How to turn number 1 to number 2
Posted By RichC on October 21, 2012
Too good to pass up … sharing from a Facebook post.
SmartDeblur looks to be almost ready for primetime
Posted By RichC on October 20, 2012
Why is it that I question installing and using software some pretty impressing “debluring software” from a guy named Vladimir Yuzhikov? Am I being overly paranoid or worse … prejudice.
Anyway take a look at SmartDeblur and what Gizmodo has to say about this windows only (for now) software … although with smartphones getting some powerful processors I’d be looking for this software to show up in an Android or iOS phone soon.
Tech Friday: Are you sharing your phone numbers on Facebook?
Posted By RichC on October 19, 2012
After receiving plenty of election oriented phone calls this year, it is time to purge all my phone numbers from the public roles … something I thought I had been doing for years — obviously not! An area overlooked my some is the increasingly popular way to share address and phone number data with contacts — Facebook. (phone number, addresses, etc are often updated automatically by iOS and Android phones)
Unfortunately, this is an area that should bit more private, but really isn’t. One would think that phone numbers added to a Facebook profile would be protected based on privacy settings — but think again. According to a recent CBSMoneyWatch article, Facebook is a go-to site for phone numbers and reverse-lookup information.
… the best way to look up someone based on a phone number right now is Facebook. That shouldn’t surprise anyone based on the service’s spotty privacy record, but in this case it certainly works to your advantage if you’re looking up a phone number. Just open Facebook and enter a phone number in the search box at the top of the screen, then press Enter. If that individual has associated their phone number with their Facebook profile, they will appear as the top search result, regardless of their privacy settings and even if you are not friends.
Sealed the rear driveway and admired the fall colors
Posted By RichC on October 18, 2012
Projects are getting done one at a time before winter arrives, but seems as soon as I can check one off the list, two more need to be done.
I’ve been repairing the tiles on the pool before closing for the season and on Wednesday evening sealed the new front porch pavers since I’m in town. The last few days I’ve also taken advantage of the nice weather and started hand digging the sump pump and downspout drains and even did a 4 hour drain snake rental to try and clear the pipe; the problem was spotted when we pumped our septic tank last week. I can’t say I’m satisfied with the drains yet, but only a heavy rain will tell the whole story.
Last night while cutting the front lawn the burning bushes were blazing and I was also surprised by all the blooming fall flowers. Another project is going to be the crumbling concrete on the front driveway … I have been pondering if it can be repaired or if it will need to be replaced (ideas?)
But today was also “seal the asphalt” day as the truck came just after I finished edging back the overgrowing grass. The guys put on two coats of sealer and lightened my wallet. It all has to do with the price of oil I’m sure … oh, and yes, our rear driveway being long!
Follow up: Is President Obama just running on fumes?
Posted By RichC on October 17, 2012
Over the lunch hour today, I reviewed a few articles and opinions regarding last night’s debate, as well as skimmed through my Twitter feed. What stood out were Romney supporters focused on the content and ideas clearly stated by Mitt Romney. He was focused on the economy and jobs which requires a direction change. This seemed in contrast to the criticism by a significant number on the left regarding Romney, but void of praise for anything presented by President Obama. I even notice several left leaning women overly focused on Governor Romney’s “binders full of women” comment, as if it was a “gotcha” moment? I’m sure it wasn’t worded eloquently, but no matter how one looks at it, the focus was still on what Mitt Romney said, not about President Obama. Do voters really want to continue the current malaise
“I think it’s pretty clear that when it comes to his policies and his answers and his agenda, he’s pretty much running on fumes,” Romney quipped, telling voters they had 20 days left to make a choice about America’s future.
Obama and Romney should have been wearing boxing gloves
Posted By RichC on October 17, 2012
In one corner, wearing a dark suit is the undefeated President of the United States Barack Obama! [cheers and jeers] In the other corner also in a dark suit is the challenger, Salt Lake City Olympics rescuer, Governor Mitt Romney! [more cheers and jeers] Neither man wore gloves, but should have, as they at times looked to be dancing around a boxing ring. Thankfully no punches were thrown, but certainly both politicians bobbed and weaved … and took verbal jabs at every opportunity.
