Yak Shaving -- [MIT AI Lab, after 2000: orig. probably from a Ren & Stimpy episode.] Any seemingly pointless activity which is actually necessary to solve a problem which solves a problem which, several levels of recursion later, solves the real problem you're working on.
#460 Camera Phone Tip -- If you’re out shopping and find a CD, book, or other item you might want to pick up later, snap a photo of the item’s barcode. When you get home you can look the item up on Amazon or Froogle.com and find the best price. (HT: 43 Folders)
#461 Travel Tip -- Before you reserve your seat on the plane, check with SeatGuru. The web site has floorplans and information on almost every configuration of airplane used by the major airlines. In-depth seat specific comments denote seats with limited recline, reduced legroom, mis-aligned windows, and other problems you'll want to avoid.
#462 Food Tip -- Avoid those ice crystals that form at the top of your ice cream by placing a piece of plastic wrap right on top of the ice cream. It keeps the air out and everything stays fresh. (HT: LifeHacker)
#463 Know Your Fallacies -- Appeal to authority -- a type of argument where an unsupported assertion depends on the asserter's credibility. There are two basic forms of appeal to authority, based on the authority being trusted. The more relevant expertise of an authority, the more compelling the argument. Nonetheless, authority is never absolute, so all appeals to authority which assert the authorities' claims are definitely true are fallacious.
#464 Google School -- To limit your search to a particular date or range of dates that a page was indexed by Google, use "daterange:". (Note: This function uses the Julian, not Gregorian dates) Example: "yak shaving" daterange:2453820-2453829
#465 HowTo -- Write a thank-you note.
#466 Win XP Keyboard Shortcut -- To delete an item without sending it to the recycle bin: SHIFT+DEL
1
You realize, of course, that #460 would violate, at least Jewish ethical standards. You would be using the stores' stocking costs, rent, and personnel costs for your shopping and then not purchasing from them - therefore you have stolen from them.
Don't ask me - Ask Dennis Prager
posted on 04.05.2006 8:21 AM2
But, I LOVE those ice crystals on top of my ice cream! Seriously, those things are great.
posted on 04.05.2006 9:31 AM3
But, I LOVE those ice crystals on top of my ice cream! Seriously, those things are great.
Humm, I'll contact you when we buy an ice cream we do not like and it is left in the freezer for some time. I just threw some out on Monday - sorry!
posted on 04.05.2006 11:18 AM4
But, I LOVE those ice crystals on top of my ice cream! Seriously, those things are great.
Humm, I'll contact you when we buy an ice cream we do not like and it is left in the freezer for some time. I just threw some out on Monday - sorry!
posted on 04.05.2006 11:24 AM5
John You would be using the stores' stocking costs, rent, and personnel costs for your shopping and then not purchasing from them - therefore you have stolen from them.
I read something about that before in one of Prager's books. After giving it more thought, I don't think it makes much sense. First of all, the shopkeeper doesn't put the ISBN on the book, the publisher does. So the information we are using is not a "value-added" attribute that must be credited to the store owner.
Second, Prager's rule would mean that we would always have to buy a product from the first place we saw it. Applying his rule, we would have to buy the book at the original store even if it was marked up 100% over the cover price. This makes no sense at all and I doubt even Prager abides by that standard.
posted on 04.05.2006 11:32 AM6
"Nonetheless, authority is never absolute, so all appeals to authority which assert the authorities' claims are definitely true are fallacious."
Can I use this the next time someone tells me something is right, wrong, true, false on the basis that it's in (or not in) the Bible?
posted on 04.05.2006 1:07 PM7
I think #460 IS definitely unethical in certain situations. A good example for me is motorcycle helmets. The fit of a full face helmet is very critical. It can't be too tight (uncomfortable) or too loose (compromises protection). Different manufacturers size them differently, and different brands fit different shaped heads differently.
Some people go to a local dealer and try different ones on, then buy their choice from an internet merchant. A helmet that is, say, $300 at a local dealer might be $200 from an internet dealer.
I believe it is unethical to do this. The local dealer is effectively offering the service of access to helmets for trying on, evaluating features, looking at colors, etc. If you use that service without compensating the dealer, you are essentially stealing. The dealers incur a cost for carrying this inventory, having personnel available to assist, and providing a local presence. From a practical perspective, if everyone does this, local dealers will no longer carry helmets.
posted on 04.06.2006 11:20 AM