Top 500
The June Top 500 list usually comes out in, well, June, so I was surprised to find out that they actually released the list a few days ago. This is probably the most disappointing update so far. The number of FLOPS calculated by all 500 top computers in the world only increased by 16% these past six months. This is the slowest increase ever and well below the 36% biannual average. There are only about 140 new computers listed, in the past there were usually 200 to 300 new computers on each list.
The top computer remains Jaguar, although Nebulae, a Chinese made computer, debuted at number two. The current slowest computer would have been a top 10 computer back in 2005 and is faster than all 500 computers from June of 1998 combined.
Monday, May 31, 2010
NASCAR week 13
Top 20 Chase Contenders:
(red means they're down from last week, green means they're up)
Gordon 100%
Hamlin 94%
Kyle Busch 93%
Johnson 92%
Stewart 87%
Kurt Busch 82%
Kenseth 79%
Martin 69%
Biffle 68%
Edwards 64%
Harvick 59%
Newman 56%
Bowyer 42%
Burton 37%
Kahne 34%
Montoya 33%
Reutimann 29%
Logano 17%
Earnhardt 16%
McMurray 16%
The last few weeks have been really good for the Busch brothers. Kyle won at Dover as well as the last two Nationwide races, while Kurt won this week and at the All-Star Race. They also happen to be the two biggest gainers this, Kurt increased his chances of making the Chase from 72% to 82% while Kyle went from 84% to 93%.
The biggest loser is once again Vickers (25% to 13%), who will likely remain out until much later in the season. He has dropped out of the top 20 drivers, making this the first change since Martinsville. McMurray, who came in 2nd, managed to get back in the top 20 after a long absence. The biggest loser who was actually in the race was Montoya whose car was damaged after getting a flat early in the race. Apparently the Charlotte track doesn't like foreigners, as soon after Ambrose also wrecked.
Currently, only 26 drivers have a chance of making the Chase, with Menard having a 0.5% chance.
(red means they're down from last week, green means they're up)
Gordon 100%
Hamlin 94%
Kyle Busch 93%
Johnson 92%
Stewart 87%
Kurt Busch 82%
Kenseth 79%
Martin 69%
Biffle 68%
Edwards 64%
Harvick 59%
Newman 56%
Bowyer 42%
Burton 37%
Kahne 34%
Montoya 33%
Reutimann 29%
Logano 17%
Earnhardt 16%
McMurray 16%
The last few weeks have been really good for the Busch brothers. Kyle won at Dover as well as the last two Nationwide races, while Kurt won this week and at the All-Star Race. They also happen to be the two biggest gainers this, Kurt increased his chances of making the Chase from 72% to 82% while Kyle went from 84% to 93%.
The biggest loser is once again Vickers (25% to 13%), who will likely remain out until much later in the season. He has dropped out of the top 20 drivers, making this the first change since Martinsville. McMurray, who came in 2nd, managed to get back in the top 20 after a long absence. The biggest loser who was actually in the race was Montoya whose car was damaged after getting a flat early in the race. Apparently the Charlotte track doesn't like foreigners, as soon after Ambrose also wrecked.
Currently, only 26 drivers have a chance of making the Chase, with Menard having a 0.5% chance.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Eurovision Week
Eurovision.tv
Mu Cow's YouTube Channel
Next week is Eurovision, woohoo! There's not been much noise leading up to this year's Eurovision as there aren't any controversial or flat out insane acts. It seems that the new judging system, half televote half jury, has lead to much safer entries, still there are plenty of stunning entries that deserve some attention.
Last year 42 countries competed, but due to bad financial situations in a number of countries, the number is down to 39. Liechtenstein was hoping to make its debut this year, but did not make the deadline, but there's still a chance they will participate next year. If it does so, the only European countries left that have never competed will be Kosovo and the Vatican City. Qatar is also considering competing next year, which should be fun.
For your enjoyment, here are my top ten picks for this year's competition:
10. Latvia - Winner of the "English song written by non-English speakers for non-English speakers" category.
9. Netherlands - Judging by the song and the audience, I think the Dutch are catering to an older crowd. This will not work in their favor.
8. Finland - The fact they're in Eurovision doesn't surprise me, the fact that they won the Finnish national competition does given their history.
7. Moldova - Apparently they decided to keep the sax solo.
6. Romania - Hit the high note and FIRE TO THE FACE!
5. Germany - Odd accent, catchy song.
4. Serbia - I think he got his haircut backwards.
3. Russia - "What are you doing, man?"
2. Estonia - Radiohead meets Giantpapiermachehead. I actually really like the song.
1. Lithuania - By far the best entry. Watch for a cameo appearence by a "bald maniac".
You may be wondering why I linked to my YouTube channel at the top of my post. That's because on Monday I will be starting Eurovision week where I will do a cover of a past Eurovision song every day until the Final. For the day of the Final, I will learn the winning song. I just have to hope that it's in English.
