Nomadic Soul

The Password Meter

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:10:26 GMT

I found this interesting site today, it tests out the strength of your passwords.

My best password had a rating of 32%, which is pretty weak, but worryingly most of them scored 0%. Time for new passwords methinks... trouble is anything short of sUcZ0r5?! or similar don't have a chance of getting a good rating. Remembering something like that is troublesome and I don't use the save password option in the browser cos anyone with any knowhow can just retrieve them.

Speechless

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:57:06 GMT

A sad and horrifying story:

Frantic police search for teenager after suicide note found but he jumps to his death after being taunted by mob

"How far can you bounce?": The extraordinary taunts of sick ghouls who jeered as a teenager leapt to his death

Rise of the Dancing Sith

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:41:00 GMT

The guy in the stormtrooper outfit is Danny Choo, son of shoe designer Jimmy Choo.

Ordering Pizza in the Future

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:36:52 GMT

Being an expert isn't enough

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:41:16 GMT

Sometimes, even being the world's premier expert in a field isn't enough to convince your parents that you know what you are doing. Instead they'd rather believe what they hear on TV or a layman friend's opinions. What to do?

Heroes: Season 3 - The Primetime Preview

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:22:53 GMT

Rice Cooker

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:43:54 GMT

Frozen Grand Central

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:25:13 GMT

Ubiquity for Firefox

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:52:45 GMT

Looks cool.

Wiff-waff is coming home

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:10:33 GMT

Boris Johnson's 'ping pong' speech at the London 2012 hand-over party after the end of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Fast forward to 2:20 for the funny bit.

What is speculation?

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:55:42 GMT

"What is speculation? All business is more or less speculation. The term speculation, however, is commonly restricted to business of exceptional uncertainty. The uninitiated believe that chance is so large a part of speculation that it is subject to no rules, is governed by no laws. That is a serious error. Let us first consider the qualities essential to the equipment of a speculator:

1. Self-reliance. A man must think for himself, must follow his own convictions. Self-trust is the foundation of successful effort.

2. Judgment. That equipoise, that nice adjustment of the facilities one to the other, which is called good judgment, is an essential to the speculator.

3. Courage. That is, confidence to act on the decisions of the mind. In speculation there is value in Mirabeau's dictum: Be bold, still be bold; always be bold.

4. Prudence. The power of measuring the danger, together with a certain alertness and watchfulness, is important. There should be a balance of these two, Prudence and Courage; Prudence in contemplation, Courage in execution. Connected with these qualities, properly an outgrowth of them, is a third, viz: promptness. The mind convinced, the act should follow. Think, act, promptly.

5. Pliability. The ability to change an opinion, the power of revision. 'He who observes,' says Emerson, 'and observes again, is always formidable.'

The qualifications named are necessary to the makeup of a speculator, but they must be in well-balanced combination. A deficiency or an over plus of one quality will destroy the effectiveness of all. The possession of such faculties, in a proper adjustment is, of course, uncommon. In speculation, as in life, few succeed, many fail."

I found this quote by Dickson Watts - President of the New York Cotton Exchange 1878-80. Jesse Livermore - arguably the finest "Stock Market operator" in the early 20th century was influenced by Dickson Watts.

Watts' business was that of "speculation" or trading in the financial markets, that is what he is talking about in this quote. I find that the qualities he list as essential for a speculator is very much relevant to all people in general whatever their businesses are, they are very much essential to success. We can maybe expand his use of speculation as seeking opportunities to profit in the financial markets to speculation as seeking opportunities to reach or fulfil goals in life.

I guess people would be uncomfortable to think of opportunities as speculative, as that would be akin to gambling - and one should not gamble with life, right? My view is without risking something, we cannot gain anything. Opportunities are not sure things, there is as much chance of it not working out as there is of it turning out as expected.

This is where all of the 5 characteristics Watts listed come in, to help discern bad opportunities from the good. Those who have these 5 qualities in abundance will succeed in life as they will see and take more of the good opportunities than the bad.

