Comments Off on Sawmill st

By Dave, September 27, 2004 11:25 pm

http://www.sentex.net/~mwandel/sawmill/sawmill.html

Comments Off on BOFH 2004 archive!

By Dave, September 27, 2004 11:23 pm

http://www.theregister.co.uk/odds/bofh/bofh_2004_archive/

Comments Off on Mummy Lake's mystery solved

By Dave, September 27, 2004 11:21 pm

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~53~2422770,00.html

Comments Off on Daily Zen

By Dave, September 27, 2004 10:36 pm

http://www.dailyzen.com/

Comments Off on things

By Dave, September 24, 2004 8:10 am

sitting here waiting to hear from my mother about my dad. He's in the hospital here, waiting to be transfered to UAB for open heart surgery. We are going over as soon as he does. When my son gets here that is. He's coming in on the 10:40 from hotlanta this am. so am totally in a holding pattern.

Got everything and some more packed for the trip and stay. folks lined up for feeding critters and such. cell phone bought and somewhat learned how to operate.

and just waiting.

Got the 14 wide moved the other day. did some of the move with bertha. some with the case dozer. sucker is heavy! put bertha's butt on the ground. should have used another hitch but hindsight and all that…

starting to get the area it will go into when I move it back leveled. slow going. hardpan red clay.

more when/if I get access over there…

Comments Off on Things you'd like to say at work

By Dave, September 21, 2004 9:02 pm

http://www.stamey.nu/Humor/ThingsYoudLikeToSayAtWork.htm

Some of them I Have used.

And no I'm not employed there anymore…

Comments Off on back

By Dave, September 18, 2004 10:29 pm

from the dark days caused by Ivan. No real damage here. A tree almost 2 miles from here went down and took out a block of poles and line ending in my parents front yard where the terminating pole was shattered and the drop to their house ripped loose from the transformer. Put several hundred (thousand?) people in the dark for about 2 days which isn't as bad as anticipated. And certainly nowhere as bad as we have had before.

We survived fairly well overall. Not even any trees down here. Or that I have seen so far. Lost a few limbs but nothing big even. I need to get out and start picking the limbs and such up but still trying to recover from the stress and rush of getting things tightened up and ready for Ivan. Spent a bit more than I wanted to on supplies and such but most will be used otherwise. The kerosine will get used this winter at the latest. The dual fuel one burner coleman stove will be a lifesaver when the power is out too. I suspect I will get another one or 2 of them for bigger meals too. With cast iron cookware it works fine. Will have to try some thinner stuff and see how it does there.

We moved to the 12 wide for yesterday and today till the power came back on around 4 this afternoon. Was different. Didn't want to come back here. Got to get the trees pushed over and the dirt moved and the 14 wide moved over here! Soon!

Got 8 blinds for the windows in the 12 wide at Big Lots. They had them for 2.99 where the ones at wally world were 3.89 and up. Still need 2 but can get them out of the 14 wide. Got one put up and 2 more out of their boxes before supper was hot. Frozen stuff that was thawing put in a frying pan and heated till done… Then the power came on and we spent an hour getting it all back over here and back settled.

Computer has taken most of my time catching up since. Am going to hit the sack in a bit. Will start on getting restarted on the multitude of projects, put on hold for Ivan, tomorrow.

Comments Off on an eventfull day

By Dave, September 14, 2004 9:47 pm

Or somewhat.

Went to jville to oreillys auto parts to get the filters. Asked about dist cap, rotor button, and plugs for the case d310g. They had them all in stock!

Went by the Coop and no top-link. No truck yet.

Went to Alexandria Tractor to see how much they wanted for one and an old friend is now working there. Shot the shit a bit and got one for less than the coop wanted for it. He can also get me the info on the John Deere dozer engine. Gonna get some casting numbers and take out to him and see what he can come up with.

Went to the dairy but the place was overrun with kids so I opted to leave rather than pitch a bitch in public (again).

Came back here and put the top link on and filters in. Had to cut a bit off the seal on the outer one but they both fit fine.

