The Absolut Truth

Looking for an intern to work directly with senior engineer on critical projects. Internship will include a variety of projects using technologies such as LAMP, XML/XSLT, Java, etc. This is a paid internship, beginning ASAP and continuing through the end of the year.

The most important qualities that we are looking for are as follows:

• fast thinker
• innate common sense
• sense of responsibility and accountability
• very resourceful - able to figure things out quickly
• asks the right questions at the right time
• able to figure out how to do something by being shown a single example
• self-starter
• passion for software development

If you are the type of person who has done your own computer projects without class assignments and has learned new computer languages and technologies on your own because you find them interesting, then this may be a fit.

Position is located in Rough and Ready, California which is just west of Grass Valley on highway 20. Position is full-time, on-site. Send your resume and an intro describing why you are interested in this position and how you fit the qualifications listed above to internjob@stonecobra.com.

Say it isn’t so!!!! Upon hearing the rumor that DirecTV was dropping TiVo, I immediately ran to my computer to research it myself. It can’t be! Of all the people I know with TiVo and other DVR’s, it is the people with TiVo who enjoy it the most. Of course everyone has some issues or frustrations with their DVR, but TiVo owners seem to have the least annoyances. But here’s the death march that I have watching. With a rating system of +1 for the good and -1 for the bad, TiVo currently comes up with -3 which doesn’t bode well…

Bad
Since July 2003 - Ramsey and Barton have sold about 400,000 shares each in a series of small monthly transactions. That’s about a quarter of Barton’s holdings and a smaller fraction for Ramsey. (source)

Bad
August 2, 2004 - DirecTV is going with another DVR, and releasing NDS boxes alongside TiVo in 2005. The DirecTV relationship with TiVo contractually continues until 2007. (source) It’s insane that the incestuous business mentality is getting priority over quality and customer satisfaction, but that’s how business is run. I adamantly object in this case. I want my TiVo!!! …or at least offer me something better, not worse.

Good
October 31, 2004 - there were over 2.3 million subscriptions to the TiVo service. (source)

Good
2004 - Annual Sales increasing year over year with a 1-year sales growth of 47.0% (source) and (source)
2004 $141.1 million
2003 $ 96.0 million
2002 $ 19.4 million

Good
2004 - Annual Net Income increasing year over year (source)
2004 $ (32.0) million
2003 $ (80.6) million
2002 $(154.7) million

Good
2004 - Number of employees = 304. 1-Year Employee Growth = 22.6%. (source)

Bad
January 7, 2005 - DirecTV comes to the Consumer Electronics Show with an alternative PVR technology that it will offer in 2005 based on software from NDS, a technology subsidiary of News Corp., which acquired DirecTV in December 2003. (source)

Bad
January 7, 2005 - Shares of TiVo plummeted Friday after partner DirecTV Group unveiled a set-top box equipped with its own DVR. TiVo fell 84 cents, or 14.5 percent, to close at $4.96 on heavy volume of 10.6 million shares. (source)

Bad
Jan 13, 2005 - TiVo Announces that the current CEO and Chairman, and co-founder of the company Michael Ramsay, would step down as CEO once a suitable replacement is found. The company added that Ramsay will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board. (source)

Bad
January 21, 2005 - “TiVo has yet to strike deals with other network providers willing to distribute its service.” This does not bode well since most of TiVo’s subscribers come from DirecTV. (source)

Bad
January 21, 2005 - “Their balance sheet is pretty questionable,” said Rob Sanderson, a media analyst for American Technology Research (San Francisco), noting the company had about $88 million in cash last quarter and is spending, on average, $300 to acquire each subscriber to its $12.95 per month service. (source)

Good
January 21, 2005 - In the face of the competition, Ramsey (CEO, soon to be former CEO) talks about growing TiVo to a billion-dollar company with 40 percent margins within five years. (source)

Bad
January 31, 2005 - Marty Yudkovitz has resigned as president of the company. Marty has been president of the company since May of 2003. This was announced on Feb 1, 2005, the day after the effective date of the resignation. This is not good. (source)

What to buy: Kanei Hana Katsuo aka Kitty Crack.

