? Alan Porter (@rockhopper)

Raleigh, NC, USA

The below is an off-site archive of all tweets posted by @rockhopper ever

August 2010

Every morning… traffic delay b/c a school bus stop on a 5-lane hwy (2+2+turn). NC law says opposing traffic can pass, but no one does.

via choqoK

likes nothing on ♥.

via web

@NickFury very nice, and I learned something about the Mac (that it has a compatibility thingie for old powerpc apps)… now to clean my HD!

via web in reply to NickFury

A new level of intimacy… wife and I now have *shared calendars* !

via web

trianglehackers A Cool, FREE Processing and Arduino course from @oreillymedia and @creativeLIVE starts this week! - http://bit.ly/learnardui…

via web (retweeted on 8:14 PM, Aug 30th, 2010 via web)

DSL line was down all PM, tinkered a bit, called AT&T, tinkered more while on hold, guy answers, then it starts working, “uh, never mind”.

via web

mikbre Going to work and using Windows XP is like working in an automotive factory with rusty tools.

via Twitter for iPhone (retweeted on 6:19 PM, Aug 30th, 2010 via web)

Oatmeal This is how I feel about buying apps http://bit.ly/bGhvrl

via TweetDeck (retweeted on 5:31 PM, Aug 30th, 2010 via web)

@NickFury “Rosetta” was what I meant when I said “weird pre-reqs or run-time env’s”. But I will look at it and possibly deem it “not weird”.

via choqoK in reply to NickFury

Last night, I had a weird dream. I had an iPad. The browser UI sucked, it kept 3D-rotating my web view, couldn’t read it, finally gave up.

via choqoK

Seeking recommendations for a simple Mac OSX “disk pie chart” program, prefer free, and w/o weird pre-reqs or run-time env’s.

via choqoK

The requirements shall be written such that the reader, when forced to read them, will fall asleep in his chair.

via choqoK

Another local (Greenville NC) balloon enthusiast with great photos, visualization maps, stitched panoramas! http://www.ryanbutcher.c…

via web

@ryanbutcher Saw your spot on WITN. Local group in Raleigh did 2 launches on 8/22, great photos. Come hear them talk, http://trilug.org

via web

NatalieMerchant Free tonight in Durham? Retweet before 4, and you could be front row watching Natalie! #NatalieMerchantNC

via web (retweeted on 10:43 AM, Aug 30th, 2010 via web)

@motersho Just insert an Ubuntu CD and type ctrl-alt-del, and you’ll stop having that problem.

via choqoK in reply to motersho

Just saw that Darius Rucker (“Hootie”) will be at the NC State Fair this year. Too bad it’s in Dorton Arena, acoustics like an indoor pool.

via choqoK

ncnearspace Our first capsule that was lost was found yesterday! We opened it tonight and found great pictures. See http://bit.ly/d0UND8

via web (retweeted on 7:50 AM, Aug 30th, 2010 via Twitter for iPhone)

jdanforth Success!! The NC Space Blimp #1 worked and returned stellar imagery! http://yfrog.com/bdatzj

via Twitter for iPhone (retweeted on 8:46 PM, Aug 29th, 2010 via web)

I am a ham radio operator, but I refer to others by their names and not by their callsigns, either over the air or in person.

via web

@jbroome Found some neat mini-sized pens on JetPens. And just when I think I am getting weird, I run into penaddict.com :-)

via web in reply to jbroome

@jbroome Yep, bought a few this week… one 1.4mm ball writes like a crayon! Smooth ride, but kinda gloppy.

via web in reply to jbroome

Pilot G-2 pens: ultra-fine=0.35mm, extra-fine=0.5mm, fine=0.7mm | Burger King drinks: S=22oz, M=32oz, L=42oz | Me: 0.7mm≠fine, 22oz≠small!

via web

@BillCosby: Sharing “Himself” with my girls, ages 7 and 9. Now they know why I sing “Dad is great, gives us chocolate cake”!

via web

@RobertFischer you might want to follow @IndieSongADay for ideas

via web in reply to RobertFischer

I’m late to the party, but I am digging ‘Synergy’ (share a mouse & keyboard on 2 computers). Makes my Mac keyboard “normal”!

