The Second Order Effect

It’s been a crazy time in my head, reading tons of Merlin Mann, and thinking bit thoughts as to who I want to be, what kind of work I want to do, and how I want to do it over this next five years.

It’s still all a jumble, but I’m slowly getting it down, written, for examination.

One workflow that has to be managed somehow : My links.

Each browser on my Macbook Pro (yippie! New MBP!) has at least thirty links saved. Firefox, with it’s impressive profile support, has seven profiles, most of which have a flood of links of some sort. My increasing desperation at opening a browser group should explain the names of my later profiles, including “Lean & Mean”, “Don’t keep any tabs open” and my favorite “Jesus!”. (This last profile is my current one, and is numbering about 60 tabs in 7 windows.)

Tab explosions come from the following :

• Visiting Daring Fireball, Hacker News, Slashdot, 43 Folders. Gizmodo and Lifehacker add to the linkspam as well, but I do a decent job of ignoring those sites, especially after reading Mann’s essay Better. [This essay, I think, was the final push to actually focus my thinking on the big change.]
• Any Google attempt of a problem I’m trying to solve. (Since I switch tasks so often, when a task is *somewhat done,* I’ll often move to something else, and stale tabs are left over)
• Email processing.
• Any Google attempt on anything interesting to me at the time.

One of the effects of the ‘Next Step,’ as I’m calling whatever set of discrete changes I’m contemplating now, is that I’m going to try to be a lot more disciplined about my curiousity, and stopping the constant indulging of “Oh, that looks neat!” and “Ooh, I want to know that!” (There are reasons, and this isn’t as simple of an idea as it sounds, perhaps more on that later.)

My tab workflow is a symptom of my overall workflow problems, and investing a lot of time fixing this symptom rather than the major problem (now that I’m focusing on that problem) is a distraction, not an advantage. So I’m not going to. But I do need a few more endpoints for the tabs that *do* get opened. Below, a chart of the types of data in my tabs, and what I’ve decided to do with them. (EDIT : I resisted the temptation to make a flowchart here. It’d be nice and all, I could put it up on my wall, but it’d be next to my GTD Workflow map, which is the domintant flowchart in my office, and I want to keep it this way. This data is fine in a table.)

(Hmm. I left this draft at 3:56pm. I return to it at 6:20pm. I’ve sent ten emails, upgraded the backup system for a client, done network debugging, uninstalled a few plugins (and done browser restarts), added plugins to WordPress to allow table editing, called family and purchased Choosy and iStat Menus. *headdesk*)

Anyhow, a chart of links that I can’t act on immediately.

So, the big question – what’s the ?????.

I used to use delicious. It’s gone stale, and I fear the data that’s in there now, I kind of feel like starting for scratch. The social functions of it worry me however – it’s a great way of having me be exposed to *more* new links – and I really just don’t need that.

I used to use browser bookmarks all synced by XMarks, but when I dumped in my backlogs of links to sort, and tried to start sorting them, the taxonomy was … massively draining, as well as annoyed at the hybrid tree/tag structure of most browsers bookmarks.

I’m going to start throwing away more links. While I think it’s *awesome* that there’s an HTML5 VNC client, and while I’m never going to remember it’s name, Googling those two words got me there pretty quickly. (I fear that I’ll forget that there’s an HTML5 VNC client in the long term – but I can’t imagine any workflow that has me going to my bookmarks *before* Google … I may have to get used to “if I forget it, I forget it” – a throughly disturbing idea personally, but one that might just be necessary.

Anyhow – anyone love their method of bookmarking/storing links?

Some of my Asterisk servers (against all reason, it seems) are AsteriskNOW servers – which recently updated their asterisk16 branch to 1.6.2.6.

chan_gtalk, and res_jabber – modules for installing Jabber and Gtalk access are missing. As I’ve learned, Asterisk Modules have to be built on the exact same platform/compile time switches as the asterisk executable, so the only way I could get these modules was to recompile by source.

