decaturcomp-says

wave search cheat sheet

2009-10-06T18:16:00.001-04:00

Search Cheat Sheet

This is a quick guide to the operators and restricts supported by wave search.

Google also has some info here. I think this wave is more informative.

Keywords

about:[keyword] -- finds waves which have [keyword] occurring anywhere. Same as [keyword].

title:[keyword] -- finds waves which have [keyword] in the title.

caption:[keyword] -- finds waves which have an attachment where [keyword] occurs in the caption.

Status

is:read -- finds all read waves.

is:unread -- finds all unread waves.

Note: you cannot currently do a search like "-is:read" by itself and get reliable results due to an outstanding restriction on megastore queries

is:mute -- finds all muted waves.

is:unmute -- finds all waves not muted

is:active -- currently the same as is:unread.

is:note -- finds all waves which have you as the only participant and contributor

Participants

from:[address] -- finds waves from the participant identified by the address. Special case of from:me identifying waves from yourself.

by:[address] -- same as from:[address].

to:[address] -- find waves which are a dialogue between you and the participant identified by the address.

with:[address] -- find waves that have the participant identified by the given address explicitly listed.

owner:[address] -- find waves by person, that they created.

only:[address] -- finds waves to which only the participant specified by the given address contributed.

Date Search

Currently, there are a few restricts:

past:[date term] -- finds all waves in the last period.

previous:[date term] -- finds all waves in the period before the last period.

before:[date term] -- finds all waves before a certain period.

after:[date term] -- finds all waves after a certain period.

which can be combined with date terms:

day

week

month

year

So you can have past:week, past:year. There is also support for

past:N[date term]

where N > 0. So you can have past:3days (today, yesterday, the day before yesterday).

Also you can have

past:Ndays

past:Nweeks

past:Nmonths

past:Nyears

Finally, you can abbreviate days, weeks, months and years to a single letter (d, w, m, y). Thus you can write

past:3d

past:2w

Folders

in:[folder name] -- find waves in the folder with the given name. For example, in:inbox.

in:[search name] -- find waves in the saved search with the given name.

is:unfiled -- find waves which have not been moved to a user folder.

is:filed -- find waves which belong to some user folder.

Attachments

has:attachment -- finds waves with an attachment. This changed from "is:image".

has:document -- finds waves with an attachment which is a document. (coming soon)

has:image -- finds waves with an attachments which is an image. (coming soon)

caption:[keyword] -- finds waves with an attachment with caption containing [keyword].

filename:[keyword] -- finds waves with an attachment with filename containing [keyword]. (coming soon)

mimetype:[keyword] -- finds waves with an attachment with mimetype containing [keyword]. (coming soon)

Terri's video for the Red Cross

2009-09-25T23:00:00.001-04:00

My wife Terri (terri@thorntoncommunications.com) shot, edited and posted this video for the local Red Cross:

changes for music online

2009-07-16T07:49:00.004-04:00

I see more computer problems related to file sharing sites than ever these days. Almost everyone who comes to me with severe virus/trojan/malware problems has had Limewire, EDonkey or the like running on their machine. I think that it's long past the time for people to consider that buying or renting (more later) music is a better option than snitching it.

There has been plenty said about the iTunes Music Store, but it is the main way that people seem to enjoy purchasing music online. The Amazon version of the same thing is a bit less expensive and eMusic is cheaper still although they have just raised their prices in exchange for branching out from their mostly indie roots. This is known, I think, as forgetting to 'dance with the one who brung you.'

All of the above are fine for a quick fix in the middle of the night or when you just can't get out but let me suggest that an actual CD still sounds better by a long shot and, for my money, still provides more enjoyment over all. Of course, I have a really great local music store just a few minutes away Decatur CD (http://decaturcd.blogspot.com/) it would be prudent of all of us to support our local stores like this one before we drive them out of business with our cheapitude and penchant for easiness.

Of course, another great way to get music is to stop by the merch table when you go to a show. The performers are much more likely to make some actual money for their work that way. It is the best rememberance of the show and goes well with your new tshirt.

