On (Rather, About) the New Machine

The new machine (I have named it "The Gazebo") has arrived and is in the midst of configuration. Install programs, uninstall crap, tweak settings, create recovery disks, burn CDs for Ubuntu and GParted, repartition, install Ubuntu (currently in progress). There's an advantage to buying a new machine while your old machine is perfectly good: Aside from providing redundancy, it gives you plenty of time to set up the new machine and minimal consequences if you mess something up in the process.

The Vist (rhymes with "beast") is like XP but shinier and noobified (user-unfriendly in ways that might seem "user-friendly"). There are a few good features (start menu / search integration in particular is long overdue, one of the reasons why Launchy is so useful under XP). Some bits are actually more user-friendly (some of the dialogs are more informatively worded, for example). The permissions model is messed up, with a billion confirmations* for every little action. Fortunately, it can be switched off, proving again that useless is better than obnoxious. The distinction between the "All Users" Start Menu and the specific user's Start Menu is even more baffling, but that probably doesn't matter except to obsessive-compulsive organizers like me. The interface is indeed pretty, though it can be hard to find a menu when you need it. I still haven't figured out how to set the default view for folders.

Maybe I should have rejected the EULA, taken the refund, and given up on Windows for good. But dual-booting can come in handy if you like computer games. I will at least make an attempt to make Linux my primary operating system at home this time around.

Regarding the computer itself: Trying to sell "doesn't come with an install disk for the OS" as a feature = FAIL. Two front-mounted headphone ports = moderate win. Widescreen... not sure. The display is pretty and looks like it will be great for media, but it's not so good for web browsing (it has almost the same amount of vertical space as my old laptop's screen, but a maximized browser displays far less of sites; I'm baffled as to why; update: apparently the resolution is less in both horizontal and vertical despite the display being newer and bigger). Performance is good so far, with only minor problems encountered during rescue disk creation (which seemed unusually resource-intensive). Bluetooth remote seems sweet and fits neatly inside the card slot, but I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. The AC adapter is more compact than the one for my old laptop, but it has the disadvantage of getting extremely hot.

Update: Attempt to install Ubuntu FAILED. Looks like the install CD I burned had errors. I think I'll just bring home the one I used at work, I know that one works because I used it successfully there. Vista still boots, so I didn't screw anything up too badly.

* "Do you want to delete this file?" "Yes."
"Doing that requires putting on THE ADMINISTRATOR HAT. Do you want to put on THE ADMINISTRATOR HAT?" "Sure..."
"Oh great administrator, this action which you see in progress before you requires administrator privileges. Are you quite certain you wish to exercize those powers?" "YES ALREADY!"**
**And don't even try to install something that you download from the internet.

The Current Crisis in Pictures and Words

( Pictures )

( Text )

Resting Again

On a more personal note, I'm taking the day off to rest up and heal. I'm still sick, and I felt worse yesterday than I did on Monday and Tuesday, so I figured I'd better take the time to kick this thing before I catch one of the other half-dozen diseases that seem to be circulating in my immediate vicinity.

A First Effort at Liveblogging: 2008 VP Debates

( The Play-by-Play )

Conclusions: A very solid performance by Biden, as expected. He avoided the "looking like a bully" pitfalls, I think, but still stayed aggressive by pushing the attack against McCain. Against Bush, too, although Palin's counter of "why are you focussing on the past?" may thwart the "and McCain = Bush" part of Biden's argument.

Palin also had a decent showing, exceeding the lowest expectations ever. It's worth noting that despite her media inexperience, she does have political debate experience. Again, Palin delivers some surprises, which should result in some interesting spinning by conservatives.

Fitness Test Three

I just realized I have updated FitTest results in my backpack from last Friday. My previous test was on 8/15, about a month-and-a-half previous.

Weight: 188 lbs. (-7 lbs.)
BMI: 30.3 (-1.2, still in the "obese" range but just barely)

Measurements continue to be encouraging. Lost another 3 inches off the waist and another 2 off the hips. A bit less on the neck and arm, a bit more on the shoulder and thigh.

Fitness Scores
Overall: 29 -> 37
(1-100, 50 is average, higher is better, compared to other males my age)
Bodyfat (3-Pinch Measure): 20 -> 21 (22.6% -> 22.1%) (steady progress)
Bodyfat (Impedance Measure): 10 -> 13 (26.8% -> 24.7%) (steady progress)
Resting Heart Rate: 28 -> 72 (74 BPM -> 62 BPM) (good!)
Active Heart Rate: 26 -> 8 (117 BPM -> 134 BPM) (strange result...)
60-Second Situps: 40 -> 60 (34 reps -> 40 reps) (good!)
Maximum Pushups: 10 -> 25 (11 reps -> 17 reps) (great form, slow improvement)
Sit-Reach Flexion: 72 -> 65 (19.25 in. -> 18.25 in.) (slight decline, as expected)

"The Wrong Way to Ask for $700 Billion"

I know I've posted too much on the bailout situation, but Wondermark has the best take on it yet, so good that I had to share it: