On the surface, Windows XP’s automatic updates seems to be a good idea: your system is regularly patched, the updates are downloaded during off-hours, installation is painless. A problem with this is the implementation of the nag-you-until-you-capitulate-and-reboot option. For example, consider the dialog above. After installing the (snicker) Windows Installer Update Patch, I’m asked to […]
Automatic Update Usability Read More »
Yesterday started as one of those days that made me rue thoroughly backing myself into a corner by fielding a team for the Bike to Work Commuter Challenge. When I woke up it was raining. Again. My stomach was reeling from the ill-effects of Tuesday evening’s “Asian food” potluck. And on top of that, I
I was having a perfectly good bike ride home in the rain yesterday. While I was waiting for the left-turn light, the car behind me started revving his engine. Though my moron detector had been set off (it works a lot like Spider Sense), I ignored it until the light turned. When it did, I
Teenagers and SUVs Read More »
My little CNN news headline email notifier had something about “developing story” the Capitol building being evacuated because of an inbound aircraft. They weren’t providing any information other than people franticly evacuating the area. (Pelosi being lifted out of her shoes?) I took a rare lunch out of the office at the pasta place across
This should probably be a part one of five hundred, but I need to vent about these three. Having to create an account/personal profile to purchase a product. While printing out my salsa recipe for this week’s cooking festivities, I saw a google ad for a company selling chipotles. How serindipitous — I just ran
By now, you’ve read about Jennifer Wilkins, whose picture has been plastered on every news service in the U.S. because she was presumed abducted. Searches were conducted, posters had been posted, and a reward was offered. The truth is more pedestrian: after eight — eight — wedding showers, she was having doubts about the impending,
Are people inherently pessimists? Read More »
My washer has become a sullen teenager, leaving an occasional, unremovable streak of rust on random areas my clothes. I didn’t realize this until recently. Actually, I had assumed the kids had left a funky pen in their pocket and it was washed with our comingled laundry. Thank goodness my spouse figured it out; otherwise,
How long do your appliances last? Read More »
To me, coffee is very much like napalm in the morning: I love the smell, but it’s taken me a while to acclimate to the taste. I still can’t drink it straight. Luckily, diluting it with milk, chocolate and peppermint is now socially tolerated. Heck, if I wanted to order a venti soy latte with