RichC | June 30, 2009
The new Mozilla Firefox 3.5 was released from beta today and should offer a significant speed increase with JavaScript performance (twice as fast ast Firefox 3) . There are a few icon improvements which will probably be just eye-candy to most, but the jump ahead in video and audio content for embedded HTML5 content will […]
RichC | June 30, 2009
Ever need another outlet even when you have a couple surge strips and wall outlets are full? Perhaps you need an entire wall wired and ready for the latest and greatest electrical gadget. (See Make Online – Thanks Scott)
RichC | June 29, 2009
Calling any ornithologists … or ethologists … that might have insight as to how (or why) birds fly under our covered porch, make a tight banking turn and deliver a “load” against the upper panes of our window. Mind you … our porch is relatively low ceilinged and of substantial size. (perhaps they just have […]
RichC | June 28, 2009
Spent the weekend outside and probably got too much sun, but it was a beautiful weekend here in Cincinnati and didn’t want to be inside. I continued the reforestation project (just kidding) and added another row of Colorado Blue Spruce trees to our backyard (Palm Pre photo above – click photo for larger). Spending time […]
RichC | June 26, 2009
It has been a week of celebrity deaths. I probably wouldn’t have mention them if it were only one or an expected passing — Ed McMahon or Farrah Fawcett … but with yesterday afternoon’s surprising cardiac arrest of Michael Jackson it is on my mind (and the TV cable news). What is really sad is […]
RichC | June 25, 2009
If you don’t mind wasting a few minutes, here’s a new search tool site called Spezify which finds bits of random information from different websites and posts them in a unique and visual way. Spezify.com was started a few months ago in April, but went live on June 15, 2009 (follow on Twitter: @spezify). Try […]
RichC | June 24, 2009
After a couple of weeks with the Palm Pre I’m learning to be more productive with the hot little smartphone device. The earlier cut, copy and paste complaints for supported apps complaint has become less of an issue and I’m enjoying the improved camera, yet still miss added camera features and video. There are also […]
RichC | June 23, 2009
I’ve been struggling to finish and tweak the install of the Microsoft Windows 7 Release Candidate OS before my Beta version expires — 8 days from now. Unfortunately for me, I embraced Windows 7 after switching from Vista back in January and couldn’t imagine going back, so onward I planned to go. The initial install […]
RichC | June 21, 2009
Today being Father’s Day has me reflecting on the two fathers in my life. They are both terrific dads and are great examples for me, as well as their grandsons. Shamefully for me, we didn’t prioritized getting together with them this year as we have in the past. Normally we are together for an annual […]
RichC | June 20, 2009
Belated post. It’s an interesting photo included for my Audubon ‘birding’ friends. Yes it is a tweaked photo. 😆 I’m dating it as a Saturday entry which I missed this week.
RichC | June 19, 2009
Great tip from Paul Thurrott of winsupersite.com about shopping with Microsoft’s new bing.com websearch tool. Besides being a Google challenging search tool, it can also save/make you some money. You’ll need to sign up for ‘cashback’ using a Windows ID email (ie. live.com), but by using the impressive search website and associated vendors (huge list), […]
RichC | June 18, 2009
Our local VW TDI group is working on a ‘welcome bag’ item for this year’s TDIFest 2009 near Washington DC (Herndon, Virginia). CinciTDI.com group, which hosted the TDIFest OH8 last year, has decided to offer up something for the registrants. Initially we though about a small canvas portfolio bag, a 12 LED flashlight (still pretty […]
RichC | June 17, 2009
This was suppose to have posted from the Palm Pre to my blog … obviously my test and photo didn’t post. (I’ll have to look into it) Anyway … after a long rain delay early in the game, the Red were able to finish on top with solid pitching and hitting fromLaynce Nix. See Story
RichC | June 16, 2009
After a week slipping my new Palm Pre smartphone in my front pants pocket, I’ve decided it really needs a little protection if it is going to last a few years. Since the ‘cute’ little pouch that comes packaged with the Pre is not well suited for daily pocket use, in my opinion … I’ve […]
RichC | June 15, 2009
Here’s an excellent video from the World Air Games in Turin, Italy showing a test flight flown by Space Shuttle astronaut (STS-75) Maurizo Cheli in the electrically powered SkySpark Single “Motor” Land aircraft (a lame attempt at aviation humor on py part). What makes this flight unique is that it has achieved an airspeed record […]
RichC | June 15, 2009
While I’m in the “picture taking” mode, here are a couple spider webs taken while leaving the house this morning. The fog was heavy through the night after the thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon. Click photos for larger versions or here for largerst. Photo with Canon XTi & Tamron AF17-50mm.
