The short-form week of 21–27 Dec 2009

28 Dec 2009; last modified 13 Mar 2011

The week in review, 140 characters at a time. This week, 67 messages in 70 conversations. (With 5 favorites.)

This document was created automatically from my archive of my Twitter stream. Due to limitations in the Twitter API and occasional glitches in my archiving system, it may not be 100% complete.

Monday at 09:21am

♺@xmlprague Get those XML Prague paper submissions in...—@ndw

Monday at 09:27am

RT @ndw: ♺@xmlprague Get those XML Prague paper submissions in...—@livetechdocs

Monday at 10:24am

Submitted new Last Call Working Draft for XProc to W3C web team. With luck, published tomorrow. http://tinyurl.com/y8h74uf—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Monday at 10:49am

Rewrote a buzzword laden definition to remove cloud computing crapola. See http://is.gd/5wfOy—@tommorris
@tommorris Yup. That's an improvement, no doubt.—@ndw

Monday at 12:15pm

I got my Christmas cards into the post before Christmas, that counts for something, right?—@ndw

Monday at 02:18pm

Death to stupid little JavaScript animations that make snowflakes on web pages and burn cycles on my CPU.—@ndw

Monday at 06:37pm

Bah humbug... RT @ndw Death to stupid little JavaScript animations that make snowflakes on web pages and burn cycles on my CPU.—@skwlilac

Tuesday at 08:40am

♺@dweinberger The universe in 6.5 brilliant minutes http://bit.ly/8RlJQo—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Tuesday at 01:17pm

OMFHeadache... I think maybe it's time to cut back on the caffeine again.—@kplawver
@kplawver Conversely, mom's coming to visit so we switched to decaf. OMFHeadache.—@ndw

Tuesday at 02:29pm

I think @w3 have left for the holidays. No reply to my pub req; I guess it'll be next year. Who was going to read it this year anyway? :-)—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Tuesday at 03:17pm

@ndw your pub req came in too late indeed for today's publications—@w3c
@w3c No worries. There's always next year! :-)—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Tuesday at 04:12pm

holding hand up .... @ndw: ....Who was going to read it this year anyway? :-)—@cutlass
@cutlass The link I posted with the pub request is still valid, you've got no excuse :-)—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Tuesday at 06:43pm

i'm evaluating a marklogic app that uses the twitter api—@kstirman
@kstirman I have one of those too—@ndw

Tuesday at 09:15pm

Ready for #android. If that means giving up @tweetie or @readitlater I'll wait for parity. Then again on android I can make my own.—@grechaw

Wednesday at 08:05am

IntelliJ 9.0 attempts to spell check source code, with mixed results. "Throwable" isn't misspelled. Neither is "decl". Now go away.—@ndw

Wednesday at 08:58am

Dear "friend", if we were dear friends, you wouldn't have to introduce yourself, would you? Stop sending me your email spam, kthxbai.—@ndw

Wednesday at 09:02am

Insult to injury: my previous tweet induced @DearRobot to spam me. Just $#@?! lovely!—@ndw

Wednesday at 09:21am

#tweetawish A world without war, hate or digital rights management.—@tommorris

Wednesday at 09:22am

#tweetawish A world without bankers or MBAs fucking things up for the rest of us.—@tommorris

In a conversation that started on Wednesday at 02:38pm

Screw the phone, I want *the box*. Actually, I think the N900 may also be my next phone. http://tinyurl.com/ybbjt2y—@ndw
@ndw The box was OK, but I highly recommend the phone, especially for a Debian hacker of renown like yourself.—@abcoates

Thursday at 08:16am

♺@StephenBuxton Oracle's bashing Mark Logic. Bring it on. http://bit.ly/85vrrO—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Thursday at 09:15am

And so my inner pendulum swings. I'm back to finding the attempt to distinguish between info resource and non-IR unnecessary and pointless.—@ndw
@ndw Isn't the problem that non-information resources are actually non-resources, i.e. that we're using RDF to describe concepts?—@RichardOfSussex
@RichardOfSussex I don't believe there are any non-resources. Representations of non-IR resources tend to have low fidelity, that's all.—@ndw
@ndw Ah, that depends on how much collateral evidence they are able to acquire. At the present time, not much, I agree. Happy Christmas!—@RichardOfSussex
@RichardOfSussex Happy Christmas!—@ndw

