Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Kitty corner versus Catty corner

Is there a difference between Kitty corner and Catty corner?

Apparently all: "All these are Standard variants of an idiom, based on folk etymologies developed from the French cater (quatre)—“four”—prefixed to corner(ed); the idiom means “diagonal” or “obliquely opposite,” as in The gas station was kitty-corner(ed) [catty-corner(ed), cater-corner(ed)] from the flower stand."

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Frontier Ag

Dawn and I frequently pass a grainery on our way to Davis. It turns out to represent Frontier Ag:
"Frontier Ag Company is a merchandiser of diversified agricultural and renewable biomass commodities. With over 25 years experience working closely with growers, mills, and commercial partners in the California Central Valley community, and experience in the emerging renewable biofuel & energy industry, we focus on helping clients procure multiple types of crops, by-products, and biomass. We offer product pricing and logistics at favorable value; Helping clients maximize financial return and product availability."

Prius Dreaming

Dawn and I decided to purchase a Prius as our next car.

Some firms offer aftermarket mods, including EV mode for about $13,500...though it seems a bit limited.

Prii younger than 8 years old with under 100,000 miles on the odometer (10 years and 150,000 miles in CA) are covered under Toyota’s original battery warranty. (via)

Replacement batteries for the 2001-2003 Prius cost $2,299, and those for the more common 2004-2009 model currently run $2,588. (via)

the 2004-2009 Prius is more fuel efficient than its predecessor. (via)


The Dust to Dust dust-up:


Car shopping tools

Car bargains
https://www.checkbook.org/auto/carbarg.cfm

Consumer Reports' April issue annually lists the "good bet":


