<![CDATA[PriusChat Forums - Fred's House of Pancakes]]> http://priuschat.com/forums/ Anything unrelated to the Prius. Come chat. First Amendment is your friend in here. en Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:50:55 GMT vBulletin 60 http://priuschat.com/forums/images/silk/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[PriusChat Forums - Fred's House of Pancakes]]> http://priuschat.com/forums/ Nov 9th - First Ever National Emergency Test @2pm EST http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99213-nov-9th-first-ever-national-emergency-test-2pm-est.html Sun, 23 Oct 2011 03:35:46 GMT First ever national emergency alert system test | Homeland Security News Wire... First ever national emergency alert system test | Homeland Security News Wire

Preparing for Dec 21st, 2012 perhaps, hmmm? ;)

First ever national emergency alert system test
Published 13 July 2011 Share |
On 9 November 2011 at 2 pm eastern standard time, government officials will conduct the first ever test of the national emergency alert system; the test will include broadcast radio and television stations, cable TV, satellite radio, as well as wireline video service providers in all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa
On 9 November 2011 at 2 pm eastern standard time, government officials will conduct the first ever test of the national emergency alert system.
The test will include broadcast radio and television stations, cable TV, satellite radio, as well as wireline video service providers in all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will work with the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) to conduct the test, and the two organizations say they have announced it so far in advance because they �want all partners and especially the public to be aware of this test, what it means, and have plenty of time to prepare.�
�Because there has never been an activation of the Emergency Alert System on a national level, FEMA views this test as an excellent opportunity to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system,� said Damon Penn, FEMA�s assistant administrator of the National Continuity Program, before the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications on 8 July.
�It is important to remember that this is not a pass or fail test, but a chance to establish a baseline for making incremental improvements to the Emergency Alert System with ongoing and future testing� While various components of the system are tested regularly, there has never been a nationwide, top-to-bottom test of the system. Also to date, there has never been a national-level or Presidential alert,� Penn added.
At the hearing, subcommittee chairman Representative Gus Bilirakia (R-Florida) emphasized the importance of having a functioning national alert system.
�Be it through television, radio, mobile devices, the internet, social media, reverse 911, or warning sirens, emergency managers and emergency response providers must have prompt and reliable means to provide information to their citizens,� he said.
The national test was originally pushed for by Julius Genachowski, the chairman of the FCC�s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB). In 2009 his agency issued a report to the FCC, FEMA, and the National Weather Service urging them to review the emergency alert system (EAS) to see if any improvements needed to be made and to create national alert.
His efforts resulted in the initial test of the new system in Alaska in early 2010, which led to subsequent technical and bureaucratic improvements for the system.
As part of the new system, authorities have imposed reporting requirements that were previously not found in the current state and local EAS testing process.
Local participants in the new EAS will now have to record and submit the time they received alert messages and when they responded to the FCC. This data will help provide insight in to the effectiveness of the system and where it can be improved.
 ]]> J5A http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99213-nov-9th-first-ever-national-emergency-test-2pm-est.html Give the U.N. regulatory power over the internet? http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99210-give-u-n-regulatory-power-over-internet.html Sun, 23 Oct 2011 02:13:58 GMT ---Quote--- The commander of the U.S. Cyber Command said Thursday that he does not favor giving the United Nations the power to regulate the...
Quote:
The commander of the U.S. Cyber Command said Thursday that he does not favor giving the United Nations the power to regulate the Internet.

Some regulations are needed to protect critical networks that control electrical power, banking, transportation and other key elements of society, Army Gen. Keith Alexander, who is also director of the National Security Agency, said after a speech to a security conference.

But asked whether the U.N. should have a regulation role, Gen. Alexander said: �No. I�m not for regulating, per se. I�m concerned about it, and this is a tough question. I would say, generally speaking, I�m not into that portion of regulating as you would espouse.�

Last month, Russia, China, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan submitted a resolution to the U.N. General Assembly calling for giving individual states the right to control the Internet. The resolution, submitted Sept. 14, calls for �an international code of conduct for information security.�

Cybercommand chief opposes U.N. net control - Washington Times

Opinion ]]> Trebuchet http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99210-give-u-n-regulatory-power-over-internet.html Toyota plans on fully redesigning 20 of its vehicles in the next 3 years http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99075-toyota-plans-fully-redesigning-20-its-vehicles-in-next-3-years.html Tue, 18 Oct 2011 23:52:53 GMT Toyota Redesigns The Camry, Aiming To Stay On Top : NPR... Toyota Redesigns The Camry, Aiming To Stay On Top : NPR

Interesting read. ]]> Zanrok http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99075-toyota-plans-fully-redesigning-20-its-vehicles-in-next-3-years.html Speed Cameras in Maryland http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99038-speed-cameras-in-maryland.html Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:05:52 GMT Well, after living in relative obscurity, Howard County, MD is installing 40 or so speed cameras on local roads. Dang. Are they this prevalent in the... Well, after living in relative obscurity, Howard County, MD is installing 40 or so speed cameras on local roads. Dang. Are they this prevalent in the rest of the country?

