A new service called Everdream allows you to encrypt or delete computer data if it’s stolen. The computer will contact the Everdream site the first chance it gets, and it will get its directives from there. It’ll also store the internet connection information for law enforcement purposes. Cool! Unfortunately, if the hard drive is reformatted before it’s connected to the Internet, Everdream is useless. See, this is why flash memory storage should be standard on motherboards, in addition to the hard drive. The OS should be loaded onto the flash memory, and data stored on the drive. There should be permanent storage sections on the flash memory where programs like Everdream could be installed, for just such occasions. Here is the link.
On learning from one's parents
Had a small flood in my kitchen today… well, I guess it’s smallish if an industrial-size wetvac only needs to be emptied twice to clear up the water… My wife and I were both away, and I got a call on my cellphone from the building manager, informing us of the flood, and that employees were already cleaning up the spill. That’s an interesting call to get when you don’t expect it!
Still have no idea how it happened. We live in a condominium, and I guess one of us must have left the faucet on. The water was turned off this morning, for repairs elsewhere. Then, when it got turned back on, the sink didn’t drain properly, and overflowed.
Now our counter and cabinets (wood) are swollen with water, and part of our living room floor is also swollen (parquet). We’re just happy because our neighbors haven’t complained. We’d have felt like complete dunces if the water would have seeped into their place.
Now I understand why my father always checks the faucets and stove before my parents leave the house. He’s been burned (figuratively speaking). I used to smile as he’d check them every time. Now he’ll be the one smiling when he finds out I’ve learned my lesson the hard way… It’s a funny thing with parents — as we grow up, we think they’re clueless, but as we grow older, we find out they’re pretty darn smart.
Personal beliefs can pit healthcare workers against patients and colleagues
Monster.com has an article which details the pitfalls that await patients and healthcare workers when personal beliefs intersect with medical care. Some state laws are widening this intersection as well. The article offers potential solutions to the problem.
Tarzan chimp celebrates 74th birthday
Who’d think it? The chimp who played in the 1930’s Tarzan movies is still alive and well – okay, he’s now diabetic – but he still lives! He just turned 74, and he’s the oldest chimp in the world. Amazing! See link for details.
Old postcard of armless driver
Boing Boing has a scanned in postcard of Frank E. Fithen, a man who lost his arms in a railroad accident as a boy. The postcard is from the early 1900s.
Quoting: “Mr. Fithen since that time has accomplished many difficult feats, such as writing, dressing and undressing himself, swimming, bicycle and unicycle trick riding, and above all he operates, drives and controls his own 6 cylinder 60 horse power ‘Oakland’ car. Fithen’s best time to date is 58 miles an hour.”
Wow! (Really, I’m serious! This is pretty cool!) Here is the link.
Raoul Pop 