Digital nomads

Recently we had dinner with some long-time friends. One couple is retired. The other couple is getting ready for retirement, but they aren't quite sure if they ready yet. It's more about what they'd do than about finances. He's an electrician. After a tough slog through the recession, he's found good work that will last a couple more months. After that, there may be other jobs opening up. She's a preschool teacher. She started to retire, but returned a few months later.

They asked what we're doing these days. Sandra, we said, is working part-time at son Mike's business and having a very good time. When it was my turn, I mentioned that I was writing for a few tech websites, teaching a bit, and picking up IT and web support work as it came along. It sounds like a lot, but added it still doesn't reach half-time.

How I do this work, it turned out, was more interesting. I mentioned that I'd never met my bosses and likely never would. I've known nne of my colleagues, an editor for one of the sites, for 30 years. I last saw him last summer at his mother's funeral in Maine. The previous time was two or so years before that and then several years beyond. It's doubtful that I'll meet the other writers in person, except by chance. For another project in Worcester, I see the project manager perhaps once every two months.

I do leave the house a few times a week. Rocco starts to get excited when I put on my going-out-of-the-house pants because it means a) he'd going for a ride or b) he's going to be left alone for a while. If I take my brief case, his spirit dims because it's much more likely that I'll be out for a while and he won't be going.

When I am away from the house, my office is wherever I am. On Friday, I met a friend and former co-worker at Panera Bread in Leominster. Another friend and former co-worker claims that this Panera is like 5th Avenue and 57th Street in New York -- spend any time there and you'll see someone you know. She told me this when I saw her by chance at this Panera on Friday where she was having coffee with another friend from Holden. A half hour later, our next-door neighbor came in for lunch with her co-workers.

 

Job of the day

Get your passport and visa, Kevlar vest, and brown pants.

[caption id="attachment_3321" align="alignleft" width="500" caption="LinkedIn for Journalists"][/caption]

Crime in suburbia - Hat Tip edition

[caption id="attachment_3312" align="alignleft" width="187" caption="Telegram and Gazette Policing the logs"].
Click image to enbiggen.[/caption]

The Telegram and Gazette has run an excellent series of articles about public access to police logs, including a helpful video narrative and details about how area police departments responded to requests.

Holden did well. My regular Crime in Suburbia series, by way of The Landmark's police report, depends on the good work of our local police departments.

The response by the local state police was discouraging. The paper noted that Lt. Col. Tim Alben, commander of the agency's Division of Field Services, has followed up with a directive to troopers in his command, reminding them of the very clear state laws regarding police logs.

These stories are a part of the paper's participation in Sunshine Week.

Kudos to Thomas Caywood, Gerard F. Russell, Noah R. Bombard and Scott J. Croteau.

---

Disclaimer: I write a blog on Telegram Towns and have written stories for the Telegram, but had no involvement in these stories.

Why are we reading about this in the Wall Street Journal

In Massachusetts Takes Aim at Red Tape, the WSJ tells us about Gov. Deval Patrick's plan to simplify the ways in which businesses do business. Under the cleanup project, announced to state workers on Friday, the state will eliminate 150 admittedly silly regulations that get in the way. Review of another 800 regulations is continuing. For example, if the owner of a hair salon wants to transfer ownership to an employee , the salon would have to close while the transfer paperwork was being processed. It's a good story about the state and the governor.

There is no story about this project  in the Worcester Telegram, Boston Globe, or Boston Herald. But, Saturday's Telegram had two (1,2)stories about Cee Lo Green set up shop in Las Vegas.

What the GOP Can Learn From Greek Yogurt

For all the money and social media hoopla, the 2012 Republican field has failed to bring voters to the polls. Super Tuesday puts up half of the delegates needed to win. The nominee may take the top share of a shrinking market

Read the rest on my blog, What the GOP Can Learn From Greek Yogurt, at TheCMOSite.com.