I live in that area with no cameras right now, near Columbia, and I drive to DC every day just to the East of the Montgomery County blob.

Dang.

Click the image to open in full size. ]]> mmcdonal http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99038-speed-cameras-in-maryland.html Baby, you can hack my car http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99034-baby-you-can-hack-my-car.html Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:56:22 GMT Businessweek, October 17-23 Researchers demonstrate how easy it is to infiltrate automotive computers and gain control of brakes, steering,... Businessweek, October 17-23

Researchers demonstrate how easy it is to infiltrate automotive computers and gain control of brakes, steering, engine, lights and door locks.

Modern automobiles can be infiltrated without going anywhere near them. The Bluetooth connection used in hands free phone systems, telematics like OnStar and SYNC, the keyless entry system and even the tire pressure sensors provide an unsecured entrance to the computers which control the vehicle's basic functions.

In one test, testers in San Diego hacked a car in Seattle. They remotely unlocked the doors, started the engine, and sent the car's GPS coordinates to another tester, who drove the car away.

The auto industry hopes to soon design security protocols into automotive computers, but every car built since 1996—and especially those with a controller area network, included on every automobile built since 2008—is vulnerable. ]]> Pinto Girl http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99034-baby-you-can-hack-my-car.html It looks like we lost another friend to the lake http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99008-looks-like-we-lost-another-friend-lake.html Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:15:38 GMT A Coast Guard helicopter and boat searched all day with no results. His dingy turned up 15 miles away across Grand Traverse Bay, but so far no body.... A Coast Guard helicopter and boat searched all day with no results. His dingy turned up 15 miles away across Grand Traverse Bay, but so far no body. We seem to lose one a year from our little community.

Tom ]]> qbee42 http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/99008-looks-like-we-lost-another-friend-lake.html Useless Majors http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98988-useless-majors.html Sun, 16 Oct 2011 06:31:42 GMT Here is a list of the 20 most useless majors as determined by The Daily Beast: 20 Most Useless Degrees - The Daily Beast... Here is a list of the 20 most useless majors as determined by The Daily Beast:

20 Most Useless Degrees - The Daily Beast

Honestly, I'm surprised that Art History isn't #1. Do we really need 50,000 new art historians per year? Well maybe we do... I guess.

Here's a rebuttal to this article:

In Defense Of �Useless� Majors � NYU Local ]]> sipnfuel http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98988-useless-majors.html Ask Siri Anything http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98986-ask-siri-anything.html Sun, 16 Oct 2011 05:18:58 GMT Siri Humor - Having Fun With Siri - YouTube
Q: How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Siri: A woodchuck would chuck as much as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. ]]> cproaudio http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98986-ask-siri-anything.html Occupy Everywhere http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98978-occupy-everywhere.html Sun, 16 Oct 2011 02:44:49 GMT So, today DH and I spent a couple of hours as part of "Occupy Olympia"... an off-shoot/support of Occupy Wall Street.

:welcome: ]]> Rae Vynn http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98978-occupy-everywhere.html Courageous http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98975-courageous.html Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:29:17 GMT Went to watch this movie last night along with my bud and sixty other man from our church. Awesome movie, almost too awesome. Bring tissue. Spent... Went to watch this movie last night along with my bud and sixty other man from our church. Awesome movie, almost too awesome. Bring tissue. Spent some time deeply thinking about it and... I will, I will.

Anyone else see it? ]]> spiderman http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98975-courageous.html Thinking about exercise strategies. http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98922-thinking-about-exercise-strategies.html Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:59:07 GMT I was a sedentary kid. Being lousy at sports (weak, uncoordinated) I was treated by other kids with the cruelty typical of children, and developed a... I was a sedentary kid. Being lousy at sports (weak, uncoordinated) I was treated by other kids with the cruelty typical of children, and developed a contempt for all physical activity.

When I was 35 I started jogging to help control my weight. Within a year or so I was running 3 miles a day with an occasional 6 miles and a day off every 5 to 7 days. My blood pressure dropped from borderline high to healthy. I ran around a 9:30 per mile pace. Sometimes a bit faster or slower. That remained more or less unchanged, except for a few years when I blew it and gained weight, then got my weight back down and resumed.

Now I'm 63 and cannot do as much as I did. I gained 30 pounds and 9 times out of ten could not even manage to run, and mostly used an exercise bike instead. (I lack the balance to ride a real bike.) In February I joined Weight Watchers and I've lost about 17 lbs., and I'm still on the program. I'm starting to jog more regularly again, but instead of a 9:30 pace, I'm mostly running a 13:20 pace, and once I kept up a 13:00 pace. Your maximum pulse rate diminishes with age, so I'm still jogging at around the same percentage of my max as I used to, but in actual bpm my exercising pulse is much lower.

So I used to run 3 miles, and did it in just under half an hour. Based on my reading (maybe out of date, but when I started jogging Ken Cooper's Aerobics book was the authority) 3 miles was the recommended distance for basic cardiovascular health. But I also read that half an hour a day is ideal for c-v health.

