A long slow drive from western New York to Cincinnati Ohio
Posted By RichC on January 21, 2011
Thursday was not the day to be driving in Ohio as the snow and traffic made for slow travel. I unfortunately drove from western New York to afternoon appointments in Akron and had to pass through Columbus near rush hour – obviously not named for the speed in which I was traveling! I did finally make it home after gripping the wheel and straining to see through the iced windshield at about 8PM. It was a long and tiring day of travel.
Recommended: Tiny, bright and inexpensive LED cap light
Posted By RichC on January 20, 2011
There’s nothing more frustrating than a project requiring two hands in a dimly lit location without a good portable light or flashlight handy. With the improvements in LED lighting technology there are a lot of good strap-on head lamp options; one such ‘toolbox handy item’ is the Cyclops Micro LED Hat Light.
It’s tiny size with a solid metal clip makes it ideal to fit into a tool bag or to leave clipped onto just about any cap. The bright 5 LED lights are perfect for lighting up the area in front of your face and being so small is hardly noticed clip to the top or on on the underside of the bill. Better yet, it can be purchase for under $10 including two CR2016 lithium batteries … a real bargain. I found it well worth the few dollars in shipping and in my opinion the Cyclops Micro LED light is of better quality that many similar clip-ons with bulky plastic clips.
Bad news for Sprint Everything Data customers in 2011
Posted By RichC on January 19, 2011
Add one more thing to the “inflation” worries (on top of energy and food) … especially if you are a Sprint wireless data smartphone user. It looks as if one might be wise to shop wireless phone carriers a little closer come renewal time. According to yesterday’s press release, Sprint has decided to “apply a $10/month Premium Data add-on charge to activation of smartphones beginning January 30, 2011.” Ouch, my bill is already too high.
18 January 2011
Sprint (NYSE: S) is committed to providing its customers a great wireless experience now and in the future. From its packed portfolio of innovative phones and devices to its leadership in introducing 4G services, to its consumer-friendly Everything Data plans, featuring unlimited text, Web and calling to any mobile phone, Sprint offers the best value in wireless.
Sprint will increase its postpaid rates by applying a $10 per month Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones beginning Jan. 30. The charge will assist Sprint in offering simple and affordable unlimited plans for its customers while maintaining a wireless network able to meet the growing appetite for a richer mobile experience. Subscribers with smartphones will still receive the best value in wireless, including the Any Mobile, Anytime feature offered nationwide only by Sprint.
Sprint also offers a full range of traditional feature phones, including popular eco-friendly or touch-screen handsets that do not require the Premium Data add-on charge but still have a great range of capabilities with voice, text and data access. Existing Sprint smartphone customers are not affected unless they upgrade to or activate another smartphone.
“Sprint wants its customers to experience the range of entertainment and productivity possibilities available with today’s wireless technology,” said Bob H. Johnson, president of Sprint’s consumer business. “While some of our competitors impose overage charges and complex plans, Sprint continues to provide a worry-free, unlimited data experience while on the Sprint network. This is responsible, sustainable and reflects our commitment to simplicity and value.”
“Sprint’s decision to apply the Premium Data add-on charge to activations of smartphones going forward recognizes the enhanced user experience that today’s smartphones deliver, which, in turn, drives substantially higher data usage and cost,” said Roger Entner, analyst and founder of Recon Analytics.
“Building, maintaining and expanding wireless data networks isn’t free – there are real costs involved. In effect, Sprint has chosen to increase the price of its unlimited Everything Data plans, which is still below that of its major competitors, for the segment of customers – smartphone users – who are using wireless data the most and are driving up costs. Consumers have many choices. They can choose unlimited, worry-free data plans on the Sprint network or they can have tiered, metered plans and overage charges with other wireless carriers.”
Smartphone customers use, on average, 10 times more data than users of traditional feature phones. Smartphone users have access to more data capabilities, applications and other functionality than traditional feature phones. Examples include access to thousands of applications and games through online marketplaces and full HTML Web browsing with Adobe Flash technology that allows users to browse the Internet on their devices just like they can at home or in the office.
Sprint defines smartphones as devices with robust operating systems that deliver a rich wireless experience by bringing the full function of mobile applications and programs to life, including Blackberry, Android, Windows Mobile, Palm, and the Instinct family of devices. The Premium Data add-on charge previously applied to HTC EVO 4G, HTC EVO Shift 4G and Samsung Epic 4G devices.
