Chris

Systems Diagnostic 2.2

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HARD RESET: DEBUG LIFE

  “Version 2024" type": "node"
  "request": "launch 2024.02.02",
  "name": "Launch Program",
  "skipFiles": ["<node_internals>/**"],
  "program": "${workspaceFolder}\\app.js"

Debugging, in computer programming and engineering, is a multi-step process that involves identifying a problem, isolating the source of the problem and then either correcting the problem or determining a way to work around it. The final step of debugging is to test the correction or workaround and make sure it works.

Each month, and the corresponding day, I will run a systems diagnostic and report on either the overall performance or list any bugs that may still need to be addressed. The first diagnostic and reporting will be done on February 2nd or 2/2. The following will be on March 3 or 3/3, etc etc until December 12 (12/12.) Then one year from now on 12/31/2024 I will run more more systems check and prepare for another hard reset.

This is the first diagnostic check of 2024 on the personal operating system.1

There are a few known issues, or bugs in my personal life that I need to identify, isolate and correct the problem.

Bug #1: To maximize system performance, I need to focus on the overall health of the personal operating system and that is to stay physically fit. Sure, the outdoor work that I do does help but there is more I can do. Time to access the walking and yoga sub-routines. These will both be done on a daily basis. Yoga in the morning to stretch out and purposeful walking for cardio.

Bug #1 Performance Analysis: fail. Sure, the weather was too cold everywhere I went to enjoy walking but this is a flimsy excuse. Yoga practice was a total of 2 out of 31 days in the new year so far.

Bug #1 Task prior to 3/3: Walk a minimum of five minutes daily to get the blood flowing. Yoga a minimum of 15 days out of February’s 29 days2

Bug #2: Nutrition is a crucial component to all of this because I have not eaten well the last quarter of 2023. 2024 will be a rocky start since I will be traveling for work but I will be mindful and look for healthier food options.

Bug #2 Performance Analysis: Critical. I am back on the road and do indulge in fast food. But to note, I have consumed a lot of salads, grilled meats and healthier choices.

Bug #2 Task prior to 3/3: Maintain or improve current intake of greens and meats.Limit sugar. I do need to watch the salt intake as it corrupts the personal OS.

Bug #3: Smoking pipe tobacco and drinking alcohol is inserting bad code into my system and so, once again, I will work towards debugging those substances to enhance system performance.

Bug #3 Performance Analysis: Critical. Back on the tobacco pipe while on the road, but also drinking no alcohol.

Bug #3 Task prior to 3/3: …

Inputs

Other applications will be used to maintain the mental health of my personal operating system such as:

Reading (finished 3 books in January!)

Creative writing ( writing almost daily!)

Journaling (maybe 3 times a week)

Meditation (daily!)

Overall, these benchmarks for analyzing and evaluating overall performance will help maintain my personal operating system for years to come.

Next Systems Diagnostic will be on 3/3.

While writing this I was listening to:

  1. 1if you haven’t sorted it out by now it is me. I am the personal operating system operating system ↩︎
  2. leap year! ↩︎

Kobo

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Yes! The new e-reader is here and by the looks of it, everything I wanted. I purchased a book from the Kobo bookstore that has been on hold at the library for 27 weeks (half a year!) and got it for 50% cheaper than Amazon. In case you are wondering about the cat on the cover of the title Starter Villain:

🐈‍⬛
“In a dog-eat-dog world, be a cat.”

I was able to synchronize the reader to my Pocket “read-it-later” account so any article from the web I want to save for later can be synced to the device.

Successfully added .txt documents, .pdf books and installed .epub books from a variety of sources like Gutenberg Press, Standard E-books and Global Grey Ebooks all titles are generally classics and in the public domain.

The ability to highlight text and make notations was great as those sync to my personal FoxOS database for references. W00t!

Kobo

by

Yes! The new e-reader is here and by the looks of it, everything I wanted. I purchased a book from the Kobo bookstore that has been on hold at the library for 27 weeks (half a year!) and got it for 50% cheaper than Amazon. In case you are wondering, the cat is a sarcastic metaphor1

I was able to synchronize the reader to my Pocket “read-it-later” account so any article from the web I want to save for later can be synced to the device.

Successfully added .txt documents, .pdf books and installed .epub books from a variety of sources like Gutenberg Press, Standard E-books and Global Grey Ebooks all titles are generally classics and in the public domain.

The ability to highlight text and make notations was great as those sync to my personal FoxOS database for references. W00t!

  1. “In a dog-eat-dog world, be a cat instead”
    ↩︎
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Look, I know what you are thinking, and you’re right. I did say no new gear for the new year. But if I have the ability to read more e-books on a non-Kindle and deny Amazon more money, that’s justified, yeah?

