Don't forget that Sunday morning at 2 AM, to turn your clocks back 1 hour!
Friday, October 31, 2008
CA: Yes on 8; No on 8, Why the Hate?
An Observation by Bruce :
This year seems different in tone than other election years.
From using Halloween as an excuse to hang Palin mannequins from trees and stick knives in Obama mannequin necks is a statement that speaks volumes about the mentality of those who think they've got something to say. There are better ways that don't spread that kind of hate.
Politics is a finicky monster.
Here in California, there's proposition 8 and it drags religion into the volatile field of politics. It will basically ban gay marriage in CA if passed. It's religious perspectives vs individual rights and it's getting ugly here. Signs are being stolen, graffiti and vandalism are being committed in the name of the proposition and it's a sad shame.
It's basically one group of people wanting to control the options of others.
Wikipedia covers the issue squarely enough to get the idea. It appears that over $13 million have been spent on this one proposition alone.
One of the arguments for the prop is the coverage this issue will get in schools and that children will be exposed to the environment of gay union. Are they saying we shalt bury our heads and ignore what IS happening? It's inevitable.
The endorsers are primarily Christian groups. Is this another religious war? In my youth I've had a very niave perspective on the holiness of what religion is supposed to be but I get confused by action. On the other side of the world, people kill each other in what they think is the right thing to do, in the name of God. Here, people are using their passion to go beyond debate and take physical action.
Here in the United States, religion wants it's freedom to believe in what they want and to practice where they want, in their churches and homes. I get that. I have my beliefs and I keep them close to the vest and in my home.
Yet they want to control others options.
---
UPDATE 11/4/08: The Prop. 8 campaign set a record as the most expensive social issue election in the nation's history, with more than 140,000 donors giving a combined $73 million to the two sides. Across the state, thousands of volunteers worked phone banks and knocked on doors in an effort to drum up support. (source)
This year seems different in tone than other election years.
From using Halloween as an excuse to hang Palin mannequins from trees and stick knives in Obama mannequin necks is a statement that speaks volumes about the mentality of those who think they've got something to say. There are better ways that don't spread that kind of hate.
Politics is a finicky monster.
Here in California, there's proposition 8 and it drags religion into the volatile field of politics. It will basically ban gay marriage in CA if passed. It's religious perspectives vs individual rights and it's getting ugly here. Signs are being stolen, graffiti and vandalism are being committed in the name of the proposition and it's a sad shame.
It's basically one group of people wanting to control the options of others.
Wikipedia covers the issue squarely enough to get the idea. It appears that over $13 million have been spent on this one proposition alone.
One of the arguments for the prop is the coverage this issue will get in schools and that children will be exposed to the environment of gay union. Are they saying we shalt bury our heads and ignore what IS happening? It's inevitable.
The endorsers are primarily Christian groups. Is this another religious war? In my youth I've had a very niave perspective on the holiness of what religion is supposed to be but I get confused by action. On the other side of the world, people kill each other in what they think is the right thing to do, in the name of God. Here, people are using their passion to go beyond debate and take physical action.
Here in the United States, religion wants it's freedom to believe in what they want and to practice where they want, in their churches and homes. I get that. I have my beliefs and I keep them close to the vest and in my home.
Yet they want to control others options.
---
UPDATE 11/4/08: The Prop. 8 campaign set a record as the most expensive social issue election in the nation's history, with more than 140,000 donors giving a combined $73 million to the two sides. Across the state, thousands of volunteers worked phone banks and knocked on doors in an effort to drum up support. (source)
No Express Lines For Target?
While in a Target Store, the lines were long and those with just a few items were forced to wait with the rest of the crowd.
As a clerk went by the line, one patron asked the clerk why don't they open an express lane for those with 10 items or less.
The clerks response was: Due to the economy, the corporation has stopped that program.
Eh? That makes no sense to me to hurt the consumer and not be able to staff an express line because the economy is off whack.
I got nothing further about that conversation. It took place in a San Jose, CA Target and I have to wonder if the clerk was incorrect.
Does anyone have anything further on this issue? If the clerk is anywhere close to being correct, this is an idiotic maneuver and could be the first death knell bell from the corporation.
Bruce's Place of Thoughts always welcome comments.
As a clerk went by the line, one patron asked the clerk why don't they open an express lane for those with 10 items or less.
The clerks response was: Due to the economy, the corporation has stopped that program.
Eh? That makes no sense to me to hurt the consumer and not be able to staff an express line because the economy is off whack.
I got nothing further about that conversation. It took place in a San Jose, CA Target and I have to wonder if the clerk was incorrect.
Does anyone have anything further on this issue? If the clerk is anywhere close to being correct, this is an idiotic maneuver and could be the first death knell bell from the corporation.
Bruce's Place of Thoughts always welcome comments.
Bicycle Riding Gets Boost From Bailout Bill
Right now a federal program exists that allows employees to devote pretax wages for the cost of public transportation to and from work. My company uses this to the fullest extent and it is a wonderful feature of working there.
A provision of the $700 billion bailout bill will expand on that program by adding the incentive of up to $20 per month for anyone who bikes to work. This is seen as deferring costs of riding your bike and what you spend on it.
It is slated, at the time of when I wrote this article, (10/9/08) to go into affect January 1st, 2009 and can be used to pay for tune-ups, parking, and general maintenance.
I find that to be an awesome extra for those of us who do ride our bikes. I ride 4 days a week and have been putting the miles on my bike. I've come to find out that my bike tires only seem to have a little over 1,200-1,500 miles durability in them as I seem to be wearing out my tires.
Maybe that's a lot, and maybe not. But this little waver would be a nice thing to have, and can be handy, if it is used properly. Squandering the bucks for anything else would be fruitless and of course I lay in wait to see how many people abuse this new privilege.
source
A provision of the $700 billion bailout bill will expand on that program by adding the incentive of up to $20 per month for anyone who bikes to work. This is seen as deferring costs of riding your bike and what you spend on it.
It is slated, at the time of when I wrote this article, (10/9/08) to go into affect January 1st, 2009 and can be used to pay for tune-ups, parking, and general maintenance.
I find that to be an awesome extra for those of us who do ride our bikes. I ride 4 days a week and have been putting the miles on my bike. I've come to find out that my bike tires only seem to have a little over 1,200-1,500 miles durability in them as I seem to be wearing out my tires.
Maybe that's a lot, and maybe not. But this little waver would be a nice thing to have, and can be handy, if it is used properly. Squandering the bucks for anything else would be fruitless and of course I lay in wait to see how many people abuse this new privilege.
source
Thursday, October 30, 2008
AOL Pictures - One More Service Being Trimmed Back
Every day I get a service error message when I log into the web-based AOL. It's like part of the process for me now. Sign in, get error message, click continue. Sigh.
After they've announced that they were dispensing with the web site hosting service called AOL Hometown, they've just announced this morning that they will now be discontinuing the AOL Photo Hosting Service called AOL Pictures.
I've never heard of them, but they're now saying you can continue to access your images on American Greetings® PhotoWorks® with a free account after providing your AOL account info. ...Never heard of them. Have you?
If I were to make a judgment call, I mean besides continually pointing out all the annoyances of my favorite limping along service called AOL, I'd say they are cutting back on hosting services and saving fees for leasing either the space, the equipment to host or both. I'm guessing their ad based services aren't working as well as they had hoped.
They have revamped the look of the web interface so now I have all kinds of options on the right side of the screen, and an AIM offer that I have to close every time I log into my email now, so they are trying to work the ad managed service and somehow play catch up to the web advertising pioneer, Google.
So if you have pics out there, you need to go take care of this. You'll see the email when you log in.
After they've announced that they were dispensing with the web site hosting service called AOL Hometown, they've just announced this morning that they will now be discontinuing the AOL Photo Hosting Service called AOL Pictures.
I've never heard of them, but they're now saying you can continue to access your images on American Greetings® PhotoWorks® with a free account after providing your AOL account info. ...Never heard of them. Have you?
If I were to make a judgment call, I mean besides continually pointing out all the annoyances of my favorite limping along service called AOL, I'd say they are cutting back on hosting services and saving fees for leasing either the space, the equipment to host or both. I'm guessing their ad based services aren't working as well as they had hoped.
They have revamped the look of the web interface so now I have all kinds of options on the right side of the screen, and an AIM offer that I have to close every time I log into my email now, so they are trying to work the ad managed service and somehow play catch up to the web advertising pioneer, Google.
So if you have pics out there, you need to go take care of this. You'll see the email when you log in.
Redwood City's Proposition W, and CA Realtors?
Opinion by Bruce Simmons :
In Redwood City, CA, there's a proposition called W who's main impetus states that a 2/3rds vote is needed to develop open space in the city.
I'm not here nor there on telling you what I believe but what sways me are the following:
Opponents of the measure have spent over $1 million dollars to fight the initiative.
Those opponents are
What surprised me was the CA Association of Realtors getting in the fray.
Greed is greed, but Realtors are supposed to be neutral parties who act as go-betweens in real estate transactions. By opposing measures that restrict real estate transactions, that tells me that they, like all governing entities, are having their strings pulled to pitch into this fight.
They have no place in this fight and to me, show a biased take on potential future real estate transactions that real estate agents would benefit from. They in turn, would of course pay their multitude of annual dues to the state board, who takes their money and does things like this for it, for them.
The opponents alone make me lean towards the idea that those who can make money converting open land to marketable office space are the ones opposing it. But that's just my first take. Check out the sources and make your own decisions.
Source, source, W and V Measures, source,
Yes on W: www.redwoodcityopenspace.org
No on W: www.votenomeasurew.com
In Redwood City, CA, there's a proposition called W who's main impetus states that a 2/3rds vote is needed to develop open space in the city.
I'm not here nor there on telling you what I believe but what sways me are the following:
Opponents of the measure have spent over $1 million dollars to fight the initiative.
Those opponents are
- DMB. Contributions over $600,000. (DMB Associates is an Arizona firm that has been hired to draw up development plans for 1,433 acres in Redwood City owned by Cargill Inc.)
Oracle Corp . Contribution of $75,000.- California Association of Realtors. Contribution of $45,000.
What surprised me was the CA Association of Realtors getting in the fray.
Greed is greed, but Realtors are supposed to be neutral parties who act as go-betweens in real estate transactions. By opposing measures that restrict real estate transactions, that tells me that they, like all governing entities, are having their strings pulled to pitch into this fight.
They have no place in this fight and to me, show a biased take on potential future real estate transactions that real estate agents would benefit from. They in turn, would of course pay their multitude of annual dues to the state board, who takes their money and does things like this for it, for them.
