History of the Blink Comparator

Posted on June 8, 2010 by timlyg

Blink comparator, made welknown by Pluto discoverer Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, originated from the early 1900s.

Carl Purfrich invented the stereo-comparator in 1900 and in 1904 he added a monocular microscope attachment to the comparator due to his lost of one eye sight, the blink comparator was born when he made the line of sight alternate between plates.

 

Source:

Title: Notes on the History of the Blink Comparator
Authors: Drummeter, L. F., Jr.
Journal: Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 23,
p.1347
Bibliographic Code: 1991BAAS...23.1347D

Posted in Astronomy | Leave a comment

Pastoral Job Hunt

Posted on June 7, 2010 by timlyg

USA TODAY reports problem with Seminary graduates and pastors looking for jobs in the North America Protestant community.

I just think if they are truly called, they could easily establish new churches with believers converted under their ministries, despite the hardship, which is something they miraculously ignore.

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Dealing with lazy proud people with low mentality

Posted on June 4, 2010 by timlyg

My Lord, let not the stupidity of others angers me to your displease. Amen.

Posted in Reflection | Leave a comment

The Justification of David

Posted on June 4, 2010 by timlyg

Some have concerned that whatever punishment David had endured after coveting Uriah's wife, is not enough. As if only eternal damnation would justify what he did. Or to clarify more, that salvation should be taken away from him.

Our rage in vengeance could really take us that far. Nonetheless, it must be reminded that vengeance belongs solely to the Creator. (Romans 12:19)

To understand further, we may take a look at the mysetrious relationship between Stephen and Paul.

Paul approved, leading the wave of hate against people like Stephen. Eventually, Paul was saved. One might easily dismiss this point of view by saying, "Well, Paul did pay his life for it" (As it was historically believed Paul was beheaded). Oh, how much erred and in need of repentence if one concluded the justice in this manner.

One cannot deny the fact that Paul was definitely not excluded when Stephen made his last prayer, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!" (Acts 7:60).

How it would have been like, had Uriah discovered at his last breath before his death, of the secret his wife had hidden from him, of the real motive of his king's order, and ensured that his last words be, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge!". What immense grace would flow from such a saint. It is certain, that one couldn't have this virtue in all human moral standard, unless he was greatly forgiven of God for his own sins.

As unknown as the reality of the past was, I personally do not believe the old testament saint had such a speech. I have admired his loyalty too much.

Ultimately, whether we find the outflow of our forgiveness towards others natural and true, or not, depends on how greatly we realize our sins against God are forgiven, and how selflessly we view the offense of others against God more than against us.

Posted in Theologization | Leave a comment

Disable itune's auto backup with iphone

Posted on June 3, 2010 by timlyg

Thanks to Mark, this annoying feature of itune is disabled.

Either use Mark's windows App or follow these steps:

  1. Locate iTunesPrefs.xml by going to Start->Run and typing %appdata%\Apple
    Computer\iTunes     and hit OK.
  2. Backup iTunesPrefs.xml
  3. Open iTunesPrefs.xml and search for <key>User
    Preferences</key>
  4. Under the next <dict> add the following:
    • <key>DeviceBackupsDisabled</key>
      <data>
      dHJ1ZQ==
      </data>
  5. Save your changes and restart iTunes.  Auto-backup is now disabled.

 

Posted in Technical | Leave a comment

Mysterious Speaker Noise by Iphone

Posted on June 2, 2010 by timlyg

I thought my iphone was so well made that it didn't affect any speakers with loud noises or buzzes like other cell phones.

However, ever since I synced my phone with PC's itune, so that I could get some movie files on to it, it started to affect speakers like my old TREO 680.

I am quite sure it has to do with the sync, however irrelevant it may seem. And apprently, one http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20071231014727222 proved that I'm not alone.

The aluminum foil method seems to work, but I would really like to know what itune/sync/ipod is doing to my iphone's shielding ability.

Posted in Questions | Leave a comment

Mosquito Repeller

Posted on June 1, 2010 by timlyg

Back in Malaysia, during a Penang Hill camp, I remember I was given a lipstick type mosquito repellent called "Taban" (if I have not mistaken the name brand). It seemed to have been banned later.

