Single Point of Failure

Moving Train

Ξ July 5th, 2008 | → 0 Comments |
∇ Photo | ∇ Movement, Photo, Train |

Where does it come from?…

Ξ July 5th, 2008 | → 0 Comments |
∇ Fun, Tools | ∇ Friends, Tools, Valgrind |

I use and suggest to everyone a tool framework called Valgrind. Valgrind’s tool suite include very powerful debugging and profiling tools, essential to the development of any C/C++ project. In sum, I strongly recommend it use!

This post is not about any tip or trick on how to use Valgrind. It’s about a more trivial matter… Is about the name ‘Valgrind’, and it’s origins. During the last week I discussed with a colleague it’s origins. I was arguing that the name Valgring was some kind of short to “value grinder”. I now admit: “I was work!”… but very, very, dead Wrong! My colleague was dead On!

In fact, it took no more than 10 minutes to find the Valgrind FAQ, and another minute to find the answer from the authors themselves:

Where does the name “Valgrind” come from?

From Nordic mythology. Originally (before release) the project was named Heimdall, after the watchman of the Nordic gods. He could “see a hundred miles by day or night, hear the grass growing, see the wool growing on a sheep’s back” (etc). This would have been a great name, but it was already taken by a security package “Heimdal”.

Keeping with the Nordic theme, Valgrind was chosen. Valgrind is the name of the main entrance to Valhalla (the Hall of the Chosen Slain in Asgard). Over this entrance there resides a wolf and over it there is the head of a boar and on it perches a huge eagle, whose eyes can see to the far regions of the nine worlds. Only those judged worthy by the guardians are allowed to pass through Valgrind. All others are refused entrance.

It’s not short for “value grinder”, although that’s not a bad guess.

The last phrase says it all. The authors even read my mind, or someone else has had the same crazy idea before!!

Public Transportation

Ξ July 5th, 2008 | → 0 Comments |
∇ Introspection, Photo | ∇ Complaints, Introspection, Photo, Transportation |

I usually use my own car to travel to work everyday. Unfortunately, the public transportation (the BUS, or as called in the province of this small Portugal, “carreira”) near my home is quite scarce, and I only tend to use them when strictly necessary. On the other side, I some times use the car to travel half the way and them take the train the rest of the way.

The last option has a lot of benefits. The first benefit is related with the smaller carbon footprint os using the train (instead of diesel “tank”*). Secondly, this kind of travelling provides with much more time for reading. And I love reading…

So, with don’t I use the train every single day? Because it takes me almost one hour a day more than when using the car.

* “tank” is the caring name I use to refer to my sweet old car!

Stairway to…

Ξ July 5th, 2008 | → 0 Comments |
∇ Photo | ∇ Escalator, Fun, Home, Photo, Stairway |

… home!

Yesterday, I took my camera to the company and just keep pressing the little round button on top of it!

It was a long time ago I did it, and it felt as very good. I’ll have to do it more often… I’m actually considering to trade my lunch for a simple sandwich, and use my lunch hour to take some pictures around Parque das Nações. I bet the place has same great spot to take some quality pictures!

The photo on the right was one of many I took during the journey…

The subject is the escalators that provide access to the train platform. I was down stairs shooting “in the dark” and upstairs the sun was too strong…

Cool, the resulting effect! Hope you enjoy…