglyceride levels were 620 mg/dL (7 mmol/L). That's way too high.
Now I am more 'lipid conscience'. I'm on daily regimen of 200 mg of Fenofibrate, a capsule each of fish / flaxseed oil, 2500 mg of Niacin, 4 mg of folic acid, and a coated aspirin. Oh, I cannot forget my glass of red wine a day! (It's more fun than an apple a day!)
I just went in for results the other week and my 'score' was in the respectable lower range at 160 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L). If only some of my dead relatives had been around when lipid testing was a normal procedure, they might have been around longer!
It isn't too much of a stretch to include
this 1975 Neil Sedaka song here, is it?
Labels: beer and wine, opinions, Q1_2004, weight loss
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Tim is a Fish
Yesterday, the guys were over for a visit. Tim hadn't been to the 'Y' for his Saturday swim; therefore, he made use of the pool here. He went in the pool and didn't stop! After 40 minutes he was still going strong, so I decided to come up and prepare this picture for the blog. What a fish!
Saturday, March 06, 2004
Zip.ca: Not a Good Choice for All
As this blog has recently gotten a number of Google hits for those researching www.zip.ca, I've decided to add some of my recent correspondence with the online, DVD-rental company.
We signed up for the free trial on Zip.ca last week.
We were able to view Zip.ca DVD's on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of this week. They were promptly sent back the following mornings. It appears as if we may be able to watch three next week too. Unfortunately this number does not match our current viewing habits.
Your claim of 1 to 3 day delivery time is slightly misleading. It will always be a two-day turn around for people living near your facilities; yet on the other hand, it will always take at least a week for us because we live in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
What this essentially means is that people living around Ottawa get a theoretical chance to watch three times more movies than is possible for us. To put it another way, we would have to register for an additional two accounts in order to receive the same service as some other Zip members. Although, currently all customers pay $24.95 per month to be a member of Zip.ca, because of geography we'd have to pay almost $75 to receive equal service levels.
The phrase, "Unlimited DVD Rentals for $24.95 per month", as seen on your website, does seem to be a bit of a hyperbole.
I am not sure how this could be rectified and I know your business is just in its infancy. I am not sure how or if flexible pricing could work. It might be possible to vary the number of "checked out" discs depending on the geographic location of the customer. However, I am most interested in learning if you have any long-term plans to set-up multiple shipping points in Canada?
Dennis; Thank you for your email.
We do have plans and ideas to set up different shipping locations in Canada but these plans will not be acted upon anytime soon. As for delivery times, I can see how Canada Post's shipping can frusterate some. However, we have had customers in B.C. get shipments in 3 business days, on the odd occasion we have even gotten a few people receive them in 2 business days. This is what the free trial is for though, to see how Canda Post and our service plays out with you and the area you live in. If your second shipment also took six business days (or whatever the exact time was) then it is likely that the service won't work out for you as best it could. In the end, you'd be saving $5 from rentals via a video store and probably isnt worth the wait. As I said though, see how long the second shipment takes and average out the times.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email us at service@zip.ca.
Sincerely, zip.ca
We signed up for the free trial on Zip.ca last week.
We were able to view Zip.ca DVD's on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of this week. They were promptly sent back the following mornings. It appears as if we may be able to watch three next week too. Unfortunately this number does not match our current viewing habits.
Your claim of 1 to 3 day delivery time is slightly misleading. It will always be a two-day turn around for people living near your facilities; yet on the other hand, it will always take at least a week for us because we live in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
What this essentially means is that people living around Ottawa get a theoretical chance to watch three times more movies than is possible for us. To put it another way, we would have to register for an additional two accounts in order to receive the same service as some other Zip members. Although, currently all customers pay $24.95 per month to be a member of Zip.ca, because of geography we'd have to pay almost $75 to receive equal service levels.
The phrase, "Unlimited DVD Rentals for $24.95 per month", as seen on your website, does seem to be a bit of a hyperbole.