I had planned to ditch the AsteriskNOW packages, but I ended up modifying the packages to include these modules instead. These should install (somewhat seamlessly) over your current AsteriskNOW release. (The biggest issue is if you have other modules installed – they’ll have to be rebuilt. For Skype, install the -devel package, then rebuilt Skype from source direct from Digiums site.)

This repackage is a bit of a kludge, and will break ODBC or Speex.

Checkout my Repository – http://mirrors.geekymedia.com/centos/ – for the packages.

Below is a diff of the SPEC file. I told you it was kludgy.

19c19
< %define arelease 1_centos5 --- > %define arelease 2_centos5
23a24,28
> # Disable non functioning modules for -2 arch build
> %define _without_odbc 1
> %define _without_speex 1
>
>
314a320,338
> #  Chan Gtalk/Jabber subpackage
> #
> %{?_without_gtalk:%if 0}
> %{!?_without_gtalk:%if 1}
> %package gtalk
> Summary: Gtalk Jabber Channel module for Asterisk
> Group: Utilities/System
> Provides: asterisk-gtalk
> Provides: asterisk%{astapi}-gtalk
> BuildRequires: iksemel-devel
> Requires: iksemel
> Requires: %{name}-core = %{actversion}-%{release}
>
> %description gtalk
> Asterisk channel plugin for Google Talk, and res plugin for Jabber
> %endif
>
>
> #
539a564
> # from source/contrib/scripts
1038a1064,1076
> #  Chan Gtalk/Jabber subpackage
> #
> %{?_without_gtalk:%if 0}
> %{!?_without_gtalk:%if 1}
> %files gtalk
> %defattr(-, root, root)
> %{_libdir}/asterisk/modules/chan_console.so
> %{_libdir}/asterisk/modules/chan_gtalk.so
> %{_libdir}/asterisk/modules/chan_jingle.so
> %{_libdir}/asterisk/modules/res_jabber.so
> %endif
>
> #
1120a1159,1168
> * Fri Apr 23 2010 Rizwan Kassim  - 1.6.2.6-2
> - Created additional package for Google Talk/Jabber client
> - Because these binaries don't match up with the Asterisk Released ones - will need to upgrade as many packages as possible
> - No spec file released for skype4asterisk, so just install manually form http://downloads.digium.com/pub/telephony/skypeforasterisk/asterisk-1.6.2.0/x86-32/ after asterisk-16-devel is updated.
> - Grep asterisk log for 'compile-time' for other possible module errors.
>
> * Thu Apr 13 2010 Jason Parker  - 1.6.2.6-1
> - Update to 1.6.2.6
> - Assuming same details as in the past - Date is from SRPM http://packages.asterisk.org/centos/5/current/SRPMS/
>

• Somehow I'm missing my house keys, my MLS keyfob, my favorite scarf and a pair of jeans. Last seen on Thurs.In Boston. I think I'm going mad #
• Feel a little bit like the Doctor. I have a fab coat, a companion, and am exploring a strange land. (Vegas) #
• @egradman Skype uses wideband codecs past the 8khz range that the PSTN supports. It's not your carrier or iPhone sucks,it's that phones suck in reply to egradman #
• I have yet to find an ailment that can't be mended by 80s clubbing in New Orleans. And absinthe. #
• Frenchman St in NOLA suffering a power outage. Live music and bartenders just kept on going, barely skipping a beat. Love it here. #
• @stevenswei was in Vegas as an overnight stay on my way to NOLA. We should hang out next week whenever I finally decide to come home. in reply to stevenswei #
• @Colleenky yay! in reply to Colleenky #

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• Puerto Rico, finally. http://twitpic.com/18q9un #
• Puerto Rico, finally. http://flic.kr/p/7KRz88 #
• Oriental Trading just went up three notches in my book – a CS followup caller took great care of me. #
• My office for today. It's sort of impractical given the sun, but I can't really resist. http://flic.kr/p/7LcSVH #
• @tarahalwes is the hat fetching on you, or made to wear when fetching things? … Ok, I'm going to regret that joke. in reply to tarahalwes #
• @stevenswei tell me how you like Made To Stick – where's the roadtrip to? in reply to stevenswei #
• Spent the last ten minutes photographing beach chairs. At 1am.i had never thought about them after dark. They seem so … Out of place. #
• Playa Flamenco- gorgeous on the isle of Culebra. Best slogan ever : "it's the beach on your desktop wallpaper" http://flic.kr/p/7Lw5eX #
• @Mhoraigh *evil grin* in reply to Mhoraigh #
• @randbot ended up skipping vieques and mosquito bay this time. Heard they're great. Maybe nxt time. Hope SD is working out well for you. in reply to randbot #
• @Mhoraigh replying to your birthday message. in reply to Mhoraigh #
• Oh, that burning sensation? That's a sunburn. #newexperiences #
• @Wishme how long in LA? in reply to Wishme #