Another great quote from Jesse Livermore is: "never take tips." - he was referring to tips to buy or sell stocks, his reasoning goes something like this: "you don't know the reasoning behind the tip, so you cannot possibly know how the original tipster would play this - play it differently to how the tipster would, and you'd more than likely get burnt". The most important thing to learn in speculation in any financial instrument is self-reliance - don't let others influence your decision - sometimes what they may say will reinforce what you have already decided, but you must live and die by your own judgment.

Life is like just like speculating in financial instruments - trust yourself and decisions, don't let others influence you - because when you do let others influence you and if you fail, you would only blame others, when you should be blaming yourself, but most importantly, when you let others influnece you, you are admitting that you lack self-reliance, judgment, courage, prudence and pliability. For sure, you'll probably fail at times, but that is why pliability is required.

So start taking responsibility for yourself if you want to succeed in life.

Firefox breaks download record

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:24:54 GMT

It's been confirmed, Firefox 3 set a new Guinness World Record - the official figure is 8,002,530 downloads between 18:16 UTC 17 June 2008 to 18:16 UTC 18 June 2008.

I think about 5 of those downloads were from my last post... ummm... well 2 of those were me.

Firefox Download Day

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:21:08 GMT

Mozilla are bringing out Firefox 3 on 17 June, and they are looking to break the world record in downloads in a day. I'd personally recommend Firefox to anyone, as it beats Internet Explorer hands down in every department.

Go here to pledge your support:

http://www.spreadfirefox.com/en-US/worldrecord/

Be warned though, if you are an existing user of Firefox 2, some add-ons don't work on the new version.

Charice Pempengco

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:59:20 GMT

It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:47:57 GMT

I'd hold you up to say to your mother, "this kid's gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid's gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew." And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you, every day was like a privilige. Then the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you're no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You're my son and you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain't gonna have a life. Don't forget to visit your mother.

Rocky - Rocky Balboa

Kids say the funniest things...

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:39:49 GMT

Found this on one of the forums I frequent... had to stop reading as I was trying so hard not to laugh out loud (I was at work)...

CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEST

Can you imagine yourself to be the nun that is sitting at her desk grading these papers all the while trying to keep a straight face and maintain her composure!

IF YOU KNOW THE BIBLE EVEN A LITTLE, YOU'LL FIND THIS HILARIOUS! IT COMES FROM A CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEST KIDS WERE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN BY CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED OR CORRECTED. INCORRECT SPELLING HAS BEEN LEFT IN.

1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.

2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH'S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.

3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.

4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.

5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.

6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.

7. MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE REDSEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.

8. THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNTCYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.

9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.

10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.

11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA. THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.

12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.

13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.

14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.

15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.

16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.

17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.

18. ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.

19. JESUS ENUNCIATED THE GOLDEN RULE, WHICH SAYS TO DO UNTO OTHERS BEFORE THEY DO ONE TO YOU. HE AL SO EXPLAINED A MAN DOTH NOT LIVE BY SWEAT ALONE.

20. IT WAS A MIRICLE WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD AND MANAGED TO GET THE TOMBSTONE OFF THE ENTRANCE.

21. THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.

22. THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.

23. ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.

24. ST. PAUL CAVORTED TO CHRISTIANITY, HE PREACHED HOLY ACRIMONY WHICH IS ANOTHER NAME FOR MARRAIGE.

25. CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.

Dinner in the sky

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:37:52 GMT

Wow...

The cost for 8 hours is about $11, 444 not including catering.

Source: dinnerinthesky.com

Say it how it really is Roy...

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:51:35 GMT

This is what I like about Roy Keane... no nonsense, no hypocrisy... I bet this will make a lot of people unhappy though i.e. the hypocritical managers he was referring to.

Keane slams hypocritical managers

I guess he can't join in the hypocrisy as he led his team to hound the referee in a game in 1999...

Dreaming of a White Easter

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:40:10 GMT

It's been snowing all weekend.

