Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Transparency in accounting

Reviewing a document titled Financial Statement Presentation (DataLine 2010-35) from PricewaterhouseCoopers, it is clear that current accounting methods leave much to be desired.

"existing requirements permit too many alternative presentations and that the information in financial statements is highly aggregated and inconsistently presented..."

This is exactly why I feel that one method should be standardized by all stakeholders (major financial institutions, ratings agencies, and governments) so that stock holders can rest assured that someone in the firm that they own isn't cooking the books.

The report went on to state that recommendations for clarifying financial statements were excepting Non-profits, certain retirement plans and other plans governed by another standard.  I am curious to learn about how Non-profits are structured because as my father pointed out:  Many non-profits seem to be very profitable for the individuals involved.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/8646174/Banking-trio-fail-to-meet-accounting-standards-claims-Financial-Reporting-Council.html

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Seven Years' War aka The French and Indian War

Here is perhaps where I am most puzzled by the motivations of the French during our revolutionary war.  Britain had backed our protection during the French and Indian War and required more colonial support to continue to protect the 13 colonies.  Yet, less than fifteen years later later, France was on our side, and rather than asserting colonial aspirations of her own, France basically sacrificed blood and treasure on our behalf, presumably to add another adversary to oppose Britain.  Is this then a similar situation as the US supporting Vietnamese "freedom fighters" and a fledgling democracy to oppose the greater influence of China?  It seems that many smaller countries typically become pawns in larger global struggles, but in the case of the US, we had enough talent and geographic distance for long enough to oppose old world influence and our incubation period was a success.

http://people.csail.mit.edu/sfelshin/saintonge/pictures/needham.jpg


http://www.masshist.org/maps/2726_NorthAm/2726_NorthAm.htm#

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Revolutionary Assistance

Looking at the events in Libya, its hard not to reflect on the role that other nations play in affecting the outcome of a revolution.  France was a crucial partner in the US revolution against Britain, and the US, and its NATO allies were crucial in the success in the Libyan revolution.  It is interesting to note that revolutions, while filled with messages of self-determination and other such nationalist fervor seem to be as much the product of global power struggles as internal ones. 

General Lafayette
Looking back at the situation in the US around the 1770's I am amazed at the level of support that we received from France.  One thing that I don't understand is why the French were so keen to help us out!  Gen. La Fayette for example came here to fight on our behalf on his own dime and encouraged the French aristocratic class to contribute to our cause.  What was their perceived benefit?  Was is purely altruistic, or were their other motives?

Saturday, August 20, 2011

National Committee for Fluid Mechanics Films Link

http://web.mit.edu/hml/ncfmf.html

Featuring cool topics such as Hemholtz resonators (I didn't realize this is what you call wind blowing  across a bottle top!) and cavitation (when water boils due to pressure drop).
Demonstration of a Helmholtz Resonator

Discussion of the cavitation number determining when a flow will cavitate

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

UK Visa Submission Page ("Low Risk" Nationalities)


Declaration
I hereby apply for an entry clearance to the United Kingdom. The information I have given is complete and true to the best of my knowledge. I also declare that the photograph submitted with this form is a true likeness of me. I confirm that if, before this application is decided, there is a material change in my circumstances or new information relevant to this application becomes available, I will inform the United Kingdom Diplomatic Mission handling my application.

I am aware that it is an offence under the Immigration Act 1971 (as amended) to make a statement which I know to be false, or not believe to be true, in order to obtain a visa/entry clearance to the UK. I am also aware that my application will be automatically refused and I may be banned from going to the UK for 10 years if I use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information. I may also be banned if I have breached immigration laws in the UK. I am further aware that should I use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information my details may be passed to law enforcement agencies.

I declare that the documents that I have supplied with this application are genuine and the statements I have made with this application are truthful. I understand that UK Border Agency (or a trusted third party) may make reasonable checks to confirm the accuracy and authenticity of evidence I have provided and documents I have submitted with this application. I further understand that UK Border Agency (or a trusted third party) may also make reasonable checks on any sponsors to my application to verify statements contained in the application and establish that I will comply or have complied with the terms of any visa granted.

I confirm that the funds for which I have claimed points in respect of maintenance are available to me, in the manner specified in the Immigration Rules, for use in studying and living in the UK and will remain so available for the duration of any Tier 4 leave granted unless used to pay for course fees and living costs in the UK.

If I have not been required to submit certain evidential documents with this application because I am a low risk student, I confirm that I have these documents and will provide them if requested to do so by the UK Border Agency.

I understand that my application will be refused if I do not comply with the request made.

I understand that I may be required to provide a record of my fingerprints and a photograph of my face ('biometric data') as part of my application. If I refuse to do so, my application may be treated as invalid and, if so, will not be considered further. (See Statutory Instrument 2006 No 1743 - The Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) Regulations 2006, Regulation 7(1)).

