Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
27,000,000
I encountered this sentence at kottke.org
There are more slaves in the world today than at any time in human history....again I am brought to the edge of my ignorance. I am so cloistered. I am so insulated. I am so privileged.
Free The Slaves
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Thanks for the eloquence...
Ran across this in The Lumber Room...
as Orwell observed in 1984, take the word away and you take the possibility of its thought away also.More will follow on the power of vocabulary...
Read smitten kitchen
Friday, December 12, 2008
Awesome but...
I have been watching this window manager for X for some time. I like everything about it except for one small thing. One tiny thing really...
DEPENDENCIES!!!
From the README file...
In order to build awesome itself, you need header files and libs of:
- cmake (>= 2.6)
- Xlib
- xproto
- xcb (>= 1.1)
- xcb-util (>= 0.3)
- Lua (>= 5.1)
- cairo built with xcb support
- pango and pangocairo
- libev
- glib
- Imlib2
- dbus (optional, use -DWITH_DBUS=OFF with cmake to disable)
- gperf
In order to build the awesome man pages and documentation,
you need these tools:
- asciidoc
- xmlto
- docbook XSL stylesheets
- luadoc
In order to build the source code reference, you need these tools:
- doxygen
- graphviz
Stock, right off of the .iso image, Slackware has allowed me to compile some pretty large applications with nothing more than...
./configureThen there are packages like awesome. I am not sure what Distro the author(s) of awesome are using. Perhaps theirs is natively better appointed. If, on the other hand, the author(s) had to download all this stuff just to develop the product then might want to reconsider.
make
make install
The bottom line for me is if there are an excessive number of dependencies - I just turn my back on the product. it is sad and unfortunate but my time is valuable and I cannot afford to do the developer's work for them.
It might be awesome but...
Slackware
Real Patois
I chose "Pa^2 Patois" (pronounced Papa Patois) as a combination nerd-math-geek + poetic alliteration branding. In the mix is an allusion to my (ab)use of the language. Now on the occasion of this, my 1000th posting, I thought it appropriate to acknowledge the true(er) origins of Patois. To do so I will borrow from my cyber-neighbor (who of course borrowed from her...)
iriegal, in her blog A Fe Me Page Dis Iyah writes...
Jamaica Patois Sound ClipsAudio sunshine on a winter's day...
To listen to a the patois sound clips, just click on any of the link with a next to them (requires Real Audio).
A fe me car It's my car.
Unno nuh fe heat de green mango dem You all are not to eat the green mangoes
Gwaan go heat Go on and eat
Whey yuh a seh! Whats going on!
Yuh too renk! You too out of order!
Mi a tutty years old I am thirty years old
A nuh jus Yessideh de pickney born! Isn't just yesterday that child was born
Mi nuh wan nutten fe eat I don't want anything to eat
Tretch out yuh han. Stretch out your hand
Ooh yuh fraid a? Who are you afraid of?
Weh Bigga puddung de bag? Where did bigga put down the bag?
Memba mi haffi lef Chewsday Remaber I will have to leave on Tuesday
Das why wi lose Thats why we lost
Read Time To Eat Mon
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
Free The Children
Free The Children
Iqbal Masih was sold into bonded labor at a carpet factory in his native Pakistan at the age of four. For six years, he was forced to work 12-hour days in a dark room, tied in place to the carpet loom he worked on. He was never permitted to go outside, and was fed so little that he looked like a boy half his age.
At ten, he ran away from the carpet factory to hear a speech by the Bonded Labor Liberation Front (BLLF), and realized that he was entitled to the same rights as any other citizen. He refused to return to the factory, and began to travel the world, visiting rallies, meetings, and even elementary school classrooms, to tell the story of the abuses he had suffered as a child slave, imploring others to help fight for an end to human trafficking.Iqbal was honored with many awards for his bravery, but tragically, he was assassinated at the age of 12.
Originally reported here...