Friday night, it snowed a little.

Saturday it snowed, then the sun came out, it snowed again, sun, snow, sun...

Sunday, woke up to find everything covered in snow. Didn't snow but was freezing though.

Today... it's just started to snow.

Man Utd 3 - 0 Liverpool

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:22:31 GMT

The so called big game to turn around Liverpool's season and perhaps to mount a late title challenge, ended with the "true reds" surrendering all creditability with barely a whimper. Representatives of Liverpool are now bemoaning the dismissal of key player Mascherano. Sorry, I don't buy it. I have seen many teams go a man down and still beat their opposition. Football is a game where being a sore loser is acceptable, and being gracious in defeat is taboo. United were clearly a far superior team and hiding behind a dubious dismissal is to hide that fact, and continue to kid supporters that we are really not that far behind the "vile enemy".

I have not seen any other sport where being a cheat, sore losers, blaming anyone but themselves is part and parcel of the game. In snooker, a player will tell the official he played a foul stroke, if the official happened to miss it. Whereas in football, if an opposition so much as brush you, you HAVE to dive with a triple somersault with half pike, before parting the luscious green, then roll 40 yards downfield, clutching your arm or leg and scream as if you had your limbs torn off one by one. Only to be stretchered off and 2 seconds later, get back up, return onto the pitch and start running like a spring lamb.

In rugby union, players get sin binned for 15 mins, and maybe the team with numerical advantage will go one and score a try. But I have never heard any post match interview picking at such points. They are always gracious in defeat, admitting that they were just not good enough on the day.

I think punditry has much to answer for this trend in football. It is noticeable that pundits tend to be players whose careers never shined brightly (with exceptions) Andy Townsend, Garth Crooks, Gavin Peacock, Jamie Redknapp, Ally McCoist, Andy Gray... I think they made a lot of excuses in their own careers. Even the likes of Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson who had great careers have been affected by this kind of thinking.

To end, congrats to Man U on a superb performance, we were just not good enough... we'll be back.

Day After Tomorrow

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:42:50 GMT

It snowed again today... this is too cold even for Spring here.
Channel 4 decided to show Day After Tomorrow as part of its Easter programme... I don't think they realised how appropriate it turned out to be.

Easter sneaking up on you

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:38:15 GMT

"Determining the date of Easter is an infernally complex business. The rules were set in AD325 at the Council of Nicaea, which declared that Easter should come on the first Sunday after the 14th day of the Paschal full moon - which, just to add confusion, is an abstract rather than a real astronomical event. In the 1,683 years since then, the dates of Easter in various different parts of the Christian church have drifted apart; the Orthodox Easter does not come until April 27 this year. This is not the fault of the Council of Nicaea, convened by Constantine I as a sort of universal standards body to hammer out rules that all Christians could agree on. Unfortunately, as reformers throughout history have discovered, drawing up a single set of rules is one thing. Getting people to apply them is another. Perhaps it is time to end the confusion and put the Easter Act into force. But there is something charming about Easter's skittish date, and the way the holiday arrives as a surprise - even if it is not quite what the Council of Nicaea intended."

source: The Guardian

It certainly was a surprise, a pleasant one at that, I didn't realise it was easter until a few days ago.... British Summer Time is another event that catches me by surprise... as does bank holidays, birthdays, anniversaries... everything except Christmas and New Year.

Easter! Yay

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:27:25 GMT

Long weekend... no work...

Where's the Exit?

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:12:46 GMT

The guys in the picture are installing bollards to stop vehicles parking on the pavement in front of the bar.

How long do you think it took them to realise where THEIR vehicle is parked?

Chinese is easy...

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:10:22 GMT

“There are many people studying Chinese now. I hope that all of you reporters, and the other ladies and gentlemen in attendance, can take up the study of Chinese. I believe that Chinese is one of the easiest languages in the world to learn. Otherwise, how can you explain why 1.3 billion people have chosen it as their mother tongue?”

Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi (杨洁篪) in a press conference this week

LOL