Monthly Archives: June 2008

Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods

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Get it while it’s hot, you can download a copy of Indiana Jones and the City of the Gods script from here. Allegedly Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford allegedly liked this script by George Lucas didn’t and vetoed. This likely means that the script is really good because if George Lucas ever knew what makes an enjoyable movie he has forgotten it.

If you can’t tell I didn’t like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The movie had such promise, but was boring. Harrison Ford was great but the story was weak and Shia Labeouf irritating.

So instead of dwelling on how lame Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was, check out this script. Maybe it would has been an interesting movie.

Metrorail is great! It only loses $240 million a year on operating costs alone.

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Randal O’Toole writes up a scathing critque of DC’s Metroail system. O’Toole writes:

The basic problem, as the Antiplanner keeps saying, is that rail transit is really, really expensive — and those who want to build it rarely take the true cost into account. Not only does it cost a lot to construct, but it costs a lot to maintain because it must be almost completely rebuilt every 30 years or so.

…

As of 2006, Metrorail operations cost more than $640 million and collected less than $400 million in fares, leaving a $240 million deficit. Metro also spent just over $150 million on “capital improvements,” which is a misnomer because almost all of it was spent buying replacement railcars.

This blows my mind. How can Metrorail, which is packed at rush hour, be run at an operating loss of $240 million a year? That’s amazing. They need $12 billion to buy new railcars because the average age of the fleet is over 20 year old.

With this as Metro’s financial situation, they want to build a new 23 mile extension to Dulles Airport. This is absolute silliness.

Another secret way that Europe is better for the rich, and the U.S. for everyone else.

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Food for thought from Bryan Caplan about Europe vs. America:

In the U.S., we have low gas taxes, low car taxes, few tolls, strict zoning that leads developers to provide lots of free parking, low speed limits, lots of traffic enforcement, and lots of congestion.

In Europe (France and Germany specifically), they have high gas taxes, high car taxes, lots of tolls, almost no free parking, high speed limits (often none at all), little traffic enforcement, and very little congestion. (The only real traffic jam I endured in Europe was trying to get into Paris during rush hour. I was delayed about 30 minutes total).

If you had to pick one of these two systems, which would you prefer? Or to make the question a little cleaner, if there were two otherwise identical countries, but one had the U.S. system and the other had the Euro system, where would you decide to live?

Much as it pains me to admit, I would choose to live in the country with the Euro system. If you’re at least upper-middle class, the convenience is worth the price. Yes, this is another secret way that Europe is better for the rich, and the U.S. for everyone else.

Dear Mr. Obama,

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Dear Mr. Obama,

Please let me give you one piece of advice– when you ride a bike, make sure your seat is high enough. It is obvious in this picture that your seat is not high enough.Your seat height should be high enough that it allows full leg extension, with a slight bend in the leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke.

If you move your seat higher you will ride much more comfortably. Then again, if insist on riding a bike while riding jeans, I really can’t help you on the comfort front.

Your bike riding pal,

Daniel

P.S. The next time you are tempted to throw your Grandmother under the bus to protect a racist loser like Jeremiah Wright, think twice. Comparing your Grandma to losers like Wright is always a bad idea, as Wright proved no long after you displayed your lack of love for your Grandma.

