Too lazy for a real blog post
Posted By RichC on April 9, 2007
Just another tough day at the office. The weather is beautiful, the ocean warm and the day is over.
🙁
PS. Wish you were here.
Enjoying the day on the beach
Posted By RichC on April 8, 2007
Happy Easter to those checking in. We are enjoying the weekend at the beach. (post from phone)
Donna Lange: Keepin’ On
Posted By RichC on April 7, 2007
This content is restricted.
Tech Tip: Skip commercials with a ‘dogbone’
Posted By RichC on April 6, 2007
Friday’s Tech Tip is an old one and is for TiVo newbies from TiVo gurus. Its a favorite Tivo branded DVR feature that drives advertiser supported television networks crazy. It is the hackable features available on the TiVo that allows for programming of a couple buttons on the ‘dogbone’ remote to do simple things well. A single button will skip a 30 second commercial and another do a 10 second rewind. The simple procedure below will program your TiVo with this ‘skip’ ahead and replay feature. (rapid double or triple clicks quickly moves 30, 60 or 90 seconds … or using the ‘replay’ offers back 10, 20 or 30 seconds)
The Tivo DVR in its default state will forward to the end of a program by pushing the “dogbone” remote’s button to the lower right of the “slow” button … or if it is already at the end, it will jump back to the beginning of the recording. After applying this hack, the button will instead jump ahead 30 seconds … here’s how:
1) Select a recorded program and start it playing.
2) Push the key combination – Select, Play, Select, 3, 0, Select
3) You should get 3 chirps to confirm … or just test it by pushing the button. (this hack will need to be redone if the TiVo needs to be rebooted or experiences a loss of power, but its easy enough as long as you remember the programming combination.)
Other hints at PC World.
Mercedes E320 BlueTec: World Green Car of 2007
Posted By RichC on April 5, 2007
European diesels made a good impression at the New York auto show in 2007. The Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec took top honors with more votes than the BMW Hydrogen 7 and the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion. The initial entry list had 14 contenders, including the Saab 9-5 BioPower flex-fuel, Fiat Panda, Citroen C2 Stop & Start and Subaru R1e. The Green Car honor was part of the World Car of the Year award ceremonies held at the New York Auto Show in which the the Lexus LS 460 was given the top honor.
I wonder how much of the voting was influenced by the Polo BlueMotion not being available in the United States?
Encouraging Biodiesel State by State
Posted By RichC on April 5, 2007
John Gartner posted on the Wired Magazine blog network and cited the National Biodiesel Board statistics in pointing out that 11 states encourage biodiesel use in by either legislating percentage used or reducing taxes on biodiesel. States promoting biodiesel include Florida, Connecticut, Missouri, California, Oregon, Mississippi, Arkansas, Nebraska, Montana, Tennessee and New Mexico. Some are considering raising the amount of biodiesel blended from two to five percent, while others may eliminate or reduce the fuel tax on biodiesel. How long before Ohio joins the list?
Are GM vehicles known for fuel economy?
Posted By RichC on April 4, 2007
A segment on the FoxNews program The O’Reilly Factor caught my eye last night in discussing American automobiles. Mark Laneve, Vice President of Sales for General Motors, was interviewed and promoted the fuel efficiency of GM’s vehicles. He presented the case that GM has been gaining ground and has passed their rivals in building cars offering good fuel economy. The criteria was relatively simple: The host, Bill O’Reilly, said he was looking to purchase a new car and wanted one that was green and used less fuel. (I think he’s talking good economy as high 20 MPGs … unlike those of us driving TDIs or Hybrids wanting 50!)
🙂
Mark Laneve pointed to the U.S. government numbers that show many GM vehicles return bery good efficiency considering a vehicles size … and in many cases are better than their rivals. Personally I’ve been impressed with miles per gallon highway numbers from family and friends who drive GM vehicles. I’ll cite a couple examples: My father-in-law has a vintage small block V-8 in a Chevrolet Caprice Classic wagon with 200,000 miles, yet he still returns above 25 mpg on trips. If this car wasn’t a repeat performer, I would be a doubter. (I do think that is the exception considering the weight of a full frame wagon?) I also have a friend who has owned (and still does) multiple Chevy Impalas (6 cylinder engines); he regularly tops 30 mpg which is not bad for a six passenger sedan that offers comfort. That said, most GM models that I’ve glanced at on dealer lots have not been so thrifty when looking at the stickers … although I admit I’ve looks at either SUV or a vehicle with a bit more performance and luxury.
I agree that GM does offer models with mileage in the high 20’s or maybe 30ish, they do not offer comparable vehicles in the U.S. that challenge the likes of Toyota or Honda Hybrid vehicles or even their small family vehicles. And … when Mr. Laneve mentions that GM vehicles in the US were on par with the Europeans, I sensed he was definitely misleading people. Yes, General Motors builds some fuel efficient models, but the bulk of the vehicles they are selling are NOT nearly as efficient as what most Europeans are buying or driving.
Consider this: Over 50% of the vehicles being sold in Europe are now clean turbocharged diesel engines. Diesel engines are more powerful and fuel-efficient than similar-sized gasoline engines — about 30-35% more fuel efficient. (see FuelEconomy.gov) Mr. Laneve’s comparison was not accurate. My personal lifetime combined fuel economy on my 2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI diesel is 46 MPG … a vehicle very similar to what you might find many in Europe driving.
National Champs: Florida dominates Ohio State
Posted By RichC on April 3, 2007
Disappointment and frustration is how I felt while watching the final March madness Ohio State – Florida college basketball game. Florida played well as a team; Ohio State struggled and played ‘ugly’ … as a team … while the big man, freshman Greg Oden struggled to keep his team in the game. Unfortunately it was not to be. I’m not trying to discredit the outstanding Florida team, but very few outside shots dropped for OSU and nearly every 3 pointer for Florida was on the money. It was a good …. no GREAT season for Ohio State, but sadly they were not up to the task on Monday night losing 75-84 to an excellent Florida team.
Barrett Jackson Ford Shelby GT-H Convertible
Posted By RichC on April 2, 2007
Here’s an automotive video clip of a different sort … a charity auction for the right to buy VIN #1 of a limited edition Carroll Shelby Ford Mustang. (1 of 500 to be produced) It is interesting in that the unveiling of the GT-H Convertible car also took place at a Barrrett Jackson Auction … if you like cars and the excitement of bidding … you’ll enjoy watching the quarter million dollar being raised by all involved.
Google uses plumbing for broadband
Posted By RichC on April 1, 2007
April fools prank by the Google gang!
😀
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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.