All I know is it is incredibly effective. I wish I could find it again, I would prefer to decide on its risk on my own.

Posted in Questions | Leave a comment

PBX System

Posted on May 29, 2010 by timlyg

Two clients I worked with insisted me to deal with their PBX system.

The first one was the Merlin Avaya system. Took a while to reach success. The second one has Nortel BCM50. That's a pain since Nortel is so paranoid they make these require a license called "Keycode" for different situations, companies, etc.

Thus I was being "motivated" to research more about the PBX phone systems. Learned a few interesting things. I'm surprised however, that with all the networking technology today, these PBX systems or the systems for phone networking could cost so much as thousands of dollars in equipments as well as licenses (for some, like Nortel).

Then There's the open source Asterisk. Which is a PC server PBX based mainly on Linux (or Mac, maybe Windows). However, I still find it a bit too much.

Since I am dealing with the requirement of more than 1 pots/FXO/Analog lines, I am more obliged to look into SOHO's PBX systems, which cost as little as $250-$300 on Ebay, supporting 4-8 analog lines, 16-32 extensions, on just one box.

Of course, there are the cheaper 2 POTS to 8 extensions (also by SOHO) for $70.

Well, since the last client, under my urge, has decided to go with a professional tech on this issue (instead of...me), I will just keep this information for my own future reference.

Now it is a hard thing for me to just waive all the time I've spent hoping to somehow get it done on my own. I was worried, since the first time was too time consuming. Perhaps both I and the client thought I could make it work again. I underestimated Nortel.

Youtube and Ebay are good sources of help.

Posted in Technical | Leave a comment

Creative Evil

Posted on May 24, 2010 by timlyg

Good and Evil depend not on one's creativity, but simply on whether or not one walks with God.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Street Talk

Posted on May 24, 2010 by timlyg

Q44 Bus station at Parkchester, Bronx, around 11:00 PM, Sunday.

Beggar: Hey man, help me, spare me some change so I could get home.

Poor guy: (staring)

Beggar: Look, I'm a former vet, I served in Iraq in the 90s, now I'm broke and all...

Poor guy: (Reaching into pocket) Here's 1 dollar.

Beggar: Thanks man...(some 5 second pause)...I know everyone's giving me a buck, but I need to get a train ride home man. (Taking out wallet) See, my vet ID.

Poor guy: (glanced at the ID, as if taking it seriously) Okay man, here's $20, and my pocket's empty now, just don't hurt me man (jokingly).

Beggar: Thank you man.

Poor guy: You sure that's enough now? $21. I got nothing now.

Beggar:  Yes. I'm taking a cab now.

Poor guy: Try a train or something, taxi might hassle all your money away.

Beggar: Nah...I'll take a cab.

Poor guy: You sure?

Beggar: yes. Wow, you never know, some times when you ask for something you don't expect, and just out of the blue, what a fellow patriot...look give me a hug. (giving a hug)

Poor guy: Ahh...help me! (kiddingly)

Beggar: My name is BEGGAR, what is your name?

Poor guy: My name is POOR GUY.

Beggar: If there's anything I can do.

Poor guy: That's fine. Just know that I'm not an American. And my visa's expired.

Beggar: What does that mean?

Poor guy: It means, some may consider me illegal alien.

Beggar: Hey I'll hook you up with a wife.

Poor guy: No, it's not my principle.

Beggar: How can I help man?

Poor guy: Just know that you didn't fight for just the American Citizens.

Beggar: I fought for all the world! (waving his arms around). Let me know what can I do man!

Poor guy: It's not about patriotism for me. I'm just trying to be a good samaritan. Just a brother helping another brother out.

(Bus arriving)

Poor guy: Look I gotta go now.

Beggar: Look, take my numbers down, 0123456...

Poor guy: (Nervously looking at the bus) Never mind that man, really gotta go! (Running towards the departing bus)

Beggar: 789...

Poor guy: (Looking back, saw the Beggar leaving) What a day. Here's one for you, Arizona!

Posted in General | Leave a comment