I understand that UK entry clearance applications may be handled by British Missions in other locations, including outside the country in which I have applied for entry clearance and that this may involve the transferring of my application and supporting documents to and from another Mission. I understand that the UK Border Agency will be responsible for transferring my application and supporting documents safely. I understand in these circumstances my application will still be handled in line with UK Border Agency published customer service standards.

I am aware that I may be billed for any medical treatment undertaken in the UK and that I do not have recourse to public funds during my stay in the UK.

I understand that all information provided by me will be processed by the UK Border Agency in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. I am aware that the UK Border Agency is the data controller in relation to the information provided by me in this application form. I am aware that the information I provide, including biometric data, will be treated in confidence, but it may be disclosed to other government departments, agencies, local authorities, foreign governments, and other bodies, to enable the UK Border Agency or those bodies to perform their functions. Any disclosures will be in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. I also understand that the information provided by me may also be used for staff training purposes.

I also understand that the information provided by me, or information made available to UK Border Agency during the processing of my application, may be shared with my sponsor(s) or any person(s) acting on their behalf or any applicant linked to my application (for example to my spouse / partner if we apply for visas for a trip together) for the sole purpose of considering my application. I am aware that if there is any information I do not want you to disclose to them I will tell you by enclosing a letter with my supporting documentation. If such requests prevent you from making legitimate inquiries, my application may be refused.

I declare that the information given on this form is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I also consent to the processing of information provided by me by the UK Border Agency.

Signature:
Date Signed:

If you would like to review your application again then click the 'Previous' button. If you would like to finalise your application then click the 'Next' button.
Note: Once you move on from this page you will not be able to make changes to your application.

Reading UK Immigration Policy (Tier 4 Visa)

Some Key Points:

UK Tier 4 status:
Only Cash accounts can be used to show ability to provide financial support.

US Government Loans can be used for non-US schools.
800 Pounds per month in inner London, 600 Pounds per month.
 Total amount of cash that must be shown for International Business Program (at 1.68 exchange rate):
$55,440

Monday, August 15, 2011

Fundamentals of Boundary Layers (Basic Fluid Mechanics)

I like this "old school" format where they do so much of a better job describing the phenomena of viscocity by doing experiments.  Our current computer based methods just don't do the job of explaining these phenomena adequately.

In Need of So-Cal Launch Ramp for Hobie 20

Its funny how some things on the web seem very difficult to access.  Looking for places to launch a beach-cat has been difficult due to the lack of information about fees, locations and so on.  This mirrors the problems that I have had researching schools where even Wikipedia doesn't really provide much light.

I wonder if internet searches are not the "oracle" that they are perceived as.  All algorithms have limitations, and I feel that due to the increasingly commercial and sophisticated nature of google's search algorithm, it is creating more marketing opportunities than true valuable searches.  I still think google is pretty much the only option unfortunately (as other engines seem to merely mirror their results) but I think there is still much room for improvement in relevance. 

Friday, August 12, 2011

On Financial Statments and Human Nature

It occurs to me as I read Babson College's Preparatory Material regarding financial statements, that it is much easier to organize information that is in your favor, that is to say, that doesn't indicate poor performance.  Regarding how to present finances, I wonder why there isn't just a single standard to not allow any variation in how these crucial numbers are reported.  With a single standard, every company would be on an even playing field and "ethical deviations" would be easier to spot.

Tornado Catamaran

http://yachtpals.com/olympics-sailing-3001

This is a wide boat at 10ft, and the link shows the 2008 Olympic version.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

University of Edinburgh Business School Video


Why the University of Edinburgh Business School? from uoebusiness on Vimeo.

Accepted to University of Edinburgh Business School, Hult International Business School

Both of these schools have some merit despite their lackluster ratings and second-tier status.  I have been updating the Wiki articles to reflect my research into ratings and overall structure of these two schools.

Hult has a shorter program (1 year) with a very international student body and good review in both the Economist (#27) and the Financial Times (#84).

The University of Edinburgh is well known, although the business school is in a state of development and appears to be near the bottom of the second tier of U.K. universities.  It is ranked lower in the Economist (#75) and the Financial Times (#90).

Finally, I have the offer from Babson to consider.  Babson College is ranked 91 by the Financial Times and 52 by US News.

My impression is that the earnings reported from graduates of these schools (Babson leads here), combined with blog reviews of each school will form the basis of my final decision.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Reviewing Halyard Ring and Hook System

The following is from a Hobie Forum Post that was emailed to me by a friend who saw first hand the trouble I've been having with this mysterious and unpredictable halyard restraining system:

Locking the Hobie 17/18/20/21 Halyard:

It is best to simulate the halyard locking with the mast down so you clearly understand the system.

Be sure that the knot tied to the ring is very low profile. A long bowline knot will hit the mast head before the ring gets to the hook.

If the ring has a small loop at the top... The line should be passed through the loop and a small knot tied. The knot (when ring and shackle are affixed to the sail) should be facing the mast. This tilts the ring closer to the mast.

Then (before attaching halyard shackle to the sail) spin the halyard 3 or 4 times clockwise (looking down on the shackle). This "pre-loads" the halyard line and causes the ring to swing back towards the hook. Keep the boat into the wind and hoist. Should lock easily.  