The Eurovision final will be broadcast live over the internet at ESCTV on Saturday, May 29th at 9pm CET (that's 3pm for us on the east coast). You can also watch the semi-finals live on May 25th and 27th, also at 9pm CET on ESCTV.
Mu Cow's YouTube Channel
Next week is Eurovision, woohoo! There's not been much noise leading up to this year's Eurovision as there aren't any controversial or flat out insane acts. It seems that the new judging system, half televote half jury, has lead to much safer entries, still there are plenty of stunning entries that deserve some attention.
Last year 42 countries competed, but due to bad financial situations in a number of countries, the number is down to 39. Liechtenstein was hoping to make its debut this year, but did not make the deadline, but there's still a chance they will participate next year. If it does so, the only European countries left that have never competed will be Kosovo and the Vatican City. Qatar is also considering competing next year, which should be fun.
For your enjoyment, here are my top ten picks for this year's competition:
10. Latvia - Winner of the "English song written by non-English speakers for non-English speakers" category.
9. Netherlands - Judging by the song and the audience, I think the Dutch are catering to an older crowd. This will not work in their favor.
8. Finland - The fact they're in Eurovision doesn't surprise me, the fact that they won the Finnish national competition does given their history.
7. Moldova - Apparently they decided to keep the sax solo.
6. Romania - Hit the high note and FIRE TO THE FACE!
5. Germany - Odd accent, catchy song.
4. Serbia - I think he got his haircut backwards.
3. Russia - "What are you doing, man?"
2. Estonia - Radiohead meets Giantpapiermachehead. I actually really like the song.
1. Lithuania - By far the best entry. Watch for a cameo appearence by a "bald maniac".
You may be wondering why I linked to my YouTube channel at the top of my post. That's because on Monday I will be starting Eurovision week where I will do a cover of a past Eurovision song every day until the Final. For the day of the Final, I will learn the winning song. I just have to hope that it's in English.
The Eurovision final will be broadcast live over the internet at ESCTV on Saturday, May 29th at 9pm CET (that's 3pm for us on the east coast). You can also watch the semi-finals live on May 25th and 27th, also at 9pm CET on ESCTV.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Nationalist Ireland
World Elections
World Elections is one of my favorite websites. The writer does great analysis of recent elections and providing interesting information. The post I'm linking to is the results and his analysis of the recent UK election.
I had made an earlier post about the prospects of a hung parliament and the inconsistencies of "first-past-the-post" elections. This election certainly exhibited a number of the problems with FPTP. Despite gaining more votes, the LibDems lost five seats, while Plaid Cymru lost votes but gained a seat. However, an element I found intriguing that "World Elections" pointed out was that this was the first year that the majority of Northern Ireland's representatives weren't Unionist.
Politics in Northern Ireland are much different than in the rest of the UK, where parties are defined by their stance on Northern Ireland's status, so instead of a battle between Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal-Democrats, it's between Unionists and Nationalists. Northern Ireland has long been dominated by Unionists, but the last few years have garnered victories for Nationalists. Over the last few Westminster elections, there has been a steady trend:
2010 - 9 Unionists, 8 Nationalists, 1 Other (18 Seats)
2005 - 10 Unionists, 8 Nationalists (18 Seats)
2001 - 11 Unionists, 7 Nationalists (18 Seats)
1997 - 13 Unionists, 5 Nationalists (18 Seats)
1992 - 13 Unionists, 4 Nationalists (17 Seats)
1987 - 13 Unionists, 4 Nationalists (17 Seats)
1983 - 15 Unionists, 2 Nationalists (17 Seats)
For comparison, here is how people actually voted.
2010 - 44% Unionists, 42% Nationalists, 14% Other (18 Seats)
2005 - 51% Unionists, 42% Nationalists, 7% Other
2001 - 51% Unionists, 43% Nationalists, 6% Other
1997 - 49% Unionists, 40% Nationalists, 11% Other
1992 - 56% Unionists, 34% Nationalists, 10% Other
1987 - 54% Unionists, 35% Nationalists, 11% Other
1983 - 57% Unionists, 33% Nationalists, 10% Other
Despite a steady change in seats, there have only been two major shifts in voting patterns in the last 7 elections. There was a big shift from Unionists to Nationalists in 1997, and a big shift from Unionists to Other (namely, Alliance, a non-sectarian party) in 2010. Until 2001, FPTP had kept the Nationalist minority from gaining proper representation, leading to Unionist domination in politics. In such an environment, it is not all that surprising that many Nationalists turned to violence as they were shut-out of the political process. I find it somewhat fitting that now that the Nationalists have overcome the electoral obstacles placed against them, that Alliance, the main non-sectarian party, gains its first Westminster seat.
