The OSI Model Revisited

As I sit in the conference room listening to a boring presentation about an integrated device communicating with hospital information systems over the seven layers of the OSI model, my mind begins to wander.

What are the seven layers of the OSI model I wonder. And then like a flash of lightening it occurs to me. In a trice I recollect the friendly mnemonic that we had come up with all those eons ago.

Please Do Not Touch Sachin Phadtare's Assignments

What a great mnemonic. Simple, yet catchy. Topical, yet pertinent. And remarkably efficient to boot. If there were awards to be awarded for the catchiest mnemonic ever, this would be among the winningest of the lot. Yes, it really is that good.

To be honest, I do not remember much about Sachin Phadtare, or why we were not allowed to touch his assignments. In fact, I haven't the foggiest idea of what he looked like (though I have a vague feeling that there was a moustache involved.) Still, he will linger on in my memory forever.

I try hard to suppress a chuckle. The presenter looks at me. I nod wisely as he rambles on.

Meaningless presentations can be such fun at times.

Where's the Base At?

Over lunch the other day, I was posed the following question. Given,

24² = 554

what is the base of this equation. That is to say, what number system should be used to make the equation valid?

In between stuffing my face and scratching my head, I did manage to solve the problem, albeit not half as quickly as I would have hoped. I offered the lack of a readily available pen as my excuse. One can't really solve quadratic equations without a pen now, can one? As it turns out, there is a faster, more intuitive method that doesn’t really require a quadratic equation at all. It seemed so obvious once revealed that I had to kick myself for not thinking it.

My question to you, dear reader, is can you come up with the quick solution for this problem?

Bonus question: Now that I have you reeled in, pray tell me what the base of the following equation should be

2¹³ = 80000

(You may use a calculator for this one).

Tom Tancredo for President

Republican Tom Tancredo has called for a moratorium on immigration because of the threat that illegal immigrants could spread contagious disease among Americans. Tancredo is afraid that people from foreign countries will invade in their hordes and contaminate America with deadly diseases. Just like his ancestors had done some 400 years ago, bringing cholera and tuberculosis to the continent, wiping off entire civilizations in the process. Really, one must laud Mr. Tancredo for his concern and foresight. Here is one man who really learns from his history.

And it's not just public health or illegal aliens that Tancredo is concerned about. He is also working tirelessly to protect the country against the evil cult of multiculturalism. To quote:

I have to tell you that we are facing a situation, where if we don't control immigration, legal and illegal, we will eventually reach the point where it won't be what kind of a nation we are, balkanized or united, we will actually have to face the fact that we are no longer a nation at all. That is the honest to God eventual outcome of this kind of massive immigration combined with the cult of multiculturalism that permeates our society. (source: Right Wing News)

After all, we all know the perils multiculturalism pose to society. Just imagine what might happen if we expose people from different cultures to each other. They will form nefarious cults, sacrifice souls, and Heaven forbid, even become tolerant of each other (the Horror!). But won't being insular further alienate the country and actually increase the chances of terrorist attacks, you ask. Well, fear not. For the tireless Mr. Tancredo has a plan for that too.

I must confess, I am floored by such brilliance. I had been planning to lobby for Jeb Bush for the 2008 Presidential election, but now I think I might have found a worthier contender. Do visit the (unofficial) Tom Tancredo for President website. Oh, and don't forget to donate generously.