Dvorak: Google vs. China vs. Evil

In this week's column for PCMag.com, John Dvorak opines on the Google\China controversy. Finally, a sound argument and a clear voice of reason is heard.

Column from PC Magazine: Google vs. China vs. Evil

P.S. - When spell checking this, I discovered that Blogger spell checker thinks "Google" is misspelled. Maybe somebody in the Spelling Dept. should look at their check and see who pays them.

P.S.S. - When spell checking the P.S., Blogger spell checker thinks "Blogger" is misspelled. Isn't that funny?

Hunter Hills A/V Equipment

Last week I wrote that we had moved into our new worship center at church. I promised to write an entry about the equipment we purchased.

Qty	Equipment	Description	Notes
2	Yamaha 01V96 V2	Mixer 24 CH. Digital	Actually comes with 16 channels and you can purchase an option 8 more channels in an "add-on" card. We purchased one of those cards, so we have 40 total channels. There is a way to "cascade" the two mixers so they act as one, but we have not implemented that yet. We think we know how, but have been so afraid to try to do anything yet.
4	Yamaha S115V	Main Speaker/Horn Unit	These are set in boxes about 15 feet up the front wall. There are two on each side, one facing toward the center and the other toward the back corner. A cotton, fabric overlay hides the speakers from view.
4	Yamaha SM12V	Monitors, Stage and Praise Team	We've place two monitors on the corners of the stage facing toward the center of the stage. The other two monitors sit on the floor and face the praise team.
3	QSC RMX 1850HD	1200 Watt Power Amp	One of the power the main speakers. Another one powers the monitors. The third is not used at this time. All three of these are rack-mounted.
10	SHURE PGX24 SM58 w\reciever	Wireless handheld microphones	We already had 1 wireless, handheld microphone. So, now, with 11, we use 8 each week for the praise team, 1 goes to the communion speaker, 1 goes to the person leading the prayer of thanksgiving and the last one goes to the Shepherd of the week for the Shepherd's prayer.
6	SHURE PGX14/93 WL93 w\reciever	Wireless lavalier microphones	These are ready to be used for plays and other productions.
2	Pro Co SMA2404FBQ-150	24 CH Snake, 150'	One of the snakes runs from the front row (front of the stage) to the sound booth. The other one is installed underneath the stage. These are set to be used for large productions when we need to break out the corded microphones or use the floor microphones.
1	InFocus Projector
1	Rear Projection Screen	Screen - High Contrast 150" Diameter
2	Plasma Screens
2	Aten UTP Video Extender 500 ft	VGA Extender over CAT5
1	DELL PC w/LCD Screen
1	Stage LCD Monitor	19" LCD for recessed mounting
1	Remote Extender		Used to access projector controls.
1	DVD/VCR Combo

More photos: (click picture for larger image)


The Sound Booth.


The Sound Boards


The Sound Boards 2


Close-up of the Sound Boards


All the Receivers


Overview of Worship Center from the Sound Booth


The Left Side of the Worship Center


The Center of the Worship Center


The Right Side of the Worship Center


The Ladder up to the Sound Booth

Thomas Sowell: Political Corruption

Thomas Sowell is currently writing a series on the "real political corruption" that takes place in American politics. He has some startling ideas:

In the first editorial he articulates that it is the pursuit for re-election (which costs big money) which leads politicians to compromise thier values for campaign financing from special interest groups. His solution, therefore, is not "term limits" (he has a problem with the "s" on limits), but a limit of one term per elected office with a mandatory waiting time before being able to seek election to another office.

His second editorial continues his proposed sweeping reforms by suggesting that we pay congressman so much money, they don't need money from outside people while in office or after thier term (this keeps people from granting political favors in return for a job after thier time is up). He thinks $10 million/year should do it.

Finally, he writes that congressional staffers (and infers that beuaracrats) should be paid "salaries that can compete with what seasoned and top-level professionals receive in the private sector." Basically, he says that unless a person has worked in the real world and succeeded in the free market, they have no business making governmental policies.

I don't know if any other articles on this subject will be forthcoming. But if they do, I will link to them. These ideas are bold, but well-reasoned.

Which Race of Middle Earth do you belong?

How could a Tolkien fan not take this quiz? I am...



Numenorean


To which race of Middle Earth do you belong?
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Matrix Personality Quiz...

I enjoy "The Matrix" series very much. So I was quite pleased when Andy told me that my brother had a link to a Matrix Personality Quiz. I took it the first chance I got. (Of course it says something about my brother that I know of at least 3 of my friends that read my brother's blog more faithfully than they read mine...he is a better writer and posts more faithfully...so I shouldn't be surprised).

I was shocked by my results...maybe not...


You are Agent Smith, from "The Matrix."

No one would ever want to run into you in a

dark alley. Cold as steel, tough as a rock,

things are your way or the highway.


What Matrix Persona Are You?
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