Posted By RichC on January 2, 2015
The slower work days between Christmas and New Years has given me a little time to clean up my files and office, both paper and digital. One productivity app that I’ve been using on my iPad for over 2 years is Notability and I’ve collected a bunch of “notes” and PDFs that have been semi-organized into what Ginger Labs calls “dividers, subjects and notes.” In the course of organizing, I started to rethink my backup strategy for Notability, which was using Dropbox (one of several options) which is my favorite cloud storage service. Unfortunately the nearly flawless Dropbox, is also one of the more pricey cloud storage options ($10/mo) 
so decided to recover a bit of my 6GB of free space and offloaded it to iCloud (I already use the $12/year for 20 GB iCloud Drive for iPhone and iPad data).
iCloud with OS Yosemite and iOS 8 is now working well enough that it quickly synchronizes the notes, audio and collection of PDFs between installations with the Notability app on my iMac … do-able with other cloud services as well. I appreciate having most of my notes accessible on my primary note taking device — my iPad — and desktop computer without having to work from a cloud drive. Unfortunately I can see the day when this larger the collection is too big to store on an iPad and then it will be time to offload document and photo storage. For now, it is nice to have ALL the documents at my fingertips even when WiFi and wireless are not available.
So if you are using Apple products and need a relatively simple, but very functional note taking and PDF archiving app that works between devices, consider Notability.
Category: Apple, Cloud, Computer, Software, Tablet, Technology |
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Tags: apps, Dropbox, icloud, notability, notes, pdf, techfriday
Posted By RichC on January 1, 2015
The year 2014 ended on a rather positive note thanks to lower oil prices, low inflation and higher stock prices. Considering the economic malaise most Americans have endured most of the past 7 years, a little optimism feels good.
Consumer confidence climbed to 92.6 in December as measured by The Conference Board’s private survey and much followed University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index is at 93.6, its highest reading since before the recession began in January 2007 (link). This positive outlook along with having a few more dollars to spend should help the economy … but there is plenty to worry about – international and domestic unrest, mounting debt and a non-functioning federal government. Don’t get me started, this is suppose to be a “Happy New Year” post.
On a blog housekeeping note, I’ve been hoping for a little more feedback from readers on my blog. Commenting using Disqus is a pain, but dealing with spam and more data on my WordPress install on my end is a bigger pain … so I’m going to try out a ULike “thumbs up” plugin button. I’ll put it on the 
main page for now and wait for positive or negative feedback. Click it if the content appeals to you … ignore if the post does not.
The traffic on MyDesultoryBlog is up for the year which is exciting on my end … and “not that readers care,” but revenues from the limited ads is up too. The income from blogging is never going to feed us, but I am amazed a few ads get clicked. Thank you.
This years FIVE most read or linked posts were as follows:
- Jacob Tolliver pounds the piano in an Ohio hardware store – 8/19/2014
- Is Atlantic White Shark Conservancy sending the wrong message? – 2/23/2014
- The final days of the ferry Ostend Spirit (MS Pride of Calais) – 1/26/2014
- A better USB cable – 28/24 AWG and Gold plated connectors – 7/31/2014
- The Ebloa Song – humor from the IMUS in the morning show – 10/22/2014
Category: Blogs, Financial, Holiday |
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Tags: analysis, blog, happy, like button, new year, ulike
Posted By RichC on December 31, 2014
This content is restricted.
Category: Entertainment, Music, Video |
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Tags: counting crows, mp3, Music, youtube
Posted By RichC on December 30, 2014
One of the challenges aboard a sailboat is go up a mast to inspect or take care of maintenance items. The tasks is not for those who are uncomfortable swinging back and forth on a stick 55-60 feet in the air. 
When I was in young and stupid, and only 165-170 lbs, the thought of going aloft was no big deal, but nowadays I ponder it a little bit more. The difficulty is not necessarily for the one going up the mast “in a bosun’s chair,” but for the one on deck having to winch my now 190-200 lb heft to the top (poor Mark).
Anyway, I thought it might be a good idea not have to depend on a deck-mate to hoist me to the top of the mast. So I started to review a few other options … as well coming up with an excuse to post this retro Navy pinup artwork (hm, very unlike me).
At the top of my list was to install permanent mast steps that are riveted to the side of the mast. Costly and extra holes can create corrosion and windage. Then there is the temporary portable “rope” ladders in a variety of designs. I’m fond of the Mast Mate and have corresponded with Gary the owner; I’m still tempted to to go that route. Several other sailors have used a variety of climbing mechanisms from expensive contraptions design specifically for working aloft to more complex rock climbing gear repurposed for going up a mast.
Then there is a simple homemade Easy Climb Board (at least that is what I’m calling it) … that I’m planning to construct this winter. This past week I ordered the cam cleat hardware and will use my old halyard that I recently replaced. The beauty is in its simplicity; as long as there are two lines available to hoist to the top of the mast it is easy to climb and still remain safe. A climber can keep a deck-mate around to secure the safety bosun’s chair or harness, but not have to hoist the climber – it’s far easier to watch the video below and get the gist. An update will be in the works.
