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Monday, May 29, 2017

A Way Cool Paint-Picker

Just slap it on



If you have decided to paint your home, or just this inside of the downstairs coat closet, the Behr paint people have a neat tool.

Color Smart

You still have to slop the paint on yourself, though.

Here are other color generators:

Top 8 Color Tools

EasyRGB matches generated RGB values to paints, inks, etc.


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Sunday, May 28, 2017

Internet History

Two tin cans



From Forbes:

The Internet: A Short History of Getting Connected.
When the Defense Department issued a $19,800 contract on December 6, 1967, for the purpose of studying the "design and specification of a computer network," the world didn't take notice. But it should have. For, from that small, four-month study grew the ARPANET. And, from ARPANET emerged the Internet.

Also:
Living Internet
"An elegantly organized tour of the history of the Internet -- both fun and informative -- a rare combination!"
Steve Crocker, invented the Request For Comments.


All About the Internet

Hobbes' Internet Timeline v11.0


A Brief History of the Internet

"When the late Senator Ted Kennedy heard in 1968 that the pioneering Massachusetts company BBN had won the ARPA contract for an "interface message processor (IMP)," he sent a congratulatory telegram to BBN for their ecumenical spirit in winning the "interfaith message processor" contract."



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Friday, May 26, 2017

Be a Local Scoble

Photo Walk


Robert Scoble, tech evangelist, has been touting the fun of Photowalking. Getting together with a group of like-minded people to just walk around and take pictures.

Robert has made a number of videos that you can see on his blog The ScobleShow.

Locally Kevin Freitas, a web developer and community supporter, solicited participation in a Tacoma area walk.

Since digital film is free. After you've got a camera, why not set a walk up in your city?



The results of our stroll can be seen at theses links:


Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Did You Know

Nerd Conversation Nibblets



Here's a part of the list of knowledge tidbits from Kelly's Bar

Did You Know?
  • Barbie's measurements if she were life size: 39-23-33.
  • The dollar symbol ($) is a U combined with an S (U.S.)
  • Our eyes are always the same size from birth, but our nose and ears never stop growing.
  • The Statue of Liberty's tablet is two feet thick.
  • There are two credit cards for every person in the United States.
  • Hacky-sack was invented in Turkey.
  • Cat's urine glows under a blacklight.
If you have doubts about these "facts", look at the Snopes Urban Legends Reference Pages


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Sunday, May 21, 2017

Color Blind

Be seen by all



Books on web design warn against using the colors red and green.

One out of twenty people have problems with some form of color blindness.

Here is a site that will let you check your web pages. You will be able to see the page as it appears to someone with one of the three main types of color deficit.

Vischeck

Normal



Deuteranope color blindness

hats, deuteranope



Colorblind Web Page Filter


How do things look to Color Blind People


Web Colors


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Saturday, May 20, 2017

President's Day or Presidents' Day

Neither


The third Monday in February is officially Washington's birthday, not Presidents' Day according to the federal government.

Individual states may designate the day as anything they want, but the federal holiday is Washington's birthday.

Snopes.com





Interestingly enough, although Georgia celebrates Washington's Birthday, the Governor is accorded the right to designate when state holidays occur. In Georgia, Washington's Birthday is recognized the day after Christmas.

There is an urban legend that when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was implemented in 1971, President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation calling for a Presidents' Day on the third Monday to honor all U.S. presidents.

Each February both the Law Library at the Library of Congress and the Nixon Library field an upsurge in calls on this question. No evidence of this exists in Nixon's official papers.

Wikipedia


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Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Non Designers Type Book, The

By Robin Williams


ISBN 0-201-35367-9
Peachpit Press 1998



About the Author
Williams teaches electronic typography and has written some excellent books on digital design.

Anyone who has witnessed the horrific use of type on many personal web sites knows how badly these books are needed. Clear explanations and good illustrations are the hallmarks of both volumes.

Also author of The PC is not a typewriter.

Book Description
Each short chapter explores a different type secret including use of evocative typography, tailoring typeface to project, working with spacing, punctuation marks, special characters, fonts, justification, and much more. It is written in the lively, engaging style that has made Williams one of the most popular computer authors today.

It uses numerous examples to illustrate the subtle details that make the difference between good and sophisticated use of type. The non-platform specific, non-software specific approach to the book makes this a must-have for any designer's bookshelf - from type novices to more experienced graphic designers and typesetters.


Quote
"Most packages also have a discretionary hyphen, affectionately called a "dischy." If you type Ctrl+- (Control Hypen on a PC), the word will hyphenate at that point, that hyphen will disappear when the word moves to another location.

Also (and this is the point), if you type a discretionary hyphen in front of a hyphenated word, it will not hyphenate at all, ever."



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Friday, May 05, 2017

Home School Computers Available

Need PCs?



"Our economy is at a crucial turning point. Jobs in America require technological skills and computer expertise. The CFL program places computers in our classrooms and prepares our children to contribute and compete in the 21st century.

The CFL website connects the registered needs of schools and educational nonprofit organizations with available computer equipment. The program allows federal agencies and private sector entities to transfer unneeded computers and related equipment to schools and educational nonprofit organizations, while giving special consideration to those with the greatest need."

Computers for Learning (CFL) FAQ


"Schools and educational nonprofit organizations can participate in the CFL program.

A school is eligible to participate if it is a public, private, parochial, or home school serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students. Day care centers must provide a state approved preschool curriculum in order to participate. "



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