“Sprint continues to be the carrier for people who want to do more than just talk with their wireless devices,” said Johnson. “Customer growth on our 3G and 4G networks, exponential increases in the use of mobile data applications, and the growing use of smartphones is proof that consumers are getting the message.
“Sprint’s unlimited data plans, with or without the $10 charge, continue to beat the offerings of our top national competitors, who cap users’ data, charge data overages, and do not offer the unique functionality of Any Mobile, Anytime, which gives subscribers on the Sprint network unlimited calling to any other wireless user in America regardless of carrier.”
How-to: Shattered — but that is not the point
Posted By RichC on January 18, 2011
I dropped one of our juice glasses on the hardwood floors this morning and it really shattered into small shards of glass … hopefully I’ve swept up them all. I was surprised at how small the pieces were, but then that’s really not the point of this post.
Really it was just an opportunity to “Photoshop” a couple of images in order to correct a low-light/existing-light depth-of-field photography issue. On the surface, most non-photographers may not have realized or notice that the above image has been tweaked. Those who understand depth-of-field focus issues realize that close focus and low light create problems for photographers wanting to keep everything in focus, although the “selective focus” technique is often used intentionally as well. (the longer the lens – telephoto, the more selective the focus)
In the case above though, I used two images to keep both a glass and the broken glass in focus. The simple technique is to use two points of focus and then sandwich (layer) the images together in order to create an image with both close and distant in-focus photos. Give it a try.
Flix on Stix kiosk for movie rentals
Posted By RichC on January 17, 2011
The WSJ This Morning podcast mentioned Flix on Stix, a new kiosk similar to Redbox, as yet another way to rent movies. The self-service kiosk delivers a movie to a USB flash drive which eliminates the need to return the movie. At first look it sounds like a great idea, as after selecting a movie and paying by credit card, it is downloaded to the flash drive and you’re hopefully on your way.
Some issues that I’m visualizing will be the frustration of waiting in line to select and download a movie, only to have technical issues with downloading to the memory stick. I can also imagine the many possible format and quality problems when attempting to play the movie on one of many new devices. Having recently had to stand outside when it was 20 degrees waiting in line behind ‘movie browsers’ to pick up a reserved movie (‘Salt’ on Blu-Ray) using Reboxed for the Palm Pre, I’m starting to think twice about kiosk delivery methods. (perhaps ‘reserved’ only pick-up boxes would be helpful?)
Is Flix on Stix an investment idea bound to fail? There aren’t any in my area yet, but I’ll keep my eyes open – let me know if you’ve tried it.
Reviving an older Canon i70 portable inkjet printer
Posted By RichC on January 16, 2011
Once upon a time, I packed a small portable printer — Canon i70 — in my car when I traveled, but found it to be a hassle to keep it working. Fast forward to 2011 and I have found a possible use for a small lightweight printer – on the boat. Who knows if it is worth trying to keep a printer working onboard, but since it has been just sitting around collecting dust, it is worth giving it a try. 
The first of a couple of problems were the dried up ink cartridges: easy to correct, pitch the old and buy two new semi-expensive name brand replacements at one of the big box office stores (I didn’t want to wait around or could have shopped online). Problem number two, the printheads (particularly the Magenta) were plugged with ink causing spotty or no ink coverage. Often running the maintenance cycle or deep cleaning cycle will repair this, but many times it will not. Seeing that new printheads can nearly run the cost of a new printer, an attempted cleaning was in order.
I used isopropyl alcohol dabbed on the small screen area with a swab and a saturated paper towel on the bottom. Once the alcohol has cleaned most of the ink, try a little compressed air on each of the printheads. This will force the solvent (alcohol) and liquid inks through the printhead; it may also take several cleaning attempts to get all of the ink cleaned out. After a quick reassemble and both and alignment check my Canon i70 is working again.
Oriental, NC dock with a little snow
Posted By RichC on January 15, 2011
Should left turns be illegal? (an Autoblog repost)
Posted By RichC on January 14, 2011
I’ve posted regarding the superstreet intersections being constructed in Ohio and have wondered just how many more accidents are happening? According to the research, not having to turn left (and making a planned U-Turn instead) “reduce” accidents by 63%. Hmm … perhaps once we adjust to them, I’ll fell like they are an improvement, but currently approaching one on a dark, rainy and glary night can be confusing.