Nissan OBDII Codes

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P0011 – IVT Control (Bank 1)
P0021 – IVT Control (Bank 2)
P0031 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Heater Low Voltage (Bank 1)
P0032 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Heater Low Voltage (Bank 2)
P0037 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Heater Low Voltage (Bank 1)
P0038 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Heater Low Voltage (Bank 2)
P0051 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Heater High Voltage (Bank 1)
P0052 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Heater High Voltage (Bank 2)
P0057 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Heater High Voltage (Bank 1)
P0058 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Heater High Voltage (Bank 2)
P0100 – Mass Air Flow Sensor
P0101 – Mass Air Flow Sensor Circuit Range / Performance Problem
P0102 – Mass Air Flow Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0103 – Mass Air Flow Sensor Circuit High Input
P0105 – Absolute Pressure Sensor
P0107 – Absolute Pressure Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0108 – Absolute Pressure Sensor High Input
P0110 – Intake Air Temperature Sensor
P0112 – Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0113 – Intake Air Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input
P0115 – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit
P0117 – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0118 – Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input
P0120 – Throttle Position Sensor
P0122 – Throttle Position Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input
P0123 – Throttle Position Sensor 2 Circuit High Input
P0125 – Insufficient Engine Coolant Temperature For Closed Loop Fuel Control
P0127 – Intake Air Temperature Too High
P0128 – Thermostat Malfunction
P0130 – Front O2 Sensor Circuit (Bank 1)
P0131 – Front O2 Sensor (Lean) (Bank 1)
P0132 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1)
P0133 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1)
P0134 – (2000-2001) Front O2 Sensor High Input (Bank 1)
P0134 – (2002-2003) Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 1)
P0135 – Front O2 Sensor Heater (Bank 1)
P0137 – Rear O2 Sensor Low Input (Bank 1)
P0138 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1)
P0139 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1)
P0140 – Rear O2 Sensor High Input (Bank 1)
P0141 – Rear O2 Sensor Heater (Bank 1)
P0150 – Front O2 Sensor Circuit (Bank 2)
P0151 – Front O2 Sensor (Lean) (Bank 2)
P0152 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2)
P0153 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Circuit Slow Response (Bank 2)
P0154 – (2000-2001) Front O2 Sensor High Input (Bank 2)
P0154 – (2002-2003) Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 2)
P0155 – Front O2 Sensor Heater (Bank 2)
P0157 – Rear O2 Sensor Low Input (Bank 2)
P0158 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Circuit High Voltage (Bank 2)
P0159 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Circuit Slow Response (Bank 2)
P0160 – Rear O2 Sensor High Input (Bank 2)
P0161 – Rear O2 Sensor Heater (Bank 2)
P0171 – Fuel Injection System Too Lean (Bank 1)
P0172 – Fuel Injection System Too Rich (Bank 1)
P0174 – Fuel Injection System Too Lean (Bank 2)
P0175 – Fuel Injection System Too Rich (Bank 2)
P0180 – Fuel Tank Temperature Sensor
P0181 – Fuel Tank Temperature Sensor Circuit Range / Performance
P0182 – Fuel Tank Temperature Sensor Low Input
P0183 – Fuel Tank Temperature Sensor High Input
P0217 – Coolant Over Temperature Enrichment Protection
P0221 – Throttle Position Sensor Circuit Range / Performance Problem
P0222 – Throttle Position Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input
P0223 – Throttle Position Sensor 1 Circuit High Input
P0226 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Range / Performance Problem
P0227 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input
P0228 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 Circuit High Input
P0300 – Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0301 – Cylinder 1 Misfired Detected
P0302 – Cylinder 2 Misfired Detected
P0303 – Cylinder 3 Misfired Detected
P0304 – Cylinder 4 Misfired Detected
P0305 – Cylinder 5 Misfired Detected
P0306 – Cylinder 6 Misfired Detected
P0325 – Knock Sensor
P0327 – Knock Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0328 – Knock Sensor Circuit High Input
P0335 – Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit
P0340 – Camshaft Position Sensor (Phase) Circuit (Bank 1)
P0345 – Camshaft Position Sensor (Phase) Circuit (Bank 2)
P0400 – EGR Function (Close)
P0403 – EGR Volume Control Valve Circuit
P0420 – Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0430 – Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
