The Golden Age of mystery novels is taken here to be the period between 1913 and the start of World War II. On this page, you will find information about the great and well known writers of this period. There are also lesser know writers of this period who deserved a reading, and you will find information about them at Lesser Lights of the Golden Age. Many of their novels are being published again and should not be overlooked.
G. K. Chesterton - (1874 - 1936) The creator of Father Brown. Chesterton was an artist, poet, journalist, critic, essayist, novelist, and short story writer. Chesterton was born in London, and wrote for various newspapers and magazine. Chesterton's other detective stories included The Club of Queer Trades and The Man Who Knew Too Much. Biographical information and a bibliography may be found at The American Chesterton Society. Many of Chesterton's works may be found online at Chesterton's Works on the Web.
Edgar Wallace - (1875 - 1932) Wallace was an incredibly prolific and popular writer of thrillers. He was the illegitimate son of two actors. He was adopted by George Freeman at the age of nine days. His formal education ended when he was 12 and he worked at odd jobs until he joined the West Kent Regiment at age 18. He was sent to South Africa with the army. He purchased his discharge and worked as a war correspondant there. He returned to England and published his first thriller Four Just Men in 1905. His output after this time was mind-boggling. He wrote at least 173 books and 17 plays. His books were popular and he made a lot of money and spent a lot of money and he died in debt. His writing was slapdash and formulaic, and his work is now mostly forgotten. For more information see the article Edgar Wallace, the Man Who Wrote Too Much? by Michael Mallory in Mystery Scene Magazine. A number of his books are available at Many Books. Many movies were based on his writings and a list of these is at the Internet Movie Database.
Mary Roberts Rinehart (1876-1958) - a prolific American writer of mystery stories. She is also credited with originating the "Had I But Known" form of mystery novels in which the heroine is always getting into dangerous situations. Ms. Rinehart was born in Pittsburgh, PA and attended nursing school. Her husband's investments in the stock market did poorly and she turned to writing to aid with the family finances. Her first mystery novel, The Man in Lower Ten was published in 1906. Her stories and novels were extremely successful and enabled her to live in luxury.
Mary Roberts Rinehart - a biography and links to works available online by The Literature Network.
Mary Roberts Rinehart - a commentary on her writings by the Classic Mystery and Detection Home Page.
ManyBooks.net - Several of her books are available as e-books.
H. C. Bailey (1878 - 1961), Creator of Reggie Fortune who was a popular sleuth in England in the period between WWI and WWII. Bailey was born in London, and educated at University College, Oxford. He worked for the London Daily Telegraph from 1901 to 1946 as a drama critic and war correspondent. Biographical information.
Elizabeth Daly (1878 - 1967) - Ms. Daly is the creator of Henry Gamage, a highly literate and sophisticated sleuth whose adventures are described in 16 novels. Ms. Daly was an American author who did not publish her first novel until she was 62. Biographical information.
Patricia Wentworth (1878-1961) - Ms. Wentworth is best known for her novels which feature spinster sleuth Maud Silver. Miss Silver is a retired governess, professional private detective, and is rarely seen without her knitting. Ms. Wentworth was born in Mussoorie, India, and was educated in London. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920, and lived in Surrey, England. Her first Miss Silver novel, Grey Mask was published in 1928. Biographical information.
Earl Derr Biggers (1884 - 1933) Biggers created Charlie Chan, one of the most popular of detectives. Although there were only 6 novels, there were at least 30 films and a television series based upon them. Biggers was born in Warren, Ohio, and earned a BA from Harvard in 1907. He worked for a short time as theatre critic, and then turned to writing plays, novels, and short stories. The first Charlie Chan novel The House Without a Key was published in 1925. Biggers wrote 5 more Chan novels before he died of a heart attack in 1935.
The Charlie Chan Family Home - Biographical information and more information about the films.
Chan the Man - An article on Charlie Chan by Jill Lepore in The New Yorker, August 9, 2010.
Vincent Starrett (1886 - 1974) Though Starrett was born in Toronto, Canada, he lived most of his life in the United States. He was a reporter for several Chicago newspapers, and wrote the Books Alive column for the Chicago Tribune for many years. He wrote many essays, biographical works, and critical studies of authors. He is best know for The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes which was published in 1933. He wrote several detective novels and was a founder of the Baker Street Irregulars. He was named a Grand Master of Mystery by the Mystery Writers of America in 1958.
Rex Stout (1886-1975). Stout was born in Noblesville, Indiana. As a child, he was a prolific reader and won the state spelling championship at age 13. Stout worked at a variety of jobs before he began writing seriously. His first Nero Wolfe novel Fer-de-Lance was published in 1934, and Stout finished his last Wolfe book at the age of 89. He received the Grand Master of Mystery Award in 1959. Fans of Wolfe will find more information and a bibliography at The Thrilling Detective web site.
Raymond Chandler (1888-1959) - Chandler wrote in the tough guy tradition which was similar to the style of Dashiell Hammett. Chandler's first novel The Big Sleep appeared in 1939. It was followed by other novels such Farewell My Lovely and The Lady in the Lake, and short stories which were published in Black Mask. The Thrilling Detective web site has quite a bit of information. Movies and TV shows based on Chandler's books may be found at the Internet Movie Database.
Monsignor Ronald A. Knox (1888 - 1957) - Translator of the Bible, and writer of detective stories. Knox was educated at Balliol, and became an Anglican priest. In 1917, he converted to Roman Catholicism, became a priest, and prelate to the Pope. His translation of the New Testament was published in 1944, and his translation of the Old Testament was published in 1950. He wrote several detective novels such as The Viaduct Murders and The Footsteps at the Lock. He was one of the founding members of the Detection Club. More information may be found at the Wikipedia web site.
Arthur Upfield (1888 - 1964). Born in Gosport, England. After he failed his advancement tests as a professional surveyor three times, his father shipped him off to Australia at the age of nineteen. He worked as a cowhand and a cook and when WWI started, he joined the army and fought at Gallipoli. His first successful novel The House of Cain was published in 1926. His series detective is Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, a half-cast Aborigine Australian who is a member of the Queensland Police Department. A biography of Upfield may be found at Australian Dictionary of Biography..
S. S. Van Dine (1888 - 1939). Pseudonym of Willard Huntington Wright. Van Dine was born in Charlottesville, VA. He worked as a literary and art critic for newspapers and magazines. He suffered from poor health, had a severe breakdown in 1923 and was confined to bed for two years. During these years, he read detective stories and amassed a large collection. He then decided that he could write a better story than he was reading. His first Philo Vance book, The Benson Murder Case, was published in 1926. His books were exceptionally popular, and Van Dine became quite wealthy.
S. S. Van Dine - Article and bibliography from the Guide to Classic Mystery and Detection.
Philo Vance: S.S. Van Dine's Forgotten Sleuth - an article by Michael Mallory in Mystery Scene Magazine.
Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Fiction - by S.S. VanDine.
S. S. Van Dine - Movies from his novels. This list is from the Internet Movie Database.
Agatha Christie (1890-1976). Ms. Christie is one of the best known mystery writers in the world. She was born in Devon, England, and educated at home. She was married to Colonel Archibald Christie just after the start of World War I. She worked in the dispensary of a hospital during the war which contributed to her knowledge of poisons. She wrote her first book, The Mysterious Affair at Styles during time off from work. The book was rejected by several publishers before being accepted. Ms. Christie received only $125 for the book, but the sale encouraged her to write more. She was divorced from Christie in 1928. In 1930 she met and married the archaeologist Max Mallowan. She was a prolific writer, and several of her books are classics of the mystery genre. In 1955, she received the Grand Master of Mystery Award from the Mystery Writers of America. She was the first recipient of this award.
Agatha Christie - Web site of Agatha Christie, Ltd. A good site to keep up with current video productions of Agatha Christie novels. Also, of course, information about Agatha and her novels.
Hercule Poirot Central - Not limited just to Hercule, this site provides other Christie information.
The Agatha Christie Filmography - From the Internet Movie Database. This will keep you renting and streaming for quite a while.
The Chemistry of the Murder Mystery - In her first mystery novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, Christie wrote of a murder committed with strychnine. In this article, Deborah Blum elaborates upon the use of this poison, and upon Christie's use of poisons in 30 of her novels.
Hercule Poirot's Real-Life Model may have been detected in Torquay - Was Poirot based on a refugee Belgium policeman? This is an article from The Guardian, May 13, 2014.
Anthony Berkeley Cox (1893 - 1970). Anthony Berkeley Cox was born in Hertfordshire, England. He served in the army in WW1 and he was educated for a career in law. He began his writing career writing sketches for Punch and then turned to mystery novels. Berkeley wrote under three names. As A. B. Cox he was a journalist. As Anthony Berkeley and Francis Iles, he was the author of classic mystery novels and critic of mystery novels. In 1925, he published The Layton Court Mystery which he had written for his own amusement and which introduced his detective Roger Sheringham. He was a founding member of the Detection Club. Some of his mysteries are available as ebooks on Amazon.
Extensive bibliography of his writings.
Dorothy L. Sayers (1893-1957) - Sayers had learned Latin by the age of 7. She graduated from Somerville College, Oxford with top honors in medieval literature. Since she needed money to live on, she became a copywriter in an advertising agency. The first Lord Peter Wimsey novel appeared in 1923. She ceased writing detective novels in 1947 because she said that she had written these stories only to make money, and she would now do what she enjoyed. She spent the rest of her life translating Dante, and lecturing on religion and philosophy.
