Yep. It's still that cold

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1238

More on Facebook

It's probably not surprising that most of the in-person discussions about Facebook are with people who use Facebook little or not at all. And, therefore, it's even less surprising that most of the discussions focus on how much (aka too much) information is being made public, particularly by young people who may not appreciate how widely this information is distributed and how long-lasting it may be.
It's doubtful that I've made big changes in anyone's thoughts about Facebook or Twitter or IM or any of the social networking tools or about anything much in general. Nevertheless, here are some thoughts about all of this:

Rule #1 - Don't be stupid.
This rule applies to people of all ages.

• Don't post pictures of you and your drunken friends, particularly at your 19th birthday party, but even at your 39th or 59th. 
• Don't tell people that you've taken your whole family on a two-week camping trip. 
• Don't do this:
  
  
  
  
  Source
  
  
• Don't, well, ..., you get the idea.
  

Rule #1A - You will be stupid.

You will do all of that stuff, and more. All of us have a certain supply of stupid that we have to use up in our lifetimes.
It doesn't mean that we get our tickets punched when we use up all of our stupid; some people live long after they've dispensed with their stupid. They're called wise elders.
There are others, though, who keep going because their supply of stupid is greater than average. We call those people by other names.

---

These channels give lots of people an opportunity to share ideas and feelings that they may not be able to share in person for any number of reasons. As a result, the signal-to-noise ratio is not always going to be good. Even professional communicators need editors. (Especially, professional communicators need editors.)
The social-networking phenomenon is allowing people to build, repair, maintain, and, yes, break connections with people across generations, distances, and classes. It lets childhood friends catch up on their lives a half-century or more later. It lets fresh ideas jump into the public square like so many mustard seeds. Out of this cacophony can come greatness. Or something else. It's worth the try.

Get Fuzzy

It's that cold this morning

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Monday, September 7

12:40 a.m. Deer in travel lane, Alpha Rd.
12:51 p.m. Caller looking for his license
1:33 p.m. Caller lost wallet in Worcester
2:34 p.m. Missing juvenile from Boylston working at McDonald's
3:59 p.m. Report of found dog
5:31 p.m. Old ammo dropped off to be destroyed
5:50 p.m. Individuals walking in middle of Boyden Rd.; advised of consequences
5:50 p.m. Dog barking in area, Putnam Rd.
5:52 p.m. Possible tractor trailer truck stuck under bridge
7:24 p.m. Boys looking into bushes on Main St.; supposedly looking for something left for them; advised to move along
7:33 p.m. Juveniles advised not to loiter where there are signs prohibiting it; parents contacted
10:35 p.m. Van swerving all over Reservoir St.

Tuesday, September 8

12:18 a.m. Suspicious vehicle behind business, Main St.; someone apparently doing burn outs in back lot
12:45 a.m. Barking dog , General Hobbs Rd.; advises it was a coyote
1:02 a.m. Empty pocketbook on sidewalk, General Hobbs Rd.; appears to be a toy
4:06 a.m. Barking dog, General Hobbs Rd.
9:25 a.m. Fraud on e-Bay reported
9:57 a.m. Failure to pay citation on animal complaint
4:03 p.m. Suspicious person found behind Main St. business; advised to leave area
4:43 p.m. Individuals behind Main St. business advised of trespassing policy
5:39 p.m. Individual in to identify confiscated skateboard
6:18 p.m. Dead cat, Walnut St.
6:39 p.m. Tree limbs down, Causeway St.
8:19 p.m. Checking area behind Main St. business for youths; no contact
8:58 p.m. Assist resident with getting back passport from his father
9:15 p.m. Second attempt to get passport; gave expired one the first time
11:03 p.m. Two suspicious persons walking, Main St.; headed to Honey Farms

Wednesday, September 9

9:24 a.m. Landlord calling regarding deceased tenant
9:50 a.m. Erratic operator, Main St.
9:52 a.m. Notification to spouse of transport of husband to ER
3:21 p.m. Caller regarding husband who hasn't returned home; sent to ER
4:37 p.m. Caller lost wallet
5:14 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Main St.

