Back to work! Lots of formulae to review and plots to produce!
29 Mar
Notícias q.b. http://voosdopardal.blogspot.com/2011/03/noticias-qb.html
29 Mar
Agora só falta votar bem nas próximas eleições... Já chega de tanta mentira.
23 Mar
Back to work, energized by Sunshine Pomodoro (couple edition) ;)
23 Mar
Indeed the Portuguese are blessed with a nice winter. Yet another fine day for Sunshine Pomodoro ;)
22 Mar
Still no comments from #greyhound regarding the search bug http://sparrowflights.blogspot.com/2011/03/beware-of-greyhounds-search-bug.html
21 Mar
Beware #Greyhound 's search bug http://sparrowflights.blogspot.com/2011/03/beware-of-greyhounds-search-bug.html #fail
18 Mar
Japan's nuclear concerns explained http://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2011/03/world/interactive.nuclear.japan/index.html
17 Mar
Today is a good day for Sunshine Pomodoro ;) http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
17 Mar
Destineo Paulo Sebastião
Windows7 - God Mode : http://goo.gl/k2dr9
2 Mar
2011-03-31
2011-03-24
How to split large files? (Mac)
You can use the split command via the Terminal:
To put the files back together, type in the Terminal:
Reference: Mac Forums
split -b2000000000 inputfilenamewill generate 2GB files with names starting with the letter x and two appended sorted characters, eg: xaa, xab, xac, etc. The original file is left intact.
To put the files back together, type in the Terminal:
cat x* > completefilename
Reference: Mac Forums
2011-03-18
Beware of Greyhound's search bug
I have traveled with Greyhound in the United States for a few times and I think they provide a very useful and cost effective service.
Recently I tried to book a trip from (Rochester, NY) to (New York, NY) departing on a specific date: April 20th.
I filled in the search form as expected and pressed the search button:
A set of schedules were presented, similar to the following screenshot.
I picked the hour I preferred, proceeded to the next steps and purchased the ticket.
So far so good, right? No! :(
When I printed the tickets I realized the departure date was not April 20th as I had asked for, but April 19th! I went back to the site and checked if the mistake had been mine or not. There was indeed a bug in the web site's search.
Should I have double-checked the date before paying? Sure.
Should Greyhound's web site behave like this? Surely not!
I immediately contacted customer service and they replied a couple of days later, saying that I had bought a Non refundable Print at Home ticket, and that they I would not be able to change your departure date...
I was very disappointed, because I immediately contacted them after the mistake, and the error was induced by the web site's bug.
As it appears that there is nothing else I can do to change the ticket date, I decided to blog about this bad customer experience in the hope that Greyhound will fix their web site and avoid having more sad customers like me...
If you have had similar experiences, please feel free to share them in the comments. I appreciate your sympathy.
Recently I tried to book a trip from (Rochester, NY) to (New York, NY) departing on a specific date: April 20th.
I filled in the search form as expected and pressed the search button:
 |
| Notice the departure date: April 20th. |
A set of schedules were presented, similar to the following screenshot.
I picked the hour I preferred, proceeded to the next steps and purchased the ticket.
 |
| Notice the small date in the results... April 19th! |
So far so good, right? No! :(
When I printed the tickets I realized the departure date was not April 20th as I had asked for, but April 19th! I went back to the site and checked if the mistake had been mine or not. There was indeed a bug in the web site's search.
Should I have double-checked the date before paying? Sure.
Should Greyhound's web site behave like this? Surely not!
I immediately contacted customer service and they replied a couple of days later, saying that I had bought a Non refundable Print at Home ticket, and that they I would not be able to change your departure date...
I was very disappointed, because I immediately contacted them after the mistake, and the error was induced by the web site's bug.
As it appears that there is nothing else I can do to change the ticket date, I decided to blog about this bad customer experience in the hope that Greyhound will fix their web site and avoid having more sad customers like me...
If you have had similar experiences, please feel free to share them in the comments. I appreciate your sympathy.
2011-03-07
How to reset an iPod with a Click Wheel
1. Toggle the Hold switch on and off. (Slide it to Hold, then turn it off again.)
2. Press and hold the Menu and Center (Select) buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 8 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.
Source: Apple KB
2. Press and hold the Menu and Center (Select) buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears, about 6 to 8 seconds. You may need to repeat this step.
Source: Apple KB
Windows 7 Special Admin Folders
Did you known that Windows 7 supports a set of special folders that provide quick access to nearly all administrative tasks in your computer?
