siliconchef.com 2.0

Tonight, on this website … two not-so-giants of the computing world meet to do battle …
Well, they won’t do battle … but they will be compared. And pictures will be taken …

No, not those kinds of pictures (pervert) … it’s just my comparison of the Asus EeePC and the OLPC.

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written by siliconchef

Either my computer is too small or my pants pockets are too large, but the Asus EeePC my employer purchased for me fits in my cargo pants pocket.

So “there’s a computer in my pants” might sound like a creepy pickup line at a tradeshow, but it might also be true.

If you want a tiny computer shipped to you in any reasonable amount of time, you might want an EeePC instead of an OLPC, since they seem unable to deliver them to “paying” customers. I’ve actually had a chance to compare the two side-by side. I’ll post later with my observations, pictures and video featuring a cat walking across both keyboards.

written by siliconchef \\ tags: computers, EeePC, OLPC, pants

Thanks to the folks at work, I have the use of an Asus Eee PC 4GB Surf. It’s a very cool little, and I do mean little, Intel based laptop. I haven’t done much hacking, just adding & removing packages to customize the default Linux configuration.

I will post progress reports as I learn more about this cool little computer.

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I got to spend a few hours in the Arizona desert yesterday thanks to an Intel “networking event” at my business meeting. Head over to my photo gallery to see lots of desert pics.

written by siliconchef

Here, for your amusement, is the strange flight plan of one Brian Richardson … business traveler and cross-country geek.

• Sunday - 2:30pm flight to Austin, TX (booked two days ago thanks to last minute meeting with major computer company)
• Monday - 8:00am meeting at major computer company, scheduled to be done by 10:00am. Return to airport, flight back to Atlanta. Arrive at 6:00pm, have dinner with spouse & friend. Stay at friend’s house because it’s a lot closer to the airport.
• Tuesday - 8:00am flight to Phoenix, AZ (yes, departing at 8:00am). Arrive in Phoenix, drive to Scottsdale. Check into conference for lunch. Attend “networking” event disguised as a four hour off-road vehicle commercial masquerading as a “desert adventure” tour. Dinner with Kat & Sean.
• Wednesday - Full day (8:00am to 10:00pm) with computer folks at an industry meeting
• Thursday - Industry meeting then dinner somewhere (maybe with Michael R. Mennegea).
• Friday - Day off in Phoenix. Visit Jake in Mesa during the day, run off for dinner in the evening. Buy booze for Saturday.
• Saturday - Invade Draco Vista studios at noon for Wingin’ It 3D. I think I need the booze to pay the troll under the bridge at Michael’s moat (how can you afford to keep a moat filled in Arizona, anyway?). WIll probably wear my kilt just because I can. Flight home at 6:00pm (not sure if flying in the kilt is a good plan).

Yes, that’s two round-trip tickets in one week. I am going to kick the crap out of that roaming gnome if I see him anywhere.

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I’ve been using the term “onshore insourcing” for years to describe my company … American company, founded by Indians & based in Atlanta.

Person: I lost my job to an Indian. I hate outsourcing.
Me: I got my job from an Indian. Onshore insourcing … I guess that’s trade balance.

We keep offices around the world to stay close to our customers, but the work gets done where we have resources able to do the job.

Apparently the humorous description of my employment situation is now the focus of a Fortune story at cnnmoney.com: “Indian call center lands in Ohio“. Of course I get no credit for using this term, so there goes any chance of cashing in on this “new” trend …

… well, except for the paycheck. I like the paycheck.

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I have hundreds of photos and lots of laundry to process … but a few words from our return …

1. The international arrivals process at Atlanta Airport is getting embarrassing. Seriously, the convenience of having at airport that big in my backyard is often outweighed by the stupidity of the custom/luggage/security process. And don’t tell me to “write my congressman” because he doesn’t determine where lines go in the customs area.
2. Map lights can use a lot of current over a week … so we need a jump start in the parking lot. Pre-Flight Parking staff kicks ass yet again.
3. I like air conditioning. Germany still isn’t sure what it is.
4. Trips with my wife make me happy, even if the process of travel is irritating.
5. 15 year old scotch was on sale in Munich Airport duty-free I will have a good evening with the spouse.

Trip reviews will be written this week in between karate classes, work, photo processing and preparing for Karate College.

written by siliconchef