P0440 – EVAP Control System Small Leak
P0441 – EVAP Control System Incorrect Purge Flow
P0442 – EVAP Control System Small Leak Detected (Negative Pressure)
P0443 – EVAP Canister Purge Volume Control Solenoid Valve Circuit
P0444 – EVAP Canister Purge Volume Control Solenoid Valve Circuit Open
P0445 – EVAP Canister Purge Volume Control Solenoid Valve Circuit Shorted
P0446 – EVAP Canister Vent Control Valve Circuit
P0447 – EVAP Canister Vent Control Valve Circuit Open
P0450 – EVAP Control System Pressure Sensor
P0452 – EVAP Control System Pressure Sensor Low Input
P0453 – EVAP Control System Pressure Sensor High Input
P0455 – EVAP Control System Gross Leak
P0456 – EVAP Emission Control System Very Small Leak (Negative Pressure Check)
P0460 – Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Noise
P0461 – Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Range / Performance
P0462 – Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0463 – Fuel Level Sensor Circuit High Input
P0464 – Fuel Level Sensor Circuit
P0500 – Vehicle Speed Sensor
P0505 – Idle Air Control Valve / Auxiliary Air Control Valve
P0506 – Idle Speed Control System RPM Lower Than Expected
P0507 – Idle Speed Control System RPM Higher Than Expected
P0510 – Closed Throttle Position Switch
P0550 – Power Steering Pressure Sensor Circuit
P0600 – A/T Communication Line
P0605 – Engine Control Module (ECM)
P0650 – Malfunction Indicator (MIL) Control Circuit
P1065 – ECM Power Supply Circuit
P1102 – Mass Air Flow Sensor Circuit Range / Performance Problem
P1121 – Electric Throttle Control Actuator
P1121 – ABS / TCS Control Unit Performance
P1122 – Electric Throttle Control Performance Problem
P1124 – Throttle Control Motor Relay Circuit Short
P1126 – (2000-2001) Thermostat Function
P1126 – (2002-2003) Throttle Control Motor Relay Circuit Open
P1128 – Throttle Control Motor Relay Circuit Short
P1130 – Swirl Control Valve Control Solenoid Valve
P1143 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Lean Shift Monitoring (Bank 1)
P1144 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Rich Shift Monitoring (Bank 1)
P1146 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Minimum Voltage Monitoring (Bank 1)
P1147 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Maximum Voltage Monitoring (Bank 1)
P1148 – Closed Loop Control (Bank 1)
P1163 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Lean Shift Monitoring (Bank 2)
P1164 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 1 Rich Shift Monitoring (Bank 2)
P1165 – Swirl Control Valve Control Vacuum Check Switch
P1166 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Minimum Voltage Monitoring (Bank 2)
P1167 – Heated Oxygen Sensor 2 Maximum Voltage Monitoring (Bank 2)
P1168 – Closed Loop Control (Bank 2)
P1211 – ABS/TCS Control Unit
P1212 – ABS / TCS Communication Line
P1217 – Engine Over Temperature
P1223 – Throttle Position Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input
P1224 – Throttle Position Sensor 2 Circuit High Input
P1225 – Closed Throttle Position Learning Performance Problem
P1226 – Closed Throttle Position Learning Performance Problem
P1227 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input
P1228 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 2 Circuit High Input
P1229 – Sensor Power Supply Circuit Short
P1320 – Ignition Signal
P1335 – Crankshaft Position Sensor (REF)
P1336 – Crankshaft Position Sensor (POS) (COG)
P1401 – EGR Temperature Sensor
P1402 – EGR Function (Open)
P1440 – EVAP Control System Small Leak
P1444 – EVAP Canister Purge Volume Control Solenoid Valve
P1446 – EVAP Canister Vent Control Valve Closed
P1447 – EVAP Emission Control System Purge Flow Monitoring
P1448 – EVAP Canister Vent Control Valve Open
P1456 – EVAP Emission Control System Very Small Leak (Positive Pressure Check)
P1464 – Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Ground Signal
P1490 – Vacuum Cut Valve Bypass Valve Circuit
P1491 – Vacuum Cut Valve Bypass Valve Circuit
P1564 – Automatic Speed Control Device Steering Switch
P1572 – Automatic Speed Control Device Brake Switch
P1574 – Automatic Speed Control Device Vehicle Speed Sensor
P1605 – A/T Diagnosis Communication Line
P1706 – Park / Neutral Position Switch
P1800 – VIAS Control Solenoid Valve Circuit Open
P1805 – Brake Switch
P2122 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input
P2123 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 1 Circuit High Input
P2127 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 2 Circuit Low Input
P2128 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor 2 Circuit High Input
P2135 – Throttle Position Sensor Circuit Range / Performance Problem
P2138 – Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Circuit Range / Performance Problem
U1000 – CAN Communication Line
U1001 – CAN Communication Line