Listening to music online for free. Pandora seems to be about to have to change their model some. They may have by the time you read this. It is a terrific way to discover new music for free though and is well worth paying for. I've used it happily for years now. One fun thing about them is that movie and other producers sometimes use Pandora to find analogs for the songs they can't afford to put in their movies/tv shows, etc.

Lala.com is another good choice. It used to be a great place to trade cds without cases for about 2$ but I don't bother with that any more. They'll let you to almost any cd or song out there for free once. After that you can continue to stream it through Lala for pennies a song. A great deal for folks who listen at their desks. You can also upload your own ripped CDs to Lala.com and listen to them any time you want. It's like having an iTunes that moves with you from your computer to anywhere you login. They're supposed to be coming out with an iPhone app, too which would make them an even more wonderful choice. For now, get the Pandora app and try a paid app (not much a few bucks) called Simplify Media where you serve up your own files from your machine to your iPhone or iPod Touch.

As far as paid options go... I've heard someone say lately that they don't know why anyone would pay for Satellite Radio. Well, I've considered canceling my subscription but since they added an iPhone application, I'm using and enjoying it more. There are a few stations including Coffee House and The Grateful Dead Channel that I really like. Since Sirius and XM have more or less merged there isn't any choice between the two so I'm happy with XM.

I know this is a discussion of music but I find that audiobooks and podcasts are more interesting to me as I travel these days. Audible.com and the iTunes Music Store are good choices for tons of stuff there. The podcasts are free as a rule.

And finally, as far as iPhones are concerned (lot of other smart phones, too I believe) there are lots of different apps for radio and streamcast listening.

That's about the state of the deal from my perspective. What have I left out that you enjoy?

Wifi Cat/Wimax Dog

2009-02-21T14:48:00.003-05:00

At the recent #startup riot there was a pitch about a wifi cat. Presumably one who would wear a techie sort of collar that would provide internet connectivity when s/he was around.

I can see this being useful for those of us who have a pet familiar. One of those cellphone cards with a small wireless router attached. There are such things for use at small gatherings and for carpoolers. What sort of power, though. Solar?

Discussion and hilarity ensued including discussion of a wimax dog or pack of dogs running around as a sort of mobile mesh network.

Of course it was a lark but don't tell that to my pets who have the handles @dobbythecat and @wimaxdog on Twitter, now. In fact, Mini (@wimaxdog) has her own online blip.fm radio station.

recent facebook posts

2009-02-04T00:59:00.001-05:00

Great Southeast Music Hall (partial) memories

2009-01-21T17:23:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Shannon Williamson for starting the I Have Been to the Great Southeast Music Hall group on Facebook.

Alan Thornton wrote
at 6:34pm on January 12th, 2009
Saw most of the shows with my then sweetheart/now bride Terri Thornton. Also got drunk with John Prine who had lots of beer but kept stealing my Salems. Won a Darryl Rhoades Gong Show competition with my "talent" of comedy mute. He had me on a television show to recreate the character later and the other guests were the B52's and Lester Maddox. The Gov. held the elevator door for me because he thought I was a real mute. Comedy Mute's big finish was to play Turkey in the Straw with his nose on the harmonica while drinking beer through a straw. Messy.

Other great shows there: Doug Kershaw, Willie Nelson, BB King, Thermos Greenwood and the Colored People, Dixie Dregs, Ronee Blakely (Before the Nashville movie or the Rolling Thunder tour with Dylan, I think) Jimmy Reed and Biff Rose (!)

One of the tin beer buckets was an ashtray in my parents' house until everyone quit smoking.

Wii Fit

2009-01-12T19:28:00.002-05:00

Our 12 year old Son Matthew bought a Wii Fit with his own money lately. He has shown Terri and I how to use it and is supplementing his Tae Kwon Do and Swimming practice with it. I have to say that it's a pretty good way to get some exercise when it just seems like you're playing.

L'Obama, ossia L'Avvento del Messia

2008-12-19T21:14:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure where this came from. It arrived in my inbox today. I really enjoyed it.