So my dilemma is: Should I aim to run 3 miles, which now takes me 39 to 40 minutes, way over the half hour, and much more tiring than 3 miles used to be; or should I aim to run for half an hour, even though it comes out to only around 2.25 miles at my present rate?

As I get back into jogging regularly and lose another 8 lbs., which will get me back to my short-term goal of 5 lbs over what I weighed when I was 40, my pace will improve, but it will be nowhere near what it was when I was 40.

Kind of wondering if my long-term goal should be to get back to 3 miles, or if I should just stop at 30 minutes.

Any gerontology exercise experts out there? ]]> daniel http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98922-thinking-about-exercise-strategies.html Is there a GPS unit with camera? http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98921-there-gps-unit-camera.html Fri, 14 Oct 2011 12:43:37 GMT When we go on road trips, as the primary driver I love to snap photos of the sceneries and sometimes record videos of my drive, e.g. going up Mt... When we go on road trips, as the primary driver I love to snap photos of the sceneries and sometimes record videos of my drive, e.g. going up Mt Evans.

I've bought a camera windshield mount for this purpose, and it works fairly well with my point-n-shoot camera. But I think it would be much more convenient to have a decent camera built into my standalone Garmin GPS unit itself, with traveler-friendly features such as geotagging, wireless bluetooth shutter release and camera control, and so on.

Does anyone know if such a GPS device exists? Or am I way off base here? Perhaps smartphones equipped with both GPS and camera will make everything else redundant in the future? ]]> zenMachine http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98921-there-gps-unit-camera.html Dennis Ritchie, father of Unix and C programming language, dead at 70 http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98914-dennis-ritchie-father-unix-c-programming-language-dead-70-a.html Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:54:10 GMT Dennis Ritchie, father of Unix and C programming language, dead at 70 - Computerworld... Dennis Ritchie, father of Unix and C programming language, dead at 70 - Computerworld
Dennis Ritchie, father of C programming language, dies | Business Tech - CNET News

There was a thread on Tivocommunity going on around this since yesterday but I was hesitant to post this until reputable media sources posted it. It's odd that it took so long.

It's confirmed by a message from Bell Labs' president: Dennis Ritchie 1941-2011: Message from Jeong Kim | Alcatel-Lucent - The Blog - Alcatel-Lucent. ]]> cwerdna http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98914-dennis-ritchie-father-unix-c-programming-language-dead-70-a.html distraction http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98881-distraction.html Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:44:05 GMT Ten days ago, I learned about this:

Bob's Dragonfly Project

The $4,500 was the right price but I needed to see it in person. So this past weekend, I drove to Canton Il:

Bob's Inspection

Tuesday, I took a personal day and after some fact-finding, mailed the check. It will take a couple of weeks before I can bring the plane from Canton to Huntsville but either by November 11 weekend or over Thanksgiving, that plane will be home in Alabama. A 20+ year old dream comes true.

In 1976, I bought a Cherokee 140 and hired a flight instructor. I also bought a motorcycle since if it is safe to fly it is safe to ride a motorcycle. But in 1980, I had to choose between the wife and the plane and we are still married.

I looked long and hard at different aircraft and decided the Dragonfly was the right plane for me. It has high aspect wings with low wing loading. The designer, Bob Walters, did it right and in 1996, I bought the plans hoping to find time and space to build it. Then 10 days ago, I learned this plane was available.

My Prius studies often generated detailed performance charts even if not understood by others but this is how we do things in aviation. It is not opinion but physics and careful measurements, often expressed in charts and graphs, that we gain insights to fly safely.

Aviation also teaches that safety has to be addressed and discussed openly and without rancor. Nobody likes FAA regulations but they were written in blood. We choose to follow them because they also conform to how we like to fly and sometimes stay on the ground to fly tomorrow.

Finally, flying requires absolute honesty, especially with ourselves. The are old and there are bold pilots but there are no old and bold pilots. That also means sometimes admitting you've made a mistake and if you search for 'bwilson4web' and 'apology', you'll get hits.

It isn't that I'm giving up on my Prius studies but this evening, I learned about a better way to mount the engine in my Dragonfly. So I'm already planning how I will retrofit this modification on my plane that is still in Canton Il.

It is more accurate to say if I have some Dragonfly stuff to do, it will be done first. As for Prius stuff, it won't have as much of my time as it had in the past. Not because I don't like my Prius and hybrids in general but if I screw up the Dragonfly, I and/or my wife might die . . . the infrequent Prius accidents are survivable.

So don't read anything into my reduced participation Prius affairs other than I might be distracted with my new airplane!

Thanks,
Bob Wilson ]]> bwilson4web http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98881-distraction.html In two weeks... http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98845-in-two-weeks.html Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:42:59 GMT I'm feeling it... well, that and the smallest full moon in a while makes me skittish...



In about two weeks, give or take a day or two, there will be a large earthquake.




Again... strictly according to the mind of Bob... which, by many accounts is small and unfocused in reality when it comes to what I predict.

With any luck, if it does happen, it will be far enough away that I can get my boat out of the water before another tsunami...

Carry on... :D ]]> amm0bob http://priuschat.com/forums/freds-house-pancakes/98845-in-two-weeks.html