April 2003 Archives

Satoshi's Wireless Weblog: User Interface is an Art: Two BREW apps in the market. Satoshi is a long time friend and business partner. It is cool that his applications are now available in the market. Kudos to you.

Satoshi's Wireless Weblog: User Interface is an Art but Trackbacks are not. Satoshi is absolutely right that Trackbacks are way too hard to understand and differentiate from comments. Interesting to think about the mobile analog to trackback and how that should work. Seems like, when I update, I should get a ping and then see the site, comment on it and that should be a trackback so when it changes, I see that on my mobile phone. Kind of like IMing to a with a web site. Also it is wierd that when you hit Track Back, that you don't get the permalink address, but just the overall web site. Not exactly right.

What to get for the girl who has everything. Well, that is hard, but here are some things I've been looking at: * A Cook's Wares - www.cookswares.com. First on the list is a Cream Whipper. Amazing way to get whipped cream for those fresh strawberries. BTW, Cookswares, is a very nice online site. So is "Cooking.com":http://cooking.com. * "iSi":http://www.isinorthamerica.com/creamwhipper.html is an Austrian company and appears to be the only folks making these things. * "Appliance.com":http://www.appliances.com/x0x2786x2584x2372/181.html. Cheaper one pint version. And, you've got to love the company that has the appliance.com URL. First site I've seen that uses .Net as well. A little cheaper * "Cooking.com":http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=102325. A good reliable site. Great merchandising.

RIM BlackBerry 6210- Karbon Systems. Connie's Blackberry has finally given up the ghost and she doesn't want to learn something new. We got it two years ago from buy.com and Aether and it was a nightmare service. Things breaking with the service all the time and mysterious failures with the device. But, it worked super well. So, the new Blackberry 6210 is $349, so a little cheaper, it includes a GSM phone, three POP3 accounts and also wireless internet. And, it is a world phone. Wow. The service plan is of course incredibly complicated from AT&T or T-Mobile, but I think the basic idea is to buy a handset and then take the SIM and put it into the Blackberry. Kind of strange. Robert over at Karbon Systems is a good guy. Know him from past lives.

I'm getting ready for the STP. Just read Chris Carmichael's training book (the one with Lance on the cover). Was helpful. Increased average speed on my run to work (10 miles almost exactly) from an average of 16 to 17.4 mph just by the pedaling advice and some training. Here are other things I'm doing: * "Chris Carmichael":http://trainright.com. Signed up for a $21/month for six months training over the Internet thing. Seemed nominal and I'll try some other folks as well, but this seemed like an easy thing. * Hammer Gel Reviews. Need some more gel. This was highly recommended last year. Plus you can use it to mix energy drinks as I recall. And you can buy it direct. * Clif Bars. I use these all the time. If you look, you can get for $1.15 per bar on sale at Safeway, etc. Haven't found a good online source yet. * "Cytomax":http://www.roadbikereview.com/Nutrition/Cytomax,Cytomax/PRD_20575_1643crx.aspx or Extran are pure energy drinks as well. Haven't tried them. *

My buddy "Gary":http://beagledreams.com needs a shorter stem. I volunteered to help him out. He has a Gary Fisher Sugar 3+ and it is a 110mm stem, but he probably needs a 90mm stem. Here are links if you need to do the same thing by checking out Stem Reviews, Specs and Shopping Information. A good place to find the right stem in the first place. Mountain bikes are a little confusing in that there is DH (downhill) where you need massive stuff for falling down hills, cross country which is light and fast and freeride somewhere in between. Gary has a cross country bike, so good stems look like those that have at least 7 recent ratings (there are some stale ones) and score 4.4 or above: * "Race Face Deux":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_88919.shtml. Top reviews. Now on sale at Supergo for $50. Wahoo. But the shortest is 110mm. * "Titec Little AL":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_78988.shtml. A very nice lightweight crosscountry stem. Just $31. But the shortest is 110mm. * "Kore Lite":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_23128.shtml. Another light stem. * "Ritchey WCS":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_88841.shtml at $60. This one has also gotten good reviews somewhere else I've seen. * "Thomson Stem":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_69197.shtml although at $80 expensive, it gets rave reviews and lots of them. Very popular * "Titec Little AL":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_78988.shtml. A very nice lightweight crosscountry stem. Just $40. * "Kore Elite":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_23132.shtml also very expensive at $90 but beautiful * "FSA XC-120":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_85814.shtml. Super light from the Taiwanese powerhouse. * "Titec Big AL":http://mtbreview.com/reviews/Stem/product_23157.shtml more reasonable for $30 direct. To find the best prices, I troll: * "Qbike":http://qbike.com/category/stems.html. This has aggregates a bunch of online resellers as well as ebay.

DeCSS Central. Here are the facts on CSS and DeCSS

We've been talking quite a bit about wireless and how things to get going. It is amazing how many APs are just happening with just T-mobile. There is a top down strategy from: * Seattle Wireless - Connecting People To Wi-Fi. This has gone from a free for everyone into a pay service. * "Surf and Sip":http://www.surfandsip.com/. Another fast growing network. * "Make Wireless Work":http://www.makewirelesswork.com/directory.htm. The top Google hit for finding wifi networks. * "EZGoal Hotspots":http://www.ezgoal.com/hotspots/. These are the hot spot networks that are at the third tier. A nicely laid out list.

