I've posted about streaming Internet radio several times in the past. I'm still such a big fan that I recently completed a major upgrade to my computer speakers, located in the family room, and I'm now working on a (hopefully cheap) way to be able to play it through my regular stereo in the living room too. Anyway....
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- My brother sends me their calendar every year and I follow most their advice if I haven't already hit upon it on my own.
Just remember; Optimists are usually disappointed while pessimists are often pleasantly surprised.
Post a Comment- Hey! That's me!

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- Russ,
I'm having some issues with the photo gallery. Some pictures display others are just placeholders icons and some display once but if you navigate away from them and return you get the placeholder icon. Any thoughts?
Also how do I post to gallery once I fix the first problem?
- Tony,
First you register as a Gallery user. If I remember correctly that should create a "top level" album for you which you have full control over (upload, sub-albums, etc.). (This is also covered in tRBT FAQ) After that just try to feel your way through it. Help screens are available.
- Ok, I had a chance to re-learn and re=admin Gallery a bit this morning. Now when you register (link on top right - username/password) a top level gallery will definitely be created for you, though I think I may have to respond to an automatically created notification before this happens (anti-spammer feature). After that you have total control over that particular space.
Yes, sometimes the thumbnails don't generate properly. Sorry. I was able to force them to generate, and choose multiple sizes, by selecting each photo then going into an available editing screen. You can resize, crop, etc., there.
Gallery is pretty feature rich; a good thing because it gives you a very wide range of editing options for your photos, a bad thing because it adds a certain complexity to the environment. All in all it's amazingly powerful for a free app.
Remember, I added this feature to tRBT before there were things like Flicker and the myriad of other photo sharing sites that exist today. I still prefer it because, as I've mentioned before, it runs on 7393 and doesn't have to rely on another sites availability or funky privacy policies. It has the potential to be a bandwidth hog but so far that hasn't been an issue.
One more thing: you asked if graphics overloaded bandwidth when displayed in a regular post. You're right in that when they load every time someone views the page bandwidth usage goes up. At one time that was a bit of an issue. Not so much now. In the last several years hosting services have proliferated and have had to become much more competitive. One way they do this is to offer larger monthly usage for the same cost. At the moment we're well under the limits so no worry.
- I replaced the original house photo with yours. It had to be resized which made it kind of dark so I lightened it up a bit. If you want to keep working on it the final size I need is 115x105.
- I started an album of somewhat recent picts to bring life in RI and elsewhere to the great unwashed out there in the hinterlands. Check it out.
- It might be Creepy Chris who owned the bus. I thought it might also be either Skip or me, but he doesn't seem tall enough. What I'd like to know is who the couple kissing goodbye in the lower left is.
Post a Comment- It's Emory Kappels (however you spell it) and the woman holding the cat in the bottom left corner is, I believe, Liz (McQuaid?) from the bus.

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- A few years(?) ago I posted an open invitation for whoever lives there now, should they have ever stumbled on tRBT, to contact me. No luck.
- Russ, What's the protocol again for posting pictures? I know it involves ftp:// etc. I did a little Photoshopping on the Schoolhouse image, the Leaning Tower of Pisa routine was making me queasy.
Post a Comment- In earlier versions of Blogger there wasn't an "add picture" button so doing that took a little more effort. You had to upload direct to 7393 using ftp then add the html code (different syntax than a link) yourself.
Now Blogger has a button for that in the "New Post" environment. It's the fourth one from the right, next to the spellcheck. Give 'er a try.
There's a site called Lifehacker.com that I stumbled across in a fit of aimless browsing some time ago. I liked it for its computer tips and tricks, most of which were kind of high techy, so I never bothered posting a link to it. Today the NY Times mentioned a particular page there, Top 10 Telephone Tricks (I'm thinking of trying #1), which made me realize that Lifehacker has lots of general interest topics too. I thought you may like to kill a bit of time there. It's pretty cool.
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- Here's something I found there that I'm dying to try: Make Your $60 Router a Super Router.
- And um... yeah, the sidebar has changed. Anybody notice? It took me half the morning to do that. I'm loosing my chops.
Post a Comment- did notice. nice. tugs at the memory and the heart.
is the building still there?
haven't been out that way in a LONG LONG time.
