Academic Nincompoops & Job Searching in Chile

One of the irritating factors about living in Chile is dealing with the pseudo-academic nincompoops when looking for a job.

Regarding an add for an academic job that does not mention where to send one’s CV , I called the “For more information call …” number listed.  I’m pretty sure  the department head (directora) picked the line up (her voice gave it away).  What I got was an unprofessional,

“Hello, why are you calling?”. Given her tone and informality, she may of just as well phrased it, “Hello, why the hell are you calling?”.

“I’m calling about the job advertisement.”

“And you want to know … what … where to send your CV?”

After that statement, I thought I had a real genius on the other end of the phone.  I answered, “Sure, that would be helpful.”.

But before receiving any information I first got interrogated with (what I’m pretty sure is an illegal interview question), “Where are you from”, as if my origin mattered.  I thought to myself, “Is this job only for people of a certain ethnicity, or race?”.

Debian GNU/Minix

Finally someone has seen the light and started a project that I called for in a previous article. This melding of the Minix kernel with the GNU userland is called Preventa, and seems to poke fun at the name Nexenta –a similar project using the Solaris kernel– all in good fun I’m sure, considering that the project leader’s blog is called “La Salle Debain” (a play on “Debian” and the French for “bathroom”).

The Difference Between Gnu-Linux, Windows, and OS X

When figuring out the difference between Gnu-Linux, Windows, and OS X user experiences …

“The timing couldn’t be better since Vista is a Wagner Opera that is usually late to start, takes too long to finish, and is spoilt by floorboards creaking under the weight of the cast,” he continues. “Mac OS X Leopard is the late show in an exclusive nightclub where the drinks are always too expensive. Linux Desktop is the free show in the park across the street — it imposes some discomforts on the audience but provides plenty of entertainment.“

Wild On!

I’m just watching some old hashed up Wild On episodes with gorgeous women, not that there was ever a lack thereof. I have an ex, that never liked the show. She even threatened to leave my pad if I didn’t change the channel. When she realized that I didn’t run to change the channel. She reiterated the ultimatum and clarified that she would leave if I didn’t change it immediately. I never understood why, and –when I enquired (that same night)– she said she didn’t know either.