Wet and cool in Houston today. Supposed to have gotten a bunch of rain overnight, but I haven’t confirmed that yet. It was misty drizzle most of yesterday until evening. Then it came down a bit harder. Nothing like some other parts of the state got though.
I was busy most of the day. Did a couple of pickups, then did my kid taxi stuff. Worked on my hobby website all evening. Didn’t even make or eat dinner until late, as I was immersed in what should have been a pretty straight forward thing to do. I am trying to add a simple store to my hobby site, with about 6 line items for sale. It looks oh so easy in the demos, but little tiny secret gotchas ate hours. And then some of it is fractal. I can’t test the function without a ‘sandbox’ to play in for payments. WP and paypal provide such a thing, but you have to sign up, get some fake credentials, and then install them in the right places. All while working in an offline copy of your site, so you don’t bork your deployed live site, or charge yourself real money while testing.
Every step of the process has a little bit of a learning curve, something that takes a couple of tries, or takes looking up. And when there is a very subtle bug like curly quotes break the module when it’s expecting straight quotes, but in a way that partly works, you can spend even more time looking for the issue or a workaround. In other words, this web mess is a pain in the fundament. 7 or 8 hours to add one page of copy and paste info, and one page of ‘store’ with 6 items for sale. Not my cuppa. No sir.
And at some point I’ll have to either do it all again, or figure out how to migrate the new pages to the live site. I’m sure that will happen without any glitches…
It is a new skill to keep the mind active. Learning is always useful. So I keep telling myself.
Stacking up the new skills. I should be stacking potassium tablets… oh, right, already did. I should find them and make sure the kids have the correct dose. F me, who had “potential nuclear exchange” on the card for 2025?
Stack it high, and stack it deep. Anything can happen, and it usually does.
nick
Skip Notepad and use a real text editor in a console window.
Straight vs. curly quotes also wreaks havoc in the LaTeX tool chain, and the Indian students in the only group project I endured in grad school would edit in Word because of their p*ss poor writing skills, which caused all kinds of problems when we merged their contributions into our master document.
I nearly got kicked out of grad school pass #2 and fired from my TA position because I unloaded on one of the really stupid grad students in a lab full of undergrads.
Looking at the example, I couldn’t clearly see straight vs. curly in the 720p display of my ye olde ThinkPad T470.
The stretch of I-5 through Seattle through the International District sits on what used to be the Japanese neighborhoods in the city prior to WWII/Internment. Even 80 years on, the White Guilt is off the charts about what happened in the region 80 years ago.
Threadrippers or possibly something similar in custom ARM silicon.
(BTW, the DIY sourcing at Google/Facebook/etc is overrated, especially as they build out AI. Just like everyone else, they prefer systems to just show up and run so the job gets done.)
Lots of mutexes around variables at the binary level would make sense from what I saw. Give a developer a language where threads are easy, and they’ll run hundreds to do something simple.
The Hot Skillz group’s process took several minutes to initialize and was never going to serve hundreds of queries per second as spec-ed. I was tagged to fix it, but even though I’m just a lowly ‘7’, my gut told me something was seriously wrong with the architecture and language selection.
To paraphrase “Spies Like Us”, my gut is pretty smart – it got me through high school.
My whole career has been pushing back against the Hot Skills crowd.
Shhh, dude, its a resume entry.
Yeah, well, at 56, that doesn’t really matter for me anymore. Right now, I’m driving towards a specific number in my 401(k) balance at Fidelity thanks to the Mormons’ insistence on 6% cash matching without a vesting period in the big merger which built the current incarnation of the company, and that’s all I care about with regard to the “long term”.
I’m really aggressive with the 401(k) allocation on this job. Screw the Stable Value derivatives contract funds.
@greg, I am not using any external text tools, just the browser based WP instance online. I cut and pasted from their official docs and got F’d… Someone is changing text w/out being asked too, just like the comment editor here.
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The street and sidewalk are dry. Most of the overnight rain didn’t happen. I hear distant grumbles though, so maybe we’ll still get some.
Lunch is bagged, coffee is flowing, and I’m ready to start another round of my own hot skilz hell.
n
Gah. 68F and starting to rain.
Was really hoping to move some stuff in the pickup without it getting wet.
n
You WILL be assimilated.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14683483/microsoft-retires-password-feature-app.html
– but what if I don’t wanna use the giant bloated, AI enabled spyware just to manage passwords??
I don’t even have edge installed on my main pc. It keeps trying, and I keep giving it the three finger salute and killing the install. That’s the only way to get out of it, btw, there are only “accept” and “continue” buttons…
n
From the same article…
Oh how the mighty have fallen.