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• Anyone *love* their 3G data plan? Turns out AT&T requires a 2yr commitment, even if I use old equipment – not interested… #
• Loving Intercon J – Setting up the set for Limbo now, then gaming all day! #
• Man, I really want to sit down and write a game now. #
• I'm thankful that the challenges in my life stem from an abundance of opportunities/ideas/directions rather than a lack of them. #
• @randbot man, I thought you were referring to something that happened in game. in reply to randbot #

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• Oh, my, what a party. Can I turn 29 again? *glee* #
• @Madrox now I'm curious. #
• @heathervescent I hear you. I feel like a well intentioned foreign exchange student half the them. Thankfully people are often kind. in reply to heathervescent #
• Sorely needing is a process for organizing the various business ideas that come up. Need to prioritize, archive, develop, followup. Ideas? #
• @jory would love to know if you get any great advice. in reply to jory #
• All about the PyCon wireless network : http://www.tummy.com/Community/Articles/pycon2010-network/ #
• @gregvaneekhout I suspect it's not that we're stupider or crazier, but we're just being exposed to larger groups of people. Selection bias. in reply to gregvaneekhout #
• @brentbushnell Know if they're still interested in applicants — this looks *amazing* in reply to brentbushnell #
• I just bought the Mac Heist bundle. 7 Top Mac apps worth $260+ for only $20 and got 3 cool bonus apps free! http://bit.ly/heist-it #
• @gregvaneekhout I've never been there before – looks awesome! in reply to gregvaneekhout #
• I don't understand why 50-60 year olds insist upon telling me about the the state of the art in tech, while they're not aware of Linux. #

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• Hmm, Suzanne Vega is in town right now, performing tonight at Chico.. #
• @MartianFrmPlnV wowie! For what! in reply to MartianFrmPlnV #
• I think this may be my favorite VHS tape ever. http://twitpic.com/15j00m #
• @Madrox you made my day. in reply to Madrox #
• @andysternberg because folks are afraid of bad education, being homeless or unemployed. Not that I agree… in reply to andysternberg #
• @mikeprasad neat idea! in reply to mikeprasad #

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• Just called sir at the airport parking lot – by the sort of person who calls any stranger sir (I'm one of them). Disturbing nonetheless. #
• @randbot congrats! in reply to randbot #
• @boogah I love that area. Go by Cambria next time, I know a little inn there to die for. in reply to boogah #
• @boogah @egradman I've used Dreamhost PS and I was decently impressed. in reply to boogah #
• Leaving for San Jose for the Billy Joel/Elton John concert tonight. Bonus : Going with one of my dearest friends from undergrad. #
• @boogah off the top of my head, think it's Little Sur Inn. Do visit Cambria on this trip- eat at Robin's or Wild Ginger. Have fun! in reply to boogah #
• @boogah If I didn't have 20 of my own servers, I'd be using PS more. That link is neat! in reply to boogah #
• Elton John and Billy Joel – "Dont let the sun go down" http://twitpic.com/13pik5 #
• @rebelprince Totally random, but I'm with Tara right now! in reply to rebelprince #
• "I'm Billy Joel's dad. Billy was sick today, but I know all of his shit. You've got to be saying, man, he's old!" – Billy Joel #
• @lifeofreilly I am. in reply to lifeofreilly #
• @HilaryAndrew teehee in reply to HilaryAndrew #
• RT @codinghorror: "all email responses regardless of recipient or subject will be five sentences or less" http://five.sentenc.es – hmm #
• @gregvaneekhout are there any pirates or monkeys near by? Or better yet – Monkees? in reply to gregvaneekhout #
• @stevenswei Andrew used to use Amazon Mechanical Turk to do translations. It went … okay. in reply to stevenswei #
• Rate of increase :
  Opportunities:exponential.
  $/tech resources:quadratic.
  Amount of things I can do simultaneously:linear.
  This is cruel. #
• @timiat Pink Martini "hang on little tomato". Billy Joel "The Stranger" in reply to timiat #
• Mai Tai's, Blue Hawaiian's and Hawaiian Punch. But what drink to make for the sugar/rum overloaded? Margaritas? Whiskey Sours? #
• @lifeofreilly @HilaryAndrew @Colleenky @gregvaneekhout @dustchick @keltraine – Jonathan Coulton at the Largo! Whoo hoo! in reply to lifeofreilly #
• @lifeofreilly grin. They are some hot geek women. in reply to lifeofreilly #

