James Quote of the Day

Sometimes my brain has a mind of its own.

Godville Game Diary Quote

I found my name carved into a tree, in a heart with an arrow through it. I think someone is planning on killing me. http://godvillegame.com

The Space Race

The Space Race, a photo by randallhayter on Flickr.

I'm not 100% sure a 747 with a shuttle OV on the back can really fly, so:

That's not flying, that's falling, with style.

Milgram v. Chase Bank

So - What's my share of the Milgram v. Chase Bank class action? $12.00 of course. Why do I get $12.00? I have no idea. Something to do with accepting a balance transfer offer during the Bush administration. Some other class members get $8.00. The plaintiff, Milgram, is to get a $7,500 service award. and any funds not claimed will be donated to charity. The total expected cost to Chase is a minimum $6,000,000,000 and up to $7,800,000 if more than the anticipated awards are paid. So where will the real money go?

Attorney Fees (lodestar):
Pomerance: $159,162
Westernam: $344,113.75
Maximum attorney fee from settlement fund: $1,500,000

Do the math, then tell me who ripped who off yet again, but just like the last one, I'm going to cash the check.

Hugo's Big Skate

Hugo's Big Skate, a photo by randallhayter on Flickr.

I drove home from Richmond this morning and passed a familiar landmark - Hugo's Big Skate.

Tube Free

Tube Free, a photo by randallhayter on Flickr.

Tube-free TP! What will they think of next? And just who is this mysterious "they" that keeps thinking up things?

Vendors Are Blocking Data Centre Energy Cuts

Almost any CPU can run over 60 DegC without ill effect, so why are we running data centers at a maximum of 27 DegC? The answer in this article in Tech Week Europe is the vendors made us do it.

The current maximum operating temperature recommended by standards group ASHRAE is 27C or 80.6F. Evidence suggests that facilities could operate at up to 113F (45C) without damaging equipment, but this would render equipment warranties void, as manufacturers specify a conservative operating temperature for the products. 

Earlier this year, Dell announced that it had increased the upper temperature limits for some its equipment, so data centres can operate the kit at higher temperatures- albeit only for limited periods of 900 hours per year at 40C and 90 hours per year at 45C. Despite these caveats, Dell is ahead of other vendors in offering to support equipment at higher temperatures.

Clearly, the maximum server inlet temperature cannot exceed the design limits of the CPUs themselves, but they should be able to exceed the maximum outdoor temperature in most climates.

Foreign Currency Fee Litigation Settlement Fund

Another day, another $18.04. That's my share of the $336 million class action settlement fund used to compensate for excess credit card company fees associated with foreign currency exchanges. Read about the settlement here if you are really interested in such things. Like every one of these cases, the windfall goes to the lawyers:

Settlement Classes Counsel intend to apply for a Fee and Expense Award, which will include a request for fees not to exceed 27.5% of the Gross Settlement Fund plus a pro rata share of all interest, dividends, and other distributions and payments (less Tax Payments) accrued by the Settlement Fund, and a request for reimbursement of their expenses of litigation not to exceed $5,000,000.

Do the math, then tell me who ripped who off. Still, I'm going to cash the check.