For the President performance, it was like night and day compared to the first debate … the one where only his shadow showed up. Unfortunately he probably out and out lied deceived (he is the President) on the subject of the Benghazi, Libya when he claim to have designated it an act of terror on day one in the Rose Garden – that would be right before he jetted off to Las Vegas and a campaign tour (can you tell this left a bad taste with me?) If that were true, I’m not sure why the administration would have instructed the Ambassador to the UN to go out 5 days later on every Sunday television news show and indicate it was all due to a YouTube video. I don’t recall Ambassador Rice even suggesting it was a coordinated terror attack – actually, I think she denied it. Mr. Romney on the other hand failed to land a decisive blow when he had Obama on the ropes, but the referee (moderator Candy Crowley) stepped in and rescued Mr. Obama before too much damage was done.
Romney for his shortcomings demonstrated his ability to “adapt” (a nice word for flip-flop or political change of mind) on issues from healthcare to assault weapon bans. I’m not sure what stuck considering he had a solid performance and was focused like a laser on the economy, taxes and jobs – did he say jobs? JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. Obviously it was Obama’s Achilles heel. Frankly I’m not sure that questions from the audience or moderator were necessary as both men had no problem keeping the debate going. I really can only remember a few of the nine questions: 1) helping college students with employment after graduations, 2) illegal immigrants or more appropriately “immigration policies” and 3) a fellow who voted in 2008 for Barack Obama and wanted “a reason” to give him four more years.
There may have been one “big bird” type awkward moment by Governor Romney – primarily picked up by liberals – as he referred to interviewing women for his cabinet when he was governor of Massachusetts: Romney said he had “binders full of women” to review for their qualifications. Twitter went crazy … and suspect left leaning news organizations and stand up comedians will expand on this later. I’m not sure how moderate women took this “hiring of women” point, as it was obvious liberal women saw it as red meat.
As for social media, I followed the debate on TV and Twitter which again was amazing. The flow of tweets was insightful and entertaining; definitely an entirely new animal when in comes to following political debates. For my part, I added to the fray (archived below).
My Tweets during the #debate
CBS News RT @CharlieKayeCBS: In the @CBSNews Instant Poll, 65% say Romney won on the issue of the economy. 34% say Obama won on the economy.
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
1h 
Becky Quick @beckyquickcnbc
Time count for these two is crazy. If we rely on these ridiculously stupid debate rules, why not get an even time ratio?
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
Roger Cheng Lots of China bashing tonight… #debate2012
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
RNC Research FLASHBACK ’08 – Obama said he would “end the tax breaks for companies that are shipping jobs overseas” http://bit.ly/WiQrMn – what happened?
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
Rich Corbett Changing the tax code Mr. Obama? What did you do when you had the majority in congress or over the past 4 years? #debate
Obama is whispering: "I want this guy on my cabinet." #debate
I’ll reluctantly give Obama a bonus point for pointing out Romney’s assault weapon flip flop. Still not getting the NRA endorsement. #debate
Expand
1h 
Jim Hammer (KO9T) @hammer51012
Speaking time – Obama 37 minutes Romney 31 #debate
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
NRA Obama supports an "assault weapons" ban. Get the facts: http://www.GunBanObama.com ! #DefendFreedom #DefeatObama #NRAvote
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
1h 
Andrea Tantaros @AndreaTantaros
Romney could have been much stronger on Libya.
@AndreaTantaros I thought the same thing. Romney seemed to struggle with Libya. #debate
Yes Mr. President … you did embrace that comment 4 years ago … "clinging to their guns and God." Hmm, supporting 2nd amend? #debate
Megyn Kelly Gov Romney on Libya attack: "It was a terror attack and it took a long time for that to be told to the American people." #debates
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
I think Mitt Romney could have been better in addressing and charging the attack in Libya as lax leadership. #debate
One thing for sure, we got a different Obama tonight. Both are aggressive. #debate
@Chris_Moody Are you taking jobs from Staple manufacturers to give to Paperclip manufacturers? Let the free market decide. 😉 #debate
But at least the Obama administration kept that "transparent govt" promise. [sarcasm] #debate
… but Obama is muddling the question. "The promising I’ve made I’ve kept." Hmm? #debate
Solid question to Obama: "what did the President do to deserve 4 more years" #debate
Both candidates look well prepared tonight, but Romney is hitting his stride with the "creating jobs" and "middle class" focus. #debate
Expand
Sandy Business Man vs. Community Organizer. No Comparison!!!
