Not quite as good as the Boxing day sales, but 50% off is nothing to be sneezed at 
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Easter
bpython
bpython is a fancy interface to the Python interpreter for Unix-like operating systems It has the following features:
- In-line syntax highlighting.
- Readline-like autocomplete with suggestions displayed as you type.
- Expected parameter list for any Python function.
- “Rewind” function to pop the last line of code from memory and re-evaluate.
- Send the code you’ve entered off to a pastebin.
- Save the code you’ve entered to a file.
- Auto-indentation.
To install it on OS X type “easy_install bpython” at the command line
To run it, type “bpython“
Its great for people like me who are still learning python.
Sword ownership in Victoria
There has been a disturbing trend for young people to carry knives for self defence. This has lead to an inevitable increase in knife wounds and deaths.
Quite rightly the government is worried. In Victoria this inevitably leads to increased regulation and costs for legitimate law abiding users such as martial artists and collectors.
The Age has an article about another crackdown with a redundant title of Sharp eye on lethal weapon collector clubs. Weapons by their very nature are always capable of killing (just look at non lethal weapons like capsicum spray and tasers. In rare cases these have led to deaths.)
“The Brumby government is cracking down on weapons ”collector” clubs that may be abusing their legal right to own banned samurai swords and daggers.”
It will be interesting to see what happens with this. I hank a sinking feeling about this.
Statistics
Just after Christmas I ordered two books on statistics. Both are part of the O’Reilly series Head First series.
If only my University stats course was as well done as this book. I probably would have remembered more.
More to follow on stats because without practise, there is no retention.
So expect to see some blog posts on weather stats in Melbourne and some pretty pictures -)
Probably done in Excel or the stats package R
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Toilet Humour
Working for the government or any large corporate you often are told to do things are certain way. Much of this is common sense and political correctness. In moderation it is fine because it often provides humorous examples such as this:
This is part of a poster telling you how to use the toilet and to wash your hands at the end.
Is this directed at asians and others who are used to squat toilets?
I have read that squat toilets are actually better for you body because they provide a more direct way for NO#2 to leave you body. You can even buy special seats which sit on top of a normal western toilet so you can squat!. Hence the first picture I can understand. But the second? …. what the #%$#%#$ ?
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Up in the Air [Movie]
Loved this movie, George Clooney is the Cary Grant of the 90′s and 00′s
He seems to pick films that I enjoy watching a second, or third time with few qualms.
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Revising my HTML and CSS Skills
Just purchased a number of books for work, on statistics and HTML from Amazon.com. The sad thing is not only did the books get to me quicker then if I had order it through the local book store (about 20 days) but it was over half the price!
The HTML / CSS book I am reading is part of the Head First series. These books are fantastic because they tackle dry boring subjects in an entertaining way. For example in the book on statistics they use an example of a woman who loves high heels who will only date men who are taller then her when she is wearing her high heels.
The book on HTML and CSS is Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML
Again, a dry subject, but very well done.
Cheapest price in Australia was $55, Amazon.com price – $35
Forever War [BOOK]
One of my favourite books of all time, Joe Haldeman’s “The Forever War“. I first read it 25 years ago
When it was first published over 25 years ago, Joe Haldeman’s novel won the Hugo and Nebula awards and was chosen Best Novel in several countries. Today, it is hailed a classic of science fiction that foreshadowed many of the futuristic themes of the 1990s: bionics, sensory manipulation, and time distortion.
William Mandella is a soldier in Earth’s elite brigade. As the war against the Taurans sends him from galaxy to galaxy, he learns to use protective body shells and sophisticated weapons. He adapts to the cultures and terrains of distant outposts. But with each month in space, years are passing on Earth. Where will he call home when (and if) the Forever War ends?
Narrator George Wilson’s performance conveys all the imaginative technology and human drama of The Forever War. Set against a backdrop of vivid battle scenes, this absorbing work asks provocative questions about the very nature of war.
http://www.wholestoryaudio.co.uk/catalogue/title/the_forever_war/5476
Now I am practising to be an old man, so I listen to the audio book version at just over 9 and a half hours.
A good contrast to this book is Robert Heinleins “Starship Troopers” and I don’t mean the funny fascist gory movie from the nineties, but the novel which is much more interesting.
Both these books are about war in space, eacb taking a different take on the subject. Well worth the read, especially since they are very short.
Australia Day Long weekend
At the moment I am Mum’s place. Until two days ago I had to be back at work on Monday.
That was a bit of a nuisance because Tuesday, is the Australia day public holiday.
Fortunately every three months at work you can ask for a flex day off and they must give it to you.
At the moment it looks like I will be riding back to Melbourne tomorrow afternoon (Sunday).
On the way up I encountered some strong crosswinds, well over 30km per hour. I nearly gave up on the ride because it took me a while to figure out how to deal with them (counter-steer)
On December 29 last year I order some book from Amazon.com and they have been sitting here at mum’s place for over a week. I am quite impresed at the speed of delivery from Americia.
I am happy with the order because I saved over $150. The books if I purchased in an Australian book store would have cost me around $260 which I find somewhat depressing.
By order from halfway around the world you can save a substantial amount of money. No wonder all the big non chain bookstores in Melbourne that I knew and loved have gone out of business.
From now on I will be ordering direct from the states, as long as our dollar is over 90 US cents of course!
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Started Swimming again
Joined the Brunswick City Baths today.
My goal is to be able to swim a Kilometre again. But I have a long way to go. The 50 metre pool looks much longer then it was when I was younger and fitter.
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