Jaxn@LiveJournal

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 01:52:15 GMT

I wrote a piece on polyURLism on my blog today.

Tue, 16 May 2006 20:35:31 GMT

It sure has been a long time since I posted here.

I used to have this LiveJournal mirror the content on my blog. When I switched to Wordpress I never set that up so the posts just stopped. I don't know that it added much value, but I liked the idea of being able to participate in the LiveJournal community.

Is LiveJournal dying or are there updates planned?

Unseasonably Warm Weather

Mon, 02 Jan 2006 15:56:15 GMT

I have to say my boss is pretty lucky that I am at work today. This is a perfect day for a little golf ;)

I wonder how many holes I could get through on a lunch break?post/read comments

Back at it

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 14:19:46 GMT

Off to a great start after the holidays. This morning I woke up and took a shower, shaved, and got dressed. Then I took out a ridiculous amount of trash from cleaning the house, opening Christmas presents, having a Christmas party, and cleaning the house once again. Then I made myself one of the best Mochas I have ever had in a travel mug. I threw on my new black fedora and got in the car. Now I am at the office getting settled listening to music on my new Tri-Port headphones.

I have to say, returning to work is rarely this smooth. post/read comments

Being Digital

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 02:22:20 GMT

I have not been a very good geek for a while. I have neglected multimedia. In many other ways I have been an early adopter of technologies. So, as a content publisher I am going to start trying to provide more pictures and possibly some audio and video. This is in part inspired by my father's mp3 blog that where he adds a picture to every post.

So, to get the ball rolling I posted some pictures a minute ago, and here is my first video clip. I took this yesterday.

Carter had really great reactions while opening presents yesterday. I tried to capture it, but unfortunately this present was not one of the many that received a "THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED!".

watch the video post/read comments

Merry Christmas

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 04:59:36 GMT

Sabrina and I are just finishing putting the presents under the tree. The kids are really going to enjoy Christmas morning. The funny thing is that now that I have kids I want everything to be perfect on Christmas. No matter how much I prepared, I always feel like I want a couple more days of really taking time to prepare. Not just for my kids but also for my wife and family.

Anyway, the moment is upon us. Tomorrow will be a fun filled day with presents in the morning and the family dinner at our house in the afternoon. post/read comments

A Delicate Balance

Thu, 22 Dec 2005 20:01:11 GMT

Does anyone else have a hard time balancing family and work? I sure do. It seems like both parties want me to do more, so that seems like an indications that I am close to having the balance right.

Being completely honest here, I am very frustrated with my wife today. I work to support our family. She stays at home with the kids. Her job is not easy, but neither is mine. I think it is completely unreasonable to begrudge me working from 8-5 5 days a week with occasional phone calls and emails at night.

Just venting here.post/read comments

More Info on Syncing a SprintPCS Samsung a900 with Mac OSX

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 08:01:59 GMT

After my earlier post about Syncing the a900 with OSX I have received hundreds of hits from people searching for information about syncing their new a900 with their Mac. It has bluetooth and looks like a Razr, so why not assume it will work like users want it to? Unfortunately, Sprint does not seem to make Mac users a priority. Luckily someone mentioned that there were some hoops that you could jump through to get an a900 to sync with the Mac AddressBook. I asked what hoops had to be jumped through and tonight I got the answer via email.

Sam Noble sent me the following email that includes instructions for how to sync AddressBook with an a900. It is more of an export than a sync, but we can take baby steps if it means we can get these phone working.

Jackson,

Since your web page comes up fairly quickly in certain searches for sync
compatibility between the a900 and a mac (whether you own this phone or
not), I thought you might be interested in the following technique for
transfering contacts to the phone via bluetooth:

1) Export vCard from address book in vcard 2.1 format (can be changed in
preferences)

2) Split the vCard that AddressBook creates into one-vcard-per-contact
with some tool like vCard Splitter (google for it)

3) Make sure that you have paired your phone and your computer. I think
the key is to initiate this from within the phone.

