TimesToCome
Herself's Artificial Intelligence
- JGAP Java Genetic Algorithms Package
There are several tutorials and examples on the source forge site. JGAP (pronounced “jay-gap”) is a Genetic Algorithms and Genetic Programming component provided as a Java framework. It provides basic genetic mechanisms that can be easily used to apply evolutionary principles to problem solutions. See the examples for a demonstration or watch out the [...]
- 3D robot printer reproduces itself
Ah and we take another step closer to cylons and the world of Cory Doctrow. Look at your computer setup and imagine that you hooked up a 3D printer. Instead of printing on bits of paper this 3D printer makes real, robust, mechanical parts. To give you an idea of how robust, think Lego [...]
- Is Religion an Evolutionary Adaptation?
The Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation thinks religion is just a part of evolution. How totally fitting is it that those least likely to believe the theory of evolution because of religious beliefs do so because of evolution? The reason this is here on the AI blog is because this was tested using [...]
Herself's Webtools
- Woopra free analytics software for your website
Many web hosts charge extra for log file access or don’t offer log file access at all. If this is true for you check out Woopra. Woopra provides live information, not daily like Google analytics. It has a wonderful interface and is painless to install. You just add the appropriate plugin or javascript [...]
- What is Google bowling?
We’ve all heard of Google bombing and we’ve all had some fun over the years with it. Google bombing is when you create lots of links to a site with specific keywords. For instance, have everyone link to the George Bush website with the words ‘miserable failure’. Google bowling is not so fun. [...]
- A quick overview of web technologies old and new
If you are new to web development or if you are debating which tools to use for your site you’ll want to give this paper a read. It covers all the main and many less common technologies. Descriptions, pros and cons of the various web technologies are covered. Web-based application developers face a dizzying [...]
TimesToCome Mobile
- Wordpress on the iPhone
The new WordPress 2.6 broke my favorite mobile interface plugin. That is not good. So I was happy to see an iPhone Wordpress application. The application lets you edit your most recent posts, create a new post, upload a photo to a post, and publish a post. What is missing is the ability to delete [...]
- Did you know your text messages are plastered all over the internet?
Slashdot has a story on O2, Sprint and Boost Mobile allowing search engine spiders to crawl your messages. Any MMS messages that send the photo to the phone website are findable: Google inurl:pictures.sprintpcs.com/share.do?invite= to see Sprint’s list. So if it is private - don’t mms it! Check to be sure your phone provider is blocking search [...]
- Heysan mobile chat interface for your phone
Heysan is a free chat client for MSN, AIM, ICQ, Yahoo and GTalk. It uses a web interface so you don’t have to download software on to your phone. It works very well. It also sends auto sends a message that you are using Heysan to anyone who IMs you and has advertising. It may [...]
TimesToCome
- Twitter
Twitter has been a lot of fun. I realized I was behind the curve last April when I attended a garden blogger’s conference. I was the geekiest of them all, and about the only one not yet on Twitter. So I signed up when I came back from the conference. Over the last few months I’ve [...]
- How do you know they are watching you?
I mentioned in passing that it is odd that people search for my name once or twice a month, visit my blogs, then never leave a note or drop an email. I never know if it is an old friend, new friend or someone just curious about me? No matter, any information I [...]
- Geopalooza Show at Houston Museum of Natural Science
Click on photos for medium and large views: This show is worth a trip to the museum all by itself. Of course I’m partial to rocks, especially pretty shiny ones. But children visiting the show were having a great time also. The geodes were amazing! They were huge, and even after you stopped being [...]
Herself's Houseplants
- Peacock ginger ( Kaempferia pulchra )
How about a ginger for the inside of your home? I was planting some cool gingers outside and it occurred to me that any plant that hates the sun as much as this one would make a great houseplant. Kaempferia pulchra ginger remains compact topping out at about 2 feet in height and width. Flowers are [...]
- Perhaps you are thinking of an indoor farm now that food is so high?
Between rising prices and tomato scares this year, and spinach scares last year who isn’t thinking of an indoor garden? Farm Fountain is a system for growing edible and ornamental fish and plants in a constructed, indoor ecosystem. Based on the concept of aquaponics, this hanging garden fountain uses a simple pond pump, along with gravity [...]