Rivers: Lake Washington. Kind of a fun site. Tells you water conditions and levels in Seattle. Amazing what they put on the web these days. "NOAA Seattle":http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Seattle/. The source of all weather. Actually, in many ways more interesting that watching the news or weather.com.

I'm in the middle of changing the cables I have in my home theater. There is quite a bit written and it is a little confusing. I have an incredible mismash of cables and they are coming apart. I want to make them neat and clean. Here are some relevant things to look at: * "Better Cables":http://bettercables.com. Yet another great Internet site started because it was a hobby. Incredibly expensive if you compare with with things like Monster Cable, but cheaper if you become a member at "Home Theater Spot":http://hometheaterspot.com and certainly less expensive than super high end audiophile ones. * Cobalt Cable FAQ. Cobalt Cables has a good summary along with some words about bi-wiring. Helps with the mess of different connections. * "Bi-Wiring Speakers":http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scots_Guide/audio/biwire/Page1.html. There is quite a bit of controversy about this in general and it brought me back to my introductory classes on RLC circuits and transmission lines. Read on if you want to know the theory. The basic thing it says if that if you run a separate wire to the tweeter and mid-range, you will get different frequency responses because they are different loads. One is inductive and the other capacitive. The main point though is that if the cables are gigantic enough, it won't make any difference since there is little resistance in the cable (much less than 0.1 ohm).

Calvin has been just incredible at his little pearls of wisdom this year. There are two that are posted on the board in his classroom right now. Great to remember. Maybe everything we learned was in Kindergarten?

Everyone is good in their own way

If you don't fail you are not trying new things

Cascade Bicycle Club: Group Health Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic. "Hoops":http://scbhooper.com has done it a million times. I wanted to do it last year, but had a bike accident that put me out of commission, but I'm healthy this year and here we go. It's 200 miles long and there were 7,170 riders in 2002 with 1,356 doing it in one day. Our goal this year. Here's the vital information: * "Suggested Weekly Mileage":http://cascade.org/EandR/stp_mileage.cfm. There is no time like the present! This week of April 28 for instance, the one day rider should be doing 120 miles total with an 80 mile Friday or Saturday ride and then two days of 20 mile rides. I'm at about 80 miles last week, so better hustle. Main problem is all my miles are for 20 mile rides, so I have to pump out a long one on Friday's. BTW, 80 miles is roughly 5 hours for me on the bike! * It's tempting to sign up for personal training. Lots of people provide this from "trainright.com":http://trainright.com for $80 per month to Chris Carmichael (Lance's trainer).

SeattleWireless: Hardware Comparison. Hoops was asking about how to bridge from one access point to another so you can get WiFi coverage where you don't have an Ethernet port. It is hard to find this, but Seattle Wireless does a great job of noting the important hackazoid features. Like how much power these things really put out and which are really bridges. here is what I learned that there are three wayts to get more coverage: h4. High Power PCMCIA Card This means, you boost the power of the PCMCIA card and hopefully its sensitivity too. This costs about $80 to get a basic 802.11b card, but of course these are getting obsolete with 802.11g and 802.11abg as well. According to "Best Client Adapters":http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/HardwareComparison#line11. There are many of them, but some speciality ones that Adrian and I would love. Of particular note is the "Senao":http://www.senao.com/products/wlan%20client/sl-2511cd_plus.htm. This is also sold by "Netgate":http://www.netgate.com/EL2511.html. It works with Netstumbler and is also a 200mw card! Most other cards are 30mw. h4. High power Access point. According to "Best 802.11b Access Point":http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/HardwareComparison#line93. A good review for geeks like us. Tells which Linksys, SMC and other APs can also be bridges. That is they will retransmit to get to another AP as well as how much transmit power. The winner looks like "Engenius":http://www.engeniustech.com/products_detailpage_ap1plus.htm with a 200mw AP rather than the typical 30mw versions. It is about $200 from Wisp Gear Also check out "Personal Telco Access Point Reviews":http://www.personaltelco.net/index.cgi/AccessPointReviews. Detailed reviews of APs. h4. Get a high gain antenna Rather than electronics. This is probably the lowest cost solution and should help when Steve gets 802.11g. It is my favorite option right now, but does require a card that has an external antenna jack. See "HyperGain":http://www.hyperlinktech.com/web/antennas_2400_in.php as the Seattle Wireless favorite. Nice thing about their antennas is that they come with different connectors so you don't have solder. Cost is about $20. h4. Where to Buy this stuff BTW, Seattle Telco has a great list of folks that you can buy this stuff from. The specialty guys we should all support on their "Senao":http://www.seattlewireless.net/index.cgi/SenaoCard web page: While these cards can be bought from most conventional online and brick-and-mortar stores, there are some less known sources that can sell them for less. * Wisp Gear --> $80 for internal antenna version, $99 for EXT2 version, $249 for AP/bridge * SURF AND SIP --> $85 for internal antenna version, $90 for EXT2 version (all 200mW), $5 for shipping (if applicable). * JustDeals --> $39.95 for 100mW version and $80 for the 200mw one. * Aerialix --> $90 for Internal or External 200 mW version, $60 for 100mW External version

* Because Senao cards are rebadged, you may very well find that the lowest-cost source is an Engenius or Netgate version being closed out in favour of 802.11G cards. A good source of these rebadges is at www.Computers4Sure.com which has prices in the $50 to $75 range typically.