I've decided to learn how to bake. My goal is to eventually be able to bake bread, which I realize is aways down the road seeing I'm starting out not even sure that my oven works (it does). I went to a dollar store and bought a few pans (two bread - two muffin) and a "meatloaf" pan at Target. I have cornmeal, flour, baking soda, baking powder (what's the difference?) and sugar, both regular and dark brown. I figure I'm open for business. So far I've baked two loaves of cornbread. Easy I know, but my second loaf was more complicated. It had bacon in it! Yum! Today I moved on to banana bread. I had what I thought were way more than enough bananas, but not so. The recipe (found on the internet) called for 2-1/3 cups and I barely made it. I used a ricer (yes, I have a ricer) for them. What a mess. The recipe also said to "prepare" the pan. Prepare the pan? I looked it in the eye and said "get ready motherfucker". If that don't prepare it I don't know what will. It's in the oven now. No aroma yet but I have high hopes.
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- Houston, we have aroma!
Baking Lesson #1: In spite of your best efforts flour's gonna get all over everything. Don't fight it. Be the ball.
- Success! Kingdoms have fallen over banana bread this good!
Well, maybe not.
Baking Lesson #2: Yeah, you're gonna use a lot of bowls and cups and such in the process. An amazing pile of dirty dishes will be created. Don't sweat it. Just put 'em with the others.
- Dear Russ,
While I appreciate the HEROIC dimension of your effort, I fear your solitary masculine lifestyle has distorted your perceptions.
Baking is as close as any male can ever come "having one in the oven". Preparing the pan is coincidentally a surprising similar process. Rather than intimidation, try a more seductive approach.
You will need a modicum of lubricant which is applied gently to the inner surfaces (take your time, enjoy the moment). Then the pan should be gently warmed, preferrably by a gentle massage. Lastly add your ingredients smoothly with just a bit of firm pressure.
Preparation can be, should be every bit as pleasureable as consumption. (or is that consummation?).
- Hmm...
I always have been a "get ready motherfucker" kind of guy. Maybe this is why I have a "solitary masculine lifestyle" in the first place? Food (chuckle chuckle) for thought.
BTW: My perception distortion comes from many years of carefully applied psychotropic substances. I prefer to think of it as "perception art", thank you very much, and consider myself quite avant-garde for having thought of it.
- I fully understand. I have always seen you as avant-garde, the outer fringe advance sentry against a intrusive and, too often, unkind reality. Nous vous saluons sentinelle vaillante de la nuit!
- Russ,
Bread is not so hard. Just know the parts and how they work and enjoy the journey.The Minimalist approach may be a good way to start.A video may help.
Good Luck
- Want to trade recipes? Meet you over the back fence and we can dish the dirt on everyone who doesn't agree with us.
Post a Comment- In a few minutes I'll be munching on a bran muffin that I made myself. It has both wheat and oat bran in it (the recipe wasn't specific and you know me, "if it's worth doing, it's worth over doing") and blackstrap molasses. Came out great!
And Tony, that minimalist bread you suggested is sitting in a pot, doing whatever it is bread does, even as we speak. It's supposed to sit for 18 hours, which will be exactly when I get back from dialysis today. I just took a peek at it. It hasn't risen that much but there are bubbles in it, which I guess is good. The plot (and dough) thickens.
I got an email from Vera the other day. She runs Oasis Animal Shelter in Oberlin, Niki's alma mater. It's a great shelter and Vera busts her butt keeping the place open.
If you guys ever need to "google" anything on the internet, please go to goodsearch.com. It will ask you what non profit organization do you want to donate to, and type in Oasis Animal Shelter, then click on verify. It will come back that its a good name. Then you can search whatever you need to. With every good search, they pay the animal shelters and it does not cost you anything.I tried "Goodpasture's Syndrome" there as it was a search whose results I knew a lot about and could compare with other engines. Worked great! Please give Vera (and the pups!) a hand by putting a link next to your one for Google and give 'er a try.
Thanks!!
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Some of you may remember my stepbrother Brad. He came here and stayed with me occasionally over the years and even made several solstices. A few days ago I received this email:
This is Paul Lxxxxx, Brad's high school friend, I am at Brad's house. Brad is in Elkhart General in Critical Care Unit. It appears Brad took a fall in the house on Jan 3 and was suffering from the effects of liver and kidney failure due to the years of alcohol abuse. Brad needs everyone's prayers and support to get through this and gets his life back on track for him and Seth's sake. You can call me on my cell phone 419-xxx-xxxx and I can tell you more and keep you updated as to his condition.Paul figured out who I was by going through Brads' computer, hence the email. I called. After not being able to contact Brad in Indiana this Paul guy, together with other of Brads' friends in Mansfiield, became so concerned about his welfare that they asked the local sheriff to investigate. Brad was found passed out in his house, a cut on his head from a fall, blood everywhere. He was rushed to the local hospital and has been in intensive care since. His liver is gone, his kidneys failing and he cannot breath without assistance. He's minimally responsive to what's going on around him. The people I've spoken with at the hospital are not optimistic about his chances.