I am not sure how this could be rectified and I know your business is just in its infancy. I am not sure how or if flexible pricing could work. It might be possible to vary the number of "checked out" discs depending on the geographic location of the customer. However, I am most interested in learning if you have any long-term plans to set-up multiple shipping points in Canada?
Dennis; Thank you for your email.
We do have plans and ideas to set up different shipping locations in Canada but these plans will not be acted upon anytime soon. As for delivery times, I can see how Canada Post's shipping can frusterate some. However, we have had customers in B.C. get shipments in 3 business days, on the odd occasion we have even gotten a few people receive them in 2 business days. This is what the free trial is for though, to see how Canda Post and our service plays out with you and the area you live in. If your second shipment also took six business days (or whatever the exact time was) then it is likely that the service won't work out for you as best it could. In the end, you'd be saving $5 from rentals via a video store and probably isnt worth the wait. As I said though, see how long the second shipment takes and average out the times.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email us at service@zip.ca.
Sincerely, zip.ca
Labels: complaints, Q1_2004, zip.ca
Friday, March 05, 2004
Winter's Not Over Yet ...
I got a little ahead of myself with the photo I included yesterday.
This is a morning shot through my living room window. Apparently,
we've still got some typical, wet winter to go!"
Thursday, March 04, 2004
Cherry Blossoms Coming ...
It was 12C (54F) the other day and I had to go out with the camera.
This is an entrance to the uptown Mall.
Labels: digital camera, New Westminster (Page 1), Q1_2004
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
Zip.ca Discussion Thread
Last Friday, I talked about a free trial offered by the online DVD rental service of www.zip.ca. Their system seems to work. On the web, I can choose to have several dozen movies lined up in queue. A few arrived, have been viewed, and sent back to Ottawa. So the subsequent ones on the list will be shipped as soon as my returns arrive back in the capital. There's even a customer service and response system built right into the site:
Customer (Dennis Hurd) 03/02/2004 11:44 PM
Braydon, thank you for your very prompt response.
I do appreciate that we'd be able to watch 12 movies per month. You do have to remember that Zip is also in competition with satellite movie networks, such as www.moviecentral.ca which provide literally several dozens of movie choices per month.
I still expect zip to be a value but you do have to remember to compare and align your service as competing with a broader range than just video stores.
== Dennis
Response (Braydon W.) 03/01/2004 01:29 PM
Dennis;
Thank you for your email!
We are currently thinking about coming out with a premium service where people could hold more than 3 dvd's at a time for a larger monthly fee. On average, it takes 1-3 business days for the dvd's to come and go from point A to B. If it took 4 days on average for 3 dvd's to come to you and 4 days for them to go off, you would have between 11 and 12 dvd's per month. Considering that rental stores generally charge around $5 per rental, you'd be looking into the high $50 low $60 per month rental rates from them. So as it is, there is significant savings and movie viewing.
Again though, we will be looking into premium services for our customers.
I hope that this answers your questions. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email us at service@zip.ca.
Customer (Dennis Hurd) 02/28/2004 06:41 PM
Hi, although I am very excited about the potential of using zip and replacing my Movie Channel subscription thru ExpressVu. Right at the present time, I'm just on the trial for zip.
Living out west, I'm wondering if the 3 or 4 day turn around will prevent us from maximizing our use of zip.
I'd like to suggest that you consider offering customers a variety of plan as to how many CD's may be 'out' at once.
You might even consider pricing that lets the customer select for their needs and their geographic region.
Customer (Dennis Hurd) 03/02/2004 11:44 PM
Braydon, thank you for your very prompt response.
I do appreciate that we'd be able to watch 12 movies per month. You do have to remember that Zip is also in competition with satellite movie networks, such as www.moviecentral.ca which provide literally several dozens of movie choices per month.
I still expect zip to be a value but you do have to remember to compare and align your service as competing with a broader range than just video stores.
== Dennis
Response (Braydon W.) 03/01/2004 01:29 PM
Dennis;
Thank you for your email!