- Aquarium Plants
Of all the house plants I’ve grown getting a water garden established has been the most difficult. I tried all sorts of water plants and all I wound up with for my trouble was slimy water. So I decided to try it another way. I purchased two Biorb aquariums, one 4 gallon, one 16 [...]
Herself's Houston Garden
- Indian Hawthorne
This is another one of those very common plants that took forever to id. Three of these came with the house along the top edge of the driveway. Hawthorne is a shrub that bears small white flowers in the early spring. Flowers are followed by berries. The berries are popular with the birds. [...]
- Calla lilies ( Zantedeschia )
I really wanted to grow these out back under the trees. No luck. I tried for two years and finally gave. Calla lilies need lots of sun. I now have a patch happily growing in a small bed near the front door where they receive full sun all afternoon. They do not like [...]
- Combine fish farming with hydroponics for double yeilds
Grow fish for dinner while letting them fertilize your vegetable crop. Urban farming is getting more interest all the time and this one sounds cool. Portable Farms announces the availability of their new invention, Portable Farms which offers an easy way to grow 100 pounds of home-grown fish and 400 heads of lettuce (or other [...]
Herself's Recipes
- Easy Rice Florentine
Technically Florentine refers to dishes made in the Florentine, Italy style. These dishes include spinach and use a cream sauce. Over time that has shifted and it now usually refers to dishes with spinach and cheese. Rumor has it that Catherine de Medici brought the dish from Italy to the French court [...]
- Crockpot Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese is a great way to use up leftover meats. I prefer to use leftover ribs and rib roast but any meat will do: duck, chicken, turkey, beef, pork… The richer the meat the richer your sauce will be. In a crockpot mix: 6 oz tomato paste ( 1 can ) 6 oz water 1 cup white [...]
- Quiche
I love quiche. It is a quick easy side dish or meal and a great way to use up all the leftover vegetables and bits of cheese in your refrigerator. We went to a gourmet English restaurant a few weeks back and they had some great quiche. More interesting is that they made it [...]
Birds of southeast Texas in photos
- Robins
Normally the robins just pass through heading north in the spring and south in the winter. This pair didn’t finish the migration. They’ve been here since spring. Taken in backyard, The Woodlands, TX
- White ibis
Photos from Brazo’s Bend State Park, Tx
- Juvenile mocking bird
This guy has been making a ruckus outside my office window all day. Mom just can’t shovel in that food fast enough to please junior.
Twitter/timestocome
Enjoying a nice steady rain and figuring out how to make MYSQL return log info in a useful format. #
@ColdClimateGard LOL 'tis true I fear. How is it you're this clever this early in the am ? I'm still working on my first cup of coffee. #
Alright, I want to know who let the newbies near the font machine? ( at least it isn't blinking ) Non-profit website updates today. #
Lots and lots of emails this morning, here's hoping they are all spam. Coffee and email time. #
@labanjohnson as in 'don't drink and derive' ? :D #
http://is.gd/128K Yahoo News is returning dns errors, has everyone patched their dns servers? #
It's just no fun reading the gossip rags anymore. I don't recognise any of the celebrities. #
@dsilverman Oh, come now FF has been promising a WM version for years. Still not ready yet. iPhones aren't even on their radar. #
@comcastcares Ok so please, please please sell Houston back to TimeWarner. Their help was nice, like all the other utility companies. #
@comcastcares It has not been a problem with gas, electric or ATT, just Comcast. Can't you guys just sell Houston back to ATT? #
@bigsranch ROFLOL She's reading this right? Our children have been chatty latey. I think Aug. b.days & tutition bills coming in are related #
@comcastcares The HOA requires a 6' wooden fence along all property lines. The neightbors are likely armed even if I am not. #
@comcastcares The gas, electric, ATT knock on my door and show id, they do not sneak over the fence. I don't own a gun, guns are for wuss's #
@comcastcares Last comcast guy who appeared over the fence refused to show id. What is wrong with your help? #
@comcastcares He told me he'd do what ever he wanted he owned the place, then told neighbor I threatened to shoot him. I did not do so. #
@comcastcares Utility right of way does not include hopping fences. Had no idea who was coming over the fence. Humans use doors. #
@comcastcares is mia again. #
http://twitpic.com/5601 - d comcastcares WTF? why are your employees being arrogant and lying? #
Comcast employee is refusing to leave yard really po'd now @comcastcares #
Comcast employee seems to have gotten lost walking around the block, after bellowing over the fence to ask the address, what a moron. #