AEOLUS - double ended skiff

AEOLUS is a double ended rowing and sailing skiff that my son Frank and I finished in 2009. This photo is taken at the inaugural launch from Preston's dock in Greenport NY. Aeolus is a lapstrake hull of stitch and glue construction from a kit supplied by Chesapeake Light Craft. She is 15 feet long and weighs only 95 lbs. Note her cotton lanteen sail from Lamu, Kenya.

Desktop tidbits

While cleaning up my desktop I rediscovered this mix from the Cellphonia: Blues June 2010 installation that still puts a smile on my face. Check it out at http://cellphonia.org/blues/audio/mix-20100602atAI.mp3 :)s

Cellphonia: Blues / Analagous Projects / ICMC 2010

Cellphonia: Blues was selected and presented by Analagous Projects for the 2010 International Computer Music Conference (icmc2010.org) and this installation version received favorable reporting in the column Nocturnalist | Taking the Canvas Digital by Sarah Maslin Nir with photos by Béatrice de Géa for the New York Times. For the next two weekends in June visit the Cellphonia: Blues installation at Devotion Gallery.

Listen to the latest mix.

Thank you all for your participation.

Kelvin Paddle Launch

"In cases where the size of the propeller approaches the total draft available, it is necessary to adopt either the tunnel stern or the paddle wheel....It is efficient up to moderate speeds, and specially suited for towing." Kelvin Paddle Launch circa 1913.

Lloyd Lochridge - Oldest Boy Scout in USA

Austin, Texas, February 6, 2010 - Lloyd Lochridge rode at the front of the Austin Boy Scout parade this morning in an open white BMW convertible together with a 14 yr old Eagle Scout. Mr. Lochridge is said to be the oldest Eagle Scout in existence! - Austin American Statesman
Later I joined uncle Lloyd's Boy Scouts of America troop in Forest Hills, Queens, New York -- no camping or open fires permitted.

PHP Links

Google results with string: php resize image on upload

Resizing images with PHP - I will try this one first, it processes three common image types
PHP: Upload and Resize an Image - an interesting variation of above w/ useful bg info
Code Examples -> Image Upload And Resize Script - note catch of errors

Frank Svoboda's bid for Regent

Vote for FRANK!

My father-in-law Frank Svoboda is running for the elected position as Regent of University of Nebraska.

Visit Frank's campaign site SvobodaForRegent.org for more details.

iPhone Developer Links

Terrific Beginner Tutorials [switchonthecode.com] - thank you

An Absolute Beginner's Guide to iPhone Development Because of file naming on my part I totally failed on my first try here. My tricky rename file fix did not work. So I do not recommend simply renaming a typo misnamed file within the developer environment. However, working all over again from scratch was a success.
Creating Basic Buttons Builds on tutorial above, very nice.
Lots more here under "Cocoa Touch" www.switchonthecode.com/tutorials

Circuit Links

code, circuits, & construction - Tom Igoe
555 and 556 Timer Circuits
Capacitors
LM741CN Operational Amplifier (8-Pin Dip)

LEO Space Farm

From the archives I discover a paper "Low Earth Orbit Space Farm" (1986) written with Nils Bruun and Randolph Liebelt and presented at AIAA conference in USA and IAF conference in UK.

ABSTRACT
The paper proposes a modular low earth orbit space farm which combines the current CELSS technology with a single launch, artificial gravity space vehicle to provide fresh produce to a nearby space station crew in a balanced exchange for their biodegradable waste and carbon dioxide. While growing a substantial amount of produce, the space farm will also be developing the plant propagation technology for transfer to future lunar colonies and to accompany long range space missions, ie. interplanetary exploration. The components of the space farm will be launched by conventional booster, then manned, assembled and operated by a crew of two. Since the space farm is habitable during all stages of development, the shuttle rendezvous will be brief. Adding modules will facilitate increasing crop yields.

The complete paper: LEO-Space-Farm.pdf

My Asterisk Links - passing variables

asterisk-gateway-interface-scripting-with-php
Asterisk+AGI+php
Asterisk+Detailed+Variable+List
Asterisk+variables
asterisk-channel-variables-and-the-asteriskagi-perl-module/
What is AGI?

I was able to pass variable from .php to dialplan, that is the number that SalesPitch.mobi needs to make the follow-up call, let's review the hard code:
/* as saved within the passvariables.php script itself */
//- essential parts of /var/lib/asterisk/agi-bin/passvariables.php
// lines 51 to 64
// create .PHP variable with a hard code phone number
$CLIENTNUMBER = '8005551212';
$SOMETEXT = '\"some text for swift to speak is thus\"'; // *
// speak a script identifying that we are in this file
write ("EXEC Swift \"pass variables dot p h p\"");
// speak the variable to be sure it works
write ("EXEC Swift \"$CLIENTNUMBER\""); // spoken as a billion number
write ("EXEC Swift \"$SOMETEXT\""); // spoken as complete string
// create DIALPLAN variable equal to .PHP variable
// this DIALPLAN variable is a Channel variable
write ("EXEC Set CLIENTNUMBER=$CLIENTNUMBER");
// * NB: ONLY THE FIRST WORD IN THE PHP VARIABLE IS GETTING PASSED * * *
write ("EXEC Set SOMETEXT=$SOMETEXT"); // *
// go to dialplan with DIALPLAN variables in tow
write ("EXEC Goto scene6|s|1");
// - essential parts of /etc/asterisk/extensions.conf [scene6|s|1]
/*
[scene6]
exten => s,1,Wait(1)
; identify this dialplan context
exten => s,2,SayDigits(66)
; go to this new context with "Channel" DIALPLAN variable in tow
exten => s,3,Goto(sceneTest,s,1)
; hangup if above not available
exten => s,n,Hangup()