3) Using Applications/Utilities/Bluetooth File Exchange -- this program
opens up a file selection dialog by default. Select all the
(individual) vCards that you want to send to the phone, and click
"send"

Using this technique I've been able to (so far) transfer at least two
contacts at a time from addressbook into my phone via bluetooth and I have
read that others have transfered far more.

I don't know how to read the phonebook or clear the phonebook via
bluetooth yet.

In the event that none of this is news to you -- do you, by chance, know
anything about reading the current phonebook or clearing the current
phonebook on this phone?

I'm also a software developer and if I can get ahold of enough technical
information to make it happen, I'm not above writing a Sync Services
conduit for the phone so that this is just a little easier.

I shot Sam an email letting him know that I don't have any answers for him yet since I have not yet decided on a phone to buy (and my contract runs out in Feb). I got the following additional tidbits from Sam:

If you get any tips about remotely
reading entries from the phonebook (either via bluetooth or the usb
cable) I am very interested in hearing about them. Frankly, I hope that I
can leverage the traffic that your blog gets into enough info to write a
rudimentary sync app for this phone.

A couple of caveats: it may be necessary to use the phone to set the
bluetooth file exchange directory before this works. If so, I don't think
it makes any difference what directory is set as the target. Also, the
bluetooth file exchange app can "browse" your phone and allow you to
upload data in the browsing mode -- while it's okay to use this to put
music on the phone, you can't get it to import a vcard into the contact
list this way -- you have to use the "select files and upload them" mode
which doesn't seem to be explicit in the OS X app. I just drag the
multiple vcards onto the icon in the dock and the "right thing" seems to
happen.

Incidentally, somebody on one of the sprint users forums originally
figured out that you need to use vcard format 2.1 and that the vcards need
to be physically separate files for the phone to recognize them as
separate contacts.

The phone also can't be closed and it can't be in any menu screen for this
to work properly.

And I suspect (but have no data to prove) that this same strategy works
for the A920 as well.

If you have any additional tips here leave a comment and maybe we can get this phone to sync. I imagine some of what Sam talks about could be scripted using AppleScript to make it a little easier. I don't know that it will ever work completely with iSync, but it is worth a shot. I still think Sprint should do the right thing and provide SyncML support for the Samsung a900 (and future phones), but that doesn't seem likely at this point.post/read comments

Rep Cooper, Please Support Conyers

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 05:58:10 GMT

Mr Cooper,

I am hearing a rumor that there are three bills before the house that would create an investigative committee to see if Bush and Cheney are guilty of impeachable offenses, and two bills to censure Bush and Cheney.

It amazes me how little regard the Bush Administration seems to have for the Constitution and Laws of this country. While I agree with Rep Conyers that there is not enough information to know if Bush should be impeached, there is enough probable cause that we should do everything we can to find out of laws have been broken.

Please support HR635 HR636 and HR637 (if they are what i think they are, the text of the bills is not yet in Thomas).

Thanks for your consideration.

-Jackson

Note: This letter was sent directly to Rep Jim Cooper as well as being posted here.post/read comments

Bill to Censure Bush and Cheney

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 04:53:33 GMT

There are bits of rumor floating around on the fiber today about Congressman Conyers introducing 3 bills that aim to Censure Bush and Cheney as well as establishing a investigative committee to look into the possibility of impeachment. I have not been able to find HR 635-637 on Thomas yet, and it is not on Conyers' website, so I think this is still an unsubstantiated claim.

While I am still not sure if it is real or not, it does seem like a pretty comprehensive and accurate list of charges:

Committing a Fraud against the United States

Making False Statements to Congress

The War Powers Resolution

Misuse of Government Funds

federal laws and international treaties prohibiting torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment

federal laws concerning retaliating against witnesses and other individuals

federal laws and regulations concerning leaking and other misuse of intelligence

I think the story started here. More will be revealed.post/read comments

I Once Wore a Grass Skirt and Coconut Bra

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 00:10:46 GMT

A long time ago I had a cousin who was going to do a daddy / daughter dance as part of her dance recital. The daughters were going to dress up as sailors and the dads were going to wear grass skirts and coconut bras. When her dad heard about this he said something to the effect of "Hell no! I don't care if you have to pay someone $100, I am not going to do it." I overheard this comment and was never one to turn away a little cash, so I volunteered.

