Daylight saving time (DST), often referred to as daylight ‘savings’ time, is a widely used system of adjusting the official local time forward, usually one hour from its official standard time for the duration of the spring and summer months. This is intended to provide a better match between the hours of daylight and the active hours of work and school. The “saved” daylight is spent on evening activities which get more daylight, rather than being “wasted” while people sleep past dawn.

DST is most commonly used in temperate regions, due to the considerable variation in the amount of daylight versus darkness across the seasons in those regions.

Governments often tout it as an energy conservation measure, on the grounds that it allows more effective use of natural sunlight resource in summer time. (People go to bed and wake up earlier, which reduces use of electric lights.) Some opponents reject this argument.

Europeans commonly refer to the system as summer time: Irish Summer Time, British Summer Time, and European Summer Time. This is reflected in the time zones names as well, e.g. Central European Time (CET) becomes Central European Summer Time (CEST).

It is sometimes asserted that DST was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to the editors of the Journal of Paris. However, the article was humorous; Franklin was not proposing DST, but rather that people should get up and go to bed earlier.

It was first seriously proposed by William Willett in the “Waste of Daylight”, published in 1907, but he was unable to get the British government to adopt it despite considerable lobbying.

The idea of daylight saving time was first put into practice by the German government during the First World War between April 30 and October 1, 1916. Shortly afterward, the United Kingdom followed suit, first adopting DST between May 21 and October 1, 1916. Then on March 19, 1918, the U.S. Congress established several time zones (which were already in use by railroads and most cities since 1883) and made daylight saving time official (which went into effect on March 31) for the remainder of World War I. It was observed for seven months in 1918 and 1919. The law, however, proved so unpopular (mostly because people rose and went to bed earlier than in current times) that the law was later repealed.

DST commonly begins in the northern hemisphere on either the first Sunday in April or the last Sunday in March, and ends on the last Sunday in October. However, beginning in 2007, the United States will begin observing DST on the second Sunday of March until the first Sunday in November, but if no energy savings can be shown from the extension after the U.S. Department of Energy completes a study of impact of the change, Congress may revert back to the schedule set in 1986 under Section 110 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Since 2002, the European Union has fixed the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October as start and end dates (European Summer Time).

In the southern hemisphere, the beginning and ending dates are switched; therefore, the time difference between the United Kingdom and Chile may be three, four, or five hours, depending on the time of year.

For me, it just means that everything under the sun will be messed up for the next few weeks.

Source: wikipedia.com

Posted in: The Good Times are Over | Comments(2)

OK, so lets talk websites…visually most impressive websites. What makes a website visually impressive? What makes a website visually unimpressive?

Here is my take:
1 – the colors scheme
You’ve got to have a good color scheme to make your website visually impressive.

2-Pictures
The photos and other images on the site must mesh with the color scheme and be of a high quality. A person that is visiting your site will corralte and judge everything else on the site with that photo.

3- content
Website content is king. But, remember that the product on your site needs to be sold. Who is the target audience? What are you selling? What will get people to the site and keep them there?

Of course content is the most important thing on any site and needs to be the driving force in how you deliver your message by way of the interface.

4 – The Big Picture
Start looking at the big picture and the market instead of having tunnel vision.

Visually Most Impressive Websites

Posted in: Tech | Comments Off

We’ve all at some point in time used a ‘lame term’. These are words or phrases that in some way really don’t make any sense.

Here is a list that I came up with, feel free to send me more.

- That's smokin' man..
(For example, when you are saying something is hot or neat and you are excited about something)

- See ya!
(You just scored the winning point in a sporting event)

- My bad
(It’s not your bad…it’s your fault)

- Yeah like, I mean like...
(you like, I mean, say ‘I mean like’ before like I mean before every other word)

- You know what I mean? OR You know what I'm saying?
(This is the same as above but is never really used correctly. In most cases people say this just to see it the other person is even paying attention)

- Overkill
(the word overkill is being over killed)

- ASAP
(not ‘a-s-a-p’ but ‘asap’)

- Peace
(C’mon….will we ever really have peace?)

- I have strep
(When someone just has a sore throat, they automatically think it is strep)

- I have a migraine
(When someone just has a headache, the automatically think it is a migraine)

- The acronym BI
(business intelligence, c’mon we all know what it really stands for)

- "Dave?"
(People constantly calling me by the name ‘Dave’, it’s Dan you jerk!)

- fer
(people saying ‘fer’ instead of ‘for’)

- just kidding
(used way too much…stop your kidding and stop trying to be funny)

- fees
(it’s all money right?)

- web 2.0
(I was on a web conf the other day and the guy presenting must have said ‘web 2 point O’ like 150 times)

Posted in: The Good Times are Over | Comments(6)

The other day, as I was working on various systems, I got a wicked bad craving for a Wendy’s Frosty. I tried to ignore it but the creamy chocolately goodness of a Frosty wouldn’t leave me for nothing.

I hopped in my car and drove over to the nearest Wendy’s to cure my craving only to find out as I reached the counter that the Frosty machine was broken. I stood there in disbelief for a moment not sure how to respond as my craving grew even more knowing that I wasn’t going to be able to cure. “Well…is it going to be fixed within like…the next five minutes?”, I asked.
“No, I’m sorry…”, they said.

The next closest Wendy’s was just a few blocks away. I cruised down the street in hopes of a Frosty-fix. As I walked up to the door to enter, I noticed a hand-written sign that said, “SORRY! Our Frosty Machine is broken!”

I walked back to my car and sat down in the seat totally bewilderd. My mind was racing trying to think of where another Wendy’s was located. I sped like a Frosty-craving-fool back to my computer to search for the next nearest Wendy’s. The nearest Wendy’s was 10 miles away.

I was desparate. I needed a frosty. My mind could think of nothing else no matter how much I tried. Everything that I had heard from TV commericals and such about tricks and methods to suppress cravings started to be recalled from my memory banks. I strapped a rubber band around my wrist and started snapping violently. “Bad Frosty, no Frosty”, were the only words I could utter. With my wrist red with pain, and the craving stronger than ever at this point, I decided to drive the 10 miles and sucomb to the Frosty gods.

As I drove it seemed that I was behind every grandmother in the city despite my best manuvering efforts. As I passed one grandmother after another, I gave them all the same look like, “Don’t you know there is a man in this car that is in of a FROSTY!!!”

As I passed the last of the armada grandmothers, and I also gave her the look of a drugged maniac, a siren caught the corner of my eye and in the rearview mirror was the fuss, the police. I thought to myself that I couldn’t have been going more than 30 mph passing all those grandmothers…but as I pulled aside to let him pass, the policeman was indeed pulling me over.

“Do you know how fast you were going sir?”, asked the officer.
“Yeah, like 30?”
“Yes, in a 25 mile per hour zone.”
“Oh…sorry, I thought it was at least 35 officer.”
“It’s very dangerous to drive over the speed-limit sir. Where you going in such a hurry?”, he questioned.
“Wendy’s sir…all I wanted was a Frosty.”

Posted in: The Good Times are Over | Comments(3)

Last night my two boys (Flynn 6 and Jasper 3) where coloring with some crayons on some paper at the kitchen table. Flynn, the 6 year old, is learning how to read and spell. So, he is constantly asking me to help him spell words as he writes them down. Which is great.

So this was the case last night, Flynn is writing words and so Jasper decides he wants to do it as well. So Jasper writes on his paper ‘LOL’ and asks ‘what does that spell dad?’

I answer, ‘it spells L-O-L or in other words ‘Laugh Out Loud’.

Jasper looks as me with a somewhat confused look on his face so I try to explain that people use letters for phrases and how it is easier to just use those letters instead of the whole phrase or sentence especially on the internet.

Jasper asks me, ‘what is the internet Dad?’ So, I explain a bit all about the internet and how Al Gore once claimed to be the author or idea-man behind it and how folks chat on instant messengers or ‘IM’, and how I can upload information that someone thousands of miles away can see…even folks in China.

It was a great discusion, or at least it was for me. So after that Jasper says to me, ‘Dad…can I send you a LOL IM?’

Yes Jasper. Any time pal.

Posted in: Tech, The Good Times are Over | Comments(1)

From Ann Cannon in Deseret News (10/2/03):

Stress can change your view. Just in case you’re having a rough
week, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the
latest psychological texts.

1. Picture yourself near a stream.
2. Birds are chirping softly in the cool mountain air.
3. No one but you knows your secret place.
4. You are in total seclusion from the hectic place called “the world.”
5. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity.
6. The water is crystal clear.
7. You can easily make out the face of the person you’re holding under water.

Posted in: Misc. | Comments(2)

In an effort to bring folks together, I’ve asked Patty Ayers this question:

What should I blog today?

Here is the response I got from Patty:

From Patty “P-Brain” Ayers:
[14:35] D-mode: hey P-brain (LOL), I need to something to blog today...any ideas?
[14:35] P-Brain: Hey dan
[14:36] P-Brain: Hmmmm
[14:36] P-Brain: What kinda thing?
[14:39] P-Brain: Do you like my new name?
[14:40] D-mode: love it
[14:40] D-mode: absolutley love it
[14:41] P-Brain: Well thank you
[14:41] D-mode: yeah, I'm outta ideas for blogging
[14:41] P-Brain: so just, anythning interesting?
[14:42] D-mode: yeah
[14:42] P-Brain: hm
[14:42] D-mode: I need to do more flash helps...I get tons of hits on those pages everyday
[14:43] P-Brain: Right, that's basically how I got all of my fame and fortune on the NGs
[14:43] P-Brain: You could do a piece about my favoriate toothpicks
[14:43] P-Brain: link
[14:43] D-mode: oh nice
[14:44] P-Brain: They taste good and they're fun to chew on while developing web sites
[14:44] D-mode: lmao
[14:44] P-Brain: lol..I'm serious, that's wht's sad
[14:44] P-Brain: And, good for your teeth
[14:44] D-mode: I drink too much coke....not good for your teeth
[14:45] P-Brain: true
[14:46] D-mode: perhaps a good dental-pic w/ tea-tree oil-chew is in order.....
[14:46] P-Brain: Perhaps!
[14:46] P-Brain: I am not good about flossing and I know it's a good thing to do.. so I just use these things while I'm working, or standing around or whatever
[14:46] P-Brain: It's charming too, attracts lots of men
[14:47] D-mode: lol...I'll have to remember that
[14:47] P-Brain: lol
[14:47] D-mode: ok, I'm gonna blog this chat conversation
[14:47] P-Brain: LOL... ok
[14:47] D-mode: LOL
[14:48] P-Brain: Can you call me Patty "P-Brain" Ayers?
[14:48] D-mode: lol - sure
[14:48] P-Brain: Thanks. These are the only laughs I've had today, much appr.
[14:48] D-mode: lol np...anytime

Posted in: The Good Times are Over | Comments Off

It seems that rest of the 2 million plus people in the state of Utah all knew it except for Jerry Sloan. Deron Williams is and should have always been your star point guard. As much as Sloan doesn’t want to admit it, he was wrong. Flat out wrong for not playing Deron Williams more minutes.

Over the last five games, Deron has proven himself the real point guard and not just another scrub on the bench. He’s avergaing over the last 5 games 13.8 points (scoring a career high 28 points last night against the Atlanta Hawks) while averaging 4.4 assists and shooting 46.5% from the field.

All three of these stats are up from regular season numbers which brings up the question as to why. And, yes, I’ll give you my opinion why. First, the Jazz are pushing to make it into the play-offs and of course your most talented players are going to see an increase in playing time and numbers. However, you’ll remember just a couple weeks ago after the pathetic win and almost win against the Magic, Sloan had a slap-in-the-face wake up call after a sit down talk with Jazz owner Larry Miller. Sloan, after this meeting with Larry, openly said that he realized it was time to give Deron more minutes.