  • Acura RL (link)
    • 2012 $40,450 - $42,650
    • ...
    • 2004 $9,025 - $9,025
    • 2003 $7,650 - $7,650
  • Acura TL (link)
    • 2012 $29,750 - $35,850
    • ...
    • 2004 $9,850 - $9,850
    • 2003 $5,975 - $6,650 * transmission issues?
  • Acura TSX (link)
    • 2012 $25,500 - $28,450
    • ...
    • 2005 $10,500 - $10,500
    • 2004 $8,775 - $8,775
  • Ford Fusion (link)
    • 2012 $16,150 - $22,825
    • ...
    • 2008 $8,925 - $12,175
    • 2007 $7,575 - $10,525
    • 2006 $6,375 - $8,525
  • Honda Fit (link)
    • 2012 $16,050 - $17,550
    • ...
    • 2008 $9,875 - $10,575
    • 2007 $8,550 - $9,200
  • Honda Civic (link)
    • 2012 $15,425 - $21,050
    • ...
    • 2008 $9,400 - $14,975
    • 2007 $8,075 - $12,750
    • 2006 $6,825 - $11,050
    • 2005 $5,800 - $8,075
    • 2004 $4,850 - $6,950
    • 2003 $4,200 - $6,200
  • Lexus ES (link)
    • 2012 $34,100 - $34,100
    • ...
    • 2004 $10,300 - $10,300
    • 2003 $9,175 - $9,175
  • Lexus IS (link)
    • 2012 $32,300 - $57,175
    • ...
    • 2004 $9,750 - $9,750
    • 2003 $8,475 - $8,475
  • Lexus GS (link)
    • 2011 $37,200 - $42,225
    • ...
    • 2004 $10,200 - $10,925
    • 2003 $9,075 - $9,750
  • Mazda MX-5 Miata (link)
    • 2012 $21,725 - $26,700
    • ...
    • 2005 $9,500 - $11,425
    • 2004 $8,175 - $9,925
    • 2003 $7,300 - $8,800
  • Mazda Mazda3 (link)
    • 2012 $15,025 - $23,400
    • ...
    • 2009 $10,675 - $15,950
    • 2008 $9,300 - $13,425
    • 2007 $8,175 - $12,175
    • 2006 $7,100 - $8,600
    • 2005 $6,100 - $7,750
    • 2004 $5,175 - $6,425
  • Mercedes Benz E-Class Sedan (V6) (link)
    • 2012 $41,200 - $51,300
    • ...
    • 2004 $10,950 - $16,925
    • 2003 $9,625 - $14,675
  • Nissan Altima (link)
    • 2012 $15,850 - $22,775
    • ...
    • 2008 $10,525 - $15,850
    • 2007 $9,250 - $13,275
    • 2006 $7,575 - $10,775
    • 2005 $6,250 - $9,775
    • 2004 $5,525 - $7,525
    • 2003 $4,650 - $7,150
  • Subaru Impreza (link)
    • 2012 $20,150 - $28,425
    • ...
    • 2007 $9,550 - $22,400
    • 2006 $8,075 - $19,925
    • 2005 $6,950 - $15,525
    • 2004 $5,475 - $13,375
    • 2003 $4,150 - $6,775
  • Toyota Corolla (link)
    • 2012 $15,125 - $17,225
    • ...
    • 2008 $9,350 - $10,525
    • 2007 $8,175 - $9,350
    • 2006 $7,250 - $8,525
    • 2005 $6,575 - $7,900
    • 2004 $5,850 - $7,000
    • 2003 $5,225 - $6,000
  • Toyota Matrix (link)
    • 2012 $16,700 - $18,600
    • ...
    • 2007 $9,075 - $9,825
    • 2006 $8,125 - $9,200
    • 2005 $6,950 - $7,850
    • 2004 $6,100 - $7,000
    • 2003 $5,325 - $6,150
  • Toyota Prius (link)
    • 2012 $21,825 - $24,775
    • ...
    • 2006 $9,650 - $9,650
    • 2005 $8,375 - $8,375
    • 2004 $7,100 - $7,100
    • 2003 $5,375 - $5,375
  • Toyota Corolla (link)
    • 2012 $15,125 - $17,225
    • ...
    • 2008 $9,350 - $10,525
    • 2007 $8,175 - $9,350
    • 2006 $7,250 - $8,525
    • 2005 $6,575 - $7,900
    • 2004 $5,850 - $7,000
    • 2003 $5,225 - $6,000
  • Toyota Camry (link)
    • 2012 $18,450 - $25,375
    • ...
    • 2006 $8,950 - $11,625
    • 2005 $7,925 - $9,950
    • 2004 $7,175 - $9,050
    • 2003 $6,650 - $7,875
  • Volkswagen Golf, Rabbit (link)
    • 2012 $17,125 - $30,850
    • ...
    • 2008 $9,725 - $10,525
    • 2007 $8,375 - $9,200
    • 2006 $6,950 - $10,625
    • 2005 $5,950 - $9,250
    • 2004 $4,950 - $12,275
    • 2003 $4,250 - $6,825
  • Volvo C30 (link)
    • 2012 $22,025 - $22,025
    • ...
    • 2008 $14,050 - $15,100
  • Volvo C70 (link)
    • 2012 $32,900 - $32,900
    • ...
    • 2004 $6,750 - $8,075
    • 2003 $5,550 - $6,850
  • Volvo S60 (link)
    • 2012 $27,375 - $35,450
    • ...
    • 2007 $10,750 - $15,450
    • 2006 $8,600 - $11,925
    • 2005 $6,950 - $11,175
    • 2004 $5,850 - $10,550
    • 2003 $5,025 - $8,025
  • Volvo S80 (link)
    • 2012 $27,050 - $27,050
    • ...
    • 2006 $8,400 - $10,275
    • 2005 $6,650 - $9,950
    • 2004 $5,450 - $8,950
    • 2003 $4,875 - $8,450

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Freedom isn't free

The Free Software Foundation published a 2012 gift guide:

http://www.fsf.org/givingguide

which features laptops from ThinkPenguin: https://www.thinkpenguin.com/catalog/notebook-computers-gnulinux

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Herman Miller Aeron Stool’s high variant

The Herman Miller Aeron Stool’s high variant represents the nicest one (again, personal preference, here) I have found:


Wednesday, May 01, 2013