I recently bought a basic home coffee roaster (Freshroast Plus 8) and grinder (Gaggia MM Burr Grinder) and a selection of unroasted green coffee beans.
The difference is incredible... even the bean varieties I ended up liking *least* are noticeably better than the best gourmet coffees I'd had before. The beans I like *best*... well it's an entirely different beverage.
I dont use anything special to do the brewing, in fact, Im still using the same devices Ive had for years... a very basic drip coffee maker (I think I bought it from Sears), a very basic Black & Decker espresso maker, and a one-cup bodum.
From what Ive observed so far, the bean variety, darkness of roast, and fineness of grind seem to make far more of a difference in the end-product than the device used for brewing. I may someday try out some fancier brewers to compare, but for now I dont really see the need.
My favourite bean variety so far is Costa Rican "La Amistad". My s.o., who tends to likes stronger flavours than I do, has gone totally ballistic over Sulawesi Kolossi. Other beans weve enjoyed: Guatamalan Huehuetenango, Mexico Hacienda Miravalles, and a blend called Espresso Choco.
I knew Mike. Not as well as some, and not for long in the grand scheme of things, but I knew him, and I will miss him. We met on a java course in the DC area, and had a wonderful time joking about life the universe and everything, and went out for drinks after class several times. We had been corresponding by email ever since, until recently when his emails suddenly stopped.
I figured he'd just gotten busy as high-tech people are wont to do. I didn't know the truth until I read slashdot this morning. I am sitting at my desk in total shock. The world is diminished. I wouldn't say that about many people. Mike had SUCH a broad range of interests, he was a really fascinating person to talk to, and intelligent beyond belief. He will be missed. I would be deeply grateful if some of his other friends would email me, I would really like to share my memories of him with those that will understand.
Firstly Deb, I have nothing but respect for your technical ability and your work with the OSWG. What I want to know is, how does a savvy professional and self-titled feminist like yourself justify your work on LinuxChix? Let me explain...
When I first discovered the LinuxChix site I was very excited... here was an opportunity to meet some of the other ladies in the industry, compare stories, and talk tech. I was sorely disappointed though... after a few weeks of monitoring the lists, I saw little technical discussion that wasn't already covered by mainstream FAQs and discussion groups, a lot of talk about boyfriends, and a fair amount of male-bashing radical talk about the need for things like women-only seminars and distributions.
Now I'm a woman in the industry, and I strongly feel that the day I can't hold my own with the big boys I should turn in my engineering ring. What's the deal? Do women need these special services because we can't handle the REAL distributions and seminars? I think not, and if a man said that (and I don't know any who would - in my experience most are EAGER to let the ladies play too) you'd smack him so hard his head would spin!
Now I believe I understand (and support) your original intent in founding the group, but on reflection I am wondering if perhaps in creating a ladies-only (or at least ladies-primarily) environment you have done the ladies a disservice. Why encourage women to cut out the majority of the knowledge base by submitting questions to LinuxChix instead of either finding their own answers online or querying the more mainstream lists?
Does LinuxChix as it exists today meets its original goals or your original vision in founding it? If so, how can you prevent it from becoming a crutch for those ladies unwilling (or unable) to deal with the real world? I hope you don't feel this is a slam... as I said, I respect you both personally and professionally, but this question has been bugging me for some time, and I had to get it off my chest. I look forward to your response.
Slashdot Mirror
I recently bought a basic home coffee roaster (Freshroast Plus 8) and grinder (Gaggia MM Burr Grinder) and a selection of unroasted green coffee beans.
The difference is incredible... even the bean varieties I ended up liking *least* are noticeably better than the best gourmet coffees I'd had before. The beans I like *best*... well it's an entirely different beverage.
I dont use anything special to do the brewing, in fact, Im still using the same devices Ive had for years... a very basic drip coffee maker (I think I bought it from Sears), a very basic Black & Decker espresso maker, and a one-cup bodum.
From what Ive observed so far, the bean variety, darkness of roast, and fineness of grind seem to make far more of a difference in the end-product than the device used for brewing. I may someday try out some fancier brewers to compare, but for now I dont really see the need.
My favourite bean variety so far is Costa Rican "La Amistad". My s.o., who tends to likes stronger flavours than I do, has gone totally ballistic over Sulawesi Kolossi. Other beans weve enjoyed: Guatamalan Huehuetenango, Mexico Hacienda Miravalles, and a blend called Espresso Choco.
Try here:3 9028242476&q=Cognos&pl=true
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-56923707
I knew Mike. Not as well as some, and not for long in the grand scheme of things, but I knew him, and I will miss him. We met on a java course in the DC area, and had a wonderful time joking about life the universe and everything, and went out for drinks after class several times. We had been corresponding by email ever since, until recently when his emails suddenly stopped.
I figured he'd just gotten busy as high-tech people are wont to do. I didn't know the truth until I read slashdot this morning. I am sitting at my desk in total shock. The world is diminished. I wouldn't say that about many people. Mike had SUCH a broad range of interests, he was a really fascinating person to talk to, and intelligent beyond belief. He will be missed. I would be deeply grateful if some of his other friends would email me, I would really like to share my memories of him with those that will understand.
What a way to find out. I am still shaking.
Firstly Deb, I have nothing but respect for your technical ability and your work with the OSWG. What I want to know is, how does a savvy professional and self-titled feminist like yourself justify your work on LinuxChix? Let me explain...
When I first discovered the LinuxChix site I was very excited... here was an opportunity to meet some of the other ladies in the industry, compare stories, and talk tech. I was sorely disappointed though... after a few weeks of monitoring the lists, I saw little technical discussion that wasn't already covered by mainstream FAQs and discussion groups, a lot of talk about boyfriends, and a fair amount of male-bashing radical talk about the need for things like women-only seminars and distributions.
Now I'm a woman in the industry, and I strongly feel that the day I can't hold my own with the big boys I should turn in my engineering ring. What's the deal? Do women need these special services because we can't handle the REAL distributions and seminars? I think not, and if a man said that (and I don't know any who would - in my experience most are EAGER to let the ladies play too) you'd smack him so hard his head would spin!
Now I believe I understand (and support) your original intent in founding the group, but on reflection I am wondering if perhaps in creating a ladies-only (or at least ladies-primarily) environment you have done the ladies a disservice. Why encourage women to cut out the majority of the knowledge base by submitting questions to LinuxChix instead of either finding their own answers online or querying the more mainstream lists?
Does LinuxChix as it exists today meets its original goals or your original vision in founding it? If so, how can you prevent it from becoming a crutch for those ladies unwilling (or unable) to deal with the real world? I hope you don't feel this is a slam... as I said, I respect you both personally and professionally, but this question has been bugging me for some time, and I had to get it off my chest. I look forward to your response.
I suspect that the little known person who actually wrote the original ping might object... he tells an abbreviated version of how it came about on his webpage.
Of course hearing the story in person was even better...
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