The way people moved up the ladder in IT during my early days (starting in 1975) was to take on new projects that allowed them time to master the new software and become the local expert. As you became the local expert on many new software products, management became very comfortable giving you more and …
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this is not the year of the linux desktop
2013 will not be the YoLD. Nor will 2014. Or 2015. This will be a shock to the fanatical FLOSS heads out there. But not to me. I’ve never thought that “this will be the year of the Linux desktop” – regardless of how many magazine, journal, blog, and other articles have been published about …
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deadline by mira grant
I read {{Feed}} (review) a few weeks ago, and just finished the 2d installment in {{Mira Grant}}’s {{Newsflesh}} trilogy, {{Deadline}}. The frenetic pace of book 1 was upped a level in book 2 (along with some more language). Mira is a fantastic author, and I cannot wait to read {{Blackout}} (it’s on my library queue). …
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the gospel according to hashtags
For the past many months I have been meeting almost bi-weekly with a small group to study the book of Matthew. We started in Jan 2012, and as of the end of May of 2013, we’ve made it through chapter 21. At our last meeting, I had an epiphany: if the gospels were written today, …
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use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim – law 12 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 12 One sincere and honest move will cover over dozens of dishonest ones. Open-hearted gestures of honesty and generosity bring down the guard of even the most suspicious people. Once your selective honesty opens a hole in their armor, you can deceive and manipulate them at will. A timely gift – a Trojan horse …
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the 7 habits of highly effective people by stephen r covey
This should have been titled “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective – but incredibly rigid and hard to to please – People” by Stephen Needs Coffee. But it’s not. {{Stephen R Covey}}’s work is extremely well-known, and millions have purchased {{The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People}} since it was released. I’m sure I have …
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publicizing compensation – why not?
Many (if not all) companies have provisos when you become a salaried employee that you not discuss your salary/compensation package with other employees. Most people have been raised in a mindset, largely because their parents have worked for companies like this (and maybe their grandparents, too – it is 2013, after all, and this is …
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krakatoa: the day the world exploded, august 27 1883 by simon winchester
I have been interested in volcanoes for a long time. I first wrote about them for a college essay in 1999, but my attraction to them began far earlier. Most likely it was triggered by hearing from my mom that her wedding day was the first time she’d ever really had allergies – just 6 …
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updates to connexions modules
Starting this week, and continuing over the next several weeks, there will be several updates and expansions coming to my published Connexions Collection (original publishing comments), “Debugging and Supporting Software Systems“. I would love to collect feedback and be able to incorporate any suggestions for improvement that you may have. Please feel free to either …
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how to win friends and influence people by dale carnegie
tl;dr: {{Dale Carnegie}}’s {{How to Win Friends and Influence People}} is what {{Robert Greene}} was trying to redo with {{The 48 Laws of Power}} and {{The Art of Seduction}} (both of which I’ve previously reviewed). It’s probably the only “self-help” book I’ve ever read that didn’t either talk down to you, nor treat you as …
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learn to keep people dependent on you – law 11 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 11 To maintain your independence you must always be needed and wanted. The more you are relied on, the more freedom you have. Make people depend on you for their happiness and prosperity and you have nothing to fear. Never teach them enough so that they can do without you. –{{Robert Greene}}, {{The 48 …
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happy 60th
Had she not died in August of 2008, my aunt Cindy would have turned 60 today. But she did, so she’s not. I am still thankful that after another several years, I still cannot dredge-up any negative memories of the entire time I knew her. And I can say with confidence I will see her …
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automating or automation?
I have been working in the realm of “automation” – specifically data center automation – for several years. Merriam-Webster defines “automating” thusly: to operate by automation to convert to largely automatic operation <automate a process> Notice the subtle difference with M-W’s definition of “automation“: the technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate automatically the state of being …
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58
We moved three spots this month.
adoption fundraising
This month we hit 60% on our funding target! We have a ways to go, but we have our referral fee, and one flight covered ~ish. Thanks again to everyone who has helped, who would like to, and to those who are just keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. Our main adoption blog.
the 50th law by 50 cent and robert greene
The 50th Law The greatest fear people have is that of being themselves. They want to be 50 Cent or someone else. They do what everyone else does even if it doesn’t fit where and who they are. But you get nowhere that way; your energy is weak and no one pays attention to you. …
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infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky – law 10 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 10 You can die from someone else’s misery – emotional states are as infectious as diseases. You may feel you are helping the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster. The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead. …
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the 33 strategies of war by robert greene
I’ve now read [almost] all of {{Robert Greene}}’s books (just pending is {{The 50th Law}}, which I’ll have reviewed in a couple weeks). Thanks to my local library, I have not had to spend gobs o’ cash in the process (though at least one of his books I think is most definitely worth the expenditure). …
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feed by mira grant
After some time of not reading fiction, I saw {{Mira Grant}}’s {{Feed}} recently in a store, checked my local library, and reserved a copy. Now I need to read {{Deadline}} and {{Blackout}}. Grant’s writing, while typically female in style (first person dialog – both inner and outer, and the main character is a girl), does …
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win through your actions, never through argument – law 9 – #48laws by robert greene
Law 9 Any momentary triumph you think you have gained through argument is really a Pyrrhic victory: The resentment and ill will you stir up is stronger and lasts longer than any momentary change of opinion. It is much more powerful to get others to agree with you through your actions, without saying a word. …
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“The” Antichrist?
A recent article, along with some other recent discussions I’ve had, has led me to study-out the issue of both “antichrist” (lowercase ‘a’), and “The Antichrist” (uppercase ‘A’). First let me point out that the term “antichrist” is only used 4 times in the New Testament*, only by John, and only in the first two …
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adoption update
My wife will have substantially more on this, but we did have movement this month: 3 slots. We’re still in the 60s, but only barely!
char steakhouse, raritan nj
I got taken out (along with several other people) recently to Char Steakhouse in Raritan NJ. The food was nice, and the service was decent – but for $50+ per person, it should be AMAZING. And it wasn’t. There was nothing wrong with the food, and indeed the sides were several steps above a Logan’s or …
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free wifi
I travel a fair amount for work – not excessive “road warrior” style anymore (thank God!), but often enough. One thing that has consistently dumb founded me is that, like cheap hotels, the smaller the airport, the more likely it is that it has free wifi. I understand places like ATL or ORD are incredibly …
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maps
I love maps. I have a calendar with historical maps on my wall next to my desk. I love books based around atlases (such as the {{Historical Atlas of}} series (many by {{Ian Barnes}} (similarly related review)). I like going to museums, visiting websites, used book shops, etc and just peruse the maps. I used to …
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