My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on September 8, 2016

Why you ask? The Camera.

Apple has again updated their excellent smartphone and this time, from the sounds of it, have really improved the picture taking ability of the iPhone. Both versions have an upgraded lens, software, processor and larger sensor (12 megapixels). There are a lot of smart tweaks that help with point and shoot like image stabilization, color correction, eventually a portrait mode "selective focus" for faces and a blurred background. These are learned professional photographer skills that are usually accomplished with DSLRs. The iPhone 7 plus one-ups the 7 with a second "optical"  telephoto lens … yet keeps all the features of the standard wide angle lens. All in all, this will be my number one reason to update.

Unfortunately all of this comes at a cost … available for pre-order on September 9th. Not only a dollar cost, but since my change will be from the iPhone 5s, it’s also going to be a size change! Hm, pocketable???

Apple also announced their new mobile iOS 10 with a bunch of new features, a new Apple Watch Series 2 and some fancy new listening devices from Beats and Apple. The most interesting are the AirPods which introduce a new wireless protocol and internal chip W1 from Apple. If I had two good ears (I’m deaf in my right ear) and really used my current bluetooth headset more, I’d be tempted, especially since the new "water resistant" iPhone7 no longer has a 3.5mm audio jack. If the ease of connecting and handoff to different devices is as seamless as advertised, it is attractive (connecting is a big headache for bluetooth — and wifi — connections).

For now … I’m happy to have a few devices that work well together and find my iPad Air2 and BrydgeKeyboard the most used device I own. I’m not sure I really need a new iPhone … but do like that new camera!

Sent this is a tweet prior to the Apple Event.

Category: Apple, Cellphone, Photos, Technology | 1 Comment »
Tags: aapl, airpods, apple, camera, earbuds, event, iphone7, photography, products

Posted By RichC on September 7, 2016

Updated WordPress to 4.6.1 and some housekeeping. All running as it should.

Summary
From the WordPress 4.6.1 release post: WordPress versions 4.6 and earlier are affected by two security issues: a cross-site scripting vulnerability via image filename, reported by SumOfPwn researcher Cengiz Han Sahin; and a path traversal vulnerability in the upgrade package uploader, reported by Dominik Schilling from the WordPress security team.

Category: Blogs | No Comments »
Tags: 4.6.1, plugins, themes, update, wordpress

Posted By RichC on September 7, 2016

Instead of spending a lot more dollars on an expensive monitor (like the LINK 2000-R and Xantrex Inverter that we have on Encore) for a battery bank powering a back up inverter when I add our new grilling, greenhouse, generator and porch space, I’ve added a cheap $18.75 shunt and meter from Amazon. I’ve used a 4-wire phone cord to connect the display to the shunt and added a plug to the back of the meter. When installed in the permanent location, additional phone cord can be use and it is easily moved to an easy to monitor location.

The display gives a quick snapshot of power use (ie. 822.9 watts in testing the new 1000 watt inverter) as well as ability to keep and I one the voltage left in the battery bank and current draw. One of the "tracking" components is a meter to keep and eye on just how much energy over time is being used from the batteries (ie. 43 watt hours so far from my old BMW X5 battery).

Next I might try to revitalize a couple older storage batteries … wish me luck!

Category: Misc, Tidbits | No Comments »
Tags: amazon, back up, battery, deep cycle, encore, inverter, monitor, power, shunt

Posted By RichC on September 6, 2016

Who isn’t impressed with the incredible engineering and artistic beauty from a spider? The ability to weave such useful beauty over night is astounding! Proof that form doesn’t always have to follow function!

Speaking of function, Brenda unpacked a few more of my mom’s kitchen items she brought back from Sidney … and the memories came rushing back when I saw the little stainless steel spoon rest. It is worthless to most, but can remember it on my mother’s stove as far back as I can remember. I sure others have those same kinds of memories?

And finally, just another personalized license plate that caught my eye … VWVWWVW!

Photo on Cincinnati-Dayton Road and Princeton in Liberty Township, Ohio

Category: Art, Memories, Nature, Volkswagen | 1 Comment »
Tags: memories, momc, spider, vw, webs

Posted By RichC on September 5, 2016

One of the home/yard updates last week were new tires on our 30 year old John Deere 330 diesel lawn tractor.  It has been a great small tractor and the 16 HP Yanmar diesel has performed flawlessly year after year. I’ve rewired and “plumbed” (rubber hoses with Viton) the fuel system do to an electrical fire a decade or so ago and replaced the original diesel fuel filter setup due to cost with a cheap throw-away (still concerned about filtering to small enough microns).