Now for the next mighty giant to fall too.
n
Two hours of chainsawing yesterday evening. Another hour today. I think the end is slowly in sight. What’s left is too big or too dangerous for me – the professionals need to come in with the big machines.
Some people are crazy. Yesterday evening, there was one tree partially resting on a moss-covered roof. A rotten, moss-covered roof. Not me, not getting up there at all, much less with a running chainsaw. So another guy did. And, yes, he fell halfway through the roof – managed to save himself at the last second. I joked with him that his suicide attempt had failed. Some things just aren’t worth the risk.
https://redstate.com/dan-zoernig/2025/05/07/should-the-president-suspend-habeas-corpus-for-illegal-aliens-n2188769
Yes.
Get after it.
Read The Knights of Bushido and Unit 731 to learn about Japanese atrocities during the war. Their monolithic society considered non-Japanese as sub-Human animals.
Both of these books gave me nightmares.
Of course, Obola had to apologize for the “bomb”, but no mention of the atrocities the Japanese committed. South Korea will never forget.
“A man’s got to know his limitations.” -– Insp. Harold Callahan
Another quirk in the add on…
The price cannot be “0”, or the stupid thing errors. It also can’t be “ 0”. It can be “00” which subsequently gets DISPLAYED as “0”. And note that this comment box changes my straight double quotes to curly double quotes when they are displayed.
How the F is someone supposed to do the fiddly syntax when the editor and display tools change things without asking?
n
Added – even more annoying. Once the parser “corrects” the “00” value to “0” every subsequent page load fails because you can’t have a single 0 for that value.
Starting with “000” DOES work, and persists. FFS.
n
It’s like no one ever had a zero cost item for sale. Don’t people test anymore?
Precisely why the Alien Enemies applies. This is an invasion and ”due process” is informing the crimmigrants that they are being deported. The only reason the Dumbos are fighting this is to get voters. Chuck Schemer even said that the plan all along is to get a path to Citizenship for all crimmigrants. 40+ million new Dumbos.
I bought Rick’s book A Compendium of Dad Jokes from Big River. $5. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNLX4FTD?tag=ttgnet-20
There plenty there putting the PU into word “pun”. Toss it in your Wish List for later…
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2025/05/07/why-the-husband-of-a-top-cbs-news-correspondent-just-had-his-business-raided-by-ice-n2656653
Turning up the heat on CBS.
The Skydance merger still isn‘t approved.
I’ll bet Trump also wants Colbert cancelled.
More news articles on squatters. I just don’t get why you can’t throw them out, hire pipe hitters, or shoot them without fear of goobermint reparation. What the frack is wrong with goobermint?
Ha, ha. Captain Kirk falls for tRump’s troll:
Canadian Star Trek legend William Shatner has epic meltdown at Trump’s push to make neighbor America’s 51st state
The Shat has been living off American largesse since day one. A Canadian in name only.
AG Bondi take note:
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/05/blackwells-folly-an-update.php
background from a link:
Blackwell lied. Her lie was refuted by dozens of other Mpls police personnel.
It’s more than enough to get the Trump DOJ to look into the case. Combined with the documented campaign to threaten the medical examiner if he did not support the prosecution, it’s enough to exonerate Derek Chauvin and the other officers.
I love this pic of Schumer:
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2025/05/07/poll-it-looks-dems-once-again-on-the-wrong-side-of-an-80-20-issue-n2656602
My title for it is: “Sith Leader fails to produce Dark Side fire–again”
“Gigabit Starlink Incoming? FAA Clears SpaceX for More Starship Launches”
https://www.pcmag.com/news/gigabit-starlink-incoming-faa-clears-spacex-for-more-starship-launches
“The federal regulator says SpaceX can launch 25 Starship flights per year from Texas, up from five.”
““The FAA has determined that modifying SpaceX’s vehicle operator license supporting the increased launch and landing cadence of the Starship/Super Heavy launch vehicle would not significantly impact the quality of the human environment within the meaning of NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act),” the agency said in its Final Environmental Assessment.”
“”Each V3 Starlink satellite will have 1Tbps of downlink speeds and 160Gbps of uplink capacity, which is more than 10x the downlink and 24x the uplink capacity of the V2 Mini Starlink satellites,” SpaceX wrote in its latest progress report for Starlink.”
“The problem is that each V3 satellite weighs up to 2,000 kilograms (4,409 pounds), more than three times the current V2 Mini Optimized satellites, which weigh 575kg. As a result, SpaceX needs to rely on its more powerful Starship vehicle rather than the existing Falcon 9 rocket to send the satellites up. The last two Starship test flights were designed to carry and deploy “dummy” Starlink V3 satellites into orbit But so far, SpaceX hasn’t had the chance to do so due to the rocket’s upper stages exploding.”