Asus Eee PC Resources

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The Eee Pc is a small laptop computer. It sports a 7″ screen (800×480 resolution), a 900 MHz processor, a solid state hard drive of 2 or 4 gigs, and an impressively low price of $399 (for the 4 gig model). One of the reasons the price is so low is because it runs Xandros linux. It’s not a desktop replacement, but by all accounts it is a great ultraportable laptop–handy for websurfing, email, and easy to tote around.

Here are links to Eee PC resources on the web:

Asus’s Official Eee PC Homepage

Wikipedia entry

Wikis/Guides

Forums

Blogs

Eee Mods/Upgrades

  • IVC Wiki — This is an impressive amount of internal upgrades including GPS with antenna, bluetooth, a card reader, power switch, 802.11n wifi, fm transmitter, and modem.
  • Asus EEE PC Tweak Guide

Other Operating Systems

Purchasing Options

Various Reviews

Bill O’Reilly doesn’t understand that nuclear power plants make electricity, not oil

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I try to avoid Bill O’Reilly. I prefer rationality to O’Reilly’s daily spew. But for some reason I watched this video of O’Reilly and even I was shocked at O’Reilly’s failure to understand the issues.

O’Reilly believes that nuclear energy will help us get off of oil. With current technology, nuclear energy has nothing to do with energy independence. Nuclear energy produce electricity and only a tiny percentage of the fuel we use to make electricity comes from foreign countries (oil is only used to produce 2% of our electricity).

Maybe O’Reilly is thinking of plug-in hybrids as a way of getting off oil. I don’t know if that’s what O’Reilly is talking about because he doesn’t pause from his spewing long enough to think about the words leaving his mouth.

Plug-in hybrids may be the future but even with $4 a gallon gasoline they aren’t cost effective. They may be soon. Is so, they might create increased electricity demand which would necessitate building new nuclear power plants, but not until then.

For O’Reilly’s benefit I’ll put the take away lesson in nice, easy-to-understand bullets points. That way, even he might be able to understand them:

  • Nuclear power has nothing to do with energy security
  • This is because nuclear power plants produce electricity, not oil
  • If plug-in hybrids and electric cars become economical, maybe nuclear power plants will help, but not until then

Useful Chinese phrases

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The Beijing Olympic Committee has some useful phrases on its website in case you go to the games.  Here are some:
She’s blonde.
她是一个金发碧眼的女人。
C’est une blonde aux yeux bleus.
You speak a bit too fast. I can’t keep up with what you’re saying.
1您说得有点儿快，我跟不上。
Tu parles trop vite, je n’arrive pas à comprendre ce que tu dis.
You are a very precise person.
你是一个很严谨的人。
Tu es quelqu’un de très prudent.
You learn so fast!
哦你学的很快！
Tu apprends vite, ma parole !
He is in a bad mood.
他心情不好。
Il a mangé de la vache enragée.
This girl is so lovely. She always has a smile on her face.
这个女孩儿很可爱，总是面带微笑。
Cette fille est très attirante. Elle sourit tout le temps.
I feel like I’ve met him before.
我好像在哪儿见过他……
Son visage m’est familier …
She is kind-hearted and considerate.
她很善良，善解人意。
Elle est très bonne et capable de compassion.
She’s a little shy.
她有点儿腼腆。
Elle est un peu timide.
She is not only intelligent but also beautiful.
1她既聪明又漂亮。
Elle est à la fois jolie et intelligente.

I’m Voting Republican…

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For some reason, this website has been very popular today–I’m Voting Republican. There are some funny lines in the video and the Republicans deserve this kind of treatment, but the video and accompanying website don’t make the Democrats look any smarter than Republicans. Far too often Democrats believe that all that it required for good public policy is for policy-makers to have good intentions. Policymakers don’t need to concern themselves with the actual incentives they create–only that that feel good about the policy.

For example, the website explains why the filmmaker hates Wal-Mart–they make too much money and don’t pay their employees enough. In other words, the filmmaker doesn’t like the fact that so many Americans choose to buy inexpensive stuff at Wal-Mart and they don’t like the fact that Wal-Mart continues to find employees willing to work for low wages. Then the filmmaker posts this:

From the Democratic Party Agenda

Democrats believe that the most effective way to increase opportunity for our families is a high quality, good paying job. The Democratic Party supports fair trade agreements that raise standards for all workers here and abroad, while making American businesses more competitive, and we don’t believe in tax giveaways that reward companies for moving American jobs overseas.

We will create jobs that stay in America and restore opportunity for all Americans, starting with raising the minimum wage, expanding Pell grants and making college tuition tax deductible.

Continue reading →

I wish that animal rights activists actually believed what they say

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For example, here are a couple great quotes:

“The life of an ant and that of my child should be granted equal consideration.”
– Wayne Pacelle, Senior Vice-President oF HSUS, formerly of Friends for Animals – In Inhumane Society, 1990

“The life of an ant and the life of my child should be accorded equal respect.”
– Wayne Pacelle, Senior Vice-President oF HSUS, formerly of Friends for Animals, The Associated Press, Jan. 15, 1989

There is absolutely no way that Wayne Pacelle actually believes this. Does he really believe that I should be on death row because last night I wiped out tons of bugs while riding my bike?

I used to work two blocks from the national headquarters of the Humane Society of the United States and amazingly these insecticidal lunatics actually drove cars to work. You know as well as I that automobiles are weapons of mass insect destruction. Just look at your windshield and witness the carnage.

I just wish these animal rights activists would actual believe what they said. It would be interesting to see how they live their lives to avoid killing any animal (insects are animals after all).