Awesome Rubik's Cube photo

I was browsing the website of a speedcubing friend, Joël van Noort, and saw this awesome arty photo of a Rubik's Cube. I thought to myself "that arty cube photo is so cool, I want to put it on my site too!"

So, I went to the source of the Rubik's Cube photo (Toni Blay) and asked permission to use it (which was granted). The photo is so cool that I wanted to use it in more than just one blog entry, so I've purpled it and used it as the new main image in my banner graphic. Pretty cool hey?

Arty Rubik's Cube photo by Toni Blay

Are you sure that isn't a Bornean Bay Cat?

I saw news reports today about the discovery of a possible new mammal species. If true, this is quite remarkable.

New species are discovered all the time, but they are generally tiny little creepy crawlies or microbes that are of little interest to anyone other than the scientists who discover them. The discovery of a new furry mammal, on the other hand, is a whole different story.

As soon as I saw a picture of this as yet unclassified mammal, the obvious question which comes to mind is: Are you sure it isn't a Bornean Bay Cat (Catopuma badia) or an undiscovered subspecies of the Bornean Bay Cat? My reasons for asking this question are due to the following similarities between the two creatures:

• both found in Borneo
• both are mammals
• both are similar sizes
• both have reddish-brown fur
• the new creature has been described as 'probably a carnivore'
  
• both have small ears, pointed snout, long tail (compare this picture of the Bay Cat and this picture of the 'new' species)
• the new creature looks like a cat
  
• both are extremely rare

I've read several news reports and none have mentioned the Bornean Bay Cat. I'm surprised by this because it's an obvious first guess!

Update 7/12/2005: Here are some links to news stories about the new discovery: World Wildlife Fund, Cryptomundo and Cryptomundo again.

New best single solve and average on the 5x5x5

Yesterday I got a new best single solve time on the 5x5x5, and a new best average.

My new best single solve time (5 mins 30.55 seconds) was the fastest solve of my first 5x5x5 average yesterday. As my times seemed to be going well I decided to do a few more solves and watch the rolling average. A couple of solves later and my average had dropped to 6 mins 28.87 seconds!

Here are the details:
Average: 388.87 (6 mins 28.87 seconds)
Fastest: 330.55s (5 mins 30.55 seconds)
Slowest: 444.17s (7 mins 24.17 seconds)
Individual times: 399.24, 436.53, 367.04, 372.11, 419.25, 361.76, 403.20, (330.55), 402.38, 350.91, (444.17), 376.27.

First 5x5x5 average: 392.73s

I've first solved the 5x5x5 cube about 2.5 years ago and, believe it or not, today is the first time I've ever done an average! Here are the details...

Average: 392.73s (6 mins 32.73 seconds)
Fastest: 330.55s (5 mins 30.55 seconds)
Slowest: 488.44s (8 mins 8.44 seconds)
Individual times: (488.44), 414.89, 399.24, 436.53, 367.04, 372.11, 419.25, 361.76, 403.20, (330.55), 402.38, 350.91

ActiveSync error codes

Read about this on Pocket PC Thoughts today. They had a link to a page which explained the meaning of ActiveSync error codes. Thought I'd better hang on to this because cryptic and unhelpful error message codes are rather annoying!

New best time on the 4x4x4: 160.28s

Got a new best time on the 4x4x4 yesterday: 160.28 seconds! :)