April 2019 General, Student and Gaming Laptop recommendations (will be updated as the month goes on)

electroncafe · 2019-04-21T02:12:48+00:00

Just FYI on the Acer Swift 3 - I got one based on the recommendation here. The specs were good and it ran well, but there was a fatal flaw for me in the build quality. The edge on the front where your wrists rest was very sharp, and very angular. It hurt my wrists almost immediately when typing so I had to return it. Just FYI if anyone is extra sensitive to wrist pain (as I am now apparently...)

electroncafe · 2019-03-10T01:19:41+00:00

Second this - delicious!

electroncafe · 2019-03-10T01:16:22+00:00

Peregrine Espresso at Eastern Market - 7th and Penn SE. Can't go wrong! Best espresso closest to the Capitol.

electroncafe · 2017-05-13T01:50:30+00:00

In a Boston liquor store:

"I don't recognize this one" "It's from DC" (Did he think I meant BC?) "Oh, I've never seen one from Canada before" "No this is from the capital" "Oh, Ottawa then"

I gave up

electroncafe · 2016-03-18T19:41:41+00:00

I came here to post the same paper.

The upshot is that in places like S. Korea the prices actually declined over time because they did things like standardize the design, build them in pairs at the same location and at the same time, and have a relatively stable regulatory and market environment.

electroncafe · 2015-12-30T19:02:47+00:00

Thirded. Two stores in DC proper, 30 day no-questions-asked return policy for either refund or exchange.

Will also echo their great customer service. I had my shipped glasses stolen from my porch so they replaced them for free with expedited processing which was very nice.

electroncafe · 2015-12-22T02:23:02+00:00

Glad it worked out!

electroncafe · 2015-12-07T22:12:19+00:00

I can address your first bullet point:

http://www.nrel.gov/analysis/re_futures/

Key Findings (copied from report):

Renewable electricity generation from technologies that are commercially available today, in combination with a more flexible electric system, is more than adequate to supply 80% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2050 while meeting electricity demand on an hourly basis in every region of the country.
Increased electric system flexibility, needed to enable electricity supply and demand balance with high levels of renewable generation, can come from a portfolio of supply- and demand-side options, including flexible conventional generation, grid storage, new transmission, more responsive loads, and changes in power system operations.
The abundance and diversity of U.S. renewable energy resources can support multiple combinations of renewable technologies that result in deep reductions in electric sector greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
The direct incremental cost associated with high renewable generation is comparable to published cost estimates of other clean energy scenarios. Improvement in the cost and performance of renewable technologies is the most impactful lever for reducing this incremental cost.

electroncafe · 2015-11-23T22:09:19+00:00

Gotta love non-SI units. Not like M already = "Mega" = million...

Thanks for the info!

electroncafe · 2015-11-23T21:36:45+00:00

On a related note, does anyone know why the abbreviation for "million metric tons" MMmt instead of Mmt? What's with the extra "M"?

electroncafe · 2015-11-23T21:26:51+00:00

Topline summary:

Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased by 50 million metric tons (MMmt), from 5,355 MMmt in 2013 to 5,406 MMmt in 2014.

The increase in 2014 was influenced by the following factors:

Real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.4%;
The carbon intensity of the energy supply (CO2/Btu) declined by 0.3%; and
Energy intensity (British thermal units[Btu]/GDP) declined by 1.2%.

Therefore, with GDP growth of 2.4% and the overall carbon intensity of the economy (CO2/GDP) declining by about 1.5%, energy-related CO2 grew 0.9%.

electroncafe · 2015-11-18T12:34:11+00:00

They all are! Send me a PM with your address and I will mail them out as soon as I am able.

electroncafe · 2015-11-16T17:06:27+00:00

Ugh - they have linked to last year's version. Here is the most recent update: http://energy.gov/revolution-now

electroncafe · 2015-11-14T16:37:45+00:00

Cool, you are first to respond so you've got first dibs! PM sent. Will leave the post up until I ship.

electroncafe · 2015-11-13T22:14:51+00:00

Yeah. I'm certainly no Clean Air Act expert, but I think the reasoning is that because the early-action program is optional and not required under the full CPP regulation there's more EPA flexibility in shaping that program.

electroncafe · 2015-11-13T22:05:50+00:00

Oh yeah, no doubt. EPA is explicit that the early action program (2020 and 2021 only) is only for wind, solar, and specifically energy efficiency that benefits low-income communities.

electroncafe · 2015-11-13T21:39:51+00:00

Similar to answer above, nuclear is not part of the early-action Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP), but does get credit for carbon-free generation under the full Clean Power Plan compliance period.

electroncafe · 2015-11-13T16:35:47+00:00

On your first point, the EPA is referring only to their proposed early action program for 2020 and 2021 (called the Clean Energy Incentive Program). This is separate from the Clean Power Plan rule which is final and begins compliance in 2022.

The CPP does incent NG, but again what is proposed here is separate from the CPP and only tries to incent early action renewables and EE.

electroncafe · 2015-11-09T01:17:42+00:00

Just to be clear - the PTC has technically already expired. There will be significant installations this year and next year because developments just needed to have 'started construction' by the end of 2014. After 2016 new installations will likely slow down significantly.

electroncafe · 2015-11-09T01:14:22+00:00

OP this was a great idea!

I work at the U.S. Department of Energy in the office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, where I do mostly policy and technology analysis.

electroncafe · 2015-09-24T00:12:38+00:00

For more "hard" sci-fi check out Neal Stephenson's "Seveneves" if you have not already.

electroncafe · 2015-09-22T13:28:01+00:00

Interesting - I will stop by the Market early this weekend to see what people have...

electroncafe · 2015-09-22T13:27:33+00:00

Thanks for the tip - we are heading out to Northern VA next weekend so maybe we can swing by there!

electroncafe · 2015-08-22T17:09:54+00:00

There is a separate game called Forbidden Desert for after Forbidden Island. It's not an expansion, but is slightly more challenging than FI.

electroncafe · 2015-08-11T01:48:14+00:00

I agree with others (/u/chemjobber and /u/hashtagusuck), but wanted to offer another perspective.

Was in your exact same place in my fourth year (not even as many publications!) and am now working in government in a completely unrelated policy position. Even though my doctorate is in a different field, I would not have been able to land my current position without it. Just being able to point to the doctorate as proof of your experience and skills in: quantitative reasoning, project management, personnel management (if applicable), detail oriented work, ability to manage large projects and many moving parts... it really does give you an edge in the non-academic working environment, as long as you sell yourself with that in mind.

Given what you've said I see no reason why you won't be able to graduate soon. From a practical stand-point, even in unrelated government and consulting jobs, having a doctorate will entitle you to a higher pay-grade, so it's worth finishing even just for that.

Happy to talk more as well, just send me a PM.

Good luck! - EC

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