If you sit down and think about it, the notion of making a left turn across oncoming traffic at a stoplight is pretty absurd. All that stands between you and certain oblivion is the hope that other drivers headed your direction are obeying the speed limit and paying enough attention to notice when the light turns red.
Traffic engineers have known for years that hanging a left increases the likelihood of an accident and wastes fuel. The minds at UPS have even gone so far as to design their delivery routes with fewer left turns, and transportation departments all over the country have adopted so-called “superstreets” that force drivers to make a right and then a U-turn in order to go left or straight.
Sound absurd? Think again. According to Smithsonian Magazine, researchers at North Carolina State University have found that the superstreet design is more efficient and safer than allowing drivers to turn across traffic. After examining data from 13 superstreet intersections and comparing them to their traditional counterparts, researchers found that, on average, the superstreets delivered a 20-percent decrease in travel time and caused 46 percent fewer reported traffic collisions. More importantly, the superstreet design caused 63-percent fewer accidents that resulted in personal injury.
There’s some food for thought the next time you’re hanging a left.
[Source: Smithsonian Magazine | Image: North Carolina Department of Transportation]
via autoblog.com
Gary Sinise & The Lt. Dan Band to return to EAA Airventure 2011
Posted By RichC on January 14, 2011
Good news for those who enjoyed the music of the Lt. Dan Band last year at Airventure. The EAA Warbirds of America and Disabled American Veterans who sponsored the band in 2010 have decided to do it again in 2011.
EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wis. — (Jan. 6, 2011) — Back by popular demand, actor and veterans advocate Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band will return to EAA AirVenture in 2011 as the grand finale of a day-long salute to veterans on Friday, July 29. The 59th annual edition of "The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration" will be held July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
Performing at AirVenture for the second consecutive year and third time since 2008, the band will take to the Theater in the Woods stage for an evening concert hosted by EAA Warbirds of America and Disabled American Veterans. Last year’s concert drew more than 6,000 attendees and again will be the highlight of a veteran-focused day. Further details will be announced as they are finalized.
Sinise, who is best known for his role as Vietnam veteran Lt. Dan Taylor in the classic film "Forrest Gump" and as star of the hit TV series "CSI: New York," plays bass in the Lt. Dan Band and is a well-known supporter of veterans as well as active-duty military.
"We are thrilled to welcome back Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band to AirVenture," said Tom Poberezny, EAA and AirVenture chairman. "Gary Sinise has been a tremendous supporter of our veterans and active duty military personnel and we’re proud to have the opportunity to join Gary in thanking our veterans for their service to our nation."
"The genuine interest Gary Sinise shows for our veterans fits perfectly with our objectives to pay tribute to our veterans at EAA AirVenture on July 29," said Rick Siegfried, EAA Warbirds of America president.
The Lt. Dan Band covers everything from Bruce Springsteen to Linkin Park, Aretha Franklin to Jimi Hendrix. Following the band’s first hit concert at Theater in the Woods in 2008, EAA Warbirds of America and Disabled American Veterans teamed up to sponsor the band’s return in 2010 and again this year.
"Gary Sinise is a longtime advocate for Disabled American Veterans and continues to shine the light on our mission to build better lives for America’s disabled veterans," said Wallace E. Tyson, DAV National Commander. "As a patriotic and family friendly venue, EAA AirVenture is an ideal setting to feature the Lt. Dan Band."
The 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization founded in 1920 and chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1932, represents this nation’s disabled veterans. It is dedicated to a single purpose: building better lives for our nation’s disabled veterans and their families.
EAA Warbirds of America is a non-profit organization and division of EAA that is dedicated to the preservation of former military aircraft, better known as "warbirds." Since 1964, EAA Warbirds of America has worked to "Keep ’em Flying."
AirVenture 2011 has been classified a Tier 1 event by the U.S. Navy as it celebrates the Centennial of Naval Aviation throughout next year. Several top-level attractions will commemorate this notable anniversary as well as 100th anniversary of air mail service. Special themed days planned are "Tribute to Bob Hoover" Day on Tuesday, July 26, Navy Day on Wednesday, July 27, and "Tribute to Burt Rutan" Day on Thursday, July 28.
Advance purchase admission tickets and camping for AirVenture 2011 are now available at a discounted rate at www.airventure.org/tickets.
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.