Category: Random Nonsense

Sometimes I just feel compelled to share nonsense, random thoughts, and sometimes just stuff I want to save

Spell check on exams

The Oregon Department of Education is going to allow test takers to use spell check on state exams.  This is a dumb idea.1

I remember when I had to take a big exam after grad school – I handwrote the exam because I didn’t want to be one of those victims of a sudden power outage.  There were times when I would have liked to have used a longer more high-falutin’ word, but I am a profoundly terrible speller.  If you can’t spell a word, don’t use it.  It’s a simple as that.  Yes, I suppose your students won’t have to concentrate on spelling so they can theoretically focus on content.

Grr.

  1. I’m hoping to increase their SEO mojo for the keywords “dumb ideas” [↩]

What is SyFy without SciFi?

Seriously, ask you.

  • Destination Truth, Ghost Hunters.  Are these supposed to be pseudo-science shows?  I don’t think they purport to be fiction or entertainment.  The people on those shows seem to take themselves pretty seriously.  Perhaps they would be better suited to the “SuFy” channel.
  • I refuse to watch “professional” wrestling on the SyFy channel.  Let’s not even go there.
  • Caprica1 , Dresden Files, Stargate Universe, Stargate Atlantis…  what are they doing?
  • I can’t watch Doctor Who on SyFy and instead tune into BBC America

When the SyFy channel doesn’t show any science fiction shows left…  what is it’s reason for existing?

  1. Which I did not like [↩]

I still think it’s a good idea

A few weeks ago, I forget when or where, I was someplace where someone was talking and then finished with, “Any questions?”

I said, “Yes!  Why hasn’t anyone else invented a papasan / beanbag chair?”  No one answered, just cold stares. 123

Seriously, wouldn’t that be cool?

  1. I suppose more people might take my questions seriously if I were actually part of the initial conversation. [↩]
  2. Or fully clothed. [↩]
  3. Or not covered in rubber ducky stickers. [↩]

Packing for time travel

I suppose a more adventurous sort would just leap into a time machine heedless of the consequences. I tend to be more deliberative. Here’s what I’m planning to take in my foray into the past:

  • A small netbook.  My itty bitty red Dell Mini 10.  Zero battery life, bad resolution, super light weight.
  • An analog notebook.  It’s made of paper.  AKA my “big book of ideas.”  This is actually my fifth such book.  The last four are sitting on a shelf.  Unlike prior versions this is entirely homemade from recycled print paper and a grocery bag.
  • A camera smartphone.
  • At least two varieties of USB cables for charging bluetooth and charging/tethering phone.
  • Maybe a book.  I haven’t decided which one.  I’ve been meaning to reread The Diamond Age.
  • A backpack and a satchel.  I say satchel, but I’ll readily admit it’s a manpurse. 1

What am I missing?

  1. Don’t ever fight who you are. [↩]

What do astronauts use for their computer’s wallpaper?

What do astronauts use for their computer's wallpaper?
What do astronauts use for their computer's wallpaper?

Commander Scott Kelly provides a tour of the super small personal spaces on the ISS. Like every other kid with a computer, at some point I’ve used a variety of skyscapes or spacescapes as my computer’s wallpaper. What does Commander Kelly use? Green earth fields. I love it.