Five Former Slaves Who Are Changing the World
By Kathryn Hawkins, Razoo.com [Story Link]
Free The Children
Sunday, November 30, 2008
I want to go anywhere...
In pictures: world’s most dangerous places - Telegraph
I know I am doing this link listing thing wrong but at least they are there.
I went to the Telegraph site and viewed ...
When I was very much younger I hitchhiked where ever I wanted to go. I summered in central Mexico without a care in the world. I thought nothing of walking the streets of New York City at all hours of the night. Perhaps I was naive, perhaps I was foolish. Either way I was able to go anywhere.
I know I am doing this link listing thing wrong but at least they are there.
I went to the Telegraph site and viewed ...
20 of the world's most dangerous places
The thing that leapt out at me was how much I would like to visit the places depicted in these photographs ... and how unwelcome I would be in most locales. Even in peaceful time I would not be welcome. Simply the color of my skin or my nation of origin would make me a target.When I was very much younger I hitchhiked where ever I wanted to go. I summered in central Mexico without a care in the world. I thought nothing of walking the streets of New York City at all hours of the night. Perhaps I was naive, perhaps I was foolish. Either way I was able to go anywhere.
Read /ground
Five things...
Five things you do that help keep you mentally well
At the suggestion of MindApples
- Feed the birds - This helps to keep my "abundance" of riches in perspective.
- Engage my children in conversation - something we all need to practice.
- Let the muse loose - I seldom know where she leads but if I don't follow then I won't get there.
- Aspire to great things - while seldom achieved it gives me license to attempt (and to fail).
- Silence: practicing the fine art of being silent and then trying to listen.
Read
Scripting News
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Act Now!
Act NOW!
Iran: Save the life of Farzad Kamangar
Please join with the thousands of trade unionists and human rights defenders around the world who are mobilising in defence of Farzad Kamangar, an Iranian Kurdish teacher and trade unionist who is at risk of execution.Education International received information from reliable sources that on 26 November Kamangar was taken from his cell 121 in ward 209 of Tehran's Evin prison in preparation for execution by hanging. However, the latest information is that he is still alive and was able to meet with his lawyer on 27 November for the first time in over two months. His situation remains precarious nonetheless.
Kamangar, aged 33, was sentenced to death by the Iranian Revolutionary Court on 25 February 2008 after a trial which took place in secret, lasted only minutes, and failed to meet Iranian and international standards of fairness. His lawyer, Kahlil Bahramian, said: "Nothing in Kamangar's judicial files and records demonstrates any links to the charges brought against him." Indeed, Kamangar was initially cleared of all charges during the investigation process.
Education International, the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Transport Workers Federation, Amnesty International and LabourStart are appealing to the Iranian authorities to commute the death sentence and ensure his case is reviewed fairly.
Click Act NOW! to make your voice be heard.
Act NOW!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Blue Friday
Went with the Saint to take care of some banking in Whitesville. It isn't quite a trip to the big city. But it is the closest thing we have - out here in the County. So it was into the branch office of BB&T so the Saint could make her deposit. As a special treat she returned with some of those individually wrapped soft mint candies. You know the ones that seem to just dissolve when they touch your tongue. Yupper, simple pleasures are the best.
Across the street then to the IGA (#46). Its the usual stuff; milk, eggs, cereal, cheese, peanut butter. When the Saint asked the bag boy Mikey if he had eaten his fill of turkey yesterday he allowed that he had. Then it comes to light that he had also come into work. Grandma at the register was quick to assert that Mikey had volunteered. (Seems as though she might not have been as willing.)
Everyone knows Mikey over to the IGA. After all he has been there ever since anyone can remember. The younger kids make a point of saying "Hello" and "Good-bye" to Mikey. To them he an adult that they can call by his first name. Older folks just appreciate that Mikey is all about polite service. He'll take your groceries out the car and carefully put them in the trunk for you. Always a smile from Mikey.
Down the block on the other side of the main street, Highway 54, is the Dollar General. Half jokingly I suggested that we should stop there so we can pretend we are rich. Turns out the Saint had DG on her list, just neglected to mention it to me. So we stop in to enjoy the small town mercantile ambiance.