Per voi amanti dell'opera ecco l'ultimo capolavoro

L'Obama, ossia L'Avvento del Messia

Opera in Tre Atti

Personaggi

Barracco Obama , Il Messia, Redentore del Mondo.....................................Tenore Miracoloso
Santa Micaela della Revoluzione, sua sposa.............................................Soprano Amaro
Giovanni Maccheno, Senatore, Avversario dello Obama..............................Basso Buffo
Sara Palino, Governatrice del Alaska e Reginetta di Bellezza........................Coloratura Buffa
Guglielmo Priapo, Ex-Presidente............................................................Ten ore Mentitore
Hillaria, sua Sposa, altra Avversaria dello Obama.......................................Soprano Ambizioso
Elena Tomasso, una strega...................................................................Con tralto Venenoso
Giuseppe Bideno, "Piedimbocca"............................................................Ten ore Buffo
Il Spirito di Giorgio Secondo, L'Abominazione............................................Baritono Cattivo
Il Spirito di Ruscio Limbago, Bocca Grande...............................................Basso Noioso
Jeremia Ritto, un uomo pazzo, pastore dello Obama...................................Basso Demagogico
Guglielmo Ayers, terroristo Americano, amico dello Obama..........................Tenore Anarchico
Un Sempliciotto................................................................ .................Tenore Profetica

Il Popolo, La Media Elite, Il Mondo , Il Congresso, Terroristi.

ATTO PRIMO
La Piazza del Cattedrale di Washington.

It is the day after the election. Outside the Washington Cathedral, the People and La Media Elite celebrate the victory of Barracco Obama over his adversary, Giovanni Maccheno (Coro: "Esultate! Il Messia è venuto!"). The World enters and joins The People in their celebration, singing their own chorus rejoicing in the fact that Obama's election will hasten the demise of American power and influence (" America è in debolezza, evviva!") The two choruses swell and merge in a powerful contrapuntal choral episode. As the chorus reaches its climax, trumpets herald the arrival of Lord Obama the Most Merciful, who enters with his wife, Santa Micaela della Revoluzione and his retinue. The crowd becomes frenzied, with some falling in a swoon ("Obama! Obama! Redentore del Mondo! Io manco!"). Obama heals two lepers and resurrects the dead daughter of a Washington policeman. He then addresses the crowd ("Nel posar sul mio capo la corona"). At the sound of his voice, the crowd falls silent, gazing up at him with adoring, vacant expressions. In an eloquent aria, Obama promises that the dark days of the Tyrant, Giorgio Secondo, are over ("Dopo si lunga notte") and a new Golden Age will dawn for the world under his rule ("Un siglo d'oro è venuto"): the economy shall heal, America's enemies shall beat their bomb jackets into plowshares, the lame shall walk, there will be a chicken in every pot, the whole world shall have universal health care, all the prisoners in Guantanamo Bay will be released, and planes shall arrive and take off on schedule. Each stanza of this great aria is punctuated by the chorus ("Ohmmm! Salvatore!") At its conclusion, Obama invites The People and The World to a celebration at which he will personally change the water into wine and feed the guests with seven croissants and five grande lattes. He enters the cathedral for his coronation, followed by the crowd.

From the right, Giovanni Maccheno and Sara Palino enter the deserted piazza. Giovanni laments his loss of the election to Barracco Obama ("O mia vergogna!"). In a rambling, boring monologue sung in a monotone, he recites his brave history on the battlefield ("Si, fui soldato!") and wonders why this was not enough to get him elected 30 years later. In a lilting refrain ("Tu sei troppo vecchio"), Sara Palino suggests that it might be because he's a worn-out old has-been with the excitement level of a rusty AAA battery. She reminds him of her own qualifications for Vice-President ("Può vedere Russia dalla mia casa") and what a help she has been to him. To cheer him up, the perky Sara launches into one of the best known arias in the score, the brilliant coloratura Polonaise "Io son Regina di Bellezza," in which she sings of her experience as a beauty pageant contestant. But Giovanni is inconsolable: in a touching duet, he and Sara lament how they will now have to go wandering across the country, begging for speaking engagements ("Andrem raminghi è poveri"). Suddenly Giovanni hears someone approaching ("Ohimé, s'appressa alcun!") and he and Sara hide behind a column.