Where to buy: Asian Food Grocer

Why: Read my blog posting about it.

This recipe is the absolut best dip for Super Bowl Sunday. Its also wonderful as a soup for the winter.

Refried Bean Soup or Dip
1 small chopped Onion
2 cloves minced Garlic
1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
1 can (31 ounces) Refried Beans
1 can (16 ounces) Diced Tomatoes (un-drained)
1 can (10 ounces) Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (un-drained)
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Chicken Broth
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Cilantro

1. Cook onion and garlic in oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until tender.
2. Add beans, both cans of tomatoes, and chicken broth. Stir until smooth. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes for a soup consistency. Continue simmering until mixture is thick for a dip consistency.
4. Stir in cilantro.

Garnish
6 Corn Tortillas
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
1 package (8 ounces) Sour Cream

1. Cut tortillas into thin strips.
2. Spread tortilla strips in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until browned.
3. Stir every 5 minutes during the baking process.
4. Garnish soup or dip with tortilla strips, cheese and sour cream if desired.

Makes 7 one cup servings.

Thanks to mom for sharing this wonderful recipe with me.

This is the Absolut Best Bread Pudding that I have ever had. It is simple in its ingredients, but heaven on the tongue. Warning: If you like the more cake-like bread pudding, this recipe is not for you.

Custard Bread Pudding
1 cup Sugar
1 stick Butter
5 beaten Eggs
2 cups Heavy Cream
dash of Cinnamon
1 tablespoon Vanilla Extract
12 slices (~1″ thick) French Bread (fresh or stale)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs, heavy cream, cinnamon and vanilla. Mix well.
3. Arrange bread slices flat in a 9 inch square pan.
4. Pour egg mixture over the bread in the pan.
5. Allow bread to soak up the egg mixture for 10 - 15 minutes, turning the bread if needed to ensure all pieces are coated.
6. Set square pan in a larger pan. Fill the larger pan with water to 1/2 inch from the top. Cover the larger pan (which will also cover the square pan) with aluminum foil.
7. Bake for 35 - 40 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil. Bake for an additional 10 minutes to brown the top. When done, the custard should be soft, not firm.

Rum Sauce
1 cup Sugar
2 cups Water
1 stick Cinnamon -OR- 1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
1/2 teaspoon Cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup Cold Water
1 tablespoon Dark or Spiced Rum

1. In a medium-size saucepan combine sugar, water, cinnamon and butter and bring to a boil.
2. Stir in cornstarch mixture and simmer, stirring until sauce is clear.
3. Remove from heat and add rum. (Sauce will be thin.)
4. Dish up the bread pudding and spoon sauce over individual servings.

If you try any variations on this recipe, leave me a note and let me know.

In response to The “Car Wreck Award”, I have to take a moment to respond.

Many negative comments have focused on the resentment that will be created in the non-award teams… what about the resentment that is created in the superstars when there aren’t awards? The entire premise of why a start-up company can take market share from an entrenched market dominating large company is the idea that a few superstars can creatively outrun the current dominator with their agility and new ideas. Google has been especially careful to recruit and keep these superstar-like employees. In regular companies, these superstars continually produce greater results than the vast majority of the other employees. The superstar’s worth to the company is often 10 to 100 fold that of the average or even good employee. However, you never see a superstar getting paid 100x or even 10x. Resentment sets in and inevitably the superstar looks elsewhere for a company where s/he can feel more valued. This often means trying to found his own company or going to a very early stage start-up.

Since it is these superstars which have the power to outrun other larger companies, they are the ones that should be kept! One superstar leaving out of resentment due to not being valued is much more important than teams of good/average employees having some level of resentment. I think Google is doing the right think to foster continued development and hiring of superstars as well as maintain an entrepreneurial spirit within a growing company.

By the way, most very large companies publish career path and salary ranges within the company as a means for motivating and retaining employees. It’s a proven methodology. It doesn’t create resentment to know the range of high level positions and how much more they make than you. In a sense, Google is doing an extreme version of this based on meritocracy instead of hierarchy.

This is just one woman’s opinion who has worked in one large company and five start-ups.