World Elections is one of my favorite websites. The writer does great analysis of recent elections and providing interesting information. The post I'm linking to is the results and his analysis of the recent UK election.
I had made an earlier post about the prospects of a hung parliament and the inconsistencies of "first-past-the-post" elections. This election certainly exhibited a number of the problems with FPTP. Despite gaining more votes, the LibDems lost five seats, while Plaid Cymru lost votes but gained a seat. However, an element I found intriguing that "World Elections" pointed out was that this was the first year that the majority of Northern Ireland's representatives weren't Unionist.
Politics in Northern Ireland are much different than in the rest of the UK, where parties are defined by their stance on Northern Ireland's status, so instead of a battle between Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal-Democrats, it's between Unionists and Nationalists. Northern Ireland has long been dominated by Unionists, but the last few years have garnered victories for Nationalists. Over the last few Westminster elections, there has been a steady trend:
2010 - 9 Unionists, 8 Nationalists, 1 Other (18 Seats)
2005 - 10 Unionists, 8 Nationalists (18 Seats)
2001 - 11 Unionists, 7 Nationalists (18 Seats)
1997 - 13 Unionists, 5 Nationalists (18 Seats)
1992 - 13 Unionists, 4 Nationalists (17 Seats)
1987 - 13 Unionists, 4 Nationalists (17 Seats)
1983 - 15 Unionists, 2 Nationalists (17 Seats)
For comparison, here is how people actually voted.
2010 - 44% Unionists, 42% Nationalists, 14% Other (18 Seats)
2005 - 51% Unionists, 42% Nationalists, 7% Other
2001 - 51% Unionists, 43% Nationalists, 6% Other
1997 - 49% Unionists, 40% Nationalists, 11% Other
1992 - 56% Unionists, 34% Nationalists, 10% Other
1987 - 54% Unionists, 35% Nationalists, 11% Other
1983 - 57% Unionists, 33% Nationalists, 10% Other
Despite a steady change in seats, there have only been two major shifts in voting patterns in the last 7 elections. There was a big shift from Unionists to Nationalists in 1997, and a big shift from Unionists to Other (namely, Alliance, a non-sectarian party) in 2010. Until 2001, FPTP had kept the Nationalist minority from gaining proper representation, leading to Unionist domination in politics. In such an environment, it is not all that surprising that many Nationalists turned to violence as they were shut-out of the political process. I find it somewhat fitting that now that the Nationalists have overcome the electoral obstacles placed against them, that Alliance, the main non-sectarian party, gains its first Westminster seat.
NASCAR week 12
Top 20 Chase Contenders:
(red means they're down from last week, green means they're up)
Gordon 100%
Johnson 98%
Hamlin 93%
Stewart 87%
Kyle Busch 84%
Kenseth 75%
Biffle 73%
Kurt Busch 72%
Edwards 64%
Martin 63%
Harvick 55%
Newman 53%
Montoya 42%
Burton 39%
Bowyer 39%
Kahne 35%
Reutimann 26%
Vickers 25%
Earnhardt 19%
Logano 17%
A late race speeding penalty put Johnson a lap down, so while he finished a respectable 16th, it is Gordon that breaks 100% this time. The biggest gainer was race winner Kyle Busch (74% to 84%). The biggest loser was Vickers who sat out this race due to a medical condition. This combined with a rather lackluster season has dropped his chances of making the Chase from 37% to 25%.
Almost halfway through the pre-Chase races, I've noticed that current points are starting to matter more than individual race results. Despite a 10th place finish, Logano saw his chances of making the Chase decline as he went into the race fairly low in the points. On the opposite end, Harvick is finally seeing his chances improve as he's been sitting in the top of the points most of the season and any poor results at this point probably won't greatly alter his chances.
At the moment only 27 drivers have any chance of making the Chase, with Sadler having a 0.2% chance.
(red means they're down from last week, green means they're up)
Gordon 100%
Johnson 98%
Hamlin 93%
Stewart 87%
Kyle Busch 84%
Kenseth 75%
Biffle 73%
Kurt Busch 72%
Edwards 64%
Martin 63%
Harvick 55%
Newman 53%
Montoya 42%
Burton 39%
Bowyer 39%
Kahne 35%
Reutimann 26%
Vickers 25%
Earnhardt 19%
Logano 17%
A late race speeding penalty put Johnson a lap down, so while he finished a respectable 16th, it is Gordon that breaks 100% this time. The biggest gainer was race winner Kyle Busch (74% to 84%). The biggest loser was Vickers who sat out this race due to a medical condition. This combined with a rather lackluster season has dropped his chances of making the Chase from 37% to 25%.
