RichC | December 31, 2009
A strange GPS story and follow-up courteous of the Air Forces Space Command Twitter account to usher out 2009 and welcome 2010 … Happy New Year, by the way. GPS strands couple in snow for 3 days GRANTS PASS, Ore. – A Nevada couple letting their SUV’s navigation system guide them through the high desert […]
RichC | December 31, 2009
I’ve mentioned my favorite sailing magazine (Cruising World) before on my blog, but a fraction of a second appearance of a December 2003 issue in one of my favorite CBS television programs, NCIS, made my night. We’ve been working our way through the television series when during the ‘Untouchable’ episode in Season 3 of […]
RichC | December 30, 2009
Another phone to blog test this one with a photo from the Palm Pre ‘Update’ screen (via Posterous but edited): Palm updated their webOS to version 1.3.5 during the last few days of 2009, and from my preliminary testing has improved the speed on my Pre. I’m hoping for battery improvement that has been promised, […]
RichC | December 29, 2009
Reposting something that might be helpful for those looking to gain a bit of speed back from their aging Windows based computer. The aging problem seems to happen to computers just as it does to people. — You just hit the power button your PC, and now you’ve got enough time to brew a fresh […]
RichC | December 28, 2009
As mentioned earlier, my primary Gateway NX570XL notebook computer is having LCD screen related problems. I ordered a new inverter board prior to Christmas that would have been the least expensive repair, but the item that was shipped was incorrect — much larger (longer) than the one on my computer (photo below). One of the […]
RichC | December 28, 2009
Thanks to my wife Brenda, who gave me a Keurig one-cup coffee maker for Christmas, I’ve been enjoying fresh coffee every day since Friday. In my opinion, the new Keurig brews coffee as good or better than most coffee shops. The engineering beauty of these design is that the hot water and steam stays in […]
RichC | December 28, 2009
Today should be the rollout of the newest Palm webOS, version 1.3.5. Check your updates later in the day. CEO Jon Rubinstein just confirmed that webOS 1.3.5 is coming soon and will have a bevy of improvements, including: Allowing for installation of more apps Enhances WiFi and app performance Improved battery life Increased speed and […]
RichC | December 26, 2009
See Sonex Aircraft Hornets’ Nest Research link or EAA.org article below. Sonex jet runs engine for the first time December 23, 2009 — The SubSonex, a jet-powered homebuilt aircraft being developed by Sonex Aircraft, LLC, completed its first engine run last week at the company’s Oshkosh, Wisconsin, headquarters causing warm smiles and melted snow. Sonex […]
RichC | December 24, 2009
The year 2009 is closing with our federal government’s Christmas present making big changes in America’s healthcare system. Today, the senate passed legislation moving a massive 2000+ page healthcare bill one step closer to law and will in essence give significant control of over one-sixth of our nation’s economy to bureaucrats. Although supposedly promising needed […]
RichC | December 23, 2009
It was great to have an annual Christmas exchange lunch yesterday in this ‘slower than usual’ week before Christmas. Thanks to my friend Jeff, who knows me well, I now have a new book — Pirate Latitudes — a perfect gift selection for me. Pirate Latitudes was written by best selling author, and one of […]
RichC | December 22, 2009
It’s not all bad news as we wrap up 2009. Americans have been criticized for their unhealthy eating habits and rightly so, but there are a few abused items that are getting a green light. The silver lining for those who drink, is that studies are suggesting that certain favorite drinks are medically helpful, some […]
RichC | December 21, 2009
One would think that I would have learned my lesson with Gateway notebook computers a few years ago when I replaced my well traveled lightweight computer after first power plug, then keyboard and finally USB port issues … unfortunately I didn’t. I reluctantly replace it with a higher performance model which started off irritating me […]
RichC | December 20, 2009
For need of inspiration, I’m following a British sailor on his boat Impossible Dream with a few more physical challenges to sailing than most of us. Geoff Holt has refused to let being a quadriplegic prevent him from attempting a sail across the Atlantic, although is finding it challenging. I’ve been following his upbeat attitude […]
RichC | December 18, 2009
The house is now decorated, the kids home (or almost home) from college, snow is in the forecast and Christmas is a mere week away. As we reflect on the scrabble to get everything right for the celebration this season, let’s not get so overly wrapped up in the preparation that we lose sight of […]
RichC | December 18, 2009
Responding to a question from a blog reader about using Posterous.com and photos, he asked how multiple photos were handled? Honestly I didn’t know but recall reading that they were embedded in an image galley … so I’ll give it a try. EDIT: Image gallery didn’t repost correctly, but test photos are below.
RichC | December 17, 2009
As another test post, I wanted to test the “to posterous” email posting – since deleted with the close of Posterous.com.