via web

Woot! Someone found the @TechShopRDU balloon team’s first capsule and called the number! Retrieval today! (via @jdanforth)

via web

@gillijp regarding the stoplight shaver - license plate number, please?

via web in reply to gillijp

10 stars, started on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse http://is.gd/eHD5L (via @danlondon) Every time I see PW, I think of @AlStrowger. No, reverse that.

via web

@pwbrewer Following, and hoping for free tickets (they have drawings), but otherwise just playing “what if” at home.

via web in reply to pwbrewer

Since @NatalieMerchant is coming to @DPAC, I played a YouTube video for my 9yo daughter. Asked who, she said “that Natalie woman??”

via web

Mmm, fresh (red) blueberries on top of home-made cheesecake. Sorry, did not think to take a pic, *burp*.

via Twitter for iPhone

Woo hoo… pay day (for my kids) results in a “Where’s George”!

via web

Self-fulfilling prophecy: N.C man killed waiting for ‘ghost train’ - http://bit.ly/dAvSjc

via web

BadAstronomer You can’t sue to stop the LHC if a) it’s not in the US, b) there’s no threat, and c) you don’t understand physics. http://is.gd/eHdng

via TweetDeck (retweeted on 4:35 PM, Aug 27th, 2010 via web)

NC State Senator [David Hoyle] Admits Broadband Companies Wrote His Bill - http://bit.ly/bl4PuW (via @MikeAdamsNC)

via web

How Skype & Co. get around firewalls - http://bit.ly/b7QDuS - old (2006) article, but still good

via web

BadAstronomer Bad Universe giveaway: book, TV show swag, a real meteorite! Retweet to enter. Rules: http://is.gd/eDbwy #BadUniverse

via TweetDeck (retweeted on 10:31 AM, Aug 27th, 2010 via web)

Today, I caught a co-worker emailing 1-line notes to himself. That’s a good sign that he needs a @tiddlywiki! (personal wiki in 1 HTML file)

via web

@ericdiluccio Wow, she looks like a keeper. Tell her I think she’s lovely. Better yet, forget that, tell her YOU think she’s lovely.

via web in reply to ericdiluccio

pwbrewer If the earth stopped spinning http://bit.ly/do2DWd

via bitly (retweeted on 5:19 PM, Aug 25th, 2010 via web)

Ubuntu Blog: How to Fix Firefox 3.5’s Font Hinting Problem on Ubuntu - http://bit.ly/19l02F

via choqoK

WRAL news covers the @TechShopRDU near-space balloon launches: Story: http://bit.ly/9A5DgF Video: http://bit.ly/ahqbs2

via web

I think @dropbox may replace my Desktop folder.

via choqoK

Welcome, @Robidb!

via web

@VirtualAstro Sorry, just giving you a hard time. Thanks for the astro-posts. We tried, but never saw any Perseids. Clouds.

via web in reply to VirtualAstro

Went to https://twitter.com/ using Chrome, and it showed me a “skull and crossbones” icon b/c some items are not HTTPS.

via choqoK

@mikbre The word is “borrow”.

via choqoK in reply to mikbre

@frijole Should I leave my iPhone on DIamond Dave all day? Does it earn you some ¢?

via choqoK in reply to frijole

Wow, congrats to the @TechShopRDU / @ncnearspace balloon team! Their photo is on the FRONT PAGE of the News & Observer!

via web

@pwbrewer Before I answer, let’s hear YOUR suggestions!

via web in reply to pwbrewer

Just installed Debian on my second Sheeva Plug (4½”x2¾”x2” computer). I’m thinking about putting this one in my car.

via web

Just noticed the application I am working on truncates IP address to 16 digits… better change that to 39 for IPv6 to work!

via choqoK

The 2nd of two high-altitude balloons that my friends launched today took this awesome horizon photo! http://flic.kr/p/8uEqtu #spaceblimp

via Twitter for iPhone

GadgeTweets Recovery team at McDonald’s for second time today, this time looking at photos from SPACE!!!!!!

