Wow. Apparently, somehow, an album of vintage live La’s recordings was just released. Pitchfork gives it an 8.1, comparing it (unfairly, probably) to their ’90 studio release. The band’s chief songwriter is brilliant, perfectionist, reclusive, and unstable, so this is a nice surprise. More information, via Wikipedia.

Date posted: February 20, 2007 | Filed under music, shortlinks | Comments Off on Pitchfork Review of new La’s Live Disc

The Disease of Design. I am ashamed to admit I suffer from this affliction. (The link made me snort my coffee through my nose.)

Date posted: February 19, 2007 | Filed under design, shortlinks | Comments Off on The Disease of Design.

Here’s a mathematically proven formula for taking blink-free group photos. “For groups smaller than 20, divide the number of people by three if there’s good light and two if the light’s bad”. Who says math isn’t fun? (via)

Date posted: February 16, 2007 | Filed under flickr, shortlinks | Comments Off on Blink-Free photos

Apple technote 50959:When a portable Mac won’t start up. Resetting the PRAM; How to identify iBook models. (I have a client with an iBook that appears to be taking a dirt nap.)

Date posted: February 15, 2007 | Filed under apple, shortlinks | Comments Off on When a Mac portable won’t start up

From The Consumerist, 14 Secrets from a former HP Employee. As if I didn’t already have enough reasons not to buy an HP printer. Number One illustrates perfectly the amount of contempt and corporate malice that the company projects.

Date posted: February 14, 2007 | Filed under shopping, shortlinks | Comments Off on Reasons Not To Buy An HP Printer.

I stumbled on this old link about window sash balances, which are spring-loaded pulleys that replace counterweights so that the weight pocket can be filled and insulated for winter weather. Our windows are drafty, and I believe that once they are properly insulated we would save a ton of money in heating bills. Now, to weigh one of our windows and order…

Date posted: February 14, 2007 | Filed under projects, shortlinks | Comments Off on Window Sash Pulleys

Due to an unexplainable error, I wasn’t getting email updates when comments were posted here. After cleaning up and rebuilding some templates, resetting some preferences, and turning off HTML in the comments, I’m hoping I can catch more of the spam before it shows up.
Also, I’m trying out the addition of dates over here on the left. But because IE/PC is a sucktastic piece of shit, it’s not looking right there when it looks good everywhere else.

Date posted: February 13, 2007 | Filed under projects, shortlinks | Comments Off on Housecleaning: Comments

This made the rounds a week or two ago: a Google map hack of DC/Baltimore homicides. 2007, 2006, and 2005. Sobering.

Date posted: February 13, 2007 | Filed under politics, shortlinks | Comments Off on Google Map Hack: Baltimore Homicides

via kottke, here are a dozen tax-saving tips for the self-employed. We’re meeting with our tax pro this week, and some of these questions were already on our list.

Date posted: February 12, 2007 | Filed under money, shortlinks | Comments Off on Tax Tips for the Self-Employed

Sad news from Mobtown: Historic Senator Theatre to be sold at auction. “Tom Kiefaber, the Senator’s owner, acknowledged yesterday that he is $90,000 in arrears on a $1.2 million mortgage he took out on the 900-seat theater five years ago.”
I’m as guilty as anyone else for not having seen a movie up there in years. This is awful news.

Date posted: February 6, 2007 | Filed under money, shortlinks | Comments Off on Senator Theatre in Foreclosure.