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
And Mr. 5 Trillion in additional debt is concerned about Romney? 🙂 #debate
No need to have questions … these two can converse without them. #debate
Love the purpose behind the tax plan from Romney to create jobs. I hope people understand that point of view? #debate
Romney will take heat for this tax policy, but it is exactly what people in the middle class needed to hear. #debate
So in keeping with Obama’s gas price theory, the economy is booming now since gas prices are so high?? #debate
Face off! This is getting to be a cage match. Federal land: more permits or less? Who is telling the truth? #debate
@realistic_view As is his appointed energy sector … but no need to shorten his comment: "I am totally OK with high gas prices." #debate
View conversation
Obama is definitely coming out more aggressive. As is the moderation. #debate
Creating jobs in the U.S. … great plan Mr. President, but if the last 4 yrs is an example, you’ll need to change something. #debate
3h 
kirsten powers @kirstenpowers10
Loving @megynkelly ‘golf voice’ as @bretbaier called it
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
@mattklewis It has been a while since I’ve heard Chris Matthews act as anything but an Obama mouthpiece. Refreshing to know he sees spin.
5h 
West Wing Reports @WestWingReport
Gallup: Romney’s national lead has widened to 4 points. Romney 50, Obama 46.
Retweeted by Rich Corbett
Electric car battery maker A123 files for bankruptcy protection
Posted By RichC on October 16, 2012
Once again, our tax dollars were squandered on another failed green energy company. This time the once promising A123 Systems Inc. (AONE -74.67%) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
A123 was one of the Obama Administrations’ handpicked companies to be given a handout … free money … and took nearly $250 million taxpayer dollars in government grants to produce electric car batteries.
"You don’t just pick the winners and losers, you pick the losers."
— Mitt Romney
Surprise, surprise … instead of letting the capital market find the best technologies and industries, a non-business anti-business president somehow thought his handpicked cronies could centralize capitalism. When will we learn … America was created by unleashing the power of competition and ingenuity. When that is usurped, we are no better than communist and socialist countries offering a far lower standard of living than the U.S. … not to mention the loss of liberty. Wake up America … let’s dictate business decisions from Washington DC.
Consider using sticky traps for the tiniest of mice
Posted By RichC on October 16, 2012
It is that time of year again … time to make sure the crack are sealed and doors stay closed. The mice in our backyard are doing the usual and looking for a warm place to hideout as winter looms. I happened to find this very little guy stuck to a glue trap near my table saw … I don’t think the normal snap-trap mousetrap would have caught him. So if you have the occasional mouse sneaking in this time of year, maybe put out the sticky traps as well as the standard traps?
With the electoral college, what does a popular poll mean?
Posted By RichC on October 15, 2012
I’m not sure I would put a lot of faith in polling this year, especially following 2008 which saw a turnout unique in our recent history. 
Who knows if the motivation and base for either party will vote in the same numbers … and who knows if it even matters with the electoral college vote?
Most analysts are pointing to the electoral college as the key and the importance of just handful of states. Being in Ohio does mean that our votes are critical in the national presidential election and a strong turnout might have local implications as well.
For now, it looks as if the debates and “Benghazigate” situation have given the Romney/Ryan ticket a bit of a boost over Obama/Biden.
As of late last week, 12 states were in the tossup column.
Those states, and their number of Electoral College votes: Colorado, 9; Florida, 29; Iowa, 6; Michigan, 16; Missouri, 10; Nevada, 6; New Hampshire, 4; North Carolina, 15; Ohio, 18; Pennsylvania, 20; Virginia, 13; and Wisconsin, 10.
That’s where the candidates will spend most of their time…
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.