via twidroyd (original) (retweeted on 9:02 PM, Aug 22nd, 2010 via web)

ncnearspace First balloon flight was sadly completely lost. Launched 2nd flight. Found it but it’s 70 ft up in a tree. Anyone have a cherry picker?

via Echofon (retweeted on 4:03 PM, Aug 22nd, 2010 via web)

Wow, it looks like my friends’ high-altitude balloon came down in Rocky Mount NC! Recovery team is on the way. #spaceblimp

via web

Very proud of the @TechShop / @ncnearspace crew for launching their space balloon. Hope someone finds the payload and calls in. #spaceblimp

via web

Watching on the web as my friends launch a high-altitude balloon. Telemetry failed. So I see their chase vehicles, but no balloon track!

via web

Dang, just misplaced my “to do” list. Not anything important on it, I just hate having to reload the brain from backup tape.

via web

ironicsans New Rule: If you are against the “Ground Zero Mosque” you are no longer allowed to say “They hate us for our freedoms.”

via Tweetie for Mac (retweeted on 9:30 PM, Aug 21st, 2010 via web)

Fried Green Ta-maters!

via Twitter for iPhone

According to my 9yo, the tools of golf include the “nudging stick” and the “whacking stick”.

via web

Balloon launch story (N&O) http://www.newsobserver….

via web

Learning how to use APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) to track ham radio stations, in prep for tomorrow’s space balloon launch!

via web

@mashable claims that 5 trends are trending… THAT was helpful!

via choqoK in reply to mashable

Dear Boo, You were a good crab, the way you liked to crawl around. You did pinch once, but you were still great. We will always remember U.

via web

rob_sheridan That we’re debating at all whether or not to “allow” an Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero is profoundly, terrifyingly un-American.

via TweetDeck (retweeted on 7:22 AM, Aug 20th, 2010 via mobile web)

A father’s job has no limits… tonight, it includes preparing for an early morning funeral for our hermit crab, Boo.

via Twitter for iPhone

@frijole They’re trying to avoid the cyclists on the sidewalk!

via choqoK in reply to frijole

frijole Bumper sticker: “I love my country but I fear my government.” Liberal leftover from the W era, or a Tea Partier?

via Twitter for iPhone (retweeted on 4:19 PM, Aug 19th, 2010 via web)

@danlondon Yeah, I know… I occasionally take my 2 kids to Malaysia… that’s a LONG flight.

via choqoK in reply to danlondon

jonrog1 It occurs to me I really only sign into Facebook to change my privacy settings.

via web (retweeted on 3:43 PM, Aug 19th, 2010 via web)

@danlondon You can watch TV on the ground! You should be looking out the window with your son! (in the air = awesome)

via choqoK in reply to danlondon

@mikbre mile : kilometer :: old and busted : OLD hotness

via choqoK in reply to mikbre

Going after @wikileaks is like punishing the wall for the acts of a vandal.

via choqoK

RT @wilw “I’ll say it again: DRM and content restriction only punishes honest people, and does nothing to stop piracy…”

via choqoK

Truecrypt is being a hassle this morning… won’t mount my thumb drive in “slot 1”. Command line to the rescue!

via choqoK

Solve tomorrow’s problems tomorrow.

via choqoK

Apple’s Mistake > “Wanted: Woman with hammer.” http://paulgraham.com/ap… (via @pwbrewer)

via web

@amessyroom Assuming your phone “corrected” salon->saloon. In Malaysia, that’s the way they spell it. I always wanted whiskey & a perm!

via choqoK in reply to amessyroom

jasonmustian In fairness, we’ve been building ‘ground zeros’ near Iraqi mosques since March 2003.

via Twitter for Android (retweeted on 9:34 AM, Aug 17th, 2010 via web)

Wishing I could add a SIP address to Google Voice, incoming calls go to: work+mobile+SIP (but settling for a free IPkall #)

via Twitter for iPhone

They’ve stopped developing “Sunbird” stand-alone calendar client, so I’m trying its cousin, “Lightning” Thunderbird add-on.