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I created a repository at Geekymedia RPMs that contains :

Bashton’s EL5 Python 2.5
My EL5 Python 2.6
Chris Lea’s EL5 Python 2.62 (http://yum.chrislea.com/centos/5/SRPMS/)

Projects to do:
Python 2.64
Asterisk 1.62 for AsteriskNOW!

Download this repo file and place in /etc/yum.repos.d.

Enjoy.

• I decided to stop working 1.8 hrs ago – I'm just now pulling myself away and having a meal before the clubs. I have no discipline. #
• @RichardABecker I haven't had an eight hour workday since I was 14. I'm told it's doable, but first step is to lose the home office. in reply to RichardABecker #
• @Colleenky mmmm cheese in reply to Colleenky #
• I have never regretted going out 80s clubbing, ever, in my life. I have to get Enigma out to Blue or Clockwork soon – it's high time. #
• @dustchick what's so terrible about French, save for it's lack of relevance? in reply to dustchick #
• @cyuskoff where? in reply to cyuskoff #
• Damned openwsman update uses /dev/random rather than urandom in cert generation. In a boot script. Drove to server to fix after 2hr wait. #
• @andysternberg jazz in LA? in reply to andysternberg #
• @stevenswei grin. Using other languages since Py makes me sad. in reply to stevenswei #
• @timiat what should they have taken out instead? in reply to timiat #
• @kjkjerstin I lost mine in Hawaii. (Pilot Knight) Bought a new one the day I got home. I know your pain. in reply to kjkjerstin #
• @andysternberg I assumed I (and you) would be at a BIL event. in reply to andysternberg #
• @timiat pretty good way of influencing basic users to upgrade without taking away real functionality. Sounds saavy (and evil) to me. in reply to timiat #
• While it definitely took away from my plans for today, that last hour debugging/fixing that SQL Server locking issue felt really good. #
• @andysternberg Sad I didn't make it – sounds like you enjoyed yourself though. in reply to andysternberg #
• @mikeprasad are you at the food cart festival? in reply to mikeprasad #
• @Wishme man, now I want one too. in reply to Wishme #
• @Colleenky turns out the Goodwill on Santa Monica does ewaste recycling for free. in reply to Colleenky #
• @stevenswei did you ever end up reading their ebook? in reply to stevenswei #
• @chews did you go to PS or LB this year? I think I missed the window to apply for next year in reply to chews #
• @Wishme we're going late March – it can't come soon enough. in reply to Wishme #
• Now to find a Viking Costume for tonight. #
• Man, a Gil Elvgren pop-up book. Pin-ups for the five year old crowd. Egads. #
• @andysternberg *why am I not surprised you are at lucent? in reply to andysternberg #
• RT @ThatKevinSmith: "No threesome with the Missus then?" On Valentine's Day? Please, sir – we're in love. The threesome's the night before. #
• In the fantastic kitchen of a notable director. Funny thing to realize – "I actually prefer mine to this one." except for hanging pot rack #
• @dustchick ask and ye shall recieve. http://twitpic.com/136tax in reply to dustchick #
• Although I wouldn't mind having an indoor hottub. #

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