RichC | December 17, 2009
The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry at age 26 died Thursday morning in Charlotte, North Carolina from injuries he sustained falling on Wednesday from a moving truck. He was hospitalized and died at 6:36 a.m. after being on life support. According to reports, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers responded to a call shortly after noon on […]
RichC | December 16, 2009
While traveling to northeastern Ohio this week I had a bit more fun playing with Photosynth (see previous post). This time I used my daughter’s apartment as a subject before taking her out for our father-daughter dinner — the highlight of my week. Unfortunately lighting and not spending too much time to take the series […]
RichC | December 16, 2009
While stopping for lunch and killing time before my next appointment, I wanted to test the Posterous to blog set-up using my Palm Pre. Included in this post is a photo from a page of the Wall Street Journal Personal section and an article on ‘The Surge in Electric Cars’ — I will try to […]
RichC | December 15, 2009
McDonald’s Corp. will soon start offering free wireless Internet access at its U.S. restaurants as part of the fast-food chain’s transformation from its hamburger roots into a hang-out destination. Starting in mid-January, McDonald’s will lift a $2.95 fee that it had charged customers for two hours of wireless Internet access, available at about 11,000 of […]
RichC | December 15, 2009
I tried my first “synth” with Microsoft’s online computer-generated panorama photo application called Photosynth.net. The app automatically stitches a series of photos together in a semi-panoramic combination and creates an image called a “synth.” From a users perspective, the process is fairly easy and takes less than an hour; all that is required is to […]
RichC | December 15, 2009
Image no longer available This is an email post from Posterous.com. It will include a test photo as well as a bit of customized, italic, bold and red text. Posted via email from richc’s posterous
RichC | December 14, 2009
With the republishing of a Christmas article on Facebook from sailing author Gary “Fatty” Goodlander, I’ve been re-thinking my vow to avoid this social networking site. Facebook being my kids preferred peer-to-peer (no geek humor intended) communications medium, I’ve avoided it not wanted to look like a ‘helicopter parent. So far, its not been all […]
RichC | December 13, 2009
A couple areas of interest to me merge one state over in Indiana. In an effort to help the endangered whooping cranes migrate safely from Wisconsin to their wintering grounds in Florida, Operation Migration had two disappointing moments this past week. In Vermillion County, Indiana, a staff member for the International Crane Foundation (ICF) found […]
RichC | December 11, 2009
After spending the week listening and grumbling over politics (and unfortunately blogging about it), I was ready for something to lighten my mood — How about Trackhoe waterskiing … or if you’re not from the south, it might be called Excavator waterskiing? Whatever … its a recreation fitting for the NASCAR lover!
RichC | December 10, 2009
Although I’m not a John Birch Society focused guy, a friend of mine forwarded a YouTube video from its founder Robert W. Welch, Jr. compiled from 1958 and 1974 speeches (embedded below). It is interesting that after our American Republic watched the Soviet Union’s heavy handed, centrally controlled communist government collapse in the 1980s, that […]
RichC | December 9, 2009
My goal is to have the home theater upgraded by the time my kids are home from college for their Christmas break. The new Optoma HD20 arrived and I anxiously replaced my older Sony 900U ceiling concealed projector. Besides ‘still’ having a ridiculous combination of remotes, the HD picture enhanced from a standard DVD from […]
RichC | December 8, 2009
As the politicians in Washington continue their borrowing and spending, President Obama pitches using $200B from borrowed TARP funds for yet another stimulus … money that wouldn’t even be asked to be paid back. At the same time, the Moody credit worthiness rating company warns of potential downgrades for U.S (and other nations) if fiscal […]
RichC | December 8, 2009
The Ohio News Channel produced a short news story on trapping coyotes in the suburban areas of West Chester in Butler County, Ohio (see previous post). Neighbor in the area have grown concerned enough as to hire a professional trapper (video below). Perhaps they’ll at least remove the boldest coyotes … although I wonder just […]
RichC | December 7, 2009
Who would have thunk it … the first dusting of snow across the Cincinnati area that looks so harmless and traffic nightmare ensues. Good news for automotive body shops and tow truck operators … and probably far better than the “cash for clunkers” boondoggle forced on taxpayers by Washington this year? I went out to […]
RichC | December 6, 2009
We’re not all going to agree on how much involvement we want from our federal government, but I’m sensing that most Americans are concerned that their voices over an invasive government are being ignored. This concern isn’t just about the current administration, but includes the excessive spending and Wall Street rescue started by the previous […]
RichC | December 5, 2009
It was the first day of ice for our small lake and time to take my annual trip to pick out a large-ish Christmas tree. Usually this is done with my son who argues that the tree isn’t big enough, but this year the ‘duty’ fell on to my shoulders alone. Pressure … already knowing […]
RichC | December 4, 2009
In a follow up to my post concerning defective Christmas lights, I’ve been working to salvage strings of mini lights before tossing them into the landfill. So far I’ve been pleased the Lightkeeper Pro and have been successful in being able to repair at least a dozens strands of lights. The fixes have not been […]
RichC | December 3, 2009
While doing a little research on the Advent Wreath for family devotions this past weekend, I came across an interesting article that I wanted to share and archive. Although I’m not Catholic, one would have thought I would have known a bit more about the pre-Christian and pre-Protestant history. I’ll include a couple paragraphs from […]
RichC | December 2, 2009
Volkswagen continues to entice those appreciating ‘green’ diesel vehicles with their UpLite concept at the LA Auto Show. The new design is said to use diesel electric combination to achieve 70mpg, while still offering a degree of comfort and styling. From the photos posted on Autoblog.com, the new VW also looks to be offering function […]
RichC | December 1, 2009
I know that I’m not the only one ‘collecting’ tangles of miniature Christmas lights which grows each season as the decorations are packed and unpacked. I’ve vowed a number of times to either fix or dispose of the faulty and half lit strings. This year, knowing my repairman patience is nearing it limit, I’m giving […]