Pick it up

The New Yorker brings us an article on the practically useless penny. (via Daring Fireball)

Mobile blogging

I currently refuse to use the terms "mobiblogging" or "moblogging", just like I used to refuse to use the term "blog". But apparently even my stubbornness has limits.

Anyway, point being, below is my first attempt at mobile blogging using my iPhone's camera, e-mail client, and Blogger's e-mail interface. I'm hoping that this ability to fire off quick missives on the go, complete with illustration where appropriate, will encourage me to update more frequently.

Maybe this way my remaining faithful readers will be more frequently rewarded, even if I am still woefully behind on my "regular" updates and have no viable solution for catching up...

The mysterious ways of tipping

Here's a fascinating article on subtle (or not) rascist tendencies in tipping.

Tipping is a curious practice. The logical side of me says the whole thing is silly; that people should just be paid appropriately.

The sycophantic part of me, however, likes the opportunity to curry favor. In some situations where I know the person who is providing me service, but it's not a business where tipping regularly occurs, it feels downright weird not to tip—like at the comic book store where I see the same people week in, week out. Or sometimes I'm tempted to say, "keep the change" in the weirdest places, even if I'm not familiar with the person who's helping me.

So strange...

W00t!

Helles lager. What will 100 be?

Lossy

Absolutely fascinating article in Stereophile on lossy audio compression* (*Actual results may vary. Your definition of "fascinating" may vary from that of Ward). I've seen the subject explored before, but it's nice to see some actual data.

Of course, the flaw here is that it's only pure data, rather than any subjective reports from actual listening. Although I certainly prefer lossless encoding on my music, particularly when I am using my best gear for playback, lossy encoding is a useful tool for things like sampling new music, listening in the car, or loading a portable device of relatively limited memory (i.e. anything but an 80/160 gb iPod classic). I use it in the car and on the iPhone. I tend to think it's not nearly as bad as most of Stereophile's writers do, but when I really, really want to listen to music, give me the caffeinated version.

Real update coming soon* (*Actual results may vary. Your definition of "soon" may differ from that of Ward).

Dinosaurs

And the IT execs still don't get it.

Apple: "Here's everything you asked for! And we made it even better!"
IT: "Sorry, we lied. We're really just too lazy, incompetent, and prejudiced to support your incredibly useful device."

I'll be glad when the current generation of IT people goes the way of the current generation of music industry people.

If I feel like it later I'll post a more detailed blurb of my thoughts on Apple's announcements today. Short term, I'm happy.

Fleet Foxes

Just a quick shout out to recent Pitchfork laudees Fleet Foxes.

Not only did they put on a kick ass show at Walter's last night opening for Blitzen Trapper (who were also good), but they get some extra cool points as well.

I went to buy their new EP, sound unheard, on the strength of their vocally harmonious 70s-ish folk rock, and the band member that sold me the EP not only offered to negotiate the price (thankfully I had no problem spending the $7 asked), but told me that if I was internet-savy, I should download the leak of their new album.

Which I would have done anyway. But it's good to see an artist recognize that I just want to hear the music, and have faith that if I like it, I'll buy it when the product itself.

Nice job, guys.

Nobody gets sound

Half of home theater owners never set up rear speakers? No shit! I can't tell you how many systems I've seen where rear speakers were not hooked up, or, worse, hooked up and just stuck on top of the front speakers. Why do people buy things they have no intention of using? Don't waste money and look like an idiot. Bad ideas all the way around.

Vehicles and breakfast cereals

From the comments on Jalopnik's review of the Dodge Caliber SRT4:

For all intents and purposes your adult self should never be consulted regarding vehicle purchases or breakfast cereal.

That is all.

Wise words, those.

Thief

Somebody took my lunch out of the lab refrigerator. It was a nice Central Market boxed lunch, it was free, and now it's gone, and I'm hungry. Is fucking nothing sacred?

Shark jumped!

Actually, I think this is kind of cool. Kind of.