Blog/May 2014/May 16th

May 16th (See this week's devar torah)

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Hi, again!

Last week I told you I liked my text editor; this week another article appeared which explains a little bit of the ancient history involved. Esther and I were, as usual, quite busy with our business. Sarah was, as usual, involved in her schoolwork. And we even had some unseasonably cool and wet weather. We’re all grateful for shabbat to arrive!

This week there were also a few interesting articles on some subjects which intrigue me. Regarding privacy etc: killing people based upon “metadata”, al-Qaeda does homebrew encryption, and Skype communications are vital to NSA surveillance. Climate and possible changes thereof: on doing less about climate change and Australian climate hysteria.

Esther and I, with our consultants, came up with a pricing plan for our product; it’s one which we think gives benefit to the purchaser as well as to us. Of course, we need to finish the product first! So to get there, I’m still cranking away at the code as well as the documentation. Esther is working on the financial and strategic side. And soon, B”H, Sarah will produce some marketing videos. Our target is to have the first solid “beta” of our product by the beginning of August, and the (commercial) release a couple months after that. We are looking for investors, so if you know any, don’t hesitate to have them contact us.

In local news, after a very long process the Israeli justice system finally reached a verdict on former Prime Minister Olmert’s corruption trial. He was sentenced to six years behind bars, and his secretary got eleven months. Sometimes the system does work.

The other project I’m working on involves “computer-vision” using a smartphone. Specifically, it involves trying to detect vehicles and road-boundaries using the camera of the phone, in real-time (e.g. while driving). Some good progress was made on that this week, and that work has uncovered some issues which needed addressing in my product as well (which is being used to create their product). Killing two birds with one stone, so to speak; but it’s a huge amount of work, and I’m looking forward to reaching the “alpha” milestone (of their product, “beta” for mine) at the end of July.

One (very long) day this week, Esther and I attended a business “get-together” in Jerusalem organized by the Jerusalem Business Networking Forum. There were three speakers, none of whom I found particularly helpful. However, it was an opportunity to “network”, and I did meet two people whose businesses might be useful to us (and vice versa).

The forecast for shabbat is “hotter than average”, around 30C (86F) or so, then cooling substantially to average at the start of the week. Just in time for lag ba`omer, when all the “youth” (and not so youth) light bonfires and get rowdy all night. Supposedly in honor of Rashbi (R’ Shim`on bar-Yoḥai), though I’m pretty sure that worthy spins in his grave every year on the 33rd day of the `omer. In any event, we’ll have our windows shut tight and the AC on so we don’t have to breathe all the smoke nor hear all the partying. All night.

This week Sarah’s friend RivQua will stay with us, and we’re also having friends over for dinner. On the menu:
homemade ḥala, chicken ‘n rice, red lentil soup, stuffed veggies, beet salad, kohlrabi salad, carrot salad, tortilla de papas, zucchini kugel, roasted cauliflower and sorbet.

Until next week,
shabbat shalom!

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