Comments for What I Learned Today

Comment on Learning Latin with children’s books by Kiri

Kiri — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:06:44 +0000

I didn’t realize that so many of my friends have received a proper classical education! :) I definitely agree that active practice with a language helps it “stick” better.

And thank you, thank you, Donna, for sending me “Harrius Potter” in Latin! I can’t wait to relive the adventures of the “peur qui vixit.” :)

Comment on Learning Latin with children’s books by Donna Weimer

Donna Weimer — Sat, 18 May 2013 01:31:15 +0000

The first book of Harry Potter is in Latin!! It is wonderful

Comment on Learning Latin with children’s books by David

David — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:27:34 +0000

I second Paola’s version from my experience in Germany. The difference between those of my friends who took Latin and remembered it after a few years and me (and a number of other friends who didn’t remember much if anything) was whether the class had students actively write/talk in Latin. Essentially all of my curriculum was translating from Latin to German (many of the same writers as Paola), and I think that even your passive skills will stick much better if you actually form sentences in Latin yourself.

Comment on Learning Latin with children’s books by paola cresti

paola cresti — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:45:42 +0000

That is cool that they have books of literature for kids. Kudos to you for jumping into that. I studied Latin for 6 (!!) years in school in Italy, but the way they teach it is horrible. We start with the declensions and then straight into translating sentences from Latin. No talking or making sentences, forget about it, a few times translating from Italian to Latin. Then jump right into Caesar (your easier to read of the Roman writers, he was a military man, direct to the point, no subterfuge, sarcasm or implied anything) and then progress to Tito (Titius? historian) to end with Catilina, Seneca and Cicero (Lawyers!). Result is that for 6 years of “studies” I have very little to show for it. I’ve often thought of trying it out on my own and just try to make sentences. To that purpose I brought some books with me, but I doubt they’d help you they’re in Italian. But I’d love to swap notes :)

Comment on Learning Latin with children’s books by Matthew

Matthew — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:24:36 +0000

I have a copy of the first Harry Potter in Latin and actually picked up a little book in a second book store in Heidelberg yesterday entitled “Ecce Roma: De Vita Cottidiana Romanorum”. I also got my daughter a book to learn Latin from at Xmas but cannot remember what is called off hand.

Comment on Protecting a rover from hackers by Terran

Terran — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:33:08 +0000

Woo. I guess I’m not surprised. Everything is a target, sadly.

I wonder if they’ll be willing to reconsider crypto and strong authentication after someone manages to wedge or destroy a billion-dollar spacecraft?

And I’d expect that it’s not just Anonymous and other small fry either. Rival governments have a lot of interest in being able to take each others’ satellites offline for sure. There’s less tactical advantage in taking down, say, Curiosity or whatever. But considering the cost of MSL, it would be a noticeable economic blow to the US/EU if they could trash it. That means that somebody has economic and political motivation to do so, and some of the somebodies almost certainly have broadcast capability to send the signals.

Comment on Why my touch-lamp won’t turn off by Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:17:51 +0000

thank you i was having the same problem and this explained everything! i found a repair part on ebay for $7.50 with free shipping, you can probably find similar ones also.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TOUCH-LAMP-SENSOR-REPLACEMENT-100-WATT-120-VOLT-TOUCHLAMP-REBUILD-REPAIR-/350728361370?pt=Lamps_US&hash=item51a90a159a

Comment on Why chill cookie dough? by Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 03 May 2013 23:55:58 +0000

Great article. So, I am in a time crunch. Who isn’t when baking cookies? I will do my own experiment. I will refrigerate some of the dough and roll 1/2 of the Biscochitos cookies tonight and then the other 1/2 in the AM. Some will only get 2 hours of fridge time; some will be ‘overnight’ as the recipe states. I feel this will give the anise time to mingle with the dough. I best get to cleaning the bowls and dishes mess. Why, if there is so much work in making cookies, do we all fuss about calories? I will let you know which version tastes better. Another thing to ponder: calories expended vs. consumed in cookie baking.

Comment on Abraham Lincoln in Manchester? by Arwel Parry

Arwel Parry — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:54:29 +0000

Actually, the statue’s only been in its current location since 1986 (the square was built in 1981). Previously the statue had been located in Platt Fields in the southern suburbs of the city where it was planned to build an art gallery, which never came about.

Comment on How to search for email content in Pine by Peter Y.

Peter Y. — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:45:29 +0000

Just what I was looking for. Thanks!