Showing tag results for 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
Oct 15, 2003
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Murphy's law for school

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

If you know the answer to every question but one, the teacher will call on you to answer that one. I'm learning this rule all over again.

Non-Computer
Oct 8, 2003
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I'm doing this instead of writing a book

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

Some commenters mentioned that I should write a book. It turns out that writing a book is hard. A few years ago, MS Press actually approached me about writing a book for them. But I declined because the fashion for technical books is to take maybe fifty pages of information and pad it to a 700-page book, and I can't write that way. None of my to...

Non-Computer
Oct 6, 2003
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Researchers discover link between music and drinking

Raymond Chen
Raymond Chen

A British scientific study shows that a bit of classical music can persuade diners to buy more fancy coffees, pricey wines and luxurious desserts. "North has shown that playing German or French music can persuade diners to buy wine from those countries." I found this to be true in my experience. If you get two thousand people i...

Non-Computer