In a year where the flu shot has been restricted due to limited supply, more people are looking to alternative methods for preventing and treating the flu. Here is the homeopathic method for flu prevention and treatment.

Don’t Let it Go to Your Head - Flu Prevention
Dolivaxil, a Homeopathic remedy, is analogous to a traditional flu shot. This Homeopathic remedy is prepared based on the strains of the flu virus that the World Health Organization predicts to most likely affect the world each year. This remedy is the optimal method of flu prevention; but beware, to be effective it must be started in late summer or early fall. Luckily, it does not involve needles and only has to be taken in five doses. Make sure you check the dates on the box which indicate the flu season for which this remedy is valid. New remedies come out each year in July. According to this source, Dolivaxil is more effective than the flu shot.

Research studies on patients who took Dolivaxil Flu Defense reported the following results for an entire flu season:

• 90% no flu symptoms;
• 5% mild flu case;
• 5% moderate-severe flu case.

These results were reported by 23 French homeopathic medical doctors from a population of 453 patients. No side effects were noted in 97% of the cases, while 3% experienced nasal discharge (runny nose). Two other studies confirmed these findings with similar results. 98% of the patients were interested in repeating the Dolivaxil flu prevention protocol the following year.

Reporting on a study published by the Centers for Disease Control in the Wall Street Journal and CNN for the first half of flu-season (November 1, 2003 to January 10, 2004), the flu shot was 85% effective (15% of people who got the shot came down with the flu). Of the baseline group who did not get a flu vaccine, 17% came down with the flu during this period.

Directions (from the box): Adults and children over 2 years: Dissolve one tube under the tongue per week for 4 weeks then wait for three weeks and dissolve one final tube under the tongue or as directed by a health professional.

Cost: Approximately $10 - $15 for the full course of 5 doses (1 box), depending on where it is purchased.

Where to Buy: Most holistic health, vitamin and herb stores should carry it. Many online retailers carry it such as Drugstore.com, Discount Vitamins & Herbs, and Amazon.com. Search for Dolivaxil on your favorite online retailer or search engine.

Caveats: The warning label says that this remedy is not a replacement for the flu vaccine, and if you have been diagnosed or believe you are at high risk for complications due to influenza, consult your health professional for appropriate treatment. Children under 2 should not use this remedy.

A Dose of Your Own Medicine - Flu Treatment
Homeopathic remedies such as Dolicoccil and Oscillococcinum are available to treat the symptoms of the flu and shorten the duration of the flu. Oscillococcinum is by far the more popular product in the US as recent television commercials are taking the product information to the mainstream public. It can also be taken as to prevent the flu.

Directions (from the box): Adults and children 2 years of age and older: take 1 dose at the onset of symptoms. Repeat for 2 more doses at 6 hour intervals. Allow the pellets to dissolve in the mouth, at least 15 minutes before or after meals.

Cost: Approximately $6 - $8 for a 3 dose box, $11 - $15 for a 6 dose box, and $16 - $19 for a 12 dose box depending on where it is purchased.

Where to Buy: Most holistic health, vitamin and herb stores should carry it. Many online retailers carry it such as eVitamins.com, Mother Nature, and Swanson Health Products. Search for Oscillococcinum on your favorite online retailer or search engine.

Other Options
There are many alternative health possibilities for preventing and treating the flu symptoms. Vitamins, herbs and essential oils are just a few of the possibilities that can be used as an-alternative-to or in-addition-to the Homeopathic course of treatment. For example Vitamin C, Echinacea, Goldenseal, Astragalus, zinc and other supplements all help treat cold and flu symptoms. More information about these other types of alternative health products will be available in future posts. If you have specific vitamins, herbs, minerals, oils, flower essences, etc that you want me to give information on, please leave a comment.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is only intended as one source from which you should perform your independent research and evaluation. Please consult a qualified medical practitioner for medical advice.

Absolut Unique
Balance, Harmony, Even Steven, Even Odds, and Fun & Games are the categories of jewelry made by even DESIGN. With the theme of the bubble from a level, the rings, bracelets, necklaces and cufflinks are supremely awesome. Don’t miss the cufflinks with compasses, the Barrel O’ Monkeys bracelet or the cuff bracelets with natural leaf impressions. If you are looking for something fun and unique that didn’t come from a gumball machine, then even DESIGN may have what you are looking for. Let me know what you think about them.