Forensic Chemistry in Golden Age Detective Fiction: Dorothy L. Sayers and the CSI Effect - an article by Lee Sullivan Berry from the Chemical Heritage web site.
The Dorothy Sayers Filmography. From the Internet Movie Database.
Dashiell Hammett (1894-1961) Hammett was the first successful author of novels of the tough private detective. His book The Red Harvest was published in 1929. This was followed by The Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man, and other novels and short stories. Hammett stopped writing novels in the mid-1930's. He was active in the Communist party, was a subject of the McCarthy investigations, and went to prison for a short time for failing to reveal what he knew about other party members.
The Continental Op - Biography and bibliography of Hammett from the Thrilling Detective web site.
Dashiell Hammett - the PBS American Masters production.
The Dashiell Hammett Filmography - From the Internet Move Database.
Ngaio Marsh (1895-1982) Ngaio Marsh was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, and attended college there. She worked as a writer, actress, producer and director for amateur theatricals until 1928, when she went to England, where she founded an interior decorating shop. She wrote her first mystery in 1932. She divided her time between England and New Zealand working with various theatrical groups. Her series detective is police detective Roderick Alleyn who is quite urbane and sophisticated.
Ngaio Marsh - Biography from the Te Ara, the encyclopedia of New Zealand.
Biography and Bibliography - From Kotare 2007, Special issue on women prose writers.
Anthony Gilbert (1899-1973) Pseudonym of Lucy Beatrice Malleson. She was born in London. Her mother planned for her to become a school teacher, but it was Ms. Malleson's dream to become a novelist. Prolific author of mystery novels featuring lawyer-detective Arthur G. Crook. Her biography and bibliography may be found at the Golden Age of Detection web site.
Gladys Mitchell (1901 - 1983) - Ms. Mitchell was born in Cowley, England. She worked for 40 years as a teacher in elementary schools. After her retirement, she turned to writing and wrote a novel a year. She is best know as the author of the Dame Beatrice Lestrange Bradley mysteries. Ms. Bradley is a rather eccentric psychiatric consultant working for the British Home Office. Her biography may be found at The Stone House. Her books are being reissued by Rue Morgue Press.
Georgette Heyer (1902 - 1974) - This celebrated writer of Regency romances also wrote 12 novels of mystery fiction. Her series detectives were Superintendent Hannasyde and Sergeant Hemingway. Her novels are English country house mysteries, and are well plotted, and witty comedies of manners. Heyer attended various day schools and did not attend university. She published her first romance novel at age 19. She married George Ronald Rugier in 1925. Her husband had a variety of jobs, and the family income was often dependent of Heyer's publications. Her first mystery Death in the Stocks was published in 1935. More information at the Georgette Heyer Fan Site.
Georges Simenon (1903-1989) Author of the Inspector Maigret novels. One of the most prolific mystery novelists (200 novels), Simenon was born in Liege, Belgium. Due to his father's early death, Simenon quit school at sixteen to earn a living. Simenon moved to Paris in 1923. The first Maigret novel, The Strange Case of Peter the Lett was published 1929. After producing 18 Maigret novels at the rate of one a month, Simenon grew tired of the character and turned to writing psychological novels, and other works. He returned to writing Maigret books in the 1940's. He lived in France during the war, then moved to the United States, and finally settled in Switzerland. As he grew older, his literary output slowed to only four novels a year. Maigret is popular all over the world and has been adapted for television and films.
Maigret - Extensive information about Simenon.
Georges Simenon Filmography - From the Internet Movie Database.
Penguin to Publish 75 Maigret novels - You will be able to read them all. This is an article from the Bookseller, Sept., 9, 2013.
Margery Allingham (1904-1968). Creator of the aristocratic detective, Albert Campion. Allingham was born in London and grew up in Essex. Her first mystery novel The Crime at Black Dudley was published in 1929. The first Campion novels were fast moving adventure novels, but later the characterization improved and the books contained more social commentary. Ms. Allingham ceased writing during WWII and devoted herself to war efforts. The Tiger in the Smoke published in 1952 is considered by some to be her best work. More information may be found at the Margery Allingham Society web site.
Nicholas Blake (1904 - 1972). Nicholas Blake is the pen name of Cecil Day Lewis, British poet who was the poet laureate of England from 1968 - 1972. Day Lewis was born in Ballintubber, Ireland. He received an MA from Wadham College of Oxford University. He taught at various schools from 1927 - 1935 but ran into trouble with school authorities over his leftist political views. He wrote his first detective novel A Question of Proof in 1935 because he needed money. His series detective is the erudite Nigel Strangeways. Blake wrote 20 detective novels. He was a member of the Communist party although his interest in Communism seemed to decline after the Spanish Civil War. He was a professor of poetry at Oxford from 1951 - 1956, and professor of Poetry at Harvard from 1964 - 65. He is the father of actor Daniel Day Lewis. More information and a bibliography may be found at Wikipedia.
Stuart Palmer (1905 -1968) Palmer was born in Baraboo, Wisconsin. He was educated at The Chicago Art Institute and the University of Wisconsin. He held a variety of jobs such as iceman, sailor, taxi driver, and ghost writer. In 1931, his novel The Penguin Pool Murder which featured spinster sleuth Hildegard Withers was published. In 1932, Palmer began his career as a scriptwriter for mystery films about Hildegard Withers, and the Falcon, the Lone Wolf, and Bulldog Drummond. Palmer served in the Army during World War II as a training-film instructor and as a liason officer for the Army and Hollywood's war effort. An essay on Stuart Palmer by Steven Saylor may be found at Saylor's web site.
Ellery Queen - Created by Frederic Dannay (1905 - 1982) and Manfred B. Lee (1905 - 1971). Dannay and Lee were Brooklyn-born cousins. Dannay was born Daniel Nathan. He went to Boys High School in New York, and never attended College. Lee was born Manford Lepofsky, and he graduated from New York University. Their first collaborative novel The Roman Hat Mystery was written in 1928 and submitted to a contest for mystery novels sponsored by McClure's magazine. The contest rules required that the book be submitted with a pseudonym and Lee and Dannay chose Ellery Queen because it seemed memorable. McClure's went broke, another company took over the contest, and the Ellery Queen novel did not win the prize. The Frederick S. Stokes company did publish the book and started the remarkable career of Ellery Queen. In addition to the novels, they wrote for films in Hollywood, wrote the scripts for the Ellery Queen Radio series, and started Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine in 1941. They received the Grand Master of Mystery Award in 1961, The Ellery Queen web site has a wealth of information about Queen.
Michael Innes (J.I.M. Stewart) (1906 - 1994) Innes was born near Edinburgh, and was an Oxford graduate. He was a professor in Australia, Ireland, and then at Oxford. Under the name Stewart, he published books of literary history and biographies. His first mystery, Death at the President's Lodging, was published in 1936 and featured his series sleuth John Appleby.
Michael Innes - A bibliography of his books from Fantastic Fiction.
Michael Innes - Biography and bibliography from the Golden Age of Detection wiki.
John Dickson Carr (1906-1977). The master of the locked room mystery. Carr was born in Uniontown, PA., attended the Hill School, and then Haverford College. He wrote his first detective novel, It Walks by Night in 1930. Carr decided that England was a much better place to write detective fiction than the US and moved there. Carr wrote a number of novels under his own name and also under the name of Carter Dickson. As Carr, he wrote a series featuring Dr. Gideon Fell, and another with Henri Bencolin; and under the Dickson name, his sleuth was Henry Merrivale. Carr also wrote the official biography of Arthur Conan Doyle with the assistance of Doyle's son, Adrian.For more information see the John Dickson Carr Biography - From the Golden Age of Detection.
Leslie Charteris (1907 - 1993) The author of the series about the suave, sophisticated Simon Templer, the Saint. Charteris was born in Singapore. His mother was English, his father Chinese. Charteris was mainly educated at home though he did have one year at Cambridge. He decided that the study of crime was more interesting than a regular job, and he published his first Saint novel, Meet the Tiger in 1929. The Saint is a kind of Robin Hood, and the novels, movies and television shows based on his exploits have been quite popular. His biography is available online.
Phobe Atwood Taylor (1909 - 1976). Ms. Taylor was born in Boston, MA. She graduated from Barnard College. Her mysteries featured sleuth Asey Mayo and take place in communities on Cape Cod. Mayo is a former sailor who works as a handyman-chauffeur. Ms. Taylor under the name Alice Tilton also wrote a series about Leonidas Witherall who is a New England prep school headmaster and amateur detective. Biographical information.
Anthony Boucher (1911 - 1968) Pseudonym of William Anthony Parker White. Boucher was an American critic, detective and science fiction writer, editor and anthologist. For more biographical information, go to the Anthony Boucher page.
In 1928 or 1930, a group of outstanding British mystery writers formed The Detection Club, and established the rules for writing mystery novels.
If you are interested in the The Detection Club, you must read the book The Golden Age of Murder by Martin Edward which has been published by HarperCollins in 2015. It is a fascinating account of the formation of the club and of the lives of the members such as Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Anthony Berkeley and many more.
The Detection Club - A list of members, presidents, and publications of the Detection Club. This is from the Golden Age of Detection Wiki.
Father Knox's Ten Commandments - These were the rules established for writing mystery fiction and were drafted by Ronald A. Knox.
S.S. Van Dine's 20 Rules for Writing Detective Stories - Van Dine's rules were not adopted by the Detection Club, but it is interesting to compare them with the rules that were.
The Detection Club - List of publications and of the presidents.
The Women of the Detection Club in the 1930's - by Margaret Perry. These women were a remarkable group.


