Indy Telecom & Industrial Media

…is dead. Hope he stays that way.

Not that I believe in hell, but if there is one, here’s hoping that Jack Valenti rots in the worst part of hell for DRM, DMCA and for the theft of consumer rights.

Oh damn, a man died. I ought to be respectful. But wait, this guy does not want me copying my DVD or playing it on Linux or let me use the music I buy the way I see fit. Who am I kidding? Good riddance of nasty rubbish.

The other day, I was at work looking for something to help me simulate large groups of entities when I stumbled upon a very interesting paper.

Matlab Particles is a paper by Professor Jörg J. Buchholz that talks about the various ways of creating particles and particle-systems in Matlab.

Not only does his paper explain the basics, but it also talks about creating and simulating nonlinear multi-order systems. Which is very cool if you are doing things like nonlinear dynamics, simulation and modelling, fluid dynamics and assorted fun stuff.

Totally awesome and highly recommended for Matlab and nonlinear dynamics geeks (Almonds and Niyant, I’m looking at you guys). Now if only we did not have to hack our way around Scilab to do the cooler stuff.

While I was walking back from work today, I was wondering about Christianity and Islam, two of the fastest growing religions in the world. And I thought to myself that maybe the reason these religions are succeeding is because they do not ask a great deal of you, and are simple.

At which point, I mentally felt a slap — it was the resounding voice of Lady Jessica chiding me and chastening me for my stupidity as I recollected a particular quote:

Paul Muad’dib: “The Fremen have a simple, practical religion.”

Lady Jessica: “Nothing about religion is simple.”

Ever so often, you come across something in life that makes you question the future of humanity. I call it the “toothpick” moment, inspired by Douglas Adams, when one of his character states that he lost faith in humanity after he saw instructions and disclaimer on a toothpick.

Angry Me: My e-mail is down!

Service Rep: Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.

Angry Me: I’ve filed several complaints about it, but nothing’s been done yet.

Service Rep: I’ll look at it right away, sir.

Tired Me: Fine, but that’s what you said the last three times.

Service Rep: The records say that we tried getting in touch with you, it seems that you were not available.

Surprised Me: Oh? When was this?

Service Rep: We sent you an e-mail about this over three days ago!

This is where I went quiet, for a good few minutes. I was in total shock to say anything. Wow – that was all I could think of.

Stunned Me: You sent me an *email* about it?

Service Rep: Yes sir! You should find it in your inbox. It’s from someone called $IDIOT.

Stunned Me: I filed a complaint saying that my email is down and you sent me an email about it?

Service Rep: Yes sir!

Silence on the phone, while I let the person at the other end ponder over her statement. Finally, the profundity of her statement dawns on her.

Service Rep: OH!!!

Tired Me: Yeah.

Service Rep: Well…

Tired Me: Yeah?

Service Rep: We’ll figure something out, sir.

Tired Me: I’m sure you will. I most certainly am sure you will.

I shook my head and hung up the phone.

And looking back, wow is all I can say about it. That was a toothpick moment, right there.

Star Trek? Bah, half of us shouldn’t even be allowed to get out of the house, let alone running amok in the galaxy.