Mark DuBois Weblog

After giving this matter a great deal of thought, I think I have finally solved the entire problem/ controversy regarding the use of Flash instead of HTML5. Given this special day, I thought it appropriate to share my thoughts with the world. In a nutshell, these are completely different tools. While they may appear superficially similar, each has a use on the WWW. Of course, we need to keep in mind that HTML5 is still not a formal recommendation from the W3C and is not completely supported in all major browsers. Therefore, I recommend we use each tool as appropriate to solve each specific job. Thanks for listening.

Just to be a bit different, I thought I would compile a list of human error terms. Used one of these a couple of days ago and began wondering what others existed. If you have more terms, add them to the list (via a comment). Use these at your own peril in appropriate (or inappropriate) situations.

• BDU – Brain Dead User
• EBCAD – Error Between Chair And Desk
• ESO – Equipment Superior to Operator
• ID 10 T – pronounced eye dee ten tee (obvious, isn’t it)
• Layer 8 – OSI networking model has 7 layers (thanks Phil – forgot about that one)
• ODM – Operator Driven Mechanism (came across this one on urban dictionary)
• PEBCAK – Problem Exists Between Chair and Keyboard
• PICNIC – Problem In Chair, Not In Computer
• TSTO – Too Stupid To Operate (I found this one on WikiPedia)
• UBAD – self-explanatory and rarely used (too obvious)

I encountered a number of typos on various signs during the competitions last week in Kansas City. Those who know me, know how easy it is for me to introduce a typo. Perhaps someone should employ a proof reader next year? Here are a couple (yes there were others). At least those supervising the computer programming contest tried to fix theirs…

While returning from the WOW/ SkillsUSA web design contest in Springfield, Jonathan and I stopped for dinner. I spotted this sign. I guess I just have a different view of the world. However, can someone please tell me what is so stinkin special about Saturday?

In honor of today, April 1, 2010, I thought it appropriate to include a few words of sage advice. First of all, be carefujl what you ask for – you might get it. Next, make certain you fully understand the implications of the day. I do hope everyone has a wonderful April 1 today. If you get the chance, don’t forget to visit Google (http://www.google.com) today – they have a new logo and a new corporate name. I can finally break my non-disclosure agreement about this. It has been way too long in the making, but they finally agreed to my suggestion they needed to improve upon their image. And, of course, take everything you read with a grain of salt.

See how many of these well known phrases you can recognize/ decipher without the use of a dictionary or a thesaurus.

1. Scintillate, scintaillate, asteroid minific
2. Surveillance should precede caltation
3. Members of an avian species of identical plumage congregate
4. Pulchritude possesses solely cutaneous profundity
5. It is fruitless to become lachrymose over precipitately departed lacteal fluid
6. Freedom from incrustations of grime is contiguous to rectitude
7. The stylus is more potent than the scimitar
8. It is fruitless to attempt to indoctrinate a superannuated canine with innovative maneuvers
9. Eschew the implement of correction and vitiate the scion
10. The temperature of the aqueous content of an unremittingly ogled saucepan does not reach 212 degrees F.
11. All articles that coruscate with resplendence are not truly suriferous.
12. Where there are visible vapors having their prevalence in ignited carbonaceous materials, there is conflagration.

Yes, I got all of them. If you can’t figure them out, just send me a note or post a comment. Thanks Larry for sending this to me…