many robots

Audioholics gives a good breakdown of how many "watts" your sound system/speakers really output [warning, there's formulas and shit!]:

I have a set of computer speakers that are rated at 480W PMPO (yes - four hundred and eighty Watts). I have measured them at less than 5W each before clipping. There is no rhyme or reason that can explain such a difference, except ....

Like megapixels in cameras, consumers look to a number they can use as a scalar to determine quality or capabilities of technology. In a related note the newest, best generation of home cordless phones [remember those?] actually operates at 1900 MHz but the standards body has chosen to market it using the name it "DECT 6.0" in America so that consumers won't think that the 5.8 GHz phones are superior.

Labels: gear

So yeah there's that whole swine flu thing going on now.

Rove's argument was picked up by House and Senate Republicans, who made it an essential message in their attacks on the legislation. Even as Rove and his compatriots argued that a stimulus bill should include initiatives designed to shore-up and maintain any recovery, they consistently, and loudly, objected to spending money to address the potentially devastating economic impact of a major public health emergency.

The attack on pandemic preparation became so central to the GOP strategies that AP reported in February: "Republicans, meanwhile, plan to push for broader and deeper tax cuts, to trim major spending provisions that support Democrats' longer-term policy goals, and to try to knock out what they consider questionable spending items, such as $870 million to combat the flu and $400 million to slow the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases."

Famously, Maine Senator Collins, the supposedly moderate Republican who demanded cuts in health care spending in exchange for her support of a watered-down version of the stimulus, fumed about the pandemic funding: "Does it belong in this bill? Should we have $870 million in this bill No, we should not."

Even now, Collins continues to use her official website to highlight the fact that she led the fight to strip the pandemic preparedness money out of the Senate's version of the stimulus measure.

Labels: fail, politics

Two things:

1. Has nobody behind these protests ever heard of the alternate definition of "teabagging"?


2. This:
   

   "She said she retired on disability from M&T Bank three years ago after undergoing knee replacement and back surgeries. She lives on her Social Security and disability benefits. Last year, she petitioned the bankruptcy court for protection from creditors.
   
   She said she did not have to pay federal income taxes last year because her income was too low.
   
   "I don't want to see this country turn into a welfare, nanny state, where we stand in line for groceries, and we're in welfare lines, and in socialized medicine lines," Wilder said.

Labels: fail, politics

Jim Walls investigates the discount offshore logo business.

Me:

Abina-

Upon further consideration, I feel that you guys have really missed the religious connotation in my company’s name, and we really want to play this up. Is there a way to emphasize this connection? Specifically, when you redesign the various cheeses, is there a way to approximate DaVinci’s “Last Supper”? I do think the Swiss cheese could be positioned roughly where Jesus is located, since Swiss is a very prominent cheese.

Thanks for your continued hard work. We’re close!

—

50DollarLogo:

Dear Jim,

Thank you for the email.

We have informed our designers about your request. We aim to send you the improved logos within 2 working days.

We are happy to provide you as many numbers of revisions as you want. We strive to make our customer fully satisfied.

Thank you,
Abina

Found via Dave Shea's Mezzoblue

Labels: design

There's nothing more American than driving and there's no driving school more American than the All American Driving School.

While not quite to the level of some other more famous websites the magic isn't limited to the home page, oh no. Make sure to check out the whole site for a dose of patriotism injected directly into your EYE

And the name? There's a story behind that too:

Ways to become the "ALL AMERICAN" driver:

A - "Always" fasten your seatbelts and lock doors.
Only dummies don't!

L - "Learn" to control emotions when behind the wheel.
Good driving requires concentration.

L - "Look" out for the other guy.
Be alert for potential hazards and conflicts.

A - "Adjust" your speed, following distance and driving maneuvers to roadway conditions.

M - "Make" predictions of the worst that could happen so that you are prepared if it does.

E - "Evaluate" your driving periodically - find ways to improve your skills and techniques.

R - "Respect" the laws and rules of the road.
They are for your safety and protection.

I - "Inspect" your car inside and out before driving.
Keep your car well maintained.

C - "Cooperate" with and be "courteous" to other drivers.
Avoid eye contact with anyone who appears to be enraged.

A - "Approach" intersections cautiously.
More than 40% of accidents occur here.

N - "Never" drink and drive or ride with someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Labels: internet, nutz

Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present the Nugebox

The Nugebox is the best way I've found to imbue your garage with the spirit of the wild. I mean it's written right on the front! As far as I can tell [Snap-on's site sucks] this is only about $1500 more expensive than a plain old tool box not imbued with the Motor City Madman's wango tango or whatever.

Labels: gear, nutz