Recently updated blogs

“Seattle hills” by chrisostermann is licensed under CC BY 2.0. I’ve recently improved my access analysis software to adjust walking speed based on change in elevation. The use of a constant walking speed, regardless of terrain, in previous analyses opened them to legitimate criticism, especially in hilly Seattle. A walking model can now be selected when computing an access analysis. At this time, there are two options: the original constant-speed …

As the year draws to a close with gloomy December days compensated with lots of artificial lighting, it's not surprising that many people take the time to reflect on their recent past — what we've managed to achieve, what we learned, what we failed in, where we went, and what we experienced. Did you take steps forward this year — or even strides? Did you regress? What did you get …

I recently built a website that breaks down the cost of a UK electricity bill.electricitybills.ukIt's interactive, and I'd recommend visiting it before reading this post. Check it out here: electricitybills.ukHere are three interesting things about the data.#1: The wholesale power cost is only one third of an electricity bill.The wholesale price is the actual cost of buying electricity on the open market. But the average bill is triple that amount.The …

This fall, our second class of 24 blog-building fellows completed our eight-week blog building intensive.The second interaction of our fellowship program was a success: several RPI fellows are in the vanguard of the growing progress studies movement. You’ll find them leading the AI policy debate, earning recognition for their writing on biotechnology, being cited in the Financial Times on China’s penetration of Western markets, and earning the top spot on …

Some people have compared Kevin Ayers's debonair image to Bryan Ferry - the genuine genteel article as opposed to the faux. Some even see him as a prototype, glam just a little too earlyNot sure about that, the music in the first three or four solo albums is nowhere near glam. But I am struck by the use of eye make-up in these Soft Machine appearancesThere is another intersection with …

The post Artspeak Radio – KKFI Interview appeared first on Schliefkevision - Paintings & Art Classes. I was invited on to talk about my recent paintings and the Northeast Open Studio Tour on KKFI’s Artspeak program in December of 2024. Here’s what I covered! Maria Vasquez Boyd was on vacation, so Michael Hogge took over guest hosting duties. Michael was a fun, inquisitive guy, and led the hourlong program with …

[This post is about the day that Glitch failed, and how that failure created the opportunity to make Slack. We're sharing it here (out of chronological order) to mark 12 years since the famous pivot.]“We have to shut down the game.” Stewart Butterfield said. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. He looked exhausted. The result of years of long days and short nights pouring all …

These are facts. My dad died last week. It was sudden, unexpected, a heart attack at 5 AM that took him before my sister could get to the hospital at 7. I had early warning when she texted me that she was on the way to the hospital. I got up, made my coffee, sat down at my desk to work, and before I could even come to grips with …

I don’t play, watch, or read a lot of new stuff, so most of these lists are composed of things that are a little older but that I encountered for the first time in 2024.GamesWarhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader (2023) Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree (2024) ~blood of god~ LUNAFAIRY (2024) Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (2005) Deep Rock Galactic (2018) Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines (2004) Turrican (1990) Klonoa Phantasy …

It is always in the early days of December when I start to speculate on what the Pantone Color of the Year will be for the year to come. I’m not sure why I am so intrigued with this annual selection, but obviously it must have something to do with sewing and fabric and day-dreaming. This year, on the 2nd of December, Pantone gave those of us, who have this …

When is it better to reflect than at the year’s twilight? Days shined brighter this time compared to the last one, but I can’t say the same about the sonic wreckage left behind after 12 months and 365 dawn to dusk sessions of intense and not so intense listening. Admittedly, I did not step too much out of my comfort zones, or at least not forcibly, just to elaborate on …

transmutationisms:a friend just tipped me off about Fund a Kitchen in Gaza, a free tool that helps you locate and donate to community kitchens currently serving some of Gaza’s most vulnerable!Fund a Kitchen in Gaza - Humanti Projectthis lets you choose a region (south, central, north) and see which kitchens operate in that area, then donate to as many as you can.as a reminder, community kitchens try to buy and …

It’s often claimed that tax cuts will “pay for themselves”. There’s good reason to believe that some historic tax cuts have done precisely this – what does that tell us about proposals for tax cuts today? And what does history tell us about the potential to increase revenues by raising tax on the highest earners? […] Source

I’ve had this idea on my mind for a while, and finally got around to bashing out a first go at the lyrics the other day, along with a demo. When an idea won’t go away, that’s usually a sign that it is worth pursuing. It’s been ages since I so much as picked up the guitar, as you can probably tell. I’m still vaguely pleased with it, to the …

Report written by Neil Gemmell and Richard Brown As a scything community we scythe enthusiasts/afficionados, some would even say addicts, all convene in a field in Somerset to hold the West Country Scythe Championships at the Green Scythe Fair. This year’s event was the 18th West Country Scythe Championship and the competition was once again great entertainment for the revellers at the fair. The headlines often get reserved for the …