Thursday, June 18, 2009
Bing
I have to say, Bing.com is pretty slick. Although it somehow reminds me of Matthew Perry, Bing takes a great concept and implements it well. Under the banner of a "decision engine", it organizes results based on purpose. For example, if you search "Xbox" it gives you the categories Buy, Fix, Games, Support, etc, and organizes the results into these groups. No one is going to catch Google's algorithm, but Bing instead looks to pull the rug out from under the established norms for search, much like Apple did with the iPhone I am using to write this post...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Coolest iPhone accessory to date
This is only cool because it appeals to my practical side. I picked this up today at a local store after seeing it on the checkout isle. It's a Griffin "Window Seat" iPhone cradle that mounts to the windshield/dash of your car. It's made for the iPhone, so it has a perfectly molded holder, not like the universal mounts. Right now I have my iPhone mounted to the left of my steering wheel, and with GPS running it looks and works unbelievably well. Next is to wire an input to my radio via mini-jack and I've got tunes at my finger tips - no more scrolling thru the sluggish radio controls. AND with iPhone 3.0, turn by turn GPS should be here soon...
The Transition
With the DTV transition this last weekend, I had to spend some quality time with the Tivo finding the new old channels, then the old new channels, and then back again. It was confusing. It was like the broadcasters said "We know we're confusing people without DTV boxes, but we also need to confuse people who are ready for the DTV transition. Let's swap all the channels with new ones, then swap back! Yeah!". This all lead me to a great question - has anyone ever named their kid "Tivo" ? If not, I have dibs.....
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The thrill is gone
You may be all flowers and mother earth with the planned fuel efficiency standards (35.5 mpg), but I am freaking out. I love cars and hate to see them die off. This whole plan stinks, and here's why...
1) Every fun and spacious vehicle will disappear from the road, and will be replaced in the interim with cars made from subpar materials and 0-60 times in the double digits. Remember the 70's? I wasn't even alive but still cringe when I see cars from that decade. Check out Jeremy Clarkson's review of the new Honda Insight, you'll see what I mean.
2) If people wanted more fuel efficient vehicles, and to be more prepared for oil price spiking, they would buy those cars. Fact is, we hate those cars (check sales in relation to gas prices). Stop telling us what we should want. Same goes for how we should be charitable - I should decide where my financial support goes, not the Gov, but that's another topic for another time.
3) "After 3 yrs the initial investment pays off". Big caveat here - what about depreciation? Do the math, new cars are always a big loss. Also consider that many people dump their cars after 3 yrs (typical warranty period). I did the math on my truck. Gas would have to be $6.55 before it makes sense to take on a new car payment.
4) I'll leave you with this prediction - as all these mandated vehicles come out, those who choose to remain in their old vehicles instead of buying new ones will be targeted with taxes to push us to new cars. Call it an emissions fee, a gas guzzler tax, a vehicle weight limit fine, a killing polar bears levy, whatever. The Gov owns a stake in global car companies, and now has the power to force us into their cars.
1) Every fun and spacious vehicle will disappear from the road, and will be replaced in the interim with cars made from subpar materials and 0-60 times in the double digits. Remember the 70's? I wasn't even alive but still cringe when I see cars from that decade. Check out Jeremy Clarkson's review of the new Honda Insight, you'll see what I mean.
2) If people wanted more fuel efficient vehicles, and to be more prepared for oil price spiking, they would buy those cars. Fact is, we hate those cars (check sales in relation to gas prices). Stop telling us what we should want. Same goes for how we should be charitable - I should decide where my financial support goes, not the Gov, but that's another topic for another time.
3) "After 3 yrs the initial investment pays off". Big caveat here - what about depreciation? Do the math, new cars are always a big loss. Also consider that many people dump their cars after 3 yrs (typical warranty period). I did the math on my truck. Gas would have to be $6.55 before it makes sense to take on a new car payment.
4) I'll leave you with this prediction - as all these mandated vehicles come out, those who choose to remain in their old vehicles instead of buying new ones will be targeted with taxes to push us to new cars. Call it an emissions fee, a gas guzzler tax, a vehicle weight limit fine, a killing polar bears levy, whatever. The Gov owns a stake in global car companies, and now has the power to force us into their cars.
Friday, May 15, 2009
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Sunday, May 10, 2009
Time drain
I have been down right weak in posting on the blog the past couple weeks. That's partly due to having fun with William, but now also do to my new boat, or as I shall now refer to it as the USS Time Drain.
Boats are no joke. This is one is even really simple. No electronics, simple clamp on motors, small trailer, etc. But the list of things to do before I can get her on the water is staggering. I've now spent an additional 30% of the purchase price on repairs, accessories, spare tires, and it goes on. Even longer than the purchase list is the to-do list which is now at 16 items long in my handy Google widget. Today I looked through a Cabela's catalogue and thought of 4 more things.
The next big items:
Sand/Pressure Wash/Re-Paint Boat
Replace rusty trailer brackets and change wheels/tires
Install seats, install motors, install my money at the local Academy
I'll post an "after" pic in a few weeks. My goal is to have her water-ready by June.