The opponents alone make me lean towards the idea that those who can make money converting open land to marketable office space are the ones opposing it. But that's just my first take. Check out the sources and make your own decisions.
Source, source, W and V Measures, source,
Yes on W: www.redwoodcityopenspace.org
No on W: www.votenomeasurew.com
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Whirlpool is Swirling Down the Drain
The Economy just keeps hitting the fat dogs of industry.
As they put it, due to the "long downturn in the U.S. housing market", Whirpool is looking to downsize by 5,000 people over this and next year. Their earnings fell 7% and combined with the fact that consumer confidence is at its lowest level on record, things have to be shored up on their end.
Though they still made a hefty profit, they said the cut into the profit was a result of fuel and material costs.
Whirlpool had 80,000+ employees after they acquired Maytag in 2006 and then started cutting thousands of domestic and foreign jobs and sold off parts of the business such as the Hoover vacuum products.
Ouch.
The icons we all look to and expect to always be there since they have been so iconic in our lives for such a long period of time are quickly falling prey to the economy. But alas, as I always say, "Everything in Life is Temporary. Enjoy it while it lasts."
source
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As they put it, due to the "long downturn in the U.S. housing market", Whirpool is looking to downsize by 5,000 people over this and next year. Their earnings fell 7% and combined with the fact that consumer confidence is at its lowest level on record, things have to be shored up on their end.
Though they still made a hefty profit, they said the cut into the profit was a result of fuel and material costs.
Whirlpool had 80,000+ employees after they acquired Maytag in 2006 and then started cutting thousands of domestic and foreign jobs and sold off parts of the business such as the Hoover vacuum products.
Ouch.
The icons we all look to and expect to always be there since they have been so iconic in our lives for such a long period of time are quickly falling prey to the economy. But alas, as I always say, "Everything in Life is Temporary. Enjoy it while it lasts."
source
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The Tax Value On Your Homes
A reminder from Bruce Simmons:
As the market took off, no doubt your tax rates went up with your property tax assessments on the new, rising value of your home.
Well, now it's time to reassess that value one more time. In fact many folks are swarming in to their local assessor’s offices, requesting lower property valuations that would result in lower taxes.
More specifically, setting your tax rates either back to what they were, or even lower.
As the market took off, no doubt your tax rates went up with your property tax assessments on the new, rising value of your home.
Well, now it's time to reassess that value one more time. In fact many folks are swarming in to their local assessor’s offices, requesting lower property valuations that would result in lower taxes.
More specifically, setting your tax rates either back to what they were, or even lower.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
AOL Wants To Watch All My Email
An Opinion by Bruce E. Simmons
So while I'm still seeing log-in error screens on a daily basis from AOL, and having my email spam blocked without a chance of my saying whether it's good or not, do you really think that I want to provide AOL with my passwords to my Yahoo and Gmail accounts? Are they nuts?!?!?! How stupid do they think I am?
They already spam bot my address book from AOL and HELP me by adding everyone to my AOL Chat platform, when in fact, I don't want anyone in my AIM tool that I don't personally add.
But that's just me. Maybe everyone like the added help or service they provide by making themselves an all-in-one service provider. Me, I'm leery about providing passwords and access to my other services that are in direct competition with AOL.
Call me funny that way.
Related Links
So while I'm still seeing log-in error screens on a daily basis from AOL, and having my email spam blocked without a chance of my saying whether it's good or not, do you really think that I want to provide AOL with my passwords to my Yahoo and Gmail accounts? Are they nuts?!?!?! How stupid do they think I am?
They already spam bot my address book from AOL and HELP me by adding everyone to my AOL Chat platform, when in fact, I don't want anyone in my AIM tool that I don't personally add.
But that's just me. Maybe everyone like the added help or service they provide by making themselves an all-in-one service provider. Me, I'm leery about providing passwords and access to my other services that are in direct competition with AOL.
Call me funny that way.
Related Links
AOL is Blocking Email For You And Why I Like Gmail or Yahoo
Reduction of Services From AOL - The Beginning of the End?
Monday, October 27, 2008
Computer Monday: MS Word Basic Tips
Based on Word 2000, 2003, and more than likely, will work on the newest versions!!
To Remove a command from a menu;
Type the shortcut key and then select the "offending" menu command.
Press: ALT+CTRL+- (plus dash)
To Display Customize Keyboard dialog box and create a shortcut key for a menu command;
Type the shortcut key,
selecting a menu command,
and then to add, change or remove the desired shortcut key from within the dialog box.
Press ALT+CTRL++ (plus sign)
To add a toolbar button to a menu bar
Start by typing the shortcut key and selecting a toolbar button,
Microsoft adds the button to the appropriate menu.
Press ALT+CTRL+=(equal sign)
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To Remove a command from a menu;
Type the shortcut key and then select the "offending" menu command.
Press: ALT+CTRL+- (plus dash)
To Display Customize Keyboard dialog box and create a shortcut key for a menu command;
Type the shortcut key,
selecting a menu command,
and then to add, change or remove the desired shortcut key from within the dialog box.
Press ALT+CTRL++ (plus sign)
To add a toolbar button to a menu bar
Start by typing the shortcut key and selecting a toolbar button,
Microsoft adds the button to the appropriate menu.
Press ALT+CTRL+=(equal sign)
-----
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Regretfully Drunk Emails? Google To The Rescue
If you have the tendency to
You just might be in luck!
Google is starting up an experimental service that might help prevent you from sending emails you'd rather forget in the the morning.
It's called Mail Goggles.
It's a test feature in Gmail that can be set up to filter your email activity after a certain hour, on certain days or whenever you think you might need it most.
When it's on, the new feature forces you to solve a few simple math problems before it will let you move on with your emailing! Nice!
If you want to activate it, click on Settings, then Labs.
Have fun... Or not!
- Drink
- Get on the Computer
- Send (regretful) emails while drunk
- Use Gmail
You just might be in luck!
Google is starting up an experimental service that might help prevent you from sending emails you'd rather forget in the the morning.
It's called Mail Goggles.
It's a test feature in Gmail that can be set up to filter your email activity after a certain hour, on certain days or whenever you think you might need it most.
When it's on, the new feature forces you to solve a few simple math problems before it will let you move on with your emailing! Nice!
If you want to activate it, click on Settings, then Labs.
Have fun... Or not!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Saying Hello
As of today, I've got myself 301 posts of thoughts, consumer advocate like stuff, computery things and what not.
This isn't my only newsletter, but it's where I've focused a few of my older newsletters.
I used to try running a blog for each subject but it became such a pain in my... that I was getting ready to burn out, yet I really wanted to communicate what I think are interesting tidbits, or promulgate information I feel strongly about.
I want to say thanks to everyone who has transitioned to this site and for those who keep coming back to check out my newest posts.
Right now, I've got lots of cool things lined up for you in the coming months. I've already got posts ready to go all the way through December, so I hope you keep coming back, because I'm gonna keep putting the info up.
Again, thanks for coming by and PLEASE, feel free to add comments or thoughts to my posts. This can be a community effort of sharing info as we move forward. But I do filter comments to splat the spam, so be patient some days.
Regards,
Bruce E. Simmons
(No, I'm not telling you what the E. stands for. And yes, that's me, working hard on my patio.)
Handling Pop-Ups With Kid Gloves
Have you ever had pop-up issues at a website and even though you think you comply, more pop-ups come at you and in a worse case scenario, you find yourself with dozens of windows.
In the most extreme cases, you just got yourself a virus from an insidious web site.
What can you do? How do you deal with it?
Reading what I've got to say over at my Associated Content page.
In the most extreme cases, you just got yourself a virus from an insidious web site.
What can you do? How do you deal with it?
Reading what I've got to say over at my Associated Content page.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Worldwide Market Sell Off - Can Lenders Sleep At Night?
Bruce's Observation
In my mind, I cannot imagine how it feels to be one of those lenders back in '04 - '06 that were pushing the no-doc "cheater" loans.
The lenders that had no scruples telling clients not to worry about the fine print, fudged estimations on their clients ability to re-fi, market predictions (Which they weren't qualified to make.), and other such deeds.
Pitch that loan then sell it to the big houses Mr. lender. Good job. Too good a job.
And where are the big houses now? Countrywide went down hard, Wachovia is there, Lehman's. It's befuddling to me. Now we have to have the goverment try to create some sort of stop gap to stop the gap. How are we going to hold that one up? More loans to protect more loans? When does that spiral start to swirl?
I look at the Business headlines from October 7th:
I keep spouting that lenders are the cause. Technically, everyone is at fault. But the consumer who trusted the lenders became the victims. They trusted the lenders to tell them what was right for them because they didn't understand what they were reading. It seems, there were a lot of them.
But then, I remember when out-of-state "investors" were calling brokerages in Idaho and wanting to snatch up houses, sight-unseen, and agents going right along with them. Shame on all of you.
Did you, the real esnake agent, reflect on your buyer, your local economy? Did you point out that most folks in the region could not afford the rent the out-of-state investor was thinking of charging? Nope. That's why so many houses went empty in that last year that I was up in Idaho.
Hence how I failed in the real estate industry. There was no room for someone who was completely upfront with their customers.
Of course, Palin just says: Don't make those bad loans anymore everyone! Great answer. Why didn't we think of that sooner.
I just shake my head, wondering, when will it finally stop? When will the big financial collapse actually occur? How many will suffer?
You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
In my mind, I cannot imagine how it feels to be one of those lenders back in '04 - '06 that were pushing the no-doc "cheater" loans.
The lenders that had no scruples telling clients not to worry about the fine print, fudged estimations on their clients ability to re-fi, market predictions (Which they weren't qualified to make.), and other such deeds.
Pitch that loan then sell it to the big houses Mr. lender. Good job. Too good a job.
And where are the big houses now? Countrywide went down hard, Wachovia is there, Lehman's. It's befuddling to me. Now we have to have the goverment try to create some sort of stop gap to stop the gap. How are we going to hold that one up? More loans to protect more loans? When does that spiral start to swirl?
I look at the Business headlines from October 7th:
- Market Confidence Plunges
- Bailout Package Sparks a Worldwide sell-off
- Bank of America Reports 68% Profit Drop
- EBay To Trim 1,600 Jobs
- Dow Dips Below 10,000
- Rescue Plan Woes Contribute to Sell-Off
- European Governments Go Their Own Way on Crisis
- Fed to Provide As Much As $900 Billion In Loans to Banks
- Oil Prices Fall as Financial Turmoil Heats up Worldwide
I keep spouting that lenders are the cause. Technically, everyone is at fault. But the consumer who trusted the lenders became the victims. They trusted the lenders to tell them what was right for them because they didn't understand what they were reading. It seems, there were a lot of them.
