nothing2fancy » Uncategorized

I’ve got a solo exhibit

Jim — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:25:46 +0000

I didn’t think I was actually going to get it, but I was selected for a solo exhibit at the Richmond Main Library.

The first month available is in November, 2010, so i’ve got the better part of a year to prepare. You can check out the images I submitted at jimkubicek.com.

Sure Fire Investment Tip

Jim — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:01:07 +0000

I’m closely watching Google’s Chrome OS. Whichever computer company who throws all their eggs into that basket will be the ones that come out ahead of all other manufactures (with the exception of Apple, I’d say).

Here’s a demo of the OS:

The key here is that this OS is a differentiator in a pretty homogenous market. Pop Quiz: Who makes the best laptops, Sony, HP or Dell? Trick question, nobody gives a fuck because they all run the same shitty operating system.

To quote Gruber (emphasis mine):

Apple’s ability to produce innovative hardware is inextricably intertwined with its ability to produce innovative software. The iPhone is an even better example than the Mac. It’s not just that Apple is different among computer makers. It’s that Apple is the only one that even can be different, because it’s the only one that has its own OS. Part of the industry-wide herd mentality is an assumption that no one else can make a computer OS — that anyone can make a computer but only Microsoft can make an OS. It should be embarrassing to companies like Dell and Sony, with deep pockets and strong brand names, that they’re stuck selling computers with the same copy of Windows installed as the no-name brands.

There is the key. As much as folks talk about Apple’s sexy packaging, ask most Mac users and they would almost entirely rather use OS X on a cheap laptop than Windows XP on a fancy laptop. Google OS is offering manufacturers the opportunity to differentiate themselves, stand out from the crowd.

One caveat. Chrome OS is open source, which means that computer manufacturers can (and will) put their own special brand of turd cream on this OS. Just because HP releases a Chrome netbook does not mean that they didn’t foul up the OS so much that it’s borderline unusable.

Failed tests for architecture ‘i386′ (GC OFF)

Jim — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:00:30 +0000

I’m setting up unit testing in my current project (following Apple’s pretty-much excellent directions) and keep running into this mysterious “Failed tests for architecture ‘i386′ (GC OFF)” that nobody on the entire internets knows how to solve.

Turns out you need to adjust your build configuration before you set the test host and bundle loader. Set that bad-boy to “Debug”!

My Sister: Funniest person I know

Jim — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 19:47:44 +0000

I take 2 types of naps. A lazy nap and a serious nap. The lazy is just how it sounds, no time limits just pure relaxation. The serious nap is more stressful. I have an alloted time that i must finish by and i first have to rid my room of distracting qualities such as the cat and phone. My life is very difficult, obviously.

mandykubicek.com

“You all know”

Jim — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:15:22 +0000

Cramer on Stewart

Jesus. Jon Stewart’s voice at 14:20 cracks. You don’t seem emotion like that from any news anchors. Ever. Except on a comedy network.

That’s fucked up.

Final Thoughts on Cramer vs. Stewart

Jim — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 23:01:43 +0000

It’s actually pretty depressing, it makes Jim Cramer seem like the kind of guy that thinks everyone likes him and then is first against the wall when things turn south.

A mustache odyssey

Jim — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:35:15 +0000

I grew a mustache and wore it to work last Wednesday.

Throughout the day I took copious notes on folks reactions. Here are the results:

Soumya made me stop so she could take a picture with her phone
My project manager said I look like a “specialized movie star from the 70’s”
Deb and Anne couldn’t concentrate in our morning meeting because they were giggling
I nearly gave myself a heart attack when I caught a glance in a reflective door as I walked up to it
My manager suggested I go get some aviators
My Chinese friends thought I looked German
My Indian friends didn’t realize it was “ironic” and were giving me sincere compliments all day long

The way things will be vs. the way they were

Jim — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:01:46 +0000

Rumors have been floating around that Obama has bee consulting with McCain on quite a few of his appointments and McCain has stated that he would have made a lot of the same appointments if he were president-elect.

This paragraph is telling:

Mr. Obama’s cultivation of Mr. McCain is a stark contrast with the practices of past presidents. After the 2004 election, President Bush did not talk to his defeated opponent, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, until Mr. Kerry visited the White House in March 2005 as part of a large group to celebrate the Red Sox victory in the World Series. (“I like to see Senator Kerry,” Mr. Bush said, “except when we’re fixing to debate.”) And after Mr. Bush defeated Mr. McCain for the Republican nomination in 2000, the two had only perfunctory contact and often-adversarial relations for nearly two years.

It’s going to be nice to have an adult in the whitehouse for the first time in 8 years.

(via Kottke)

Apple Customer Service

Jim — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:53:00 +0000

There’s a reason it’s ranked best in the biz.

Two of the options are asking them to call me now, or request that they call me at some point in the future. HUZZAH! No waiting on hold.

Let’s talk about ‘Change’

Jim — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:55:55 +0000

What has Obama done so far as President? He’s eaten lunch, he’s poisoned Ted Kennedy’s food, he’s gone for a stroll through DC. By the way, he updated his website:

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Boy! That sure looks nice, doesn’t it. But that’s Obama… all looks, no substance. Wait what.. you say he has an official blog now? That’s certainly different. My oh my, his site even validates as correct HTML? It’s nice to see the most powerful man in the world took the time to hire some folks who actually know how to create good web sites. It’s just too bad that he doesn’t let google search his site.

Oh…. he does.

Change indeed.