The recent project was to replace the front tires … I  plugged them so many times that they looked like swiss cheese and leaked about the same. I was hoping to find 4-ply, but due to price opted to replace with the orignal 2-ply (Kendra this time).

I’ve also revisited the old add on generator head for the John Deere after working on the generator/inverter project for the new grill/greenhouse plans. I ordered a heavier duty 5/8″ x 20″ belt and plan to weld up a new mount for the generator head so as to be able to handle a few more watts.

Category: Diesel, Misc, Personal, Photos | No Comments »
Tags: 330, diesel, generator, john deere, lawn, tractor

Posted By RichC on September 4, 2016

Bears aren’t the only ones interested in the pricey Yeti coolers … so think twice before buying one and a third time before leaving it unattended while boating this Labor Day weekend … or on your camping outing, picninc or trip to the beach.

Yeti Coolers Are Hot! No Really, People Are Stealing Them

…
Yeti coolers have cult status among outdoors enthusiasts who swap stories and videos online about their Yetis. Some fans call the Yeti the “Redneck Rolex.”
…

A-HED column in the September 1, 2016 WSJ

 

Category: Holiday, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: bear, cooler, stealing, theft, trendy, yeti

Posted By RichC on September 3, 2016

A sad day for those of us who appreciated the efficiency and longevity of a small VW TDI diesel. 🙁

Volkswagen won’t try to revive its position as a leader in diesel-engine technology in North America, says the recently appointed head of the company’s operations. The technology needed to bring the engines into compliance, along with the tainted reputation for the TDI brand, mitigates against a revival, while market forces and regulators both compel a pivot toward electrified propulsion systems.

Source: Volkswagen Won’t Attempt to Regain Diesel Leadership in U.S.; Many TDI Models May Never Return

Category: Automotive, Diesel, Volkswagen | Comments Off on Many Volkswagen TDI Diesel Models May Never Return
Tags: diesel, tdi, volkswagen

Posted By RichC on September 2, 2016

Drywall is relatively simple to install and easy to repair. It’s also easy to repair badly, which can leave a lumpy mess that declares “shoddy” to anyone who enters the room.

Full List: 31 Drywall Repair Tips & How To’s

Category: How-To, Misc | No Comments »
Tags: drywall, popular mechanics, tips

Posted By RichC on September 2, 2016

My brother and I closed our final chapter of "Our Life in Sidney, Ohio" this week after finalizing the sale of my parents home. The "young" new owners have some great plans for their first house and I’m sure will be very happy; it is a great place. They will return life back into the house as it has been sitting dormant since my dad moved out due to his declining health at the beginning of 2015.

Ron and I thought dad might just need to be with someone a couple months during the winter, but soon realized he was not able to be alone.  After he fell in my brother’s garage requiring a longer rehab stay, we ALL (including dad) decided he needed full time assisted living help. He was in good spirits and enjoyed the new Lane Park facility in Sidney right up until the end. I enjoyed visiting with him each week and I know he enjoyed visits from friends and family too. Often we would just spend a couple hours talking about his favorite subject (cars), looking at photos and running out to Bob Evans for breakfast or the Spot, Dairy Queen or Culvers for lunch or dinner — Dad’s weakness was ice cream so we generally pick a place to eat based on that kind of dessert.

It took us a while to get our act together after my dad’s funeral, but eventually we slowly sifted through my parents belonging, weekend after weekend last winter. By the time spring of 2016 rolled around we were ready for the estate sale — thank you Brenda (my wife was awesome). The house went on the market in June and within a month we had a fair offer. After a little negotiating, the deal came together.

The final chapter done … fini [fee-nee] … the "Our Life in Sidney, Ohio" book closed.

Category: Archive, Memories, Personal | No Comments »
Tags: dadc, family, home, house, momc, ohio, parents, sidney, sold

Posted By RichC on September 1, 2016

My son-in-law Drew shared a really impressive Phatom3 movie clip on YouTube after his July 2016 vacation in Michigan. There were some incredibly beautiful views, sunsets and shoreline video … of course it didn’t hurt that the weather was perfect for Katelyn and Drew’s vacation at his parent’s “cabin” (as they call it). Although I’ve traveled to that area several times over the years, I do not remember Lake Michigan being that gorgeous. The video is so well done, I’m thinking Drew may have missed his calling?
(it is worth watching FULL SCREEN)

EDIT: Posted the wrong video — correct as of 9/2/2016

Category: Aviation, Personal, Technology, Travel, Video | No Comments »
Tags: cabin, drew, drone, family, katelyn, lake, michigan, oostra, quadcopter, vacation, youtube