But then, I remember when out-of-state "investors" were calling brokerages in Idaho and wanting to snatch up houses, sight-unseen, and agents going right along with them. Shame on all of you.
Did you, the real esnake agent, reflect on your buyer, your local economy? Did you point out that most folks in the region could not afford the rent the out-of-state investor was thinking of charging? Nope. That's why so many houses went empty in that last year that I was up in Idaho.
Hence how I failed in the real estate industry. There was no room for someone who was completely upfront with their customers.
Of course, Palin just says: Don't make those bad loans anymore everyone! Great answer. Why didn't we think of that sooner.
I just shake my head, wondering, when will it finally stop? When will the big financial collapse actually occur? How many will suffer?
You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
No Texting While Driving
Ya think?
The text-message ban for California is slated to take effect on Jan. 1. Wow, what a good, proactive job by our Governor! Or was it?
The ban was slated to kick in on Jan 1st anyway, with the activation of the no-cell calls while driving law kicked in this year.
To me, between the two functions, I would think that the 'no-text' action would either be concurrent or prior to actually calling, but that's just me.
As it is, no one seems to be paying attention to the new law around here. In fact, it doesn't seemed to have changed anyone's habits what so ever.
See my full article over on Associated Content.
The text-message ban for California is slated to take effect on Jan. 1. Wow, what a good, proactive job by our Governor! Or was it?
The ban was slated to kick in on Jan 1st anyway, with the activation of the no-cell calls while driving law kicked in this year.
To me, between the two functions, I would think that the 'no-text' action would either be concurrent or prior to actually calling, but that's just me.
As it is, no one seems to be paying attention to the new law around here. In fact, it doesn't seemed to have changed anyone's habits what so ever.
See my full article over on Associated Content.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Looking Out for the RI's
What's an RI? It's a Road Idiot.
I was coming back from lunch on my bike and traffic was backed up at a train stop. Some pedestrians were crossing through the stopped traffic (not uncommon) to cross the street.
They both weave through the 2 lanes of cars, very focused on the cell phone calls they were on, heads down... yep, heads down, in total concentration of the call they're on while crossing the street. Nobody was looking for any additional traffic.
Had I been a road idiot, I would not have been looking for them and we would have met with utmost velocity disparity and I could have put a new silhouette on my bicycle frame.
But alas, I must always be on the look out for those folks walking or driving that are completely immersed in their own telephonic connections.
F*ing RI's.
Thanks for listening to my rant. My Road Rant.
I was coming back from lunch on my bike and traffic was backed up at a train stop. Some pedestrians were crossing through the stopped traffic (not uncommon) to cross the street.
They both weave through the 2 lanes of cars, very focused on the cell phone calls they were on, heads down... yep, heads down, in total concentration of the call they're on while crossing the street. Nobody was looking for any additional traffic.
Had I been a road idiot, I would not have been looking for them and we would have met with utmost velocity disparity and I could have put a new silhouette on my bicycle frame.
But alas, I must always be on the look out for those folks walking or driving that are completely immersed in their own telephonic connections.
F*ing RI's.
Thanks for listening to my rant. My Road Rant.
Word Trick-Tips - Editing in Preview Mode
Editing Text in Preview Mode
In Print Preview mode, you notice adjustments or edits you'd like to make to graphics and text.
Did you know you can make those changes while you're still in Print Preview mode? Here's how you do it:
1. Click Print Preview on the File menu.
2. Click the text in the area you want to edit. Word zooms in on the area.
3. Click Magnifier on the Print Preview toolbar. When the pointer changes from a magnifying glass to an I-beam, you can begin making your changes to the document.
4. To exit Print Preview and return to the previous view of the document, click Close.
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In Print Preview mode, you notice adjustments or edits you'd like to make to graphics and text.
Did you know you can make those changes while you're still in Print Preview mode? Here's how you do it:
1. Click Print Preview on the File menu.
2. Click the text in the area you want to edit. Word zooms in on the area.
3. Click Magnifier on the Print Preview toolbar. When the pointer changes from a magnifying glass to an I-beam, you can begin making your changes to the document.
4. To exit Print Preview and return to the previous view of the document, click Close.
----
Your Fuel Economy and Hyper Mileage
by Bruce Simmons :
I came across an article about a man named Wayne Gerdes who wrung an amazing 84 miles per gallon from his standard-issue Ford Ranger pick-up by using several interesting tricks and driving techniques.
I thought I was all the rage, when I used to coast in neutral to stop signs and lights, I took my tail gate off, over inflated my tires (Which ended up prematurely wearing the middle-inside tread) and what not to squeeze an extra 3 mpg out my truck, but 84 mpg!! Wow.
I found the hypermilage website which gives you some of the tricks of their hobby at
http://www.hypermiling.com/ rather interesting.
Some of their tips on the home page are:
>> The first step toward saving gas and increasing mpg: Always know your gas mileage after each visit to the gas pump.
>> The second step: do you drive agressively but not know it?
>> The third step: How long are you sitting still at red lights? Video
>> The fourth step: Keeping yourself moving in traffic congestion
>> The fifth step: Slowly accelerate after stops
>> The sixth step: Your cruise control saves gas (but not by using it they way you might think)
Wayne Gerdes, Mr. Hypermiler himself, has a website: http://www.cleanmpg.com/
Here's one collection of resource links he provides at
http://www.cleanmpg.com/cmps_index.php?page=related
Here's a few products from Amazon.com to ponder if you're interested:
Improving Fuel Economy: Money In Your Pocket
Anatomy of Vehicle Performance: Cars, Pick-Ups, Vans, SUVs and Motorcycles
Have fun improving your gas mileage.. I have to go work on my MPG!!
I came across an article about a man named Wayne Gerdes who wrung an amazing 84 miles per gallon from his standard-issue Ford Ranger pick-up by using several interesting tricks and driving techniques.
I thought I was all the rage, when I used to coast in neutral to stop signs and lights, I took my tail gate off, over inflated my tires (Which ended up prematurely wearing the middle-inside tread) and what not to squeeze an extra 3 mpg out my truck, but 84 mpg!! Wow.
I found the hypermilage website which gives you some of the tricks of their hobby at
http://www.hypermiling.com/ rather interesting.
Some of their tips on the home page are:
>> The first step toward saving gas and increasing mpg: Always know your gas mileage after each visit to the gas pump.
>> The second step: do you drive agressively but not know it?
>> The third step: How long are you sitting still at red lights? Video
>> The fourth step: Keeping yourself moving in traffic congestion
>> The fifth step: Slowly accelerate after stops
>> The sixth step: Your cruise control saves gas (but not by using it they way you might think)
Wayne Gerdes, Mr. Hypermiler himself, has a website: http://www.cleanmpg.com/
Here's one collection of resource links he provides at
http://www.cleanmpg.com/cmps_index.php?page=related
Here's a few products from Amazon.com to ponder if you're interested:
Improving Fuel Economy: Money In Your Pocket
Anatomy of Vehicle Performance: Cars, Pick-Ups, Vans, SUVs and Motorcycles
Have fun improving your gas mileage.. I have to go work on my MPG!!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
AccuWeather My As*!!
I've always had mild issues with how the weather can be called wrong a lot of the time, and some of these guys get paid big bucks to be wrong... cool job.
But here's one thing I've noticed... AccuWeather can be off a bit every now and then...
For example, today, we have this report of light rain.
OK... but what's wrong with the following pics that were taken a few minutes after the above screen capture?:
I've always said the place was muggy... If the weathermen say it's lightly raining, you tell me which it is. In fact, 90 minutes later and they're still saying light rain and low humidity, though my poor lungs are saying otherwise on the humidity count! In the left image, there are hills in the background, but the non-muggy haze is obscuring them. Hmm.
AccuWeather said the same thing on Sunday afternoon about light rain and there was not a cloud in the sky and I wasn't drinking!
I guess they're having issues with their equipment, thought I'd toss out this humorous aspect.
-----
MS Word - Some Basic Keyboard Shortcuts
Sometimes, it's just plain easier to use the keyboard than it is navigating the menus with the mouse. I can guarantee you that someone who knows their keyboard shortcuts can out pace someone using the menus with their mouse.
Not to mention, using the keyboard commands is one way to stave off the affects of carpal tunnel syndrome, according to some experts.
(Don't type the + in the commands.. it's just saying type this with the letter pressed)
To copy text, highlight it, then press CTRL+c
To paste a copied item(s) from the Clipboard, press CTRL+v
To copy and remove the selected item(s) from their original location, press: CTRL+x, then quickly add that copied text to it's new location with CTRL+v
To undo a boo-boo, or the last action (Some actions can't be undone) press: CTRL+z
~~~
Actually, these commands are pretty common across the board in many applications.
-----
Not to mention, using the keyboard commands is one way to stave off the affects of carpal tunnel syndrome, according to some experts.
(Don't type the + in the commands.. it's just saying type this with the letter pressed)
To copy text, highlight it, then press CTRL+c
To paste a copied item(s) from the Clipboard, press CTRL+v
To copy and remove the selected item(s) from their original location, press: CTRL+x, then quickly add that copied text to it's new location with CTRL+v
To undo a boo-boo, or the last action (Some actions can't be undone) press: CTRL+z
~~~
Actually, these commands are pretty common across the board in many applications.
-----
Tidbit Tuesday: The Mystery of 866-799-1702 Solved
Some weeks ago, I got a few calls from the phone number 866-799-1702.
No one would leave a message despite calling me repeatedly. So I defaulted to the attitude that if it ain't important enough to leave a message, it ain't important enough for me to answer.
I did some research on the internet looking around for this phone number and there seemed to be a few varying opinions on the subject.
Might as well just ask the source then! The next time they called, I saw the numbered and jumped on my phone to answer the danged call.
Sure enough, it's a call from Verizon Wireless wanting to give me a survey and tell me what better packages there are out there for my phone service.
I felt so special. NOT.
Now I'm a strong believer of not burning the messenger. With that in mind, I told the poor lady on the other end of the phone: I've done my research and I know what I need and want so I'm good there. I also told her I have no problem with taking a survey, but I'll have to keep putting the phone down to eat, and I might be asking her to repeat her questions often, so she should d what's best for her.
I then said, :Hang on one moment, call waiting says I have a call on the other line", then hung up.
I wonder how long she waited?
No one would leave a message despite calling me repeatedly. So I defaulted to the attitude that if it ain't important enough to leave a message, it ain't important enough for me to answer.
I did some research on the internet looking around for this phone number and there seemed to be a few varying opinions on the subject.
Might as well just ask the source then! The next time they called, I saw the numbered and jumped on my phone to answer the danged call.
Sure enough, it's a call from Verizon Wireless wanting to give me a survey and tell me what better packages there are out there for my phone service.