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- I met Brad, who knows when? I'm sorry to hear of his fate. E. Rigbe is not the only one. I, too, feel isolated at times. I miss the solstice celebrations. I have my routine and don't get out much. Email and the occasional blog now and then help.
- I am regretful of my own neglects and omissions over the years. I can only be what I am, regardless of how whacked everyone else sees me. Russ, I think you are OK and doing fine, and accept you as I find you.
- Yesterday Brad was to be seen by one final specialist. If he concurred with the other doctors then the family (an uncle) had decided to remove life support. Brad wasn't expected to survive.
I wasn't to happy about this but had no say. The uncle won't let the hospital update me anymore so I got this info second hand from Paul. Normally I would have been there days ago. Good luck with trying to keep me out of the decision loop then motherfuckers. But no, I can't do things like that anymore. Travel I mean. It's very hard getting used to that.
But!!! Paul called with some good news. Brad's liver has started responding, enough to noticeably lower his ammonia level. He actually came to a bit. He's still on a respirator (and trying to pull it out) but recognizes people. Whew.
- Andy is on track regarding accepting people for who they are. It is not in our power to change anyone but ourselves. Russ, don't beat yourself up over "not being there". You said it yourself, Brad seemed fine when last you spoke. If he had wanted something from you, he would have asked.
I have learned, from working with many clients with serious problems, that it takes a level of respect for people to allow them to make their own decisions. Even if you think you know better.
- Paul called yesterday early evening to tell me that the small signs of a possible upturn had reversed themselves. With the doctors agreement, and feeling they would be acting as Brad would wish, he, another old Mansfield friend, and the uncle instructed the hospital to not re-install the ventilator or use any other "heroic measures" at this point. Brad died at 8:30 last night.
Post a Comment- Icing on the cake.
Brad's funeral was last Saturday in Indiana. With dialysis and all there was no way I could go. He's being buried in Mansfield this Saturday in the same plot my father and his mother are in, so the plan was to do that late enough in the afternoon that I could do dialysis (7:00am-noon) and still make it down there in time. I even talked to the dialysis people about starting a bit earlier to give me some wiggle room. No go. The cemetery refuses to allow anything to begin after 11:00am.
I don't know what to do now. I asked a dialysis nurse I know about skipping that session. She said I'd live but, because it'd be a five day skip, probably be one sick motherfucker by my next scheduled time. Worst thing is that this may be the only chance I'll ever have to see Brad's son Seth again. I suppose I'll never be a part of his life but I'd like him to know I exist, that he has a step-uncle, for whatever that's worth.
Fuck. It's just one thing after another. I'm starting to get beat down.
I've been developing web pages for a few years. I am self-taught. There are major gaps in my training and understanding. Lately, I’ve noticed the cute little graphics that accompany the URL in the browser address bar. Everyone seems to have one anymore. The RBT has that appropriate red brick symbol. Blogger has the weird B. I want to put one of those on FOWL.org, too. Where do they come from and how do I get one?
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- That little graphic is called a 'favicon' if my searching serves me correctly. It is a file with a .ico extension. OK that's a start. Next, how do I get one and how do I use it?
- Read this.
Even they say it's not necessary I also include the "link rel=" call out to make sure all browsers pick it up.
- Even good coding won't work everywhere. IE 6 doesn't show the favicon. Microsoft ... ain't they just a gem !
- Thanks for the encouragement. First, I cruised through all the image editing software I own, including Photoshop CS2 without finding a program or utility that produces an image with the .ico extension. Then I started searching on the web for .ico utilities. Damn, its just a little 16X16 pixel image. So then I started comparing programs. Some of them produce 32X32 favicons. Now I'm confused all over again. So, before I starting downloading software from the web I ran into issues with sandboxie. I need to learn how to put a condom on before I start messing with this little 16X16 graphic editing program. Well, sorry, I like full contact browsing. I must have gotten tired or had to eat or get up and go to work or something. Can anyone recommend a good safe source for an icon editing utility? Wow, then I can be creative with these few pixels, post and enjoy. I wonder why there are so few volunteers for this tedious, technical work? Any volunteers out there who would like to show off their graphic design prowess?