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Boats are no joke. This is one is even really simple. No electronics, simple clamp on motors, small trailer, etc. But the list of things to do before I can get her on the water is staggering. I've now spent an additional 30% of the purchase price on repairs, accessories, spare tires, and it goes on. Even longer than the purchase list is the to-do list which is now at 16 items long in my handy Google widget. Today I looked through a Cabela's catalogue and thought of 4 more things.
The next big items:
Sand/Pressure Wash/Re-Paint Boat
Replace rusty trailer brackets and change wheels/tires
Install seats, install motors, install my money at the local Academy
I'll post an "after" pic in a few weeks. My goal is to have her water-ready by June.
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Free has a price
You probably thought this was a political commentary on the 2009 stimulus plan. Sorry to disappoint...
After cleaning out after our garage sale last month, I had a few items that I could not donate but also could not throw in the trash, the biggest of which were several glass table tops each weighing over 50lbs. So, I decided to post them in the "free stuff" section of Craigslist. I put a description, and was clear I would delete the post once the stuff was gone. In just under 5hrs all of it was gone and I felt I had contributed something great to society. Unfortunately, there is a darker side to the "free stuff" as illustrated by FoxNews...
After cleaning out after our garage sale last month, I had a few items that I could not donate but also could not throw in the trash, the biggest of which were several glass table tops each weighing over 50lbs. So, I decided to post them in the "free stuff" section of Craigslist. I put a description, and was clear I would delete the post once the stuff was gone. In just under 5hrs all of it was gone and I felt I had contributed something great to society. Unfortunately, there is a darker side to the "free stuff" as illustrated by FoxNews...
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Low Water-mark for Muscle Cars
We're hitting some never seen prices on some muscle cars out there:
2005 GTO (400HP) - $15,899
2007 GT500 (500HP) - $36,980
2005 GTO (400HP) - $15,899
2007 GT500 (500HP) - $36,980
Monday, April 6, 2009
Reset a Mac Admin Account Password
If you ever plan to buy a used Mac, bookmark this page because you will need it. Both Mac's I've purchased on eBay came with default Admin accounts without a password - but here's the catch - to update any software (new or existing) you need a password. What to do? Usually you can just pop in the OS disk and go on with life, but if you bought used then you probably don't have that oh so important disk.
Here's what you do...delete Leopard's setup completion marker and make it start over. Basically, you fool the OS into thinking that this is the first time you've turned the computer on, and it let's you create a new user account and password upon reboot.
Follow the steps on this blog post then complete the following to keep the programs and data:
Once you're back in the system with your new account, you can then reset the password on the original Admin account, and then switch users back to the original Admin account. This ensures that you preserve all the programs and files associated with the original Admin account. You're only at risk of losing the programs/files if you delete the original Admin profile (so don't do that). Simple, eh??
Here's what you do...delete Leopard's setup completion marker and make it start over. Basically, you fool the OS into thinking that this is the first time you've turned the computer on, and it let's you create a new user account and password upon reboot.
Follow the steps on this blog post then complete the following to keep the programs and data:
Once you're back in the system with your new account, you can then reset the password on the original Admin account, and then switch users back to the original Admin account. This ensures that you preserve all the programs and files associated with the original Admin account. You're only at risk of losing the programs/files if you delete the original Admin profile (so don't do that). Simple, eh??
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Making Space
Garage sale went down this weekend - sold a ton of stuff (literally). We probably sold 2000 pounds of merchandise. The biggest win provided by the garage sale is my newly clear garage. I now have space back for both vehicles, or for one vehicle and a boat, or one vehicle and a 2010 Camaro SS, or.....I digress. One other factor in the clean-up was building-out the attic above the master bedroom and garage. Both were huge open areas, and now with the help of Craig and Dad they are now walkable and ready for storage. Here' s a couple pics after the fact:
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Pearland Garage Sale April 4th 2009
April 4th 2009 8AM- This Saturday we're having a big garage sale at our home in Pearland - not just our stuff but merch from relatives, neighbors, and friends. The garage is stacked high....
For a complete list and directions, see our craigslist post or 1006sale.com
Drop by and you can tell your friends "Lee or Susan or someone they knew used to own this!"
For a complete list and directions, see our craigslist post or 1006sale.com
Drop by and you can tell your friends "Lee or Susan or someone they knew used to own this!"
Thursday, March 26, 2009
The Route less travelled
I've had a heck of a time getting wireless internet coverage in our house, and I've tried just about everything - moving the router to the middle of the house, installing a signal repeater where the signal goes week, and lastly upgrading to a router with increased coverage distance. All have failed. Then, with the help of a post on Amazon I may have found the solution:
1) Router settings - dive into the router's settings by typing it's IP address into your web browser, and set the router to the following:
Broadcast Power - High
Channel - 11
Wireless protocol - set it to broadcast only the version you need (a,b,g, or N). I found that setting it to a mixed broadcast mode (g and N) was causing all sorts of drop issues.
