I miss England. I want to go back and visit for a bit longer to see more.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Sunday, October 17, 2010
two year old apple mac book pro battery expansion
A few months ago my wife's mac book pro wasn't sitting properly on the table because the battery bulged out. Then the battery discharged suddenly. So we bought a new battery and left the old on on her desk. Take a look at it now. I have batteries from many other manufactures and none of them ever did this. Nothing was done to pry this thing apart either. The battery appears to have held a 3/4 charge too. I'm going to loo into finding a way of discharging it safely and disposing of the battery.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
1 2 3 4 Count the digg list articles
Every other day I check Digg to see how things are coming along. Upcoming is back, good. Now take a look at upcoming. Why does Upcoming remind me of a woman's magazine? Oh all the top ## lists posing as articles. These upcoming have between 50 or 60 diggs already. Thankfully I can click the x in the upper right of the listing and they seem to stay out of the list. Here is an example of Upcoming 'Entertainment" articles and their diggs on the first page.
5 weirdest game shot contestants - 49
9 suckiest movies - 43
5 actresses good at playing dumb - 43
Top 10 best dan cook jokes - 36
15 songs celebrating nerd girls - 32
20 child stars who have been arrested - 30
The categories I checked had at least a few of these top number lists. My loyalty is hanging on by a thread. Speaking of which. Threads and discussions are broken still. Here is a poorly written and hastily sent feedback to digg.
"Are you planning on fixing the commenting issues? IE I am unable to follow a threaded discussion easily from either my own list of comments or contacts. Followers messages are not linked to so I have to hunt them down in the thread itself. Not as bad as it could be since not many posts are occurring any longer. Catch 22 maybe? Still I have to wonder if it was a conscience decision to make it more difficult to continue discussions on digg as it does not ad to page views. Even when I click on my comment 9 times out of 10 it links to the story with NO comments listed, not even mine so I have to go through all comments to find it. I keep coming back to see if things are fixed. The color of the feedback form is blue while you did fix the threaded comments, we will call that one even. The upcoming is back but not working like it used to because the recommended is missing as well as All submitted. Crashes are at a minimum the article quality seems to be continuing the downward trend. I see crap in Science section that isn't science nor any way to bury or report it. Please tell me these things will be fixed, not considered or addressed then I will see if it is worth it to be here."
Update: Looks like they fixed your own comments partially. I can see them easily, with diggs but not if they have a reply (unless none of mine do, which is a good possibility). Still can not see contacts diggs summary or comments.
5 weirdest game shot contestants - 49
9 suckiest movies - 43
5 actresses good at playing dumb - 43
Top 10 best dan cook jokes - 36
15 songs celebrating nerd girls - 32
20 child stars who have been arrested - 30
The categories I checked had at least a few of these top number lists. My loyalty is hanging on by a thread. Speaking of which. Threads and discussions are broken still. Here is a poorly written and hastily sent feedback to digg.
"Are you planning on fixing the commenting issues? IE I am unable to follow a threaded discussion easily from either my own list of comments or contacts. Followers messages are not linked to so I have to hunt them down in the thread itself. Not as bad as it could be since not many posts are occurring any longer. Catch 22 maybe? Still I have to wonder if it was a conscience decision to make it more difficult to continue discussions on digg as it does not ad to page views. Even when I click on my comment 9 times out of 10 it links to the story with NO comments listed, not even mine so I have to go through all comments to find it. I keep coming back to see if things are fixed. The color of the feedback form is blue while you did fix the threaded comments, we will call that one even. The upcoming is back but not working like it used to because the recommended is missing as well as All submitted. Crashes are at a minimum the article quality seems to be continuing the downward trend. I see crap in Science section that isn't science nor any way to bury or report it. Please tell me these things will be fixed, not considered or addressed then I will see if it is worth it to be here."
Update: Looks like they fixed your own comments partially. I can see them easily, with diggs but not if they have a reply (unless none of mine do, which is a good possibility). Still can not see contacts diggs summary or comments.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
View from Joe's Deck
I am back from visiting Joe in Oregon/Washington. I had a wonderful time visiting a couple of breweries and the food they serve. I am jealous of what is there versus what is near me. The mountains, river, trees, beer, food and houses. I wish I could move my family out there.
The plane rides were memorable. I am kicking myself figuratively though. On the way there I flew over a lightning storm for 15 minutes. I was amazed at the sheer beauty of it and the number of time lightning was strobing within the clouds. I counted 5-10 per second. I didn't see the lightning most times, just the clouds illuminated from within. The plane was a good distance from the majority of it. I did see a plane fly by in the opposite direction very close if not right above the storm. That must have been a sight.