HELLO! SLOAN!!! IS THERE ANYBODY IN THERE?! The whole Utah population has been telling you this for months and months! Deron is clearly more talented than the other point guards you’ve got. True he will make mistakes but let him play and make them so he can learn and prgress into the star NBA point guard he’s bound to become.

Did John Stockton waltz into the NBA as the all-time steals and assists leader? Did Karl Malone suddenly become the second all time points leader in the league after playing his first 20 games? I seem to remember Karl air-balling free-throws more than he was making them.

It’s about time you woke up Sloan and about time you came to see what we’ve been saying for months now. Now, retire.

Posted in: Sports | Comments(1)

I came home the other night to see this on the kitchen counter. So, I pulled up a stool and order a glass or sassaparilla.

Bigger pic Here.

Posted in: The Good Times are Over | Comments Off

“Dad, what’s a puma?”

“It’s like a cougar.”

“Dad, what’s a cougar?”

“Like a mountain lion.”

“What’s a mountain lion?”

“A puma.”

Posted in: Family Stories, The Good Times are Over | Comments(1)

A couple weeks ago I posted the top 10 worst sports guys. So, along with the worst you must have the best.

10. Dan Sheldon
Media Source: KUTV Channel 2, Sometimes on 1280 AM the Zone.
Interesting Factiod: In his spare time, Dan enjoys reading, going to the gym, and writing about himself in the third person.

9. Brad Rock
Media Source: Deseret Morning News, 1320 AM KFAN
Interesting Factiod: Author of “Tales from the BYU Sidelines” that is current available used for about $1.48 on Amazon.

8. Gordy Cheeasa
Media Source: 1280 AM The Zone
Interesting Factiod: The Coach works-out like 17 hours a day and his favorite response is, “Very Much”.

7. Wesley Ruff
Media Source: Channel 4, abc-4
Interesting Factiod:Wesley enjoys collecting coins, water skiing, public service, and spending time with his family. And, methinks that if he was on a different channel, he’d have a higher ranking.

6. Kevin Graham
Media Source: 1280 AM The Zone
Interesting Factiod:Founder of KWOOF ( Keep Women Out Of Football)

5. Patrick Kinahan – PK
Media Source: Salt Lake Tribune, 1280 AM The Zone
Interesting Factiod: Wishes he was in the Hall of Game.

4. Dave Fox
Media Source: Channel 2, 1280 AM The Zone
Interesting Factiod: Dave also answers to “Hollywood”, “Grandpa” and “Foxy”.

3. Craig Bolerjack
Media Source: KJZZ, CBS Sports
Interesting Factiod: None

2. Gordon Monson
Media Source: Salt Lake Tribune, 1280 AM The Zone
Interesting Factiod:Gordon is not naturally blonde.

1. David James – DJ
Media Source: Channel 2, 1280 AM The Zone
Interesting Factiod:David enjoys long walks on the beach (mostly San Diego) and sports (mostly San Diego).

Posted in: Sports | Comments(2)

The other day, I was getting gas in the car…I took the boys along and told them that they could pick out a candy. Conner picked starburst. Gordan on the other hand picked the Necco Waffers. Gordan saw the Necco and was like ‘Wow, that is a lot of candy!’ I told him he won’t like them but he got them anyway.

He tried a couple and didn’t want anymore…he felt bad and was really disappointed in his choice. I’m sure he was thinking that they’d be like a big Smartie or something. I related a similar story to him about myself when I was a small child and wanting to get the Necco Waffers and how I thought that was a lot candy for on wee boy to eat and how great it looked….then, I discovered that they were nasty…that made him feel better. That, and the fact we went back and I bought him a starburst.

