Little things that make me smile... I have a headless linux box at home that I built over a year ago. It's very reliable, even when rebooting after a power outage. So today, while reading a discussion on the DC Linux users' group mailing list revolved around configuring grub to recognize a new kernel, I really couldn't remember if I chose to go with grub or lilo when I built it.

A low-tech way of sharing information about where wireless accesspoints are: warchalking. I don't expect to see many of these soon... but you never know.

WiSE Zone provides wireless internet at coffee shops in the DC area. The rates seem a little high -- $0.20/min. for pay-per-use, $6.95/day or $19.95/mo. for unlimited service at a place where you spend more money to buy coffee and munchies. But, if I were travelling on somebody else's dime, it would be worth it for the potential productivity (assuming I didn't spend too much time reading and writing blog stuff).

Why do people move out of DC? Here's a classic example - the DMV (already reviled in DC more than in most states) decides to put registration expiration dates on the inside of the car's windshield. This addresses the problem of thieves stealing the stickers off of license plates. Nice idea, but poorly executed.

Somebody forgot to tell the DC police and the various other local law enforcement agencies like the U.S. Park Police. These officers have been dutifully ticketing cars that have "expired" registration according to the stickers on the plates, despite an up-to-date sticker on the window.

Full story from washingtonpost.com

Do you think that .com, .net and .org are too passe? Why not register your domain with a tiny ccTLD such as .as, .pn, .hm, etc.?

"Basic Linux Training is a brief, introductory level course written specifically for those coming from a DOS/Windows background, without any knowledge of Unix or programming." They provide lessons and mentoring by way of a private mailing list (promising a high signal-to-noise ratio) and weekly IRC chats. It's an interesting idea and I'll recommend it to some coworkers. I'll be interested to hear how it goes.

The next term begins Monday, 1 July 2002. See the bottom of the page for registration information.

I got a new toy for Father's Day.

In case you haven't heard, there's a big international soccer tournament happening now called the World Cup. Nike is running some fun ads showing a 3-on-3 tournament featuring internationally known players, Elvis music and a snide referee who explains "There is only one rule, first goal wins". If you want more, take your high-speed connection (along with Flash and Quicktime) over to nikefootball.com to see various versions of the ads, videos of every match, descriptions of all teams, games and more.

An excerpt from a commencement address delivered by Washington Post humor columnist Gene Weingarten.

As I look out today on all your fresh young faces -- your eager, clean-scrubbed young faces -- I am struck by how skin-care products have improved since when I was your age. I hope you're grateful for that, you little snots.

Not quite as disturbing as the Total Perspective Vortex: Powers Of 10

While walking near my office yesterday, I crossed from the Eastern Hemisphere into the Western Hemisphere... at least according to the American Meridian, used in the U.S. from 1849-1884. George Washington University has placed a marker on the sidewalk and an explanatory plaque at the corner of 24th & H St.