I was about 13 or 14 at this time, and this dance recital was being held at TPAC with a pretty large audience and spotlights on us. There is a picture floating around somewhere and I am never going to live it down.

Today, her dad and I has the following exchange.

Me: "If you don't want to write a poem then I think you should do an interpretive dance"

Him: "How about a nude mime? (now that's funny)"

Me: "Nah, that is scary. Maybe you should hire a stunt double for that one."

Him: "I did that last time... remember the coconuts?"

Me: "touche"

He won ;)post/read comments

Intelligent Design is Not Science

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 19:47:22 GMT

John Jones made the right decision. Intelligent Design is not science, it does try to answer the questions that science can't yet answer, but last I checked that is what Philosophy was for.

There is a Theory of Evolution and a Philosophy of Intelligent Design. I would not be opposed to Intelligent Design being taught in public schools if it was in a philosophy class, especially since every introductory philosophy class covers a variety of disparate philosophies.

Kudos to Judge Jones for knowing the difference between science and philosophy (and philosophy's close cousin theology).
post/read comments

Lifelines

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 18:44:44 GMT

Luckily I made it safely to Michigan with the family. Our safe arrival was in part thanks to Cory. I called him and said that I heard there was bad weather ahead and needed to know which was the best way to go. It was kinda like the time I got in my car in New Hampshire and called my dad to get directions to the airport in Philly.

You can trust just anybody with these questions. You need the right answer. You have to be able to trust someone's cognitive reasoning abilities. You also have to trust that they know how to find accurate information (like, knowing when to trust Wikipedia).

Cory and I had been talking about this lately, and he posted about it here (The Fringe Benefits are Amazing). He is right that the term "Google Friends" is insufficient. It is an honor to receive these calls, which is possibly why they are never a burden.
post/read comments

Back From Michigan

Tue, 20 Dec 2005 15:39:43 GMT

We got back from Michigan last night. It was a fun trip and the kids loved the snow. It is always cool for the kids to be around so many other kids (there are 6 new babies in the family this year).

Anyway, back in business. As an added bonus, I am working from our new office space on 2nd Ave today. It is very good to be moved in here.post/read comments

The Christmas Season Begins Today

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 22:08:17 GMT

At least for my family the Christmas season begins today. We are heading to Grand Rapids, Michigan to visit my inlaws. It should be a fun-filled weekend.post/read comments

The Elitism of Democrats

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 15:54:51 GMT

There is a post on Tiny Cat Pants today with More About Why Democrats Suck. I have a different take on liberal elitism than she does, and therefore come to a different juxtaposition.

Here is how TCP sees the problem:

You can't both say "we're better than everyone else because --we don't live in a red state --we went to a private school --we live in New York or LA --we read the Times --we go to the theater --we're artsy and pretentious --or whatever" and "we're really the party of moderation, unlike those extreme crazy rightwingers. Our values best represent middle America's values."

The dysphemism of elitism for Democrats has nothing to do with going to the theater. The 'elitism' comes from knowing that the theater is valuable; from knowing diversity is valuable; from knowing that feeding and sheltering the poor is valuable for everyone. Democrats are the party that want to raise the standard of living from the bottom up. They believe that every American should have a decent standard of living. Democrats value the arts, diversity, education, etc, as a part of a basic standard of living.

Many of the people in middle america don't get to focus on things like the theater because they are too busy working to pay for the tax cuts for the rich. When we were working to get young people to vote in the 2000 election we heard from many of the working class americans in Philadelphia that they were not able to spend time keeping up with politics and issues because they were too busy living. This why middle america feels a disconnect from the Democrats when they see the Democrats spending time working for things that they do not get to do. Yet their children are able to learn how to play instruments and read the Times while in school. If it was up to the republicans, these school activities would be Left Behind for middle american children.

The game of partisan politics is a detriment to both political parties, but it hurts the Democrats more than republicans because partisan bickering is not compassionate and it is not a good use of education.