I'm trying to get a run down about "100 meters":http://www.mcpprep.com/WebHelp/ccna/ccna_obj_56.htm down our hill. The main issue is that there are plenty of limitations of Fast Ethernet (technically called 100BaseT). So I've been looking at alternatives: h4. Using Fiber Optic Cable. This option basically means upgrading to a 1Gb link (wow!) CABLExpress Technologies - The Network. This goes through how to convert. One thing about going to Gigabit Ethernet (a.k.a. 1000BaseFX) over Fiber is that it works out to over "200 meters":http://www.mcpprep.com/WebHelp/ccna/ccna_obj_62.htm. You would then need: * "Netgear FS509":http://65.68.55.29/cwru/FS509.htm. This has 8 Fast Ethernet ports plus a Gigabit uplink. It is about $500. * "Netgear GC 102 Gigabit Ethernet Converter":http://65.68.55.29/cwru/GC102.htm. This $200 box converts a fiber optic gigabit ethernet into twisted pair ethernet. * "Netgear "GS104":http://65.68.55.29/cwru/gs104.htm. This baby has 4 1000BaseT autosensing ports for about $250. This means that you can have your own little 1GB network now. Cool. Only problem is the wiring in our house is Cat-5 and you really need Cat-5e or Cat-6. Drat. * Two fiber cable pulls to make sure that it really works. Incremental cost is roughly $150 per pull for 500 feet. That brings the total to something like $1,300, but you do get a full gigabit. An alternative is to go with Linksys: * "100BaseFX SC Fiber Module":http://linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=35&scid=39&prid=521. This provides only 100Mbps per it is cheaper than the 1GBps I think. You can plug this into the following switches. "PC Connection":http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/productdetail.asp?product_id=330793 has this for $105. * "Etherfast 3116 16-Port Switch":http://linksys.com/products/product.asp?prid=474&scid=39. This is a 16 port switch for "$104":http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/productdetail.asp?product_id=318845. There is also a 24 port one around. * "Etherfast EF2S24":http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/productdetail.asp?product_id=193010. This is a switch that for $284 that uses a $83 fiber uplink called the "SC fiber connector for 100BaseFX Fiber Ethernet":http://www.pcconnection.com/scripts/productdetail.asp?product_id=199305. So, net, net, from Linksys, you can have both ends for about $400 total with 100Mbps. A more economical solution. h4. Wireless Ethernet So what if you like cantennas and can see the two buildings. Here is how it would work: * "Netgear WG602":http://www.80211-planet.com/reviews/AP/article.php/2195151. This is a $140 access point running at 54Mbps. Need a pair of these of course * Cantenna. Need to mount a cantenna where you can see the two buildings and not have it be too ugly too. On one side this is easy, just point it down from an office. On the other side, it is living space, so I'll have to think about this. Maybe an antenna on a pole. Cost to build and mount, say $200. The net here is that I need wireless access anyway in the lower building. The throughput is only 54Mbps, but I'm not running servers down there. Also, if I need more, I'm pretty sure you can have more APs and use some other channels. I'll have to ask Adrian about that. So, perhaps I can add another 54Mbps as needed. Another alternative

Ethernet Distance limits and cable types. A good summary of distance limits for various types of cable. I need about a 400 foot run and this is just outside the 100 meter limit of standard 100BaseT (a.k.a. 802.3) on Cat 5. See the table for more information.

War in Iraq. A good analysis of what might have happened to the Iraq Army. I would love to know the real story.

The Agonist: Flight Risk. How does the Agonist get his information. More enticing details about this woman who has run away.

I am in fat city. With all the depressing economic and political news. It is nice to be able to escape. This has just been an incredible year for my kind of movies. First of course has been Lord of the Rings. I could watch it 100 times in Paul Allen's Cinerama. But, look what's coming: * "The Matrix Reloaded":http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/. Wow, what a web site and what a set of previews. It is starting May 15 and the IMAX (if you can believe it IMAX) version is coming out June 6 (D-Day). I can't wait. According to "Greg":http://www.upcomingmovies.com/matrix2.html. At the end of the trailer for the final Matrix episode. There is a God! You should see the 60MB trailer in Quicktime 6. Amazing. Unlike T3, this one looks like it pushed the story farther. There is Agent Smith 2.0, the Twins, wow! * "Terminator 3":http://www.terminator3.com/. Probably my favorite movie of all time. This next sequel include Claire Danes. A favorite actress of mine. Only problem is that (unlike the Matrix), the trailer makes this look like almost an exact remake of T2 rather than moving the story forward. I think what makes these things work is when the story actually moves forward like Lord of the Rings or The Matrix (hopefully). Any way according to "The Unofficial T3 Site";http://www.terminator-3.co.uk/index2.asp, this opens July 2.