On Reading

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  1. I will make lists of books I want to read for the upcoming year as a guide and promptly ignore it in favor of following wherever my heart and brain take me instead.
  2. The books on the nightstand and shelf will eventually be read, if only I stop adding to them. But I know I won’t stop adding to them.
  3. Reading does not make me superior.
  4. Reading, instead, makes me feel inferior as I have much to learn and sort out how to apply.
  5. Bookstores, libraries, junk shops are labyrinths for the mind I plan on getting lost in every time.
  6. I will make time for reading, in the same way I make time for food
  7. I will read whatever I find interesting including novels, short stories, blog posts, essays, biographies, magazines, etc.
  8. I will try not to prejudge or set expectations before read something.
  9. I will practice marginalia by highlighting and notating sentences and paragraphs that reach out to me.
  10. I will notate and add quotes and passages inside my personal operating system (Fox OS)
  11. I will re-read books just like I would have songs on a playlist or re-watch movies.
  12. I will make lists of books I want to read for the upcoming year as a guide and promptly ignore it in favor of following wherever my heart and brain take me instead.
  13. I will try to bring a book with me at all times. (E-books are great for this)
  14. I will read whatever I feel like without hesitation or guilt. 
  15. I will read whatever I find interesting including novels, short stories, blog posts, essays, biographies, magazines, etc.
  16. I will not allow an author to waste my time and allow myself to label a read as “did not finish”
  17. It’s okay to put a book down and go off to do something physical. The book will be there when I get back.
  18. Do I want to read more biographies? Will I learn something or is it propaganda?
  19. I have a smile on my face after finishing a book and immediately pick up the next one with the same energy.
  20. When I find a book that I enjoy, I will make an effort to read other titles by the same author. Maybe even try to discover their influences and read those too.
  21. I will turn off notifications and distractions
  22. I will not finish books “just because”
  23. I have to accept that is impossible to read everything I want to.
  24. I enjoy book reviews and discussions of books if done correctly. I will download and skim samples of a book, including the Table of Contents before deciding to purchase.
  25. I will follow up on what people suggest after I ask them what they are reading.
  26. I will keep, document, and share what I am reading and maybe even explain why.

The Fox Den’s Library page

Novel Ideas

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I am slowly building out a separate web page dedicated to writing and I think I have it. The posts on this page is signaling intent on novels, short stories and series. First with tentative titles and an underlying premise. Only four are added with another 25 to go so stay tuned. You can view it by clicking on the WRITING tab in the menu or here.

Novel Ideas

by

I am slowly building out a separate web page dedicated to writing and I think I have it. The posts on this page is signaling intent on novels, short stories and series. First with tentative titles and an underlying premise. Only four are added with another 25 to go so stay tuned. You can view it by clicking on the WRITING tab in the menu or here.

iBook

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For those of us who are embedded inside the Apple hardware and ecosystem, we are past due for a dedicated e-reader with an Apple logo on it. 

Look, I enjoy my Amazon Kindle and think it is a fantastic device, but I detest having an Amazon account and giving them money in order to read and/or purchase a license to read a book. 

Apple has the resources to build a competing device and the software chops to make it compelling to read. Apple currently has the “Books” software application which doubles as a reading app and a bookstore all in one. Why are they not taking advantage of a missed opportunity for a new, dedicated hardware device? I’ll come back to this.

Yes, it is true book readers can read a book on their iDevices but it is not a pleasant experience. Yes, you can read a book with their software on an iPhone, an iPad or a MacBook, but these non-dedicated book reading devices are cumbersome. An iPad is heavy, unwieldy and has way too much glare on its screen. A dedicated e-reader using the best e-ink technology is a more enjoyable format. A dedicated reading device with an Apple logo on it must not, can not, have a way of disrupting the reading experience with distracting notifications such as a phone, call, text, or email alerts. The temptation to stop reading a book and switch to a social media site instead is too tempting more most users. No, eliminate the chance for these distractions. 

About ten years ago, Apple took a hit against Amazon over price-fixing electronic books and has yet to fully recover, allowing Amazon to be the dominant force in e-books. Even today, yes, you can read a book from Amazon in the Kindle app installed on your iPad but you are not permitted to purchase anything inside that iOS Kindle app. You have to go to the Amazon website, purchase and send the book to the Kindle app. What a time-consuming and frustrating experience!

Currently, Apple has no option to connect with the local library reading app called Libby. Sure, you can use the Libby app on iOS but that library loan is sent to either A Kindle or a Kobo reading device, not Apple. Why? What a missed opportunity to foster reading and books sales!

Let’s be honest, the Apple Books reading experience is horrible. The user interface looks and feels cheap, almost as an afterthought. 