We are currently thinking about coming out with a premium service where people could hold more than 3 dvd's at a time for a larger monthly fee. On average, it takes 1-3 business days for the dvd's to come and go from point A to B. If it took 4 days on average for 3 dvd's to come to you and 4 days for them to go off, you would have between 11 and 12 dvd's per month. Considering that rental stores generally charge around $5 per rental, you'd be looking into the high $50 low $60 per month rental rates from them. So as it is, there is significant savings and movie viewing.
Again though, we will be looking into premium services for our customers.
I hope that this answers your questions. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email us at service@zip.ca.
Customer (Dennis Hurd) 02/28/2004 06:41 PM
Hi, although I am very excited about the potential of using zip and replacing my Movie Channel subscription thru ExpressVu. Right at the present time, I'm just on the trial for zip.
Living out west, I'm wondering if the 3 or 4 day turn around will prevent us from maximizing our use of zip.
I'd like to suggest that you consider offering customers a variety of plan as to how many CD's may be 'out' at once.
You might even consider pricing that lets the customer select for their needs and their geographic region.
Labels: complaints, Q1_2004, zip.ca
Tuesday, March 02, 2004
All for Me?
Yesterday's jingle written for Burger King proposed that customers had a say in personalizing their burgers. They were suggesting that McDonald's, the arch rival (so to speak!) served just pre-manufactured, warmed-by-heat-lamp fare.
So, McDonald's ran the following campaign during the second half of the 70's. This particular ad strongly suggests that only McDonald's can provide that special taste for Georgia peaches or those on California beaches. More importantly, this 30-second, Quarter Pounder spot culminates with a counter argument that at McDonald's: "We do it all for you!"
.
Related Blog Entry: See private letter to Ronnie from October 29th of last year.
So, McDonald's ran the following campaign during the second half of the 70's. This particular ad strongly suggests that only McDonald's can provide that special taste for Georgia peaches or those on California beaches. More importantly, this 30-second, Quarter Pounder spot culminates with a counter argument that at McDonald's: "We do it all for you!"
.Related Blog Entry: See private letter to Ronnie from October 29th of last year.
Labels: food, Mediaplayer, Q1_2004
Monday, March 01, 2004
Serving Char-Broiled Cow for a Half Century
Whoppers were only $1.00 yesterday. It was Burger King's 50th anniversary, even though the company didn't actually come up with the Whopper until 1957. In remembrance of their special day; I'll include the text of an advertising jingle that first hit the air waves in the 1970's:
Here's an interesting tidbit from a fellow blogger: Arrrgh!!!: Hold the pickle.
"Hold the pickles. Hold the lettuce. Special orders don't upset us. All we ask, is that you let us ... serve us your way. Have it your way ... at Burger King."
Here's an interesting tidbit from a fellow blogger: Arrrgh!!!: Hold the pickle.
Labels: Q1_2004
Sunday, February 29, 2004
How Much Does a Stamp Cost?
I just used Microsoft Word to type a personal letter! I cannot remember the last time that I wrote to someone on paper. I will pop the envelop in the mailbox tomorrow and it will zoom towards Washington DC at the speed of a postal worker.
I met Mr. Nick Williams when I worked in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He introduced me to a type of archaeology: hunting for shards of ancient pottery. The letter is in response to his Christmas card. Am I late, or what?
I met Mr. Nick Williams when I worked in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. He introduced me to a type of archaeology: hunting for shards of ancient pottery. The letter is in response to his Christmas card. Am I late, or what?
Labels: Christmas, Q1_2004, Saudi Arabia
Your Top Ten?
Think about your ten most favourite films. If you could have ten free DVD's what movies would you choose? Jot out a message to me.
HAPPY LEAP DAY!
HAPPY LEAP DAY!
Labels: Q1_2004
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Images Evolve
Images were once just smashed pigments on cave walls. Then, they existed because of paper and chemicals. Now, I find the transition to computer files very interesting. The evolution completely changes the very spirit of what an image is.
The image to the right might be a bit blurry, but it sat on 8mm camcorder tape for more than a dozen years. Recently, I pulled it off through my computer's capture card. Next, it was manipulated and saved on the PC. A final step means that it now exists as a jpg file on a web server. It could in theory be viewed on hundreds (or a near infinite number) of computer screens simultaneously. The same copy, then, could be saved to remote hard disks or even printed out!
