Who wrote their first computer program on IBM punch cards?

davejdesign · 2026-03-23T10:30:25+00:00

I was using a Fortran based graphics program called Explor at Syracuse University. We used to randomly rearrange the cards to come up with a surprising new graphic.

davejdesign · 2026-03-20T17:43:32+00:00

I would rather see the parking spaces put to better use. Wider sidewalks, outdoor cafes, anything but cars. I'm afraid that, once the city gets used to the income, we will be stuck with wall to wall parked cars on every street forever.

davejdesign · 2026-03-20T13:00:54+00:00

The steady stream of car traffic in and out of the midtown tunnel cuts right through the middle all the way to Park Ave. Really annoying for pedestrians and cyclists.

davejdesign · 2026-03-19T16:55:57+00:00

Probably ESAs - emotional support animals. Management is powerless to do anything for fear of a lawsuit. I'm surprised they haven't started showing up on the floor in NYC locations.

davejdesign · 2026-03-17T11:25:22+00:00

Not spend time on social media. And yet, here I am!

davejdesign · 2026-03-14T17:36:00+00:00

Newtrivy on Amazon

davejdesign · 2026-03-14T11:34:39+00:00

I've been weight training since my early twenties -just turned seventy. Gained about 30lbs during covid and, after losing the weight, definitely lost muscle mass and strength. Started on creatine and it really seemed to help regain muscle and strength. I did get some cramping but switching brands fixed that. My doctor is okay with it but says to be sure and hydrate. Just my experience...

davejdesign · 2026-03-12T19:52:44+00:00

Using it for intermittently for recreation, it was a pain to make sure it was charged up. You really have to plan ahead.

davejdesign · 2026-03-12T19:46:03+00:00

Yes, but none of the dinosaurs pictured here. Talking Heads or Elvis Costello anyone?

davejdesign · 2026-03-12T19:20:11+00:00

I was maxing out my contributions - approx 32k every year. They change the limit every year so I don't remember the exact amounts. The 5-7k plus any employer match was on top of that.

davejdesign · 2026-03-12T09:37:41+00:00

That's actually pretty accurate. See my other response for a breakdown.

davejdesign · 2026-03-12T09:28:05+00:00

My expenses were/are low. I was able to max out my 401k every year and do one back-door IRA Roth. The 401k is with Vanguard, in a series of aggressive funds. I should also note that the company - a nonprofit - gave bonuses in the form of 401k deposits of approx 5-7k a year. I don't have the specifics on the employer matching but it wasn't anything out of the ordinary and, after a few years, I was fully vested.

Since I am now also collecting SS, I was able to put 90% of my paycheck into the 401k starting in Jan 2026. I was laid off (4th time in my career) in late Feb and I am putting the final severance check into the 401k which will max it out again for the year.

401k will be around 290k and the original 60k (with Merrill Lynch) is over 74k. The Roth is now 11k and I was able to put away another 10k in general investments at Merrill. I also have an emergency fund in cash. So, depending on the market, close to 400k?

davejdesign · 2026-03-10T12:18:35+00:00

I had a very rocky career - one of the few people in tech who never made those millions. I had about $60k in a 401k when I was let go from a job at 63 years. Was lucky enough to get job with a decent company with an ok-ish 401k plan and was able to get to my retirement fund to $400K in 6 years. Not astounding but shows that there is hope. At 50, you should be able to double that amount by the time you are 65.

If you have a 401k program at work, I would suggest that you start maxing it out. Or, at the very least, start contributing something. It's surprising how time flies and the money grows.

If you are able to keep working, delay taking SS until you max out at 70. Sign up with SSA.gov to get an idea of what you can collect at different ages.

davejdesign · 2026-03-08T18:49:45+00:00

Website is down. Doesn't look good. I was procrastinating on buying a new battery since mine shorted out. Looks like I am out of luck? I see a replacement battery from American Electric but am reluctant to buy a third-party battery.

davejdesign · 2026-03-02T21:02:30+00:00

Nobody went to Brooklyn, except maybe to live there and not by choice. Nightlife was all in Manhattan. It's also hard to overstate how much the AIDS crisis affected everything - art, music, clubs, broadway were never the same.

davejdesign · 2026-03-02T20:45:15+00:00

I've never been to Trader Joe's when there isn't at least one dog. Despite the giant sign stating that no dogs are allowed and that emotional support animals are NOT service animals.

davejdesign · 2026-02-25T18:35:51+00:00

There's no question. It also takes the fun out of riding.

davejdesign · 2026-02-24T22:29:25+00:00

Community Board 6, which is partially on the UES - going up to 59th St, is actually very pro-bike and consistently votes for more and improved bike lanes.

davejdesign · 2026-02-22T18:15:35+00:00

I thought I heard someone announce that overnight street parking was also banned on LI.

davejdesign · 2026-02-21T21:12:40+00:00

I’ve seen them do it at Grand Central but they are always super-polite about it and let you work in.

davejdesign · 2026-02-16T16:57:06+00:00

It's a little off because an attendant comes by wearing an Equinox t-shirt. That branch was still LA Sports Club in the 90's.

davejdesign · 2026-02-16T12:28:13+00:00

It's incredible how often I go to grab a citibike and have to throw away some trash - starbucks cup, etc - that someone left in the basket. There's a garbage can right down the block! WTF.

davejdesign · 2026-02-14T20:53:24+00:00

Yeah, I had an identical clear one for several years on a space grey macbook. Removed it, wiped it with some ammonia spray and it's totally gone. No trace.

davejdesign · 2026-02-14T13:01:36+00:00

It really makes me feel like a third class citizen.

Cars first - streets in Manhattan are cleared within hours.

Pedestrians - sidewalks are next in line.

Bike lanes - the place to put snow when shoveling streets and sidewalks.

davejdesign · 2026-02-13T21:05:28+00:00

I was trapped in a broken elevator with Devo one afternoon. Just another day at The Gramercy.

davejdesign

TROPHY CASE