Looks like the three star Air Force General showed up again at the FAA.
I released version 16.24 of our software last night. It took a week to get it out the door with all of the changes required by Google switching all emails to OAUTH2. But, I finally got it done. I have a lot of automation scripts that send me an email when they are done, including daily backups.
Here’s hoping SpaceX has figured out the problem with the new Starship. Looking forward to the next launch, which ought to be coming up…
“Inside Google’s Plan to Deliver 1MW Racks and Cool Them Too”
https://www.storagereview.com/news/inside-googles-plan-to-deliver-1mw-racks-and-cool-them-too
“AI’s insatiable appetite for power is no longer theoretical. Google projects that, by 2030, machine learning deployments will demand more than 500 kW per IT rack. This surge is driven by the relentless push for higher rack densities, where every millimeter is packed with tightly interconnected “xPUs” (GPUs, TPUs, CPUs). A fundamental shift in power distribution is called for to meet these requirements: higher-voltage DC solutions, with power components and battery backup moved outside the rack. And with this shift comes a new industry buzzword.”
Good night, 400 volts DC ? That will fry you up good.
The racks look like a jet turbine engine.
I have serious questions about who is going to pay for all of this new electric demand. I cannot get my mind around the electrical usage of the USA increasing by 3X in the next 10 years.
No Starship Flight 9 until June at the earliest, apparently.
Given their priority within SpaceX, whatever is taking them out must be a bear (pogo maybe?) to fix.
At full load, that’s exactly what it sounds like. The techs at the “AI Factory” have to wear hearing protection.
“New Jersey BPU eyes potential for new nuclear”
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/new-jersey-bpu-nuclear-rfi-pseg/747349/
“The Garden State may need 10 GW of firm, clean power by 2035, and state utility regulators want to know if nuclear can help fill that need, according to a request for information.”
“New Jersey has three nuclear power reactors: the Salem 1 and 2 units, which total 2,285 MW, and the 1,172-MW Hope Creek unit. PSEG Power owns the Hope Creek plant and 57% of the Salem capacity. The rest of the Salem plant is owned by Constellation Energy. The reactors generate 40% of New Jersey’s electricity and account for 85% of the state’s emission-free generation, according to the BPU.”
Well, 2035 rules out baseload nuclear unless they get the little nukes up and going.
“Terrifying Footage Shows Chinese Robot Waking from Its Slumber — Then Viciously Attacking Its Handlers (VIDEO)”
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/05/terrifying-footage-shows-chinese-robot-waking-its-slumber/
Ah, a future Terminator.
“Navy fighter jet from Truman aircraft carrier lost in Red Sea, second in one week”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/07/harry-truman-aircraft-carrier-second-navy-fighter-jet-lost/83490210007/
“A F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet crashed into the sea while attempting to land on the carrier on May 6, the official said. The two pilots ejected and were safely recovered with minor injuries.”
“On April 28, another jet fell off the Truman as sailors towed the aircraft into the hangar bay, the Navy said. All personnel were accounted for in that incident and one person sustained a minor injury.”
Well, crap. Another $60 million plane lost. At least we got to rescue the pilots.
I worked on a proof of concept F-18a simulator. Lots of fun flying that thing thru San Francisco at rooftop level.
I’m surprised we don’t lose more during carrier ops, it’s a testament to the men on the deck and in the chair that we don’t.
n
re:400 VDC
The last big computer Digital Equipment Corportion made was the VAX 9000. In 1991, it used 300 VDC and had a 1 Farad capacitor in the power supply.
I supported one of those at a customer site (aerospace), and I had a long chat with the field service guys.
When they get a call to work on a computer, they go to the tool room at the field office and grab the parts and toolkits for the models of computers they expect to work on at the customer site.
The VAX 9000 kit included a note that you never work on one alone. And you always bring the 6 foot wooden board with a hook on the end. For removing your coworker if he runs afoul of the 300 VDC.
At some point today the sun came out and dried up all the rain. It’s beautiful out, if a bit warm and humid.
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I did my big loop of pickups to the south and east. Got the kid to her thing. Now to get some more stuff moved. And maybe a grocery run?
n
Some of the soundstages in Hollywood still have monster DC services. You absolutely don’t want to break a connection under load…
n
Nukes all the way. SMR+. Get crackin’ tRump.
