Rabbit hole. Or, why the internet sucks time.

Hmm... down the rabbit hole.  A websearch on non-prescription bifocal reading glasses (because I need them) page, led to an marketing blog explanation of bifocal, which led to the discovery of a paper on the theoretical mechanics of identifying whether or not the document was a translation or the root source and if so, the source language of a translated document, and the concept of a field of study devoted to linguistics.

I never did find a cheap source of say... 1.50 and 2.00 diopter reading glasses.  (About $0.99 at the local 99cents store for cheap single focus).

HoneyDo

One of the traditions started by my Mom and sister in the last few years; is that instead of most gifts, I bring labor and fix those things which they find difficult, annoying or impossible. It is usually tech, but has veered off to carpet steaming and mopping of floors (my sister has large dogs of advanced and infirm age) and accidents happen, to computer help (installing the new OS, fixing the most recent virus incursion or general cleanup and upgrade)... and repair of any and all appliances that have an electrical component. Since I am an engineer, and relatively handy... it goes just about as you would expect. Stains are defeated, simple and obvious problems with fuses and the like are overcome, and I'm running about 50/50 on the whole Microsoft mess; thanks Bill (et al) for making me look more incompetent than usual. This time, both my sister's and my mother's computers timed out on the Windows 10 preview; both because the continual beta upgrade seems to have been discontinued, and because updates (by me or them) were not run on time or at all. I'm not sure of this, but it looks like the pool of beta equipment (inspite of rumor-mill advertising to the contrary) seems to have been shrunken and "we" are outside the loop for most of it. Anyway, the result is a non-functioning machine that I have to rescue. This time, the "upgrade and save user data" selection didn't work for my sister, and I'm now combing the hard drive for deleted files (documents and pictures) that I would have backed up to other media if I had been thinking. (insert curses here) The Cuisinart coffee maker has defeated me for now, my sister does not have the requisite 2 or 3 mm hex lobed screwdriver, and of course... that's the inset screws in the base where the thermal fuse is. And so it goes. At least tomorrow (early) we get to go and take my Mom to her appointment, so I'm (a) up early, and (b) spending time with loved ones instead of tech. At least... that is the theory. I'll work on the contract stuff; after.

and a time for every season

I flew up to visit my mother on Sunday, before Christmas.  She fell last week and broke her femur, re-acquired pneumonia, and has gone in and out of emergency and ICU.  Now, she is back in rehabilitation trying to walk and stand on her own again.  It is amazing how we take such simple matters for granted, like getting out of bed unassisted, going to the toilet and finishing and leaving the bathroom without assistance.  Oxygen and 24x7 supervision are now a fact of life until she gets back "on her feet", which is a bit problematic because she has told myself and my sister that she wants to die.  That is upsetting; especially given that many folk are much worse off than she currently is, but the change from fully independent and the current lack of control of her environment... makes her depressed.
One of the dilemmas we face, is that the individual has certain rights, and in the state of Oregon, even the right to take their own life. To have assistance in ending an existance that they find unbearable.  But, the dilemma is in the equilibrium.  When is it time?

In the Netherlands, they made assisted suicide legal, and noted an uptick in voluntary deaths including a number where the decision was made on "trivial" matters, a minor reversal, a rejection, a "hangnail" if you will.  This is troubling to me because it signifies a lack of both compassion and intervention for the individual where someone says "that is insufficient reasons" or "it isn't that bad" and have any leverage or moral basis to act.  How do we tell when it is time?  How do we correctly acertain that an individual has made a rational (in right mind) and reasonable choice.  I am not saying that a cancer patient does not have the right to avoid suffering, or that a incurable illness should not short-circuit the end process;  but I do feel that ending existance for trivial manners, without an objection from us, is a  abrogation of our responsibility to be good caregivers and to provide balenced council.  In other words, the ethic of "being our brother's keeper", and no... I'm not a Christian.
But, to balance our willingness to accept the decisions made, where do we say that we should do something to prevent a "tragedy" as we see it.

I do not know.  It is a complex problem.  How can I convince my mother that live is still worth living, and that her function and ability will progress and even recover?
That's the true question.

Windows 8.1 and Easy Transfer

I just wanted to transfer a user's settings from his laptop to archive, so that I would be able to restore them... if required.  (Laptop got a virus...)

Windows 8.1 doesn't allow for user transfer anymore... it isn't supported.

A quick search on the internet: https://www.google.com/search?q=windows+8.1+easy+transfer&oq=windows+8.1

gave me several articles that told me that Windows Easy Transfer was deprecated by Microsoft, and that only reading legacy archives is supported.

So, I grabbed a version from Windows 7.

Just make sure you're using x86 for 32 bit and x64 for the other.

worked.

Android (developer) learning curve

OK.  I finally bit the bullet.
I decided to revisit the Android platform, since I walked away from it about four years ago.  (I didn't do that much then... but I worked on a class project that used Android, and I bounced off the tools a bit).  It also helps that I have a new gig starting...

Time to STUDY.  https://www.udacity.com/courses#!/android
Specifically:

Developing Android Apps

PROJECT Build Your Own Android App

So I needed a cheap device to push against, and a friend loaned/gifted me a Polaroid InterneTablet.
With Android 4.0.3 and no Play store, which makes it less desirable than otherwise.  It also wouldn't connect...

So, Frys had the EGD172 tablet for $49. out the door.  (EGD)
That made it attractive, since I didn't want to screw up my Samsung S4... and I already discovered that using the phone for debug makes it hard to take calls.  And... my desktop sucks for an emulated session.

Of course, no joy.

Neither tablet would communicate, and lots of articles on "how" but no-one seems to have the exact recipe.

In removing the installed USB ADB drivers (troubleshooting) I used a utility from nirsoft.net which enumerates the USB list; but like most of *his* tools, it's a sharp edge and you can cut yourself.  I even tried replacing the driver with a "generic" ADB comm driver, which just added to the confusion -- I think.  It definitely stopped the Samsung device from connecting.

Ok.  back to Square one.

I tried parallel development (installing same tools) on a laptop, same results... except phone does connect.... but still can't debug with it. (broke something).

again.

the bitter pill

I used to be a programmer.  The world has moved on, and new paradigms have replaced what I used to know.  So, like many before me... I'm apparently obsolete.

Ok, so I'm upset... my value to the universe seems to be hitting a all-time low.  But, If I give up... the universe wins.  Can't have that.  At least, not without a fight.

But, it's difficult to make progress when you are your own worst enemy.  Seriously.

The art (of programming) has moved on; and 20-somethings who think they rule the world (after all, nothing of any value was invented before them), and they have a point;  ignore my desperate pleas for recognition, payment even.

Besides the locals (who disrespect everything that isn't) and "co-opt" anything they can carry... pry up anything not bolted down (so they can carry it); and see no harm in it... I'm getting pushback from my other customers -- it's telling me that I'm depending too much upon this payment.  If I cannot walk away... they win.

Cats need medicine, treatment (teeth for Saido), and just the ongoing food expenses...

I'm not liking this game much.  Can we reset?

Mom wants me to move to Portland, that means giving up the condo I've fought to keep; and  can't say she's entirely wrong... but when do you cut your losses?

it's not a good night in the neighborhood.

Seriously.