Thursday, September 10

4:06 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Reservoir St.; OK, belongs to building cleaners
4:40 a.m. Multiple car carriers in violation of time agreements, Highland St.
5:58 a.m. Individuals walking in Salisbury St. rather than using new sidewalks
7:09 a.m. Leicester PD picking up individual, Princeton St.
10:01 a.m. Suspicious male at house asking about neighbor's boat for sale
12:17 p.m. Advised solicitors to get permit
1:02 p.m. Driver hitting mailboxes, Newell Rd.
1:06 p.m. Something sticking out of ground, Nola Dr.
3:10 p.m. Disabled bus, Wachusett St.
3:50 p.m. Kids in car speeding up and down Parker Rd.
4:14 p.m. Request for power to be restored, Sterling Rd.
6:17 p.m. Drug paraphernalia found on lawn, Highland St.
Reservoir St.

Friday, September 11

7:53 a.m. Caller about possible vehicle repossession yesterday; advised note that PD is aware

4:04 p.m. Bus driver reports cars running the lights when she's doing pickups and dropoffs
8:12 p.m. Computer tower removed from roadway, Shrewsbury St.
11:44 p.m. Low-hanging wire, Brunelle Dr.
11:56 p.m. Boom heard and all lights went out, Thorny Lea

Saturday, September 12

1:34 a.m. Request to have homeowner remove car in way of HMLD truck
10:02 a.m. Caller regarding police activity on Kris Allen Dr. last night; advised wire down

Paxton

Wednesday, September 9

9:25 a.m. Loose dog on campus at Anna Maria College, Sunset Ln.

Thursday, September 10

1:37 a.m. Report of barking dog. Appears to be coyotes out for evening hunt, Crowningshield Dr.

Friday, September 11

10:07 p.m. Report that someone keeps putting traffic cones in Winter /Laurel Sts.

Saturday, September 12

9:17 a.m. Loose husky tried to attack rabbits at home, Grove St.
1:29 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, West St.
4:54 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about possible chimney fraud, Grove St.
6:45 p.m. Husky returned to home on Grove St. Now chasing goats
11:30 p.m. Weston PD reports finding vehicle in woods belonging to Paxton resident. Person no longer lives in Paxton on Grove St.

Sunday, September 13

12:10 a.m. Loud music in area, Pleasant St.

Princeton

Monday, September 7

5:46 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Sterling Rd.

Tuesday, September 8

9:13 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Sam Cobb Ln.
2:23 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Westminster Rd.
8:05 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Leominster Rd.

Wednesday, September 9

6:55 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Ball Hill Rd.

Thursday, September 10

8:12 p.m. Officer investigation, Redwood Dr.
10:08 p.m. Public service, Town Hall Dr.

Friday, September 11

11:20 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Worcester Rd.
3:04 p.m. Assist fire dept., Fitchburg Rd.
7:45 p.m. Disturbance, Main St.

Saturday, September 12

10:45 a.m. Request for light department, Houghton Rd.

Sunday, September 13

9:03 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Rte. 140 N
12:40 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.
5:05 p.m. Assist other police department, Rte. 140, Sterling
11:20 p.m. Suspicious person, Main St.

Rutland

Monday, September 7

2:00 p.m. Two Boston terriers loose, Pommogussett Rd.
7:22 p.m. Ongoing neighbor issue, Maple Ave.

Tuesday, September 8

7:18 a.m. Report of large wild cat in middle of Charnock Hill Rd., unsure if alive
5:23 p.m. Caller inquiring whether anyone has found two Boston terriers, Pommogussett Rd.

Wednesday, September 9

12:02 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
1:42 p.m. Request for fire dept. to investigate smell of propane, Pommogussett Rd.
5:52 p.m. Person at station to claim his wallet, Main St.

Thursday, September 10

1:09 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
6:09 p.m. Unregistered vessel in the water, Cool Sandy Beach
6:25 p.m. Person at station with suspicious letter that came in mail, Main St.

