Archive for January, 2006

EMC launches first petabyte array

Thanks to Sven for this link!

This article is about the worlds first Petabyte storage facility.

1 Petabyte = 1000 Terabytes
1 Terabyte = 1000 Gigabytes
1 Gigabyte = 1000 Megabytes

So 1 Petabyte = One Billion Megabytes!

EMC launches first petabyte array - ZDNet UK News

Posted on Monday, January 30th, 2006
Under: Geeky gadgets | No Comments »

fossil fuels aren’t the only things we’re depleting

This article justifies the purpose of my PhD research exactly. Since my PhD is to make a less efficient air-conditioner that more efficiently utilisies metal resources, I’m going to use this article as a reference in my next report.

New study raises questions about sustainability of metal resources from PhysOrg.com
Researchers studying supplies of copper, zinc and other metals have determined that these finite resources, even if recycled, may not meet the needs of the global population forever. According to the study, if all nations were to use the same services enjoyed in developed nations, even the full extraction of metals from the Earth’s crust and extensive recycling programs may not meet future demand.

[Full Article...]

Two articles I found relating to the matter:

Article (Richards2005)
Richards, J.
‘‘Precious’’ metals: The case for treating metals as irreplaceable
Journal of Cleaner Production,
2005, 14, 324-333

Article (Gordon2006)
R. B. Gordon, M.B. & Graedel, T.E.
Metal stocks and sustainability
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
2006, 103, 1209-1214

Posted on Monday, January 30th, 2006
Under: Environment, General ranting | No Comments »

funeral arrangements

Thanks go to Ben Harvey for this one! Just goes to show that some funeral directors have a sense of humour.

A cardiologist died and was given an elaborate funeral. A huge heart covered in flowers stood behind the casket during the service.

Following the eulogy, the heart opened, and the casket rolled inside. The heart then closed, sealing the doctor in the beautiful heart forever.

At that point, one of the mourners burst into laughter. When all eyes stared at him, he said, “I’m sorry, I was just thinking of my own funeral… I’m a gynaecologist.”

That’s when the proctologist fainted.

Posted on Monday, January 30th, 2006
Under: Fun stuff, Jokes | No Comments »

jordan d’arsie - unfriendly by design

A scan of the article of Jordan D'Arsie in 'The Advertiser'

I love seeing my friends in the media, and here is Jordan D’Arsie, in the Adelaide newspaper, “The Advertiser”, on Monday 30th January 2006. Spotted by Sven.

Please click on the image to the left to bring up the full sha-mumma. I have a massive PSD file if anyone wants it for any reason, just email me.

Below is a blogged copy of the online version of the article at the URL above, in case the URL dies over time:

Unfriendly by design

By TIM LLOYD
30jan06

Jordan D'Arsie is Unfriendly by Design

JORDAN D’Arsie believes in anti-user design. The 22-year-old honours graduate in interior architecture has been undergoing something of a change of heart since finishing his course work at the University of SA last year.

“I started doing jewellery as a bit of a hobby, I guess, and I found it was a good medium for me,” he says. “I enjoy making things out of plastic.”

“I found out at the end of the course that I wasn’t quite so interested in interior architecture any more.

“I like working as an artist and that’s where I have started from.”

D’Arsie earns a living by working in a furniture shop, but he has been developing a whole range of arts projects. The jewellery design began two years ago, starting with pieces submitted as course work, but resulting in a small exhibition of his work at Zu in Gays Arcade last year.

It has been followed up this year with an exhibition in the Jam Factory’s Atrium, which opens on February 1 and runs for a month.

Called Crooked Hearts(#), it captures something of the artistic direction that D’Arsie is pursuing. “I have been developing a design methodology which I have called anti-user design,” he announces.

“What it means is that everything in the design world and everything you work with is designed to make things easier to understand and to operate, and easier to work with, engage with, and interact with.

“But what I find is that we are simplifying things and making them too easy and too quick to use and to interact with.

“We need to slow that down. I am trying to make it a little more difficult to work with, and people have to understand it a bit more in order to use it and to enjoy it.”

