Windows 7 - Reimage AGAIN!

I was running fine, happy, content with RC1. Until, for no apparent reason, I ended up with a new BSOD: bad pool header

I let the physical image dump take place and then started the reboot process. But alas, I was presented with some pretty interesting error messages.

First things first: the BSOD. Here's the google search: LINK

Not the end of the world... but the crap storm after the reboot was... um... interesting. I was not able to WRITE to any partitions or drives on my computer. This includes USB external and being able to burn a CD/DVD. Yeah - when I tried to access the CD/DVD to burn an ISO image, I was informed, via dialog box, that I would need to contact the "system administrator" as this functionality is not available.

My dilemma was getting my saved files to a USB drive in order to wipe the laptop drive... if I had to go that far. See, I formatted two partitions on the laptop drive as exFAT... which meant that my dumb butt made 1/2 a 160 GB drive unavailable to other OSes. Bummer. Prior to remembering the exFAT piece, I went after some Ubuntu bits...

After installing Ubuntu 9.1 Alpha 2 64b on the laptop and then remembering the exFAT issue, I am back to W7RC1.

I'm glad I didn't put anything down on the W7 upgrade early edition....

Swapping to my own service/blog

I have wanted to get into Wordpress and set up a site of my own for awhile. I have used Google/Open services for years... but finally decided to move stuff over.

New posts will go here:
http://blog.bigjwalk.com

Enjoy! Or don't... it's my little piece of the Intertubes. I pay the rent and there's no HOA. :)

Latest "Klavan on the Culture"

His videos are great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_oPtH_Hgzg

My own new mantra

"I'd rather fail trying than succeed on other's efforts" - me

Google Voice SMS

My new favorite tool from the Google Suite of Tools is the Google Voice SMS application.

Combine this with the HTC Dream/G1 application called GV, and you can make use of Google Voice's SMS functionality to reduce the SMS messaging costs associated with your respective carrier's plan.

Now I just wish Google Voice would open up invitations so I can shoot them out...

ABCNEWS - Nightly news will be anchored from White House

I am not so much shocked at the decision as I am that it doesn't include a full on advertising campaign of larger portions.

LINK

ABCNEWS might as well start selling space on their "news" desk and get it over with.

Is ABC the "A Barack Channel" now?

Windows 7 Debacle

I have been pushing through the issues I have had recently with Windows 7 ... nothing major, just pains.

Four days ago, Windows 7 decides to just start randomly locking up... no mention in the Event Log, no errors on the screen, no "Windows did not shutdown correctly..." after a hard shutdown. And occasionally, USB Plug-n-Play would just stop working leaving me with media on an external drive but unable to load any of it. So much for the usage of Windows Media Center.

Now, I know this is an RC so I am not complaining as much as commenting.

We'll try re-image number 3 today to see how long I can go again...

Car Repair Estimator

Found this website from Money501 on twitter

Repairpal.com

Free (so far)... I didn't check for any "beta" type information.

I recently had some work done on my truck... the actual repair prices were very comparable to what the repairpal.com website suggested.

Man-Eating Seals of Antiquity

Nose picker moment...

LINK

I can't wait for distros to start integrating this...

The Meaning Of The Flag Draped Coffin

From an email...

http://soldiersmind.com/2007/02/04/the-meaning-of-the-flag-draped-coffin/

HTC G1 - Protective Covers

I have been looking for a new protective cover for my G1 that is slimmer than the current case I have. After some searching on the InterTubes, I fell upon this

I found an installation video on YT as well as some reviews. Search for "invisibleshield".

The Soup Nazi is NOT at ABs tonight... that is a good thing

Windows 7 - Day (whatever)

I had to reimage...

Three things that killed it for me:

a) the Windows key just... didn't... work. Nothing. Nada. Zip. WTF?

b) the key would start RANDOM applications. Random. Like one time it started Windows Media Center. Then it was Chrome. Then note-freakin-pad.