I didn't :)
Run the following batch commands to create the folders. The secret is in the extension (typed after the dot) and not in the folder name.
mkdir "Special Folders"
cd ".\Special Folders"
mkdir "God Mode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}"
mkdir "Location Settings.{00C6D95F-329C-409a-81D7-C46C66EA7F33}"
mkdir "Biometric Settings.{0142e4d0-fb7a-11dc-ba4a-000ffe7ab428}"
mkdir "Power Settings.{025A5937-A6BE-4686-A844-36FE4BEC8B6D}"
mkdir "Icons And Notifications.{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}"
mkdir "Credentials and Logins.{1206F5F1-0569-412C-8FEC-3204630DFB70}"
mkdir "Programs and Features.{15eae92e-f17a-4431-9f28-805e482dafd4}"
mkdir "Default Programs.{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966}"
mkdir "All NET Frameworks and COM Libraries.{1D2680C9-0E2A-469d-B787-065558BC7D43}"
mkdir "All Networks For Current Connection.{1FA9085F-25A2-489B-85D4-86326EEDCD87}"
mkdir "Network.{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}"
mkdir "My Computer.{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"
mkdir "Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}"
mkdir "Application Connections.{241D7C96-F8BF-4F85-B01F-E2B043341A4B}"
mkdir "Firewall and Security.{4026492F-2F69-46B8-B9BF-5654FC07E423}"
mkdir "Performance.{78F3955E-3B90-4184-BD14-5397C15F1EFC}"
Enjoy!
Source: PC World
I didn't :)
Run the following batch commands to create the folders. The secret is in the extension (typed after the dot) and not in the folder name.
mkdir "Special Folders"
cd ".\Special Folders"
mkdir "God Mode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}"
mkdir "Location Settings.{00C6D95F-329C-409a-81D7-C46C66EA7F33}"
mkdir "Biometric Settings.{0142e4d0-fb7a-11dc-ba4a-000ffe7ab428}"
mkdir "Power Settings.{025A5937-A6BE-4686-A844-36FE4BEC8B6D}"
mkdir "Icons And Notifications.{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}"
mkdir "Credentials and Logins.{1206F5F1-0569-412C-8FEC-3204630DFB70}"
mkdir "Programs and Features.{15eae92e-f17a-4431-9f28-805e482dafd4}"
mkdir "Default Programs.{17cd9488-1228-4b2f-88ce-4298e93e0966}"
mkdir "All NET Frameworks and COM Libraries.{1D2680C9-0E2A-469d-B787-065558BC7D43}"
mkdir "All Networks For Current Connection.{1FA9085F-25A2-489B-85D4-86326EEDCD87}"
mkdir "Network.{208D2C60-3AEA-1069-A2D7-08002B30309D}"
mkdir "My Computer.{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}"
mkdir "Printers.{2227A280-3AEA-1069-A2DE-08002B30309D}"
mkdir "Application Connections.{241D7C96-F8BF-4F85-B01F-E2B043341A4B}"
mkdir "Firewall and Security.{4026492F-2F69-46B8-B9BF-5654FC07E423}"
mkdir "Performance.{78F3955E-3B90-4184-BD14-5397C15F1EFC}"
Enjoy!
Source: PC World
2011-02-28
Tweets of the month
My heart and my prayers go to the people of New Zealand
22 Feb
Taking a Twitter break :)
21 Feb
Stating the model assumptions...
18 Feb
Developing math model for estimating system cost
16 Feb
Mubarak resigns, hands power to military http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110211/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt
11 Feb
Back to work listening to "50 classical pieces for your mind"
7 Feb
O Principezinho no Vimeo http://vimeo.com/17732369
4 Feb
22 Feb
Taking a Twitter break :)
21 Feb
Stating the model assumptions...
18 Feb
Developing math model for estimating system cost
16 Feb
Mubarak resigns, hands power to military http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110211/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt
11 Feb
Back to work listening to "50 classical pieces for your mind"
7 Feb
O Principezinho no Vimeo http://vimeo.com/17732369
4 Feb
2011-02-23
Is the 2nd dot.com bubble underway?
According to Patrick, there are 10 tell-tale signs that a bubble is being blown:
» 1. The arrival of a “New Thing” that cannot be valued in the old way. Dumb-money companies start paying over the odds for New Thing acquisitions.
» 2. Smart people identify the start of a bubble; New Thing apostles make ever more glowing claims.
» 3. Startups with founders deemed to have “pedigree” (for example, former employees of New Thing companies) get funded at eye-watering valuations for next to no reason.
» 4. There is a flurry of new investment funds catering for startups.
» 5. Companies start getting funded “off the slide deck” (that is, purely on the basis of their PowerPoint presentations) without actually having a product.
» 6. MBAs leave banks to start up firms.
» 7. The “big flotation” happens.
» 8. Banks make a market in the New Thing, investing pension money.
» 9. Taxi drivers start giving you advice on what stock to buy.
» 10. A New Thing darling buys an old-world company for stupid money. The end is nigh.