D’Arsie says he has become fascinated by the idea, and admits that it has always been a tendency. “Everything I do is a bit manual,” he says. “I don’t use CDs much and I like vinyl. I like old cars that I have to work with a lot to get them to run well.”

Jordan D’Arsie decries the “modern condition” where everything has to be simple to be good.

He can’t so easily articulate how these feelings find their way into his jewellery.

However, one look at the fiddly concoctions of polycarbonate frames surmounted by brightly coloured accessories made from buttons, computer fittings and lots of spindly threads suggests the mysteries of function over form. He says he hopes the unusual designs encourage people to engage more with their jewellery.

“It’s not necessarily just a piece of jewellery,” he says. “It’s something you would play with and look at and muck around with.”

What started with jewellery seems to be transforming itself into a whole outpouring of visual and literary arts expression.

D’Arsie says that he and girlfriend Vi Nguyen have formed an enterprise they call Brown Cat Brown Dog, which they hope will stage projects to explore their various ideas.

Nguyen works with drawings, jewellery and installations.

“Myself, I do a lot of writing and I am planning to bring out a book this year of poems and collected writings,” he says.

“I have done a lot of video work and installation work which is related to my sculptures and jewellery – my main interests are writing, film and jewellery.”

# Crooked Hearts is at the Jam Factory Atrium from February 1 to 26. 19 Morphett St, Adelaide, South Australia 5000 Tel +61 8 8410 0727 Fax +61 8 8231 0434

Posted on Monday, January 30th, 2006
Under: General ranting | No Comments »

a little dating test

I was happy. My girlfriend and I had been dating for over a year and so we decided to get married.

My parents helped us in every way, my friends encouraged me, and my girlfriend…she was a dream!

There was only one thing bothering me, very much indeed…..that one thing was her younger sister.

My prospective sister-in-law was twenty years of age. One day little sister called and asked me to come over to check the wedding invitations.

She was alone when I arrived. She whispered to me that even though soon I was to be married she had feelings and desires for me that she couldn’t overcome and didn’t really want to overcome. She told me that she wanted to make love to me just once before I got married and committed my life to her sister.

I was in total shock and couldn’t say a word. She said, “I’m going upstairs to my bedroom, and if you want to go ahead with it
just come up and get me.

I was stunned. I was frozen in shock as I watched her go up the stairs. I stood there for a moment, then turned and went straight to the front door.

I opened the door and stepped out of the house and walked straight towards my car.

My future father-in-law was standing outside. With tears in his eyes,he hugged me and said, “We are very happy that you have passed our little test. We couldn’t ask for better man for our daughter. Welcome to the family.

The moral of this story:
Always keep your condoms in the car.

Posted on Monday, January 30th, 2006
Under: Fun stuff, Jokes | No Comments »

report of the weekend and australia day cricket

This was my weekend!

  • Friday night: Drinks at Meags to welcome Anna back to Australia. Enjoyed the St George’s beers way too much, and drank an entire mini esky worth.
  • Saturday morning: Rang up Jesse’s mum to say sorry, I have a hangover (was meant to be going to install a modem for her that morning).
  • Saturday afternoon: Accidentally took Port Wakefield Road for half an hour instead of Main North Road, but *cough* *cough* didn’t take long to backtrack on the motorbike *cough* *cough*. Installed the modem, etc, and then rode back in terrential rain. Worked out a new trick for putting my visor down whilst negotiating the clutch - use the wind visor to knock it down!!
  • Saturday night: Liz’s 22nd at the Apothecary, followed by the Rocket. Much ‘hotting up’ of Morven’s camera was done, particularly with the ‘fake pash’ photos that I’m now embarrassed to put up here. I do stress that they are very much fake! I like the rocket bar, it was my first time there. I was invited there once before for drinks although didn’t end up making it due to an unwritable and unfortunate occurance. The Apothecary was a cool place too, more quiet, and I was hoping to see someone from school that I know works there but didn’t.
  • Sunday morning: Did a good 1 hour running training through the slopes of Batril Spur in Cleland with Laura getting ready for the March rogaine, a 6-hour metrogaine.
    Sunday lunch: Went to the Kessie with Cuthy and his work mates, etc, and Dan & Ben, and went back to Dan & Ben’s house to watch some crazy Kung Fu movie.
  • Sunday evening: The JD Project indoor soccer team (the team of my friends and myself) won 6-5, and I did a little sweet power play, if you don’t mind me saying! :)
  • Sunday night: Writing this, and doing some things I’ve been wanting to do on the net but haven’t been able to until now, now that I have ADSL2 back - yay!