Speaker presentations from the International conference "EU success stories in the revitalisation of castles, manors and historic houses".
All presentations could be downloaded in .pdf type. There should be installed program Adobe Reader.


text:
Dell Inspiron 14z (Ivy Bridge) Review
By Avram Piltch - Online Editorial Director 19 June 2012
Editor's Note: We generally don't recommend laptops older than 2 years. For our top picks, check out the Best Laptops, or answer a few simple questions in our Laptop Finder to get personalized recommendations
Dell's new Inspiron 14z combines strong performance with great looks in an affordable Ultrabook, but the screen and battery life could be better.
Very good AMD discrete graphics
Accurate touchpad with discrete buttons
High-quality webcam
One of few Ultrabooks with DVD drive
Dim screen
Mediocre battery life
Some keyboard flex
Annoying port covers
Dell's Inspiron Z series notebooks have long been known for offering solid portability at affordable prices. For 2012, the company has updated the 14-inch Inspiron 14z with Intel's 3rd Generation Core Series processor and a brand new design that's thin and light enough to make the system an Ultrabook. For $899 ($699 to start), the 14z provides solid performance and a premium design. Plus, this laptop includes a DVD drive. Does Dell's value-priced Ultrabook do enough to win us over?
Click to EnlargeWith a high-tech aesthetic that reminds us of Dell's pricey Latitude E6400 series, the Inspiron 14z has a truly premium look and feel. Both the lid and the deck are made from dark gray brushed aluminum, ringed with a matte silver molding and matte silver sides. The bezel is a plain dark gray plastic, while the bottom of this space cruiser-esque design is a simple soft-touch black plastic.
At 13.66 x 9.45 x .83 inches and 4.2 pounds, the Dell Inspiron 14z is one the thinnest and lightest 14-inch notebooks on the market, especially when you consider that it has an optical drive. The new model easily eclipses 2011's 4.4-pound, 0.94-inch thick Inspiron 14z. The HP Envy 14 Spectre weighs a tiny bit less at 4.0 pounds and 0.79 inches thick while the upcoming 14-inch Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is expected to weigh a mere 3 pounds. However, those two competitors are considerably more expensive.
MORE: 20 Sexiest Laptops of All Time
Keyboard and Touchpad
Click to EnlargeThe Inspiron 14z's island-style, spill-resistant keyboard is a mixed bag. The 3.5-inch deep, brushed aluminum palm rest was more than large enough to support our wrists and stayed cool and comfortable throughout our use. However, though the keys are fairly responsive, they offered less vertical travel than a typical notebook, forcing us to be more deliberate in our strokes. The keyboard base also suffered from a small amount of flex when we pressed hard on the middle or top keys.
Despite these minor issues, we achieved a strong score of 89 words per minute with just a 1 -percent error rate on the Ten Thumbs Typing Tutor test, better than our 80 words-per-minute average.
Click to EnlargeThe 3.9 x 2-inch touchpad provided highly -accurate navigation around the desktop with just the right amount of friction. Because the pad has two discrete buttons, it doesn't suffer from any of the horrifying jerkiness we've seen on the clickpads that ruin the navigation experience on other Ultrabooks, like the HP Folio 13.
The pad on the Inspiron 14z supports a variety of multitouch gestures. After we enabled gestures in the touchpad control software, we pinched to zoom and performed two-finger rotates on photos without a hitch. We also used three-finger and four-finger flicks to switch applications, though the pad sometimes confused those gestures with zooming or scrolling.
The Inspiron 14z stayed pleasantly cool throughout our testing. After streaming a video at full screen for 15 minutes, we measured the touchpad at a 85 degrees and the keyboard at a mere 83 degrees Fahrenheit. The underside reached a much warmer 98 degrees. We consider temperatures above 95 degrees uncomfortable and those above 100 degrees disturbing.
Click to EnlargeWith narrow viewing angles and dull colors, the 14-inch, 1366 x 768 glossy display on the Inspiron Z is nothing to write home about. The laptop registered just 154 lux on our light meter, well below the 189 lux thin-and-light notebook average and one of the dimmest we've tested, "surpassed" only by the 139 lux HP Folio 13.
When we tried streaming a 1080p YouTube trailer for "The Avengers" and a 1080p MP4 trailer for "Skyfall", colors that appeared vibrant on other devices we've tested like Iron Man's armor or Daniel Craig's blue eyes, seemed muted. Images began to wash out at just 30 degrees left or right of center and were completely inverted at greater than 45 degrees. With the overhead lights in our office, objects behind us were almost as prominent as icons on the screen.
With its Waves Maxx audio software enabled, the dual front-facing Skull Candy speakers on the Inspiron 14z provided solid audio playback that's loud enough to fill a room. When we tried streaming bass-heavy tunes like Patrice Rushen's "Forget Me Nots" and Kool and the Gang's "Summer Madness," sound was accurate and pleasant, though not overly rich. However, guitar-heavy songs like the Allman Brothers' "Ramblin' Man" and Motley Crue's "Too Young to Fall in Love" sounded a bit harsh at maximum volume.
When we hit the Waves Maxx audio button in the upper right corner of the deck, a small menu appeared in the lower right corner of the desktop. With press of the button, the Waves Maxx menu cycled through the audio software's audio presets for music, movies, games and other types of content. We found that songs sounded best when the system was set to music mode. Unfortunately, we didn't find a way to configure the audio for different types of music or to manually control the equalizer.
Ports and Webcam
Click to EnlargeFor an Ultrabook, the Dell Inspiron 14z has a reasonable selection of ports. On the right side are a SD Card reader, an audio jack, a single USB 3.0 port and a DVD burner. On the left side, the notebook has two different port covers. The first cover hides an Ethernet port and the second protects an HDMI port and a second USB 3.0 port. We'd like to see more than two USB ports on a 14-inch chassis, but we were more annoyed by these flaps; they just get in the way.
Click to EnlargeThe 720p webcam captured bright images even in low light. In our conference room, with light streaming in through a window about 15 feet away, our face was both sharp and colorful. In a dim area of our office and, in our dark living room, our face was equally bright and detailed, though there was a little bit of noise. Considering how poorly most webcams work in these environments, the Inspiron 14z's output is impressive.
Click to EnlargeWith its 1.7-GHz 3rd Generation Core i5-3317U CPU, 8GB of RAM and AMD HD7570M switchable graphics, the Dell Inspiron 14z is powerful enough to handle any productivity task, play HD videos and even play demanding games at low settings.
On PCMark07, a synthetic benchmark that measures overall performance, the Inspiron 14z scored a solid 2,984, better than the 2,242 thin-and-light notebook category average, but less than the Sony VAIO T13 (3,334), which has the same CPU, and the HP Envy 14 Spectre (3,217) with its 1.6-GHz Intel Core i5-2467M CPU.
Because it's assisted by a 32GB SSD, the Inspiron 14z booted Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) in a speedy 28 seconds. However, the 5,400-rpm 500GB hard drive took a modest 2 minutes and 51 seconds to complete the LAPTOP File Transfer Test, which involves copying 4.97GB of mixed media files. That's a rate of 29.8 MBps, about on par with the 29.6 MBps thin-and-light category average, but much better than the 18.6 MBps provided by the Sony VAIO T13. However, SSD-only notebooks like the HP Envy 14 Spectre (74.8 MBps) copied much faster.
The Inspiron 14z took a reasonable 5 minutes and 47 seconds to complete the LAPTOP Spreadsheet Macro test, which involves matching 20,000 names with their addresses. That time is a bit better than the 6 minute and 5-second category average and much better than the HP Envy 14 Spectre and its 2nd Generation Core i5 CPU.
Because of its switchable AMD Radeon HD7570M graphics chip, the Dell Inspiron 14z is good enough to get reasonable frame rates on some hardcore games. Unfortunately, enabling discrete mode is a chore with the bundled Catalyst Control software, because you must designate each application you want to run with discrete graphics before you open it. We prefer Nvidia's Optimus technology, because it automatically detects graphics-hungry apps and switches on the GPU automatically.
With discrete graphics enabled, the Inspiron 14z scored a strong 6,032 on 3DMark06, a synthetic benchmark that measures overall graphics prowess. That's comfortably above the 5,060 thin-and-light category average and way better than integrated GPU-powered systems like the HP Envy Spectre (3,438) and the Sony VAIO T13 (3,829).
When we fired up "World of Warcraft," the Inspiron 14z returned a strong frame rate of 64 fps at the game's default settings and 32 fps when we turned the special effects up to the max. Those rates are far better than the 51 and 26 fps thin-and-light category averages.
The 14z was also fast enough to play the very demanding game "Batman: Arkham City." At low settings, the notebook produced a playable frame rate of 35 fps. However, when we turned up the special effects, the frame rate dropped to an unplayable 15 fps.
The Dell Inspiron 14z lasted just 5 hours and 35 minutes on the LAPTOP Battery Test, which involves continuous Web surfing over a Wi-Fi connection on 40 percent brightness. That runtime is higher than the Sony VAIO T13 (5:05) but well below the thin-and-light notebook average of 6 hours and 18 minutes and miles behind HP Envy Spectre (6:24) and ASUS Zenbook Prime (6:28).
MORE: 10 Laptops with the Longest Battery Life
Our review unit carries an MSRP of $899. For that price, you get a 1.7-GHz Core i5-3317U CPU, AMD HD7570M switchable graphics and 8GB of RAM. The notebook starts at $699 with an older 2nd Generation 1.4-GHz Core i3-2367M CPU, integrated graphics and 6GB of RAM. A more expensive $999 system has the AMD graphics chip but upgrades to a 1.9-GHz Core i7-3517U processor.
We also tested the $799 version of the Inspiron 14z, which comes with a 1.7-GHz Core i5-3317U CPU, 6GB of RAM, a 500GB, 5,400-rpm hard drive, and an integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 GPU. Not surprisingly, that system posted a lower 3DMark11 score of 615, and "WOW" framerates of 47 and 23 fps than the configuration with AMD graphics. However, its other benchmark scores, such as Geekbench (5,971) were roughly the same, as was the battery life.
Software and Warranty
Click to EnlargeThe Dell Inspiron 14z comes with the standard set of Dell utilities we've seen on many of its other consumer laptops. Dell Sync allows you to manage files and sync them across devices and with a free 2GB cloud storage box. Dell Remote allows you to stream content between devices using DLNA.
Dell Webcam Central shoots video and photos with the camera while also allowing you to tweak its settings, add silly effects to your face, choose an avatar like a cat face to replace your face or share your desktop instead of your image when chatting. Windows Mobility Center lets you control settings like the brightness, speaker, power mode, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The Dell Stage, a dock with 14 Dell applications and the ability to add more, sits along the bottom of the screen. Music Stage is a simple but attractive player that organizes your albums and links to world radio. PhotoStage helps organize your images. The Nearby app shows restaurants and stores near you.
The Games Gallery lists shortcuts to over a dozen Wild Tangent casual games that come preloaded, such as "Dora's World Adventure" and "Jewel Quest Solitaire 2." The Weather tile launches an Accuweather widget that shows you the current time and conditions. Organizer launches Cozi Family Calendar, a free online service. The Reading app launches the Blio reader and bookstore.
Though you can add and remove tiles from the Stage bar, we recommend closing it to save precious screen real estate. You can always access the apps you want from the Start menu.
MORE: Best & Worst Notebook Brands 2013
Click to EnlargeThe Dell Inspiron 14z is one of the best looking Ultrabooks we've seen and, with its discrete graphics and 3rd Generation Core i5 CPU, one of the better performers for its relatively low $899 price. Users who want more battery life or a better screen should consider other 13 and 14-inch Ultrabooks such as the HP Envy 14 Spectre (though it costs a steeper $1,179). However, if you are looking for a lightweight laptop with a premium design, DVD drive and plenty of power, the Inspiron 14z could be right for you.
Top 10 Notebooks Now
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Laptop
Best Laptops for College-Bound Grads
Dell Inspiron 14z (2012) Specs
CPU 1.7-GHz Intel Core i5-3317U
Card Slots 3-1 card reader
Company Website www.dell.com
Display Size 14
Graphics Card AMD Radeon HD 7570M
Hard Drive Size 32GB SSD + 500GB
Hard Drive Speed 5,400rpm
Hard Drive Type SATA Hard Drive + mSATA SSD
Native Resolution 1366x768
Operating System MS Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Optical Drive DVD /-RW DL
Optical Drive Speed n/a
Ports (excluding USB) USB 3.0, Ethernet
RAM Upgradable to 8GB
Size 13.66 x 9.45 x .83 inches
USB Ports 2
Video Memory 1GB
Warranty/Support One year standard
Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
Wi-Fi Model Dell Wireless 1704 802.11b/g/n