From the left enter former President Guglielmo Priapo and his termagant wife, Hillaria. Hillaria is furious over her defeat at the hands of L'Obama in the primaries. In a passionate outburst ranging up to a shrill, wobbly high C, she rages that the Prize was within her grasp ("È mio! È tutto mio!"), but she was betrayed by La Media Elite who abandoned her for un altro amore. Must she live to see this upstart novice on the throne while she languishes in boring Senate committee meetings? Is it for this that she has suffered public humiliation and eaten shit sandwiches served by her husband for the past 35 years? No, it is too much! (È troppo! non reggo! soffoco!") Gugliemo counsels patience: her day will come, and L'Obama will overreach himself. He tells Hillaria that he has a plan to get them both back in la Casa Bianca, where she can rule while he chases interns. Just then he spots Guglielmo and Sara off to the side, and he begins to make a move on Sara. He tells her she is a real babe, and this develops into the famous Quartet, "Bella figlia dell'Alaska:" Guglielmo tries to grope Sara; Sara tells him a joke about lipstick on pitbulls; Hillaria sings that her day of vengeance will come; and Guglielmo stutters, in repetitive phrases, how Obama will raise everyone's taxes and endanger national security.

When the Quartet ends, the crowd surges out of the cathedral, proclaiming the new Messiah, followed by L'Obama in full regalia. A powerful concluding ensemble ensues: The People, the World and La Media Elite acclaim L'Obama; Barracco heals a lame man and exults in his new power; Giovanni Maccheno whines about the ingratitude of the American People while Sara Palino practices her baton twirling; Guglielmo plans that evening's rendezvous with his new cutie, while Hillaria plots her comeback. Unnoticed in the background, a small group of Islamic terrorists rejoice in Obama's election. Everyone then exits to follow Obama to the Reflecting Pool which he will walk on down the Mall to meet Il Congresso at Il Capitole.

The piazza is deserted and silent once more. Now enters the Simpleton, a crazy homeless man pushing a shopping cart filled with old newspapers. He sings a keening lament, weeping for the Motherland and the bitter years that lie ahead.

Cada il sipario lentamente.

ATTO SECONDO

Scena Primo: L'Offizia di Hillaria nel Capitole.

Hillaria is meeting with Guglielmo Priapo. She berates him for avoiding her and doing nothing to bring her any closer to la Casa Bianca ("Perché mi sfuggi?") Two years have past, and she is still sitting in interminable committee meetings and having to pretend that she wants Obama to succeed! When is Guglielmo going to stop porking her pages and do something? Guglielmo replies that the two years have not exactly been wasted ("Deh, pensate!"): the hated, deposed Giorgio Secondo is dead, having been torn limb from limb by grieving war widows, mothers and children while he was giving a speech to a veteran's organization. Things have been going badly for Lord Obama as well, and Il Popolo are getting restless. The opportunity is ripening. And as an additional bonus, Ruscio Limbago has been driven from the airwaves by the revival of the Fairness Doctrine, which Obama has used to silence all effective opposition to him on radio and television. With no outlet for his hot air, Limbago floated off somewhere like an untethered balloon into the ether, presumably to his death. But Hillaria is not to be deterred: when is Guglielmo going to do something? ("Basta di parlare! Azione io voglio!") Guglielmo responds that he has done something: since Hillaria wants to know the future, he has arranged for the ancient Washington hag, Elena Tomasso, to visit Hillaria that very afternoon and tell her the future. Just at that moment, there is a knock on the door. Guglielmo leaves and Elena Tomasso enters, a hideous old woman with a tongue that drips poison.

