David Kearns Central RSS 2.0
# Friday, January 30, 2009
Religion:
Istiqamah is an important concept of Islam. It has several meanings. It means to be straight, to follow the straight path, to remain firm on one’s principles and not to give up under difficulties or challenges. Some scholars say that it also means to be sincere and do good things in public as well in private life. Some others say that it means to be straight in words as well in deeds. (see Nadrat al-Na’im, vol. 2, p. 304)
Friday, January 30, 2009 12:18:49 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [0] -
islam
# Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Vim documentation: usr_25:
REFORMATTING

The Vim editor is not a word processor.  In a word processor, if you delete
something at the beginning of the paragraph, the line breaks are reworked.  In
Vim they are not; so if you delete the word "programming" from the first line,
all you get is a short line:

		 1	   2	     3
	12345678901234567890123456789012345
	I taught for a 
	while. One time, I was stopped 
	by the Fort Worth police, 
	because my homework was too 
	hard. True story. 

This does not look good.  To get the paragraph into shape you use the "gq"
operator.
   Let's first use this with a Visual selection.  Starting from the first
line, type:

	v4jgq

"v" to start Visual mode, "4j' to move to the end of the paragraph and then
the "gq" operator.  The result is:

		 1	   2	     3
	12345678901234567890123456789012345
	I taught for a while. One 
	time, I was stopped by the 
	Fort Worth police, because my 
	homework was too hard. True 
	story. 

Note: there is a way to do automatic formatting for specific types of text
layouts, see |auto-format|.

Since "gq" is an operator, you can use one of the three ways to select the
text it works on: With Visual mode, with a movement and with a text object.
   The example above could also be done with "gq4j".  That's less typing, but
you have to know the line count.  A more useful motion command is "}".  This
moves to the end of a paragraph.  Thus "gq}" formats from the cursor to the
end of the current paragraph.
   A very useful text object to use with "gq" is the paragraph.  Try this:

	gqap

"ap" stands for "a-paragraph".  This formats the text of one paragraph
(separated by empty lines).  Also the part before the cursor.
   If you have your paragraphs separated by empty lines, you can format the
whole file by typing this:

	gggqG

"gg" to move to the first line, "gqG" to format until the last line.
   Warning: If your paragraphs are not properly separated, they will be joined
together.  A common mistake is to have a line with a space or Tab.  That's a
blank line, but not an empty line.

Vim is able format more than just plain text.  See |fo-table| for how to
change this.  See the 'joinspaces' option to change the number of spaces used
after a full stop.
   It is possible to use an external program for formatting.  This is useful
if your text can't be properly formatted with Vim's builtin command.  See the
'formatprg' option.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 3:02:19 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [0] -
work

Here is an interesting clip, posted by Aly with ultimate props to Adrian, of a "strange" new way to get your news:

Sure it's fun to see these old clips knowing what we know now, but what does this clip tell me? It tells me that only Mr Halloran has his "Home Computer" set up ergonomically. The newspaper computers are all 1 piece jobs with keyboard attached to monitor, and as a result they are all hunched over them in a back-breaking posture:

Also, it's clear, that 28 years ago we slaughtered whole forests for our paper needs. Seriously, the reduction of paper in our lives happened so gradually that frequently I think we still use so much paper, it takes a video like this to remind us of the mounds of paper that we used to bury ourselves under.

Also so very interesting is what hasn't changed:

  • We still have a fascination with putting tons of workers in one big fat room and expecting them all to be productive. I know in these clips the news room is still setup in a "secretarial pool" style, and not a more moder "cubicle hell" style, but still it's efficient use of space with no regard for how people actually get work done.
  • The "less than fashionable cubby hole" could have the old PCs removed and replaced with new iMacs and you'd think it was from today. Even the geeks still dress the same.
  • Mr Halloran's outfit wouldn't even get a 2nd notice today. I guess wealthy San Franciscans can wear 28 year old suits and be fine.
  • "We're not in it to make money", still true today, newspapers don't know how to make money. Zing!
  • The advertisement's newspaper headline reads: "More arms spending". Now that's depressing...
  • We still drink coffee!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 10:05:43 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [0] -
life
# Saturday, January 24, 2009
Ultimate Fantastic Four | Read Ultimate Fantastic Four Comics Online Issue #11 | Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited:

Offer: Marvel Digital Comics Unlimited membership gives customers unlimited access to view Marvel’s Digital Comics on our website. These comics cannot be transferred or downloaded to your computer. You can view Marvel Digital Comics from any computer with an internet connection.

Pricing: $59.88 per year, billed annually; or $9.99 per month, billed monthly. Note: Your subscription will automatically renew on the anniversary of your billing date at the then-current subscription price, until you tell us to cancel.

If so, any good?

Saturday, January 24, 2009 4:12:49 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [0] -
fantasy
# Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Crying 003, originally uploaded by Yaty Yasir Kearns.

Oh the tears are a flowing. Teen age angst has nothing on 2 year old frustration with a world that won't bend to her (or his) will. Luckily she gets over it quickly, and all is forgiven.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 8:43:11 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [0] -
life
# Friday, January 16, 2009
History did not begin with the Qassams - Haaretz - Israel News:
The siege of Gaza did not begin when Hamas seized control of the Strip's security organs, or when Gilad Shalit was taken captive, or when Hamas was elected in democratic elections. The siege began in 1991 - before the suicide bombings. And since then, it has only become more sophisticated, reaching its peak in 2005.