Cranked the massy up and took it to the parking area and started to load it but backed off when the trailer started into the air cause the front wasn't tied down.

Got the truck and unloaded the trash that was on it in the field for flamage later. The wood and bamboo came up and unloaded at the end of the 12 wide. Hooked up the trailer and then loaded the tractor. Located a tie-down and after locking the brakes strapped it down. Got Cat and over the hills and through the dale we went to the folks house.

Backed it into the front yard and unloaded the tractor. Unhooked the trailer. Moved the truck to the back yard and loaded the rest of the fire wood into it.

Talked a bit on the porch. Bill saw us and stopped by for a bit. Dad was about to fall asleep so we loaded up and headed back over here.

I unloaded the truckload of wood under the leaning oak up from the bus. Brought the truck to the back door of the greenhouse and Cat and I loaded it with furniture and crap from the greenhouse. Moved it to the 12 wide. Bill came by and helped us unload it.

Brought it back over here and got the parts to put in the case. Dist cap and button went in fine but the plugs are a different matter. they are not a standard size! first for me but they are larger than a standard plug so am going to have to go buy a new socket just for this. Pisses me off!!!

That was the end of being productive for me. Went on a search for deep well sockets and located some but am still missing a BUNCH! Guess will go and buy another set in the morning. Dark fell and I bowed out gracelessly…

Really tired. Guess I over did it again. Need to tank up on vitamins and herbs before going to bed. will have to eat a bit more to do so. An excuse for Ice Cream!

Comments Off on Cooking for Engineers

By Dave, September 13, 2004 10:28 am

http://www.cookingforengineers.com/

This is an interesting site on cooking. The recipe format is logical instead of the do this do that format of normal recipe layout. Hope it continues to grow. The guy has gotten so many hits since becoming geek-famous that he has had to move to a new server.

Comments Off on Book Terminology

By Dave, September 12, 2004 9:49 pm

http://www.ioba.org/terms.html

Comments Off on Interesting sounding bread recipies

By Dave, September 9, 2004 9:06 pm

http://home.iprimus.com.au/vileletters/elhorno/recipesindex.htm

Also info about adobe oven building on this site.

Comments Off on Next?

By Dave, September 7, 2004 10:56 am

Last was the hurracane that wasn't (for us at least). Folks to our south and east got hammered but the worst that we got was wet and a bit of wind.

Got things done the day or so before that I had been meaning to get done for weeks (months!). Cars moved (dead ones and live ones). The 14 wide is now on blocks. Not enough for permanent but it has to be moved again after the dozer work is finished so enough for now. Cats old camper is on blocks and in a more or less permanent location over by the 12 wide. Wood moved from the Qhut to by the 14 wide. Saw and drill press over there too. Stuff that was under the tarp at the back of the greenhouse is moved over there too. Dozer worked long enough to get the area behind the greenhouse cleared but not ditched, then it lost the retaining nut on the left final drive gear. I found the nut but was nearly 9 pm and was working with a headlight so quit and we (cat and I) dug the ditch around the greenhouse with a shovel. Didn't take water that way this time so was a success! The final bit that night was rope on the greenhouse tarp to hold it down. So up goes the ladder and me. Cat on the bottom and me on the top. Minor knee dislocation when it moved but after a bit more cussing got it tied off and down. 3 hours later the rain hit but we remained mostly dry. Took a bit in both new trailers but that was expected. mainly walls. Got to get gutters on both of them.