RichC | June 14, 2009
Spending a busy weekend away from the computer, but found time to catch up on some tech updates on my Palm Pre. Really I’d prefer watching video on a big screen, but I was impress at how well I was able to watch a couple YouTube videos and episodes of Cali Lewis on Geekbrief.tv. Very […]
RichC | June 12, 2009
The automatic upgrade feature in newer versions of WordPress software makes upgrading far easier than just a few version ago. I remember putting off the chore for months not wanted to hassle with backups and FTP uploads. Currently the step by step ‘semi-wizard’ approach works well and the switch to WordPress 2.8 last evening the same. […]
RichC | June 11, 2009
Yesterday was a busy day of business calls and traveling so I missed the chance to blog about my son’s birthday. Nevertheless, I’ll include a Palm Pre photo from my son’s birthday dinner — Happy Birthday Taylor. The evening was nice as we enjoyed watching the Benihana chef cook the food in front of us […]
RichC | June 9, 2009
— “Houston, we have a problem.” — Some heavy smartphone device users may have a problem with the Palm Pre’s battery life. My initial road test is turning up some pretty questionable results (click photo at right – used 80% of battery in 4 hours). I left the house this morning for a day on […]
RichC | June 8, 2009
My new smartphone, the Palm Pre, is growing on me and although I’m slow to change the smooth skipping stone of a phone is growing on me. Productivity with it is not happening just yet since the keyboard layout has change over the Treo and Centro line (moved some keys around). I’m am surprised how […]
RichC | June 7, 2009
Enjoying a fire on the back porch and a some relaxation in the hot tub after a couple of graduation parties. Of course the highlight of my day was picking up the highly anticipated Palm Pre smartphone as a replacement to my Treo 700p. My first impression is WOW! … followed by a less enthusiastic […]
RichC | June 6, 2009
Here’s a “How-To” technique for making FREE computer to “phone” calls (not computer to computer) from overseas to any U.S. phone number. Its more the penny pincher in me which enjoys finding a way to use technology than the actual dollar savings since it hardly seems worthwhile for the few calls I “really” need to […]
RichC | June 5, 2009
Q: How do we improve life for Ohio residents, attract business and bring jobs to our state? A: With smaller government, lower taxes and by electing John Kasich (@John Kasich) to serve as governor in 2010. kasichforohio.com
RichC | June 4, 2009
As a long time Palm OS user from Palm Pilots to Handspring Visors to Samsung i500 phones (my mother is currently using it) to the latest Treos and Centros … I’m waiting … and waiting … for the new Web OS … and waiting for a new physical keyboard PDA smartphone. The Palm Pre is […]
RichC | June 3, 2009
Don’t miss the tuning session on Saturday June 13th if your Volkwagen TDI diesel needs a bit more get up and go. Jeff Robinson from Rocketchip will be at Jon Hamilton’s garage working his magic. Be early if you don’t want to wait. Jon’s Auto LLC is proud to present the return of Jeff from […]
RichC | June 2, 2009
Internet giant Google continues to make it presence known as they have landed Acer, Inc, the world’s third largest computer maker, as a client for its Android Operating System. They will be shipping a new netbook PC in the third quarter this year with a competitive OS to Microsoft’s windows or open source Linux OS. […]
RichC | June 1, 2009
It has not been a good weekend for computers under my care and I’ve been punished by fate for over-confidence in the new Windows 7 RC release … and in my “lack of appropriate backups” on my Mac. First, I started the process of preparing to update a couple computer from the Windows 7 Beta […]
RichC | May 30, 2009
Although I don’t watch the “idol” shows, I would be remiss in not archiving something on my blog about the Scottish singer and Internet sensation Susan Boyle on the British program “Got Talent 2009.” (and although she scored a 2nd place overall, she is tremendously talented and captured the world’s attention)
RichC | May 29, 2009
According to VW of America spokesman Steve Keyes, the 2010 North American version of the European Golf wagon, the VW Jetta Sportwagen, will see a facelift this fall. Keyes told Autoblog: “In order to simplify production, we’ll make the change to our Jetta and as an added benefit, we believe the customers will appreciate the […]
RichC | May 29, 2009
Here a great way to try, or to just use without paying for more storage, my favorite backup and multiple computer file sharing service from Sugarsync. I’ve commented positively before and have no problem paying a monthly for the service, but here’s a way for students, skeptics and light users to give Sugarsync a ‘long […]
RichC | May 28, 2009
How many hours does it take to record a 3 minute and 42 second YouTube video of college guys shooting ping pong balls into cups? Probably hours that could have been better used focused on higher education … but they now have a popular YouTube video to put on their resume … and who knows […]
RichC | May 28, 2009
A rainbow was a welcome sight on the way to the hotel Wednesday night as the T-storms rubbled through northeast Ohio. The rain was heavy and traffic slow as I inched my way through Akron on I-76.