And the best for last:

Everytime I would start up a Linux virtual guest through the "Virtual Machines" application (OpenSolaris, Ubuntu, Suse, Centos), my host (Windows 7) would either: blue screen or freeze all other applications.

I think this is starting over however I'm not counting the days any longer. If I fall into any of the issues above again, back to Linux I go...

I don't think she is buying what he is selling

Enjoy...

http://l.yimg.com/a/p/us/news/editorial/c/dd/cdd90de8b4f307a25e340c70af804ff6.jpeg?x=426&y=199&xc=1&yc=1&wc=426&hc=199&q=85&sig=TVOdm8rJyGBN3tO4FlrFHA--

Mint.com is a great way to view your financial aspects and views

I have been using mint.com for awhile now... and with the exception of two accounts not being able to import details, my wife and I are able to coordinate our income and expenses.

The reports and graphs deliver on what we are spending where and allow us to create a budget with multiple categories for food, entertainment, etc.

http://www.mint.com/

Great video on YouTube - Klavan on Culture

This is a great video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC6MnwknfmU

Enjoy!

Windows 7 - Day 25

Updating the "Send To:" options in the context menu.

To update your "Send To:", run through the following steps:

• Open Windows Explorer either with or hit type "Windows Explorer" and hit
• Do the step above again to open a second Windows Explorer window
• Drill into the folder you want to create as a short cut for the "Send To:" menu in the first Windows Explorer window
• In the second Windows Explorer window, click in the address bar and type: "shell:sendto"
• Press
• With the mouse "Right click and drag" the destination folder from the first Windows Explorer window into second Windows Explorer window
• Release the mouse button in the second window
• When the context menu opens where you released the mouse, select "Create Shortcut Here"

Repeat the steps above to create more "Send to:" options.

I ran through this in order to update and move some music files I had spread across my computer. These were music files that I wanted to correlate by a high-level genre identifier folders (Hip-Hop, Rock, Soft, R&B, etc.). Going through the steps above allowed me to copy the files into the higher level folders through the "Send To:" option.

Hope this helps someone out there....

Oil prices and speculation

I am not a big fan of 60 Minutes, but this is a great report:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/08/60minutes/main4707770.shtml

The "article" is a transcript of the video/story.

The people that set the price for gas and promote the fluxuation of prices need to be hung by their toenails.

My experience of gas prices over the last few weeks:

• - 4 weeks ago, gas was at 1.88/gallon
• - 3 weeks ago, gas hit 1.97/gallon
• - 2 weeks ago, gas jumped over 2.20/gallon
• - 1 week ago, 2.39/gallon
• - Today, 2.59/gallon

What happens is that the gas price jumps up $0.20 for a few days then drops $0.12 or so. A few days later, gas jumps again $0.20 but then comes down $0.10-$0.15 cents. Over time, this results in gas prices being higher with no real reason outside of …. I guess demand increases during the summer months. But production of gas is controlled by those who define the supply. They generate the need of demand by stimulating stories of demand increasing.

And let’s not get started on “oil swaps”…

----------------------------------------

Related items

Here's a graphicaly breakdown of the energy commodities (from: http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/commodities/cfutures.html)

Here's the today's crude futures:

http://www.bloomberg.com/markets/commodities/energyprices.html

Windows 7 - Day 23

Day 23 of my experience with Windows 7...

Quick observations:

• Search functionality is really working out well. I have been searching through on how to find all files in a directory. In an effort to figure out some complex searches, I found this article on the Advanced Query Syntax (AQS) from Microsoft: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa965711.aspx

Now, I realize this dates back to Windows Search 2 or 3, so the functionality exists within Windows Desktop Search(es) and Vista. However, other issues on Vista and being an avid Linux user, the advanced syntax commands didn't really interest me. Now that I am on my 4th week of Win7, getting deeper into the framework, constructs, and designs of Windows desktop software interests me more.