The plane rides were memorable. I am kicking myself figuratively though. On the way there I flew over a lightning storm for 15 minutes. I was amazed at the sheer beauty of it and the number of time lightning was strobing within the clouds. I counted 5-10 per second. I didn't see the lightning most times, just the clouds illuminated from within. The plane was a good distance from the majority of it. I did see a plane fly by in the opposite direction very close if not right above the storm. That must have been a sight.
Friday, September 03, 2010
Swollen apple
My wife's MacBook Pro is almost 3 years old. She noticed that the laptop no longer was level on the table and mentioned it to me. Upon turning it over I found that the battery was not seated right, I removed it and noticed that the damn thing was pregnant. I looked around for some amorous energizers or litium-ion batteries but found none. For the last month we both noticed that the battery would heat up more than normal and not shut down with a warning, it would die so we knew the battery was in need of replacement. The swelling battery is more of a concern so I put it in a corner and waiting for the expectant mother to pass whatever is crammed up in it. Searching online I find it is a common issue and one that Apple refuses to recall or address. We seem to have gotten a lot more life out of the $160 battery than others who see just over a year of use before the immaculate conception takes place which for some magical reason is just past the warranty is over. I was not surprised. I am looking to get some sort of chastity belt for our current virgin battery that may curb any divine dry humping.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
boiling angry at new digg 4.0
Digg.com is a news aggregation site. I go there to get news from a lot of different sources. The social aspect allows you to discuss the events and follow contacts who most often submit news stories from various sites that I don't frequent. I have been an active member for about 4 years. Digg started off mostly posting tech related information. It branched out to many different topics. Religion, politics, science, sports, entertainment , funny stuff etc. I enjoyed finding sites, news and commenting on the articles. Now Digg released a new watered down version catering to publishers. A hand full of sites get front billing. I am going to submit my blog article when I am done writing this as a test. I have submitted 38 articles from news sites the previous 8 years and none have made it past 20 diggs. Supposedly the new site improves submission. The new site looks like facebook removed the ability to bury a story and reduced the number of options and categories. I am a minimalists at heart but this design change takes so much away that it is now nothing like what made it a useful site.
What Digg has done is made finding stories that were not sponsored or submitted by your contacts difficult if not impossible to find. Reaction so far has been hostile and whiny. I try to keep both of those traits out of my comments. It is difficult. Especially since the roll out went so poorly due to broken features. Feedback and reporting bugs never worked for me. When the dust settles if nothing is changed I will head over to reddit as it is another site I get my news from.
Make the right decision Digg and go back to the last version and review the decisions you made.
What Digg has done is made finding stories that were not sponsored or submitted by your contacts difficult if not impossible to find. Reaction so far has been hostile and whiny. I try to keep both of those traits out of my comments. It is difficult. Especially since the roll out went so poorly due to broken features. Feedback and reporting bugs never worked for me. When the dust settles if nothing is changed I will head over to reddit as it is another site I get my news from.
Make the right decision Digg and go back to the last version and review the decisions you made.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
my favorite rock
The kids had a ball at the poconos. I missed cousins/aunts and uncles due to my work schedule.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
inside norwich cathedral
We had a wonderful trip to England. This picture was one of my favorites but their were many many more. I wish I had more time and a tripod to see this cathedral. It was the most beautiful church I have ever been in.
Friday, July 09, 2010
top of the eye
2nd day of tourism in London complete. tomorrow we head to norwich.
London has been warmer than normal without the humidity but it made for a warm trip so far. No rain yet.
London has been warmer than normal without the humidity but it made for a warm trip so far. No rain yet.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Day 4 of my 360 gone quiet
No video. No Modern Warfare 2. I bought a game for my PS3 but I can't bring myself to put it in.
Game Stop is out of the new 360s so I can't even pretend that I was about to buy one.
Game Stop is out of the new 360s so I can't even pretend that I was about to buy one.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
My outing with my eldest son on Father's Day
We went to the bird sanctuary in Stone Harbor which didn't turn up many birds. A hawk was wheeling around when we first pulled up and never reappeared. We ended up back at the Wetlands's Institute which I enjoyed a lot. I got to use my new lens briefly but I need to get out more to find the sweet spot.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Lab settings
Normal: Tail wagging side to side slowly
Happy: Tail whipping side to side enough to dent thin metal and bruise shins
Very Happy: Tail propellers in a circle enough to hover hind quarters off the ground 1/4 of an inch.
Has a new toy/bone: Tail is very unpredictable due to the hind quarters swiveling along with a mixture of Happy and Very Happy.
Happy: Tail whipping side to side enough to dent thin metal and bruise shins
Very Happy: Tail propellers in a circle enough to hover hind quarters off the ground 1/4 of an inch.
Has a new toy/bone: Tail is very unpredictable due to the hind quarters swiveling along with a mixture of Happy and Very Happy.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
glass post two
I think I am settling on the 70-200mm L f/4 lens. I verified that my 1.4x extender will work well with it.
