Scott's Web Log

The State of California will soon require forms and documentation used in processing workers' compensation cases be filed electronically. Aside from using the proposed proprietary system the only method mentioned for submitting files is to upload PDFs. I'm am currently developing interactive on-line forms that will allow users to fill in, download and print out these forms. Unlike PDFs found on-line, this site will allow the user to save their data and both amend, emend and create new documents from the same form.

These forms (I currently have only one ready for use, WCAB Form 1, Application for Adjudication of Claim) are part of a comprehensive case management system currently under development. When operational, the system will be a data dictionary for populating forms, documents and letters. The system is being developed using PHP5, MySQL, and Open Office utilizing a technique referred to as Ajax.

Science News May 26, 2007 has a note about increased incidence of nail-gun injuries. It reports that between 2001 and 2005 roughly 37,000 people annually were treated for injuries from pneumatic nail-guns. "Nails driven into hands or fingers accounted for two-thirds of the wounds."

Figures for "weekend carpenters" increased from 4,200 in 1991 to nearly 15,000 in this latest period. The article notes that most such accidents occur among professionals but that "their mishap rate has held steady since such data on workers' injuries were first collected in 1998".

Science News cites:
Lipscomb, H.J., and L.L. Jackson. 2007. Nail-gun injuries treated in emergency departments—United States, 2001–2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 56(April 13):329-332. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5614a2.htm

I can well believe this as I spend a fair amount of time working in the "tool corral" at my local Home Depot and I've sold alot of nail guns and compressors. More than a few customers don't know what nails to load the guns with let alone have experience using them. They just want to put that molding on as fast as possible. I guess it's quicker to shoot your thumb with a nail gun than it is to hit it with a hammer.

Herein is a most impressive production of The War Prayer, Mark Twain's perceptive and poignant take on invoking God to aid in war.

I've created a new blog for Nancy Wyatt. She is very active in issues related to family child care, preschools and other areas of early childhood welfare. I'm hoping that she will include at least some of what she writes to this new site.

This is an excellent album of acoustic Neil, guitar and piano, with his voice the clearest and most poignant I've ever heard. I got the CD as part of a package from Rhino records that included a poster and a DVD. My suggestion is that only the CD is necessary. The DVD is interesting but it is not a concert film. Apparently concert footage existed for only some of the songs. Much of the DVD consists of home movies from his ranch and quite a bit of the DVD is of a tape recorder sitting in a chair.

Included with the package wrapping is a note from Neil mentioning that this album was one David Briggs wanted release before the Harvest album. Personally I prefer these acoustic tracks, especially A Man Needs A Maid, to Harvest. I never really liked the orchestral arrangement found on Harvest. The only bootleg album I've ever purchased was Neil Young in Los Angeles, February 1, 1971. I believe the show was at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion less than two weeks after the Massey Hall concert.

The LA concert recording is of very poor quality, someone in the audience with a tape recorder, but Neil's delivery is very much like that at Massey Hall. He does not play the harmonica on the Massey Hall release but does in LA. Also his arrangement for A Man Needs a Maid is different. The Massey Hall release contains A Man Needs a Maid/Heart of Gold Suite. In LA, he sings the songs separately.