A friend and neighbor is running for mayor of Bradenton. In his campaign literature he calls himself an average guy working for the average guy. I’m sorry, but I will not vote for an “average guy.” We have a president who talks with pride about his academic record as a “C” student, and he’s been a flat-out disaster.
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A modern electric-drive hybrid car consists of a series of discrete mechanical systems, The major ones are:
- Electric motors (ideally built into the wheel assemblies)
- Batteries (drive the motors; recharged either when the car is plugged in or from an onboard generator system)
- Onboard generator/battery charger
- Power source for generator (can be gasoline engine, fuel cell, diesel… whatever)
- Computer-based control system (to make everything work smoothly together; also powers lights, turn signals, wipers, and other accessories)
- Brakes (same as in today’s cars)
- Steering (same as in today’s cars)
- Suspension (same as in today’s cars)
- Chassis (hopefully better than in today’s cars)
- Body (hopefully better than in today’s cars)
- Passenger & cargo accomodations (seats, trunk, etc.)
- Amenities (A/C & heat, music players, phones, navigation, etc.)
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There I was. looking through my massive collection of royalty-free music, sound effects, and loops. For no particulat reason, I decided to make a music "track" out of some of the loops, and to see just how awful a piece I could do while maintaining musical basics like rythym and a chord structure of some sort. So here you go: a minute + 40 seconds of jangledĀ nonsense tossed together in an audio track created with video editor Sony Vegas Pro. (Note: no sane person should listen to this…)
There were Slashdot anniversary parties in many cities. This video was shot at the one held in St. Petersburg, Florida, specifically at Harvey’s 4th Street Grill. 48 people reguistered, and 25 people showed up — but they were the coolest and most interesting Slashdot users in the Tampa Bay area, so we had a great time AND had t-shirts for everyone and then some. I can hardly wait for the Slashdot *20th* anniversary party. It’ll be even better than this one was!
Real estate has been a major Florida problem since 2003. That’s when prices started to go nuts. Now, finally, things are getting back to normal. I think we still have another six months, possibly a year, before most working people can afford to buy houses here again without major financial risk. But even now, with a little careful shopping, there are decent deals out there.
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BRADENTON, FLORIDA — Robin ‘Roblimo’ Miller, owner of the not-very-famous roblimo.com website, announced today that he is withdrawing from the contest to become the Democratic presidential nominee in 2008. “I’d like to thank everyone who supported me in this race,” he said, “but my wife doesn’t want to live in Washington, D.C., so that’s that.” Miller declined to say if he planned to support another candidate. “Right now,” he groaned, “the only thing I want to say is that I need a nap. As John Edwards will tell you if you ask him, campaigning wears you out something fierce.”
BRADENTON, FLORIDA — Robin ‘Roblimo’ Miller, owner of the not-very-famous roblimo.com website, announced today that he is withdrawing from the contest to become the Republican presidential nominee in 2008. “I’d like to thank everyone who supported me in this race,” he said, “but my wife doesn’t want to live in Washington, D.C., so that’s that.” Miller declined to say if he planned to support another candidate. “Right now,” he groaned, “the only thing I want to say is that I need a nap. As Fred Thompson will tell you if you ask him, campaigning wears you out something fierce.”