I am a geekdad

Recently, I found another great website called Geekdad which seems like it was created specifically for me (the reality of course, is that I am nothing special and there are loads of people like me).

Its basically a blog which is targeted at parents who are into geeky pursuits (like RPGs!). There are a lot of posts about family friendly stuff that you can do as well as tips and hints for parents. I'm particularly looking forward to sharing my love of RPGs with Gerry and Gerry 2.0.

They also have a puzzle every Monday which can sometimes be quite challenging. The latest one (which I have copied below) can be found here. I've already worked out a solution, which I hope is right, but will have to wait until Thursday before I know for sure. Have a go and see if you can work it out.

Your brilliance has created another remarkable device. Your investors are going to love this one but there's a problem. Your oldest daughter comes upon you looking worried. "What's wrong, Dad?" she asks.

"Well, I've got this remarkable invention but it's subject from time to time to three faults: the plasma pressurizes; the sprockets stick; and the torque rings fall off."

"That's terrible!"

"Yes, but in trying to solve this trouble, I've made several observations:

When the seal is removed, button B is pressed, and the lever marked "Forward" is pulled back, the engine overheats and the phase inducer shakes. The pressing of button B, the release of the safety catch, and a firm tap on the cooling tiles are accompanied by a shaking phase inducer and the ocular interface turning blue. If the seal is removed, cooling tiles tapped, and the Forward lever pulled back, the engine overheats and the ocular interface turns blue. When the safety catch is released, cooling tiles tapped, and the Forward lever pulled back, the ocular interface turns blue. When the engine overheats and ocular interface turns blue, the plasma pressurizes. If the phase inducer shakes and the ocular interface turns blue, the sprockets stick and the torque rings fall off. [sigh]"

Your daughter thinks for a moment. "Well, Dad, working under the assumption that the various events each have single causes, not two or more in conjunction, I think I know exactly how to cure your device."

What does your daughter come up with, i.e., what would you do to be certain of curing your device of its three faults?

The God Delusion

I recently finished reading The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. This book is brilliant and if you haven't read it, I definitely recommend it to you (if you do buy it, make sure you buy the paperback version with the additional foreword).


Basically, the book is non-fiction and details Dawkin's argument that there is no God (just in case it isn't obvious, Dawkins is an atheist). Furthermore, the belief in a personal God, ala Christianity, qualifies as a delusion (there is a great quote in the book "when one person suffers from a delusion it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion it is called religion").


The first half of the book details his argument that there is no God. In my opinion, the first half of the book in itself merits purchase. His arguments are extremely well thought out and, despite some accusations to the contrary, do not consist of pure vitriol. The second half of the book talks about morality and particularly, the relationship between religion and morality. Unfortunately, there are a couple of areas in the second half of the book where it bogs down a bit. Overall though, he makes well thought out arguments (for the most part) in a highly entertaining and lucid manner.


Granted, the book in itself is not 100% convincing - there are a couple of arguments he makes which I'm not sure I fully agree with and there seem to be some assumptions which aren't fully explained. I guess this is due to the fact that there is a limit to how much you can convey in a book and still make it an interesting read. Nevertheless, this is one of those books which you find hard to put down after you pick it up and I cannot recommend it enough (regardless of whether you are an atheist, theist, agnostic or any of the other possiblities).


Full disclosure department - I consider myself an agnostic (and still do).

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Last night, TVB showed the pilot episode of T:TSCC on TV. I've always been a big fan of the Terminator franchise and I have to admit, I was looking forward to seeing this. Anyway, after watching the pilot, I thought I would post some impressions below. Don't worry though, I will refrain from mentioning any big spoilers below just in case you haven't seen it yet.

I have to admit that I wasn't very impressed during the first half of the show. At first, it feels like a cheap version of the T2 movie - with lots of ideas and set pieces almost being copied from the film. Nuclear explosion dream sequence - check. Two terminators smashing each other through walls - check. John Connor being a whiny git and saying he's not ready to be the messiah - check. I could go on - but I think you get the point.

In fact, I almost switched off after 15 minutes - the only reason I kept watching was because I'm such a big T2 fan. However, after a while, the pilot starts to branch off into its own plot and ideas and by the end of the pilot, I was actually looking forward to catching the second episode next week.

In hindsight, I guess I can understand why the first 15 minutes was deliberately (at least I think it was deliberate) almost copied from T2. Its been a long time since T2 was released and the familiar feel of the first 15 minutes was probably there to help people get back into the Terminator frame of mind.

Anyway, if you are a fan of the Terminator franchise (and really, who isn't?), then it is worthwhile watching if you get the chance.

Biggest missed opportunity from the pilot? Despite Summer Glau being naked twice, you don't get to see any T&A (and now you know why I want to catch the next episode - hope springs eternal!).

Lehman Brothers

As I'm sure you know by now, after the govt decided not to save Lehman Brothers, the firm has now died and stock markets around the world are in freefall.

Hurray!

As you may recall from my previous post regarding Bear Stearns, I am of the opinion that firms should face the consequences of their actions. Yes, its a shame that so many people will lose their jobs. Still, no company should be able to operate knowing that the govt will bail them out if they get in trouble.

In more distressing news, AIG is also in severe trouble. I really hope they don't go under - my insurance policy is with them!

Gaming predicts the end of the world

As you may already know, CERNs Large Hadron Collider will be powered up soon (or may even have already been powered up by the time you read this!).

Described as the "world's most powerful particle accelerator", the LHC is designed to recreate the conditions that existed at the birth of the universe. Scientists are hoping that by activating the LHC, they will be able to find the so-called "God Particle". At this point, is it worth mentioning that the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has a bet that God's Particle won't be found? Also, does the novel Angels and Demons indicate that Dan Brown believes that it will be found? Does anyone care?

Anyway, as with all good science, there is a fear that this will lead to the end of the world.

Just in case the World does end soon - I just want to say that we (or rather, Valve) called it first!

To be honest though, I'm not worried. As you can see here, preparations have been made for the worst case scenario!

madron pictures of yerrG

No particular theme this time - just some random pictures as Gerry 2.0 makes me think of the original.

Gerry 2.0

I can finally formally announce that my wife is preggers - again.

Gerry's little brother will come out of the oven in January 2009.
:)

Best USB drive ever

Check out this awesome Teddy Bear USB drive.

Of course, what makes it awesome is the fact that you rip his head off and jam his neck into your USB drive!
>:)