Category: Sailing, Video |
3 Comments »
Tags: aloft, bosun's chair, climb, easy, encore, mast, retro, sailboat
Posted By RichC on December 29, 2014
As the year draws to a close, we can be thankful for economic boost coming from cheaper gasoline. The chart above show just how rapid the decline in the price of Crude Oil changed. It illustrates the unbelievable shift in the cost of energy for all of us. It is partially due to demand, but primarily due to the excess supply of oil and is a catalyst that could stimulate our sluggish economy.
The precipitous decline has giving the average U.S. consumer an income boost even bigger than what a tax cut could since it impacts even those who do not even pay income taxes (or are in a low tax bracket). It has been repeated across the financial networks that this $40/barrel drop has giving families in America and extra $1000 per year to use for something other than fuel … a true boost to our consumer driven economy.
Category: Automotive, Energy, Financial |
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Tags: crude, economy, energy, finance, fuel, oil
Posted By RichC on December 29, 2014
Hey kids, why don’t you go play on the rocks while mom and I get lunch ready? (a photo from Australia, so don’t panic if you are hiking somewhere with smaller snakes)
Category: Environment, Nature, Photos |
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Tags: australia, nature, rocks, snakes
Posted By RichC on December 28, 2014
On a previous sailboat and in my backpacking gear I use an alcohol stove for cooking, but the other day I saw a video clip expanding an idea for emergency or “bugout bag” use. (video below)
The concept is pretty simple: Use a roll or partial roll of toilet paper as a wick to absorb the isopropyl alcohol which is rolled up in a can. Light the “wick” and it will burn for quite some time providing both heat in an emergency and ability to boil water or a can of food. Dead simple and a pretty clean flame.
If you have an emergency bag, add some alcohol (good for first aid too) and a couple cans of your favorite soups or stews. I think I ‘ll add a can of coffee to mine!
Category: How-To, Misc, Tidbits, Video |
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Tags: cooking, doomsday, emergency, prepper, stove
Posted By RichC on December 27, 2014
From the trailer (below) and the previous Brian J. Terwilliger films, the new documentary movie Living in the Age of Airplanes should be another beautiful film.
Tewilliger produced independent films One Six Right (One Six Left and Flying Full Circle), but the rights to his new film will have the National Geographic Studios brand to help promote the movie. The film was shot in 95 location around the world and shares the impact that the airplane and aviation has had on the world. Aviation buffs will no doubt love the film, but those who love history and beauty are bound to find it spellbinding too.
”Since we were all born into a world with airplanes, it’s hard to imagine that jet travel itself is only 60 years old, just a tick on the timeline of human history,”” said Terwilliger. “”Yet practically overnight, our perception of crossing continents and oceans at 500 mph has turned from fascination to frustration. I want to reignite people’’s wonder for one of the most extraordinary aspects of the modern world.”
“‘Living in the Age of Airplanes’ is the perfect film for National Geographic,” said Mark Katz, president of distribution for National Geographic Studios.
“Its visuals are breathtaking, it tells an amazing story and will engage audiences on a variety of levels, from adventure to geography to exploration and more, which aligns completely with National Geographic’s mission to inspire, illuminate and teach,” he said.”
Category: Aviation, History, Movies, Video |
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Tags: airplanes, aviaiton, gifgrabber, Movies, national geographic, terwilliger
Posted By RichC on December 26, 2014
Here’s a very short Apple iCloud iOS tip from a question that came up this past weekend. The question had to do with what size files can be emailed or messaged back and forth between smartphones.
A large message may be undeliverable even if it’s smaller than the iCloud Mail message maximum of 20 MB including attachments. A recipient’s email app might have a smaller message size limit. Your Internet service provider (ISP) might also have a smaller message size limit. If a message is returned to you because it exceeds the maximum size, send the contents of your message in multiple email messages, or use compression software, such as the Compress feature on a Mac, to make your attachments as small as possible.
Category: Apple, Cellphone, Cloud, Technology |
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Tags: email, icloud, ios, iphone, messaging, techfriday, tips
Posted By RichC on December 24, 2014
It is shameful that Brenda and I have been too busy with “who knows what” to decorate or even put up a Christmas tree this year – the first time in our married life. We have used the excuses that our kids are not coming home, that we are not entertaining, that we have been out of town and too busy getting my dad situated after being in the hospital … but to be honest, we didn’t make it a priority. I certainly could have decorated a tree or put up lights and Brenda does enjoy decorating, but the date crept up on us and now it seems ridiculous to decorate.
BUT Christmas isn’t just about decorating trees and putting up lights … it’s about the birth of Jesus. So that is where our focus will be this year.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:11-14
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
Category: Faith, Holiday |
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Tags: celebrate, christmas, jesus, Personal
so decided to recover a bit of my 6GB of free space and offloaded it to iCloud (I already use the $12/year for 20 GB iCloud Drive for iPhone and iPad data). 
