dpk’s weblog

Now introducing new Child Size Coors Light!

Mmm, tiny watered down domestic beer. Kids: Catch the silver bullet!

Does anyone know how to see what comments you have left on other videos, on YouTube? Someone sent me something, and I can’t figure out what it is in response to.

I submitted this to engrish.com ages ago, but it was never picked up. So here it is.

The center tag says: ‘You can find “IT” up completely. At anytime, at
any purpose in your life style. That’s something like.’

The line at the bottom says: ‘Please make sure the size of your goods
meets the intended use of this product.’

Also: ‘This product is not perfect waterproof.’ ‘To discard this
product, consult with professionals.’

A while back we determined what was the cause of some specific errors related to the IBM TS3200 library. I forgot to post about ‘em until now, though. Here’s the error message from mtx:

backup1:~# mtx next
Unloading Data Transfer Element into Storage Element 5…done
mtx: Request Sense: Long Report=yes
mtx: Request Sense: Valid Residual=no
mtx: Request Sense: Error Code=70 (Current)
mtx: Request Sense: Sense Key=Hardware Error
mtx: Request Sense: FileMark=no
mtx: Request Sense: EOM=no
mtx: Request Sense: ILI=no
mtx: Request Sense: Additional Sense Code = 81
mtx: Request Sense: Additional Sense Qualifier = 8A
mtx: Request Sense: BPV=no
mtx: Request Sense: Error in CDB=no
mtx: Request Sense: SKSV=no
MOVE MEDIUM from Element Address 4101 to 256 Failed

The problem (at least in our case) is that the tapes don’t always easily come out of the magazine. 81/8A indicate hardware failure, IIRC.

There are little pieces of plastic inside the magazine slots that are designed to hold the tape in place. They give when the tape is tugged on just slightly, but some of them are holding on too tight. In some cases, I can get it to load a tape when I try again and again, and sometimes it just requires physically removing and replacing the tape over and over to weaken the magazine’s grip. It may be that we could order replacement magazines from IBM, but I think due to the nature of this problem, there’s no guarantee it won’t recur (the magazines were fine when we first used them), and it may actually go away over time, with use.

I tried to buy some wood at Lowes last night, and my Chase Visa card was declined — a first. There’s definitely room on the card, but I didn’t have time to deal with it then. I called them about it today, and they told me their computers were down for an update, and they couldn’t even look up anyone’s account information. I asked them if that would have caused the decline last night, and the CSR said yep. I was asked to call back tomorrow at 8am Eastern, because their systems would be back up then.

Did I pick the most rinky-dink credit card company out there or something? One that can just go entirely offline for over 24 hours? I hope I was merely misinformed. At least I have a backup card for the trip next week.

Update: Yep. They were down. The charge wasn’t declined, apparently. It was merely marked “call center” or something similar, telling the merchant to call in to verify the charge. For me it was basically the same thing, because they were closing and having to call in a charge at a store I’ve shopped at for over a year is just silly. Anyway. They tell me they’re back up now. Still seems like a long and expensive outage, though.

Wrestling on Sci-Fi?
<skulk> why the hell is wrestling on the scifi channel?
<skulk> that’s like MTV playing music videos

My new wallpaper

From: Amazon Search Suggestions
To: dpk
Subject: Some of your suggestions have been suspended

Hello,

Your recent suggestion to show the item "Fresh Whole Rabbit" on amazon.com searches for "headless animals" was suspended because although an obvious observation,it is in poor taste.