I wonder if Ben was able to cut that celery with a butter knife? I'll have to go back to the tape to find out ...
Friday, February 27, 2004
Which Will Provide More Movie Viewing?
I've come to view Movie Central as a valued service. Yet after seeing Internet adverts for years, it looks like a type of Netflix has come to Canada in the form of Zip.
This sounds like a real boon to movie-lovers living in rural areas. Moreover, it looks like Zip has titles that I'd have a hard time finding in local video stores!
The new business is based in Ottawa, so I wonder if the 'transfer time' will be acceptable. It does seem as though they've partnered with Canada Post. At least there's a free, 2-week trial so it's worth a try!
This sounds like a real boon to movie-lovers living in rural areas. Moreover, it looks like Zip has titles that I'd have a hard time finding in local video stores!
The new business is based in Ottawa, so I wonder if the 'transfer time' will be acceptable. It does seem as though they've partnered with Canada Post. At least there's a free, 2-week trial so it's worth a try!
Labels: movies (Page 1), Q1_2004, zip.ca
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Theme of the Bunch
Just in case you needed help humming yesterday's entry ...
.
.Labels: IP, Mediaplayer, Q1_2004, television
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Old Stars Become Supernovae, right?
Oh great, next month the TV Land Awards will be hosted. During the classic TV extravaganza, one gets the opportunity to see old, wrinkled versions of the stars from tired reruns. I love the idea of getting this channel via satellite but seldom actually watch it. However, this does prove that I've thought of a new use of my capture card. How can you look at the following and not start humming the tune?
Labels: Q1_2004
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Capturing is to Video as Scanning is to Photos
I have started using my capture card to convert years of analog camcorder tapes to mpg files. This is the first step in eventually creating DVD's.
Tape forces one into 'linear thinking'. Trying to find a specific event on tape is a mess as one generally has to fast-forward through lots of tape in order to get to the desired part. DVD menuing will make that a thing of the past as one captures into 'clips'. Each clip can appear on the DVD menu. It will take just moments to locate and play the correct scene.
Remember trying to carefully drop the 'needle' into the 'empty space' on a vinyl LP?
Tape forces one into 'linear thinking'. Trying to find a specific event on tape is a mess as one generally has to fast-forward through lots of tape in order to get to the desired part. DVD menuing will make that a thing of the past as one captures into 'clips'. Each clip can appear on the DVD menu. It will take just moments to locate and play the correct scene.
Remember trying to carefully drop the 'needle' into the 'empty space' on a vinyl LP?
Monday, February 23, 2004
Quick Access to Downtown
We went to a friend's house for dinner yesterday evening. Just like every trip to downtown Vancouver, we took the SkyTrain. It's convenient to pop out of the tunnel at either the Granville or Burrad Station. Because of the nice weather yesterday, it seemed that everybody had a similar idea of going downtown. Robson Street was very busy.
Here's a picture of my apartment tower. The building has direct access to the Columbia Street SkyTrain station, so the half hour trip is always a breeze.
When going to work, it takes me about the same amount of time to drive half the distance.
Sunday, February 22, 2004
Where's DVD+RW Media in Bulk?
After playing with my capture-card half the day yesterday, I am sure I didn't make a mistake. That was only part of the purchase; the other part was a DVD writer. What a cool combo! This is as exciting as when I discovered that music can be transferred onto recordable, shiny CD disks! This time it's video ending up on recordable, shiny DVD disks.
One of these new little platters holds 4.7 gigabytes of data. That's so amazing! (I had a computer with two, original 360K IBM floppy drives. (Those disks really were ... floppy and bendable and are probably collectors' items now.)
I'm able to create videos which can be watched in anybody's DVD player. (A player now costs only a bit more than a new-release feature movie.) Simple computer software allows me to make menus by template. I've got a pile of old 8-mm tape to archive.
I think this may also prompt me to spend less time with my digital camera and hasten my return to shooting video.