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools" tools:ignore="MissingTranslation,UnusedResources,InconsistentArrays,TypographyDashes">
    <integer name="youtube_db_version">1</integer>
    <string name="youtube_authority">org.mtransit.android.debug.news.youtube</string>
    <string name="youtube_target_for_poi_authority" />
    <string name="youtube_color">0761A5</string><!-- Vancouver TransLink BLUE -->
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_username">
        <item>TransLink</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_id">
        <item>UCfbbmkzSU-uPI4SQnnSwBiQ</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_uploads_playlist_id">
        <item>UUfbbmkzSU-uPI4SQnnSwBiQ</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_author_icon">
        <item>https://yt3.ggpht.com/iNZ7Fqxl3fH09_Oo84VpGvyHnbE5_phBkuVnm6kgSjWbTUyCwF9W29JTByIoLmoyjsypODKQ=s88-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_author_name">
        <item>TransLink</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_author_url">
        <item>https://www.youtube.com/user/TransLink</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_lang">
        <item>@string/news_provider_language_unknown_show_all</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_colors">
        <item>@string/youtube_color</item>
    </string-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_target">
        <item>@string/youtube_target_for_poi_authority</item>
    </string-array>
    <integer-array name="youtube_channels_severity">
        <item>@integer/news_provider_severity_info_agency</item>
    </integer-array>
    <string-array name="youtube_channels_noteworthy">
        <item>@string/news_provider_noteworthy_long_term</item>
    </string-array>
</resources>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The demise in France continues. Markit reports French Private Sector Output Falls Further in September.
The latest flash PMI data indicated a fifth consecutive monthly decline in French private sector output during September.
Underlying reduced activity was a drop in the level of new business received by French private sector firms during the latest survey period. Although slight, the reduction in new orders reversed a rise in August. Whereas manufacturers signalled a solid decline in new work, service providers registered a fractional fall. Panellists commented on subdued demand conditions both domestically and in certain export markets. Manufacturers recorded a drop in foreign orders for the fifth month running.
Employment in the French private sector continued to fall in September, extending the current period of job shedding to 11 months. Moreover, the rate of contraction quickened to the sharpest since February. Similar rates of decline were indicated in the services and manufacturing sectors.
Backlogs of work in the French private sector decreased for a fifth successive month in September, although the rate of contraction eased to a fractional pace. Slight growth of outstanding business at service providers was offset by a marked reduction of backlogs at manufacturers.
Markit reports Flash Eurozone PMI Signals Further Waning of Growth.
Flash Eurozone PMI Composite Output Index(1) at 52.3 (52.5 in August). 9-month low.
Flash Eurozone Services PMI Activity Index(2) at 52.8 (53.1 in August). 3-month low.
Flash Eurozone Manufacturing PMI(3) at 50.5 (50.7 in August). 14-month low.
Flash Eurozone Manufacturing PMI Output Index(4) at 51.0 (51.0 in August). Unchanged.
Euro area business activity grew in September at the lowest rate seen so far this year, according to the preliminary 'flash' PMI survey data.
At 52.3, down from 52.5 in August, the Markit Eurozone PMI™ Composite Output Index fell for a second month running, dropping to its lowest since December of last year. At 52.9, the average quarterly reading for the three months to September was also the lowest so far this year.
Inflows of new orders rose only modestly, with the rate of increase waning for the third successive month to register the smallest monthly improvement since August of last year.
Manufacturing fared worse than the service sector with the headline PMI falling to 50.5, its lowest since July of last year and edging closer to the 50.0 mark that signals stagnation. Although factory output grew slightly, new orders fell for the first time since June of last year. Employment was unchanged and prices charged by factories fell for the first time since April.
By country, faster growth in Germany, led by the service sector, was offset by an ongoing downturn in France and slowing of growth elsewhere in the region.
"The survey paints a picture of ongoing malaise in the eurozone economy. With growth of output and demand slowing, employment once again failed to show any meaningful increase. Such torpor meant prices continued to fall as firms fought for customers, which will inevitably heighten concerns that the region is facing deflation. "For a central bank hoping that the economic data flow will start to improve, the ECB will be disappointed by the ongoing weakness of the PMI. The survey data suggest GDP is on course to grow by 0.3% at best in the third quarter, buoyed by a 0.4% expansion in Germany but dragged down by stagnation in France and sluggish growth in the rest of the region."
The Markit Germany Flash PMI shows Private sector growth maintained in September, but manufacturing edges closer to stagnation.
Flash Germany Composite Output Index at 54.0 (53.7 in August), 2-month high.
Flash Germany Services Activity Index at 55.4 (54.9 in August), 2-month high.
Flash Germany Manufacturing PMI at 50.3 (51.4 in August), 15-month low.
Flash Germany Manufacturing Output Index at 51.1 (51.5 in August), 15-month low.
September data signalled a continuation of the ongoing expansion in German private sector output, as highlighted by the seasonally adjusted Markit Flash Germany Composite Output Index rising slightly from 53.7 in August to 54.0. The current period of growth now stretches to 17 months and surveyed companies generally linked this to increased order intakes. However, the gap between manufacturing and services widened further in September. Production growth in the goods-producing sector slowed to a 15-month low, while service sector output rose at a slightly faster pace compared to August.
Soft Spot or Something Else?
I have been calling for a downturn in Germany for some time but it has not happened yet. However, the reports pretty much speak for themselves.
The near stagnation of German manufacturing coupled with contraction in France and a slowdown in growth elsewhere tells the story.