I am in no way affiliated with even DESIGN. I just came across them on the web and thought they were cool.

All of these patents are actually real and can be found at Totally Absurd Inventions & Patents. There’s a lot of them listed on the site, so I have sorted through them for you to find the most mentionable.

The Absolut Funniest of the Bunch
Radar Head It’s Figure 3 with the head rest that really makes you laugh.
Earthquake House No brakes!
Earless Eyewear The last sentence of the description will get you.
PantyHose 3x This is hilarious. I’d love to see guys in these .
Pants Pointer There aren’t any PG things I can say about this one… you’ll have to see for yourself.
Toilet Snorkel Is this really better than smoke?
Travel Relief Flushing, Genius!

Honorable Mention
Arm Mitten Yeah, that’s really gonna sell.
Baby Patter The end of the description is the best part of this one.
Bird Trap Cat Feeder I can’t believe this one was actually legal!
Bubble Head Sweet! All the blood without any of the injury!
Cheese Filtered Cigarette Seriously? This one is hard to believe. Maybe Wisconsin or California will adopt something similar for their next cheese campaign aimed at people exposed to second hand smoke….eat more cheese, it filters out harmful smoke components.
Cow Gas Just plain odd.
Dad Saddle Save a horse, ride a cowboy!
Extreme Combover Watch out Donald Trump!
Loupy Lou This gives a new meaning to love handles.
Hijacker Injector Jack ‘em in the jimmy.
Geek Pouch How can you say absurd? I’ve gotta have one!
Gerbil Shirt This must have been what Richard Gere’s parents got him as a kid (urban legend).
Skate Scooter Speed bumps…funny.
Sleep Sponge Bumper…funny.
Snowboard Bumper I think they were right on with the snowball comment.
Stud Spectacles Holy Painful Batman!
Sunburn Cowboy (bow chicka bow bow)
Wig Flipper This is pretty cool.

Recent Windows Update
If you do regular Microsoft Windows updates, then you may have noticed that a couple of weeks ago the update included the installation of Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. To be honest, I only paid attention to it because I actually had to interact with the update since it required agreeing to an EULA. I decided to actually read the contents of the EULA and find out what I was agreeing to (novel concept, I know).

Malicious Tool Automatically Reports to Big Daddy
In accordance with recent Microsoft style, the EULA disclosed that this tool will remove all software that is considered malicious as defined as showing up on the list that Microsoft keeps and that you can look at. Fine. It also said that the Malicious Software Removal Tool will automatically report back to Microsoft each time it removes malicious software from your computer. Now somehow I am OK with the Microsoft Office suite reporting errors back to Microsoft because it asks me each time whether I want to report the error or not. Taking away the end user control and making it happen automatically just struck me as wrong that day.

Cutting the Apron Strings
Luckily, buried deep within the EULA is also a link that says it will tell you how to disable this feature if you don’t want it to automatically report. I faithfully copied down the link and agreed to the EULA, installing the software. Of course, nothing is as easy as it seems. That link led me to another article which buried inside had a link to another article and finally I was at the right article (although you’d never known it by the title). This was a clear case of obfuscation. Here is all you need to know, straight from the horse’s mouth:

Q4. How can I disable the infection reporting component of the tool so that the report is not sent back to Microsoft?

A4. An administrator can choose to disable the infection reporting component of the tool by adding the following registry key value to computers. If this registry key value is set, the tool will not report infection information back to Microsoft.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\MRT\DontReportInfectionInformation with the value of “1″. Note that this value should be of type REG_DWORD.

This functionality is automatically disabled if the following registry key value exists: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\WUServer
This registry key value indicates that the computer is connected to a SUS server.

Of course, how many non-engineer computer users know how to add a registry key value? I don’t even want most computer users learning this skill…it’s much too dangerous!

Things that Make You Go Hmmm…
So in the end I am left wondering if this is a malicious Software Removal Tool (i.e. a spiteful, malevolent tool that happens to remove software) or a tool that removes malicious software. It may just be a case of clever naming by Microsoft.