Monday, August 8, 2011

My Hobie 20 (now named Jasmine) was sailing along yesterday

Thanks to generous help from Mr. Mark Darley (http://www.markdarleyphoto.com/) I got Jasmine (what I have named my H20) up and running yesterday on Tomales bay.  I had issues with the rudder cams which are now plastic (delrin is not good in this application as it fractures too easily...) and very susceptible to jamming.  I had forgotten my spring force adjustment tool for preloading the rudder lock cams, and Mark pointed out that there was an additional adjustment feature atop the rudder casting.  I hadn't ever considered loosening the 1/2 inch head to reposition the casting side of the locking feature, but after he pointed it out, we were able to get the rudders locked down and they worked well.

I substituted felt for the pintle bushing (also delrin and easy to loose) that I dropped while rigging.  Felt works well in a number of applications on this boat, including as a liner for the daggerboard trunks.  On a previous post I left a link to APS's site where I ordered some carpet material for lining the trunks as well.

After struggling to hook the mainsail off, we flipped the boat on it's side to hook it.  The halyard ring was close, but not inclined correctly to flop onto the mast head hook, so next time, I'll have to confirm the orientation of the halyard ring (knot away from the mast?) and try to get it right.

I learned alot after the rigging fiasco as there was a strong wind blowing around IYC, 10 miles inland from the mouth of Tomales Bay.  I haven't been cleating off the main sheet, but in these strong winds, as long as I have confidence on my ability to blow the mainsheet if necessary, it seems perfectly safe to do so.  The high tide was at 730, and that was around when we returned, after about 2.5 hours of sailing and almost reaching Hog Island.

As far as rig tension, I had the side stays on the fourth hole (about as much as I could tension them using my own weight on the trap-harness) and the forestay was on the top hole of the adjuster.

Great Tool for plotting Lat/Long (via Google maps)

http://www.darrinward.com/cgi-bin/map-lat-long-points.php

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Hobie 20 Daggerboard Trunk Carpet

APS SLG001 $2.20 per foot with adhesive back

http://www.apsltd.com/c-908-thimbles-sleeves-and-swage-fittings.aspx 

Update - 8/2017.

In the end, I was successful sewing together pieces of felt (thanks to John Ryan of DTL-Mori for the idea of using felt as a sliding-seal.) and super-glueing these to the inside of the daggerboard trunk. The felt was easily sewn and you can achieve the required thickness to keep the boards firm inside the trunk without excessive friction.

Felt is $0.20 a piece at Wal*Mart or it was when I did this project back in 2011.

Spinnaker Instructions

Spinnaker Instructions

1. Install twiner, Bring up and attach foreguy and clip turtle (bag for spinnaker) on bow pulpit (when chute is packed in the bag, crew to ensure that red tape is to port and green tape is to starboard, so that the umbilicus will be inside).

2. Put pole up as late as possible to avoid catching the sails or sheets. Crew asks Captain: "Is this the last tack skipper?"

3. One man takes the pole, picks it up and walks it forward OR On man takes the pole (Jaws up), second man takes the topping lift to lift the pole. Once the pole goes forward, the first man rests the pole on the foredeck and inserts into the bell. First man gets the sheet and guy in the pole. The topping lift hoists the pole right above the tallest man. Pole is leveled and foregut attached to the bridal. If pole needs to go higher, do so and then pull in the foreguy.

4. Another man has already put the spinnaker bag and attached it forward and fastened the two sheets to the spinnaker clue. The sheet and the guy are attached to the tacks of the spinnaker. At this time, the man says to the skipper “Spinnaker is ready to hoist”.

5. Cockpit crew has secured the jib to free their hands for work.

6. Never put the guy in the self-tailing winch, unless going long distance. For racing, pole must be ready at all times - to trim aft while falling off, OR move forward while heading upwind to new course / head up another boat.

7. To sail effectively, the sheet, guy and main MUST work together. i.e. (a) if main goes out, pole comes back, or (b) If main comes in, pole goes forward.

Dowsing

1. Unfurl the jib upto 2/3rd length (approximate distance to ensure that one can pull in the chute from below the jib sail.

2. Put the pole forward while running DDW.

3. Sheet in the spinnaker sheet to trap the spinnaker between the jib sail and the main sail.

4. Sheet in the guy, one man to grab the umbilicus and another man to gradually release the spinnaker halyard.

5. Foredeck man secures the chute from under the jib and pushes it down from the foredeck hatch.

http://www.ukhalsey.com/LearningCenter/encyclopedia/encyclopedia6a.asp 

Porsche 924s Gas Mileage

Investigating a way to Boston from California by car.

Government Fuel Economy Site:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/29555.shtml

Based on a trip length of 3,200 miles at 25 miles per gallon, and a per-gallon cost of $3, I'll be spending $384 to cross the country one way.

Possible Route from CA to Boston MA. Roughly 3,200 Miles