Friday, September 11

7:14 a.m. Report of dead fox in Barre Paxton Rd.
9:51 a.m. Caller asking for assistance to find out who owns vehicle left at Bill's Garage
1:46 p.m. Assist at charity motorcycle ride passing through town, Main St.

Saturday, September 12

7:54 A.M. Tree branch on high tension wires, also blocking Sassawanna Rd.
7:56 p.m. Report of gun shots or fireworks in area of Laurelwood Rd.

Sterling

Monday, September 7

2:34 a.m. Person whose car was towed dropped off at station, Leominster Rd.
2:38 a.m. Suspicious person walking away from car, Belmont Dr.
11:34 a.m. Theft of doghouse left at Waushacum Ave./Bird St.; juvenile offenses
11:50 a.m. Motorist reports very young child pushing infant in a stroller down Redemption Rock Trl.
2:00 p.m. Person brought in suspicious-looking plants she found while trail clearing, Johnson Rd.
2:27 p.m. Vandalized sign outside business, Industrial Dr.; second time has happened

Tuesday, September 8

10:08 a.m. Mailbox and post found on Tanglewood brought to station
10:30 a.m. Report of bobcat running through yard, Pine Woods Ln.
4:49 p.m. Caller seeking advice for problems with skunks living under shed, Leominster Rd.
5:20 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Riverview Rd.

Wednesday, September 9

12:59 p.m. Drug law violations, report taken, Evergreen Cir.

Thursday, September 10

9:35 a.m. Dog running loose behind fire station, Cross St.
9:46 a.m. Caller reports she and her dog were attacked by dog off its leash, Justice Hill Rd.
10:21 a.m. Caller reporting problems with feral cats, Rowley Hill Rd.
2:22 p.m. Cement truck dumped part of its load at Redemption Rock Trl./Legg Rd.
3:23 p.m. Caller wants officer to retrieve hunting knife found on Lakeview Ave.

Friday, September 11

10:37 a.m. Loose dog in yard, Sunset Dr.
12:41 p.m. Request for escort to fairground, Main St.
4:21 p.m. Officer wanted to disperse gathering, Main St.
6:24 p.m. Dark gray, fluffy cat found, Justice Hill Rd.
8:28 p.m. Request for escort from fair grounds to bank, Greenland Rd.
10:48 p.m. Vehicle driving over sidewalks, Bridge/Maple Sts.

Saturday, September 12

8:23 a.m. Escort service, Main St.
10:39 a.m. Bob cat kits spotted in Rowley Hill Rd. area
8:28 p.m. Officer provides escort services from fairground to bank, Greenland Rd.

Sunday, September 13

8:28 a.m. Officer provides escort services to fairgrounds from Main St.
4:34 p.m. Escort services from fairgrounds to bank, Main St.
6:42 p.m. Report that dead raccoon was removed from roadway, Leominster Rd.

You'd think...

that a company that claims that they should be your solution for all things signage:

Signs, Banners, Poster Printing, Large Format Prints - FedEx Office

would make sure that its own signs are updated when they change their company's name.

FedEx Kinko's, er, Office, in Shrewsbury

On Community

I watched the new NBC show, Community, last night. It's an ensemble show about various folk whose life trajectories bring them to Greendale Community College. It's got a chance. Last night's show pretty much just introduced us to the characters as characters; the coming weeks will demonstrate if we can care about these folks over time.
Given that I've just started a class at Quinsigamond Community College (in the Greendale section of Worcester), comparisons are unavoidable.
If I'm the character that's played by Chevy Chase, I might ase well just call it day.
More on this in the next few weeks. It's time to go to school.