Uncle Al. A great newsletter that I get and some good advice too. This one I haven't seen covered, but what do you do with the zillions of gears. I haven't doing it right for a while. DEAR UNCLE AL: I just had a 9-speed drivetrain put on my bike. I'm wondering how many cogs at either end I should avoid when in the opposite chainring. For example, when I'm on the big ring and shifting towards larger cogs, where should I stop? I've heard different advice. -- Dan D. UNCLE AL FIRES BACK: Cross-chaining, like cross-dressing, happens all the time, Dan-O, but it's not really recommended behavior. One involves metal, gears and chains; the other, chiffon, lace, shaved legs and spiked heels. (I'm just guessing here. No, really!) Neither should be attempted without adult supervision. If you are running double chainrings with that new 9-speed cogset, and you are on the big ring, it's kosher to run up to the # 3 cog (the biggest cog being # 1 and the smallest being # 9). If you're on the small ring, it's cool to run down to # 7, provided you can "trim" the front derailleur to stop the chain from rubbing it, and provided the chain doesn't tinkle against the big ring.

Popper - THE webmail client. This is a PHP4/MySQL webmail client. It has all the pieces to parse a POP3 set of messages into nice MySQL format. I'm still drilling into it, but it has the hooks to connect into a mail account, read it and put the messages into a nice format. I'm going to install it on www.tongfamily.com so that I can then use it. I could also do the same with SquirrelMail, but then I'd have to learn Perl and Python. * XML-RPC. This is the little utility to actually do posts into various blog systems. So, once I have the mail, I can actually post it.

All of mine have now fallen apart. So off to get some more accessories like gloves and knee warmers: * Bicycling.com - Castelli Ambros Gloves. These aren't in production anymore. At least I can't find them. The equivalent look like Castelli Simple Gloves. $25 so they are quite a bit. I ended up getting some $10 AXO, but they literally fell apart the second day. So much for being cheap. * "Pearl Izumi GReptile Gloves":http://www.roadcycling.com/reviews/pearlizumigreptileglove.shtml. A good review here with some grippy stuff on it. * "Defeet Kneekers":http://defeet.com. These are good ones. Also "Cold Lizard":http://coldlizard.com has a nice set on sale now for $17. Same for Knee warmers. Also, I like the "Cold Lizard":http://coldlizard.com Knee Warmers even more. They are heavier material. Feel nicer and typically, if you get them on sale less than the Kneekers. Sunglasses: * "Sunglass Reviews":http://www.roadcycling.com/reviews/ and "Road Bike Reviews":http://www.roadbikereview.com/Eyewear/PLS_1628_912crx.aspx. Of course, my natural inclination is just to get the Oakley Pro M's because Lance wears them, but at least someone did some reviews. I did get them via "eBay":http://ebay.com from an unauthorized dealer I'm sure, but the price difference was phenomenal. In any case, they are wonderful. Got the Hybrid S lenses. These are a little small for me. I still need a clear and a yellow lense for these. * "Rudy Project Tayo":http://www.roadcycling.com/reviews/rudyprojecttayo.shtml. Got great reviews when they came out two years ago now. Now most sunglasses don't have a lower rim so that visibility is incredible. I got my last set at "Eyesave":http://eyesave.com and also for "Get Rudy":http://www.getrudy.com/pages/tayo.html. The "Kynox":http://www.roadcycling.com/reviews/rudyprojectekynox.shtml seems to be the replacement, but my old lenses don't fit it :-( Other miscellaneous stuff: * "Specialized PVO Pump":http://www.roadcycling.com/reviews/specializedpvopump.shtml. I actually have one and it got a good review in bicycling.com as well. Super small but just for Presta Valve Only (PVO) get it. Super small. * "Selle Italia SLR":http://www.roadcycling.com/reviews/selleitaliaslr.shtml. A good review of this 135 gram saddle. I completely agree. Amazingly comfortable, but it does wear out fast. * "Giro Pneumo":http://www.roadcycling.com/reviews/giropneumo.shtml. There are lighter ones out there now, but I've had this for a year and it works super well. Finally some reviews of stems now that I have got the Easton EC-90 31.7mm bar: * "Time Monolink Pro HM":http://www.active.com/story.cfm?story_id=408. This is 125 grams and is expensive but shouldn't have the durability problems of magnesium.

Had a great discussion about the future of blogs, mobile, etc. with some incredibly smart people (Ben Slivka, Bill Valentine, Satoshi Nakajima and Kendra Vandermulen). They asked for an easy intro to blogging. A good questions. Here are some sites to look at: * "Tong Family":http://tongfamily.com. OK, a selfish announcement, you can see what the geeks are doing and their format. Also "Geek Fishing":http://geekfishing.net is a place to find Steve Hooper, Bill Malloy, etc. and also "The Ludwigs":http://www.theludwigs.com when his site comes back up. See the recently visited list on tongfamily too. * "Blogger":http://blogger.com. An easy way to get started. It's free and you can try it. * blo.gs and "blogdex.com":http://www.blogdex.media.mit.edu and a "Google":http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Internet/On_the_Web/Weblogs/Directories/ for weblog directories. * "Movable Type":http://movabletype.org. A fantastic tool if you are self hosting. Nice UI and feature set. * "Daily Pundit":http://dailypundit.com and "Command Post":http://command-post.org are two community sites. * "Joi Ito":http://joi.ito.com/moblog/. The first mobile blogger. More like a photo gallery.