[sceneTest]
exten => s,1,Wait(1)
; identify this dialplan context
exten => s,2,Swift(scene test)
; speak digits of DIALPLAN variable
; from passvariables.php
exten => s,3,SayDigits(${CLIENTNUMBER}) ; spoke in single digits
; * NB: Swift ONLY speaks first word of this DIALPLAN variable
; to be determined later how to pass a .PHP string as a variable
exten => s,4,Swift("${SOMETEXT}")
exten => s,n,Hangup()
exten => i,1,Playback(pbx-invalid)
exten => i,2,Goto(salespitch,s,1)
exten => t,1,Playback(vm-goodbye)
exten => t,2,Hangup()
*/

Transfer resistor = Transistor

My son Frank sent me a link to HOW DO THEY REALLY WORK? by William Beaty, BSEE 1995 and I am pleased to report that this is the best explanation I have ever read on transistor basic principles. For years and years I was baffled by all previous explanations and this article told me why. There are useful links at the end for more visualizations plus a nifty article on Iron Pyrites Negative Resistance Oscillator with a DIY cat whisker radio.

aZza + RaaWee

Early shout outs to Saleem Qazi and his crew at RaaWee for the Android programing they are providing to my art application aZza. I look forward to the finished code, publishing and selling this application out of Orange, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Android & Sony-Ericsson shops.

My Amaryllis

I got the bulb that prduced this amaryllis at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden store two years ago. This blossom is the last of five. The photo made on my Google Android developer phone
exif:GPSLatitude: 40,43,4N
exif:GPSLongitude: 73,59,16W
Snow still clings to the back wooden deck.
Happy Chinese New Year!

SeeClickFix: New York : Fallen Fire Plug

SeeClickFix: New York : Fallen Fire Plug

Posted using ShareThis

I like SeeClickFix.com as citizen empowerment social network service. Congratulations! I plan to use it again.

Citizen Complaint

Fire Plug broken off on South side of Delancey Street, New York between Allen and Forsyth. It has been there at least two days ignored by the "authorities" that should restore its functional location seen on the side walk in the background of this photo. I shot the picture with my Google developer phone after turning on the add GPS to photo feature.
exif:DateTimeOriginal: 2010-01-01T10:57:23 -05:00
exif:GPSLatitude: 40,43,10N
exif:GPSLongitude: 73,59,27W

View Larger Map.
To get the map I resolved the EXIF data using by Photoshop to create the following string '40 43 10, -73 59 27' that regrettably puts the fallen fire plug location on the North side of the street but close enough for my purposes. This photo will be the reference image for my "Citizen Complaint" Android application to be submitted in NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge due in few days. More details to follow.......

My Android Links

I want to port my applications to Android so I return to the task of teaching myself. Here are some useful links to me along the way.
Signing an Android Application for Real Life Mobile Device Usage / Installation - terrific posting, i did it, it works, thank you

Fundamentals | Android Tutorial for Beginners (Part 1)
Getting started w/ Eclipse/Android dated 12/07, NSG
Tip: An easy way to add import packages to your project is to press Ctrl-Shift-O (Cmd-Shift-O, on Mac). This is an Eclipse shortcut that identifies missing packages based on your code and adds them for you.
A first hand look at building an Android application Did not work for me, skips steps, careful frame-by-frame examination might make this work for you, try target device 1.5

Global warming: Who are the leaders?

My question that I posted to Avaaz.org site for them to pass onto Gordon Brown.

"Curbing global warming requires change of life style for western nations. My fellow citizens and I are ready. But where is the political leadership with the voice and the will to present this future. This future is a bright future with bicycles and public transportation and spending more time strolling with family and friends. Children will be taught to weed and cultivate victory gardens. Who are the leaders that will set an example and steer the new course?"

Avaaz reply: Thanks for RSVPing to today's phone conference with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. This meeting with him is a great opportunity for us to engage with power as citizens around the world. And we'll keep him on his toes!

These are the access numbers to the call:

Participant Access:
Please dial in 5-10 minutes prior to the start time using the dial in number and passcode below.

Participant Passcode:
790507

Local - USA, New York:
+1 212 444 0891

Local - USA, New York:
+1 718 354 1388

Local - Italy, Milan:
+39 02 3041 3128

Local - Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur:
+60 (0)3 6207 4180

Local - Spain, Madrid:
+34 91 114 2187

National free phone - South Africa:
0800 981 919

International number:
+353 (0)23 88 61541

Optical Theramin in 2010

Here are some research links toward a follow-up pitch to Hans Tammen to teach an analog device building workshop in February 2010 at HarvestWorks.

Workshop: Build optical Theremin with one or two analog filters.

[below work in progress]
http://www.tuttlesoundlabs.com/experiments.html
http://www.getlofi.com/2006/01/optical-theremin-ebay-round-up.html
http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2008-04/build-pocket-theremin-cheap
http://www.popsci.com/files/theremin_sample.mp3
http://xn--47-fcc.com/squarecave.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqWzJt3Nm-U&feature=player_embedded#
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/01/555_timer_light_synth.html
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/10/more_555_timer_projects.html
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/03/in_the_maker_shed_555_noisemusick_k.html
http://www.makershed.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=MKAS1&Click=19209
http://www.netinstruments.com/theremins/theremin/optical-theremin-kit/
http://www.google.com/search?q=optical+theremin+kit&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/products.asp?dept=1427
http://library.thinkquest.org/10784/circuit_symbols.html
https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&ddkey=https:Logoff

Google Groups "Cellphonia" jacked?

Forgive the kvetch. I believe that Google Groups "Cellphonia" group has been jacked and I can not remember if I created the group or not. I don't seem to be the owner. Any thoughts how to fix this problem before we call in an n-strike.