Mr. Hakkarainen goes to Helsinki

[This post is one of a series about Teuvo Hakkarainen, the newly elected True Finns Party MP from Viitasaari. For the record, my grandfather was born in Viitasaari.]

The Helsingin Sanomat  is reporting that our man in Helsinki was out drinking with a biker gang and did not pay a woman for sex. (He did say that he gave the woman €100 "out of pity." The biker gang, Bandidos, are listed as an organized crime organization in Finland.

Here's Mr. Hakkarainen's  contrite explanation (in Finnish) of what happened.

[caption id="attachment_3298" align="aligncenter" width="269" caption="Channel 4 also has the story"][/caption]

Sysco Puts Organic, Local Food on the Marketing Menu

Sysco, the nation's largest food distributor, recognized that its success was becoming a problem. It dominated its market with its efficient order management and distribution of low-cost food products.

Read the rest on my blog, Sysco Puts Organic, Local Food on the Marketing Menu, at TheCMOSite.com.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: there were 16 suspicious items this week.]

508-829-5981. After verification, news of acquittals will be published.

Holden

Monday -- February 20

2:20 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked at old police station, Main St.
7:00 a.m. Party at station with dog found on Quinapoxet Rd.
7:06 a.m. Caller with question regarding door-to-door sales
9:33 a.m. Caller with question regarding license to carry
10:37 a.m. Car parked in bad location, Brentwood Dr.
11:56 a.m. Molly Velasco into station to apply for solicitor's permit
1:42 p.m. Party in lobby to donate stuffed animals
4:54 p.m. PandW Railroad calling regarding five kids playing chicken on the tracks at Bailey Rd.
5:21 p.m. Big Y calling regarding birds in store, referred to animal control officer
6:20 p.m. Female called about kids yelling at her in car, General Hobbs Rd.
8:37 p.m. Neighbor's dog barking for hours, Park Ave.
10:48 p.m. Officer at Mobil Station, checking on beer purchase

Tuesday -- February 21

1:05 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked on Jennifer Dr. all day
9:51 a.m. Out with male running on Brattle St. Student from Holy Cross
10:03 a.m. Advised person walking behind radio towers that owners don't want people there, Shrewsbury St.
10:43 a.m. Lyndon LaRouche PAC supporters call to say they will be on sidewalk in front of Post Office, Main St.
5:52 p.m. Teacher set off alarm, Dawson School

Wednesday -- February 22

1:35 a.m. Suspicious white truck with black flatbed driving up and down Country Hill Rd and Main St. Driver is looking for directions
11:38 a.m. Multiple calls for Town Hall and town clerk's office, may be phone line problem
12:24 p.m. Multiple phone calls for various town departments, 'very annoying'
1:14 p.m. Multiple calls for wrong numbers for town offices and senior center
5:55 p.m. Kids loitering, senior center, Main St.

Thursday -- February 23

12:16 a.m. Caller's house hit with eggs within the last five minutes, Wachusett St. Would like area checked overnight
10:25 a.m. White pick-up in caller's driveway last night around
10 p.m., Anderson Ave. When dog barked, driver left quickly
1:53 p.m. Person sitting in vehicle at Jefferson Post Office screaming on cellphone. Officer reports party is having a loud conversation
3:30 p.m. Young male asked for directions to Holden center, seemed dazed and went in opposite direction

Friday -- February 24

9:28 p.m. Neighbors are out for evening and there are people in their driveway, Parker Ave.

Saturday -- February 25

12:39 p.m. Four-wheeler driving around Eagle Lake
5:18 p.m. Male, 6'6', black jacket, reported near Mobil Station buying alcohol and cigarettes for minors. No contact

Sunday -- February 26

4:48 p.m. Missing stop sign at Quinapoxet Rd.

Paxton

Monday -- February 20

12:23 p.m. Loose terrier, Highland St.

Tuesday -- February 21

3:23 p.m. Officer spoke with young children playing hockey in Grove St., moving them along
8:25 p.m. Suspicious auto parked across from caller's residence; belongs to neighbor's visitor
11:51 p.m. Caller advising her neighbors downstairs have been loud and slamming doors all night, both parties spoken to, Pleasant St.

