Good morning! Up and at it!
February 18, 2021
Thursday
Roving Mars, Again
Dark Sky seems to be a bit out of whack. Apparently we're going to get 16-26 inches of snow today...while there's only a single hour that has a significant probability for precipitation (and even that's less than 50%). I've noticed this happen several times during the recent snow storm that crossed the country. They still can't beat the local weatherman during storms!
US life expectancy drops a year in pandemic, most since WWII (apnews.com)
It feels like the pandemic has exposed weaknesses in our approach and attitude toward preventative care.
Facebook 'unfriends' Australia: news pages go dark in test for global publishing (reuters.com)
It's easy to follow the money here because it's not leaving Facebook.
I've been experimenting with displaying images for links on Daystream. I though they would provide meaningful information alongside the title and any lede that the user adds. It was fairly easy to code, so I didn't think much of it.
After seeing them for a few days, though, I have to say I'm not a fan. I don't think they add much as far as context goes, especially when you consider we've got no control over the actual image associated with the link. They increase load time, too.
And, perhaps most importantly, the lessen the visual impact of images added by the user. Visually, these images should be the most prominent content on any given journal, not uncontrolled images associated with links shared by the user.
So, the experiment is over - images will no longer be displayed for links on Daystream.
Texans Are Using Ford F-150 Hybrids to Power Their Frigid Homes (motortrend.com)
Well that's an unexpected benefit
Ford Asks Texas Car Dealers to Loan Out Trucks with Generators amid Power Outages Due to Winter Snowstorm (people.com)
Get the trucks out to the people!
NASA rover lands on Mars to look for signs of ancient life (apnews.com)
I can't wait to watch the little helicopter go for a spin.
Texas Governor Blasts Grid Boss, Seeks Power Plant Upgrades (bloomberg.com)
So, regulation and oversight? What a concept!
A U.S. Vaccine Surge Is Coming, With Millions of Doses Promised (bloomberg.com)
Bring it on!
NASA rover lands on Mars to look for signs of ancient life (phys.org)
We're back.