Cuz We Said So

Scott Adams on “Cheapatopia Houses”

Scott Adams has a thoughtful post up on home design, why most houses on the market are designed less than optimally, and what features might be added to improve things.  It’s a good read.

This is not Adams' first foray into home design, by the way.  In addition to other recent posts on his blog (I believe Adams is currently planning his next home), he partnered with HGTV a few years back to design the “Dilbert Ultimate House”.  I swear I’m going to build one of those, someday.

links for 2009-08-09

• Which chain brews the best cup? Starbucks, McDonald's, or Dunkin'?
  I have a soft spot in my heart for Starbucks, but they didn't fare so well, I'm afraid. On the whole, I'd say my personal experience agrees with the results here.

Best Headline of the Week

TV viewers terrified by Swedish supermodel

Pet Friendly Cities

I’m a little surprised to see Houston so high on the list… (we have pet friendly restaurants and hotels?  Good to know!)  But Boston is listed as number 3 because “leashed dogs and felines are welcome on the subway and harbor tours”??  I’m sorry, but I’m trying to picture taking a leashed cat on the T , and I’m not seeing it ending well.

How to Never Run Out of Toilet Paper

@GuyKawasaki: How to never run out of toilet paper

Alternate method: don’t become Cuba.

Built (USS Gerald R.) Ford Tough

So you think the projects you work on are complex?  Popular Mechanics has a great article up on the construction of the USS Gerald R. Ford, first of a new class of carriers being built for the Navy by Northrop Grumman.  The CAD system makes the geek in me happy, but the physical scale of the thing is even more impressive.  The article notes NG had to upgrade their equipment because their 900 ton capacity gantry crane wasn’t big enough for the Ford.