In mathematics, we are usually concerned with declarative (what is) descriptions, whereas in computer science we are usually concerned with imperative (how to) descriptions. — Abelson, Sussman, and Sussman in Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, p.22

 

Bob Gouldie, you were a dick but you were right, calculus would have been useful. Pity we had a pair of failures. I failed to learn it and you failed in teaching it to me. Nevertheless, my attitude has always been “If you want something done, do it yourself” so here goes.

So I’m gonna be a little cheeky:

If you’re inclined to buy me an Xmas prezzie this year, here are a few suggestions:

Magazine Subscriptions: Get me the Electronic version and we’ll save some trees or Get me a paper magazine and I’ll promise to donate the mag(s) to the local school.

Popular Science
Popular Mechanics (cheap!!)
MAKE Magazine
WIRED
Nuts and Volts

Geek Energy:

Rechargable AA and AAA Batterries, preferably over 650 mAh – do they last a little

More Geek Energy:

A portable solar panel

 

Gee thanks !!

This is for you D.

Jay Adelson, CEO of Digg says: If your business idea fails, at least you will make the contacts and gained experience that will help you to make a success the second time round and unless you’re totally incompetent, you will still have enough trust from them to help you succeed.

Why is it that every time I need to talk to customer service from any (and all) cellular providers in Greece, I need to explain my problem to at least 4 people only to be told that my issue will be dealt with much later than I can possibly find acceptable?

You guys probably have a queue so long that it’s your strategy to pass customers on from agent to agent in order to buffer them while the actual knowledgeable agent is freed up to deal with them.

Instead of stringing me along for 40mins why dont you just say something like this “Hi, Im a junior buffer agent, I can’t help you right now but if you like we can chat about something other than your problem for a while. When the real agent is availble, I will connect you. So, whaddayawanna talk about …..”

Vodafone, Your customer support sucks – TIM, Your customer support sucks – Cosmote, Your customer support sucks

 

Nuff said

 

ZeFrank said some cool stuff a while ago:

One way to ensure that you never run out of ideas is by never executing them. Tell yourself you don’t have the time or resources to do them right. That way they stay in your head. It feels good to be full of ideas. Like “Brain Crack”, no matter how bad things get, at least you still have those good ideas. That “Brain Crack” is really addictive. Some people hold on to an idea, planning every detail of how perfectly that idea should be executed. I prefer to execute an idea immediately. I dont want to get addicted to that “Brain Crack” and chances are i’ll get it wrong at least three times before I get it right. But I’ll still have three times more experience than the guy addicted to “Brain Crack”

 

Great stuff ZeFrank