I should mention that Thursday was Austrlia Day, and my first ever time to see the cricket. Of course I had no expectations of actually enjoying the cricket, but it was interesting and educational none-the-less. I still intend on learning how the game of cricket works some time. I regret not meeting up with a few other friends I knew were there, I think I didn’t just because it was 41 degrees and I was busy melting on “the hill”, in direct sunlight.

Posted on Sunday, January 29th, 2006
Under: What i get up to | No Comments »

mechanic vs surgeon salaries

A mechanic was removing a cylinder head from the motor of a Harley Davidson Motorcycle when he spotted a well-known heart surgeon in his shop.

The surgeon was there waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his bike when the mechanic shouted across the garage “Hey doc, can I ask you a question?

The surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to where the mechanic was working on the motorcycle.

The mechanic straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag, & asked “So doc, look at this engine. I open its heart, take the valves out, repair any damage, & then put them back in, & when I finish, it works just like new. So, how come I get such a small salary & you get the really big bucks, when you, & I, are doing basically the same work?

The surgeon paused, smiled, & leaned over, & whispered to the mechanic…. “Try doing it with the engine running.”

Posted on Saturday, January 28th, 2006
Under: Fun stuff, Jokes | No Comments »

funny atoms indeed

Thanks go to Benny H for this joke!!

Two Cesium atoms are walking down the street.
Says the first Cesium atom: “oh my god! I think I’m missing an electron“.
Says the second: “are you sure?
Says the first: “I’m positive!

Posted on Saturday, January 28th, 2006
Under: Fun stuff, Jokes | No Comments »

small speakers for the office

Just got myself some small speakers for the office ;) It was a reward to myself for getting a numeric model finally working!

Small office speakers

There were heaps of different colours you could get, but they only had the white ones in stock, so that’s what I got:

Different colours of the speakers

Posted on Friday, January 27th, 2006
Under: Geeky gadgets, What i get up to | No Comments »

blonde and a lawyer

A blonde and a lawyer are seated next to each other on a flight from LA to NY. The lawyer asks if she would like to play a fun game?

The blonde, tired, just wants to take a nap, politely declines and rolls over to the window to catch a few winks.

The lawyer persists and explains that the game is easy and a lot of fun. He explains, “I ask you a question, and if you don’t know the answer, you pay me $5.00, and vice versa.

Again, she declines and tries to get some sleep.

The lawyer, now agitated, says, “Okay, if you don’t know the answer you pay me $5.00, and if I don’t know the answer, I will pay You $500.00.” This catches the blonde’s attention and, figuring there will be no end to this torment unless she plays, agrees to the game.

The lawyer asks the first question. “What’s the distance from the Earth to the moon?

The blonde doesn’t say a word, reaches into her purse, pulls out a $5.00 bill and hands it to the lawyer.

Okay“, says the lawyer, “your turn.

She asks the lawyer, “What goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four legs?” The lawyer, puzzled, takes out his laptop computer and searches all his references, no answer. He taps into the air phone with his modem and searches the net and the library of congress, no answer.

Frustrated, he sends Emails to all his friends and coworkers, to no avail.

After an hour, he wakes the blonde, and hands her $500.00.

The blonde says, “Thank you,” and turns back to get some more sleep.

The lawyer, who is more than a little miffed, wakes the blonde and asks, “Well, what’s the answer?

Without a word, the blonde reaches into her purse, hands the lawyer $5.00, and goes back to sleep.

Posted on Friday, January 27th, 2006
Under: Fun stuff, Jokes | No Comments »