I complain. You complain. We all complain. It's part of our system — though I wish to stop it, or if not, minimize at least. I'm still practicing, trying my best, trying to understand.
There were days when I don't complain amid an annoying situation. Instead, I respond not react. And it feels good, it feels liberating.
Then again, it happens when I see the house messy or when the Internet is down or when my wife or a friend didn't follow the plan. I know it destroys my inner peace and ripples negativity. But I couldn't resist. I'm sorry. I've been trying.
Recently, I wrote about stop complaining, which is a reminder to myself — supposedly the goal of all my blog posts (because I always forget). But as days passed, I was becoming more and more intrigued if it's really possible to stop complaining.
I wonder how Buddhist monks or other Zen practitioners do it — I heard stories they never complain. Is it true? Maybe I could meet them some day and they will teach and train me. Maybe that's the ultimate panacea. Maybe.
But I'm tired of dreaming. I'm tired of waiting for solutions.
Right then, my perspective shifted. I knew it. If we can't stop complaining, we can change the way we complain. We can use our frustrations or our anger as a source of motivation to solve the problem, or create something that would, at least, better the situation.
I understand that it doesn't apply to all kinds of problems (like very serious problems). But I believe that this mentality can serve as a starting point to catapult ourselves into finding solutions, especially in our work and business.
For example: If you don't like your company's marketing approach, make a marketing plan and present it to them. If you don't like your coworkers' articles, write a new article and let them notice the elements they didn't consider. If you hate the website they developed, build a website and let them realize how dull their work is, that they need to redo it and make it better.
The point is, complaining doesn't get you anywhere — it doesn't. Instead of complaining about something you hate, create something and let them show that there's a better way, a better option, a better result. As I've said before, we always have a choice.
PS: Check Tobias blog. It's a hive of gold nuggets.


text:
Q: Inserting a block of data into a huge file with fortran I have some massive (4.6 million lines) data files that I'm trying to edit with fortran. Basically, throughout the files is a series of headers followed by a table of numbers. Something like this:
  p  he4  blah                          99   ggg
1.0e+01  2.0e+01  2.0e+01
2.0e+01  5.0e+01  2.0e+01
.
.
3.2e+-1  2.0e+01  1.0e+00
  p  he3  blafoo                        99   ggg
1.1e+00  2.3e+01  2.0e+01
My task is to replace certain entries in one file with those from the other. The list is supplied separately.
I have written a code that already works. My strategy is to just read and echo the first file until I find a header that matches the replacement list. Then find the same header in the second file, echo the entries. Finally, switch back to echoing the first file. The only problem with this approach is that it's SOOOOOO slow! I looked into direct access of the files, but they don't have fixed record lengths. Does anyone have a better idea?
Cheers for the help,
Rich

A: Are the headers in the files sorted in any way? If not then creating an index file of the headers in the second file should speed up the first lookup. My fortran is very rusty, but if you can sort the headers in the second file into an index file with a reference to the position of the full entry you should be able to speed things up dramatically?

A: I am assuming that you are reading file 1,  and writing the results to file 3.
File 2 contains the replacements.
Preprocess file 2, by loading each header, and using a hash algorithm to create
an array with and integer hash representation of each header value in it, and a
pointer/subscript to the values to replace it by.

while there are lines left in file 1

    read an original line from file 1
    hash the original line to get the hash value.

    if the hash value is in the hash array
         write the replacement to file 3
    else
         write the original line to file 3