I felt so special. NOT.
Now I'm a strong believer of not burning the messenger. With that in mind, I told the poor lady on the other end of the phone: I've done my research and I know what I need and want so I'm good there. I also told her I have no problem with taking a survey, but I'll have to keep putting the phone down to eat, and I might be asking her to repeat her questions often, so she should d what's best for her.
I then said, :Hang on one moment, call waiting says I have a call on the other line", then hung up.
I wonder how long she waited?
Monday, October 20, 2008
AOL Web Interface Issues - Error Code CoFE1700
by Bruce Simmons :
If anyone's noticed that when you use the AOL Email web interface, you get the following error:
tunome mail
Service Error
There was a problem handling your request. An unspecified error has occurred.
The Technical Stuff:
Error Code: C0FE1700
Report ID: 40047-webmail-20080818-195552
I did a web search on the report ID and got nuthin!
I did a web search on the Error Code and found the following pages:
http://help.aol.com/help/siteLoginUrl.jsp
http://help.aol.com/help
The second link was more specific to my own issues, but it's basically got the same rhetoric you get from basic help services:
No 2: Why?
No 3: I'd believe that crap if I didn't have the same problem on three different computer systems
No 4: Never again. That's an insidious piece of software I had on my system, called AOL VR. It was relentless when it thought it needed to have itself upgraded.
Then they wrap it all up with the following:
It's not a big issue for me... I click Continue or Try Again and instantly get in... so far. AOL can be so fun to bash. Of course, they make it easy!!
----
If anyone's noticed that when you use the AOL Email web interface, you get the following error:
tunome mail
Service Error
There was a problem handling your request. An unspecified error has occurred.
The Technical Stuff:
Error Code: C0FE1700
Report ID: 40047-webmail-20080818-195552
I did a web search on the report ID and got nuthin!
I did a web search on the Error Code and found the following pages:
http://help.aol.com/help/siteLoginUrl.jsp
http://help.aol.com/help
The second link was more specific to my own issues, but it's basically got the same rhetoric you get from basic help services:
- Check if your password is correct
- Log out, then log back in
- Clear Cookies, Cache, History in your browser
- Access your e-mail through the AOL® software
No 2: Why?
No 3: I'd believe that crap if I didn't have the same problem on three different computer systems
No 4: Never again. That's an insidious piece of software I had on my system, called AOL VR. It was relentless when it thought it needed to have itself upgraded.
Then they wrap it all up with the following:
We are currently working towards fixing this issue. In the meanwhile, you can continue to access your e-mails using the AOL software, for more information check out the online help article titled: Read E-mail
It's not a big issue for me... I click Continue or Try Again and instantly get in... so far. AOL can be so fun to bash. Of course, they make it easy!!
----
Computer Monday: Deleting Your Skype History
The other day someone asked me how to delete the history of a chat / conversation in their Skype application.
The first thing I did was head straight off to the tools section, but nothing there seemed to avail itself to me and I initially gave up.
But then I noticed that behind the actual interface where I type is the Skype Application itself. It's in that application where there's a bunch of tabs. One of them is "History". If you open the history tab, you'll see a collection of conversations. You can highlight a specific conversation, and hit the delete key on your keyboard!
There's also a set of options that become available when you right click a conversation. Fun with Skype!
At least it worked for me!!
The first thing I did was head straight off to the tools section, but nothing there seemed to avail itself to me and I initially gave up.
But then I noticed that behind the actual interface where I type is the Skype Application itself. It's in that application where there's a bunch of tabs. One of them is "History". If you open the history tab, you'll see a collection of conversations. You can highlight a specific conversation, and hit the delete key on your keyboard!
There's also a set of options that become available when you right click a conversation. Fun with Skype!
At least it worked for me!!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Review: Taco Bell's Cheesy Double Beef Burrito
I finally got to Taco Bell to check out this much heralded Cheesy Double Beef Burrito they've had been touting on the airwaves.
I used to frequent Taco Bell often, but of late, I've been keeping a healthier diet, but the other day I made an exception.
I'm not sure if this was the best exception or they've just not named the product properly, but my Cheesy Double Beef burrito should be more aptly called the Rice Burrito with after thoughts of Cheese and Beef. But that title is too long... So I get it.
Boo.
Thumbs down to this one.
I'll stay with the Chalupa.
I used to frequent Taco Bell often, but of late, I've been keeping a healthier diet, but the other day I made an exception.
I'm not sure if this was the best exception or they've just not named the product properly, but my Cheesy Double Beef burrito should be more aptly called the Rice Burrito with after thoughts of Cheese and Beef. But that title is too long... So I get it.
Boo.
Thumbs down to this one.
I'll stay with the Chalupa.
Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino Is No More
Well... I live near a Peet's and a Starbucks.
Peet's has the drinks ( Their version of the Frappuccino, called Freedos) I prefer. I live literally within a stones throw of one. Yet Starbucks had the snacks I like better. Then I came across the Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino in Starbucks. With that, they got me.
Then in August I think it was, they pulled the Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino from the menus but you could still order it. I'm not sure why they pulled it but that's OK, because I could still order it.
That was, until today when I was told by a staff member that it was no longer available. IE: They don't have the pre-packaged mix for it. The staff at the store tried to come up with something comparable. We tried a Mocha Frappuccino with a Peppermint shot, which was interesting, but not my Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino.
So with that being said, I may be going back to Peet's.
I've written Starbucks to let them know they may be losing my patronage. Maybe you want to do the same if you liked the drink, at the Starbucks Contact Webpage for Retail Stores.
Here's what I said in my email:
I'll keep you filled in on the developments.
-Bruce
Peet's has the drinks ( Their version of the Frappuccino, called Freedos) I prefer. I live literally within a stones throw of one. Yet Starbucks had the snacks I like better. Then I came across the Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino in Starbucks. With that, they got me.
Then in August I think it was, they pulled the Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino from the menus but you could still order it. I'm not sure why they pulled it but that's OK, because I could still order it.
That was, until today when I was told by a staff member that it was no longer available. IE: They don't have the pre-packaged mix for it. The staff at the store tried to come up with something comparable. We tried a Mocha Frappuccino with a Peppermint shot, which was interesting, but not my Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino.
So with that being said, I may be going back to Peet's.
I've written Starbucks to let them know they may be losing my patronage. Maybe you want to do the same if you liked the drink, at the Starbucks Contact Webpage for Retail Stores.
Here's what I said in my email:
Hi, I was told yesterday that the only drink that really got me into Starbucks, the Mint Mocha Chip Frappuccino, is no longer available.
I'm guessing sales of the product, which I might understand since it was actually removed from the menu a few months back.
But was it doing so poorly to have been pulled from the short menus you folks have? Obviously pulling it doomed it.
I'm bummed.
I would go out of my way to hit your establishment just for that product. (I live next door to the P word. [peet's])
Can I assume it's gone for good?
I'm guessing sales of the product, which I might understand since it was actually removed from the menu a few months back.
But was it doing so poorly to have been pulled from the short menus you folks have? Obviously pulling it doomed it.
I'm bummed.
I would go out of my way to hit your establishment just for that product. (I live next door to the P word. [peet's])
Can I assume it's gone for good?
I'll keep you filled in on the developments.
-Bruce
Bankers on Wall Street to Get Bonuses
I'm almost speechless on this one.
An article over on The Guardian speaks to discretionary bonuses that bankers are going to get for their work done so far this year. Eh? Work done so far? And these bonuses are coming out of the bail out funds? Head, desk, thump.
I'm speechless on the issue itself so I thought I'd just toss you out in the direction of the article and you can read it for yourself.
Guardian.co.uk
A thanks goes out to petersantilli@twitter.com for posting this out there.
An article over on The Guardian speaks to discretionary bonuses that bankers are going to get for their work done so far this year. Eh? Work done so far? And these bonuses are coming out of the bail out funds? Head, desk, thump.
I'm speechless on the issue itself so I thought I'd just toss you out in the direction of the article and you can read it for yourself.
Guardian.co.uk
A thanks goes out to petersantilli@twitter.com for posting this out there.
AOL Email Footers - Paid or Not
I wrote this post on another blog back in March or 2007:
Earlier I noted that though I pay for my AOL still (Dial up connection, in case cable connection goes down), I still get the AOL advertising at the bottom of my emails.
My perspective is if I'm paying, I shouldn't get AOL ads in my email transmissions.
I sent this perspective in to AOL tech on the 7th, and got a reply back today.
Here's the reply:
There you have it folks. For the moment, even paying customers are stuck with the in-email advertising. I always say that as consumers, you need to speak with your wallet, and I guess it's time I do just that and cancel my back up connection plan in response.
~~~~~
So I responded to AOL with this email:
Thanks for your info. I guess since there is no difference in how my account is treated from pay versus free, I should modify my existing contract and save me a few bucks each month. I appreciate your effort in the matter.
~~~~ and their response, which I assume is a canned preformated response
~~~~~
So I write and tell them what was up, and told I can write to let them know if I have any questions. Sigh, it's a tall tree I bark up today.
//////////
With that said, has anyone who reads this newsletter still pay for AOL and do you still have footers you can't get rid of? I'd like to hear from you.
Earlier I noted that though I pay for my AOL still (Dial up connection, in case cable connection goes down), I still get the AOL advertising at the bottom of my emails.
My perspective is if I'm paying, I shouldn't get AOL ads in my email transmissions.
I sent this perspective in to AOL tech on the 7th, and got a reply back today.
Here's the reply:
I understand you would like to remove the free services that AOL offers appearing at the bottom part of your outgoing e-mail. I would like to thank you for bringing up this issue to our attention.[end response]
We appreciate your feedback. Unfortunately, it is not possible to remove the e-mail footer at this time. I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.
The footer that has been appearing on our AOL Web Mail service is now also included in emails that are sent using AOL's software. This footer is a reminder for all users that AOL's services are free, including AOL email. Some of the free services you can also take advantage of are Safety and Security Services, Online Storage, Parental Controls, and latest AOL software versions. (Bruce Warns: Which introduces insidious background processes that are a real persistent pain to rid yourself of!)
However, I have taken a note of your feedback. We highly value what our members have to say and I will make sure that it is given the appropriate attention. We use feedback like this to make improvement to the service.
Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
There you have it folks. For the moment, even paying customers are stuck with the in-email advertising. I always say that as consumers, you need to speak with your wallet, and I guess it's time I do just that and cancel my back up connection plan in response.
~~~~~
So I responded to AOL with this email:
Thanks for your info. I guess since there is no difference in how my account is treated from pay versus free, I should modify my existing contract and save me a few bucks each month. I appreciate your effort in the matter.