via web

topherchris Map of hallowed areas around Ground Zero, including proposed mosque site and sacred Burger King. http://bit.ly/aQvRsH

via Tweetie for Mac (retweeted on 3:23 PM, Aug 16th, 2010 via web)

Cube neighbor’s secret charm: concludes her phone calls by hanging up the phone, then one quick snark about the caller.

via choqoK

Getting to work early for our Monday morning project meeting has not helped my productivity for the rest of the day. #yawn

via choqoK

@frijole I take digital pictures of cool sentimental things that I’d like to remember (but also throw away).

via Twitter for iPhone in reply to frijole

Happy 15th birthday, Maggie… you’re a GOOD DOG! http://twitpic.com/2et0du

via Twitter for iPhone

@alanjporter oh, THAT Bristol! I see the balloons have “G” numbers, and not “N” numbers.

via Twitter for iPhone

At home, sifting through our bucket of pre-historic dirt from the Aurora Fossil Museum http://twitpic.com/2eq67h http://twitpic.com/2eq670

via Twitter for iPhone

Ooh, this is gonna be an awesome weekend! Mailman just showed up with TWO packages from Hong Kong!

via Twitter for iPhone

Finally managed to D/L a book… not the one I wanted, but one that’s “compatible” with my Mac & iPhone. Again, DRM UX sucks.

via web

Wake Co library has “downloadable audio books” powered by the sucktastic “Overdrive Media Console”. I can’t D/L a book, my nerd-fu fails me.

via web

shmitty EFF to Verizon: Etisalat Certificate Authority Threatens Web Security http://j.mp/cNwYxm

via Reeder (retweeted on 9:44 AM, Aug 14th, 2010 via Twitter for iPhone)

@motersho Quiet, warm… are you sure you’re not still in the bed?

via choqoK in reply to motersho

Too cloudy to see the Perseids.

via Twitter for iPhone

@motersho You got it… look for me. I look like this: http://alanporter.com/?m…

via choqoK in reply to motersho

@motersho Brock will be at the desk, so say ‘hi’ to him and then go where he points, to your left.

via choqoK in reply to motersho

Best Ever Infographic About Infographics? http://bit.ly/cMrv9I (pic) #funny (via @bobbyllew and others)

via web

RadioGuyChris Commas are lifesavers. Without a comma, “Lets eat grandpa” becomes a horrible cannibalistic declaration.

via web (retweeted on 12:26 PM, Aug 12th, 2010 via web)

@pwbrewer I wonder how a jailbroken iphone could be patched against the PDF bug. The old OS2.0 jailbreak.me patched the hole behind itself.

via choqoK in reply to pwbrewer

LinuxBlog New Blog Post “Mounting remote shares with SSHFS” http://www.thelinuxblog….

via web (retweeted on 9:01 AM, Aug 12th, 2010 via web)

@LinuxBlog Ooh, this looks like the problem: <blockquote><p>sshfs <user>@<host>: <mountpoint></p></blockquote>

via web

Spent way too long battling the GIMP*… obviously, it is much smarter than I am… I should learn more. (* like photoshop, but FREE)

via web

@LinuxBlog I think your block quotes are missing some data. I see “sshfs @:” and “fusermount -u” and “sudo umount” w/o users, hosts, dirs

via choqoK in reply to LinuxBlog

RT @NASAKennedy “STS-133: R2 was lifted out of its shipping container to begin processing for flight” | NASA uses droids now?

via choqoK

CaliLewis Want to use a 3D printer? Students and teachers pay attention to this! http://geekbeat.tv/maker…

via HootSuite (retweeted on 3:34 PM, Aug 11th, 2010 via web)

trilug TriLUG meeting tomorrow night 7pm at Red Hat HQ | “Getting started with IPv6” | http://trilug.org [<—THIS SPACE FOR RENT—>]

via web (retweeted on 3:02 PM, Aug 11th, 2010 via web)