Wednesday -- February 22

9:56 a.m. Caller reporting male in woods behind her residence, workers repairing dam on reservoir property, Crowningshield Dr.

Thursday -- February 23

12:25 p.m. Caller saw males on her neighbor's property drinking alcohol, notified homeowner who yelled at them, one is running, Pleasant St.,
4:08 p.m. Two people on ATVs riding on Holden Rd., officer spoke with father who will locate his son and address the issue
9:27 p.m. Officer flagged down by several students in regard to issue with taxi, Anna Maria College. Officer transported one intoxicated female student to residence hall, cab fare collected

Friday -- February 24

2:23 p.m. Caller saw a group of teens walking, may be intoxicated, Asnebumskit Rd.; officer reports everything appears OK
2:58 p.m. Caller says two youths were walking, breaking plow markers, Grove St.; negative contact

Saturday -- February 25

2:48 p.m. Cow wandering on Grove St.

Sunday -- February 26

12:36 p.m. Dog wandering in South St.

Princeton

Monday -- February 20

1:36 a.m. Officer found vehicle running with no one in it, Main St.; owner contacted and advised that the remote starter must have activated it

Tuesday -- February 21

1:01 p.m. Three kids with three unleashed dogs hanging around guardrail south of Krashes field, E. Princeton Rd.; officer unable to locate
10:28 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, investigated, E. Princeton Rd.

Wednesday -- February 22

9:25 a.m. Party reports her mailbox stolen overnight, Coal Kiln Rd.; officer unable to locate

Saturday -- February 25

2:45 p.m. Caller reports a suspicious vehicle with two males driving around neighborhood for five minutes, Clearings Way; officer did not observe any suspicious vehicle in area

Sunday -- February 26

8:34 p.m. Party reports her horse is missing; animal control officer called and paged; caller found horse PM

Rutland

Monday -- February 20

8:35 a.m. Dog call, Clealand Cir.

Tuesday -- February 21

10:10 a.m. Dog call, Kenwood Dr.
12:58 p.m. Dog call, Pleasantdale Rd.
4:08 p.m. Suspicious person, Main St.
5:50 p.m. Suspicious person, Maple Ave.

Wednesday -- February 22

6:42 p.m. Dog call, Kenwood Dr.
9:14 a.m. Suspicious auto, Lord Ln.
1:08 p.m. Dog call, Pommogussett Rd.

Thursday -- February 23

9:23 a.m. Dog call, Kenwood Dr.
5:52 p.m. Dog calls, Maggie's Way
6:54 p.m. Dog calls, Pleasantdale Rd.

Friday -- February 24

2:30 a.m. Suspicious person, E. County Rd.
Sunday, February 26

5:35 p.m. Suspicious activity, Marjorie Ln.
6:44 p.m. Suspicious activity, Anthony Dr.
7:28 p.m. Suspicious activity, Main St.
7:44 p.m. Suspicious activity, Prescott St.

Sterling

Monday -- February 20

7:52 a.m. Small Boston terrier loose in yard, Redstone Hill Rd.

Tuesday -- February 21

8:21 a.m. Caller reports trucks idling for a long time at business next to her house, and someone is hitting hockey pucks into her fence, Redemption rock Trl. Unhappy with response from Town Hall. Business owner says he is zoned and licensed for a gas station, has had no contact with neighbor who is complaining.
10:22 a.m. Possible Jehovah's Witnesses approached kids playing in yard, Blueberry Ln.
3:16 p.m. Walk-in reporting lost check has been cashed, Albright Rd.
4:07 p.m. Abandoned 911 call. On callback, female reports only a verbal argument. Officer investigating reports couple fighting over federal income tax check, School St.

Wednesday -- February 22

8:33 a.m. Two dogs in roadway heading toward country club, Albright Rd.
9:03 a.m. Escort services requested, Stephanie Anne Ln.
3:41 p.m. Someone vomited in mail box, Griffin Rd.
9:46 p.m. Suspicious male walking down Chase Hill Rd.