Thursday at 09:29am

I'm no more or less http://bit.ly/7HaxDJ than http://bit.ly/8py9zn *is* my previous tweet.—@ndw

Thursday at 09:53am

Wondering if any of the Flickr API methods will tell me what photos I appear in. Part of the activity stream, so maybe userComments?—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Thursday at 10:38am

At the Hotel, checked in, not so cold here. Quite comfortable. Foul mood, from getting up early and schlepping all day, is improving.—@ronhitchens
@ronhitchens French coffee and a fresh croissant always fixes my mood in Paris.—@ndw

Thursday at 04:52pm

Mom walked Becket. It was above freezing today. Becket needed a bath after his walk. I bathed Becket. Now have wet dog in lap.—@ndw

Thursday at 05:00pm

Note to Mom: no, you may not walk Becket again this week.—@ndw

Friday at 07:27am

There was a blizzard nine months before Christmas? Huh? http://xkcd.com/680/—@ndw

Friday at 11:03am

Eggs and bacon. Champagne. Prezzies. I can haz nap now?—@ndw

Friday at 01:41pm

T-minus nine degrees to roast beast.—@ndw

Friday at 01:44pm

(Oops. Sometimes "up arrow" / "return" isn't the right thing.)—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Friday at 02:09pm

Wondering what other apps I need... oh, some games.—@JeniT
@JeniT Got favorites? Er, favourites?—@ndw
@JeniT I'm nursing a renewed addiction to bejeweled if you are looking for game recs. It's keeping me from thinking about linked data!—@ldodds
@ldodds My sister's got me addicted to Set (by Pockent); also love Drop7—@JeniT
@JeniT Yeah, I think your responsible for the hours I've lost in Drop7—@ndw
@ldodds are you playing bejeweled blitz?—@iand
@iand that requires facebook doesn't it?—@ldodds
@ldodds only if you want to connect with other players i think—@iand
@JeniT some of my favourites: TheTrainline, Prowl, Remote, Keynote Remote, TouchPad, GoodReader, London Tube Deluxe, Things, Sparrow.—@tommorris
@tommorris Thanks for the recommendations! I'll check them out.—@JeniT
@JeniT i like orbital, bejeweled, the settlers, galcon, bloons td, civilization—@iand

Friday at 03:29pm

Hoping no one spoils Dr Who for me. Keep the spoilers to a minimum, ok, friends?—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Friday at 03:33pm

@ndw: How do you spoil 40 years of TV show?—@emacsen
@emacsen Oh, hush! Good or bad, we won't see it on this side of the pond for a while.—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 09:39am

Yup, definitely a bog. http://yfrog.com/4gt1paj—@simonw
@simonw if you stumble across Baskerville Hall, avoid the dog at all costs.—@ndw

Saturday at 10:54am

Borders wifi network login and iPhone do not get along.—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 10:56am

Took mom to mall. Did not bring laptop. And the boxing day nitwit award goes to: me.—@ndw
@ndw Do a lot of Americans call it "Boxing Day" now?—@david_megginson
@david_megginson Probably not; my mom's English so I have an anglophile perspective.—@ndw

Saturday at 11:27am

Bipolar Santa official website coming soon! Thanks for the support - @ndw, @joakime, @benosteen, @ungreen, @chriskeene, @benjiw.—@bipolarsanta

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 11:33am

ok tweeps, i'm really used to rightclicking, what do we do w/ apple? learn kb shortcut? different mouse? other? am i missin something?—@peteaven
@peteaven Different mouse. On laptops you configure two-finger tap as a right click.—@hunterhacker
@hunterhacker thanks! diggin this new apple world, but getting accustomed to the navigation, kinda wiley.—@peteaven
@peteaven Ctrl+Click is often like right click. And you've mapped Caps Lock to be Ctrl, right?—@ndw
@ndw i figured out ctrl+click, but hadn't mapped caps lock. thanks for the tip!—@peteaven
@peteaven Welcome to the club. Now drink up, you've got to get through six pints of kool aid before nightfall. ;-)—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 01:26pm