~~~~ and their response, which I assume is a canned preformated response
Dear Bruce, Thanks for writing to AOL.It is great to know how much you appreciate AOL and AOL Member Services.I would like to recommend that you visit AOL Keyword blah blah - a convenient guide to our features, all in one place.
If you have other concerns or questions regarding AOL, please do not hesitate to contact us in the future.
We are always ready to answer questions and do whatever we can to make your online experience even more enjoyable. Thank you very much for your continued support.
Customer Care ConsultantAOL LLC
~~~~~
So I write and tell them what was up, and told I can write to let them know if I have any questions. Sigh, it's a tall tree I bark up today.
//////////
With that said, has anyone who reads this newsletter still pay for AOL and do you still have footers you can't get rid of? I'd like to hear from you.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Open Open Open - No More. Bye Bye Mervyns, And Others
Dang... Mervyns was my staple shopping zone for everything I wore. What the heck am I gonna do now?
Mervyns has announced a huge going out of business sale just in time for the holidays and will be closing their doors after a rather robust business cycle.
It was first opened in 1949 in San Lorenzo, Calif., by Atherton, CA resident Mervin Morris.
The thing is, they aren't the only ones having going out of business sales. Other stores turning to vapor from the crap economy forced on us from bad loans and investment "strategies" are:
If you've noticed on your store shelves, the Mothers Cookies are going away, gone or not being resupplied and it's due to their bankruptcy.
Mother's initially operated in Oakland, CA for 92 years, but moved in 2006 after going under new ownership.
The new parent company, Archway & Mother's Cake and Cookie Co. of Battle Creek, Mich. couldn't stay afloat with the product and sited rising fuel and ingredient prices as to the reasons for filing bankruptcy.
source
Mervyns has announced a huge going out of business sale just in time for the holidays and will be closing their doors after a rather robust business cycle.
It was first opened in 1949 in San Lorenzo, Calif., by Atherton, CA resident Mervin Morris.
The thing is, they aren't the only ones having going out of business sales. Other stores turning to vapor from the crap economy forced on us from bad loans and investment "strategies" are:
- Linens 'n Things Inc.
- Shoe Pavilion Inc.
- Sharper Image Corp.
- Wickes Furniture
- Levitz Furniture
If you've noticed on your store shelves, the Mothers Cookies are going away, gone or not being resupplied and it's due to their bankruptcy.
Mother's initially operated in Oakland, CA for 92 years, but moved in 2006 after going under new ownership.
The new parent company, Archway & Mother's Cake and Cookie Co. of Battle Creek, Mich. couldn't stay afloat with the product and sited rising fuel and ingredient prices as to the reasons for filing bankruptcy.
source
Friday, October 17, 2008
Man Saves Best Friend From Shark
What an awesome, heart touching tale that actually ended on a good note.
A fellow (Greg) in Florida was taking his daily swim with his 14-pound rat terrier Jake, when a 5-foot shark surfaced near the dog, and grabbed the entire dog in his jaws.
Greg and his wife don't have kids and Jake is the nearest thing they have to kids. Dad's reflexes kicked in when he saw his dog get snagged, jumped in and started beating on the shark.
With Greg "Hulking" out on him, the shark let the dog go and went in search of easier prey.
This could have easily gone the wrong way in endings but did not and the dog was not critically injured and will survive.
Usually we hear about the dogs saving people and like I mentioned, it's a nice canine tale.
There's a video at the source link.
A fellow (Greg) in Florida was taking his daily swim with his 14-pound rat terrier Jake, when a 5-foot shark surfaced near the dog, and grabbed the entire dog in his jaws.
Greg and his wife don't have kids and Jake is the nearest thing they have to kids. Dad's reflexes kicked in when he saw his dog get snagged, jumped in and started beating on the shark.
With Greg "Hulking" out on him, the shark let the dog go and went in search of easier prey.
This could have easily gone the wrong way in endings but did not and the dog was not critically injured and will survive.
Usually we hear about the dogs saving people and like I mentioned, it's a nice canine tale.
There's a video at the source link.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Playkids U.S.A. Crib Recall
A voluntary recall of convertible cribs from Playkids U.S.A. of Brooklyn, N.Y has gone on today, Oct 16th, 2006.
The sides of the convertible crib are made of a mesh that expands, creating a gap between the mattress and the side through which an infant can slip. This poses suffocation and entrapment hazards for young children.
A fatality is already associated with the flaw.
This recall involves the
For more info, you can call Playkids USA collect at (718) 797-0302.
source and pics of product
The sides of the convertible crib are made of a mesh that expands, creating a gap between the mattress and the side through which an infant can slip. This poses suffocation and entrapment hazards for young children.
A fatality is already associated with the flaw.
This recall involves the
- Playkids U.S.A. convertible crib/playpen/bassinet/bed with model number PLK-909.
For more info, you can call Playkids USA collect at (718) 797-0302.
source and pics of product
If The Government Can't Run The Mustang Ranch?
The Mustang Ranch has had a rough go at it of late. It's been shut down by the IRS, burned down, and even sold on eBay.
The "Ranch" has had it's storied past, but the most notable part of it's history was when the IRS shut it down in 1990 and took over the operation.
When the IRS shuts down a business, it tries to run it. By 1991, the business had failed, shut down and was sold off piece-meal to try and recoup some of it's losses on the lost taxes.
So my (humorous?) question is this: If our government can't run a whore house successfully, just exactly how is it going to bail us out of this mortgage crisis by taking over the banking industry!!! They messed up the oldest profession in the books that literally runs itself, if let alone!!
And as the deficit hits $455 billion, just a tad over last years #'s of $162 billion, I have to wonder just where it's all headed and when is it going to "correct" itself. Cause as we all know, every process corrects itself in one way or the other.
That's all I'm saying. That I'm worried still and words about a plan does not make me feel better, like apparently they did with Stock Market investors last Monday.
A source
.
The "Ranch" has had it's storied past, but the most notable part of it's history was when the IRS shut it down in 1990 and took over the operation.
When the IRS shuts down a business, it tries to run it. By 1991, the business had failed, shut down and was sold off piece-meal to try and recoup some of it's losses on the lost taxes.
So my (humorous?) question is this: If our government can't run a whore house successfully, just exactly how is it going to bail us out of this mortgage crisis by taking over the banking industry!!! They messed up the oldest profession in the books that literally runs itself, if let alone!!
And as the deficit hits $455 billion, just a tad over last years #'s of $162 billion, I have to wonder just where it's all headed and when is it going to "correct" itself. Cause as we all know, every process corrects itself in one way or the other.
That's all I'm saying. That I'm worried still and words about a plan does not make me feel better, like apparently they did with Stock Market investors last Monday.
A source
.
Wanna Loan Out Your Laptop To The USGS?
Since U.S.G.S. researchers don't have sufficient equipment or computing power to do all they want to do, they are asking for your help!
They want to borrow your laptops or maybe even a bit of space in your basement or garage by basically looking for folks to help with their participation by equipping laptop computers with special software or installing quake sensors at home.
It's called The Quake-Catcher Network and right now they have only 300 participants in the program, and only 50 in the state of California, which is a fairly quake prone region that experiences around 10,000 quakes a year. The majority of which are too small to feel, but it's still something.
They've specified laptops because newer laptops have an accelerometer that is set up to detect any sudden motion. The original design of this gizmo is to detect sudden motion and activate features that might protect the hard drive from loss of data.
A volunteer can download and install software from the USGS that uses this info. When the USGS knows there's been a quake, they can use the data you've given them to derive better information. That way, a passing truck or what not is not a false hit.
The other part of the project involves a little bit of home space in their basement or garage for a portable seismometer, of which they will begin testing this part in the Bay Area next year. To participate, residents must have a wireless Internet connection to allow the device to communicate with the USGS network and space for a the mini-seismometer.
And no, stomping on it won't set off false alarms. They will look at the data when a known event occurs to better triangulate their seismic information.
U.S. Geological Survey: http://www.usgs.gov
Quake-Catcher Network: http://qcn.stanford.edu
source
They want to borrow your laptops or maybe even a bit of space in your basement or garage by basically looking for folks to help with their participation by equipping laptop computers with special software or installing quake sensors at home.
It's called The Quake-Catcher Network and right now they have only 300 participants in the program, and only 50 in the state of California, which is a fairly quake prone region that experiences around 10,000 quakes a year. The majority of which are too small to feel, but it's still something.
They've specified laptops because newer laptops have an accelerometer that is set up to detect any sudden motion. The original design of this gizmo is to detect sudden motion and activate features that might protect the hard drive from loss of data.
A volunteer can download and install software from the USGS that uses this info. When the USGS knows there's been a quake, they can use the data you've given them to derive better information. That way, a passing truck or what not is not a false hit.
The other part of the project involves a little bit of home space in their basement or garage for a portable seismometer, of which they will begin testing this part in the Bay Area next year. To participate, residents must have a wireless Internet connection to allow the device to communicate with the USGS network and space for a the mini-seismometer.
And no, stomping on it won't set off false alarms. They will look at the data when a known event occurs to better triangulate their seismic information.
U.S. Geological Survey: http://www.usgs.gov
Quake-Catcher Network: http://qcn.stanford.edu
source
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Water and Snow on Mars
It's pretty neat to think that while we struggle here on Earth, we're still discovering things about other places like Mars.
The Phoenix rover on Mars has detected evidence of water via some rather complicated tests, and have detected snow in the far upper atmosphere of Mars.
Just as they start getting data, there are concerns that the little rover won't last past the end of October due to the sun setting and there being limited time to charge the solar batteries that the systems charge themselves off of.
This project was originally slated for a three month run, and it's now in it's 5th.
The Phoenix mission is led by a team at the University of Arizona.
Project management is the responsibility of JPL with development partnership by Lockheed Martin in Denver.
International contributions come from the Canadian Space Agency; the University of Neuchatel, Switzerland; the universities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark; Max Planck Institute, Germany; and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Source and more reading:
NASA. The Latest NASA Phoenix Project News, U of AZ Phoenix Site,
.
The Phoenix rover on Mars has detected evidence of water via some rather complicated tests, and have detected snow in the far upper atmosphere of Mars.
Just as they start getting data, there are concerns that the little rover won't last past the end of October due to the sun setting and there being limited time to charge the solar batteries that the systems charge themselves off of.
This project was originally slated for a three month run, and it's now in it's 5th.
The Phoenix mission is led by a team at the University of Arizona.
Project management is the responsibility of JPL with development partnership by Lockheed Martin in Denver.
International contributions come from the Canadian Space Agency; the University of Neuchatel, Switzerland; the universities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark; Max Planck Institute, Germany; and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Source and more reading:
NASA. The Latest NASA Phoenix Project News, U of AZ Phoenix Site,
.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Mortgage Crisis Explained?