If that doesn't do the trick, consider a router with external antennas, or with Wireless N (fastest, strongest protocol) as even your old Wireless G devices benefit from the advanced coverage Wireless N provides. These routers can be found for $20 (g) or $40 (n) from newegg.com.
1) Router settings - dive into the router's settings by typing it's IP address into your web browser, and set the router to the following:
Broadcast Power - High
Channel - 11
Wireless protocol - set it to broadcast only the version you need (a,b,g, or N). I found that setting it to a mixed broadcast mode (g and N) was causing all sorts of drop issues.
If that doesn't do the trick, consider a router with external antennas, or with Wireless N (fastest, strongest protocol) as even your old Wireless G devices benefit from the advanced coverage Wireless N provides. These routers can be found for $20 (g) or $40 (n) from newegg.com.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Obama Bracket Doppelganger
March Madness is upon us, and I'm doing my part. I made my bracket, and since I know zero about college basketball, I put together my bracket based on Obama's picks - except, I picked the opposite. Every first round pick he chose, I chose the opposite team to win and then filled in the remaining rounds based on seed number. I'm calling it the "Rush Limbaugh" Bracket, or Rush Bracket for short. Will this be a referendum on the stimulus package? Will this be a harbinger of things to come? Stay tuned and find out.....
[Update] - Tuned back in? OK, my bracket failed miserably, we're talking last place. So, let's hope this means 2009 will be a great economic year....
[Update] - Tuned back in? OK, my bracket failed miserably, we're talking last place. So, let's hope this means 2009 will be a great economic year....
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The dollar is back!
Susan and I hit up the Sonic $1 menu last night...$3.40 later we were full. Meals start with a decent sized burger or chicken sanwich, taters, and a drink for $2.97....
iPhone 3.0
Besides the much awaited cut&paste feature, new iPhone 3.0 software has the promise of turnbyturn GPS (probably will be an app you can purchaes from TomTom, Garmin, or the like), and stereo Bluetooth which offers a couple cool scenarios:
1) Sit down in your car, iPhone pairs with your car's system, and not only can you take calls with your iPhone buried in your purse or pocket, but now your whole music library is also available via the stereo. No cords or cables...
2) Wireless headphones - Motorola, Jabra, and others make Bluetooth headphones for under $30, again no wires at the gym, on the plane, or anywhere you travel...
Other ground breaker app is now also available - Amazon offers the Kindle app for the iPhone, which syncs with your Kindle and let's you read your books on the go. For Amazon, it's not about selling Kindles, it's about selling books...
1) Sit down in your car, iPhone pairs with your car's system, and not only can you take calls with your iPhone buried in your purse or pocket, but now your whole music library is also available via the stereo. No cords or cables...
2) Wireless headphones - Motorola, Jabra, and others make Bluetooth headphones for under $30, again no wires at the gym, on the plane, or anywhere you travel...
Other ground breaker app is now also available - Amazon offers the Kindle app for the iPhone, which syncs with your Kindle and let's you read your books on the go. For Amazon, it's not about selling Kindles, it's about selling books...
Saturday, March 14, 2009
First Hand
Really interesting piece on the validity of eyewitness testimony - how during moments of intense stress the mind doesn't act like a video recorder, it behaves much differently and visual recognition of the criminal can be influenced quite dramatically by suggestion. This piece also doubles as an incredible story of mercy and grace, as a woman learns that the man she accused of rape was innocent (she fingered him based on flawed line-up techniques), DNA evidence clears him after 11 years in jail, and they meet together to reconcile. Chill factor = 10
Part 1: The Backstory, Grace and Mercy
Part 2: Flawed Eyewitness Techniques
Part 1: The Backstory, Grace and Mercy
Part 2: Flawed Eyewitness Techniques
Travel with Wii
If you've ever tried to pack up a game system (Xbox, Wii, PS3) and take it on the road, you know what a pain it is to unplug all the cables, especially with the Wii since you have six miles of dental-floss-thin wire connected to the sensor bar that sits glued to the top of your TV. Solution? Double up on the A/V cable, AC adapter, and sensor bar using a straight from China reseller for under $20. This way you just unplug the Wii and go, leaving your home setup intact.
Wii AC Adpater
Wii A/V Cable
WIRELESS Wii Sensor Bar
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Cashback is back
Live.com cashback is backcash! Looks like 8% is the magic number now - still decent if you're shopping at ebay prices. Here's my old blog post on how to use it. It really works. Here's a screenshot of the $ I've saved since December - most of it on normal everyday purchases like baby supplies...
[update] Now up to 14%
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Wii Roddick
I've been working my way up the Wii points scale in tennis, feeling a bit like a prodigy as I beat the likes of Marco, Claudia, and Ralf (all of whom have crossed the 500 points mark), until this past weekend. I lost to two 700+ players and it all fell apart. My backhand lost its flair, I got lazy on my serves, and my returns were overall below average. This led to a slide greater than that of the Dow Jones. After I lost to the 700+ players, I then lost to a pair of 600, 500, 300, and 200 players. All in a row. I could not return to my former greatness. I've lost my edge. I am the Andy Roddick of Wii tennis.
At least this didn't happen:
At least this didn't happen:
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