Steve Jobs, R.I.P.

I fondly remember using the Apple IIe and carrying a 5 1/4 inch floppy disk around with my data on it. To the man who (arguably) made computers accessible, from the IIe to the Macintosh to the Powerbook to the MacBook and iPad, may he Rest in Peace.

September 11, 2011

The Quality of Mercy

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show like God’s
When mercy seasons justice.

William Shakespeare – 1600

From The Merchant of Venice, first performed in 1596 and published in 1600, when Portia speaks to Shylock in Act IV, Scene I.

Bits of Everything

Time Running Out on Clam Attack Plan

The Post Star reports on the plan to eradicate the invasive Asian clam.

State Ordered Sewer Upgrades for Lake George

The Adirondack Almanack reports on millions being spent to upgrade sewers in Lake George Village.

Secrets from the First Spaceflight

Yuri Gagarin made history fifty years ago as the first man in space. Astronotes has an article about some secrets from that flight.

For Our Flute Players:

Astronaut Cady Coleman gives a tour of the international space station and a flute playing demonstration!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy6uOooVFuw

Bits of Everything

Warren County Lake George Patrols May Go

The Post Star tells us that the Governor’s proposed budget may eliminate Warren County boat patrols on Lake George.

Preview of the Winter Carnival

The Free George previews the annual Lake George winter carnival.

Orion’s Left Shoulder Blowout

A great article on io9 about a nearby star that’s going to go supernova relatively soon.

The Health and Wealth Indicator

BBC produces a lot of high quality stuff. Here’s an outtake from the show “The Joy of Stats” which tracks the health and wealth of 200 countries over a 200 year period in an extremely imaginative way.

After watching this video you should feel better about the world out there. It makes you appreciate living in the times that we do.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo

Google Zeitgeist 2010

During December, Google releases its Google Zeitgeist report that aggregates “billions of search queries people type into Google” over the year. Google says the Zeitgeist “captures the spirit” of 2010.

Congratulations to Lake George’s Rachel Ray who was #10 in the fastest rising Food & Drink Category.

Here is Google’s entire list.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0QXB5pw2qE

Bits of Everything

Washington County Deals with Budget

The Post Star reports on Washington County’s budget (with a small tax increase) for next year. The Wash Blog breaks down how the supervisors voted.

NY State Does NOT Deal with Budget

The Press Republican reports that the Legislature decided not to address a $315 million budget deficit in its special session Monday.

France Grants Asylum for Iraqi Christians

Aljazerra reports on the fate of some Iraqi Christians. According to the Guardian, this is what Pakistan does to Christians.