I really enjoy reading about computer history. There are a few reasons.

1. Computer History is navel gazing something I enjoy already. The books and essays make what I do for a living seem important.
2. I have a core belief that today’s computer industry is re-inventing the breakthroughs from 20-30 years ago. Reading the history helps me get the “next big thing”.
3. The characters in my industry fascinate me. Ultimately, the history of my industry is the very personal story of some very smart and sometimes very odd people.

So if you like computer history you might want to check out this essay entitled,”Richard Feynman and The Connection Machine“, by W. Daniel Hillis that appears on the Long Now web site. I have worked some some smart people iin my life, but what a treat to work with someone like Richard Feynman. The Thinking Machine alumni list is pretty amazing.

CIMG5808, originally uploaded by timbu.

Both kids hopped on their new bikes last week and instantly knew how to ride. The last few summers haven’t been as successful. I would push and push and the kids would go a few feet before wiping out. I tried new methods to teach kids and nothing worked.

This year they just got on the bike and away they went.

I asked Matthew how he learned so quick. He said, “I saw Elise get on her bike and I knew I could do better than her.”

Note to self: Start chore competition.

I was pretty happy with the new Sharpie retractable markers, but I have a new favorite — the Decocolor marker. Technically it’s a paint marker. Find one at your local art supply store and start writing on things.

Did you get the album yet?

Joe recently tweeted this gem.

“after 2 weeks I found my lost bluetooth headset…under the windshield wiper of my car”

Joseph Pfeiffer

I thought his car look silly wearing that bluetooth headset.

I know this is derivative, but there is a movement and I’m part of it.

I took the plunge and upgraded a system at home to XP SP3. No problems so far. Nothing seems amiss.

So google docs has added support for “forms” to their spreadsheets. Not only that but I can embed the form in a web page. This is pretty neat.

I’m not joking, fill out the form about and go to my spreadsheet and you can see the results for yourself.

Need help setting one up yourself? Check out the page “Creating Forms“.

I didn’t buy anything today, woohooo!

New favorite way to cut off people in conversation: “… yeah, I saw your Twitter.”

– alexisgirl

Hey wait, I think people have been doing that to me.

You can also see the cartoon on bitstrips, “Cartoon Goalie“.