Posted in: Family Stories | Comments(2)

Check this out gang, the The Amazing Meganame Generator is here: http://www.blogthings.com/meganames/

D – Mode’s Aliases :
Your movie star name: Hot Dog Dan
Your fashion designer name is D London
Your socialite name is Jello Pants Man London
Your fly girl / guy name is D Mode
Your detective name is Marmot Highland
Your barfly name is Hot Dog Poo
Your soap opera name is Dougy Blaine
Your rock star name is Starburst Poo
Your Star Wars name is Dras Modjes
Your punk rock band name is The Pissed iPod

Fun stuff.

Posted in: Interviews | Comments Off

Last year I record this commentary on the Fem-Dance. I thought that folks that have not heard it might enjoy it.

Posted in: The Good Times are Over | Comments(1)

Monday night’s pathetic win against the Orlando Magic just proves my point that I’ve been saying since the Jazz’s first NBA finals loss to the Bulls back in 1997 when in the Bulls won in 6 games after the Jazz had their best season in franchise history with 64 wins and 18 losses.

When I had mentioned to friends and associates after the loss in finals of ’97 that Sloan should leave, I got more angry looks than a Scrooge at Christmas time. People just couldn’t understand why I would think such a thing. I decided that I was probably the only one thinking this and decided to keep quiet.

Then, when they lost again the next season in the finals after having home court advantage ( and Sloan making some critical mistakes in each game of the series) I decided it was time to revisit the idea that Sloan should be asked to leave. But somehow people wouldn’t listen. In the ’98 finals, Sloan refused to double team Jordan and also refused to call a time-out to design a play with the game and the title on the line.

Since those memorable and glory years, Sloan has continued to ride the franchise into the ground. I understand people will disagree with me and say, “Look at his winning record…look at the players he has made into winners”. My reply to them is yes, he has won a lot of games and done more than many others in his position. But, he had the 2nd leading scorer in NBA history in Karl Malone and the all time assist and steals leader in John Stockton. Both, subsequently, were also voted in 1996 to the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players list. Karl was also voted to 11 All-NBA first teams, two second teams and one third team. As well as receiving the NBA Most Valuable Player Award twice while playing for the Jazz, in 1997 and 1999 seasons.

How much do we credit to Sloan’s winning record to Karl?

John Stockton played 1,504 of 1,526 possible games in his 19-season career. He holds the NBA record for career assists with 15,806, and for assists per game over one season (14.5 in 1990). He holds the NBA record for career steals with 3,265, nearly 20 percent more than the runner-up, Michael Jordan, who had 2,514. [1] Moreover, he is one of three players who have logged more than 1,000 assists in one season, including Kevin Porter (1,099 in 1979) and Isiah Thomas (1,123 in 1985). Stockton did this seven times, with season totals of 1164, 1134, 1128, 1126, 1118, 1031 and 1011 assists. Magic Johnson, another great point guard, topped out at 989. Stockton never missed the play-offs.

How many of Jerry’s wins can we attribute to Stockton’s play?

With the number of players the Jazz have let go because of the “clashes” and “disagreements” with Jerry, I have to wonder and look at them now. Many have gone onto play and do very well with other teams while others have not. I do not discredit Jerry’s ability and knowledge of Xs and Os when it comes to basketball. I do question the way he motivates his team and individuals. Instead of confronting them one-on-one, he chooses to go to the media and bad mouth them or send them to Detroit without any answers to the questions why.

Is today’s NBA different then back when Karl and John player? I don’t think so. Some may argue that it is and the only thing most players want is money and don’t care about winning as much as they should. I disagree with that. Even in John and Karl’s day players wanted the same thing, money. It will always be about money first and winning second. When John and Karl were winning the games, Jerry understood that they were winning the games and let them play. It should be the same way today with the Jazz. The players win the games and not the head coach.

Jerry needs to retire. Get while the gettin’ is good. And, Larry Miller needs to do it sooner rather than later.

Stat Source: wikipedia.com

Posted in: Sports | Comments(4)