The Hilton Lounge - Unofficial Paris and Nicky Hilton. Someone thought the flight risk woman was Paris Hilton. Now there is a blog that does nothing but cover Paris and Nicky. Amazing.

The Agonist: A Flight Risk. With the war settling into a slow pattern, it's time to take a break and find some other strange goings on. The best one I've found is about a wealthy heiress on the run from her powerful father. Much speculation about whether it is true or not. Interesting and well written web site.

Most of the manuals that I've been looking for are now in PDF format on the Internet. But, I've noticed that they tend to disappear off the Internet as soon as the model is obsolete. So, here is a listing of components that I have, their current location on the web and a mirror on this site: Dad's Home Theater Components: * Outlaw Model 1050. A great low cost receiver. "Mirror":/manual/outlaw1050.pdf * "Pioneer 533HD5":https://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/Records/HomeProduct//Files/arb1535a.pdf. This is actually equivalent to the SD-643HD5 control-wise so the manual is for both. * Energy Take 5 Speakers. Too old. Can't find the manuals for them. * "Samsung SIR-T151":http://www.samsungusa.com/SamsungUSA/DOWNLOAD/20021214/SIRT151.pdf and "Update":http://www.samsungusa.com/SamsungUSA/DOWNLOAD/20021214/SIRT151.pdf. This is the HDTV OTA Receiver.

With my Dad's new house, it's given me a renewed dedication to programming his Pronto Pro that has been sitting for a year (!!!). Here are the key links: * "Remote Central":http://remotecentral.com. Thanks much to Daniel Tonkin for maintaining this site. It has a list of pretty much every device that someone has loaded into the Pronto. Also, there are some great user interface designs up there to borrow. My favorite is a task-based one done by Dale Crawford. It does things like hide all the remote stuff and just has panels like Watch TV or Watch DVD. It also has the tools CCF Compiler/Decompiler so that you have both a GUI tool (ProntoEdit4) and a text way to edit. * Channel Lineup. Here's a list of the current seattle digital cable line up.

Every 2-3 years, "Lennard Zinn":http://www.zinncycles.com/ recommends replacing the handlebars. So, I'm off on a search for lightweight set of bars and stem. Right now I have a 3TTT Prima 199 and Icon Sterling Stem. These are pretty light. 200g and 120g respectively, but the Prima is certainly quite flexy. Also, these are 26.0 mm diameter parts and the new thing are 31.8 mm which are supposed to be less flexy. And, of course carbon handlebars. The Icon Sterling is a one bolt binder, so it won't work with carbon bars, so I need both. Here is what I found out thanks to "Weight Weenies":http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings.asp and also "Light Bikes":http://light-bikes.com/road/road.htm which have actual weights of components. The net for me is I'm probably going to go all carbon bars (no surprise there) with Easton EC 90 via ebay. Then, get a stem that is either magnesium, the Deda Newton Mag 00. If I feel rich, I'll get a carbon stem (either the Time Monolink or the FSA K-Force Lite). If I feel poor, get a very light aluminum one like the Stella Azzurra Vice Versa or the ITM Millenium. h4. Handle Bars The net for me is I'm getting Easton EC 90, but I'm not clear if I should get 26.0 or 31.8 mm on ebay. See notes below: * "Easton EC90":http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?GetResult&query=easton&from=R10&ht=1&currdisp=2&itemtimedisp=1&st=2&category2=7294&Top10=&SortProperty=MetaEndSort&catref=C1. There are many more choices right now, but the value leader has to be the Easton EC90. These have been around a long time. Main issue is that they don't have slots for the derailleur and brake cables. Most folks rout both cables in the front. I routed them front and back when I had my old EC90 which I cracked (another story!) and this worked fine. They were much stiffer than the 3TTT Prima 199s IMHO. You can get them on ebay for $80-100 typically. They also come in both 26.0 and 31.8 sizes now. They are measured center to center in width, so I've normally have a 42 cm 3TTT Prima and went to a 42 cm EC90 and is was about 1 cm wider. These are 180 grams for the 40 cm. * "3TTT More":http://www.bestwebbuys.com/bikes/search?q=ttt+more&isrc=i-srch-search. These are just out. About the same weight Much as the EC90 and more expensive. Usually about $230 at at "Total Cycling":http://totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateX.asp?SubFolderID=49&SearchYN=N. These are 31.8 mm oversized. * "Cinelli Ram":http://www.lickbike.com/i1109150.htm. These are hard to find, but Lickton's has them for $465 right now. They are integrated with stem and bar as one. Kind of cool looking. 350 grams, so a little heavier. Main issue is that they require a special computer mount that is even more weight. A luxury, but cool. h4. 26.0 mm front clamp stems These stems are quite a bit lighter, because obviously, the clamps are smaller. In general Totalcycling.com and "Wiggle":http://www.wiggle.co.uk/product_list.asp?CategoryName=Stems&Area=Road have great prices. I've ordered from Total and they have been reliable, but not with Wiggle. Here are the choices: * "ITM The Stem":http://totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateX.asp?SubFolderID=36&SearchYN=N. This a magnesium stem, so very delicate. Only 105 grams though in 120 mm length. $163 so expensive too. Pretty much the lightest out there. * "Stella Azzurra ViceVersa Magnisium":http://www.bikehighway.com/preview_viceversa.htm. A nice review of this "Weight Weenies":http://weightweenies.starbike.com/listings/components.php?type=stems&sortby=real says the stem is actually 100 grams for 110 mm length when it has a the 1" spacer installed. * "ITM Millenium Stem":http://totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateX.asp?SubFolderID=36&SearchYN=N. This is an aluminum stem, so more durable. The ITM website says it is 128 grams and so does weight weenies, but quite a few other sites say it is 140 grams. So, it is not clear where it sits. Weight is often measured with different stem lengths and without bolts, so there is room for wiggle. h4. 31.8 mm front clamp stems For 31.8 mm stem components, here is how the choices stack up as whether to get a magnisium stem. These are very delicate, but very light and hard to maintain, but a dream. It is also pretty clear that most new stems are 31.8 now. Choices are: * "Deda Newton Mag 00":http://totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateX.asp?SubFolderID=36&SearchYN=N. These are magnesium. 98 grams for the 120 mm stem that I need. 31.8 mm front clamp. Exactly what I need. Sets you back a cool $159. Wow, that's quite a bit, but maybe worth it. * Time Monolink Pro Carbon":http://totalcycling.com/Templates/frmTemplateX.asp?SubFolderID=36&SearchYN=N. Well, I'm not sure it make a big deal, but it looks cool. This is a carbon body, so shouldn't be as brittle as magnesium. 31.7mm 125 grams and $216 from totalcycling and $300 from coloradocyclist.com and "wiggle":http://www.wiggle.co.uk/product_detail.asp?ProdID=5300006318 is about $187. This is called the Special Pro HM whatever that means. Also have "AW Cycles":http://www.awcycles.co.uk/products.php?mcat=5&scat=88&prodid=1581 at $195. * Stella Azzurra ViceVersa. This is a 125 gram stem in 31.8 with 120mm stem according to coloradocyclist where it is $120. It is about $90 from Tiramisu and made out of aluminum, so that is pretty remarkable if true. * "FSA K-force lite":http://www.webcyclery.com/.docs/product_id/1571/category_name/Road+Stems/pg/product_detail.html. This is carbon also and just 130 grams in 31.8/120mm stem and $200. Main issue is whether FSA is a good brand. Haven't seen reviews.

