As if you didn’t have enough reasons to dislike windoze or windough … …

Thursday, February 23, 2006

http://channels.lockergnome.com/windows/archives/20060223_microsoft_upgraded_motherboard_new_windows_license.phtml

Lockergnome is reporting that:

“Microsoft recently made changes to the license agreement. A new motherboard is now apparently the equal of a new computer, and if you upgrade it you need to purchase a new Windows license. Microsoft’s new policy states: An upgrade of the motherboard is considered to result in a “new personal computer” to which Microsoft OEM operating system software cannot be transferred from another computer. If the motherboard is upgraded or replaced for reasons other than a defect, then a new computer has been created and the license of new operating system software is required.”

This makes me more intent of gitting off the Microsoft upgrade train. If the w95-w98-wme-w2k-wxp drill has taught me anything, then it is that you can NOT put new microsoft operating systems on old hardware.

No, my strategic direction is Linux and Open Source.

It’s cold out here in the real world, but microsoft is just to “expensive” in several dimensions.

 

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Posted by reinkefj

One drawback of linkedin

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

People don’t keep their update current. When I finish my current effort, I’ll have to do a stat. AND, a monthly keep in touch email. Hmmm.

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Posted by reinkefj

Itemizing the free tools that I like

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

It would be useful to inventory the “stuff” that I use. I’d like to have a backup of the distribution. My thought is that this summer I’d liek to rebuild my luggable.

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Posted by reinkefj

401ks are not all gold at the end of the rainbow

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

You may wish to ammend your “love fest” with the 401k just slightly. No argument that it is the pension plan of the future. But, it is like catching a falling knife. Some may grab the handle and others the blade.

Contribution to a 401k must be IMHO should be part of an overall financial plan. I would quibble as follows (1) Taxes are theft and don’t overlook that fact. We are getting royally screwed and this small break doesn’t make up for it. (2) Tax deffered money is oh so easy to get in and yet so tough to get out. The 10% penalty and taxes on 401k loans are two “knife blades” that often catch the unaware. (3) 401k choices often carry obscene fees which over a long time can erode the benefit. (I have seen plans with .065 load. It’s a heavy drag to overcome.) (4) 401ks tend to get “left behind” when one changes employers and get “lost” in the shuffle. (5) If your employer forces your 401k into company stock, then think Enron. (6) There is not much help if you have a problem. Look for arbitration clauses. (7) What happens if your employer goes Chapter 7-11? You may lose your 401k. At the very least, that coveted company contribution can be recaptured.

Again. 401k may be your best choice in a rigged game But, eye open for the falling knives.

IMHO FWIW YMMV,

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Posted by reinkefj

Learn to program with a free tutorial and a free interpreter

Sunday, February 19, 2006

http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/thinkCSpy/index.htm 

How to Think Like a Computer Scientist
Learning with Python
by Allen B. Downey, Jeffrey Elkner and Chris Meyers

http://www.python.org/download/

A (free) Python interpreter

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Posted by reinkefj

Moodle – free courseware management system

Sunday, February 19, 2006

http://www.moodle.com

This piqued my interest. How about a “course” for turkeys?

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Posted by reinkefj

worked on valley

Sunday, February 19, 2006

It’s slow, and I’m not good.

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Posted by reinkefj

Weekly ezines shipped

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Alumni and Ramblings shipped,

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Posted by reinkefj

Each night, something happens on the net connection

Sunday, February 19, 2006

It recycles my yim. Whatelse does it do? Why?

1 Comment | Technology | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

Liberal College (but I repeat myself) insults a MoH winner

Saturday, February 18, 2006

http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=021706H

This story just points out what is wrong with the new Amerika. UW is a “state school”. Paid for by federal and other taxzes. Your wealth stolen so that a bunch of young snobs can insult someone who did what the country asked him to do. Makes me ask the question “why”. Why does the federal government have any role in education? Why does any government have any role? Why are state colleges different than a McDonalds?

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Posted by reinkefj

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