Post a Comment- I took a quick look and went ahead and downloaded this one: Easy Icon Maker. It seems to be a 15 day trial type of program but hey, after all, we're just talking 16x16 pixels here. How long could that take?
When it first executed it presented a 32x32 grid. I quickly figured how to go 16x16, which is what I would recommend you stick to. Whatever.
Dear RBT'ers,
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- I glanced at the different blog programs which they want to call content management systems (CMS). I'm not much of a blogger (newsflash!) so I can't really help evaluate them. What do you think the advantage would be if you switched to Moveable Type? or Drupal? Would it be easier for members to post pictures? add RSS from some left wing rag? write a collaborative book? Would anybody want to do that?
- The immediate advantage is that we'd only be dependent on one site (7393.org). As things exist now if Blogger or Google or 7393 has problems tRBT is affected. Simple is (generally) better.
Yes, we can do anything we want with pretty much all of the linked CMS's. A special page with group RSS feeds, an RSS feed from tRBT (kind of overkill but whatever), a group calendar, a book review/comment page, photo insertion (Gallery was my attempt but doesn't seem to be used much)... If users want it (and promise to use it) I'll figure a way to put it in and make it colaboritave.
- I would be supportive of anything that makes it easier to post links and photos. Blogging for Dummies would be helpful. My skill level is low in this regard and I suspect others are in the same boat.
I took a look at all of the sites and have to admit that I am still intimidated by the language. I am in favor of anything that makes communication easier. I think you would see more participation.
Be careful what you wish for - you could be overloaded with the pent up contributions of former lurkers.
Post a Comment- Criteria #1: Ease of posting.
I didn't get deep into the demos on the various CMS's I linked to but ease of post/link/upload would certainly be of importance.
More?
US passports include ID chips hidden inside the cover. The chip includes a "biometric" identifier that the US Electronic Passport FAQs identify as:
Section 7 of the Privacy Act (found at 5 U.S.C. § 552a note (Disclosure of Social Security Number)) provides that:
'It shall be unlawful for any Federal, State or local government agency to deny to any individual any right, benefit, or privilege provided by law because of such individual's refusal to disclose his social security account number.' Sec. 7(a)(1).
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Note that although this provision applies beyond federal agencies, it does not apply to: (1) any disclosure which is required by federal statute; or (2) any disclosure of a social security number to any federal, state, or local agency maintaining a system of records in existence and operating before January 1, 1975, if such disclosure was required under statute or regulation adopted prior to such date to verify the identity of an individual. See Sec. 7(a)(2)(A)-(B)."
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Post a Comment- BTW - the technology used for radio frequency identification (RFID) chips is the same as car manufacturers use in their ignition keys to prevent an "unathorized" key from starting your car.
There is a little glass capsule in the plastic part of the key. It has a microchip and there is a copper wire wound around and around the inside of the capsule to act as an antenna. When you turn the ignition key, a ring antenna around the lock opening sends out a small pulse of radio frequency energy. The capsule uses that to power the chip which responds with an encrypted answering pulse that includes a digital number. The ring antenna around the lock gets that and sends it to the computer. The computer compares with the right code in memory, and if correct, tells the engine computer to turn on the spark and fuel injectors.
The vehicle starter will crank until it burns out, but the engine will not run until the secret code unlocks the computer.
The chip in the passport and other documents will work the same way, with pulses of radio frequency energy, and a digital code response.
Fixed a problem today that made certain early months from tRBT archives hang after loading the first post. Should be ok now. Also took a look at that pesky little "B" button that has suddenly started appearing in the comment bylines. I was able to trace it to an internal code change Blogger made to resolve a completely different issue some people were having. While it seems to have resolved their issue it's goofed us up a bit and, outside of notifying Blogger (which I've done, to no avail so far) there's nothing I can do about it. Sorry. Let me know if you notice anything else.
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Post a Comment- John is on the case with some upcoming custom java code! I pity that pesky "B" button.
BTW: Just in case John decides to get really creative and you own Google stock dump it now cause there ain't no tellin' baby.
A handy list of Bush administration officials who have left office in scandal. Now updated to include 2007! Bushies on Parade!
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