Showing results for Non-Computer - The Old New Thing

Nov 27, 2003
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It's like the Swedes don't want you to learn their language

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

(It's a holiday in the States today and tomorrow, so I'm not going to talk about geek stuff. That'll resume on Monday.) If you pay a visit to Deutsche Welle, the German international broadcasting service, you will find a wide array of online German learning materials, such as the daily news in slowly- and clearly-enunciated German (including tra...

Non-Computer
Nov 17, 2003
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Another favorite from the Grauniad

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

The world: a primer Great Britain Small American dependency located approximately 5,000 miles outside Galveston, Texas.

Non-Computer
Nov 17, 2003
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Stay healthy: Drink Guinness

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Flavenoids in Guinness combat fatty deposits in arteries. Note, however that the beer was consumed by being "fed ... via tubes directly into their stomachs." On the other hand, a friend of mine points out, "I thought a tube leading directly to the stomach was also called the esophagus. That's my Guinness ...

Non-Computer
Nov 13, 2003
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British newspapers are much more fun to read

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

You can always count on The Register for a snarky take on the day's technology news. Today's favorite is this "review" of the nTAG, which ends with Well, we think that any sane person would have to held at gunpoint to induce them to carry an electronic device which, besides containing personal or othe...

Non-Computer
Nov 6, 2003
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Little facts you didn't know about concrete

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Concrete is stronger once it has hardened. Thanks, Associated Press! I learn something new every day.

Non-ComputerNews flash
Oct 26, 2003
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Being the Nobel Peace Prize

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

For Hallowe'en this year, I'm going to be the Nobel Peace Prize. (I like being things that people would never even think of as a possible Hallowe'en costume. Last year, I was an inter-office envelope. People addressed me from place to place.) I chose the Nobel Peace Prize in part because I'm ...

Non-Computer
Oct 25, 2003
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Kinder Überraschungen

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Laura John entertains her colleagues with Kinder Surprise eggs. I love these things. I understand that Kinder Surprise eggs are illegal in the US for two reasons. Whenever I go to Germany I smuggle some Kinder Überraschungen into the States. (Yes, t...

Non-Computer
Oct 20, 2003
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The more I learn about Sweden, the weirder it gets

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

It must be really boring in Sweden in the winter. Things to do: Military service in Sweden is compulsory for all males. When your country has not participated in any wars for two hundred years, you have to pass the time somehow. Apparently one of the exercises is ...

Non-Computer
Oct 18, 2003
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Curling anyone?

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

The Granite Curling Club is having their annual open house today, October 18th 2003, from 2pm to 8pm. The Seattle facility is the only dedicated curling facility in the United States west of the Rockies. Bring sweatpants, flat-soled shoes, and $5. They'll provide the brooms and duct tape. I became fascinated with curling many years a...

Non-Computer
Oct 16, 2003
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The much-misunderstood "nop" action

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Last month, the printers were reconfigured in our building and we got an announcement that went like this: Subject: Printer/Copier Reconfiguration Microsoft Digital Campus Program Action Required blah blah blah printers are being reconfigured blah blah blah ...

Non-Computer