Apple can also gain huge market share by allowing easier access for authors to submit their own books and promote these authors into the community. Take it a step further and create a haven for readers to comment, share and promote books in a social book club or commentary system. 

As I mentioned previously, there is a missed opportunity for Apple to create a dedicated e-reader device with no distractions, the best hardware/software experience and then partner with Libby and local libraries to foster more reading. Beef up their UI and book store shopping experience for more sales and create a community where book lovers can discuss and share. All of this is a huge opportunity to focus on the book reading experience. Your move, Apple. 

The End (?)

iBook

by

For those of us who are embedded inside the Apple hardware and ecosystem, we are past due for a dedicated e-reader with an Apple logo on it.

Look, I enjoy my Amazon Kindle and think it is a fantastic device, but I detest having an Amazon account and giving them money in order to read and/or purchase a license to read a book.

Apple has the resources to build a competing device and the software chops to make it compelling to read. Apple currently has the “Books” software application which doubles as a reading app and a bookstore all in one. Why are they not taking advantage of a missed opportunity for a new, dedicated hardware device? I’ll come back to this.

Yes, it is true book readers can read a book on their iDevices but it is not a pleasant experience. Yes, you can read a book with their software on an iPhone, an iPad or a MacBook, but these non-dedicated book reading devices are cumbersome. An iPad is heavy, unwieldy and has way too much glare on its screen. A dedicated e-reader using the best e-ink technology is a more enjoyable format. A dedicated reading device with an Apple logo on it must not, can not, have a way of disrupting the reading experience with distracting notifications such as a phone, call, text, or email alerts. The temptation to stop reading a book and switch to a social media site instead is too tempting more most users. No, eliminate the chance for these distractions.

About ten years ago, Apple took a hit against Amazon over price-fixing electronic books and has yet to fully recover, allowing Amazon to be the dominant force in e-books. Even today, yes, you can read a book from Amazon in the Kindle app installed on your iPad but you are not permitted to purchase anything inside that iOS Kindle app. You have to go to the Amazon website, purchase and send the book to the Kindle app. What a time-consuming and frustrating experience!

Currently, Apple has no option to connect with the local library reading app called Libby. Sure, you can use the Libby app on iOS but that library loan is sent to either A Kindle or a Kobo reading device, not Apple. Why? What a missed opportunity to foster reading and books sales!

Let’s be honest, the Apple Books reading experience is horrible. The user interface looks and feels cheap, almost as an afterthought.

Apple can also gain huge market share by allowing easier access for authors to submit their own books and promote these authors into the community. Take it a step further and create a haven for readers to comment, share and promote books in a social book club or commentary system.

As I mentioned previously, there is a missed opportunity for Apple to create a dedicated e-reader device with no distractions, the best hardware/software experience and then partner with Libby and local libraries to foster more reading. Beef up their UI and book store shopping experience for more sales and create a community where book lovers can discuss and share. All of this is a huge opportunity to focus on the book reading experience. Your move, Apple.

The End (?)

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Attempting to build a web page on this site dedicated to creative writing and the format is failing. Hmm. Create a separate subdomain?

Judging Book Covers

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Meandering through a bookstore is inspirational to me. The thrill of discovering a new title can lead someone down a large literary rabbit hole. But there is something to be said about browsing the eye-catching cover art. Sometimes the cover is the best part of a book. when other times, a profound cover can make or break a book sale. 

I find that the more artistic, brilliantly designed titles are the ones who have been well written, whereas if the artwork looks cheap, than the book is a bomb. Over the decades it gets easer to discern. See for yourself. 

While perusing the bookshelves I began to notice different patterns of artwork on the covers and snapped a few, knowing I would probably never read them. I also get into a habit where i snap book covers to remember which ones I want to read in the near future.

Side note: It was great while it lasted but the free access to the Brooklyn Library membership has expired. Thanks to my intrepid mother who discovered options to temporarily add other library systems so I now have access to the Houston, San Jose and Tulsa public libraries.

Side note II: This article was originally published on 2023/10/09 from my old website. 

For The Record

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While driving through the hills of Cincinnati, I came across a record store and decided to pop in to see if there were any good deals to be had on jazz, blues or classic rock albums. Then I remembered that my recently re-acquired record player doesn’t spin effectively. But while I was there, I was reminded of how much I missed album covers. Just like the recent post about book covers, I find the cover art on music releases is a lost art form. So I got to thinking what were, to me, some of the most iconic album covers of all time? Well there is a chore, trying to figure that one out but I did manage to come up with a few. And who knows, maybe when I get back home I can find a vintage record player to spin those classics on.

Side Note: This article was originally published on 2023/10/10 from my old website. 

Side Note II: I’ve moved away from expensive LPs to more cost effective and better quality compact discs.