Rumsfeld Stands Tall After Iraq Victory (washingtonpost.com). let's hope he uses his power well. he's got a lot of it. from the piece he is taking over the cia and the state department in essence. and will shrink the army in favor of special ops and airpower

Google Search: disneyland guide. Connie is thinking about going to Disneyland and was wondering what the best way to do this is. The prices are truly low right now. Here are some guides we found: * "Disneyland at About":http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/disneyland/. Good suggestions about time to travel, Fastpass and Ridemax. Good to know the tips and tricks. * "Ridemax":http://www.ridemax.com. An actual program that will get you the shortest possible trip. What a nerd thing. I knew that shortest path and traveling salesman problem stuff would come in handy some day. * "FASTPASS":http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com/news/archives/december99/stories/120199_02.html. Fastpass is an alternative to Ridemax. Holds your place in line in effect. * "Early Admission":http://www.pandaonline.com/disneylan.html. All Disney Resort Flex Passports include one Early Admission.

Ritchey BreakAway Bike. A real dilemma how to do this. You can get a gigantic case or a special bike made, but here's a commercial one with a decoupler. Interesting.

Well, Gary has a cool Coolscan 4000 and it is amazing. I've been looking for a reasonably priced scanner with scratch removal: * "Steve Digicam's Compendium":http://www.steves-digicams.com/scanners.html. Easily the most comprehension collection of reviews on high quality scanners. * Canon just shipped the Lide 9900 which has scratch removal in a flat-bed for $399. Not bad. * Canon Fare System Test. They use a proprietary scheme. Here's a sample of what it does. * "Ken Rockwell":http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/2400.htm. Not very flattering review of a flat bed vs. a film scanner. He likes the Epson 2450 which has gotten good reviews for general purpose scanning. * "Hively.com":http://www.hively.com/canoscan/. A review of the CanoScan FS4000S with FARE. * "Petri Kokkonen":http://spaceweb.oulu.fi/~petri/canon_fs4000us.html. The likes the CanoScan and did an good analysis of FARE

Well, I'm pretty sure they won't make me any faster, but these are certainly the latest in technology at: * Topolino Tech. The amazing thing about the Internet is that you can email someone there and the guy, Steve Cuomo who was VP engineering at GT sends me mail back 24 hours later. How cool is that. * "Jobst Brandt":http://www.cyclingforums.com/t13718.html. Then, you can read what Jobst Brandt, the world expert on bike wheels, thinks about topolino because he's posted on some forum. How cool is that. Now there are other cool wheels, but it is kind of amazing to get experts opinions just on the web.