I'd love to get the IS version or even the F2.8 version but the cost goes up exponentially. With the addition of IS or better aperture.
I'd love to get the IS version or even the F2.8 version but the cost goes up exponentially. With the addition of IS or better aperture.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Oh the humanity
Trolling is like a warehouse full of anally retentive obsessive compulsives locked in with the world's largest Rube goldburg machine somewhere near a fault line and the troll has a working Tesla's oscillator.
glass shopping
Since we are heading to the UK this summer for vacation, my need for a telezoom becomes more necessary. I am considering the Tamron 18-250mm ~$350 cheap, great range but weak in low light and distortions in the upper part of the 250mm.
The other option is the canon 70-200mm f/4L series. ~600 great lens in low light, good range, lighter than he IS version so but is still on the long side.
I'm leaning towards the more expensive glass since I can see it being a good lens to carry around. L series, good range coupled with my 1.4x extender with good low light ability. It's isn't the 2.8L but f4 across the range is much better than the 5.6 or 6.3 on the cheaper versions.
The other option is the canon 70-200mm f/4L series. ~600 great lens in low light, good range, lighter than he IS version so but is still on the long side.
I'm leaning towards the more expensive glass since I can see it being a good lens to carry around. L series, good range coupled with my 1.4x extender with good low light ability. It's isn't the 2.8L but f4 across the range is much better than the 5.6 or 6.3 on the cheaper versions.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
NJ GOP Gov cuts education
Yep, cut education you fricking idiot. How else will you be able to keep your party in their seats in the future? Now they want to base pay raises on student's grades! Those same lazy students whose parents could care less about them? Those teachers lucky enough to get in schools that have kids that want to learn and have the resources to teach properly will do well and those teachers with no resources, distracted and uncaring students/parents will get the shaft. I described the GOP's results perfectly. Maybe they think this is the right thing to do to help but it didn't in the past with unfunded No child left behind and won't in the future.
Here are some NJ.com headlines...
Here are some NJ.com headlines...
Legislature should fight back, not let Gov. Chris Christie weaken New Jersey's Supreme Court
N.J. public employee unions are used as scapegoats during difficult economy, budget crisis
Environmental agency, Gov. Christie discuss privatizing N.J. forests, parks
Gov. Christie signs controversial zoning law in effort to make N.J. more business friendly
N.J. town, school officials vent about budget cuts, property tax hikes
Gov. Chris Christie draws sharp criticism on decision to not reappoint N.J. Supreme Court Justice Wallace
Christie is an utter bottom feeder with the GOP mindset. I will be waiting patiently till he is voted out by the next Gov who has to come in and fix everything he breaks. I wonder what skeletons he has in his closet.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thursday, April 08, 2010
growing
Our minds grow like our bodies. You change your perspective as you grow older. Am I like the person I was 30 years ago? 20? Yes and no. I think about things I never considered before and worry about different matters. Politics never concerned me even in my 30's but now I listen and consider. Religion too comes under consideration. I wish I had the inquisitiveness I do now back in school.
As I'm growing up I have regressed too, gaming is taking up a good part of my time. It is an escape of the every day low testosterone life that many many many have. I am not looking to go sky diving or base jumping but the false thrill I get at game is enough to satisfy any urge that builds up over time. One other benefit I get in gaming is interacting with my online friends as I'd rather play a shooter with a bunch of friends than an excellent single player game. Time to get back to reality though, the rut I was talking about last post is still there. I have dialed back my gaming some. Come May that may change due to a very popular game that is due to beta.
As I'm growing up I have regressed too, gaming is taking up a good part of my time. It is an escape of the every day low testosterone life that many many many have. I am not looking to go sky diving or base jumping but the false thrill I get at game is enough to satisfy any urge that builds up over time. One other benefit I get in gaming is interacting with my online friends as I'd rather play a shooter with a bunch of friends than an excellent single player game. Time to get back to reality though, the rut I was talking about last post is still there. I have dialed back my gaming some. Come May that may change due to a very popular game that is due to beta.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Stuck in a cycle
My internet usage seems to be stuck in a cycle. Check google home page, blogs stored there, check digg /reddit and finally check email accounts. Repeat. I feel almost OCD in that nature. I don't do anything else on my laptop. I don't learn a new language or refresh my other skills. My flickr account is suffering as I almost didn't renew because most of my latest photos are from my cell phone.
I need to push myself to start transferring video tape to file and backing up my files. Get ready to change the OS in my desktop, learn PHP, do something photos like my own site....
I need motivation or a muse.
I need to push myself to start transferring video tape to file and backing up my files. Get ready to change the OS in my desktop, learn PHP, do something photos like my own site....
I need motivation or a muse.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Walken on the Moon
I want to ...