That ought to do the trick.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Front Porch and a near death experience.
So I was walking down the street the other day (which is unusual in itself … I usually skip or moonwalk down the street) and something very odd happened. I was crossing the road at a non designated crosswalk when a car came speeding around the corner straight at me. Clearly it was my fault I was about to be killed. I should have moonwalked across the non designated crosswalk. I'm a much faster moonwalker than regular walker. Other than the Electric Slide there are very few dance moves I can think of that can move a person across a road quicker than the moonwalk.
Plus it's such a dazzling sight that most people stop what they're doing (even driving) to watch.
So this car is careening towards me and just like they say, everything went into slow motion. I held my hands straight up in front of me because for a split second I thought my arms were definitely strong enough to stop a Buick, the #1 car choice of the elderly.
I'd say the car was maybe a hummingbird's breath away from my shins when I sneezed. I SNEEZED at the exact moment I was about to lose my life to a blue haired scribble of a woman in a brown Buick with a snappy velour bench seat.
It was because of that sneeze that I can't tell you exactly what happened next. In the moment of the sneeze I closed my eyes, as most people do when they sneeze. By the time I'd opened them , Scribble and her car were gone and I had 17 birds on each of my arms, flying me to safety across the road.
It's actually a complete lie. I wanted to start this post with an interesting story but I didn't have one so I made one up. So sue me. I *am* an excellent moonwalker. That part was true. And the old people driving Buick's thing? Also true.
Perhaps I felt the need for an exciting introduction to today's post because the subject matter is so subdued. It's my porch. Just a porch. But I love it.
Because I work from home the porch is also my break room for 3 seasons of the year. From April until November I wander out there a few times a day to get some air and see actual people.
If I want to talk to people I can give a wave so they see me. If I don't … I can hunker down in the chair with my coffee and go unseen. Like a ninja. An invisible ninja. A transparent invisible ninja wearing an invisibility cloak of invisibleness. Unless I wave.
I can peer out from the hanging green beans to see what's going on in the neighbourhood yet still feel like I'm kind of in a room.
That's what I like about porches. You're outside … but you're inside. There's no better place to be during a rainstorm. Except maybe in Costa Rica. Or in the arms of a Costa Rican.
The porch has also become my pantry. It's where my onions and garlic cure. It's where I set the tomatoes I've picked and where I weigh all of my potatoes. I'm weighing my potatoes as I pick them this year so I know how many pounds in total I got for the season.
I take my work breaks a little more often than I did a few months ago.
I've forced myself to stop and smell the garlic. I've taught myself to relax.
I also taught myself the electric slide. Just to be on the safe side.
How I turned my basement stairs into storage.
I'd love to see you give a video demonstration on how to tie garlic. I'm sure I could find it on youtube but you'd be a lot more fun, I'm sure.
For a moment I was terrorized that you were about to ask for an electric slide vid. Whew.
That's what I want. The electric slide video. Never have learned to dance that. Went to Hawaii with a group of girlfriends several years ago and when the DJ at this dancin' and drinkin' joint yelled out "hey, it's Electric Slide time!", All the girls…Yes, all of them, except me, ran out on the dance floor. It looked like SO MUCH fun! But I didn't join in…I could see it was one of those dances that if you didn't know it, you could be trampled to death by the real dancers…that, and beings as I wasn't drunk enough at that point, decided I'd best play it safe. I'm thinking a E.S. dance tutorial is a great idea…in case I ever get another chance. BTW…LOVE your porch! Great place to kick back with a glass if ice tea!
I would prefer to see a video of the moonwalk. Buick-in-the-background optional.
I'm telling. Someone from the FBI will contact you within the week.
Marti, I really want you to start your own blog… and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Thanks Sia, but I'm pretty content (at the moment) to read Karen's blog, tease her a bit and be supportively amused.
I'd love to see you give a video demonstration on how to moonwalk. I always wanted to know how to moonwalk..
OK!! But you also have to wear your red Micheal Jackson jacket!! WHO-HOO!
When my son (now 44 y.o.) was learning how to moonwalk with his friends I was horrified to find out their method. They poured a bottle of vegetable oil on my kitchen floor so they would slide better. Oh the joys of teenagers.
Particularly gorgeous photography today! I also love your hideaway that's not really a hideaway. I think I did the same thing when I was a kid only it involved climbing a tree first.
I cannot moonwalk despite repeated attempts to learn it, so add me to the list of people who want a tutorial video!
Yes, please "do" the "art of moonwalking". Btw-your porch looks fab. I love the idea of putting up the onions and garlics on display. Mine are in the dark garage, where no one see them!
Down here in Texas, they cluck with an accent. It's PUHK-ACK!
Delightful. All of it – the scary story, the moonwalking, the heirloom tomatoes and the invisibility schtick. Made my day. Thanks Karen.
I love your front porch too! I love everything about it but I especially love the weathered "display" ladder (a fav look of mine) and the hanging beans. Brilliant! Glad you weren't killed by Scribble (Scribble?).
P.S. ~ I also use "BUCKOCK" in the subject line when I forward any of your chicken posts to my kids!
Thank God you're okay. That was close.
Are you supposed to yell it?
After a pretty crummy day, not able to sleep, I get out of bed and read your e-mail. You certainly know how to put life in perspective, and I thank you. I agree, that moonwalking video would be of interest. By the way, I am not that old, but do drive an older model Buick, and they are huge. Haven't got the blue hair, yet. You are wonderful!
Your porch makes me jealous. I have a balcony that consists of boys stuff. Mostly stuff that I never want to see inside the house…tires, stinky equipment, tools, a couple of plastic chairs, and just odds and ends stuff. I've tried tackling it once or twice, but I decided it wasn't worth the tetanus shot.
Good Morning Karen, Well, as usual your have provided my first laugh of the day. I am thinking you fell asleep on your porch, had a dream about a car racing toward you and the "Sneeze" was just your body's alarm system, waking you up. Regardless, that is a pretty funny story. I love your porch, or any porch for that matter, that provides comfort, privacy and a place to escape lifes many trials and tribulations. Yours is beautiful. I am curious though, being a gardener myself, what is the plant, the big purple one in the first photo…some kind of veggie I am imagining, but, it is so decorative. Have a great day, be your creative self and Thank You, Again.
Hi Susan – That's Dinosaur Kale, otherwise known as Italian Kale or Lacinato Kale. You can see more of it here https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/the-front-yard-vegetable-garden-update-august/ ~ karen!
My slug and earwig population thanks you for suggesting the Lacinato Kale. Can you hear the "Grazie mille" from the crowd of at least that number lunching on it right now? How did you keep the hordes from chowing down on yours?
I use BTK on mine. I don't have a slug problem, but have a huge cabbage worm problem. If you ever see those small white moths hovering over your plant, they're laying eggs that will turn into those awful green caterpillar things that eat your plants. BTK is a biological type pesticide that organic growers use. It works great if you can remember to spray the plant. ~ karen!
Oh, I remember your pictures of those critters, come to think of it (they haunt me still). Thanks – I'll try BTK next season. I'm hoping the creatures will die and I'll get a final flush of leaves in the late autumn before the snow falls. Either that or I'll starve and the colony will die out over winter.
BTW, what ever happened to your porch guest, the cat looking for a home ?
I want to come sit on your porch. It looks lovely. And then I want to have a giant tomato sandwich made out of one of those giant, gorgeous tomatoes.
That is damn impressive heirloom tomato. Sure would make a nice sandwich. Just sayin'.
Your porch is wonderfully inviting. Good work.
And I'm glad to hear you've learned to enjoy it properly. Almost as glad as I am to hear you've learned the electric slide. I would like a video of that please as I only have an inkling of what the electric slide looks like and may want to learn it myself.
Always a good idea to keep a look out for Scribble and her friends, the blue hairs in Buicks. It truly is the old persons car of choice.
I love your porch and those beautiful Kale.
I'm getting a good picture now of your porch. You are near the front sidewalk, you have foot traffic, and you must have sun, do you have shade to sit in and drink your coffee? Or are the green beans your shade? Sorry to be nosy, just love the idea.
Your photography rocks — props are freakin amazing too. Did you REALLY grow those tomatoes?
Hi Kim – Yup, LOL, I grew the tomatoes. And the props aren't really props, it's actual stuff I use. (I don't like having things that are only for decoration) I did make sure their placement was pretty for the pictures, but everything's generally where it would be on a regular day. ~ karen!
beautiful spot to watch the world go by, or cuddle with the costa rican. either way.
love the cockscomb peaking up out by the street… perfect plant for you!
I want to take a break and sit on your porch minus the wave and talking. It looks so peaceful and alive. Loved all the pics.
scribble of a woman…love it! lmao…thats something i will never be….a scribble..too funny!
Why does the counter say 33 comments when there are actually only 3, now 4? I'm guessing either the governments of Canada or the US has something to do with it!
Nice onion braiding or tying, by the way. Also, are you selling your produce or is the chalkboard just a tease? Perhaps a way to get attractive, unattached men up on your porch?
You are such a hoot. Thank you for greeting me each morning. I, too, enjoy the solitude of my front porch. I don't have to worry about the FBI showing up though.
You are out of control…. 'Dancing In The Street" I would love to see that blue haired lady drive by, stop her car and get out and dance with you….
Other than a spare room (which we had until we had our child) the only thing that I would really add to our home is a front porch. I have sat in the carport to listen to the rain on the tin roof.
And cue the ad for Costa Rican real estate. Tempting. Hubby & I once discussed selling the house, maxing out the cards & running away there. Never to return!
Your porch is fantastic, it's a great relaxing get away. You always put a smile on my face and several hoots!!!
It's a medical fact that no human can sneeze and keep their eyes open….trust me, I'm a trained medical person.
I just recently 'found' you and have added your posts to my email addy so I'll never miss them. I wish you lived in NE Ohio – I SO would like you to be my new bestie!!
Thanks for your wonderful posts – I look forward to them each day!
The porch sure looks inviting Karen keep up the good work.
What a wonderful way to wake up! Click on the computer, still in a sleepy haze, and see the beginning of your blog, OH NO! I had to read more, to make sure you were alright, then I began to grin, and then giggle, and out and out laugh. and as I went through the pictures of your beautiful porch, I began to daydream about what I could do to my porch. So now I'll finish my yogurt, and go start to rearrange it abit, and practice being an invisible ninja. Just one more thing, where can one get their hands on an invisibility cape?
love ur porch wish i could come and have a cup of coffee with you. Then again, if we met in person you may not like me and i'd be devastated. Never mind.
You are so funny! Reading your intro on this post makes me wonder if you should consider writing short stories as an additional career?
No wonder that kitty found your porch. It would be my choice to take a nap.
PS Did the kitty find a new porch?
I love the picture of you, sittig in your chair, wearing the invisible cloak of invisibleness. You look so relaxed. And invisible. Not even a dent in the cushion.
Lovely porch, love the hanging beans! Almost as good as being in a rainstorm in Costa Rica on a lovely verando of local mahagony crafted by a hunky Tico. My mind is wandering…..
I had my front porch rebuilt last year and added a roof to it. It's now my favorite "room" in the house. But I need to learn to relax…I sit on the porch and see the front yard needs weeding, plants need watering, walkway needs sweeping…and just like that, relaxation time is over. How did you learn to relax?
You have the best porch of all porches in the land. I wish we could be neighbours. I have a compound mitre saw and a glas cutter you could borrow.
I love the porch photos and I am so jealous of your bean 'fringe'. My DH refuses to allow me to grow anything near or (heaven forbid) ON the house. No morning glories clambering up the Dish cable to the roof. No Carolina jasmine trailing up up our porch columns. Not even if I promise to create a cable with little stand-offs to keep the vegetation six inches away. sigh … " The bugs will use the vines to climb up and into our house, ruining the resale value and make me use chemicals" , he says. As if the bugs won't just march up to the base of the wall itself and start their ascension. So I do enjoy your photos and I can only dream of the same for me.
Loved your post today.It was so visual. I was really in it, but glad it wasn't true! I definitely want moonwalking instructions. The picture in my head made me laugh and will keep me entertained all day!
*sigh* my grandmother is 89 and still drives … a Buick in the daytime only though. your front facing farm makes a lovely invisible ninja depot.
You might find a few of us sitting on your porch one day, now that we've seen those pictures. Just saying.
Re: Electric Slide .. This dance, along with the Continental, are only line dances white girls know how to do (usually at weddings). However, I have discovered there are hundreds of other line dances being taught on Youtube that can expand your repertoire considerably. If you love to dance (who doesn't?) search on Soul Line Dancing and see what's out there .. Usually performed by black girls and surprisingly, Chinese seniors. I have joined a soul line dancing class/club (no partners needed)and have found this is the best way to get me to exercise. The music is great.


NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION. Metro Brief was produced between 1988 and 2004. Metro A3 Folio was produced between 1988 and 1995. Metro Shoulder was produced between 1995 and 2004.
A trio of fashionable of fashionable bags for a busy life, whether in the city or the country. A more attractive alternative to the conventional leather briefcase or cardboard folio.


text:
Sculpture Process
ABOUT CAST PLAQUES
CAST PLAQUES – Finishes & Textures
CAST PLAQUES – Colors & Coatings
CAST PLAQUES – Borders
CAST PLAQUES – Mounting
ABOUT ETCHED PLAQUES
ETCHED PLAQUES – Graphic Types
ETCHED PLAQUES – Metal
ETCHED PLAQUES – Metal Colors
ETCHED PLAQUES – Borders & Edges
ETCHED PLAQUES – Mounting
PLAQUES: ImageCast
Restorations & Conservation
Patination
Jeff Buccacio has worked as a Lead Designer/Specialty Effects sculptor for many blockbuster movies in Hollywood, and is known for his ability to integrate & organize the many aspects of major projects. Buccacio's reverence for the great 19th century sculptural interpreters of American patriotic themes is evident in his numerous commissioned public monuments and his work is so thorough, he guarantees it for life. In the past 10 years Jeff Buccacio has come to appreciate the community life and traditions in the towns west of Boston, where he was raised and now lives and works.
from the NATICK MASSACHUSETTS POLICE DEPARTMENT
Cara Rossi, Lieutenant
Operations Commander
When the Town of Natick was gifted with a piece of steel from the World Trade Center wreckage of 9-11, several Town employees formed a committee to ensure that a proper memorial was erected for those who died that day and for all that continue the fight for Freedom. Immediately, Jeff Buccacio's name was suggested. His reputation as, "the best in the business" was soon proven to be true. For those involved in the process, Jeff was patient, professional and the final product speaks for itself. Please visit the Police and Fire Complex on East Central Street to see for yourself. Jeff has created a warm and welcoming area to rest and reflect.
from the PAUL KING FOUNDRY
Paul Cavanagh, Owner
"Buccacio Sculpture Services completes an existing vacancy in the art community in New England. Jeff is already well known as a successful sculptor and now he is sharing his vast knowledge of sculpture and casting with other artists. Their foundry will be the continuation of the work that was done at the Paul King Foundry.
In 1966 when the Paul King Foundry opened, I realized that I had become part of a long tradition at the Gorham Bronze Company. My father was a silver designer at Gorham and the first commercial foundry where I worked, was started by workers from Gorham. As the years progressed, the Paul King Foundry started making many of the old patterns of sculpture that were in the possession of Gorham. The Buccacios are the present day participants in that Gorham tradition."
from the METROWEST TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Ed Carr, Administrator
"A group of Vietnam Veterans (myself included) – who were all former Marines – decided to work on a project to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
It took a year but Jeff Buccacio created an amazing piece of art that attracts people on a daily basis.
For the families who gave up their sons to the Vietnam War, this work honors their sacrifice. This bronze memorial of a single young man reminds us that we all went off alone and 61 (their names are inscribed in stone under the statue) of us from our area did not return."
Nov 29, 2016. Rick Holmes Opinions/Mass. Political Editor: The theme of the ceremony was simple: It's never too late to say "thank you."
Thank-yous were hard to come by for soldiers returning home 50 years ago from the Vietnam War, speakers noted. A nation divided by politics didn't do right by those who fought, those who were wounded and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The handsome memorial unveiled Sunday can't make up for those long-ago slights, but it will remind people every day of the gratitude felt by the region, state and nation for those who serve in uniform.
The memorial, located in front of the Blandin Street headquarters of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, features a larger-than-life sculpture of a Vietnam-era soldier and tablets listing the names of 61 troops from MetroWest communities killed in combat or who died later as the result of wounds received in Vietnam. Several hundred people came out to help dedicate the memorial, as did a dozen color guards, a quintet of bagpipers, a Blackhawk helicopter and the National Lancers, a ceremonial cavalry troop based in Framingham.
State Sen. Karen Spilka, D-Ashland, who was instrumental in obtaining funding for the memorial, reflected on the controversy that surrounded America's engagement in Vietnam in the 1960s and 1970s. "In hindsight, we can see what a mistake is was to judge soldiers by the popularity of the war in which they served, rather than thanking them for their sacrifice," she said. Spilka and others recognized the leadership of Ed Carr, a Vietnam veteran who is director of the MWRTA, in getting the memorial built, but Carr characteristically demurred. Just as Jim Cuddy, also a Vietnam Veteran, was describing Carr as a "visionary leader," Carr interrupted with a whispered reminder, picked up by the microphone, that "it's not about Ed."
The dedication ceremony kept the focus where it should be: on the troops who served and the ones who never made it home. Peggy Griffin told the story of her husband, Charlie Sabatier Jr., whose name is one of the 61 listed on the memorial. Charlie was hit by a bullet during the Tet Offensive in 1968, she said, paralyzing him from the waist down. Sabatier became an advocate for disabled people in general and disabled veterans in particular, but he never got over his Vietnam wounds, which led to his death in 2009. Like veterans of all wars, he deserved recognition for his sacrifice.
"They need you to remember," Griffin said. "We all do."
The new memorial, sculpted by Natick native Jeff Buccacio, will be a constant reminder to all who see it – and especially to active duty troops and veterans – that MetroWest remembers their service, and thanks them for it.
BUCCACIO NEWSLETTER
© Buccacio Sculpture Services LLC. Site by Cybernuns.com. Phone: 818.422.0292
eMail: jeff@buccaciosculptureservices.com


text:
Q: Understanding Spec sheet of IC I'm having trouble understanding the spec sheet of this shift register. What I want to do is to connect a (generic red one, I don't have any specs) LED which will approximately use 15-35 mA to the IC.
I am currently doing this as seen in the first scheme. The output pins of the IC (\$Q_a\$ to \$Q_d\$) are each connected to NPN transistors, which then are each connected to LEDs.
The LEDs share a common resistor (850 Ohm). The power supply delivers 5V. I added the the transistors because the spec sheet states (page 6) the maximal "High-level output current" is -0.8 mA (and it states no minimal current). Since the LEDs need more than that, I added the transistors to augment the current.
My question is how to interpret the sign in -0.8 mA. Does this mean that I can push into the IC at most 0.8mA while its output is high (and that I can let out as much as I want), or does this mean that 0.8 mA is the most the IC can let out of this pin?
Am I correct that I could simplify my schematic into the second one (removing the transistors), should the first theory be right?

A: When a datasheet specifies a current in that way it doesn't mean that is the maximum the chip capability. It means that is the test condition.
The negative sign does indicate the current flow direction. Minus means current flow out of the chip.
A standard TTL input as defined about 50 years ago required a worst case sinking current of 1.6mA and a sourcing current of 40uA. Typically outputs were designed to be able to drive 10 of those giving a test condition of 16mA for the output low condition and 400uA for output high at 2.4V. Some devices were designed for a larger drive output such as 20. Since the 70's the required current to drive a logic input has reduced greatly; first with low power bipolar devices to a few hundred microamps and then with CMOS to sub microamp levels. Even though the DC current needed is very low the capacitance of wiring and gate inputs can still require significant drive capability.
I would not recommending designing a circuit with such an old device. There are more modern equivalents such as the CD74HC194 or even directly from microcontroller outputs.
With your circuit description you don't need to drive 15-35mA anyway. With an 850 ohm (why 850 Ohm? that is non-standard) resistor to the 5V supply the current will only be about 3-4mA. That will illuminate a modern LED brightly. Normally I would use a 1k resistor for that application and drive directly from an MCU.
Also having a shared resistor implies that only one LED at a time is lit - is that what you want? A separate resistor for each will allow the LEDs to be controled individually. The shift register already allows independent control of the LEDs.
Lastly, unless there is a reason it is more common to connect the LED with resistor to the supply rail and use the logic device to drive its output low to illuminate the LED. Partly this is convention from when ICs could drive low more powerfully than they could drive high.
With separate resistors per LED it doesn't matter if the resistor or the LED connects to the supply. It may be more convenient to connect the LEDs to the supply as it allows a single wire to connect the LEDs back to the supply with separate wires for the other ends, 5 wires in total. If you connect the resistors to the supply you would need 8 wires. This is useful if the LEDs are mounted on a panel and not on the circuit board.

