17 Everyday Facts You Know Are Correct -- That Are Totally Wrong

Here is an interesting list that may violate your understanding

• The Great Wall of China is not visible from space
• Dropping a penny from the Empire State Building is not deadly
• We do not use just 10% of our brains
• Dogs don't sweat by salivating
• Human beings do not have only five senses
• Alcohol does not make you warmer

... and finally

• Men don't think about sex every seven seconds

See here (Chinese) or here (English).

Ipad Review

I played with the most beloved tech product ever, the IPad.

Ooh, Star Trek like tablet is finally here. Its sleek design melted everyone's heart. Beaming however, will remain science fiction.

First, you need ITune to start using it. Can't use IPad without it. No ITune? Gotta download one. Itunes will copy your songs from your computer onto it.

Of course this is slim, ultra portable, starts up fast. Finally, a machine that doesn't require bootup like a Windows machine. (Waita minute, phones are always on too) Excellent battery life, and it doesn't get too hot like some laptops.

It is excellent for web browsing sitting on a sofa. But remember: IPad does not play Flash, or non MP4 formats. Lacking a keyboard is no big problem (the on screen keyboard is nice and responsive). However, there is no cursor, none whatsoever, your finger is your cursor. Select a bunch of text to copy-paste? This will be hard to do. And if you craft an email, there is no way to do an ASCII friendly single quote. Keyboard input will ALWAYS beat screen text input, yes you can buy one from apple.

The standard apps Notepad and Calendar and of course Safari are all awesome.

The self rotating feature may be cool. But I disliked it spins 180 degrees. Sometimes I INTEND to read upside down ok? (as in chess match looking at black pieces). Fortunately it is possible to lock it.

So, the Ipad is excellent for web viewing or ebook viewing (yikes, books are so expensive to download). Excellent for chess (so you never lose your pieces) Yes there are endless apps to play with.

I give it 3 stars (out of 4)

Sad news but bad headline

Oh I am sorry to hear bad news about an elderly lady died of carbon dioxide at a McDonald's. The following is from CNN:
I am sure lawsuits will result and lawyers will work hard. But the headline is wrong. CO₂ not CO². Chemistry demands subscript... It would be quite interesting if a headline nearby claims so American students fail science. I am never fond of chemistry... It's over my head. But I manage to pass my high school class.

Past 911 10 year anniversary

I am glad there weren't any new terror attacks at the 911 10th year anniversary. Obama said this, "Today, America is stronger and al Qaeda is on the path to defeat"

I am not so sure about the first part. In 2001, economy was booming, and unemployment numbers were quite low. Gas price was $1.69 a gallon and I didn't even think about gas when I bought that less-than-very-fuel-efficient car.

I am not so sure about the second part either. Can you really defeat all the terrorists out there when all they live for is jihad? Even the all covered up women are learning to use grenades and AK47s.

If they have inhabitable space, have an economy of some sort, perhaps they think about something else other than jihading.

If Al Qaeda is going to strike again, they'll probably choose a day when we're least prepared, like celebrating holidays or some sport team's victory. I wonder how much $ was spent on the extra security measures. Now that's jobs jobs jobs: everyone train to be a security guard.

911 10th anniversary

The 10th anniversary of 911 is coming soon. I am sure everyone old enough will have vivid memory of that day. What were you doing on that day?

I remember that day had perfect weather... and I have some code to implement. I was at a client's office (my ONLY work experience to work outside of my company) Then soon after the first plane hit. I am not sure how to react. My first reaction was... why so panic? Yikes it may be a  horrible accident but miles and miles away, ok? I got stuff to work on.

Then soon after the 2nd plane hit I was told to go home. I am still puzzled.

Oh it was a terrorist attack!

Yikes, even one plane was hijacked it will be on headlines for days, 4 planes? and 2 crashed into the World Trade Center and one onto the Pentagon? OMG. Now I realize this is serious.

Then the videos of the planes crashing in re-run many many times.

10 years later, bin Laden dead, but we are still into War on Terror and no complete end in sight.

10 years later, jobs changed a few times. That code I worked on that day is probably no longer used (It was some ASP and VB6 stuff)

Wrong phone direction

Phones are getting ever larger and heavier, like somebody struggle to get weight loss and then the weight has come back. Ok this is not perfect analogy. Phones are getting much more powerful. Cool that crisp screen and huge storage lets you watch a movie on it.

But folks, is it easy to carry such big thing around? You will need a belt and a clip. No device should alter what you wear.

Look, phones should be small. To watch a movie and other heavy duty tasks, get a tablet. Another thing with phones: gone are the cursor keys. Most newer phones require you to tap on it. Ok, that is fine for most cases. What if you want to go to a precise location? Let's say, chess. I want to move that pawn in e2 (not d2 or f2, ok?) What about battleship, what about 19x19 GO. Cursor is better in these situations. Keep the cursor keys please. The 0-9 keypad is probably gone like rotary phones, and they are best when you have to really call somebody (new).

So, I want a small phone, vivid screen, hopefully with cursors. Can somebody make one.