the iMentor

Hints & rants

This weB-LOG is about the musing of a technical consultant. It is the iMentor's thoughts on technology and the human condition.

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Caruso

February 4, 2026 Uncategorized No Comments
Episode #888 February 7, 2026 Caruso loved everyone he met. His interest in you was genuine and focused.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WezvUd2ksOE&list=RDWezvUd2ksOE&start_radio=1 Sometimes it was hard to learn about Caruso, so understated his ego, so intent his interest. When Caruso questioned himself, he often knew the answer. He was like losing a twin brother at birth and acquiring both the dominant and the deferential personalities of both. In conversation, you never knew who was in control. Was it you as the center of attention or Caruso as the puppeteer? I met Caruso at a local bar. He walked up to the...
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Wisdom

January 28, 2026 Uncategorized No Comments
Episode #887 January 31, 2026 I have lived for 72 years and experienced every moment of it.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ocnkxhuJ0&list=RDF2ocnkxhuJ0&start_radio=1 There have been difficult and challenging moments. There have been easy and obvious revelations. Reflection on those experiences has turned events into insight. Wisdom grows by learning from others. So much is taught by others… the teachers, partners, friends, and family. Self-awareness is cultivated by staying curious and open to new perspectives. I have allowed time to reveal patterns that inform my perspective. This living has developed a compassion that widens understanding beyond myself. Wisdom is the ability to understand...
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Can’t Win for Losing

January 22, 2026 Uncategorized 4 Comments
Episode #886 January 24, 2026 If you can’t win for losing  you may be trapped by your own constructs.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdTin4Ibj-c&list=RDZdTin4Ibj-c&start_radio=1   If losing is a defeating result, winning becomes exponentially more difficult. You will become trapped by circumstance, bad luck, or the unintended consequences of your own efforts. Start by thinking through a project to determine the risks. Unintended consequences are simply unforeseen risks.  Shape the parameters of your environment. Clear work surfaces. Determine and acquire the necessary parts - lay them out logically. Know where the tools are that you will use. Conscript help for those tasks...
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High-Level Programming

January 15, 2026 Uncategorized No Comments
Episode #885 January 17, 2026 Programming has evolved from configured toggle switches to natural language programming.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbOTkDn49qI&list=RDwbOTkDn49qI&start_radio=1 The simplest (low-level) programming was the setting of banks of toggle switches. Each toggle switch in banks of four (nibbles) on the front panel of a MITS Altair 680 computer represented one bit. Across the bottom where sixteen switches representing a 16-bit memory address. This address, combined with eight switches representing an 8-bit piece of data (byte), gave the computer one line of machine code. The results of such toggle switch programming configuration were the data stored at a given address. If...
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Dad

January 6, 2026 Uncategorized 3 Comments
Episode #884 January 10, 2026   By Ricki T Thues - 2025     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRS1JqUjJ28&list=RDHRS1JqUjJ28&start_radio=1 Bob was always in charge of who he was. He was born Carol Jewett. When he was ten years old, he walked into his parents’ living room and announced, “I’m Bobby!” His parents replied, “OK, Bobby. That’s a very nice name.” And so he was Robert Jewett. There is a picture taken in San Francisco of Bob and two friends dressed in white T-shirts, chinos, and leather jackets. Bob had chino clips on his pants, having just ridden his bicycle. He was not wearing his...
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Red Rock

January 3, 2026 Uncategorized No Comments
Episode #883 January 3, 2026 To celebrate my brother Walt’s birthday his wife Tina, Paula, and I decided to meet  at Red Rock Canyon California State Park.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKprTcCeh_s&list=RDgKprTcCeh_s&start_radio=1 In preparation for the four-hour drive, I checked the motor home for water, propane, and startup. The RV would not start. The factory battery was dead. Using the marine battery emergency start switch, I drove the RV to Walmart. A new battery solved the problem. While in town, I stopped at America’s Tire to check the tire inflation. The right rear inside dually was flat. Two hours later, with a new...
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