.
Speaking about watching, here's a song from
the early 80's. It seems slightly related to
the topic at hand in a paranoid sort of way.
One of these new little platters holds 4.7 gigabytes of data. That's so amazing! (I had a computer with two, original 360K IBM floppy drives. (Those disks really were ... floppy and bendable and are probably collectors' items now.)
I'm able to create videos which can be watched in anybody's DVD player. (A player now costs only a bit more than a new-release feature movie.) Simple computer software allows me to make menus by template. I've got a pile of old 8-mm tape to archive.
I think this may also prompt me to spend less time with my digital camera and hasten my return to shooting video.
.Speaking about watching, here's a song from
the early 80's. It seems slightly related to
the topic at hand in a paranoid sort of way.
Saturday, February 21, 2004
It's Never Easy
Don't get me wrong, I actually ENJOY taking the cover off my computer case. I think it's fun mucking around with the innards. However, there are times when I can understand Apple's philosophy of designing everything themselves.
I have just installed a new Leadtek video capture card. The reason I bought the particular model is because it is stereo. Yet, upon installation, the software did not correctly provide the audio drivers. I scrounged on the CD and even at their website and have not even been able to find them. This is a company in Taiwan, but was the only reasonably-priced solution I could find.
There is a temporary workaround as I can use the auxiliary in on my regular audio card, but ..... grrrrr ..... why'd I pay the extra money for the hardware that's on the capture card! Here's an email I just sent off (probably to a black hole).
I tried 'membership' as I thought there might be access to a message board. I just installed the WinFast TV2000 XP.
I bought it as it is a stereo board, yet the Multimedia Software Pack does not include the WinFast TV2000 WDM Audio Capture driver.
I thought 'a way around the problem' would be to unzip your newest driver set and install manually, but the audio driver doesn't appear there either.
What can I do to make use of the hardware audio connections?
== Dennis
I have just installed a new Leadtek video capture card. The reason I bought the particular model is because it is stereo. Yet, upon installation, the software did not correctly provide the audio drivers. I scrounged on the CD and even at their website and have not even been able to find them. This is a company in Taiwan, but was the only reasonably-priced solution I could find.
There is a temporary workaround as I can use the auxiliary in on my regular audio card, but ..... grrrrr ..... why'd I pay the extra money for the hardware that's on the capture card! Here's an email I just sent off (probably to a black hole).
I tried 'membership' as I thought there might be access to a message board. I just installed the WinFast TV2000 XP.
I bought it as it is a stereo board, yet the Multimedia Software Pack does not include the WinFast TV2000 WDM Audio Capture driver.
I thought 'a way around the problem' would be to unzip your newest driver set and install manually, but the audio driver doesn't appear there either.
What can I do to make use of the hardware audio connections?
== Dennis
Friday, February 20, 2004
They Know How to Relax
I wasn't intending to scan an image for today's entry; however, I accidently opened a word processing document in one folder. The file is called myhistory.doc. It consists of pages I've added over many years and it simply highlights an event for each month since my graduation from college. Some sections are not complete but I did notice that I'd written something for February 1994.
Ten years! Hey, it was a long time ago that we visited Kenya but I can easily recall the few weeks spent there. We stayed in Nairobi, in a safari camp, and at a seaside resort in Mombasa.
From the confines of a tourist van, we chased around these guys and Africa's
'Big 5' animals of the Savannah.
Ten years! Hey, it was a long time ago that we visited Kenya but I can easily recall the few weeks spent there. We stayed in Nairobi, in a safari camp, and at a seaside resort in Mombasa.
From the confines of a tourist van, we chased around these guys and Africa's
'Big 5' animals of the Savannah.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Coincidence
Strangely, I mentioned the word psychedelic in last Saturday's entry. It was in reference to my photo of John Lennon's Rolls Royce.
Then in today's paper I read about the death of Humphry F. Osmond, 86.
Then in today's paper I read about the death of Humphry F. Osmond, 86.
Labels: Q1_2004
Geographical Mosaic
Our foreign correspondent, Don, offered this response to yesterday's blog entry.
