Archive for January, 2007

Jan 28 2007

What’s an ISTJ?

Published under Off Topic

Okay, time for another personality test. This time from Kisa.ca.

The test consists of 46 questions. The questions are typical of these sorts of personality test, but they also have a third option for each question - “I’m really in between.” This is a nice option, since sometimes you really are inbetween the two choices and selecting one will incorrectly influence the results. I’m not sure how they take the inbetween answers into account; the test doesn’t say. I’m not entirely sure I believe the results of the test. I got 91% in the sensing field, as opposed to 9% in the intuitive field. It usually is around 50/50 with the slight edge to intuitive. Perhaps the inbetween option skewed the results that way.

After finishing the test, there are four links to offsite pages about the personality, only two of which work. The pages are just the typical personality profiles; nothing special.

Final score: ISTJ

Your personality type is ISTJ.
Introverted (I) 100%     Extraverted (E) 0%
Sensing (S)      91%     Intuitive (N)   9%
Thinking (T)    100%	 Feeling (F)     0%
Judging (J)      50%     Perceiving (P) 50%

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Jan 28 2007

Hungry, Hungry Computers

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New York Times: Intel Says Chips Will Run Faster, Using Less Power

I don’t actually care for most of the article, just the title. The article is mostly about the new manufacturing process and rival technology, neither of which I give one hoot about. But one thing that is important is more efficient processors. Right now, computer processors are very energy inefficient. When a process is inefficient, it usually releases energy in one of two ways: sound and heat. The way that most people are familiar with is heat. Stoves are a great example. A stove is just an inefficient electrical circuit that releases its energy in the form of heat. Mind you, stoves are designed this way, otherwise it’d be hard to heat up your food when trying to cook.

Computer processors on the other hand, are not designed to be inefficient. Every electron that leaks out of the circuits is one wasted. These wasted electrons then heat up the surrounding area and would eventually melt the system. But that’s why we have those massive CPU heat sinks, and the box fans to route the hot air away from the CPU and other electronics in the case and fresh cool air back into the case.

This hot air from the inefficient CPU then mixes with the room temperature air. And it does have an effect on the ambient air temperature. For instance, the last few nights here have been fairly cold; it’s dropped below freezing. Instead of turning on the heater, I leave my computer on - usually with a background process running so as to not fully waste the electricity to keep it running. I’m not exactly sure which way is more energy efficient, but I figure since the computer is actually doing work most of the night, that it must be at least as good as the heating system. Plus, by having the computer running instead of the heat, the temperature gradually decreases overnight to a minimum of around 65 F. This would be a little chilly to keep the apartment all the time, but since the temperature then increases to around a maximum of 75 F duing the day, it a nice temperature contrast between day and night, which I find helps me sleep.

Don’t get me wrong. I would much rather have energy efficient CPUs and have to use the heater at night. The energy saved during the day with the computer on would greatly outweigh the convenience at night. So high praise to Intel for attempting to produce a better chip.

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Jan 26 2007

Mormons for Lunch?

Published under Off Topic

An odd thing happened on the way back from lunch today. I was approached by two young men dressed in nice suits. Well, that’s not that unusual. Whenever there is a “career day” or other somesuch nonsense, lots of those business type students get dressed up.

As I was just about to walk past them, the one nearer to me shoves his hand in front of me and says, “How are you doing?” I’m thinking, “Am I supposed to know this person? Is he crazy?” Then I notice the name tags on their suit coats.

Member: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

I quickly said, “Not interested” and walked away. I was right with my second thought. They were crazy.

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Jan 26 2007

Cramer Mad on Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY)

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BBY 6 Month ChartJim Cramer has continually recommended buying BBY despite how it’s stock is doing. Since November 21st, the stock is down 10%. However, during this time, Cramer has recommended the stock on his Mad Money lightning round four times: Nov. 21, Dec. 20, Jan. 11, and Jan. 19. He has also recommended it on other segments of his Mad Money show, as well as on other shows several times in between.

I bought this stock at 55.18, at just under its 52 week high. Since then, it has dropped like a rock and is one of the worst performing stocks in my portfolio. I like the company, I like their products, but I alone don’t get to decide how well a stock does, and neither does Cramer. It’s time to unload BBY and tuck your tail between your legs.

Sell, sell, sell!!!

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