My use case around this is determining a decent way to find non-music files in a directory to clear out old JPG, M3U, etc., files to keep the data clean. By following the instructions on the webpage, I came up with this search in Windows Explorer:

NOT *.mp3 kind:NOT folders

I'll have to be selective on the deletes (lucky for the Recycle Bin), but this at least separates the MP3 files from other file types as well as removes "folders" from the output.

More to come... back to house cleaning on my drives.

WTF moment on the web

I frequent newegg.com for various computer parts and bits. I have been looking for a new powered USB hub and jumped over to newegg for a quick stroll.

I found this little guy:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817165029

I looked at the description and specification page to make sure the USB hub was 1.0-2.0 compatible. Now for the WTF moment... from the spec page:

Features

Features

Origin Country: China Accord with USB 2.0 specification , and downward inclusive USB 1.1/1.0 of the standard specifications Having supported the voltage and electric current in the twinkling of an eye to protect the function in year, the load of the electric current protects and prevents the electricity from stopping causing and damaging. Is it insert with and hot to insert and draw the function promptly at the same time to support. Light small and exquisite help the commercial affair hand-carry while going on business. USB concentrator in a four ports can fetch the electricity to use from the computer independently. (Mini USB concentrator lets you increase the peripheral equipment on the note type computer whenever and wherever possible. ) Can USB join port supply power directly , exempt using the voltage transformer. Can another outer DC power transformer of 5V too. Use the voltage: 5 volts. Power consumptive power: 2.5 amperes. Systematic demand: Inclusive operating system: WindowME,2000, XP, Mac OS8.6, 9XX, the edition after Mac OS X 10.1.3

This must be from a bad translation.

Windows 7 - Day (I think) 16

From my last post: http://sloppyganger.blogspot.com/2009/05/windows-7-day-4-er-day-5.html

Things are still going VERY well with W7. The PC froze once... but I was doing a ton of stuff...

- disk defrag

- Windows Defender checking

- Virtualization (on the disk I was defragging)

- and downloading some Android software

I have tried to replicate the same steps, scenario, and options... but it has not happened again.

As far as any new features, etc., I have not hit anything new. The snip tool (http://sloppyganger.blogspot.com/2009/05/windows-7-snip-tool-just-might-push-me.html) was really the last thing...

Cupcake - G1 Day, well, after one day

So far... I have only ONCE had to fully reboot (power off, power on) the 1.5 cupcake OS (?) since updating the phone.

The restart was more to do with me shutting down a ton of applications through 'Advanced Task Manager lite'. The 'End All' option... should be used only (ONLY!) when you are ready for some instability.

That makes sense to me...so, be careful when just forcing applications to shutdown.

"Cupcake" is tasty!

The Android 1.5 update is now loaded on my G1 HTC Dream phone... and man, this is sweet!

So far:

• Application to application movement and switching is more swift and fluid
• The on-screen keyboard is very handy. Unfortunately, I can only use it with some degree of accuracy in landscape orientation. Portrait just doesn't work for my thick digits.
• The system buttons have a better look... more polished. This includes the notification icons, etc.
• Flip orientation... this is what I was waiting for and a big winner in my book. The application changing orientation based on what I am doing with the phone. Yes... thank you!

For this update... items I will be tracking:

• Battery life - in 1.0 and 1.1, this SUCKED! Anyone with a G1 knows what I am talking about.
• Lack of default T-Mobile applications - will there be any issues with some default TMO applications not present?

The next big winner for me will be WPA Enterprise.

This is why I'm fine with the Friday purge

I'm not sure who thought it would be a good idea to MOVE THE FRIDGE full of food to a conference room... and then clean it out with multiple products. I'm guessing two high-level managers couldn't agree and sent it to committee.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090513/ap_on_fe_st/odd_rotten_office_food

This may be a new reason to call in ill... "Yeah, boss. Sorry about this but the smell from my co-workers lunch is, well, just too much."