(Isn't the phrase newspaper correspondent rather old-fashioned? In my mind, it conjures up an image of a smoke-filled, wood-paneled bar with an unshaven journalist in a trench coat sipping on a 'straight-up' whiskey from a dirty glass.)
Interesting map. I keep forgetting a.) that Vancouver Island is so big and b.) that so much of it is below the border. It appears that it would be a relatively short boat/ferry ride directly south to the US and not such a long drive to Seattle or Olympia. I have no idea of the geography of that area.
I also just found out there is an island just off the coast of Newfoundland that is French. And then Bermuda is still British. And I'm never sure of the status of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. And there are other Caribbean Islands that belong to the British and French and there's one part of which belongs to the British, one part to the French and one part to the Netherlands, each using that country's currency and flying that country's flag and speaking the appropriate language. And what about Belize (formerly British Honduras, I think) tucked somewhere on the Mexican/Central American peninsula? And the island of Hispanola occupied half by Haiti, formerly French and the Dominican Republic, Spanish.
History, politics and geography obviously played a part in these mosaics. If we think that geo-politics and economics of today is a power play, what they must have been in the 19th century.
(Isn't the phrase newspaper correspondent rather old-fashioned? In my mind, it conjures up an image of a smoke-filled, wood-paneled bar with an unshaven journalist in a trench coat sipping on a 'straight-up' whiskey from a dirty glass.)
Interesting map. I keep forgetting a.) that Vancouver Island is so big and b.) that so much of it is below the border. It appears that it would be a relatively short boat/ferry ride directly south to the US and not such a long drive to Seattle or Olympia. I have no idea of the geography of that area.
I also just found out there is an island just off the coast of Newfoundland that is French. And then Bermuda is still British. And I'm never sure of the status of the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. And there are other Caribbean Islands that belong to the British and French and there's one part of which belongs to the British, one part to the French and one part to the Netherlands, each using that country's currency and flying that country's flag and speaking the appropriate language. And what about Belize (formerly British Honduras, I think) tucked somewhere on the Mexican/Central American peninsula? And the island of Hispanola occupied half by Haiti, formerly French and the Dominican Republic, Spanish.
History, politics and geography obviously played a part in these mosaics. If we think that geo-politics and economics of today is a power play, what they must have been in the 19th century.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
A War over a Pig?
There's a lot of history everywhere!We all tend to focus on history that is approachable. This often means that we find it easier to study local historical events rather than the broad tide of human experience. We may think we learn history so that we won't repeat the mistakes of the past. Yet if we were a bit more objective, we'd note that we generally use history as a type of socialization. Studying history helps us feel part of an inclusive group.
There's a lot of history that we ignore everywhere!
The last time U.S. and British forces were opposed was during the American Revolution, right? Yikes, I guess we could move nearly nine decades beyond that point and find a more recent conflict. In order to really understand the history of the area were I now live, one would have to understand the historical currents that led to ...
... the Pig War.
The immense forces of the westward expansion, the ideals of a manifest destiny, and the interest in gold combined to create a conflict more about territorial integrity than anything to do with a single pig.
Why didn't I know about this until recently? Perhaps the US Civil War stole the limelight. Or maybe I wasn't ready to understand the Pig War's importance. Live and learn!
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
Pomp
One week ago today, when we were in Victoria, the Legislative Assembly re-opened for its spring session. The whole affair turned out to be quite a big deal. We heard the sound of the cannons. The crowd on the lawn wasn't too large, but there were several 'protesters' on hand. We spotted the Premier, Gordon Campbell, greeting Iona Campagnolo, the Lieutenant Governor. They climbed the main, red-carpeted stairs. (The Premier's role is similar to that of a US governor and Ms. Campagnolo is the official BC representative for the Queen of England and officiates at important, provincial events.)
The story of why an island city hosts the seat of of government is rather interesting. Maybe I will comment on that at some future date.
The story of why an island city hosts the seat of of government is rather interesting. Maybe I will comment on that at some future date.
Labels: British Columbia, government, Q1_2004,