Almost halfway through the pre-Chase races, I've noticed that current points are starting to matter more than individual race results. Despite a 10th place finish, Logano saw his chances of making the Chase decline as he went into the race fairly low in the points. On the opposite end, Harvick is finally seeing his chances improve as he's been sitting in the top of the points most of the season and any poor results at this point probably won't greatly alter his chances.
At the moment only 27 drivers have any chance of making the Chase, with Sadler having a 0.2% chance.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
NASCAR week 11
Top 20 Chase Contenders:
(red means they're down from last week, green means they're up)
Gordon 98%
Johnson 96%
Hamlin 87%
Stewart 85%
Kyle Busch 74%
Kurt Busch 72%
Biffle 69%
Kenseth 68%
Martin 63%
Edwards 61%
Newman 53%
Montoya 50%
Harvick 49%
Bowyer 40%
Kahne 38%
Vickers 37%
Burton 34%
Reutimann 25%
Earnhardt 23%
Logano 18%
I keep thinking Johnson will hit 100% and stay there, but a poor finish at Darlington puts him behind Gordon. The biggest gainer was race winner Hamlin (79% to 87%). The biggest loser was Bowyer (46% to 40%). Bowyer seemed to be well on his way to making the Chase, but this week will be hard to overcome. Overall, it was a good race for the top 17 drivers, only one driver below 17th actually improved their position, McMurray, who is 21st and came close to passing Logano. There are currently only 27 drivers with any chance of making the Chase. Hornish brings up the rear with only a 1% chance.
(red means they're down from last week, green means they're up)
Gordon 98%
Johnson 96%
Hamlin 87%
Stewart 85%
Kyle Busch 74%
Kurt Busch 72%
Biffle 69%
Kenseth 68%
Martin 63%
Edwards 61%
Newman 53%
Montoya 50%
Harvick 49%
Bowyer 40%
Kahne 38%
Vickers 37%
Burton 34%
Reutimann 25%
Earnhardt 23%
Logano 18%
I keep thinking Johnson will hit 100% and stay there, but a poor finish at Darlington puts him behind Gordon. The biggest gainer was race winner Hamlin (79% to 87%). The biggest loser was Bowyer (46% to 40%). Bowyer seemed to be well on his way to making the Chase, but this week will be hard to overcome. Overall, it was a good race for the top 17 drivers, only one driver below 17th actually improved their position, McMurray, who is 21st and came close to passing Logano. There are currently only 27 drivers with any chance of making the Chase. Hornish brings up the rear with only a 1% chance.
Monday, May 03, 2010
NASCAR week 10
Top 20 Chase Contenders:
(red means they're down from last week, green means they're up)
Johnson - 100%
Gordon - 92%
Stewart - 88%
Hamlin - 79%
Biffle - 71%
Kyle Busch - 70%
Kurt Busch - 67%
Kenseth - 67%
Martin - 64%
Edwards - 61%
Newman - 52%
Montoya - 47%
Bowyer - 46%
Harvick - 44%
Kahne - 41%
Vickers - 37%
Burton - 32%
Reutimann - 26%
Earnhardt - 25%
Logano - 22%
Johnson is back to 100% with Gordon likely to join him soon. The biggest gainer this week was race winner Kyle Busch, 62% to 70%. He pretty much dominated the race yesterday, leading over half the laps and came close to putting the entire field a lap down if it weren't for a mysterious, and rather timely, caution. I felt like the caution was just a big "screw you" to Busch, so I was glad he still won the race.
The biggest loser was Mark Martin, 67% to 64%. He isn't doing too badly though. He finished 25th and is tenth in points. He's basically the biggest loser only because every one that did worse than him don't have 4 percentage points to lose.
Only 30 drivers have any chance of making the Chase. Speed is the 30th driver, with a 0.02% chance.
(red means they're down from last week, green means they're up)
Johnson - 100%
Gordon - 92%
Stewart - 88%
Hamlin - 79%
Biffle - 71%
Kyle Busch - 70%
Kurt Busch - 67%
Kenseth - 67%
Martin - 64%
Edwards - 61%
Newman - 52%
Montoya - 47%
Bowyer - 46%
Harvick - 44%
Kahne - 41%
Vickers - 37%
Burton - 32%
Reutimann - 26%
Earnhardt - 25%
Logano - 22%
Johnson is back to 100% with Gordon likely to join him soon. The biggest gainer this week was race winner Kyle Busch, 62% to 70%. He pretty much dominated the race yesterday, leading over half the laps and came close to putting the entire field a lap down if it weren't for a mysterious, and rather timely, caution. I felt like the caution was just a big "screw you" to Busch, so I was glad he still won the race.
The biggest loser was Mark Martin, 67% to 64%. He isn't doing too badly though. He finished 25th and is tenth in points. He's basically the biggest loser only because every one that did worse than him don't have 4 percentage points to lose.
Only 30 drivers have any chance of making the Chase. Speed is the 30th driver, with a 0.02% chance.
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