It began to close in on me. Too many people (12) milling around in isles so narrow that two of those tiny shopping carts can't pass without sideswiping. Sales women stocking shelves with Taiwan toys and knock-off electronics. Each of them wearing plastic head bands with spring bobble reindeer careening around their lacquered bouffants like the stars and exclamation marks from a cartoonists knock-out blow.
Then from a far corner comes a stern matronly voice, "What is that smell?"
Another, responding from the opposite corner of the store, "I don't know but it sure smells."
Then a third voice chimes in, "Smells like its coming from over there."
It was closing in on me fast. The isles felt narrower. The Christmas music seemed louder. Then the matron voice piped up again, "Murial, you want a cheeseburger or something?"
I started to make my way toward the door. Just before I made my escape the guy carrying a 50 pound bag of dog food crossed in front of me. Just caught a whiff - like to knock me down. Might have been his deer hunting outfit doused with 'Buck Lure' or it might have been too much time with his dogs.
Either way I was thankful it weren't me they was complaining about.
Read
PostSecret
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Bit-head with propeller beanie
I was very pleased that Diigo would "Auto Blog Post" directly into Blogger. I thought now I can share my surfing highlights with the world.
FAIL!
Being a bit-head with a propeller beanie means that my auto-blog-posts read more like a Linux HOWTO page than an exciting journey through the web.
I really gotta get a life. :)
Anyway, that is why I deleted the geeky link posts.
FOLLOW UP NOTE: The latest Diigo "update" took the unauthorized liberty of SCREWING with a key Firefox setting (about:config keyword.url). THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!!! I have deleted my Diigo account.
Read
Urban Sketchers
Sunday, November 23, 2008
But wait, there's more...now how much would you pay?
I posted the previous piece ...
Now you can own a piece of history
... as a
I can hardly wait for my "Barry" Bobble-head doll.
...but wait...
Currently unavailable.We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Oh the anguish, oh the disappointment...
Read
Wirearchy
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Fear of Freedom
In my internet travels I encountered these headlines...
Journalist group honors Cuban political prisoner
Castroism is bad for the stomach
Two stories about journalists living (and dying) in Cuban prisons.
Naively I question why any government feels the need to imprison journalists. I came up with one answer: Fear.
Cuba's Castro and his brother Raúl are the perfect example of fear. They know personally that if the people are incited to make a change in the government then a revolution is possible. Quite possibly a violent revolution. The oppressed rising up to overthrow the oppressors. The very means that allowed Fidel and Raúl to enter into Cuba's government is the foundation of their fear. Fidel and Raúl are now the oppressors and fear for their lives. No matter how benevolent a dictatorship is still a dictatorship.
Despots and dictators have a profound fear of freedom.
We effectively let the 'revolution' happen every four years. Our is a government based on representation. We have established rules for the orderly transfer of leadership. Part of the overall process which insures the representation of an individual's views and opinions is freedom of speech. This extends to journalism and the freedom to report on any aspect of our society.
In our Democracy there is a bell-curve of opinion on every topic of discussion and concern. Depending on the topic the curve can be skewed to the left or the right. By allowing individual opinions we franchise every member of our society. By employing the democratic process of choosing our leaders we allow our social orderety to moderate itself. This usually means that extreme ideologies and positions are shunned in favor of the more moderate choices.
Revolutionaries are allowed to express themselves - the will of the people determines the direction of our government.
When we as a nation empower every individual to be a fully qualified participant in self-rule then we operate from a position of strength. Founded on the strength of our democratic process we then have nothing to fear.
Read WinExtra
Monday, November 17, 2008
Important headlines in our difficult world...
I guess you have to sell the "News" somehow...
Moss fights with beau over vial of blood
The CIA's coded humour is all in the name
... and last but certainly not least:
Why tupping the puppet is a recipe for ruined lives
Read Time Goes By
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