Some not good news in the family. My brother-in-law suffered a blow to the head in an accident that put him into a coma for three days. It also took that long for his wife to be notified of his whereabouts and condition. He has been in intensive care for some days now, and will move to a neurological rehabilitation unit tomorrow.
W1 and her family are, understandably, frantic. If anyone is of the praying sort, he and the family could probably use a hand from on high.
The Truman is starting to sound like a bad luck ship, but then again: she is operating in a state of war, unlike most of the Navy.
“What the h*ll is a Gigawatt?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5cYgRnfFDA
And you thought competing against Blackstone to buy a house was bad.
I have a pretty good idea about where Gecko Jr. is going to spend the cash pile.
Bought a book via the iPad Kindle app today.
Apple didn’t get their 30%!
The Truman is starting to sound like a bad luck ship, but then again: she is operating in a state of war, unlike most of the Navy.
Apparently launching and landing aircraft while dodging ballistic missiles is a little tricky. I give great credit to the Captain that his ship is still floating.
Nukes all the way. SMR+. Get crackin’ tRump.
The electric power generation is just part of the problem. There is also new transmission and distribution facilities needed, the expense of which rivals the generation facilities. All use great quantities of materials, some of those materials are rare earths (magnets !).
Some not good news in the family. My brother-in-law suffered a blow to the head in an accident that put him into a coma for three days. It also took that long for his wife to be notified of his whereabouts and condition. He has been in intensive care for some days now, and will move to a neurological rehabilitation unit tomorrow.
W1 and her family are, understandably, frantic. If anyone is of the praying sort, he and the family could probably use a hand from on high.
Prayed for !
there is also new transmission and distribution facilities needed,
— they are doing a huge amount of transmission line upgrades in Houston and surrounds. The line thru my neighborhood was upgraded. The line out 290 into NW Houston had additional towers installed. Down in Missouri City and Stafford they are putting in new towers and lines along existing right of way. Along 59 north of FM1960 they are putting in new towers and line…
Everywhere I go in Houston I see transmission lines going in.
n
there is also new transmission and distribution facilities needed,
— they are doing a huge amount of transmission line upgrades in Houston and surrounds. The line thru my neighborhood was upgraded. The line out 290 into NW Houston had additional towers installed. Down in Missouri City and Stafford they are putting in new towers and lines along existing right of way. Along 59 north of FM1960 they are putting in new towers and line…
Everywhere I go in Houston I see transmission lines going in.
Centerpoint has said that they will upgrade transmission (69 KV and greater) and distribution (20 KV and lower) systems in the Houston metropolitan areas and they are doing so. I am seeing borderline poles being replaced with huge metal poles all over our area.
https://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/Corp/Pages/GHRI-2-0.aspx
Houston infrastructure in the core areas is archaic, barely able to support all the gentrification.
AI datacenters? Even EVs are a stretch.
They’ve been hanging a LOT of new distribution. And the datacenters are right next to it or under it.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HgXufvAuDui9cg5h8 doesn’t show the new line, just to the north of their A/C units. and they’ve added WAY more units.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eXLK6Fz8ccbzFjTBA the line runs south of the datacenter, between it and the Beltway.
Those are just two in my neighborhood.
n
added – and remember that most of the underground distro and equipment was replaced a couple of times in the last decade due to flooding. Everything underground in the downtown area is new.
Including the floodgates.
n
Well, if you can’t be near JSC then I suppose the National Museum of Funeral History is a good runner up.
I bet the hands-on workshops for kids are a blast!
Y ou want an arm? How bout you? Give that kid a hand…
n
John Wilder had a good essay up about ghost jobs.
https://wilderwealthywise.com/ghost-jobs-and-the-fate-of-a-nation/
I admit I hadn’t thought it through.
n
John Wilder had a good essay up about ghost jobs.
https://wilderwealthywise.com/ghost-jobs-and-the-fate-of-a-nation/
I admit I hadn’t thought it through.
n
My gosh, is it really that bad out there ?
I suspect so. When I moved 4 states away from where I spent 40 years, I tried the online recruiters. Not withstanding my advanced age, property management doesn’t discriminate as much as other fields on that front. My resume showed skills and I got interviews. I did well enough, I thought, but did not land the positions. As Wilder pointed out, being personally an unknown doesn’t help.
For someone starting out, Wow!
I have a cousin who was an F-18 pilot on carriers. Not too many months into doing that, he handed in his wings and said “nope, not doing that anymore”. In his opinion, it was just too damned dangerous. FWIW, he seemed more worried about the aircraft than about landing on a moving postage stamp.
Needless to say, this did not do wonders for his career, although he still managed to finish out 20 years.