Planning a weekend away. We've been to all the usual places. Here are some of the wonderful places that Connie found. Most are unusual and away. We've been to all the standard places: * The Avalon Hotel & Spa - Packages. Sounds like a wonderful hotel in Portland. Deluxe Riverside Suite with Fireplace & Jacuzzi $650. (additional night $350, room only) * "Clayoquot Wilderness Resorts":http://www.uniqueinns.com/tofino_bc_bed_breakfast.html. A wonderful place. It is actually a floating inn with eco adventures and a spa too. All meals included.

Many folks ask me how does Microsoft work? How can Microsoft be a customer for me. It is interesting how much is actually published externally about how they do things. The IT showcase and case studies are quite good. Also some interesting best practices: * Microsoft Case Studies. There are many of these, but under M, you find a bunch about Microsoft. * Microsoft IT Showcase:"http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itshowcase. A central place where the various technical details are discussed.

Connie's flakey Blackberry is finally giving out. And, Aether is not a great provider either, although pricing was great 18 months ago when I bought it for her from buy.com. So, we're in the market for a newer blackberry. It is amazing to me that after three years, my own BlackBerry really hasn't been beat as an email device. So, here are the ones we're looking at: * BlackBerry 6210 Wireless Handheld. This is the newest one with an integrated speaker and microphone so you don't need an ear bud. Won't be around until June though from AT&T Wireless. T-mobile has it in their catalog, but you can only get from one of their corporate reps. * "T-Mobile Hiptop":http://www.letstalk.com/product/product.htm?depId=1&pgId=100&prId=20695. This is the Danger device. Has basic POP access which is all Connie needs and how we used her last BlackBerry. I don't know if she'll like the keys much though. This thing got a 90% positive rating on C|Net though. * Dark horses are the Treo 300, but it is $500 like the BlackBerry, so why pick it. * PocketPCs like the Thera (but it is too expensive at $800) and the rest don't have keyboards.

"John Gallagher":http://www.materialpost.com/. Great guy. Getting a great fit on a bike is the number one thing. A bunch of us are going to STP it and some will need new bikes. So, it is first get fit properly then look for a good bike that fits.

Alex is working on his class project. He gets to pick an architect. He'd wants to remember certain links. He's a google junkie. Here they are so Dad doesn't forget them.

The Command Post: Pentagon sees end of combat. More units are moving in, notably the 4th ID and the 3rd ACR, but the 82nd Airborne's one brigade goes home. The 1st Armored will rotate in and the 3rd ID will rotate out.

End of 'Major' Combat, Fall of Tikrit, Anxiety Over Syria. Wow, what a difference a week makes. We went on vacation to Hawaii and it looked like a long hard conflict and we're back this week and it is all over. Gives someone much to think about. I still think that we did this and were very lucky. I'm still a believer personally in the Powell doctrine of massive force with lots of multilateral backing. Obviously, that view is in its twilight in the current administration. "Iraq Chaos No Surprise, but Too Few Troops to Quell It":http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19587-2003Apr13.html. This shows some reasons why. "Confused Start, Decisive End":http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A14839-2003Apr12.html. Great insiders view. Some excerpts: The most important meeting of the war may have been the one held on the morning of Saturday, March 29, on a wooded ridge in the Maryland countryside, at the Camp David presidential retreat. Some retired generals were arguing that U.S. forces in Iraq should wait for reinforcement from the 4th Infantry Division, and some Army officers on active duty privately agreed with that view. Several people close to Bush said the calculated risk of plunging ahead was driven partly by the realization that it was important for Rumsfeld's ambition of transforming the military into a lighter, more agile force. Slowing down on the battlefield threatened to suggest a reversal of the administration's key defense policy. So there you have it. "How 3 Weeks of War in Iraq Looked From the Oval Office": Another insiders view. But quickly, a new argument took its place. It was about postwar Iraq — who should run it, who should determine which Iraqi leaders should emerge from the seed-corn democracy the United States intended to sow. "Same players, same departments, just a different version of the same fight," one senior White House official said. But in the first week of April Mr. Rumsfeld reopened the issue, writing a letter to Mr. Bush saying that he wanted to fly the exiles into the country and give them control of the south. That would give Pentagon favorites, including Ahmad Chalabi, the head of the Iraqi National Congress, a huge advantage in the eventual leadership of the country. Ms. Rice to come into the White House press room on April 4 to describe what the new government would look like. "She had to set down the law for a lot of these guys," one senior official said. No sooner had she done so, though, than Mr. Chalabi was flown to southern Iraq with a group of lightly armed supporters, to the surprise of American diplomats. "Bush vetoes Syria war plan":http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,937105,00.html. Let's just hope that folks are listening. It's pretty clear that there are those who want to go right at it. Amazing. In the past few weeks, the US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, ordered contingency plans for a war on Syria to be reviewed following the fall of Baghdad. Meanwhile, his undersecretary for policy, Doug Feith, and William Luti, the head of the Pentagon's office of special plans, were asked to put together a briefing paper on the case for war against Syria, outlining its role in supplying weapons to Saddam Hussein, its links with Middle East terrorist groups and its allegedly advanced chemical weapons programme. Mr Feith and Mr Luti were both instrumental in persuading the White House to go to war in Iraq.