Thursday -- February 23

7:00 a.m. Several piles of animal excrement found on furniture in house. Can hear animal moving around. Animal control officer removed two raccoons, Worcester Rd.
11:01 a.m. Caller advises husky has just taken off through woods, has been found in Sterling in the past. Has tags and two shock collars.
1:21 a.m. Young male sitting on wall near cemetery, appears to be ill

Friday -- February 24

10:20 a.m. English pointer missing, Barry Ln.

Saturday -- February 25

9:40 a.m. Two horses with blankets on, running down road, Osgood Rd.
10:59 a.m. Walk-in has images of a male walking through his back yard to and from power lines, Albright Rd. Leaving memory card for detective.
5:14 p.m. Two horses running loose in traffic, Rt. 140

Sunday -- February 26

4:28 p.m. Caller found a 6-8 inch arrow in his yard. Also found one a few months back, Hilltop Dr.

Two news stories divided by a common language

The Obama administration has release a white paper outlining online privacy goals. The 60page  report, Consumer Data Privacy in a Networked World, is available here  (PDF).

Here's how the New York Times Bits blog reports it:

Meanwhile, the Register, a UK tech site, brings us the story in proper English:

A quiet visit with a LaRouche supporter

"It's all about the British financial institutions," said the female Lyndon LaRouche supporter. She was talking with a woman in front of the Holden post  office.

Read the rest of A quiet visit with a LaRouche supporter on my TelegramTowns.com blog.

Obama, Romney Go Mobile for Money

The Obama and Romney campaigns are using mobile technologies to collect political donations.

Both campaigns will use Square. Additionally, Romney supporters can download a copy of the candidate's Believe in America jobs plan by tweeting about the book via Pay with a Tweet. The book is No. 9 on the Amazon Kindle best-seller list.

Read the rest of  my blog post,  Obama, Romney Go Mobile for Money,  at The CMO Site.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: there were 25 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, February 6

5:36 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, running unattended, Main St.

Tuesday, February 7

4:07 a.m. Disturbance with prisoner, covering camera with toilet paper, spitting and banging on floor
10:43 a.m. Police out with loose dog, Malden St.
4:28 p.m. Police out with two skateboarders, Princeton St.
5:13 p.m. Skateboarders on Princeton St. refuse to leave property
10:01 p.m. Suspicious vehicles in lot, Holden St.

Wednesday, February 8

12:58 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main/Reservoir Sts.
2:30 a.m. Suspicious vehicle sitting outside house on Oakwood St.
6:32 a.m. Police check on individual wanted by Boston PD, Princeton St.
10:14 a.m. Loose dog complaint, Highland St., library
1:06 p.m. Persons report they paid for tree service that wasn’t rendered, Main St.
1:51 p.m. Sex offender registration renewal, Main St.
4:06 p.m. Caller reporting dispute with employee, Boyden Rd.
8:26 p.m. Teens smashing bottles on the side of Princeton St.

Thursday, February 9

9:22 a.m. Narcotics violation, high school, Main St.
9:24 a.m. Narcotics violation, high school, Main St.
1:30 p.m. Two kids on ice, Main St.
4:13 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, person videotaping neighborhood, Brentwood Dr.
5:10 p.m. Chainsaw left beside Malden St.
6:04 p.m. Person took bottle out of pile of rubbish and began walking around, Reservoir St.
7:34 p.m. Young female walking down Dogwood Cir. with no coat on, picked up by brown van
9:37 p.m. Police check on suspicious vehicles in parking lot, Highland Ave.
11:23 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked behind business, Wachusett/Manning Sts.
11:34 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Manning St.