For some, this whole mortgage / stock market / bailout crisis is a fuzzy gray area and they just don't seem to get it. That, I get.
I've been trying to figure out the most terse way to represent the scenario and I think I discovered a Cliff-Notes version of the scenario that breaks it down to the raw form for those of you who are shrugging your shoulders and wondering why your 401k's are shrinking:
Like I said, this is an outline that might give you a feel for the scenario, as it stands.
And as it stands, we still have a lot of these risky loans still coming due from the heyday of the market momentum in 2005-06. They were 3 and 5 year loans that people took out, thinking they would be OK and be able to re-fi before they had to pay the steeper mortgages. They didn't bank on their loans being more in value than their houses at the time of re-fi.
*This is why I point the finger at lenders and continually "thank" the lenders of America for this situation. They baited people with loans that upfront, looked incredibly attractive and yet had a term of only 3 to 5 years. After that term, the rates would go way up, making them less affordable to the loan takers, but the lenders never really made that completely apparent to the clients in the best, plain English statements they needed to make.
Related rants and insights:
I've been trying to figure out the most terse way to represent the scenario and I think I discovered a Cliff-Notes version of the scenario that breaks it down to the raw form for those of you who are shrugging your shoulders and wondering why your 401k's are shrinking:
- People looking to buy homes, the "American Dream", who normally couldn't afford some scenarios, were offered loans that somehow, they could afford according to the mortgage broker, by the myriad of mortgage lenders out there. (Does "interest only" sound familiar to you?)
- Mortgage brokers also dispensed subprime loans to anyone who would eat them up. (Cheater, no-doc loans that knowingly could not be backed by the home owners real financial situation.)
- The brokers then sold the loans to third parties. (Par for the course, and they're usually larger financial institutions. My loan was bought by SunTrust. So they made their monies off of you, then sold them for more money. Wow, hope they're enjoying their bread and butter now!)
- Once bought, these "securities" were used to sell mortgage backed securities. More or less like bonds with a fixed rate of return because supposedly, someone is paying their mortgage off each month, and hence, it's a guaranteed income fund / bond, so to speak.
- Somewhere over 90% of the securities were not backed by real assets, and insurance was bought, as it normally is, to cover these securities. (The No-Doc loans approved via generously estimated levels of income, not real income.)
- Bond rating agencies ignored the fact that these non-backed securities were speculation and rated them non-commiserate with their risk factor.
- This collection of risky securities was never looked at as a whole, but individually. This overlooked the co-dependence of one security upon another.
- Because they were rated high, the insurance rates (premiums) were low. Too low.
- As the cheater / no-doc loans started to come due, people could not afford the loans and were unable to pay them*. (IE: The super low, attractive interest rate and payments changed to much higher terms after the initial 3 - 5 years)
- When this bucket of risky securities started to topple, there was not enough insurance to cover the disaster we are now in.
Like I said, this is an outline that might give you a feel for the scenario, as it stands.
And as it stands, we still have a lot of these risky loans still coming due from the heyday of the market momentum in 2005-06. They were 3 and 5 year loans that people took out, thinking they would be OK and be able to re-fi before they had to pay the steeper mortgages. They didn't bank on their loans being more in value than their houses at the time of re-fi.
*This is why I point the finger at lenders and continually "thank" the lenders of America for this situation. They baited people with loans that upfront, looked incredibly attractive and yet had a term of only 3 to 5 years. After that term, the rates would go way up, making them less affordable to the loan takers, but the lenders never really made that completely apparent to the clients in the best, plain English statements they needed to make.
Related rants and insights:
So Who Is To Blame For The Market Travesty and Such?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Looking for Snippets of Code By Reading Code Backwards
This snippet is more for the beginning to moderate code writer from a programmer who can sometimes be overly dependent on MS Excel to get things done! (Eh?) You'll see.
The other day I've had the special opportunity to read some computer code backwards.
I had to read it from the bottom up because what it did was demonstrate a certain order that data was being written out by another piece of code, which is what I really wanted. This first piece of code read for the last possible output written, and worked it's way backwards until it found the last piece of work. Effectively though, it showed me the streaming order of data.
Reading code ain't all that hard, but the logic of it is a bit confounding. I had a lot of things going on at the time. Since I knew what print statements I needed to find that told what what was happening when, I cheated a bit and did the following:
Walla! Sanity sort of saved.
The other day I've had the special opportunity to read some computer code backwards.
I had to read it from the bottom up because what it did was demonstrate a certain order that data was being written out by another piece of code, which is what I really wanted. This first piece of code read for the last possible output written, and worked it's way backwards until it found the last piece of work. Effectively though, it showed me the streaming order of data.
Reading code ain't all that hard, but the logic of it is a bit confounding. I had a lot of things going on at the time. Since I knew what print statements I needed to find that told what what was happening when, I cheated a bit and did the following:
- Opened an Excel Spreadsheet
- Copied the code into Column B, (Paste Special, text only)
- I then numbered the rows in Column A., in this case 1 to 547.
- Sorted the whole mess based on Column A, but in Descending Order.
- I then sorted the whole mess one more time,
- Primary Column B, Ascending; Secondary Column A Descending.
Walla! Sanity sort of saved.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Ocean Living: On It Or In It. Your Option
It's an interesting prospect, the idea of actually living on or in the oceans. That is, we're not talking house boats in the classic sense.
Did you know?
Oceans cover 225 million square miles and that accounts for approximately 71 percent of the planet's surface. More or less, that's a lot of unused real estate.
With technology as it develops, it makes the idea a possibility. As it is, it's not just a dream anymore, but a potential. At least for vacations.
GM WAS working on an underwater hotel called Atlantis. (Oh how original) but then there's the dream called Hydropolis, and since I couldn't really determine anything from that website, I found a reference to it in Wikipedia. Good 'ol wiki.
Then there's the project that slated to open in Sept 2009, called the Poseidon Undersea Resort.
These previously mentioned projects have been on the books for some time now, but there is some reality to the idea of the development of floating homes. Houseboats, but, bigger, better.
Dutch designer Koen Olthuis's firm, Waterstudio, devotes itself to waterborne structures like houses, garages & apartment buildings. Yeesh. Make sure you're not prone to sea sickness. (Additional water borne tidbits).
I'm guessing that watercraft sales will of course start to develop alongside the development of water based homes because I ain't swimming to work folks. Plain and simple. I already put about 70 miles a week on my bicycle going to work and back. I ain't swimming!
As it is, coastal regions have the advantage of converting to floating real estate, but we have quite a bit of time before the sea levels get that high, regardless of whether it's the much maligned global warming or just Earth itself slowly changing.
So for now, it's a slow developing dream that does have some tangibility, and in the meantime, we can follow the developments as they progress. Maybe in our lifetime we'll start seeing the realization of these new communities. Maybe.
As it is now, it's just cool to check out!
source: CNN Money
.
Did you know?
Oceans cover 225 million square miles and that accounts for approximately 71 percent of the planet's surface. More or less, that's a lot of unused real estate.
With technology as it develops, it makes the idea a possibility. As it is, it's not just a dream anymore, but a potential. At least for vacations.
GM WAS working on an underwater hotel called Atlantis. (Oh how original) but then there's the dream called Hydropolis, and since I couldn't really determine anything from that website, I found a reference to it in Wikipedia. Good 'ol wiki.
Then there's the project that slated to open in Sept 2009, called the Poseidon Undersea Resort.
These previously mentioned projects have been on the books for some time now, but there is some reality to the idea of the development of floating homes. Houseboats, but, bigger, better.
Dutch designer Koen Olthuis's firm, Waterstudio, devotes itself to waterborne structures like houses, garages & apartment buildings. Yeesh. Make sure you're not prone to sea sickness. (Additional water borne tidbits).
I'm guessing that watercraft sales will of course start to develop alongside the development of water based homes because I ain't swimming to work folks. Plain and simple. I already put about 70 miles a week on my bicycle going to work and back. I ain't swimming!
As it is, coastal regions have the advantage of converting to floating real estate, but we have quite a bit of time before the sea levels get that high, regardless of whether it's the much maligned global warming or just Earth itself slowly changing.
So for now, it's a slow developing dream that does have some tangibility, and in the meantime, we can follow the developments as they progress. Maybe in our lifetime we'll start seeing the realization of these new communities. Maybe.
As it is now, it's just cool to check out!
source: CNN Money
.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
VIRUS Warning "Funds Wired Into Your Account" [Computer]
I got a message from my IT department today that indicated that an e-mail with the subject header: "funds wired into your account are stolen" is floating around here, and that if we see the email, TO DELETE IT.
Apparently the payload (The Attached File) is an executable called Infostealer, and can be bad for you, your data, your secret info on your hard drive.
Bruce Note:
Don't open attachments without verifying, unless you expect one.
Don't open attachments especially if it's an executable. That's downright nuts!!
The sad part is that someone's email address could be hijacked, or their email address book could be hijacked and you'd never know until it was too late. Don't let it get too late!
My grandmother tried wiping my hard drive some years ago and that was my first and LAST mistake with blindly opening attachments from anyone... known or otherwise.
Apparently the payload (The Attached File) is an executable called Infostealer, and can be bad for you, your data, your secret info on your hard drive.
Bruce Note:
Don't open attachments without verifying, unless you expect one.
Don't open attachments especially if it's an executable. That's downright nuts!!
The sad part is that someone's email address could be hijacked, or their email address book could be hijacked and you'd never know until it was too late. Don't let it get too late!
My grandmother tried wiping my hard drive some years ago and that was my first and LAST mistake with blindly opening attachments from anyone... known or otherwise.
Saving Money On Energy Costs in These Tough Times
The economic situation these days is terrible for many. Yet, there is always a bright side to everything. Sometimes it's hard to see, sometimes not. In this case, while we look at different ways to save the outflow of money, we can inadvertently also use fewer precious natural resources in the process.
How much more are we going to pay this year?
Did you know that the average American will be spending approximately $1700 more this year on utility bills and at the gas pump?
How can we stave off the rising costs?
Yes, the energy efficient light bulbs may cost more upfront, but over the lifetime of the bulb, you recoup your expense through the lower cost to operate the bulb. That is, if the utility company's don't recognize this and jack up your electric rates.
Crank it out and start buying those cool new, curly lights (CFL's). It's good for everyone.
Even if you think they're pretty pricey compared to the old style light bulb, just buy one each time you go the store. Spread the cost out over a period of time. Otherwise, pile on, grab a bunch and watch your electric bill drop like a rock. (OK, that just sounded fun to say.)
If I won the lottery and replaced all my old equipment, how much can I save?
