Added / Updated general site links

• Reverted back to using rsync because I’m lazy
• Changed VPS providers because broke / lazy
• Merged all services to single VPS because broke
• Still no dedicated network access, working on it though
• Will be returning to intarbutts shortly to harangue the masses
• Going to return to blogging about whatever the fuck I want

I think that about covers it. Not changing the style or mechanism of this blog, though. The architecture works in case I want to be really mean and piss off script kids, they’ll have no recourse but to baww.

I’m going to go through an incredibly quick rundown of how to conduct your own Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility study using Minitab. The first thing you should keep in mind is that there are ways you “should” conduct a GR&R and there are ways you “shouldn’t”. You “should” be doing a blind, randomized study that doesn’t allow the “operator” to influence the study with what he expects. This isn’t always the easiest way to begin your first study or introduce yourself to these types of studies. For your first study, just do your trials in order.

Statistical Analysis of Variance. Using standard deviations six times higher and six times lower than your target, determine whether your process is “in control” or “out of control”. Good stuff.

It’s also part of the framework for determining the reproducibility and repeatability of gaging. I’ve discovered that Minitab is one of the best software suites for achieving what you need in calculating ANOVA for your GR&R. It’s a great deal faster than laying out your own Excel spreadsheet, and it allows you to completely automate the process. Doing capability studies, GR&R’s, and X̅&R charts becomes a task that requires seconds, rather than having to deal with irritating Excel spreadsheets or plotting by hand. I’ve learned a ton about statistical process control. I’ve also learned a ton about what works, and what doesn’t.

It still amazes me these days that there are some out there who are vehement proponents of Barack Obama. I can only attribute to these people that denial is the strongest emotion they’re capable of mustering. Denial is the only thing a person can hold on to when faced with the harsh reality that he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I’m going to gather a few points that blast solid democrats out of the water.

I’m running everything I have from a really shitty VPS service right now. It’s actually fairly hilarious how pathetic this service is, but it’s free, so I can’t bitch that much. You always get what you pay for. Always.

If you haven’t noticed, I haven’t had any real network connectivity in what feels like many eternities. I’m still at work too much. I still have a ton of things going on outside of work. I haven’t even called an ISP to find out how much it would cost to begin setup for an account. I’m still with my beautiful sexy pants. I hope that never changes. Our son is huge. He’s only six months old, but the only thing he’s currently wearing that doesn’t squish him is 18 month clothes. He’s huge. He’s a beastly little boy. It’s not even solely the fact that he has filled out, but he’s tall as well. His feet stick a good amount out of his car seat. He’s enormous. He’ll surpass his sister in height before she’s a grown adult, and it’s ridiculous because he’s trailing her seven years in age. I love my midget and my giant. I love my family.

On March 28th my little man decided “enough is enough”, and broke his mom’s water. He kicked the plug from the drain and started the wondrous process of “labor”.

Holy crap.

If he ever gives his mom crap about “I don’t want to” or “I don’t feel like it”, I’ll be the first to stick up for her and say “You know, son, she went through a lot of crap just to bring you into the world. The least you can do is appease your mother. You owe her more than you will ever imagine.”

I’ve been away for a while, it seems. A long while. A few things have changed, but most haven’t. Idiots will be idiots. People who feed off of idiots will always take great amounts of pleasure from feeding off their weaker prey. This is likely how things will be until the day we die.

Here’s a look back at a few things that have happened.

Aaron Swartz took his own life after being handed a ridiculous judgement. No lawyer in the world can protect you when you’re coming up against serious money. He never actually committed any crimes, he only did extraordinary things. The extraordinary things he did earned him a place in the crosshairs of rather rich individuals.