Hillaria demands to know what the future holds for her ("Parlami dal futuro!"). In the impressive aria, "Re dell'abisso," Tomasso summons the spirit of Giorgio Secondo. His horrible visage rises from the floor, with bloody hands holding his very small brain. Giorgio demands to know who has summoned him and bemoans his fate in the afterlife ("Mal per me!"): condemned to be waterboarded enternally while his entrails are unwound and used to re-fence the ranch in Crawford. Hillaria demands to know her future ("Dimmi, o spirito!"). Giorgio replies in sepulchral tones that she has to ask one more powerful than him. To her horror, he summons the spirit of Ruscio Limbago, a disembodied fat head with a mouth twice normal size. In an eerie prophecy ("O Hillaria, Hillaria, Hillaria!") Limbago tells Hillaria that she will be L'Obama's successor, and that his days are numbered. But her reign will be as scandal-plagued as was her husband's, she will accomplish nothing of note, and she will die the same frustrated, bitter woman that she is. With a final cry of "Dittos!", the head of Limbago disappears in thunder and lightening. Hillaria, elated by the first part of the prophecy ("O lieto augurio!"), fails to hear the second part. Elena gives Hillaria a magic dagger, which she is to plunge into Obama's back when the opportunity presents itself. In an exultant cabaletta, Hillaria rejoices with the dagger ("O, acciar!"), while in pertichini Elena Tomasso mutters that this woman is nuts ("È una pazzarella!") and that she wants to stay as far away from her as possible.

Scena Secondo: L'Offiza Ovale nella Casa Bianca.

The Secretary of Education, Guglielmo Ayers, and Jeremia Ritto, the Commissar of Culture and Obama's spiritual advisor, are discussing the state of the administration. Ayers asks where Lord Obama is ("Obama d'ové?). Ritto replies that he is returning from his daily walk on the Potomac but that he has been delayed by having to drive some demons out of a herd of swine. Ayers notes that conditions in the country have been worsening and the people will soon be ready for The Revolution. In a buffo duet ("Un segreto d'importanza"), Ayers sings of his secret plan to radicalize kindergartners, while Ritto keeps up a steady contrapuntal patter ("God Damn America! God Damn America ")

Lord Obama enters and after kissing his ring, Ritto and Ayers leave. Obama is in a foul mood, and he curses a rubber plant which promptly withers. Obama slumps at his desk and in the powerful monologue, "I have attained supreme power," he laments the how his dreams and hopes have turned sour. The economy has worsened, and famine stalks the land. A new terrorist attack has killed thousands, led by a jihadist Obama ordered released from Gitmo because his constitutional rights were being violated. The disillusioned, disappointed People are starting to curse his name, and lewd graffiti about Micaela has started to appear in the subways. He starts to pray for guidance ("Gran Dio, soccorrimi!") but stops when he remembers that religious activity of any kind on Federal property is now a criminal offense. He launches into a tuneful arietta about the futility of life ("Ho bastante di niente"). Micaela enters and begins to nag Obama about his failure to turn American into a Worker's Paradise ("La revoluzione dov'é?") Seeing his glum mood, she tries to cheer him up ("Mio caro sposino") and urges him to announce a new initiative at the upcoming State of the Union address. Encouraged by Micaela's words, Obama joins her in an exultant duet ("Ora di gloria s'appressa!) as the curtain falls.

ATTO TERZO

Il Capitole: la Camera della Casa dei Rappresentativi.

The Chamber is divided into two groups: I Repubblicani on one side, and I Democrati on the other. This is the famous "Coro dei Partisani" - the Repubblicani sing how, after four years in the minority, they are nothing but a bunch of impotent weasels ("Sono donnole impotente). The Democrati mock the Repubblicani for not even being able to sustain a filibuster ("Ha! Ha! Ha! Non hanno di 40!") Up on the dais, the Parlatrice della Casa dei Rappresentativi, Nana Pelosi, and the Vice-President, Giovanni Bideno sit on their thrones. Nana Pelosi trills happily, while Giovanni Biden can only grunt ("Hmpf! Hmpf! Hmpf!") because after two years of progressively embarrassing gaffes, his foot is by now permanently implanted in his mouth. Giovanni Maccheno enters and sits with I Repubblicani, immediately putting the Senators on either side of him to sleep. Sara Palino sits in the balcony, primping for the cameras and doing her nails.

