AMD vs Intel

In case you haven’t heard AMD has filed a lawsuit against Intel.  I won’tpost all the nasty accusations from AMD (see links at the bottom of this message)but will say that Intel works very hard to ensure all of it’s employees adhereto the law and a strict code of ethics.  Employees are required to take a refresheron the code of ethics at least once a year.  We do that to ensure we can standthis type of accusation.  Bring it on AMD!Here’s a note from our fearless leader:SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 29, 2005 — Intel Corporation President and CEO PaulOtellini today addressed the antitrust lawsuit filed against Intel this week byAdvanced Micro Devices Inc. The AMD lawsuit asserted a number of complaints regardingthe business practices of Intel and its customers.“Intel has always respected the laws of the countries in which we operate,”Otellini said. “We compete aggressively and fairly to deliver the best valueto consumers. This will not change.“Over the years, Intel has been involved in other antitrust suits and facedsimilar issues. Every one of those matters has been resolved to our satisfaction.We unequivocally disagree with AMD’s claims and firmly believe this latest suitwill be resolved favorably, like the others.”

Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer,networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is availableat www.intel.com/pressroom.Here are some links that will allow you to catch up on the spat:

• AMD vs Intel: Thechips are down - ZDNet UK Insight
• DidIntel Kill Opteron?
• AMD appeals tousers over anti-trust suit
• AMD files antitrustlawsuit against Intel
• AMD Hopes to WinPublic Support

Please Note: The content of this message is my personal opinion only and althoughI am an employee of Intel, the statements I make here in no way represent Intel’sposition on the issue, nor am I authorized to speak on behalf of Intel on this matter.

Posted by admin Posted in: News, Useful Info No Comments » June 2005

Jay Maisel

Jay Maisel isa great photographer.  I’ve been listening to him each day as a part ofmy daily Epson OnlineExperience course.  He has a lot of interesting things to say.  I wasreading an interview with him in PhotoInsider and found this great quote:

“So one of the things you try to do when teaching is to open doors. Becauseyou can’t really teach. People have to teach themselves. You just have to let themknow what’s going on, you have to show them the doors. And when they open one andgo through it, it’s their trip. But, you have to expose them to different things.”

How very true.  So I encourage you to open some new doors, try new things, dosomething you wouldn’t normally do.  Get out there and do it!

Posted by admin Posted in: Photography No Comments » June 2005

Epson Online Experience

Yesterday I was reading my latest copy of PDN andsaw a little blurb about GregGorman and his involvement in the EpsonOnline Experience.  The OnlineExperience looked pretty interesting so I logged on and checked it out.

“The Epson Online Experience is an innovative web based program. Every week,you can view five new videos packed with professional techniques, tips and step-by-steptutorials for creating spectacular images and digital prints.”

I watched the introvideo and was sold.  I paid the $30 and signed up for the 12 week adventure. I have to wait a few days for them to send me my account information before I canbegin the lessons.  I’ll let you know if it’s worth it.

Posted by admin Posted in: Photography No Comments » June 2005

Don’t forget the books!

While I was away on my trip I was able to catch up on some reading.  You canalways see the most recent books I’ve read by going to my homepage (theyare at the bottom of the page).  I also keep a list of new books I’ve readon my books page.  I’vesorted them by rating, the books I like best are at the top.  If you’relooking for something good to read checkit out.

Anything you buy on my site helps to pay for my hosting costs, so read some booksand help me pay my hosting bills!

Posted by admin Posted in: Books No Comments » June 2005

Home at last

Well I finally made it home last week.  Unfortunately I didn’t make ithome 100% healthy.  I’ve been sick for the past week and I still have anotherweek or so to go before I’m feeling normal again.  My doctor told me Ihave a rare bacterial infection in my belly that he’s only seen two or threetimes before.  That’s the bad news.  The good news: I’ve lost15 pounds and my blood pressure is great!  Ha ha ha.

I spent a few hours this weekend mowing, pulling weeds, edging, and other types ofyard work.  My yards looked like I’d left them to fend for themselves forthe past 6 weeks.  Hmmm, I guess that’s exactly what I did.  I wasable to take them from atrocious to mildly embarrassing.  I’ll have tospend the next few weeks giving them some TLC so my grass stays green and my plantsgrow strong.

It’s wonderful to see Diane again.  We’ve been hanging out everyavailable hour.  We can’t really go out and have a nice dinner or anythingbecause I’m so sick, but we have been able to stay at home and watch a couplegood movies and catch up on everyday life.

The dogs are both good too.  I thought they would forget me, but they didn’t. They are both as happy and fun to be around as always.  I’ll have to posta few more shots of them soon.

Ahhhh, it’s nice to be home.

Posted by admin Posted in: News No Comments » June 2005

German pit stop

I’m in Germany, almost half way home now.  9 hours to Chicago, then 4.5hours to Phoenix.  Almost there….

Just a note: Don’t fly Lufthansa unless you enjoy pain. Go with Continental Airlines or Singapore Airlines instead.  Lufthansa has oldjets, the seats are way to small, the food tastes like cardboard, and the serviceis horrible.  I’ve flown Continental and Singapore (both coach) to Asia,they are light years ahead of Lufthansa. 

