New York Cop Smokes Cyclist and Loses his Badge

I have some political objections to Critical Mass (most notably, I’ve seen the flagrant breaking of traffic laws) but the New York City police department’s recent response to the event is just disgusting, and might be enough to make me start riding every month.

Apache Everywhere?

Microsoft has joined the Apache Foundation which is amongst the more interesting small developments in the tech industry in a while (and yes, I am aware of the recent launch of a Google competitor by former Google employees.)

My personal crystal ball would suggest that this will lead in two possible directions.

1. Microsft replaces Internet Information Server, it’s proprietary web server platform, with Apache in future Windows server releases, or
2. Microsoft integrates the ASP core of it’s .NET platform into the Apache core, allowing for the deployment of ASP on any web server.

Doing both would make the most sense. If I had to choose one, I’d choose the second because it would lead to more easily implementing the first. It’s also a good fit for the common Microsoft strategy of allowing its code to be deployed anywhere by creating common APIs. Allowing Microsoft code monkeys to deploy ASP applications on any server platform could be a step in a strategy intended to dethrone PHP.

it won’t work, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t consider it. It’s just far too late to work, but hubris knows no time limits.

In any case, an interesting development. Apache everyhwere!

Nice to See the World Can be Changed

With stories of bike racks being overfull in communities around the continent, it’s nice to see someone trying to do something distinctive.

Contest picks best designs for Ballard bike racks
By JENNIFER LANGSTON
P-I REPORTER

Later this year, Ballard cyclists could find themselves parking their bikes between two toes of a giant concrete foot.

Or maybe inside the rusted husk of a car sculpture, meant to symbolize the decay of the automobile and fossil fuel age.

Personally, these racks have long been my favourites, combining function with good visual design. The City of Toronto’s are also good, although the locking circle is affixed to the post by two bolts that can be removed which is a problem. I’ve never seen these ones at the ROM but I like the idea of doing something unique.

What’s next? The Sugarbaker girls?

Say it ain’t so. Just say it ain’t so.

Estelle Getty, 84:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080722.wobgetty0722/BNStory/Entertainment/home
The Associated Press
July 22, 2008 at 2:29 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES — Estelle Getty, the diminutive actress who spent 40 years struggling for success before landing a role of a lifetime in 1985 as the sarcastic octogenarian Sophia on TV’s The Golden Girls, has died. She was 84.

Vista vs. XP

The very fact that articles like this one exist, and are getting published in major computer magazines should give Microsoft some insight to the problem that is Windows Vista.

What does it take to get a PC with XP?

For what it’s worth, I’ve used Vista and find it generally OK, but dramatically different from XP which I also found generally OK. The differences were inconsequential to me, so I never switched full time.

So Much for that Squeaky Clean Image

If I had a million dollars
I’d buy you some cocaine

Say it ain’t so, Steven. Say it ain’t so. Not that I’m a fan, but these guys have always maintained a pretty good image.

Barenaked Ladies singer faces drug charge in N.Y.
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 | 8:00 PM ET
CBC News

The lead singer of the Canadian band Barenaked Ladies has been charged with drug possession in upstate New York.

Steven Page, lead singer of Barenaked Ladies, has reportedly been arrested on drug charges in New York. (CBC)
Steven Page, along with two women, were arrested after police allegedly found cocaine and marijuana in a Fayetteville, N.Y., apartment, according to a Syracuse-area radio station’s website, 9WSYR.com.

Going Down the Road - Places Captured in Time, but Not Frozen There

The North Cascades Highway is a spectacular, hilly, twisty route through the mountains that I love riding on a motorcycle and would one day like to cycle.

Winthrop is a strange little town that’s been made over in a complete western theme, complete with saloons instead of restaurants and pumping stations that look like old style general stores. It’s a bit weird, but not without it’s charm.

The New York Times has an article about Winthrop today but they left out some details about its sister city Concrete.

Continue reading "Going Down the Road - Places Captured in Time, but Not Frozen There"

Bubar Road Corrected in Google Maps (soon)

Google maps gets it’s map data from NAVTEQ. At some point a while ago the name on the road in this map was changed from Bubar Road to Babar Road (as in, I presume, the Elephant.)

View Larger Map

I contacted Navteq a while ago and submitted a correction. Today I received this email reply:

For the NAVTEQ tracking number: 0058ETVKIJ2TZEIN
Submitted on : 9, May 2008 09:41:42
Problem Description: The road you have listed as Babar Road is incorrect. It should be Bubar Road. It was named for the Bubar Family, whose farm occupied the area to the south.

There is a family graveyard along the road as well. Photos are here (I am a relative.) Photos are online here, and I’ve attached one showing the corrected spelling.
http://personal.penguinstorm.com/galleries/family/bubar_graveyard/

Our Resolution Outcome is: Database Updated - Naming
Details: The road name Babar Rd in Midway, BC, has been corrected to Bubar Rd in the database.

So, in theory, Google Maps should be corrected soon.

Fine Dining at its Best

I’ve eaten at Moderne Burger three times since it reopened—my first opportunity was on July 2nd. Sometimes, it’s just nice to feel at home again. The burger’s haven’t changed, and are still the best on the coast. The staff is friendly, and busy, and Peter and Kathy are still there. The old chef isn’t, which is a shame.

On Friday’s I cycle to work then swim at the outdoor Kitsilano Pool which, at 137 metres long, is the longest pool in North America. Moderne Burger is two blocks east on Broadway once I’ve climbed the hill after my swim, and last night I couldn’t resist.

Sometimes, it’s not hard to remember why living in Vancouver is so special.

Coming Soon: The Federal Royal Commission

Given the history of Vancouver politics, I’m completely unsurprised by yet another delay. Paul Martin could make a decision faster than our civic government.

I’m expecting a Royal Commission followed by a judicial inquiry into it’s findings. After that, no doubt, the First Nations will launch a protest.

Stanley Park’s hollow tree gets reprieve
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 | 1:35 AM ET CBC News

The Vancouver Park Board has decided to study options to keep Stanley Park’s famous hollow tree instead of axing it this week as planned.

Board commissioners voted in a regular meeting Monday night to give a 150-day reprieve to one of Vancouver’s oldest treasures. Park board engineers will study options to possibly keep the dead cedar.

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