Lord Obama enters the chamber and the politicians crowd around him sycophantically. A woman touches the hem of his robe and is healed of an issue of blood. He progresses solemnly to the dais and begins his speech ("Ascoltami, Congresso!"). But no sooner has he begun to speak than the distant angry murmur of a crowd is heard approaching. The members of Congress all start in alarm ("Quai gridi!"). One of the Capitol police enters and announces, in frightened tones, that Il Popolo are approaching in an angry mob with scythes and pitchforks. L'Obama orders them to be admitted, and the mob rushes in ("Vendetta! Strage! Sterminio!"). They've had enough of two years of disappointment, failure and betrayal, and they want Real Change ("Vero cangia vogliamo!") Jeremia Ritto rushes around crazily, shouting "God Damn America!" L'Obama rebukes the crowd for its behaviour ("Quest'è dunque del Popolo la voce?"): didn't they just acclaim him as their Salvatore two years before? Fistfights break out between the Repubblicani and the Democrati.

In an impassioned plea, Obama calls for peace ("Plebe! Patrizi! Popolo!") Moved by his appeal, Il Popolo and Il Congresso quiet down. But just as L'Obama resumes his speech, a cry is heard ("Guarda nel balcone!"): Sara Palino has begun twirling flaming batons in the Gallery while singing an inane coloratura ditty ("Belle fiamme"). While all attention is focused on Sara, Hillaria dashes up to the dais and plunges the dagger into Obama's back ("Quest'è il bacio di Hillaria"). When attention returns to the front, everyone sees Hillaria standing where L'Obama was, rejoicing in her new-found power ("Salgo giä nel Presidencia aurata!") As everyone proclaims the new queen (" Regina tu sei!"), Sara Palino remarks on how her and Hillaria's plan worked after all, and announces that her agreed-upon reward is that in the new administration, she will be Secretary of State so that she can get some foreign policy experience for her Presidential run in 2012. The crowd reacts ("Orror! Orror! Orror!").

Cada il sipario

Blip

2008-12-12T05:50:00.000-05:00

New tool to search the internet for music, try it here

2008-03-21T06:55:00.000-04:00

SeeqPod has been around for a while. I use it on my iPhone to look for music to stream for free when I want to hear something that isn't on my playlist. Try searching for a song here then highlight it and click play. You don't have to put your real email address where it asks. They're going to remove that request in a later version. Jibberish there will work or, use my favorite, a@b.com.

They're going to make versions of this that you can add to facebook and myspace, too. If you want the code to add to your blog or website go here for the code:

Our cat Dobby waiting for a jailbird

2008-03-19T15:45:00.001-04:00

Overuse of crime scene tape

2008-03-19T14:32:00.001-04:00

2008-03-19T13:31:00.001-04:00

Best,

Alan Thornton
Decatur Computer Help
404 932-4348

Can we save electronics that get wet?

2007-11-30T17:28:00.000-05:00

As a computer repair guy this is a question I hear a lot. Mostly concerning laptops with soda/beer/absinthe spilled on them. Here is a surprising report from Chicago Sun Times tech reporter Andy Inhatko. The first few seconds of the video are garbled, after that smooth sailing and good info:

MP3 Downloads legal and less expensive

2007-11-30T15:56:00.000-05:00

I'm a Apple guy. I've spent lots of time and money in the Apple Online Store shopping for MP3 downloads. The new game in town from Amazon is giving Apple a run for their money, though.

I've been using the Amazon MP3 Downloads lately because they are less expensive and are free from copy restriction software that only causes problems. Apple is trying to get rid of this invasive Digital Rights Management (DRM) crud and has begun to offer some songs without it. I think that Amazon's entry into the world of DRM-free music will be a good incentive for Apple to push forward to do the same thing.

There is also an indie-flavored DRM free store called E Music. I tend to find more of what I want with Apple and Amazon, though.

Flickr: Photos from decaturcomp

2007-11-10T07:03:00.000-05:00

Flickr: Photos from decaturcomp

This is a link to my personal Flickr Photos.

Chelsea Swings

2007-11-08T16:54:00.000-05:00

Is the iPhone legitimizing iPods for adults?

2007-11-02T17:32:00.001-04:00

Adults feel dumb carrying iPods or other music players. We smuggle them into the gym where everyone else is using one. We use them in the car but maybe not for a walk in the neighborhood.

I've had them for years but always felt like a doofus in public.

Now, though, I notice that a lot of grown folks who have iPhones are enjoying the iPod part of them more than anything else. Since you can take calls with the earbuds that come with your phone no one really knows that you're not being a grownup.