The present of health care

When the doctor calls at quarter to eight in the morning, well, ....
Last week, I went to my dermatologist for my regular six-month follow-up. (I had some melanoma removed three years ago.) While there, I mentioned that I had another question. She listened, looked, and said, "Hmm." When your doctor says, "Hmm," pay attention.
She called me yesterday morning to tell me that the lab tests confirmed what she'd initially suspected, Dermatitis Herpetiformis, autoimmune disorder with symptoms that are triggered by a gluten sensitivity.   She'd written the name of the condition for me at last week's visit. During yesterday's call, she asked me if I'd had a chance to read about the disease/condition/whatever we'd call it. I had done so. She gave me a synopsis of the condition and then outlined a treatment plan, asking first if I had any questions and then if I wanted to proceed with the plan. I'll be glad to provide the rest of the details off-line.
A couple of points about this and that. First of all, I have included several discussions about my health and medical adventures ^{[1][2] [3]} in this journal. It's not that I particularly enjoy discussing medical details in public, but there are times when my story might be a) interesting to some readers or b) illustrative of wider issues. This topic is mostly about b).

• Although my doctor was careful to make sure that she provided me with the details of my diagnosis and treatment plan, she also assumed and encouraged that I read about the condition myself. I am sure that medicine-by-Google is a mixed blessing for doctors. MBG gives patients important information and so encourages the patient to participate more actively in the treatment, recovery, and maintenance processes. We're not just passive recipients of information and instructions. We can know stuff, ask questions, and explore related issues, just as if we were in charge of our own health.
  I am also certain that doctors often have to deal with the extreme variability of the quality of information available in MBG. "I read it on the Internet, so it must be true."
  Toward that end, I'm pretty careful about using information from reputable sites, places that either have an overall high stature, such as Medline from NIH or WebMD, or places that cite peer-reviewed studies. This article, “How to read articles about health” – by Dr Alicia White, summarizes some of best practices for MBG.
  
• Good doctors and good health insurance are more than the sum of the parts. Without a good doctor, such as Dr. Camille Roberts, it's doubtful that this condition would have been identified. Without a good health plan, such as the one we have through Fallon, I wouldn't have been able to have these regular visits that made the diagnosis possible. As I've noted before, the initial discovery of my melanoma came during the free annual physical that's a part of the Fallon plan.
  

As I ponder life without pizza, donuts, or kahvileipää, I can be grateful that, ..., wait, it'll come to me. Aw, snap.

We know that you're the customer, but ...

From the The Gardner News.

Not, "Here are the deadlines to help you plan your advertising publication schedule." Nah, it's about us, our needs, our timetable.
Oh, and, if you want to see the classified advertisements online, you can pay us $15/year if you are already a subscriber to the print edition and $84/year if you want web access only.

The Gardner News is a family-owned business, so its financials aren't available for review. Wikipedia reports that the paper had an average daily circulation of just north of 6,000 in 2006. Apparently, this circulation level and the strange web-access policy are keeping the paper afloat. Reminding us that it doesn't have to make sense; it only has to make money.

Emacs learning curve

I was sure that I'd posted this before, but, well, anyway, ...

Teaching bad habits

After a good bit of wandering around the Quinsigamond campus, I discovered the computing center where I found a person who could give me the password to connect to the campus wireless network.
What you find, and it's even documented, is that the first times that you try to connect to the wireless network, you encounter security certificate errors.
From the QCC brochure (PDF file) that describes how to connect to their network:

Depending on your browser and operating system, the message or dialog box might look different, but it's something such as this:

or this

The trick is that you are supposed to ignore the security error and click through until you get to a login screen. I got through and on the air. There was joy in RB's heart.
As I sat in the computing center, another student came to the help desk with a question regarding connecting to the network while running Linux on his laptop.
"Is your Java all updated?" asked the help desk person, a question that was interesting but not really relevant.
The student explained that he had the right configuration but kept running into these errors.
"You may have to go down to talk with the guys downstairs? What room is that?"
"320," said another employee.
"You can actually just go in the door. The door is closed, but you can go in."
I said that I might be able to help. I walked around the table and looked at the student's screen, saw the error, and said that he needed just to bull his way through the errors until he got to the login screen. Several clicks later, he was able to log in and was on the air.
So, they're clever enough to block ssh, but can't configure the network not to require users to ignore security messages. Grumble, grumble.
Oh, by the way, the Harrington Computing Center is not in the Harrington Center, but on the third floor of the Administration building.

R.I.P. Joan

Joan Henrickson at Joe's 10^th birthday party in 2004. Joan passed away on September 13, 2006.