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The Writings on the Stall

Monday, 2002-09-30

wisdom from some guy

I may not hand out meaningful ideas...but apparently some Thomas guy does:

He who receives an idea from me receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President

Thursday, 2002-09-26

cleartype

Recently I decided to upgrade to XP. I have had Windows 98 since about 97. Which means I have been using the same operating system for about five years. That is a long time in the world of technology. I guess I never wanted ME (mainly because I heard it was a piece of grade A crap). I did install it over 98 in around November of last year though, and I should have taken other people's word for it.

In upgrading to XP I found myself having two problems. The first was that I couldn't change my color settings. This was a problem because my screen was freakin' bright. I fixed that by using a program called Adobe Gamma (which comes bundled with Adobe Photoshop). The other problem I had was my text was very hard to read. A couple days ago in Technology and Global Community our guest speaker mentioned something about ClearType. The name sounded familiar, but I didn't know how to turn the feature on (it comes with XP). Well, I went to Microsoft's site and found out.

When I converted to ClearType I realized I had entered a whole new world. One without eye strain. I say check it out (only requirements: results are best on LCDs and of course you need Windows XP)...I'm not going without it again.

Monday, 2002-09-23

google news

Google is definitely my favorite web entity. I have mentioned this before. But I have more support for my bias now.

Within the past couple days the site has become what I believe to be a web portal. Before, Google had many of the features of web portals (a search engine, a web directory, and usenet groups) but has lacked in one aspect: news. This isn't to say they haven't had a news page. They have. It was just buried (and no longer isn't). You can now get at it at their home page.

What's really cool about Google News is that it is organized "entirely by computer algorithms without human editors." Amazing.

Advancement is what I love most about technology. Keep up the good work Google.

Thursday, 2002-09-19

i really want to post

The only problem is my shoddy Internet connection is holding me back. I tell no lies. And to say I am pissed is an understatement. Jonathan - a connection = insanity. There was no storm the day before yesterday which knocked out quite a few wireless access points here. I don't know where they pulled that lame excuse from. Actually, I do, but I prefer not to say. Another thing that really ticks me off is that you have to capitalize College Park in the address for the link above. Bad web design, although I know that I am nothing special.

Back to topic. I have had so many thoughts that I have wanted to put out there. The next couple of days, or after my connection is back (probably the latter) I will start playing a game called "straining to remember past thoughts and posting them." 'Till then.

Sunday, 2002-09-15

it's time to party

Yesterday was Gemma and Meredith's birthday party. The night should be pretty blurry for me, but I remember much of the events. But is the entire world to know? Sorry, but no. I have friends to protect.

I can tell you the basics though. We had fun. Meredith turned twenty. Twenty! Yes, twenty.

And I got plastered. That part was fun, but sleeping with a trash can in Meredith's room after holding a toilet wasn't. Lemme just tell you that after around 1230 I was no longer the life of the party. I was hugging the floor in the bathroom. After then it was off to pass out.

Wednesday, 2002-09-11

an anniversary for our generation

Today, which many people know, marks the one year anniversary for 09-11. For the critics who say that anniversaries are really nothing more than an invention of man, you're right. Nevertheless, it is hard to imagine that exactly one year ago this morning I came into my Spanish class late, nearly in tears because I had watched the events of the day unfold on the news. The freshman that served as the bearer of bad news on that fateful day has grown (or so I would hope) and now a sophomore has taken his place. So in looking back, that day seems further than ever. Yet I remember it like it was yesterday.

My heart goes out to all those affected by the events. And to those who are just as dumbfounded today as they were exactly one year ago, like me.

Monday, 2002-09-09

dude, where was my car

A night or two ago (I am not sure about small details from the night) a friend had her 19th birthday party. Basically the only thing I remember is taking pictures of various people in different stages of drunkenness. I won't reveal who, but let's just say they were both alcyhol [misspelling intended] newbies. Soon pictures of the Four Levels of drunkenness will be developed, most likely along with other incriminating pictures. The events of the night might actually be thus revealed.

After getting a ride home from a friend of one of the newbies, I immediately went to sleep. In the morning I walked outside to hop in my car to head to campus. Needless to say I was not going to remember that my car was still at the apartment where the shindig was held.

Gemma and I both stood outside wondering where my car was. Honestly, if it weren't for her realizing where my car was I would probably still be standing outside (one to two days later) going, "Dude, where's my car."

"No, dude, seriously, where's my car."

But back and forth to myself. Which would be really sad. Ah, to be young and stupid.

Monday, 2002-09-02

happy 19th, gemma

I love you Gemma, and happy 19th. You silly girl you.