Here is how I see things. The Democrats want to raise the standard of living from the bottom up while the republicans want to raise the standard of living from the top down. Since most people would rather identify with the top than the bottom they think that the republicans will help them sooner than the Democrats.

Anyway, I have said a whole bunch of nothing and I have to get back to surviving (i.e. working) and can't spend any more time focusing on such frivolous things like political issues, especially when they are related to thinks like theater which I have no time for.post/read comments

Mac Productivity

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 03:56:08 GMT

I think that Mac OSX might make me a little less productive. I love how everything is integrated and just works, but it seems like it is an operating system that is intended to be used with a mouse in hand. This works great for graphic designers, but kinda sucks for laptop users.

Here are some examples:

Select boxes in web forms require the mouse to make a selection. They are skipped over when tabbing through a form

Alt-Tab lets you change applications, but not windows within a single application. An example would be that if you are writing an email you cannot use key commands to get to the window with the list of messages. You also cannot change between instances of Safari, so if something opens in a new window you must use the mouse to get back to where you were

Minimized windows cannot be brought to the top with a key stroke command

'Home' and 'End' don't seem to work in most applications. This is a real drag when coding.

There is no way to remap keys.

Maybe I just have alot to learn about using OSX, but I am seriously considering dual booting my PowerBook for those times when I want to be really productive.

Note: dual boot of course means returning to Linux and KDEpost/read comments

SEO Update: Anchor Text

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 04:34:25 GMT

Ever since Google's recent algorithm update I have heard SEO expert-wannabes (like myself) saying that anchor text no longer matters. They have been saying that page content is what matters and that anchor text is no longer important.

While the importance of anchor text may have been reduced, anchor text matters as long as this search is accurate.

Just an observation. post/read comments

WKRN Viewers are Vengeful

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 04:11:49 GMT

I just saw a poll on WKRN's news that says 85% or respondents agreed with the decision to murder Tookie Williams. I don't give a damn who the criminal is, I am amazed that 85% of people are willing participants in state sponsored murder.
I wonder how many of those oppose abortion under the guise of 'pro life'.

Now, I know that poll was in no way scientific, but I have to wonder how I could have so many vengeful neighbors who have such a lack of respect for human life.post/read comments

More Sleep

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 03:57:45 GMT

According to this article that Sabrina sent me, my kids need more sleep. The interesting part is that so do I.

I have a sneaking suspicion that there is a correlation between the two.post/read comments

Capital Punishment is Wrong

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 17:20:29 GMT

Sister Helen Prejean, a Roman Catholic nun and prominent death penalty opponent, compared the death penalty to "gang justice."

"Gang justice is, if you kill a member of our gang, we kill you -- and don't tell me anything about how you changed your life or what you're going to do," she said. "You kill, and we kill you. And that's what the United States of America is doing with this."

[via]post/read comments

Vote to Keep Your Fingernails in Iraq

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 16:06:21 GMT

The election in Iraq is this week. It is a delicate situation. To make matters worse a story broke today about severe torture in an Iraqi jail. I imagine that can only have a negative effect on the election.

Here is a message for our leadership...

We cannot win in Iraq if we continue to torture! Quit supporting torture!post/read comments

Webmail Referrals

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 15:49:06 GMT

It is always interesting when I see referrals from web based email programs. It is an interesting metric to know that there is some sort of viral aspect to content in my blog archives. I wish there was a way to capture the content of the emails that people are sending about older posts. You can see the content when you get referrals from web content.

I obviously wouldn't really want to be able to read people's emails. Maybe I should just make it more enticing for people to leave comments. Which makes me think about another interesting metric, the percentage of people that view a post and leave a comment.

Isn't analytics fun?post/read comments

Go Texans!

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 19:13:31 GMT

I admit it, I am rooting for my team to lose today. This season is a lost cause. I think any help we can get in the draft would be better than a win this season.

So, go Texans. Loser takes all.post/read comments

Sun, 11 Dec 2005 15:29:21 GMT

Check out StatZen