@GadgeTweets +1 for the aquarium, +1 for the droid, -1 for twitlonger, +1 for fries and tea

via choqoK in reply to GadgeTweets

@pwbrewer I like your brother’s re-tweet about the FBI, https://twitter.com/rob_…

via choqoK in reply to pwbrewer

@support Why must Twitter.com include JS from 3rd party sites (amazonaws.com)? Surely, you could use DNS to make scripts local. #noscript

via choqoK

danariely The password conundrum: http://wp.me/p5oiR-mj

via WordPress.com (retweeted on 9:35 AM, Aug 11th, 2010 via web)

trilug TriLUG meeting, this Thursday 8/12 “Getting Started with IPv6 “… because 32-bit addresses are for wimps! - http://trilug.org

via web (retweeted on 4:06 PM, Aug 10th, 2010 via web)

nerdliness Expense report time! The grown-up version of macaroni art: I tape some shit to a piece of paper and hand it to ppl in power for approval.

via TweetDeck (retweeted on 3:10 PM, Aug 10th, 2010 via web)

Our build tools at $WORK are minefield of home-brewed scripts and manual work-arounds. Some require root. #fail

via choqoK

@Sheamus That’s the wingman’s job, right after he hides your pr0n collection.

via choqoK in reply to Sheamus

What a hack! Running a GSM base station on a CDMA Droid - http://www.tombom.co.uk/…

via choqoK

wilw pardon the brain matter, my mind is blown: http://bit.ly/cRGDB0

via web (retweeted on 8:51 AM, Aug 10th, 2010 via web)

When we lived in Singapore, the trash men came EVERY DAY.

via Twitter for iPhone

When I was a kid, I had to take the trash out on Monday nights, and I would earn 50¢. Today, same job, same night, less pay.

via Twitter for iPhone

$BOSS reminds us to fill out time sheets. I usually let them pile up for 3 months. (Now, where’s those new TPS cover sheets?)

via choqoK

dtunkelang There’s a serious proof out there that P != NP and it’s not a trending topic? Pending review, but still… http://bit.ly/9x205p

via Brizzly (retweeted on 4:10 PM, Aug 9th, 2010 via web)

@TheSerafin10 <Jedi hand wave> I’m not the penguin you’re looking for.

via web in reply to Serafin10_

Uh oh… a kink in the data cable at work… the ZERO’s won’t fit through any more, only the ONE’s are making it through!

via choqoK

@deviantollam Now might be a good time to mention the title of your book.

via choqoK in reply to deviantollam

Fire alarm at work!

via Twitter for iPhone

@chuck_kesler No, I was co-pilot on a friend’s two seater plane. He showed me the TN/NC mountains from above. Awesome!

via Twitter for iPhone in reply to chuck_kesler

@Snubs everything you wanted to know about ISP’s - dslreports.com

via Twitter for iPhone in reply to Snubs

@chuck_kesler Last time I saw Mt Mitchell, I was at 9000 feet.

via web in reply to chuck_kesler

My 7yo daughter woke up early & fixed breakfast for the whole family!

via web

@levarburton Na Na Na, gonna have a good time! Hey Hey Hey!

via web in reply to levarburton

Did some much-needed maintenance on my “Mr.Sparkle” series of geocaches.

via web

And we did Futterwacken vigorously.

via Twitter for iPhone

My 7yo just asked me: When you were in England, did you get “tapped”? - She’s referring to a royal knighting ceremony!

via Twitter for iPhone

Whose idea was it to cut the first 35 seconds from “Sweet Emotion”? That’s the most awesome-est part!

via Twitter for iPhone

I’m in the mood for something light… like a salad. This one weighed in at 1.27 lb!! http://twitpic.com/2c5r0x

via Twitter for iPhone

Web frameworks really make development easy… except when they don’t.

via choqoK

@wilw Two thumbs, two nostrils, sinus infection… coincidence??

via web in reply to wilw

@jbroome Do you get cheaper medical insurance by being on the “ask Twitter first” plan? I prescribe vodka. Won’t help, but you’ll feel good.

via choqoK in reply to jbroome

@pwbrewer I read that to mean: YOU wrote it in 2005!

via Twitter for iPhone in reply to pwbrewer

@waynesuttonnc RDU got up to 95°F today, actual degrees, not “feels like”. But point taken, it’s dang hot, and soon to be wet, too!

