Posted By RichC on July 25, 2013
I notice that for a few days that Lin Pardey’s Kindle version of the book Bull Canyon is only $2.99. I’ve been wanting to read for a while now (since I own all of the more practical Pardey books) and have enjoyed everything previously written or put to video. I don’t expect it to be “as” functional, but enjoy knowing more about their life.
Posted By RichC on July 25, 2013
After participating in a smartphone and tablet mobile device survey today and analyzing the apps that I regularly use, only a handful stood out. One app that has impressed me as each subscribed magazine issue arrives is Zinio. I’m not sure that I’m totally ready to give up the trip to the mailbox for the glossy magazines yet, but that day is coming. If you haven’t tried the Zinio app, do yourself a favor and at least download it to your tablet and start collecting a few issue of your favorite magazine.
Posted By RichC on July 24, 2013
Alexander Polli, BASE-jumper, amazes viewers with daredevil flights in a wingsuit by high risk maneuvers like flying through a narrow mountainside cave in Spain.
Posted By RichC on July 23, 2013
Apple is testing a few new online iWork applications for those iCloud users accessing their cloud account. The addition of Apple’s document, spreadsheet and presentation software to iCloud will move the beloved computer company one step closer to Microsoft and Google went it comes to online “Office” productivity software.
I’m reluctant to commit to one particular system still preferring Office as an “install” on my computer, but with Microsoft’s move to Office 365 and the subscription model, one of the Office-like open-source software packages looks to be my current preferred direction … but I will still give Apple’s Pages, Numbers and Keynote a try, even after Google’s online apps continue to fall short.
We’ll soon be introducing a new and exciting feature to iCloud. It’s called iWork for iCloud and it’s a suite of apps — Pages, Numbers, and Keynote — that make it easy for anyone with an iCloud account to create and edit great-looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations right on the web.
We’d like to invite you to be one of the first to try it, so we’re giving you early access to the iWork for iCloud beta. All you have to do is sign in to iCloud on a Mac or a PC using the current version of Safari, Chrome, or Internet Explorer. Then just click on Pages, Numbers, or Keynote and you’re off.
We’re really proud of these apps and we’d appreciate your help in making them as great as they can possibly be. So we’d love to hear your feedback as you use them.
Sign in to iCloud.com to get started with iWork for iCloud today.
Sincerely,
The iWork Team
Posted By RichC on July 22, 2013
The tax man in the form of the Internet online giant Amazon.com has warned advised me that they will begin to collect Ohio sales tax for Amazon Web Services. This is probably appropriate as too many tax dollars are lost to online out of state vendors, but paying more taxes is still hard to swallow.
Hello, We want to let you know that starting with your September
2013 bill (sent out at the beginning of October), AWS
will begin collecting Ohio sales taxes for accounts …
Posted By RichC on July 21, 2013
Hmm, I’m not really sure what to think of this? I’m sure those who supported President Barrack Obama’s campaign don’t mind being followed by his twitter account, but for me it is probably an indication that the IRS or Department of Justice is next. 
For those of you who are not socially connected, the President’s staff to sends most of his personal Twitter posts, but they say those with a “-bo” indicates it was sent personally. I don’t pay much attention, but was surprised to see that he follows RichC.
Posted By RichC on July 20, 2013
I might wear the “invisibility cloak” swim skin or wetsuit if it offers protection from ocean rash or as SPF sunblock (UVA and UVB protection), but am not sure the white and black horizontally striped suit is for me? On the other hand, if I were swimming in waters that are regularly visited by those seal eating “big boys and girls” (Great White Sharks) then I might reconsider function (deterring sharks) over style (limited invisibility) … or I might just opt for staying on the beach !
An “invisibility cloak” to protect surfers from sharks has been launched in Western Australia, the scene of five fatal shark attacks in recent years.
Scientists from the University of Western Australia, with designers Shark Attack Mitigation Systems (SAMS), have unveiled two new wetsuits that they say could save lives in the water.
"We have converted that into patents that we know will hide [wearers] or present wearers as not shark food." https://radiator.net/sams/
Posted By RichC on July 19, 2013
Posted By RichC on July 19, 2013
Over the many years Katelyn has had her rabbit, we (well “I”) have been both the temporary and semi-permanent pet-sitter. The little fellow has spent time in our basement (fortunately not when it flooded) and more recently in the poolhouse.
I refer Pumpy Umpy affectionately as “The Rodent” and have actually grown somewhat attached to him … I even share a my cereal with him. Over the years, he has managed to chew his share of woodwork, drywall, bite a cord or two without getting himself electrocuted and and has shed at least a couple garbage bags full of fur … of which half is probably still floating around in the air!
That said, his time with us is nearing an end since Katelyn and Drew are getting a place ready for him at their house in Columbus. Believe it or not, his cuteness will be missed.
Posted By RichC on July 18, 2013
Intel (INTC) has been a core “buy and hold” technology stock for many independent investors over the past decade or so, but a long hard look at returns makes that strategy puzzling. Back in the day, if you wanted to be in “technology,” INTC was a must have stock, particularly if you believed in personal computer and the silicon microchip. They are the undisputed leader in micro-processor business and when it comes to cutting end technology and microchip manufacturing, there are no better companies. Intel dominates as a supplier and in their ability to market products, but they have failed when it comes to being profitable investment for shareholders.
When it comes to returning value to long term shareholders including the dividend (which has improved in recent years), management has done a pitiful job. About the only positive I’ve heard is that they haven’t lost money for shareholders like a couple other large cap tech stocks. Unfortunately, I have been one who has held onto hope that the board of directors and management would hear my plea to work on giving us a reasonable return on our investment. For me, INTC has been one of my long core portfolio stocks and my first purchase started at $47 thirteen years ago. I continued to added to my position over the years 
and even sold a few as the price bumped up and down. BUT … after their call on Wednesday, I have finally decided that the returns are not adequate. We investors put our dollars at risk and should at least see some growth in 13 years.
The afterhours move on Wednesday (7/17/2013) was the icing on the cake. INTC dropped 3.5% to 23.30 on flat sales and a lowered forecast. This is one roller coaster ride (see up and down chart above) that has returned me to the same place year after year — I want to get off. I’m done.
Investing in Intel (not actively managed/traded) — INTC looks like this:
My advice for those of you who must own Intel, is to just trade the stock. Buy it at $20 and sell it when it hits $25 or higher if you are more confident. It’s a pretty simple trade. From my very quick analysis, trading INTC could have conservatively generated a 25% return six times in 13 years (excluding any captured dividends) … this would have averaged out to roughly a 13% return annually verses an investors 2% buy and hold strategy. Why buy and hold INTC???
UPDATE: Checking regular hours trading for Intel on Thursday follow the earnings news has INTC trading below $23.20.
