Can you imagine what life would be like if public utilities like electricity and water were run by U.S. Internet and wireless companies? Anyone want to sign up for a watt-hour plan, or would you care to buy water in bulks of 100 gallons? We already buy tired wireless data plans. Some [...]

“Soldiers Saving Puppies * Puppies Saving Soldiers” The above header is the slogan of The Puppy Rescue Mission (TPRM), an organization whose slogan describes its mission perfectly. TPRM assists soldiers serving abroad bring their companions back home with them. However, the process can be expensive and so TPRM helps soldiers by [...]

Problem A file called [User Name] attempts to open after starting up Windows 7.  Selecting WordPad opens a document, where the first words read “Interface List.” My [User Name] file said (with some characters removed): ========================================================== Interface List 14…[characters removed] ……Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network) 12…[characters removed] ……Broadcom 4322AG 802.11a/b/g/draft-n Wi-Fi [...]

Stand With Me, Jose Antonio Vargas, for a New Conversation about Immigration Change.org recently sent an email reminder out about a pledge for a new conversation about immigration, started by Jose Antonio Vargas and Define American.

Received this email from peopleforbikes.org This is Urgent! Federal funding for bicycling and walking is in jeopardy. We need you to send a short email today to your members of Congress.

In my mind I wonder, why did you say to me, “get your bike out of the parking lot you white motherfucker”? Why did you feel it was necessary to add “you white motherfucker”?  Did it displease you that I was biking through that particular parking lot?  Did you feel [...]

Jumper cables seem to match the color convention of car batteries. Red for positive, black for negative. The clamps are colored to ensure that you match positive-to-positive and negative-to-negative. However, in (my) instructions the black cable in the diagram represents the red jumper cable and the white cable in the [...]

I received this cycling survey from the College of Cycling listserv, so if you’re a Chicagoan consider filling it out (link to survey below). Friends, As part of our Bicycle Plan for the 1st Ward of Chicago, Jack Eskin, Che Copper-Davis and I are putting together a survey of people who ride, [...]

Although thunderstorms were in the forecast, the inclement weather held off just long enough for Bike the Drive.  The heavy fog created an otherworldly feel down Lake Shore Drive and created a beautiful landscape to bike through.  The Field Museum and Museum of Science and Industry both looked quite amazing [...]

(Building a Road Bike, Part 1: Why?) It took me much longer to get around to Part 2 than expected, and so it is going to be a bit shorter than I originally intended.  However, I think this will make my explanation on “How?” more concise and poignant. The first [...]