The Israeli public relations machinery happily presented the disengagement as the end of the occupation, in brazen disregard of the facts. The isolation and closure were presented as military necessities. But we are big boys and girls, and we know that "military necessities" and consistent lies serve state goals. Israel's goal was to thwart the two-state solution, which the world had expected to materialize once the Cold War ended in 1990. This was not a perfect solution, but the Palestinians were ready for it then.

Gaza is not a military power that attacked its tiny, peace-loving neighbor, Israel. Gaza is a territory that Israel occupied in 1967, along with the West Bank. Its residents are part of the Palestinian people, which lost its land and its homeland in 1948.
Friday, January 16, 2009 6:51:31 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [0] -
news
# Wednesday, January 14, 2009
I am rather frustrated with the current affairs in Gaza. I can't imagine how anyone sees the situation differently than I do, but more importantly I can't imagine, whatever side you are on, why the current bombing is necessary or good. Guess there is not much I can do, there are calls for boycotts (not convinced that they will really help, or that they are even coordinated well). There are calls for donations (of course Israel is stopping any money, aid, doctors, IRC, and everything else from getting to Gaza). But I can at least appeal to my elected government officials. So I sent the following to my US Representative, both of my Senators, President Bush, and President Elect Obama:
I implore you to take action on the recent troubles in Israel/Palestine. It would seem to be clear to anyone with any moral fiber that Israel has more than "retaliated" for any actions taken by Hamas especially since it is clear that Israel is the violator of the most recent cease fire. The people who are forced to reside in Gaza, who have no escape, no means to defend themselves, no means to even feed themselves and keep warm under the current blockade, are clearly victims of the worst kind.

I don't expect that anything will resolve this current escalation to any one's satisfaction, but at least we can pressure the Israeli government to stop the carnage, and we can work to stop supporting a country that most of the world, and the UN, have branded a criminal due to this and other recent actions which they have taken in clear violation of criminal law. To believe that this is simply "defense of Israel" is a joke as clear as day when the casualties on both sides are compared, and when we remember that Gaza is nothing more than a giant prison.

Please do your best to find any way to cease the current hostilities and save any lives possible if simply just to save the innocent from the arrogant men who presume to speak for them.
Maybe you agree with me or not. But I still wonder why violence and war is the solution we turn to so often to resolve our differences. Sure this is a big complicated mess, but the world is not a zero sum game, I truly believe we can all "win".

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:15:47 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [1] -
politics | rant
# Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Olmert says he talked Bush out of cease-fire vote - Los Angeles Times:
Reporting from Washington -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert boasted Monday that he successfully pressured President Bush last week to reverse course on U.S. diplomacy over fighting in Gaza, in an episode that could sharpen tensions between the close allies at a sensitive moment.

Speaking to an audience in Ashkelon, Israel, Olmert said he had called Bush last Thursday and convinced him that the United States should not vote for a pending U.N. Security Council resolution urging a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

 
Olmert said Bush's agreement "embarrassed" Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice because the resolution was one that she had "cooked up, she organized, she formulated, she maneuvered," according to comments reported by Israel Radio.

"And she was left pretty embarrassed, abstaining on a draft resolution she organized herself," Olmert added.
Just when you thought Bush could do no more harm...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 5:11:49 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [0] -
politics
My wife likes this show, and I told her that it was canceled, guess that was mostly just a rumor?

Lipstick Jungle (TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
On November 13, rumors emerged that NBC would cancel the show due to low ratings and it was unclear if the remaining episodes would be aired in the current time slot. However, these rumors are, as yet, unconfirmed. Lipstick Jungle will continue to air their remaining episodes due to a 50% increase in ratings. NBC Chairman Ben Silverman stated that they "may" order more episodes down the line if ratings were to improve.
Not sure if this is the way you compete with low ratings, but convincing people that you're probably going to cancel their show. Wonder if the same goes for "My Own Worst Enemy"...

My Own Worst Enemy (TV series) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
My Own Worst Enemy was an American television drama airing on NBC, and Global in Canada. It premiered on October 13, 2008. The series was produced by Universal Media Studios. Jason Smilovic was the executive producer; David Semel was the director and executive producer. It ended on December 15th after 9 episodes. The final episode ended with a cliff-hanger, and the major plot lines ended without resolution.
Nope, appears that one is dead. NBC already killed "Journeyman" which we both enjoyed. Still can't figure out why "Chuck" is still on, or why "Heroes" isn't rated higher. Clearly I'm not anyone's target audience, or even a good judge of what it takes to run a TV network...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 3:34:47 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [4] -
news
# Saturday, January 10, 2009
And here's the proof:

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | The 'misunderestimated' president?:
"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened inside this Oval Office."
- W
Props to SKY
Saturday, January 10, 2009 6:12:03 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [0] -
humor
Archive
<January 2009>
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
28293031123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
1234567
Blogroll
About the author/Disclaimer

Disclaimer
The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions.

© Copyright 2010
David Kearns
Sign In
Statistics
Total Posts: 1300
This Year: 1
This Month: 0
This Week: 0
Comments: 1761
Themes
Pick a theme:
All Content © 2010, David Kearns
DasBlog theme 'Business' created by Christoph De Baene (delarou)