New personal best: 52 (Beach) on #flightcontrol - New Level: Cabin Crew, http://cloudcell.com/r.php?g=2&m=648355&l=1—@ldodds
@ldodds Hah, 77 landings! ;)—@JeniT
@JeniT @ldodds this might surprise you both - I have a top score of 570... (I practice on Circle Line, more or less every day, for 20mins)—@johnlsheridan
@johnlsheridan Yes, I know that you have some ridiculous high score :) @ldodds and I have only been playing a day! Give us a break.—@JeniT
@JeniT You knew? Disappointed now, not to have amazed you in a "who would have thought it" kind of way.—@johnlsheridan
@johnlsheridan You tweet about it. You think I don't pay attention? ;)—@JeniT
@JeniT @ldodds then obsession followed...—@johnlsheridan
@JeniT @ldodds should add, I couldn't get past 40 for weeks when I first played. Then at some point decided "I am going to be good at this."—@johnlsheridan
@johnlsheridan Does the difficulty level eventually plateau so that it's just a matter of how long you can keep your concentration?—@ndw
@ndw basically, yes, as far as I can tell - the plane speeds increase more gradually after 100. If you can land 200, you can land 500, IMHO.—@johnlsheridan

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 02:26pm

New US flight controls are nuts. No using electronics the whole flight? Not convinced that'll stop anyone with something in their bag...—@plasticbagUK
@plasticbagUK Where did you see the new flight controls posted?—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 03:25pm

/me decides that the time to brag about his high score of 78 has come and gone; decides not to reveal it.—@ndw
@ndw Very restrained of you.—@JeniT

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 03:31pm

we finally get wi-fi on flights and now no electronics? will this mark the return of airline magazines?—@fiberartisan
@fiberartisan No. They're heavy and expensive. The new plan is to tazer us all into submission before pushing back from the gate, I think.—@ndw

Saturday at 03:51pm

I wonder how long I can safely ignore "DeprecationWarning: the sha module is deprecated; use the hashlib module instead".—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 04:10pm

Apparently, I'm "hard to shop for," despite the fact that you could throw a rock in a Best Buy, Fry's or B&N and find something I'd like.—@RussB
@RussB I don't recommend throwing rocks in Best Buy, Fry's, or B&N.—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 04:42pm

The industry/govt reaction to burned-balls bozo is the epitome of cowardice.—@timbray
@timbray Ain't that the truth. I fear my flight in January is going to suck in new and absurd ways.—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 04:45pm

There are subjects for which words and pictures seem pale and insignificant. http://norman.walsh.name/2009/12/26/dad—@ndw
@ndw Very eloquent, in its own special way. So sorry to hear about your father.—@abcoates
@ndw As pale and insignificant as they may seem at times, words and pictures are the tools we have, and you have used them well.—@judell
@ndw best wishes, and thank you very much for sharing your eloquent memento.—@frumioj
@ndw Beautifully done, Norm. What an amazing life.—@JeniT

Saturday at 04:50pm

Fabulous memorial to his dad. RT @ndw http://norman.walsh.name/2009/12/26/dad—@bsletten

Saturday at 04:58pm

Beautiful good-bye to a beloved father http://norman.walsh.name/2009/12/26/dad from @ndw - My sympathies Norm—@shelleypowers

Saturday at 05:16pm

The pain of loss has hit so many this year; few have written so eloquently. Thanks @ndw for sharing http://norman.walsh.name/2009/12/26/dad—@laurendw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 05:34pm

Reading tweets before bed and deciding to aim to beat @jenit and @ndw high score tomorrow. Will just have to doff cap to @johnlsheridan!—@ldodds
@ldodds Hawaii seems to be the easiest. I got 108 there. @johnlsheridan probably got 834.—@ndw
@ndw I agree on Hawaii, though flying doctor isn't too bad; aircraft carrier is mayhem.—@JeniT
@JeniT yeah, the jets are just too damn fast on the aircraft carrier. I think my best is about 35.—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Saturday at 05:48pm

New airline price list: headset: $2 pillow: $7 wine/spirits: $7 "Depends" (for last hour of flight): $50—@dhmspector
@dhmspector Dignity and common sense: priceless.—@ndw
@ndw The most common elements in the universe are hydrogen & stupidity. Most scarce? Common Sense.—@dhmspector
@dhmspector As someone once said (Heinlein?) common sense is clearly misnamed because it's so damned uncommon.—@ndw
@ndw I 1/2 cribbed my "the two most common elements in the universe..." line from Harlan Ellison :)—@dhmspector