According to Consumer Reports, if you replace older equipment throughout the house with newer, energy efficient equipment, you could save up to $2 grand in energy costs. (The new light bulbs were noted at saving up to $51.)
Some suggestions to help save money and resources:
Pinpointing energy waste
There's an organization called RESNET. (Residential Energy Services Network.)
They employ equipment that pinpoints where in your home you are leaking energy and $$. RESNET can point you toward certified professionals in your area if you'd like to check that out.
Good luck everyone.
source
.
How much more are we going to pay this year?
Did you know that the average American will be spending approximately $1700 more this year on utility bills and at the gas pump?
How can we stave off the rising costs?
Yes, the energy efficient light bulbs may cost more upfront, but over the lifetime of the bulb, you recoup your expense through the lower cost to operate the bulb. That is, if the utility company's don't recognize this and jack up your electric rates.
Crank it out and start buying those cool new, curly lights (CFL's). It's good for everyone.
Even if you think they're pretty pricey compared to the old style light bulb, just buy one each time you go the store. Spread the cost out over a period of time. Otherwise, pile on, grab a bunch and watch your electric bill drop like a rock. (OK, that just sounded fun to say.)
If I won the lottery and replaced all my old equipment, how much can I save?
According to Consumer Reports, if you replace older equipment throughout the house with newer, energy efficient equipment, you could save up to $2 grand in energy costs. (The new light bulbs were noted at saving up to $51.)
Some suggestions to help save money and resources:
- Don't pre-rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
- Use cold, not hot water in your laundry.
- Don't overload your clothes dryer. It takes longer to dry clothes when it's overloaded.
- Open blinds, let solar heat warm your house.
- Alternatively, close the blinds to keep the house as cool as possible.
- Use LED holiday lights.
- Check your weather stripping on doors and windows. (I have to do that. I can see out under my door!)
- Using a low-flow toilet can save up to 4,000 gallons a year.
- Keep your car tires properly inflated and avoid the estimated 1 mpg loss of fuel economy.
- More suggestions at Consumer Reports.
Pinpointing energy waste
There's an organization called RESNET. (Residential Energy Services Network.)
They employ equipment that pinpoints where in your home you are leaking energy and $$. RESNET can point you toward certified professionals in your area if you'd like to check that out.
Good luck everyone.
source
.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Electric Four-Wheeler Recalled
Razor® Dirt Quad Electric Powered Ride-On Vehicles have been recalled by Razor USA LLC, of Cerritos, Calif. due to an issue with the throttle control module that can fail. The failure can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly surge forward.
They've had 60 reports of this problem with 2 injuries.
For additional information on this, and two other Razor recalls, visit www.razor.com/recall
They've had 60 reports of this problem with 2 injuries.
For additional information on this, and two other Razor recalls, visit www.razor.com/recall
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Heads Up on the Dangers of Microwaving Improperly
There are warnings out there saying that when you microwave your dinners, be sure to thoroughly cook your frozen chicken dinners.
By not properly heating up the frozen entree's, you may be leaving cold or frozen pockets in the food. That can lead to the survival of bad bacteria through the cooking process. Not to mention that microwaves tend to heat food unevenly.
This after there have been 32 cases across 12 states where folks got sick from salmonella poisoning. Last fall many got sick when Banquet pot pies made by ConAgra Foods were linked to a salmonella outbreak and frozen pizzas made by General Mills were tied to an E. coli outbreak. Both items were recalled.
Don't presume frozen foods are pre-cooked. Beware, be smart folks!
source
By not properly heating up the frozen entree's, you may be leaving cold or frozen pockets in the food. That can lead to the survival of bad bacteria through the cooking process. Not to mention that microwaves tend to heat food unevenly.
This after there have been 32 cases across 12 states where folks got sick from salmonella poisoning. Last fall many got sick when Banquet pot pies made by ConAgra Foods were linked to a salmonella outbreak and frozen pizzas made by General Mills were tied to an E. coli outbreak. Both items were recalled.
Don't presume frozen foods are pre-cooked. Beware, be smart folks!
source
Police Blotters Can Be Humorous
In most cases, the police blotter from my local region has some serious and sad events listed in it. The perpetrators suck, plain and simple.
It's not that funny when my mom ends up in it. (Long story.)
With that in mind, I'd like to pass on what might be considered a social commentary to the denizens of Atherton, CA. One of the wealthiest zip codes in the country. The homes are so big, I thought they were hotels when I first saw them. Until I realized these weren't neighboring hotels at all, but just freakin' big homes, or estates. So this is what an estate looks like. Zoinks.
The calls that end up in the police blotter from Atherton can be a source of morning funnies most days and my co-workers hover about the morning paper to check out some of the latest travesties:
Despite my picking on them, they are good, friendly people. Just good people with lots of time on their hands I guess.
.
It's not that funny when my mom ends up in it. (Long story.)
With that in mind, I'd like to pass on what might be considered a social commentary to the denizens of Atherton, CA. One of the wealthiest zip codes in the country. The homes are so big, I thought they were hotels when I first saw them. Until I realized these weren't neighboring hotels at all, but just freakin' big homes, or estates. So this is what an estate looks like. Zoinks.
The calls that end up in the police blotter from Atherton can be a source of morning funnies most days and my co-workers hover about the morning paper to check out some of the latest travesties:
- Police called for man singing loudly in the shower.
- Woman spotted lurking around a home with a bag.
- 2 men were spotted sitting in a car.
- A garage door was open.
- A leaf blower was reported to be too loud.
- A dog was spotted in the street.
- Men were spotted (again, but different ones) sitting in a car.
- Barefooted man practicing Tai-Chi in the street.
- 3 Shopping carts were seen in the middle of the street.
- #2: The woman was part of the house staff. And the owner didn't even know it. Wow!
- #3: Work ordinances. Can't start work before 7 AM. It was 6:30 AM when they were spotted lurking!
- #7: See #3.
- #9: Atherton PD responded, and determined this to be the case, and they determined the carts to be a traffic hazard. They in turn, called public works. (I wonder who public works called?) Albiet to say, I'm not sure why the original caller didn't just go out there... then again, these "hotels" are on massive lots and it might have taken them 30 minutes to get there!!
Despite my picking on them, they are good, friendly people. Just good people with lots of time on their hands I guess.
.
Monday, October 6, 2008
AOL is Blocking Email For You And Why I Like Gmail or Yahoo
I've ranted before about AOL and how they treat you like crap, don't care if you're a paying customer or a freebie rider and they filter your email for you. Yes, you heard right, filter it for you.
Why Do I Still Insist On Using AOL?
Admittedly, I use my AOL email accounts to sign up for junk, crap and noise.
I rarely check the accounts but once a week, and it's usually to empty the in-box, spam box and just box boxes. I do need to do that so I don't get restricted.
I use AOL accounts because I find it very convenient. It's not my primary communication route and I don't care what hits it. My only crux with AOL is that I still have my very first email address I've ever gotten when I jumped onto the internet, and until AOL goes down, I will do my dang-dest to try and keep it.
I'm stupid loyal that way.
My Suspicion On Restrictions
As far as restrictions, if your in-boxes fill up with too much stuff, you will (At least in my experience) stop getting email. I also suspect that they add up all your in-boxes, so be thorough.
Do They Really Filter E-Mail On You?
YES!! They do. On a few occasions, I've signed up for a service and wait expectantly for the confirmation email. As I was writing up an entertainment website review over on ScreenRant, I signed up a service to see how it is, but I just ended up waiting. I went off and made my bed, still nothing. I went off and had breakfast, and still nothing! I considered going out and running a marathon, but decided against such foolishness.. Nothing ever showed up in my in-box of my spam box. Poof!
Subsequently, I went back to the website and re-registered using a Yahoo.com email account that I have. (Don't get me going on if Yahoo and Microsoft ever merge... eww.) I got the confirmation email instantaneously!!
This isn't a consistent behavior, but it has happened to me several times in similar scenarios. I'm kind of tired of it, but since AOL serves a purpose and I'm sentimentally stubborn, I get to constantly review AOL for you.
My latest disparity of frustration is that they have blocked my investment company's emails too. The investment company is one of the top 10 in size and reputation, and yet when I conducted a transaction on their website, they indicated they would send me a confirmation email. (Finger tapping on desk sound: tap, tap, tap... The next day; tap, tap.)
Supposedly they shuttle junk to your spam folder, and sadly, the do. It is full of spam, but my legitimate email doesn't even get there. Thanks for thinking for me AOL. I've started changing my email preferences in my serious accounts due to this behavior that I've seen over the last year.
AOL Web Interface Behavaoir
The other day while I was using my web based interface (I'll never use their spammish, virus-ish application anymore) I suddenly got a blank screen that said email was updated. When I reloaded, I didn't notice anything.
The next day though, I now have an advertising banner on the right side of the screen that I always have closed or minimized and it is asserting itself into my screen real estate. Despite my minimizing it to begin with.
Of late, I get an Error Splash screen every single time I log in on the AOL web interface. It says something to the affect that:
Spammsih Application: Not really, But:
I already got tired of their AOLVR software package that kept trying to force me to upgrade.
I've removed that hack-like software. I say hack-like because when it wanted to upgrade itself, to the uninitiated computer user, you don't realize you have options to NOT upgrade, but after so many heckling pop-ups, I don't blame people for just saying yes when they don't realize they have the option not to.
When I got those pop-ups to upgrade, I just went into my Task Manager and killed the process. As I've mentioned in the past, I stopped paying for AOL (Even if it was only $5 a month because they would not pull off their own banner advertising at the bottom of any email. Free access, I can understand that... but to turn their nose up at their paying customers... shame on you.)
Why Gmail or Yahoo?
I've started (Or was coerced by AOL) to start using other services so I actually get the email I want. I've had no real issues with Yahoo or Gmail and you get your confirmation emails as expected.
Gmail takes a little getting used to, but I think it's worth it to try. Once you acclimate, the organization of your email with labels and archiving makes it incredibly easy to find older email if you've labeled them properly. It's almost... awesome. Almost.
So AOL, in case you're wondering why it seems that I am forwarding all my email to gmail, that's one of the reasons.
This concludes my vent on AOL... for today.
Why Do I Still Insist On Using AOL?
Admittedly, I use my AOL email accounts to sign up for junk, crap and noise.
I rarely check the accounts but once a week, and it's usually to empty the in-box, spam box and just box boxes. I do need to do that so I don't get restricted.
I use AOL accounts because I find it very convenient. It's not my primary communication route and I don't care what hits it. My only crux with AOL is that I still have my very first email address I've ever gotten when I jumped onto the internet, and until AOL goes down, I will do my dang-dest to try and keep it.
I'm stupid loyal that way.