After 13+ hours working monday (aptly named labor day) am still hurting today (thursday). Guess I (we) overdid it. Did a bit of clean up tuesday but not much of anything due to the rain. Wednesday saw some sun, so I got out and did a bit. Got the dozer jacked up and the gear and track back on. Nut was a different story. Got it back on, hand tight, and lowered that side, and ran the dozer back and forth and got the track back on the rollers and front front and top idlers. Went to grab a bite of dirt and noted a noise from that side. Stopped, got off and looked and the nut was loose again. Checked it and the threads were eat up inside. The ones on the shaft were ok so after a bit of thinking got a piece of brass stock about the thickness of a business card (or a touch thicker) a inch long and half as wide. Bent it to conform to the curviture of the shaft and placed it on the shaft and then got the threads of the nut engaged oppsite of the brass and then folded the nut over the brass. hammered it a bit (it being the nut) and moved it with pliers a bit till it seated properly in the threads (oppisite the brass) and then hammered on the side of the nut and seated it into the brass. Turned it a bit and repeated till threads were created in the brass on both sides and the nut was snug. Don't expect it to hold long. Just hoping for another 10 to 15 hours of work time from the dozer till I can put it down and fix it right. Hate the abuse I am putting it through but gotta keep going to get the area cleared and the 14 wide moved in…

Off to marvins for split nuts to run power to the 12 wide. Only need 600 feet or so of wire and the longest is maybe a hundred feet… gonna be intere

Comments Off on Upbeat country song?

By Dave, September 2, 2004 9:16 am

It's been a few days now since I have done anything here. Some of its been just downtime, some busy, and some, just getting through the day.
Sitting here fighting with iListen trying to get this typed. But it seems not to be. finishing this up days later. via keyboard.

What I had started this to say was that my life seems to be starting to sound like a good country song. got a new truck and a new dog. Kept the truck but sent the dog elsewhere. Hated cats and was very destructive. Ate 2 boxes of books and papers, a rug which I had just bought due to the pattern and age, and much foam and cardboard. 3 nights. And barked at everything. Last I saw him was when he was running down the road chasing us in Bertha as we went to get the trailer and a load of wood. Bill was supposed to come this way between 12 and 2 and get him but haven't heard from him. After getting the wood the truck wouldn't start. I thought it was just hot so we went and ate at Lee's BBQ. Came back and still wouldn't crank, so got Mark to jump us off and away we went back to here. 3 hours later. Ah well, such is life.

Back here and unloaded the wood. Had unloaded over a hundred 4 inch solid blocks and 8 inch finish block before leaving out. Cat and I are both about exhausted. Did a bit more on the dozer after reattaching the blade. Had removed it yesterday prior to moving Cats old camper to the other side with the dozer.

Almost got the 12×60 leveled. Still got another inch or 2 to come up on the lower end. Hope to get that done tomorrow. Really need to get some anchors too but don't expect to get that done before the storms hit. I just hope the winds abate a bit before it gets to us. Going to try to get the 14×66 and the old camper on piers tomorrow also. Even if just 4 on each building.

The truck is a 87 Ford Ranger. Silver with a white camper shell. 4 cylinder fuel injected 2.3 with automatic transmission. AC, power steering, and has the tow package. Seems to be a good truck. The only problem I have had with it so far was the other day with about 8 hundred to 1000 pounds of books in the back it didn't want to back up properly. I guess it could be just me. Will have to put a load on it again and see how it does. Everywhere else it has done a fine job. Guess we will see. Got it cheap enough I would put a transmission in it if necessary.

Now to clean the Lincoln up a bit and see what we can get for it. Insurance on 4 if just too much… Course I may trade it in on a van instead. I think we still need one for large buying trips. The truck holds a good bit but not like a 3/4 ton van will. But the ranger should get a LOT better gas milage.

Comments Off on The morality of selling used books

By Dave, August 21, 2004 10:25 pm

Is a book IP?
Does the author deserve to get their pence (pay?) when a book is read and enjoyed?
Are libraries ethical institutions?
Should used book stores exist in the guise they do today?

We are opening a used book store. Or at least we're working toward this goal. At present count there are somewhere between 8 and 12 thousand books in boxes, shelves, and in piles in the qhut, trailer, and other buildings. We have a trailer (old construction office trailer 12×60) in place and somewhat level. Only 4 piers under it right now but we got enough block to build the rest yesterday (friday) along with a 20 ton bottle jack to do the leveling with. I had been using an old 80 ton house moving jack but one side has broken completely though and I am not comfortable with using it any more. Would rather spend the money on a new jack than on hospital bills…

We have gotten 4 truckloads of chert in for the parking lot and drive. I'm going to go to the Coop today or tomorrow and get a couple of gates and posts for the front entry. Or not. I keep waffling on that one so will let it ride for now. Maybe I want to build my own gate and posts. Or something. Anyway back to the chase.