Lufthansa = horrible experience.

Posted by admin Posted in: News No Comments » June 2005

Goodbye India

It’s midnight here in Bangalore and I’m sitting in the waiting area at the airport.My flight leaves at 2:05am. It’s not a red-eye flight, it’s the normal flight outto Germany. In India everything is upside down and nothing is what it seems at first.India is a country of contradictions and mysteries.I’ve been so busy at work and trying to get out to see the city that I haven’t hadtime to blog while I’ve been here. I’m not sure I’d even know what to blog about thisplace. It’s full of color, hope, energy, and in the middle of a technological revolutionthat’s turning the economy upside down. But it’s also a country of 1 billion people,many poor. It’s run by a corrupt government that is trying hard to work out the badand keep the good. It’s a place where a bribe is a normal way of doing business, orinfluencing a politician. The bribes are not hidden or secret, it’s just businessas usual.I found my new co-workers in Bangalore to be awesome. They are funny, smart, and alot of fun to hang out with. The people at the hotel where I stayed were also great.They were nice, helpful, and genuine. When I went to France I was expecting a bunchof snooty people who were rude, but didn’t find any. But here in India I find themeverywhere I go.People are constantly trying to take advantage of western travellers. Prices are inflated500% or more (I paid 1700 rupees to get from the airport to my hotel when I got here.I later found that I should have only paid 150 rupees). Indians do not say “Thankyou” or “Your welcome” to each other. They don’t even look waiters in the eye whenordering. The caste system still has a grip on the subconscious of this society. Itneeds to go.But my observations of India are really oversimplifications of a country. They arestereotypes, cliche’s. You just can’t paint a picture of this place, you have to comehere. And when you do you’ll find that some days are good, and some are not. You’llmeet inspiring people, and those that are revolting to you.So don’t take my word for it. Visit India yourself and make your own judgement. I’dhate to think what anyone would think if they came to the United States and only sawNew York City. New York is hardly a good representation for life in the US. I haveseen thousands of miles of India and many, many cities. It cannot be wrapped in anice package or summarised in a blog. You’ll have to go there yourself.I’ll be home in 32 hours. I can’t wait. I want to see Diane’s face. I want to petmy dog. I’d like to eat a burrito. Of course my photoblog won’t be as interesting,but I’ll work on that. I guess it’s the price I’ll have to pay to be at home. Andhome is a place I love.32 more hours Diane!! I’ll be home soon…

Posted by admin Posted in: Travel No Comments » June 2005

One

I’ve been in India the past two weeks and it’s been incredible. Perhaps you’ve seen some of the photosof poverty on my photoblog or read my postsabout Darfur.  Perhaps you’ve been looking for a way to make achange in the world.  Here’s one…There is a new movement in the US that’s gaining strength.  It’scalled The ONE Campaign.THE ONE DECLARATIONWE BELIEVE that in the best American tradition of helping othershelp themselves, now is the time to join with other countries in a historic pact forcompassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world overcome AIDS and extremepoverty. WE RECOGNIZE that a pact including such measures as fairtrade, debt relief, fighting corruption and directing an additional one percent ofthe U.S. budget toward meeting basic needs – education, health, clean water,food, and care for orphans – would transform the futures and hopes of an entiregeneration in the poorest countries. WE COMMIT ourselves - one person,one voice, one vote at a time - to make a better, safer world for all.”Click here to learn more.

Posted by admin Posted in: News, Politics No Comments » June 2005

If Your Dog Was The Teacher…

If your dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
• When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.
• Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout…runright back and make friends.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
• Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

Posted by admin Posted in: Humor, Random Stuff No Comments » June 2005

Sounds of Bangalore

I’ve been in Bangalore, India for a little over a week now.  One of thethings that amazes me is the constant hustle and bustle of the city.  There areabout 6 million people who live here, and they have no freeways, not even wide roads. The roads here are small, have no lane boundaries, and are packed with cars, motorcycles,people, dogs, cows, auto-rickshaws, hand carts, elephants, trucks, and any numberof odd things.In India you honk your horn to tell another vehicle or person that you are comingaround.  It’s sort of like a jogger yelling at people in front of themso they’ll move over.  So horns are a non-stop symphony of noise. The first few days it can make you go mad.Today I pulled out my iRiverMP3 player/recorder and hooked up an external mic and recorded some of the soundsof India.  I recorded the traffic on the way home from work.  I recordedsome Indian television – it’s a music channel that advertises movie soundtracks. I also recorded the ambiance from the restaurant where my co-worker Kevin and I atetonight.  If you listen closely you can hear the traffic outside, a bird whistle,and the sound of some kids at the next table.So here are the sounds.  I recommend you right-click and download these to yourhard drive and then listen to them.  If you have a Mac you’ll have to figureit out on your own (sorry guys).

• Traffic (912 kb)
• Indian TV (924 kb)
• Restaurant (475kb)

Use headphones if you can, close your eyes and imagine yourself on the other sideof the world, or down the street if you live in India!

Posted by admin Posted in: Random Stuff, Useful Info No Comments » June 2005