Source: Dominic Rushe, The Observer
2011-02-21
A new dawn for Artificial Intelligence
Given the choice between a flesh-and-blood doctor and an artificial intelligence system for diagnosing diseases, Pedro Domingos is willing to stake his life on AI. "I'd trust the machine more than I'd trust the doctor," says Domingos, a computer scientist at the University of Washington, Seattle. Considering the bad rap AI usually receives - overhyped, underwhelming - such strong statements in its support are rare indeed.
Read the full article: New Scientist
2011-02-13
Steps to organize a fund-raising dinner
So, you want to organize a fund raiser dinner?
(maybe for World Youth Day)
1 - Pick a theme for your dinner
2 - Draft a menu - it can include an entree, one or more courses, and dessert.
Having a standard menu makes it easier. The more options you provide, the more uncertainty, and more complexity in the kitchen.
Identify the necessary ingredients for one person.
3 - Make a prototype. s it delicious? It should be :)
Is it easy to cook? How many could you cook in a short time? Can the food wait to be served and still be in top shape?
4 - Visit one or more food providers and log the prices for the ingredients you will need. Don't go necessarily to the cheapest option. Remember that quality is very important and that you want people to come back for more fund raising iniciatives.
Calculate the cost of the dinner for one person.
5 - You are now ready to announce the dinner and to open the registration.
Define lower and upper limits for the number of people, depending on the room where the dinner will be served.
You can ask for a reservation price. It should cover most of the dinner cost.
You can also have some form of entertainment to make the dinner more attractive.
6 - A few days before the dinner date, close the registration and start planning.
Define the shopping plan. Assign responsibilities. Rely on teamwork.
7 - Prepare a detailed plan for the dinner day. What should be done at a given hour. Remember that every minute counts. It's very important to keep you team motivated and able to execute the "battle" plan without any flaws.
It's possible, but it's not easy. So, prepare for hard word and, if everything goes according to plan, enjoy the reward of achieving something special for the guests and for your team!
(maybe for World Youth Day)
1 - Pick a theme for your dinner
2 - Draft a menu - it can include an entree, one or more courses, and dessert.
Having a standard menu makes it easier. The more options you provide, the more uncertainty, and more complexity in the kitchen.
Identify the necessary ingredients for one person.
3 - Make a prototype. s it delicious? It should be :)
Is it easy to cook? How many could you cook in a short time? Can the food wait to be served and still be in top shape?
4 - Visit one or more food providers and log the prices for the ingredients you will need. Don't go necessarily to the cheapest option. Remember that quality is very important and that you want people to come back for more fund raising iniciatives.
Calculate the cost of the dinner for one person.
5 - You are now ready to announce the dinner and to open the registration.
Define lower and upper limits for the number of people, depending on the room where the dinner will be served.
You can ask for a reservation price. It should cover most of the dinner cost.
You can also have some form of entertainment to make the dinner more attractive.
6 - A few days before the dinner date, close the registration and start planning.
Define the shopping plan. Assign responsibilities. Rely on teamwork.
7 - Prepare a detailed plan for the dinner day. What should be done at a given hour. Remember that every minute counts. It's very important to keep you team motivated and able to execute the "battle" plan without any flaws.
It's possible, but it's not easy. So, prepare for hard word and, if everything goes according to plan, enjoy the reward of achieving something special for the guests and for your team!
2011-01-31
Tweets of the month
Trying to reproduce results from another paper. There's always something important the authors don't have the space to write about...
28 Jan
Fosstrak EPCIS used in Norwegian Food Chain RFID Tracking: wp.me/pFIC4-1M
25 Jan Favorite Reply Delete
MIThomepage
http://web.mit.edu How using all that mobile technology could be hurting your social life.
18 Jan
ionline
Universidade de Coimbra é a primeira universidade de língua portuguesa a mostrar-se no iTunes U http://www.ionline.pt//c98642
14 Jan
Using Excel to write a research paper. Sounds awkward, I know :)
14 Jan
Make or break time
11 Jan
Back to work with the help of a Pomodoro !? :) http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
6 Jan
Happy New Year!
1 Jan
28 Jan
Fosstrak EPCIS used in Norwegian Food Chain RFID Tracking: wp.me/pFIC4-1M
25 Jan Favorite Reply Delete
MIThomepage
http://web.mit.edu How using all that mobile technology could be hurting your social life.
18 Jan
ionline
Universidade de Coimbra é a primeira universidade de língua portuguesa a mostrar-se no iTunes U http://www.ionline.pt//c98642
14 Jan
Using Excel to write a research paper. Sounds awkward, I know :)
14 Jan
Make or break time
11 Jan
Back to work with the help of a Pomodoro !? :) http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/
6 Jan
Happy New Year!
1 Jan
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