RichC | May 27, 2009
Day two of the All Things D D7 conference had Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher interviewing Evan Williams and Biz Stone of Twitter. The short on stage sit down offered one of the better reviews both the history and future thinking behind this fast growing social networking company (watch your audio volume in embedded video […]
RichC | May 26, 2009
Being on the Ohio roads regularly for business and pleasure had me pondering my home state’s ranking in the National Motorists Association‘s Memorial Day review of the least friendly states for drivers. The survey used 17 criteria that unfortunately placed Ohio just behind New Jersey as the most unfriendly state for drivers. The state rankings […]
RichC | May 25, 2009
Memorial Day weekend was the first chance I had to get a close up view of the ‘new to North America’ V-6 TDI 3.0L version of the diesel Volkswagen Touareg 2. Most TDI advocates have been wondering just when the ‘realistic’ version of a VW SUV was going to arrive in the states … seeing […]
RichC | May 25, 2009
While listening to my wife reminisce about Memorial Day days traditions when she was a child, I found myself looking down with a little embarrassment since I didn’t establish the same thoughtful traditions for our family. Disclosure: her father, WWII vet, was the only one in the family who actually prioritized the day. Nevertheless, the […]
RichC | May 24, 2009
It has been an emotionally tangled weekend as one of those parenting situations beyond my ability to intercede and fix has come up. Searching for good advice has been challenging and I’m thankful to have a caring God to turn to, knowing that He is big enough to handle even my smallish issue. — “I […]
RichC | May 23, 2009
The long running automotive magazine program Motorweek praised the 2009 Volkwagen Jetta TDI as their 2009 Driver’s Choice pick for car of the year, while not mentioning the sister “Sportwagen” TDI … until today. _
RichC | May 22, 2009
I was able to get some of the vegetable garden planted this past week and fenced in order to protect the tender plants from the ravenous bunnies we have around our house. One would think that Tootsie, our Australian Blue Heeler could defend the property, but the rabbits seem to populate despite her efforts to […]
RichC | May 21, 2009
Next best thing to waking up next to my beautiful wife … 😆 … is waking up to a beautiful sunrise. Today’s sunrise over Akron, Ohio was no exception and I did my best to capture it out my hotel room window on my ‘long in the tooth’ Palm Treo 700p smartphone (the Palm Pre […]
RichC | May 21, 2009
I’m taking advantage of the ‘hopefully’ short window between my son’s return from college and summer employment. I’ve put him to work edging a few landscape mounds and spreading our mulch. Hmm … what else needs to be done? 😀 Oh … and although he doesn’t read this … Happy Birthday to my brother Ron.