Friday, February 10

7:59 a.m. Small gray dog running loose, Causeway St.
9:13 a.m. Checking on vehicle regarding road rage incident, Industrial Dr.
12:08 p.m. Downed line repaired without detail officer, Pleasant St.
1:44 p.m. Police assist person locked out of home, Malden St.
7:21 p.m. Group of youths walking through neighborhood, causing disturbance, General Hobbs Rd.
7:32 p.m. Caller reports youths back, causing disturbance, Nichols St.
10:07 p.m. Large animal in Cranbrook Dr.
10:25 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
10:32 p.m. Police check suspicious person, Main St.
11:53 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, police move people along, Old South Rd.

Saturday, February 11

12:00 a.m. Suspicious person dressed in black walking, Main St./Park Ave.
10:11 a.m. Dog ran away, Main St.
3:41 p.m. Vehicle lockout, Reservoir St.
5:31 p.m. Large group of kids harassing caller, Nichols St.
11:29 p.m. Suspicious white van in Union St.

Sunday, February 12

6:38 a.m. Private investigator in area of Colonial and Edgewood
7:29 a.m. Male in woods raking, Paugus Rd.

Paxton

Monday, February 6

9:46 a.m. Caller reports large box in travel lane of Pleasant St.
10:17 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about a collection box for the Heart Association, Pleasant St.
6:54 p.m. Assist person locked out of vehicle, Tanglewood Rd.

Wednesday, February 8

10:12 a.m. Person at station reporting suspicious activity on his property, Pleasant St.
12:30 p.m. Police go to business on Maple Ave. to speak to person about suspicious activity

Thursday, February 9

11:40 a.m. Person at station for car seat inspection, Pleasant St.

Friday, February 10

10:28 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in driveway, Pleasant St.
3:59 p.m. Police assist person locked out of vehicle, Pleasant St.
6:13 p.m. Two suspicious vehicles in area of Richards Ave.
Princeton

Monday, February 6

2:24 p.m. Two men approached caller’s house and tried to get information from her neighbors, Esty Rd.

Tuesday, February 7

11:09 a.m. Two loose boxer dogs, Main St.
10:23 p.m. Caller reports “very strange sound” similar to jet engine, Willson Rd.
11:02 p.m. Caller reports loud “jet engine” sounds, can’t sleep, Gregory Rd. Found to be mechanical issue with ski area snow guns

Thursday, February 9

4:04 p.m. Hubbardston PD reports car into guardrail, Rte.
62. Found to be in Hubbardston
6:45 p.m. Caller hit coyote, Goodnow Rd.

Saturday, February 11

2:27 p.m. Horse caught up in rope, Wheeler Rd.

Rutland

Monday, February 6

7:36 a.m. Loose dog, Carly Cir.
9:53 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding the Internet, Main St.
11:25 a.m. Caller reports someone in business parking lot is doing drugs, Maple Ave.
12:51 p.m. Caller’s neighbor is burning trash in fireplace, Kosta Ave. Referred to fire dept.
2:48 p.m. Dead cat on Rte. 68
5:20 p.m. Suspicious white pickup truck in area all day, Birchwood Rd.

Tuesday, February 7

2:20 a.m. Assist Barre PD with Breathalyzer during booking, Main St.
8:29 a.m. Male sitting in silver pickup parked on sidewalk, John Robert Dr.
5:27 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at end of driveway for long time, Barre Paxton Rd.
9:22 p.m. Suspicious vehicle pulled onto property, Glenwood Rd.

Wednesday, February 8

3:36 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about phone she received, Main St.
11:32 p.m. Black Lab tangled up in bushes behind house, Mary Way

Thursday, February 9

7:13 a.m. Suspicious van parked in front of residence, Forbes Rd.
11:51 a.m. Person at station to return GPS that does not belong to her, Main St.

Friday, February 10

8:32 p.m. Suspicious vehicle following female, Central Tree Rd./Naquag St.
9:51 p.m. Police assist person looking for lost dog, Glenwood Rd.

Saturday, February 11

3:27 p.m. Three dogs running in caller’s yard, Campbell St.
4:06 p.m. People yelling and screaming for two hours, Main St.; officer wanted
8:58 p.m. Snowmobiles and four-wheelers on lake causing lot of noise, Pommogussett Rd.
11:18 p.m. Report of gunshots, Rolling Ridge Rd.