The point I am trying to make with this longwinded intro is, that we have invested a fair amount of time and energy in this enterprise. But I am not sure that selling used books is a "Good" thing. The author is deprived of the income of selling a new book. The existing new book stores and publishing houses suffer the same way.

But in the grand scheme of things do these things actually matter?
Should the search for knowledge carry a price tag?
How many people have to be put out of a job before something is considered "bad"?
Or do used book stores serve a purpose?
Should they be allowed to only sell out of print books?
Should they send part of the sale price of each book to the author?
Is there a place for this type of approval feedback system in the business of selling used books?
Is the publishing industry doomed due to the internet?
Do new bookstores have a future?
Or will the bookstore of the future be a terminal with printer/binder attached if you want the hardcopy edition?
Or is this whole thought stream just sophmoronic musings?

While I do wonder about these things I still like and haunt used bookstores and stores that sell used books. I would like them better if the (still living) authors got a small % of each sale.

But is this where it would stop?
Would the heirs continue to receive these moneys or should the payments stop when the original author dies?

The preceding rambles are bits and pieces of thoughts and musings I have had over the years. If anyone is interested in writing/modifying software that would allow independent used booksellers to list their products and handle the sales and that could be set up to automatically take a few % from each sale and send it to the author, I would be more than happy to sell through it!

Comments Off on gravitational anomalies anyone

By Dave, August 21, 2004 3:29 pm

http://www.economist.com/science/displayStory.cfm?story_id=3104321

Comments Off on and for those who were born in a month

By Dave, August 21, 2004 3:25 pm

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002011657_birthmonth21.html

Comments Off on Quote of the day

By Dave, August 21, 2004 9:25 am

"There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him."
Robert Heinlein

Comments Off on Quote of the day

By Dave, August 20, 2004 7:55 pm

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense. 13 Ralph Waldo Emerson

Comments Off on life, the universe, and weaver

By Dave, August 18, 2004 9:41 am

find myself falling back into the old pattern of leaving the iBook hooked up at the computer center and working on it there only. Last night was lying on the couch and wanted to put something down but cause I would have to sit up didn't do it. now it's gone with the wafting breeze. Life goes on but some of the things that I want to put down, don't…

Joints are aching rather badly this morning. Already had to take something for them. Wonder if the intense use of the dozer has had anything to do with the increased level of pain? Probably. Also the long days I have been putting in. But can't slow down much as I need to get this done!

Gonna go and call about rock for the drive…

And the day got gone. Tis evening now and I've bought about 80 cubic yards of chert and spread about 60 out. May need another 40 before its over but will wait till after the rain friday and see how things sink then. I suspect that I will need another 50 to 60 cubic yards of #5 limestone on top of the once it packs in. Got another half a day out there with the dozer then am going to try to get the field cleared, filled and packed around the point of woods so I can move the 14×66 to its final resting place. Would really like to get it moved before this coming rain but I suspect that ain't gonna happen. Will get as much done before before it hits anyway.

Worked on the blade control today. Added a piece of brass in the hole in the control piston end. It needs to be plugged with weld and re-drilled but the brass works good enough for now. Gets it so it'll go down properly. Still needs more work but tis good enough to get me by for a bit longer.

Need to check the Northern Hydraulics website for controller and pump prices. Guess I can do that now…

Comments Off on linux today gets rss feed!

By Dave, August 17, 2004 10:13 am

So no more Micro$loth adds to get my linux today fix! Course they have 2 of the links (rss and xml buttons) screwed up. But the "feed" link works: http://linuxtoday.com/biglt.rss with Shr