via Twitter for iPhone in reply to waynesuttonnc

ericmblog Starting with STS-133, they are selling launch tickets by lottery. Registration runs from 8/13 9a - 8/23 5p http://bit.ly/aLKx75

via Nambu (retweeted on 1:55 PM, Aug 5th, 2010 via web)

@permanent4 I lost a facebook friend last month… part of me wants to “unfriend” him, but that would be disrepectful.

via web in reply to daveslounge

If anyone needs me during this 2am thunderstorm, I’ll be hiding under the bed, panting. (Move over, dog!)

via Twitter for iPhone

steveburnett RT @llorenzin Those lying bastards are storing scan images after all: http://j.mp/a7N2PN

via web (retweeted on 5:46 PM, Aug 4th, 2010 via web)

By default, our servers at $WORK have “clear” in /root/.bash_logout , clears the screen when I disconnect. I needed to see that stuff!

via choqoK

FakeAPStylebook Portmanteaus like “webinar” and “mompreneur” are great shorthand for “Punch me in the face.”

via HootSuite (retweeted on 2:47 PM, Aug 4th, 2010 via web)

Selective Amnesia: In 2009, Bush spent more than $32k per American, up from $17k in 2001. http://www.slate.com/id/…

via choqoK

Next thing you know, ol’ Jed’s a millionaire! http://yhoo.it/c8kIcL (Where’s the oil? oozing out of the Louisiana ground!)

via choqoK

@permanent4 Next thing you know, ol’ Jed’s a millionaire!

via choqoK in reply to daveslounge

@bobbyllew Continue to be rude to cold callers and eventually you’ll be added to their “not worth it” list (I’m from USA, we get it a lot)

via choqoK in reply to bobbyllew

Not putting blank lines between functions in source code is like talking in run-on sentences.

via choqoK

motersho Lock the Taskbar http://bit.ly/cgAXOl

via TweetDeck (retweeted on 10:06 AM, Aug 3rd, 2010 via web)

My friend @nivex says “My IPv6 talk has been selected for @ohiolinux 2010!” Get a sneak preview at @trilug on 8/12!

via web

My Christmas wish list - http://mash.to/2kdKA (Mashable: 10 Ridiculous iPhone Accessories)

via choqoK

@Snubs What brings you to our fair city?

via web in reply to Snubs

@pwbrewer I missed #betterheadshot, thought it had something to do with gaming. Now I see a bunch of faces in front of that same brick wall.

via choqoK in reply to pwbrewer

@pwbrewer much better avatar!

via choqoK

American news outlets, Britain ≠ England. Here is a venn diagram of the British Isles http://ow.ly/2joeY /via @leedryburgh & @dsearls

via web

Back at work after two weeks vacation: (1) open email client (2) ctrl-A, delete (3) more coffee

via choqoK

@robertfischer I’m getting an RSS error on http://www.indie3.org/fe… (line 477, col 138, “rsquo” not defined), rut roh

via web

Dance like your photo’s not tagged, love like you’ve never been unfriended, tweet like nobody’s following. /via @markandey & many others

via web

Are you sure it’s August? We’ve got the whole pool to ourselves! http://twitpic.com/2asy51

via Twitter for iPhone

Both children (7 & 9) can now recognize Mr Van Halen’s work, even if hidden within a Michael Jackson tune.

via Twitter for iPhone

Am I unique in thinking that Pachelbel’s Canon is a never-ending torture?

via Twitter for iPhone

Why do I keep signing up for magazines? They just pile up, unread.

via web

@jbroome The closed Loop is on hwy 55 at High House Road in Cary.

via web in reply to jbroome

Closed the Loop (“The Loop” pizza place in Cary has closed) http://twitpic.com/2aqc3i

via Twitter for iPhone

trilug August 12th meeting: @nivex presents “Getting Started with IPv6”, not just what it is, but how to start using it now!

via web (retweeted on 1:04 PM, Aug 1st, 2010 via web)

If the world seems boring to you… then you’re doin’ it wrong!

via Twitter for iPhone

@dsearls postcard? Use your bank’s online bill-pay, leave the message in the check’s “memo” field. :-)

via Twitter for iPhone in reply to dsearls