San Francisco recommended readings

When I moved into San Francisco, I asked some people on the books, that I should read to get a sense of the history of the city. Here is a sample of the books I have read since then, gathered in one place for the next time someone asks me the question. I am always open to more suggestions and suggestions not necessarily on the city as a whole - for example, my book preferred on New York was in large part on the traffic and my book preferred on Boston was on the River.In fact publish this post, moons after writing is mainly in honour of spectacular weather of today and my first ever bike ride across the Golden Gate. (And Yes, the photo is clichée and I don't care point)Imperial San Francisco: Urban power, Earth's ruin: Gray Brechin: this book...

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Posted in: Francisco,readings,recommended

Personal acknowledgements of MPL

This morning I hit publish on the announcement of the MPL 2.0, a two-year finishing process. The official announcement had a number of thanks for the many people who helped along the way, but I wanted to take to my personal blog to add a few personal notes."Thank you note for each language," by woodleywonderworks, used under CC - BY 2.0.First, Gerv Markham. GERV has many ways central to the mission of open source Mozilla for some time and it would have been easy for him to feel threatened when I dropped by parachute and began working on the licence. Instead, it has been helpful, patient and constructive - everything you would want a team member and co-worker.Second, Brett Smith of the FSF: Brett brought a very professional constructive approach...

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Posted in: acknowledgements,Personal

Regular internet Detox tips?

In recent years I have heard a few friends speak of plans to get off the internet for a day, a weekend, a week end, a month, etc. Each of the last two years, I tried to take 3-4 days off the coast of the internet and on both occasions he was younger - I come back feeling quite invigorated, focused, etc. But that sense did not last too long last year, and I doubt it will be this year.Small waterfall on the side of a trail off the coast of the Skyline Drive, Virginia, may 2011So... all friends who have tried things similar have thoughts or advice on how to do an internet detox on a regular basis and make it really effective and sustainable? I guess that part "make it sustainable" inevitably involves advice on how to manage email, work, twitter,...

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Posted in: Detox,internet,Regular

you are looking for a programming analogy - if there is a

As I mentioned, there are many analogies between programming and legal work.I am working on an upcoming post to explain a specific application of a legal concept. Unfortunately, I think this is one of these a few concepts is not a ready programming analogy. I would love someone to prove me the contrary, since the programming side of my brain will slowly pot. This is:In law, there is the notion of "rules" and "standards". Fundamentally, the rules are clear - they allow a judge to simply look at the facts, apply the rule and voila - you know if the rule has been violated. An example would be "the speed limit is 55". If you are in a car 56, you are in violation - even if, say, you are accelerating to the hospital with your pregnant wife. Alternatively, if you are in a car 54 you fine - even...

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Posted in: analogy,looking,programming,there