10.22.06
Doing The Cube
Holy crap, it might just be easier to aimlessly twist the thing around until it randomly solves itself…
Doing The Cube – Instructions on solving a Rubik’s Cube
BusWeek’s Dubious Statistic Award
Here’s a great graphic from Business Week’s just-out b-school rankings:
Note that the chart on the left is the “Percentage of full-time MBA programs reporting application growth”. What, the actual number of applications, the number of students, etc. weren’t straight-forward enough, you had to go with something as indirect as the number of programs reporting application growth?
This is an unfortunate example of using statistics to mislead… of course Business Week sells more copy and more ads when the b-school market is hot, so it’s in their best interest to find whatever metric they can to make it look hot. And they certainly grasped a bit to get this one…
I’m pretty sure demand this year is up in normal terms, so why use a questionable stat to show a big gain when you could show an honest, smaller gain?
10.17.06
Multi-Headed Beasts
In case you really want to watch that DVD on your computer while still checking email and CNN…
One 30″ center panel flanked by two 20″ panels rotated to landscape mode… for an effective 4960×1600 resolution. Only $3,999… and then you have to have 2 or 3 video cards, but dammit, that’s so worth it!
Also check out the 8-screen “command centers” or the Arena Displays:
10.14.06
Garden State
Visual humor is usually amusing… this is from the movie Garden State, which I can only describe as a very original look at growing up in Jersey…
10.13.06
Easy Productivity Gains
Many people skimp on the wrong things… here is my list of must-have items that are worth the extra cost, and since the cost is dollars and not time, I consider them low-hanging fruit.
- 9-cell battery for laptop (or whatever longer-charge battery is available)
- Extra power adapters around your office or house
- Wireless network – either Wifi or cell based
- Re-chargable wireless mouse (I recommend the Logitech MX 1000 Laser)
- Docking station (if you have more than 1 peripheral device)
- A big, uncluttered desk
If you’re a big traveller, I recommend getting multiple batteries and a multi-battery charger. Also, don’t forget to pack the charger and power adapters in your luggage rather than lugging it around in your laptop bag.
10.12.06
Shiraz vs. Syrah
Clos Du Bois and Rex Goliath both use the term Shiraz even though they’re Californian… According to WikiPedia, “…in cases where the winemaker chooses to follow a new world style … they may choose to label their wine as a Shiraz. Under American wine laws, either name may appear on the label.”