John J. Rynne's blog

How to write more clearly, think more clearly,

Mon, 18 Jul 2005 17:10:16 GMT

Good slideshow on How to Write More Clearly, Think More Clearly, and Learn Complex Material More Easily.

Arisgotas, Toledo. Church tower and olive grove

Mon, 18 Jul 2005 14:41:14 GMT

Out for a walk on Sunday morning. Mercifully "cool" for once (i.e. over 20 with a breeze, not over 30 with dead calm - it's all relative). Noticed the nearby village church tower just visible over the hill.
I am just getting the hang of using Flickr as a photo repository.

IKEA style refugee housing

Sun, 10 Jul 2005 10:38:00 GMT

IKEA Refugee Housing.

Looks great. You could even sell them as weekend homes to people with a bit of land someplace and no building permit. If the authorities object, you just disassemble and pack away.

Ads in blogs

Wed, 06 Jul 2005 15:54:05 GMT

To bear in mind when (and if) readership tops the figure of 1!!!

R project - Statistics software for Mac OS X (and other platforms)

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 07:54:21 GMT

Looks interesting, if I ever need it.

Mallorcan Tumbet recipes

Mon, 30 May 2005 16:43:12 GMT

I'm now doing requests :-) This one's for my parents, who tried this dish in Mallorca/Majorca (I used to think they were two different islands) on a recent trip. Sephardic recipe (looks elaborate): http://www.caryn.com/holiday/passover/recipes/majorcantumbet.html Simpler recipe: http://www.spanishhampers.co.uk/RECIPES/recipes60.html It's amazing how they differ. I like the look of the first one better. Que aprovechen!

The audioblogging manifesto

Sun, 29 May 2005 22:42:24 GMT

I don't have an iPod or any other MP3 playing device (other than the many computers under my command) so I have never really grokked the whole podcasting thing. Moreover, I am primarily a text person (I make my living translating text), and I'm a fast reader. I rarely listen to the radio (can't stand the ads, among other things) and my TV viewing is confined to a few series I make a point of catching (Six Feet Under, until the various Spanish TV channel started playing football with it, and Desperate Housewives - Yes, I confess!). Anyway, today I came across a very nicely-written manifesto about audioblogging that can be summarised in one word: Don't. You can read it at the link above, where you can also find a link where you can listen to it, complete with backing choir. I fully agree with the guy.

The music business sux (so what else is new?)

Sat, 28 May 2005 10:23:18 GMT

I had been wondering when the iTunes store would offer an affiliate programme. I discovered today that they have had one for some time, but only for the US store. Since I live in Spain, by default I see the Spanish store. This is presumably due to the fact that music licensing restrictions mean that each country is like a sealed compartment. (The whole DVD zone stuff is similar - and don't get me started on that one). Anyway, while checking out the US site, I noticed a free download track ("Galang" by Mia - about which there is a lot of buzz right now) - so I clicked and followed through the dialog boxes, giving my .Mac ID etc. Then I get to the bit where it says if the billng address of your credit card is not in the US, click HERE. So like a fool, I click. It asks me what country I live in , and then it drops me back to the Spanish store. Sans free download, of course. Then again, I could always fire up Acquisition and get the track for free just the same. Who could blame me?

Portuguese rug manufacturer - they make rugs to your design

Fri, 27 May 2005 07:58:24 GMT

Spotted this shop at Príncipe Pío shopping centre the other day. Looks nice, until I remember we've got a dog who feels unloved when we have visitors and has to take it out on something nice and soft - like a new carpet! Prices for standard designs:
140 x 200 = EUR 634
170 x 240 = EUR 924
200 x 300 = EUR 1359

Get rich slowly

Fri, 27 May 2005 07:49:45 GMT

A sort of review of a slew of financial planning and get-rich-quick books. The main points of each book are summarised (e.g. the very anal "Step #3: Keep track of every cent that enters or leaves your possession. "). Worth a look