Sounds like converting DV tapes over to digital video doesn't make much sense for archival yet. First at 3.6MB/sec of recording DV disk space is chewed up quick.

Recommendations:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/dv_archiving_2002_11_26.htm

• Hard drives aren't suited for archival due to drive lifetimes and high failure rates.
• Archiving to DVD is reasonable since it has a 100 year lifetime.
• DV tapes have a 10-15 year lifetime, assuming not much actual usage of the tape.

See forums:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?forumid=5

Posted by ryans at 08:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some basic research into the various Spec Miata classes...

RENTALS:

http://www.motorsports-exchange.com/rentalinfo.htm
SCCA or Midwest Council Regional Race (SM or ITA):
(a) $750 Arrive and Drive; second day is $500 - save $250; "Tow it yourself" and save another 12%.
(b) run both SM and ITA (two races, same day, schedule permitting) for an additional $300/day and save !!!
(c) Want to share a car with a friend? Second driver surcharge 250/day;

A small refundable deposit (25%) is required to keep your date reserved. No penalties if the cancellation is received up to three (3) weeks prior to the date of the event.

BUILDERS:
http://www.advanced-autosports.com/
http://www.phillipsraceprep.com/sm.html
http://www.okmiata.com/r_solutions.html
http://www.sandimasauto.com/ [CARS FOR SALE]

USED:
$10k - 1990 1.6 @ http://www.motorsportexchange.com/Dave%20Wheeler's%20SM%20for%20sale.htm

PARTS:
Pro Race Wheels - $99 each @ motorsports-exchange.com

NOTES:

---
'90 is good. '91 also. You want a 1.6l, unless you weigh more than ~220# and want to make min. weight easier--then get a '94-'97 1.8l. Don't know exactly why the 1.6 is considered better, it just is. A car with hardtop is a BIG plus. Hardtops are scarce and fetch $900-$1200 on the open market.

Your dream donor car is a high-miles '90 with a messed-up interior (and hardtop) that blew its engine in '99 and now has a well-broken-in crate motor with 20-30K miles on it. Your dream price is $2000. You'll be replacing most of the suspension, bushings, and brakes anyway. Failing the dream donor, high-mileage older cars should be about $2500-$3500. Remember a hardtop is worth a grand.
---
The viscous LSD diff on 90-93 cars should likely be replaced with Mazdaspeed Comp version.
---
Some 90 and 91 cars have crankshaft problems, but this isn't really an issue since you'll liekly replace it immediately with a crate motor: http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html
---

Posted by ryans at 12:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dijkstra's manuscripts covers many interesting CS topics.

Posted by ryans at 01:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Very interesting writeup on reverse engineering software. Worth reading just to improve how you might debug various problems.

"This book is an attempt to provide an introduction to reverse engineering software under both Linux and Windows. Since reverse engineering is under legal fire, the authors figure the best response is to make the knowledge widespread. The idea is that since discussing specific reverse engineering feats is now illegal in many cases, we should then discuss general approaches, so that it is within every motivated user's ability to obtain information locked inside the black box. Furthermore, interoperability issues with closed-source proprietary systems are just plain annoying, and something needs to be done to educate more open source developers as to how to implement this functionality in their software. "

Posted by ryans at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

At the Pacific Historics this weekend I saw a beautiful custom race transporter by Concept Trailers and ended up talking to the owner (Mad Pup racing). The trialer was 44 3/4 ft. mobile home (just under the 45 maximum). Mobile homes require no special license and are allowed to travel in any lane, no stopping at truck scales, etc. Must have lounge, bathroom, running water, shower, etc. to qualify as mobile home. His was custom built in 95 with a Kenworth cab (attached). Concept is owned by Bruce Canepa (of Canepa Design or Specialized Equipment in Fresno, CA), well known in the automotive circles and noted for recently federalizing dozens of Porsche 959s.

• Concept Trailers
• Renegade
• Gold Rush Sales
• Competition Trailers

Used Transporters:
http://www.racingjunk.com/
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/cars/list.asp?t=forSale&p=Transporter
http://www.racer-net.com/hauler.htm
http://www.racingwest.com/classifieds/index.php/6/index.html
http://www.goldrushsales.com/Used%20Trailers.htm
http://www.usarprocup.com/classifieds/
http://www.autoracingtrader.com/car_haulers_trailers.htm
http://www.pitstop.com/Classified/index.cfm?category=Car%20Haulers
http://www.dealsonwheels.com/category/index.cfm/cat/12/repairable/0/sort/entrydate
http://www.race-cars.com/trasales/traindex.htm
http://www.midsouthracing.com/haulersclassifieds.htm
http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/class/clhauler.html
http://www.dallasmotorsports.com/ (SERIOUS transporters)

Not as nice "Toter Home" trailer (40' from 95) listed at $114k
Lift gate trailer only (new) ~ $60k

Transporters I'd be interested in:

NICE 3-CAR EDGE STACKER
http://www.racingjunk.com/vc/83424/36_Haulmark_3_Car_Stacker_Dealer_Demo.html

http://www.racecarsdirect.com/cars/details.asp?id=5953&cat=0
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/cars/details.asp?id=6037&cat=0
http://www.racer-net.com/haul001.htm
http://www.racer-net.com/haul006.htm (...trailer only...)

Great sold listing:
http://www.becksmarine.com/Archives/ArchiveIndex-Trailers.htm
http://drag.race-cars.com/trasold/traindex.htm

Comparitive sold prices:

Estimate for 3/4 ton pickup (recent model, < 100k miles) + nice, prepped 2 car trailer in ~ $35-40k ballpark w/ 5-th wheel setup! Makes a transporter not seem so outrageous.

GREAT LINKS:
http://www.roadsters.com/trailers/

SIZING:
GT3: 174.61 in=~14.5' (L), 50in=~4.1' (H)
E46 M3: 176.8 in=~14.5' (L), 54 in=~4.5' (H)
E36 M3: 174.5 in=~14.5' (L), 52.6 in=~4.5' (H)
E30: 171.1 in=~14.5' (L), 53.9 in=~4.5' (H)
Miata: 155.4=~13.5' (L), 48.2in+hardtop=~4.25' (H)

Liability issues and advice:
http://www.improvedtouring.com/chat2/

Posted by ryans at 05:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

MobileAsses, one of the first applications enabled by camera phones. What people will come up with!

Of course, always having a camera in your pocket (even w/ crappy resolution) has more practical uses: capturing accidents, taking shots of phone numbers, keeping track of wine you've had at a party, etc.

Posted by ryans at 02:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Val Gough pointed out an interesting article describing a Read-Copy Update mechanism for dealing w/ concurrency.

Update:
Also see updated writeup in Linux Journal, Using RCU in the Linux 2.5 Kernel.

Posted by ryans at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)