Well, it's biking season again. here are some of the latest toys I've been looking at: For my Cyclocross project: BIKEMAN'S On-Line Store: MECHANICAL DISC BRAKES. Good place to buy Avid Mechanical Disc Brakes for Road bikes. There is a magic adaptor required as well. "Mavic Speedcity 700c":http://www.mavic.com/servlet/srt/mavic/asph-prod?lg=uk. These are 700c wheels with disc hubs. So you don't have to ask someone to build up a 700c rim with a disc hub. Not that that is that hard. "Front":http://www.wiggle.co.uk/product_detail.asp?ProdID=5300006058 is about $150 and "rear":http://www.wiggle.co.uk/product_detail.asp?ProdID=5300006059 is $200. For my road bike, major thing, lighter stuff: * "Topolino":http://www.topolinotech.com/700c.htm. The lightest clinchers that appear to be made. Very high technology and made in Connecticut no less. Colorado Cyclist carries them. $850 a pair at "Colorado Cyclist":http://www.coloradocyclist.com/common/products/productdisplay2_v2.cfm?PRRFNBR=29518&CGRFNBR=335&CRPCGNBR=335&CI=1,224,335&TextMode=0. Wow, but they weigh just 1400 grams. That's 200 grams less than my current Mavics. Interesting talk at "Cycling Forum":http://www.cyclingforums.com/t13718.html and at "Cyclocross World":http://www.cyclocrossworld.com/pics/2002/interbike/ * "eBikeWheels":http://www.ebikewheels.com/index.php. Haven't shopped here, but some exotic wheels. * "Velomax Ascent II":http://www.velomax.com/models_clinchers_det_AscentII.php3. These are the latest from Velomax. Now down to 1413 grams per pair. Pretty close to the exotic Topolino's at a lower price. $649 list.

Interesting pieces to read: * Bernard Lewis on Iraq. An incredibly smart guy. He points out that the "The kind of regime represented by Saddam Hussein has no roots in either the Arab or Islamic past. Rather, it is an ideological importation from Europe -- the only one that worked and succeeded (at least in the sense of being able to survive)." * "Impact of Embedding":http://silflayhraka.blogspot.com/2003_03_16_silflayhraka_archive.html#200021064. Great comment on what happens when reporters are actually in line units.

"Where do they get young men like this? Martin Savidge of CNN, embedded with the 1st Marine battalion, was talking with 4 young Marines near his foxhole this morning live on CNN. He had been telling the story of how well the Marines had been looking out for and taking care of him since the war started. He went on to tell about the many hardships the Marines had endured since the war began and how they all look after one another. He turned to the four and said he had cleared it with their commanders and they could use his video phone to call home. The 19 year old Marine next to him asked Martin if he would allow his platoon sergeant to use his call to call his pregnant wife back home whom he had not been able to talk to in three months. A stunned Savidge who was visibly moved by the request shook his head and the young Marine ran off to get the sergeant. Savidge recovered after a few seconds and turned back to the three young Marines still sitting with him and asked which one of them would like to call home first, the Marine closest to him responded without a moments hesitation, “Sir, if is all the same to you we would like to call the parents of a buddy of ours, Lance Cpl "Brian":http://annatopia.com/wall/archives/000266.html "Buesing":http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/orl-asecleeguy26032603mar26,0,2533023.story of Cedar Key, Florida who was killed on 3-23-03 near Nasiriya to see how they are doing”. At that Martin Savidge totally broke down and was unable to speak. All he could get out before signing off was “Where do they get young men like this?”. I completely agree. I'm sorry I missed the piece on CNN. BTW, "The Wall":http://www.annatopia.com/wall/ is a blog that remembers all the soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Hard to read

Daily Kos: "A Lack of Character". I have no idea who Officer X is, but, it sounds all too real to me. The way a big corporation would work. Hopefully, it will all work out in the end. Will be interesting to see who really controls the Iraq reconstruction/occupation in the administration. "Leaders misjudged Iraq":http://www.helenair.com/articles/2003/03/30/montana/a08033003_03.txt. Those top civilian leaders "think all wars are small wars that will be over quickly," Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk told The Billings Gazette in a telephone interview Friday. They made a big mistake in underestimating the Iraqis, and they think air power alone can win the war, he said. "The highest levels (Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz) think this is simple, that the Iraqis would fall apart like the Taliban" in Afghanistan, he said. "The idea that the Iraqis would welcome us was very naive. There are a lot of people there who have a lot to lose if Saddam goes

Times OnlineA US official told The Times that Donald Rumsfeld, the Defence Secretary, was resisting State Department appointments to the administration-in-waiting, at least one of whom is already in Kuwait. He said that the Pentagon had ruled that Mr Rumsfeld should personally approve appointments to the temporary US-British administration, “and there are many people who question his authority to take that decision, including, I assume, the Secretary of State”.

Heard on blogs around the world: * The Command Post: CNN: Rebpublican Guard Withdrawing Into Baghdad Proper. Michael closed by saying that the lead reported all day ... that the US was pushing hard to Baghdad, was in essence a misinterpretation. The Iraqi forces were, in fact, trying to get TO Baghdad, and the US press was an attempt to prevent them from doing so. * "Satellite Images of Baghdad":http://www.instapundit.com/archives/008654.php#008654. Thanks to Commandpost.org for point these out. Amazing you can just get these.