RichC | May 20, 2009
Now that we all know that the Palm Pre will be available for consumers on June 6th, where is the best place to buy it? One would think that heading to the Pre’s exclusive carrier Sprint, but you might be wrong. According to an Engadget post, Best Buy intends to sell the long awaited smartphone […]
RichC | May 20, 2009
It is long past due that I mention that a friend’s second coffee shop location for Coffee Beans & Brew in Monroe, Ohio location is open for business. Steve’s first CBB is on Yankee Road near the Cincinnati-Dayton Road intersection in Liberty Township has been one of my favorite coffee houses and I’ve been anxious […]
RichC | May 19, 2009
I don’t want to sound like an advertisement for Capital One, but from my minimal research, there is a clear difference in plastic for those traveling overseas — or more appropriately, those needing to make purchases while traveling overseas. Since I’ll be in Europe this summer and noticed a recent article in the Wall Street […]
RichC | May 18, 2009
I’ve been lax in posting a follow up to my new to me tech gadget since I really haven’t had the chance to use it much until last week, nevertheless, here is my take on the D-Link DPU-50U. I’ve been using the Skype to phones USB device lightly for a few weeks now and will […]
RichC | May 17, 2009
My Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter (EAA284) met at a new shop of one of our members today for our May meeting. We had a chance to both work on projects for our chapters ‘rentable kitchen’ and to learn a bit about welding. We enjoyed a beautiful day in Waynesville, Ohio while discussing the summer flying […]
RichC | May 17, 2009
Interestingly those people who knew and were aware of the conditions that lead to the economic meltdown still fell prey to being swallowed by wanting more than they could afford. In a brutally honest New York Times article, Edmund Andrews shares his story. If there was anybody who should have avoided the mortgage catastrophe, it […]
RichC | May 17, 2009
So you want to understand Twitter? Here’s an excellent interview. VIDEO REMOVED An Internet friend of mine was on a panel of new media experts earlier this month with The Agenda with Steve Paiken. Mathew Ingram from The Globe & Mail, Jay Rosen from NYU journalism professor, David Cohn Spot.us founder, and The Twitter Book […]
RichC | May 16, 2009
Enter now for your chance to win a Palm Pre from Sprint. The newest Palm smartphone could change the iPhone dominated playing field if the product operates as expected … but the hurdle is set pretty high. Nevertheless, by entering your email address (stick with your junk mail address) and phone number before May 18th […]
RichC | May 15, 2009
Note to self — don’t get excited just yet as the Palm Pre is NOT in the Sprint inventory. But seeing it being unboxed doesn’t help the anticipation factor.
RichC | May 14, 2009
After billions of American taxpayer dollars, concessions from labor and retirees, thousands of job losses, threats of bankruptcy and government nationalization of the company … management has the audacity to plan on importing Chinese-built vehicles in 2011 order “to save on manufacturing costs.” How can Americans who through all this considered supporting GM swallow this? […]
RichC | May 14, 2009
I was disappointed last week to have missed seeing Rhett and Link in Fairfield Ohio while out of town on Thursday, but since then I’ve noticed them on several network news shows talking about a controversial Red House Furniture video (my previous post). I didn’t find the video all that offensive or really all that […]
RichC | May 13, 2009
I’ve been happily running the Windows 7 Beta (post 1 & post 2) and see it as Microsoft’s best OS release since XP. Although the Release Candidate is now available for all to install, I’ve been slow to update my 7000 Beta build because I’d like a clean install requiring solid backups, my install CDs, […]
RichC | May 12, 2009
Although some in the Obama administration have proposed that raising taxes on fuel is one way to encourage driving less and buying smaller more fuel efficient vehicles, Americans surveyed by Rasmussen don’t like it. A short FoxNews interview with Scott Rasmussen highlights that 81% oppose additional fuel taxes, although they seem to be a bit […]
RichC | May 11, 2009
The shuttle Shuttle Atlantis sits on launch pad 39A (photo right) as the crew of STS-125 rests for an ambitious mission to service NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope this week. The launch is scheduled for 2:00PM EST Monday afternoon and will be manned by retired Navy Capt. Gregory C. Johnson, pilot, mission specialists and veteran spacewalkers […]
RichC | May 10, 2009
Short ‘text to blog’ post to wish all the mothers in my life a Happy Mother’s Day.
RichC | May 8, 2009
The MyPre website posted comments about a possible June 7th release of the Palm Pre. They pointed to an alleged leaked internal meeting agenda that will be taking place from June 3rd through June 5th. Historically June 7th has been a Sprint launch day for new products. Also, according to the buzz in Palm Pre […]
RichC | May 8, 2009
In my second sailing entry for the day, the razor sharp photo to the left is of Thomas Johanson (click photo for larger) the helmsman for Team Ericsson 3 in the Volvo Ocean Race. This Oskar Kihlborg was one of the featured photos in an excellent Boston.com The Big Picture page. The Volvo Ocean Race […]