A: The data sheet specifies an output high voltage (probably around 2.4V, because it's a 74LS series).  The current given as the current into the chip: a rating of -0.8mA means that the chip can only deliver 0.8mA when it is coming out of the chip.
Generally you don't want to "cheat" the specifications -- don't depend on a voltage output to deliver a current (meaning, you need to put a current-limit resistor in there), and don't assume that you can exceed the chip's ratings and have it live (meaning, you may be able to connect LEDs directly, and they may light up, but the chip may die, too).
Note that 74LS parts can sink way more current than they can source.  You can pull the output down to around 0.7V while sinking 8mA.  An old-style LED such as the hobbyist sources still sell will still glow visibly with this much current; if you go shopping for a new high-efficiency one, it'll shine in full sun at that current.
So if you run even a hobbyist LED from the positive rail, through a 390 ohm resistor, then to the chip pin, it should work sorta-kinda OK, with no transistors, at the cost of the sense being inverted.
Note that 74LS series parts are pretty much obsolete -- a 74HC part will handle more current (= more brightness), and it will source and sink the same current.

A: The minus sign in front just means the direction of current.
In this case it means the chip can source (push out) 0.8mA maximum from output pin.
Without minus sign, it means the chip can sink (pull in) current.

A: Old school TTL was designed to switch with higher current with low logic "0"  levels (e.g. 16 mA max ) and similarly needed more current for low-level input.  Thus true to each TTL family they had a current ratio of >=10 for high speed which was called a fan-out of 10 loads from each output.  (in this case \$I_{IL} = 1\$ mA)
Thus it would be better to choose <=15 mA for the LED and use more efficient LEDs. Some are very bright even at 3 mA, while old ones are dim at 20 mA.
Thus for a Red 2.1V from 5V with a Vol = 0.2V typ output. the series R=V/I= (5-2.1-0.2)/15 mA = 2.7/15 mA = 0.18 kohm.(min)
True to all electronic conventions, the negative current comes from V+ and power supplies are negative power and loads consume positive power to satisfy polarity rules.
The active-low input needs more current so the drivers can supply this but are limited on the high side.
The concept of fan-out was limited to TTL, but often schematics look more like orthogonal spread-out loads than radial fans.

Conclusion:
Use negative logic to drive loads from TTL (54/74 series)


text:
USENIX Board
Legal & Financial Documents
USENIX Awards
USENIX Supporters
Test of Time Awards
;login:
Conference Fees
Campus Representative Program
Student Grant Program
An Introduction to Bε-trees and Write-Optimization
;login: Enters a New Phase of Its Evolution
For over 20 years, ;login: has been a print magazine with a digital version; in the two decades previous, it was USENIX's newsletter, UNIX News. Since its inception 45 years ago, it has served as a medium through which the USENIX community learns about useful tools, research, and events from one another. Beginning in 2021, ;login: will no longer be the formally published print magazine as we've known it most recently, but rather reimagined as a digital publication with increased opportunities for interactivity among authors and readers.
Since USENIX became an open access publisher of papers in 2008, ;login: has remained our only content behind a membership paywall. In keeping with our commitment to open access, all ;login: content will be open to everyone when we make this change. However, only USENIX members at the sustainer level or higher, as well as student members, will have exclusive access to the interactivity options. Rik Farrow, the current editor of the magazine, will continue to provide leadership for the overall content offered in ;login:, which will be released via our website on a regular basis throughout the year.
As we plan to launch this new format, we are forming an editorial committee of volunteers from throughout the USENIX community to curate content, meaning that this will be a formally peer-reviewed publication. This new model will increase opportunities for the community to contribute to ;login: and engage with its content. In addition to written articles, we are open to other ideas of what you might want to experience.
Michael A. Bender, Martin Farach-Colton, William Jannen, Rob Johnson, Bradley C. Kuszmaul, Donald E. Porter, Jun Yuan, and Yang Zhan
A Bε-tree is an example of a write-optimized data structure and can be used to organize on-disk storage for an application, such as a database or file system. A Bε-tree provides a key-value API, similar to a B-tree, but with better performance, particularly for inserts, range queries, and key-value updates. This article describes the Bε-tree, compares its asymptotic performance to B-trees and Log-Structured Merge trees (LSM-trees), and presents real-world performance measurements. After finishing this article, a reader should have a basic understanding of how a Bε-tree works, its performance characteristics, how it compares to other key-value stores, and how to design applications to gain the most performance from a Bε-tree.
Download Article:
Article Section:
;login: issue:
October 2015, Vol. 40, No. 5
© USENIX 2020
Website designed and built
by Giant Rabbit LLC


Special thanks to Social Booth customer, Vince for writing this guest post on how to accept credit cards with Social Booth in a retail photo booth environment.
This is not intended to be the definitive way to do this, nor is it the cheapest. It also isn't a complete guide to building a retail photo booth. This is the explanation of how our tiny company successfully accepts credit card payments at an unattended photo booth.
Key Item #1: Software. We chose Photo Booth Solutions' Social Booth because after a couple emails with Mike, the owner, we felt we would have good support. We also knew that SB's social sharing options are attractive to venue owners who want to get the word out about their business. Mike also programmed a special "time left" countdown timer that you'll see within the software (which is now standard), and programmed in a "wait for a keypress before starting photo booth sequence" for us as well. (Why these customizations are important coming up).
Key Item #2: Credit card processor and hardware. This was the single most frustrating part of the process. We called several banks and processing companies. Nobody knew how to how to setup a vending machine merchant system because the whole credit processing industry is focused on Internet sales or sales from a smart device. They all wanted us to charge using the smartphone swipers or use an Internet gateway thru Internet Explorer and all had major security concerns. Nobody was helpful for a vending start-up.
Enter USA Technologies. They have a full service suite designed just for vending. At it's core is a device called the ePort. If you've ever bought a $4 bottle of Coke from a Las Vegas vending machine then chances are you swiped your credit card using an ePort. After a 20 minute sales call, and credit application, we immediately purchased an ePort, wiring dongle, antenna and power supply a grand total of over $500. Update: We used a "Non-traditional ePort" that runs $500 and has to be purchased by calling USA Tech. Their standard ePorts can be found elsewhere on the Internet for around $249, however these may not interface with a PC setup as easily.
The ePort processes a credit card charge and then sends confirmation of that successful charge as an electrical pulse through two wires– much like a coin mech on an arcade machine.
Key Item #3: Middleman hardware between ePort and PC running Social Booth. A device is needed to receive the ePort's pulse and then translate it into meaningful info. We purchased an Uhid Nano to be our translator. The Uhid connects to your PC via USB and can be programmed, through a GUI, to accept a pulse and translate it into a keypress. Uhids are not cheap and come from the UK, so shipping is expensive. There are other programmable chips in the USA (Arduino, Teensy, etc) that are more economical, but their GUI is not as simple to work with as the Uhid.
We mounted the ePort onto the photo booth, 48" from the ground, next to the screen inside the booth that faces the guest. We punched a 5/8" hole thru the booth, behind the ePort's mount and fed it's the wires inside so they would be completely concealed.
Over the phone, the USA Tech people helped us solder the correct two ePort wires (of several wires) to our Uhid device, which was plugged into a USB port of the PC running Social Booth inside the photo booth. The ePort was then programmed remotely by USA Tech to charge a set $ amount per swipe.
In Social Booth's "Triggers" settings, we deactivated the touch screen until a particular key was pressed (we chose the "a" key).
We programmed the Uhid to translate a pulse received from the ePort into an "a" keypress. Then, we put Social Booth in full screen mode.
That's it. The experience is this: After swiping a credit card, the ePort takes 2 seconds to charge the card, then sends a pulse to the Uhid, which translates that into an "a" keypress to Social Booth (which is sitting idle in full screen mode). Social Booth immediately kicks off the photo booth countdown. The touchscreen shows all the action but disallows any user input until the "Choose Filter" screen. After that, all Social Booth and touchscreen features work perfect … Facebook sharing, Twitter sharing, etc. After the photo booth sequence was completed, Social Booth returns to the "Ready" screen and waits for another credit card to charge.
USA Tech is probably not the most economical method, but is by far the simplest that we found. Their sales people are friendly and their tech support has been immediate.
We pay a monthly connection fee for our ePort, but our 2-year agreement can be cancelled anytime.
Transaction fees and percentages paid to USA Tech are high, but that is the cost of simplicity.
There may be more economical solutions that USA Tech offers. I want to reiterate again that we took the fastest route – not necessarily the cheapest.
It takes about 7 business days for hardware to arrive with ground shipping from USA Tech.
It takes 7-10 days for the Uhid to arrive from the UK.
Installing a bill or token acceptor instead and avoid all the costs and fees associated with accepting credit. We felt that allowing people to use their card was much more user friendly.
You can setup daily, weekly and/or monthly email reports with transactional data from the ePort. It's a nice way to view your daily sales info.
Mike at Photo Booth Solutions was also great to offer Social Booth help, but also helped us with other useful tips in building an unattended retail photo booth.