My Suspicion On Restrictions
As far as restrictions, if your in-boxes fill up with too much stuff, you will (At least in my experience) stop getting email. I also suspect that they add up all your in-boxes, so be thorough.
Do They Really Filter E-Mail On You?
YES!! They do. On a few occasions, I've signed up for a service and wait expectantly for the confirmation email. As I was writing up an entertainment website review over on ScreenRant, I signed up a service to see how it is, but I just ended up waiting. I went off and made my bed, still nothing. I went off and had breakfast, and still nothing! I considered going out and running a marathon, but decided against such foolishness.. Nothing ever showed up in my in-box of my spam box. Poof!
Subsequently, I went back to the website and re-registered using a Yahoo.com email account that I have. (Don't get me going on if Yahoo and Microsoft ever merge... eww.) I got the confirmation email instantaneously!!
This isn't a consistent behavior, but it has happened to me several times in similar scenarios. I'm kind of tired of it, but since AOL serves a purpose and I'm sentimentally stubborn, I get to constantly review AOL for you.
My latest disparity of frustration is that they have blocked my investment company's emails too. The investment company is one of the top 10 in size and reputation, and yet when I conducted a transaction on their website, they indicated they would send me a confirmation email. (Finger tapping on desk sound: tap, tap, tap... The next day; tap, tap.)
Supposedly they shuttle junk to your spam folder, and sadly, the do. It is full of spam, but my legitimate email doesn't even get there. Thanks for thinking for me AOL. I've started changing my email preferences in my serious accounts due to this behavior that I've seen over the last year.
AOL Web Interface Behavaoir
The other day while I was using my web based interface (I'll never use their spammish, virus-ish application anymore) I suddenly got a blank screen that said email was updated. When I reloaded, I didn't notice anything.
The next day though, I now have an advertising banner on the right side of the screen that I always have closed or minimized and it is asserting itself into my screen real estate. Despite my minimizing it to begin with.
Of late, I get an Error Splash screen every single time I log in on the AOL web interface. It says something to the affect that:
Service Error;All I do is clickon "try again" and it takes me to my mail.
There was a problem handling your request. An unspecified error has occurred.
Try Again
The Technical Stuff:
Error Code: C0FE1700
Report ID: 40095-webmail-20080926-135146
Spammsih Application: Not really, But:
I already got tired of their AOLVR software package that kept trying to force me to upgrade.
I've removed that hack-like software. I say hack-like because when it wanted to upgrade itself, to the uninitiated computer user, you don't realize you have options to NOT upgrade, but after so many heckling pop-ups, I don't blame people for just saying yes when they don't realize they have the option not to.
When I got those pop-ups to upgrade, I just went into my Task Manager and killed the process. As I've mentioned in the past, I stopped paying for AOL (Even if it was only $5 a month because they would not pull off their own banner advertising at the bottom of any email. Free access, I can understand that... but to turn their nose up at their paying customers... shame on you.)
Why Gmail or Yahoo?
I've started (Or was coerced by AOL) to start using other services so I actually get the email I want. I've had no real issues with Yahoo or Gmail and you get your confirmation emails as expected.
Gmail takes a little getting used to, but I think it's worth it to try. Once you acclimate, the organization of your email with labels and archiving makes it incredibly easy to find older email if you've labeled them properly. It's almost... awesome. Almost.
So AOL, in case you're wondering why it seems that I am forwarding all my email to gmail, that's one of the reasons.
This concludes my vent on AOL... for today.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Wanna Get in Shape and Save Money Too?
So how is it I can savemoney and get in shape while not burning a lot of time doing it? Here's my approach to getting in shape and staying productive in the process.
My approach can
Save you money. (No gym membership required)
Time. (Exercises are done as work breaks or commuting efforts.)
Save you gas. (That also saves you a ton of money)
Read the rest of my article over on Associated Content.
My approach can
Save you money. (No gym membership required)
Time. (Exercises are done as work breaks or commuting efforts.)
Save you gas. (That also saves you a ton of money)
Read the rest of my article over on Associated Content.
Friday, October 3, 2008
AT&T: Phishing Or Not
I'm presently trying to determine if this incredibly valid looking email addressing my AT&T account is real or not but I am having problems from several angles:
Additionally, the address I received the email from, (idiot @ cwconnect.cingular.com), I put into the McAfee Site Advisor and there is no such domain associated with the cwconnect.* address.
Since I can't touch base with AT&T, I'll just let you folk know what's up and to be cautious about it.
- The links don't look kosher: There's no www in front of the address, the DOTcom: part looks a touch funky too: cwclick.cingular.com:8080-blah blah blah.
- No matter how I come at the real AT&T website, unlike most businesses, I can't locate an email address I can forward this spam to. Every single option to communicate with AT&T (formerly Cingular) funnels you to creating accounts, or tries to hook you up with a local store to sell you something.
- Oh, wait, I don't have an AT&T phone or service.
Additionally, the address I received the email from, (idiot @ cwconnect.cingular.com), I put into the McAfee Site Advisor and there is no such domain associated with the cwconnect.* address.
Since I can't touch base with AT&T, I'll just let you folk know what's up and to be cautious about it.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sarah Palin - Make A Choice, Keep it Honest
I'm a bit confused and miffed.
Palin can't seem to answer questions posed to her. I'm not sure how folks can say she held her own when she can't answer a question up front. If that's what you want as the 2nd in command, and hear that kind of behavior for 4 years.
What color do you like Sarah Palin?
Well, there are a lot of colors out there and I've seen them all. And we get colors in Alaska too!
I'd rather have someone actually answer a question than dodge it. That makes me leery.
One nit I have with Palin is that she considers her family a regular, middle class family. That's fine. I just never realized that the average middle class American family has over $1.2 million in assets. I guess I'm out of touch.
Palin can't seem to answer questions posed to her. I'm not sure how folks can say she held her own when she can't answer a question up front. If that's what you want as the 2nd in command, and hear that kind of behavior for 4 years.
What color do you like Sarah Palin?
Well, there are a lot of colors out there and I've seen them all. And we get colors in Alaska too!
I'd rather have someone actually answer a question than dodge it. That makes me leery.
One nit I have with Palin is that she considers her family a regular, middle class family. That's fine. I just never realized that the average middle class American family has over $1.2 million in assets. I guess I'm out of touch.
Steve Fossett Plane Found
Can you imagine hiking along in the mountains all by yourself and finding $100 bills strewn about the forest?
That's what happened for one hiker who discovered a wallet and identification cards belonging to the missing Steve Fossett. Soon afterwards, an aerial search on late Wednesday uncovered the wreckage of his missing plane, but no word on a body yet.
The ID's, a sweatshirt and the plane were discovered just West of the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA.
Search efforts need to be hurried for his remains due to winter weather approaching the area that may stave off any potential results.
I hope for the family sakes, they can put this to rest sooner than later. It was a most unfortunate circumstance that we had to lose such an adventurer who set our imaginations aflame with his exploits and endeavors.
Source
stevefossett.com
Related Earlier Posts
steve fossett still missing
steve fossett has been declared dead
UPDATE: News is that they have found remains in the plane, but DNA confirmation needs to be determined.
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That's what happened for one hiker who discovered a wallet and identification cards belonging to the missing Steve Fossett. Soon afterwards, an aerial search on late Wednesday uncovered the wreckage of his missing plane, but no word on a body yet.
The ID's, a sweatshirt and the plane were discovered just West of the town of Mammoth Lakes, CA.
Search efforts need to be hurried for his remains due to winter weather approaching the area that may stave off any potential results.
I hope for the family sakes, they can put this to rest sooner than later. It was a most unfortunate circumstance that we had to lose such an adventurer who set our imaginations aflame with his exploits and endeavors.
Source
stevefossett.com
Related Earlier Posts
steve fossett still missing
steve fossett has been declared dead
UPDATE: News is that they have found remains in the plane, but DNA confirmation needs to be determined.
.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Reduction of Services From AOL - The Beginning of the End?
Now that I've gotten paranoid about having any serious email set up to go to AOL, you can add shutting down their "hometown" hosting services to the list of shortcomings... actually, it's not a shortcoming... They're just stopping it.
It's just the beginning of the end for them I suspect.
If you've got a website or web page out there, you may want to grab it and find somewhere else to put it, like blogger or facebook or other sites like that.
The message I received from AOL said the following:
It's just the beginning of the end for them I suspect.
If you've got a website or web page out there, you may want to grab it and find somewhere else to put it, like blogger or facebook or other sites like that.
The message I received from AOL said the following:
We're sorry to inform you that on Oct. 31, 2008, AOL® Hometown and FTP (The FTP service sucked any way) will be shut down permanently. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Though you will be able to modify your Hometown site and access FTP until this date, we urge you to save your AOL Hometown/FTP content immediately, and consider other options for hosting your site.
Though you will be able to modify your Hometown site and access FTP until this date, we urge you to save your AOL Hometown/FTP content immediately, and consider other options for hosting your site.
It goes on with the standard noise about your understanding and apologies...
The Internet, Stock Market and Knee Jerk Reactions
by Bruce E. Simmons :The Internet that Al Gore invented (just joking) has made many things possible. We can do things in minutes what would take hours of yesteryear. I used to get my paycheck in my hand, and then drive to the bank, stand in line and deposit my hard earned money.
When ATM's came along, I was in pig heaven. I could just drive up at anytime of the day, and deposit my check.
Now, we've got automatic deposit! Life is a wonderful basket of sliced bread bits. I can't imagine it getting any better. Woo hoo! No, No, I didn't just say WaMu! Actually, can't anymore.
Well, I remember how I'd have to go through hoop after hoop to interact with my 401k or individual stocks that I owned.
But now, as the ads say on various products, all I now need is the internet, and that's true. In less than 15 minutes from the culmination of my thought, I can interact with my 401k, change my mix of investments to T-Bills or what not, and be done with it.
Wow, that was easy.
But the internet can make too many things too easy.
Now, with the whisper of a whimper from the news desks, every Joe and his mother or sister can react in fright and "save themselves" from the financial tragedy that is occurring these days by selling their stocks and closing their 401k's. Ask Lehman. They've crumbled from this convenience.
I'm not saying that the internet is creating something new. But what I offer is the premise that what used to take a day or two, can now take an hour or two.
When transactions took a day or two, sometimes there was time for entities to come to their senses and stall their choices. Today, your decisions impact the market immediately.
Back on 9/29/08, around $1 trillion in 401k's and other funds evaporated as the market dropped 778 points. Which is a bit bigger than the $700 billion dollar bail out plan that everyone has issues with.
No, I don't blame the internet, but it sure made it easier to happen.
Thanks Al Gore! (Just Joking)
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