Saturday at 06:14pm

@ndw - beautiful tribute!—@harveybetty

Saturday at 06:30pm

RT @ndw: There are subjects for which words and pictures seem pale and insignificant. http://is.gd/5CETr < A wonderful tribute Norm.—@fiberartisan

Saturday at 07:00pm

RT @shelleypowers: Beautiful good-bye to a beloved father http://norman.walsh.name/2009/12/26/dad from @ndw - My sympathies Norm—@roessler

In a conversation that started on Sunday at 02:39am

May I point out that xtightvncviewer is perhaps the worst designed piece of software for Linux ever.—@tommorris
@tommorris vnc4server appears to be better. And by "appears" I mean "actually seems to work."—@ndw

Sunday at 07:51am

Hmmph. The spammers have arrived en masse at identi.ca.—@ndw

Sunday at 08:59am

♺@elharo RT @JPBarlow The TSA, accountable to no one, imposes idiotic new rules which the public can't appeal. http://bit.ly/8H2kNII.—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Sunday at 09:55am

6yo has started playing FlightControl (skewing my statistics, but never mind).—@JeniT
@JeniT that much better than you already, eh?—@ndw
@ndw :P—@JeniT

In a conversation that started on Sunday at 11:23am

What?? Carbs are "nature's own appetite suppressant"?? http://is.gd/5DmX1 Sounds like B.S. to me (see carbgrrl.com). #lowcarb—@xmlgrrl
@xmlgrrl #lowcarb Sounds like a campaign for the national breadmakers/pastamakers/ricegrowers assn.!—@fiberartisan
@fiberartisan Mmmm, bread. Mmmm, pasta. Mmmm, rice. #lovecarbs—@ndw
@ndw #lovecarbs @xmlgrrl I have a feeling Norm could eat anything he wants and still look svelte.—@fiberartisan
@fiberartisan @ndw I love 'em too! Some lucky folks are able to indulge in them. When I do, I'm always sorry (after :-). #lowcarb—@xmlgrrl

In a conversation that started on Sunday at 01:01pm

Having watched Lost Seasons 1-5 on DVD, am facing the horrid prospect of having to watch TV on TV this spring.—@timbray
@timbray One word, er, acronym, er, abbreviation: DVR.—@ndw

In a conversation that started on Sunday at 01:39pm

You are eight times more likely to be killed by a police officer than by a terrorist http://is.gd/5DugR—@bblfish
@bblfish Are you trying to apply rational risk analysis and common sense to the TSA? You know (better than many) that those don't apply.—@ndw
@ndw I am starting to like Risk Analysis :-)—@bblfish

Sunday at 02:13pm

Scanning old photos on a wireless all-in-one. Controlling a physical process at a distance is so cool. Amd I am so easily amused.—@ndw

Sunday at 02:16pm

feeling somewhat mortal after reading @ndw's lovingly crafted obituary for his dad: http://norman.walsh.name/2009/12/26/dad—@psd

Sunday at 02:40pm

whoops .. I wanted to say I loved @ndw's elegy for his Dad (forgot the new 'retweet' function turns it around with no chance for comment)—@annbass

Sunday at 02:52pm

Sunday at 03:01pm

@ndw @timbray what those stats are missing is a control group. Sure there have been few incidents, but what is the correlation to screening?—@briansuda

In a conversation that started on Sunday at 03:21pm

Wifi scanner + Image Capture + Detect Separate Items = full of win—@ndw
@ndw scanner recommendation?!?!—@thebrianmanley
@thebrianmanley This is an HP J4680 that I got for points. Seems fine, but the Epson Perfection V600 Photo is what I'd get if I was getting—@ndw
@ndw was looking at the fujistu scansnap. But I'll check those out too. Thx!—@thebrianmanley
@thebrianmanley The Epson recommendation is from Digital Photo Pro magazine, I believe. It's in my Evernote :-)—@ndw

Sunday at 07:06pm

Memorable quote from @torproject talk: "The stuff that Iran uses to censor its citizens is the same Boeing wants for its employees." #26C3—@roessler

Sunday at 07:28pm

God my laptop sounds like a dying combine harvester's steampunk ventilator.—@tomcoates