Cheap Thoughts: Fold-up Christmas tree

The Norbert Thiemann fold-up Christmas tree


The family spent a few hours setting up our Christmas tree yesterday. It took a lot of time, from sorting out the parts (it’s artificial) to stringing the lights to hanging ornaments. It got me thinking how nice it would be to have a tree that folded up like an upside-down umbrella. I mean, if you’re going for an artificial tree, might as well add convenience, right?

A quick search on The Google tells me some enterprising chap patented just what I was thinking back in 1974. Norbert Thiemann came up with a collapsible Christmas tree and was granted U.S. patent 3846213. I’m not aware of Mr. Thiemann’s invention actually being used anywhere.
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How to spot a fake Facebook user

I get a surprising number of fake Facebook users trying to sign up for a Facebook page I administer called “Bring Google Fiber to Raleigh!” It’s given me some practice in spotting fake accounts which I’d like to share here with a look at the latest fake user I’ve found, “Amanda Watts.”

Here’s how to spot a fake Facebook account:

1. The account tries to join a dormant Facebook page. It’s like the Groucho Marx line about not joining any club that would have him as a member: if someone is signing up for a dead page something is usually fishy. Because the issue that my page was created to address was settled almost two years ago it’s very unusual for anyone to be signing up for my page. Thus, I’m on guard right from the start. Only about 20% of the users who request to join my page turn out to be legitimate users.
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SAS buying rPath’s assets

I learned yesterday that rPath’s assets have been sold to SAS, essentially bringing rPath to an end, it seems.

Business analytics software company SAS is acquiring the assets of Raleigh-based startup rPath.

RPath, which was founded in 2005 by former Red Hat employees, is in the process of shutting down. Some of its staff – 19 employees – will accompany the technology and join SAS, forming the Platform Deployment Technologies group within SAS’ research and development operations.

I interviewed there more than once for a sales engineer position last year. I also set up rPath’s first phone system, based on Asterisk. For a while there I was sure rPath would be the next VMWare. Instead it’s been chopped up. It’s a shame, but I’m glad I didn’t sign up there only to be looking for work now.

via SAS buying Raleigh startup’s assets – Triangle Business Journal.

FCC readies for new LPFM stations

Yesterday, the Federal Communications Commission cleared the way for new LPFM stations to apply for licenses. This “window” is scheduled to open in October 2013.

Little Raleigh Radio is on its way!

The FCC has just announced that it is prepared to implement the Local Community Radio Act — a bill that aims to give local community groups the opportunity to broadcast on low-power FM stations beyond small rural areas. The bill was signed into law in January, 2011 by President Obama after a decade of advocacy from supporters, and allows low-power stations to be created within three radio dial clicks of a major station.

via FCC order enables creation of thousands of new non-commercial local radio stations | The Verge.

Where I’ve Worked: State Employees Credit Union

It was August 1992. I had been in school at N.C. State for about two months, allegedly studying computer science but really spending time in the computer labs downloading commercial software like IBM’s OS/2 operating system. One day I saw a posting on the university’s job board for a part-time computer operator at State Employees Credit Union. The pay was pretty good and I knew the credit union would have some interesting “big iron,” so I went for an interview and was soon hired.

The job entailed monitoring the credit union’s statewide network of ATMs in case … what … I don’t know. I’m not sure we were trained much on how to identify or fix problems, though we could reset an ATM machine if a member called in to report a jam or malfunction. Rumor had it that the prior pair of ATM operators had used their positions to embezzle $250,000 from the credit union. I never found out if that was true or not but I do know that the display in front of us listed every transaction as it took place and included bank account balances, too. Having been bonded before from a prior job selling jewelry and being fresh from holding a security clearance, there was no question about my trustworthiness.
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Holiday Gift Guide: Ideal gifts for the techie on your list

This is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen printed in the News and Observer:

For the DIYer

Getting Started with Arduino Kit v3.0: $65

www.makershed.com/Getting_Started_with_Arduino_Kit_V3_0_p/msgsa.htm

The Arduino Starter Kit from Maker Shed is a gift beginners and pros both can appreciate. The kit opens the door to the popular microcontroller lauded by DIY computing geeks, and is designed as a companion to the “Getting Started with Arduino” book by Massimo Banzi, founder of the open source Arduino project. Some minor soldering is required for the power supply, but the other components plug into the board. This should make for some great parent-child team projects. Look out science fair.

BoingBoing also linked to a video made by Arduino cofounder Massimo Banzi explaining basic electronics. Arduino is one project I need to explore further!

via Holiday Gift Guide: Ideal gifts for the techie on your list – Life – NewsObserver.com.

May I ask why?

I had a job recruiter call me yesterday. I get about one of these calls a week, often from different recruiters pitching the same job. These recruiters are often young people just starting out. Frequently they don’t know much about the industry. This call was different though.

“Hello?”

“Hi, may I speak to Mark Turner?”

“This is he.”

“I’m Ashley from Blah Inc. recruiting. Is this a good time?”

“Sure,” I said.

“I have this great opportunity for a sysadmin position and think you’d be a perfect fit!”
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Fixing the “Raleigh Elites” problem

The blowhard representing the local branch of Assholes For Prosperity recently had this to say about Gov. Perdue’s plans for Dix Park:

“This is a billion-dollar giveaway of taxpayer resources to Raleigh elites for another state taxpayer funded cultural amenity…”

The rest of the statement doesn’t matter. What does matter is the “Raleigh elites” part. This is a theme that the political right in this state has played to great success. Rural voters feel too often taken for granted. The “elites” in our cities become easy targets.

This is especially visible in Wake County. Wake County should move forward with a light rail system, or at least a referendum on it, for crying out loud, because it will be in big trouble soon without it. Instead, rural Wake County voters don’t want to pay for something they won’t use, even though a light rail system only works in higher-density areas: precisely what “rural” is not. Charlotte has light rail because Charlotte and Mecklenburg County are so intertwined it’s easier to convince Mecklenburg voters that what’s good for Charlotte is good for Mecklenburg County, whereas Wake has a greater number of municipal stakeholders to convince.
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SeeClickFix user suggests beautifying greenway sewer pipes

I experienced the beauty of SeeClickFix today when an anonymous user suggested the city spiff up the ugly concrete sewer pipe towers along our city’s greenways:

The concrete sewage vents could use some beautifying. Maybe you could hire a graffiti artist to paint nature scenes?

Another citizen chimed in:

Juanita Martinez (Guest)

I agree! That’s a wonderful idea. These things are ugly, I know they are necessary, but painting some nature scenes or something unique to Raleigh on them would make them interesting. I bet you could even get folks to do it for free. Maybe you could have a contest too and offer a simple prize.

Then the city responded:

City of Raleigh

I’d recommend directing your suggestion to the Raleigh Arts Commission (http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts/content/BoardsCommissions/Articles/ArtsCommission.html). This citizen group can be helpful in developing this idea into a possible project. As with most things there is more than meets the eye in any project involving public property, but the Arts Commission is made up of citizens whose task it is to involve the arts in everything we do. They can be very helpful!

SeeClickFix can often be used to point out what’s wrong with the city. This ticket shows how the service can also act as a big suggestion box, allowing ordinary citizens a way to help shape our city. More of this, please!