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In the "old" days when I worked at Digital, we used to use VT100 character cell terminals. I always chose white text on a black background (this was a setting) because I knew that the black parts of the screen meant that the electron gun of the CRT display was turned off, and as a result the only current expended was being used on the white characters. This was partly environmental but mostly because I wanted to avoid seeing the 60 Hz refresh of a totally white background. I'm very sensitive to screen flicker and would set the refresh rate at the highest setting possible. Perhaps this is a symptom of my Asperger's syndrome but that is a topic for another post. My sister informed me of an alternative site to Google that had a black background. The name of the site is Blackle , and if you use a CRT there is a certain amount of truth to the premise that a black background will save energy. Of course most clever people have already embraced the more energy efficient LCD...

Are you driving in stealth mode? Please don't!

February 18, 2008

Finally a break in the winter cycle of ice and snow then snow and ice and cold. The temperature broke 50 degrees here in New Hampshire with a light drizzle. The combination of warm humid air and a snow cover has produced pockets of dense fog. I was out on a rare shopping excursion and was amazed at the number of cars and trucks that are driving around without turning their headlights on. They are absolutely invisible. A number of these vehicles are "fog colored".. muted grays and white. Many states have a "wipers on, headlights on" law. New Hampshire with it's motto of "Live Free or Die" does not have this law. I love this state but sometimes the motto seems to be "Live Free AND Die". Isn't it common sense to make your vehicle as visible as possible to prevent other's from running into you? I am going to label this post as "Common Sense" because part of my role as an elder is to dispense wisdom. "Common Sense" is a...

Tai-Chi at Work

March 10, 2008

One of the benefits of working with computer engineers is meeting a number of interesting individuals from various cultures. When I worked on Spitbrook Road in Nashua, NH for Digital, twice a week we would start our day with a Tai-Chi long form in the parking lot. Tai-Chi is relaxing and strenuous at the same time, it is wonderful. It was great practicing outside as long as the weather cooperated. Later I ended up back in Massachusetts and discovered another lunchtime group that would practice in a conference room. That group was led by Taichun Pan, a software engineer. I knew he was a good teacher but didn't realize what a good musician he is. It was just a matter of time till he appeared on a YouTube courtesy of a local Boston show "Asian Focus". I was sent these links from a co-worker who is also a musician and practitioner of martial arts (with swords no less). On Spitbrook Road we did a brief stint with swords and I got to meet security one morning (Note: The s...