Sunday, February 12

10:55 a.m. Suspicious pickup truck parked on Maple Ave.

Sterling

Monday, February 6

12:51 p.m. Caller reports receiving a call from a person from Las Vegas. Person bringing money and carrying a gun. Advised possible prank call, Rowley Hill Rd. Known scam call

Tuesday, February 7

7:56 a.m. Animal complaint. Summons served, School St.
7:58 a.m. Animal complaint. Summons served, Cole Rd.
4:50 p.m. Noise complaint, chain saws used for three hours, Flanagan Hill Rd.

Wednesday, February 8

8:03 a.m. Car “stalking” neighborhood.
Found to be private investigator, Bean Rd.
9:29 a.m. Person found tool box/tools all over Justice Hill/Upper N. Row Rds. Appears to be electricians tools

Thursday, February 9

7:26 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Clinton Rd.
4:52 p.m. Person arrived home to find back door kicked in, property missing, John Dee Rd.
9:12 p.m. Truck went down Colby Rd. and knocked over people’s lawn markers
9:53 p.m. Vehicle drove up road toward cell tower, Pine Wood Ln.

Friday, February 10

8:05 a.m. Report of dead dog beside Redemption Rock Trl./John Dee Rd. Found to be fox
9:02 a.m. Report of female looking for address, confirmed home health aide, Clemence Ave.
12:59 p.m. Scam call from person claiming family member needed money in Mexico, Worcester Rd.
1:28 p.m. Scam caller advised person she had won $5 million and only needed $250 for delivery of money, Birch Dr.
3:58 p.m. Moped and helmet inside fenced area Heywood/North Row Rds.

Saturday, February 11

8:08 a.m. Suspicious male, Princeton Rd.
8:46 a.m. State police report male went to side of building with pipe or object in his hands, Chocksett Rd.; all set, worker shutting off trucks
12:36 p.m. Person found stray dog, Laurelwood Rd.

Problems of a first-world suburban shopper

Signs in the store are informing customers that the Greendale Sam's Club will close and the new club off of Route 146 will open this spring (no date specified).

For most folks in the city, this is a good move. The store is easier to reach once you figure out the on/off ramps. For folks in the northern 'burbs, though, it doubles the distance one has to drive to pick up a year's emergency food supply.

From Holden, it's about equidistant to the B.J.'s in Leominster. Market Basket is in nearby Searstown Plaza, in the case that I'm buying less than a year's worth of something. Of course, there's a B.J.'s near the new Wegmans in Northborough.

But,  Bill Randell has been reporting that Market Basket may be coming to the former Diamond Chevrolet in Worcester, which makes in-city shopping viable again.

All this is necessary, of course, until robots are ready to do our bidding:

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="469" caption="Kroger debuts kiosk concept at area college campus"][/caption]

Page left blank

I thought that we were done with this.

For years, in technical manuals, we'd left a blank to make the pagination work out properly. Standards and conventions dictated that the first page of a chapter or section should be on a right-read page (recto). If the previous chapter ended on a right page, we'd need a filler.

Somewhere along the line, people got worried that someone would think that something had been left out of the manual. To make sure that we dealt with that hypothetical catastrophe, we started putting "This page intentionally left blank." on blank pages that were, thus, no longer blank.

Fast forward a couple of decades. Few people care that technical manuals have chapters starting on a right-read page.  We're also more conscious of dead trees.

I was wrong. Google Ngram, which scans books for occurrences of pa phrase or keywords, shows that we've been increasing our usage of this tree-killing practice.

So, I guess I should be surprised to find that UBS sent us a four-page Form 1099 with printing one side and this on the back:

Laptops, the next generation

We've heard that tablet computers may overtake laptops in sales by 2015, plus or minus a year. I mentioned this in a conversation the other evening. Everyone over the age of 15 said that they'd have a difficult time working without a regular keyboard.

