DevelopingStorm

Observant readers will notice a few small style sheet changes to the site. I made the changes because I recently upgraded my PSP to get the new web browser software and this site looked crappy on its smallish screen. I've only been playing with the PSP's browser for a few hours but already I've developed mixed emotions about it. On the good side, the screen looks nice and most pages work well. I've experience some out-of-memory problems on complex pages but not many. The wireless connectivity was seamless as well; it detected and worked with my home wireless network flawlessly. My biggest nit is with the virtual keyboard. It's really tough to hunt and peck names, passwords and other text with it. I understand the form factor and main function of the unit precludes a real keyboard but the virtual one on the PSP doesn't work as well as the one on my phone. For example, if your want to type two characters in a row, that are on the same key you can't just...

Where did Damien go? Did someone forget to renew their domain?

I've been pondering why I was so gung-ho on the dog leash issue this morning and I think I know the answer; Jarts . Some self-righteous do-gooders decided tossing metal tipped spikes for fun was a bad idea and got them banned. I loved my Jarts and the damn lawyers took them away. I want my Jarts back and this just wont do!

I've not done much with annotation in either Java or C# but I like the idea of them. That said the following article by Robin Sharp, ' Annotation: Don't Mess with Java ' makes a good argument for why the suck. I particularity like the distinction Robin makes between decorative data and meta data. I still plan to use annotations but the article raises some good points to mull over. via TSS

What is it about news stations that they feel they must warn us about every possible negative consequence of interacting with the world? Take for example this recent 'buyer beware' story about an 'unsafe dog leash'. The leash in question is of the kind that pays out a thin strand of strong cord as the dog pulls away but automatically pulls in the cord as the dog gets closer. In the accident being described the women lost a finger when it got caught in the cord as her dog started to chase something. It's certainly an unfortunate accident but is it really of special concern? The fact is, any thin cord, whether it's a kite string, a fishing line or dog leash, when under sufficient strain can cut. Furthermore anytime you're attached to something with a mind of it's own, like a dog, you're in more danger than if you weren't. In this case the cord cut in a tragic fashion, but do we all want to give up using things with cords because they can cut...

This post isn't about a spin off of Douglas Adams' The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, it's about real science. According to an article on Space Flight Now, a recent galactic survey has revealed a prominent bar at the center of our galaxy. My only question is, do they make a good martini?

In honor of the 2005 football season starting up I'm going to relate a gastronomic adventure I experienced at the last home game of 2004. The scene is parking lot 11, a dirt field directly across the street from Gillete Stadium in Foxboro MA. Thousands of hardy football fans are braving the cold January wind to partake in the traditions and fellowship of the pre-game tailgate. Nestled in among the throng, huddled behind some tarps, my friends and I warm ourselves over a propane heater and prepare for the day. Football games are always an excuse to eat and drink, but seeing as this was playoff football over indulgence was a mandate. And we had come prepared. On the menu: Scallops wrapped in bacon. Boneless leg of lamb, stuck with slices of garlic and marinated in a red wine and Dijon mustard with sprigs of rosemary and red onion. Steak Tips marinated in soy, teriyaki, and Italian dressing Itallian Sausage with onions and peppers. And to wash it all down plenty of cold beer an...

I was wasting time, like I often do, trying to think of title for the CD Developingstorm would make it was a band. The name I came up with was Itchy Robot. Turns out someone's already used the name for a blog . Cool stuff.

Another member of the Justice League has joined the blogsphere! This time it's Matthew Hatem , an Eclipse guru and all around nice guy. Welcome to the blogging world Matt.

The Onion is spoofing the Evolution vs Intelligent Design debate with this very funny piece titled " Evangelical Scientists Refute Gravity With New 'Intelligent Falling' Theory ". On a related topic, Richard Schwartz points to a interesting article from the NYT ( Link ) about the existence of the genes responsible for the creation of eyes, brains and central nervous system being found in Marine sponges. In his post Richard points out how the existence of these genes could be used to refute a common anti-evolution argument, irreducible complexity.

If you look at nice mechanical watches you will often see a phrase like ' Seventeen (17) Jewels ' stamped on them. If you're curious about how those jewels are actually used in a watch I recommend the following page from Elgin watches ( Elgin Link ). It shows some great details on the design and functioning of a mechanical watch.

This is something I've never seen before - a praying mantis capturing and eating a humming bird. ( Link ) This makes 1957's The Deadly Mantis a tad more scary. (via Don )

Would you spend one hundred million dollars for a trip around the moon? Space Adventures is hoping someone will. Call me unadventurous but spending a couple of weeks in a can that's hurtling through space just to look out the window and see the moon and say you've been there isn't that appealing. Now if you got to land and walk around, that would be worth something.

I love simple things and as such I'm a new fan of YAML. YAML is a simple data serialization format popular in scripting circles. I don't have anything to add to the discussion on the subject but I felt compelled to jump up and down and declare my love for it.