This blog has moved

All future posts on this blog will be at blog.philipreames.com.

Brazil breaks patent on HIV drug

After reading the article below, I’m having trouble deciding if this is a good thing or not. I understand why Brazil did it, but what impact will this have on the willingness of pharmaceutical companies to develop medications? We’ll have to wait and see.

Brazil breaks patent on HIV drug -
Yahoo! News
http://news.yahoo.com/s/po/20070505/co_po/brazilbreakspatentonhivdrug

Summer plans

After the 15th or so time being asked (via email or IM) what I’m doing after graduation, I decided it was time to write this up. It’ll save me a lot of typing in the long run.

In July, I’ll start work with FactSet Research in Norwalk, Connecticut. For those who can’t be bothered to look that up, its all of an hour from New York City, which – as you can imagine – I’m happy about. I’m moving out there at the start of July. Before that, I’m doing some traveling for fun. This is my last summer off after all.

First, I’m going to NYC/CT to look for apartments. I’ll be there for five days. Next, I’m going to Orange County to see my dad and help with my little brother’s (not by blood, but might as well be) Eagle Project. After that, I come back to Illinois for a day, then its off to Europe for 3 1/2 weeks. In Europe, I’m going to be doing the classic backpack/hostel trip. It should be a real blast! I’m flying into London and out of London and other than that, I’ll figure it out as I go.

Computer Parts for Sale

I’m moving and want to get rid of some of the computer parts I’ve accumulated over the last four years. All prices are negotiable.

The Thermaltake Armor Case – $100
- bought less than a year ago, great condition
- $150 new on NewEgg

Ultra Win-600PS Power Supply – $75
- bought less than a year ago for around $150, great condition

Maxtor MaxLine Plus II 250 GB Hard Drive – $80
- NOTE: I am selling this drive for less than it is worth because my system reported errors on the drive. I believe the IDE expansion card was at fault and the drive passes a low level diagnostic, but I make no gaurantees.

Samsung SP1604N 160 GB Hard Drive – $50
- Great condition

Samsung SP0802N 80 GB Hard Drive – $30
- Great condition

Western Digital 80 GB Hard Drive – $30
- A slightly older drive than the others, I bought this one used about two years ago. I’ve never had any problem with it and it has served me well.

2 Channel (4 drive) PATA IDE Expansion Card – $10 each
- NOTE: One channel is flaky and unreliable
- No cables included

1 Channel (2 drive) PATA IDE Expansion Card – $10
- Good condition
- No cables included

4 Old 10/100 Ethernet Cards – $5 each
- One has an old BNC connector as well

2x DDR400 PC3200 512MB Memory Sticks – $15 each (BOTH SOLD)
- Bought used a year ago and never used.

Hauppauge PCI TV Tuner Card w/all accessories – $10 (SOLD)
- 4 years old
- I don’t know the model number, but it has one TV tuner and can record video (640×480) to disk in a custom format (which can be converted to AVI)

2x Removable Hard Drive Rack – $15 each
- Still in the packaging. I RMA’d them after a power surge a few years back, but never opened the replacements.

Thought provoking fiction rec

As you may have concluded, I’m on a reading bend this weekend. I stumbled across these two very thought provoking and more than a little disturbing stories. Definitely worth a read.

Fund Raiser by Graeme
End of the World by Graeme

Also, check out the entire DeweyWriter archive. It has a number of good stories. (Mixed with some less than great ones unfortunately. Oh well, that is the nature of an archive.)

Fiction recommendation: Shinju Yuri

I ran across an author today, who’s work I just fell in love with. Unfortunately, I can only find a couple of stories by her. I highly recommend all the below, and if anyone can find more stories by Shinju Yuri, I would be grateful if you told me.

Your Cover’s Blown
Loving You More

Care And Feeding

Would You?

Emerald Tiger
What Doesn’t Kill You

Laptops being stolen during finals week

Well, as seems to happen every year, there has been a string of laptop thefts from popular study spots and offices. Don’t leave your laptop unattended.

The University Police Department would like to inform our community about
eight reports of laptop computers being stolen from campus buildings since
April 27, 2007. In each instance, the owner of the computer has left their
possessions unattended for brief periods of time. Computers have been
taken from study areas, unlocked offices, classrooms and the Illini Union.
Thefts have occurred between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Additionally, purses and wallets have been taken under similar circumstances.

We realize many are studying for final exams and it is easy to become
complacent about securing items. It is imperative that everyone secure
their possessions or ask a trusted friend to watch them even for brief
trips to vending areas or restrooms. University of Illinois Police
officers are conducting additional walking patrols throughout campus. We
seek your assistance in preventing the thefts and encourage everyone to
report suspicious individuals to the police.

Chief Krystal Fitzpatrick