Fortunately, this be the era of technological bedazzlement, there is no need for which a silly product cannot be invented.

Therefore,  we have jeans with a keyboard woven in the fabric and a USB wireless connection. (Tablet users may need a special adapter. At this point, however, an extra dongle should be the least of your concerns.)

The designers have yet to make manufacturing deals that would allow for mass production.
Let the "mouse in your pocket" jokes begin.

Did Linux miss its moment again?

This morning's news includes a note that preorders are available for Spark, the open KDE tablet. To which the tech press, behaving like political reporters responding to the next not-Mitt,  proclaims that ebruary seems to be shaping up to be the month of Linux tablets.

Um, no.

Unless you think that two Linux tablet announcement is a big deal.

Linux users have been saying for years that this is the year that companies and civilians will adopt Linux for desktop systems.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="580" caption="Google Trends for Linux desktop"][/caption]

Even with new, slick renditions of Linux from Ubuntu, Mint, and others, it just never got the respect or traction that Linux advocates sought. It's too bad. Linux is a very good, solid, secure desktop operating system. It runs well on older, less powerful systems. It just never made it to your aunt's computer.

And, then came the iPad. The tablet runs a deeply proprietary operating system from Apple. It owns the mind share, even if its market share is slipping. Some forecasts suggest that tablet sales will pass desktop/laptop sales within three or so years.

Android, Google's tablet and phone operating system, is Linux-based and open source, but the interface is defined by Google and the hardware manufacturers. There are options to load various custom ROMs on tablets, of course. All the same, it's all still the province of hackers and hobbyists.

Linux still owns the server environment, including pretty much everything that makes the web the web. The story remains, however, is that not only did Linux miss the chance to claim the desktop, the desktop computer itself may be moving to the back of the pack.

Miss a minute, miss a lot.

More on law schools and job prospects

The latest in the War on Law Schools comes in the form of a Tennessee student who said that her law school was negligent because they admitted her to the school. Because she hadn't completed her undergraduate work, she won't be eligible to take the bar exam, get a job as a lawyer, and eventually shed nearly $80K in student loans.

A few thoughts on this:

• Law students have been suing their schools for misrepresenting career prospects. Simply put, there are too many law school graduates chasing too few jobs.


• As we see in ‘Students Employed As Strippers’ Should Be Part Of A Law School’s Ranking, jobs for law school students aren't always what you'd expect.


• Many of jobs available for lawyers (URL may be NSFW)  not only won't pay for a three-piece suit; you might not even be able to pay for a three-piece KFC dinner.

Further, claiming that you aren't qualified and that it's your school's fault may not be a great career-building strategy. 

I wonder why Huck didn't have one of these

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640" caption="Car Stove, via bookofjoe"][/caption]

Happy Birthday, Michael

[caption id="attachment_3226" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="Mike, Lindsey, and The Count"][/caption]

One of Mike's favorite Sesame Street characters was The Count. We'd had this jack-in-the-box Count for a long time and gave it to him for this birthday. Within a few minutes, the littler kids in the party had grabbed the toy and were using it to scare young Billy (age 18 months).

About the political friends of Tim Murray and Deval Patrick

It's pretty rare for the Globe editorial team to deliver such a devastating takedown of a Democrat. In Lt. Gov. Tim Murray’s patronage politics show deeper problem in Mass., the Globe not only slams Murray, but also reminds us that Gov. Deval Patrick's continued support of Murray is bad for government in general.

Tim Murray earned this long before his early morning car crash. His aspirations to make it outside of Worcester brought him to people who, legally or ethically, should never be near a political campaign.

The Globe editorial concludes:

Tim Murray has shown, through his relationship with McLaughlin, that he lacks the judgment and character to make these decisions. And Patrick, who controls all the levers of the executive branch, still sees fit to keep Murray as his personal liaison to municipal government.

Long-time students of Massachusetts politics and government shouldn't be surprised by any of this. All the same, we had hoped that we were better than this.