Perhaps this is a call for Paul Blart...

G1 - Cupcake Update

Google Android

I am awaiting - with grand anticipation - the Android 1.5 firmware update.

I have had the G1 for about 3 months now and love it. Friends have given it the nickname of "precious". It fits.

Windows 7 - Snip Tool just might push me over the EDGE

The snipping tool (found in Vista and XP Tablet edition) is probably the one tool that might be the show-stoppa when it comes to Windows usage. If this sucker was in XP Pro, I would have more interest in staying with that OS.

Keep in mind, I use the OneNote screen-clip function a TON. But the basic ability to launch this quick little tool and save JPEGs - natively, quickly, built-in - is fantastical!

I thoroughly enjoy this little sucka!

Windows 7 - Day 4. Er, Day 5

Mother's Day was yesterday and I promised myself between doting over my wife and the all day marathon of House, MD., on USA, I was not going to spend time on the computer. So, no day 4.

Onward and upward... Day 5...

Interesting little tidbit with Gmail and IE8. If I change the theme (from anything to anything), then the Inbox works just fine. Otherwise, my stuff's broke and I default back over to FF. Here are some screen shots of my ordeal.

First:


Just straight up annoying... and non-functioning. Here is a snip of the bottom Inbox section:




After I change the theme (from Settings-> Themes) from the Gmail UI:




But this ONLY works during my session. Once I restart IE8, my issue returns:



It doesn't matter which theme I use and only happens in IE8. Also, this only appears to happen in the IE8 on Windows 7 as my XP IE8 installation is not behaving in this manner. A big difference in the two OSes is W7 is x86_64 and WinXP is x86.

I am not sure that blame belongs with Windows 7, yet. It could certainly be contained within:

• how Gmail is presenting information to the IE8 code base on Windows 7 x86_64
• IE8's rendering in the x86_64 build
• an RC issue within Windows 7 that doesn't handle certain AJAX/Web 2.0/new fangled widget

I haven't gone through to turn on/off new features and functionality within Gmail - I like to turn on the toys. But that seems hardly the solution - turn off the new features and enhancements that make the software more useful (IMO) so that the solution actually works as intended... since this behavior is limited to IE8 on W7 and no other browser - I also confirmed Google Chrome is happy - I am not going to go through the trouble of attempting to determine root cause. I simply don't care if this site doesn't work in IE8 on x86_64 W7. <<>>

Heck, I use FF w/ IE Tab more than anything else anyway...

Looking forward to Day 6...

Windows 7 - Day 3

I may have finally found the "break" in this OS... but I will need to check in IE 8 on my XP box first.

The issue is Gmail. The drop down menus are rendered in the wrong spots and my email is not updating in IE 8. I have downloaded Chrome and Firefox to see if the issue persists. Also, dslreports.com speed tests show my upload speed @ an amazing, blazing 43Mbps.

I don't think this is possible from a (my) consumer cable line.. but you never know. Maybe Comcast is being more giving these days.

More tests to follow.

White House town hall meetings for credit cards... ?

From the article

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters on Friday that Obama will focus on legislation and urge lawmakers to "get something done on an issue of tremendous importance to middle class families.

"For many people credit cards provide an opportunity to finance purchases," Gibbs said. "But we think there's a more equitable way to do that and I think that those reforms are on their way through Congress."

The "equitable way" is to SAVE FOR YOUR PURCHASES! Don't ring up debt you CAN'T pay for and then use money that's borrowed.

Meeting adjourned...

Windows 7 - Day 2

So far, so good.

Pinned Applications
Ok - the pinned application section in the task bar... is... freakin'... cool!

Not only is it at the window level, but for Internet Explorer, the tabs are displayed individually.

Search Apps
And one thing that my boy Donn brought up starting back in Vista was the "Start and Type" search functionality. I use Launchy in my XP machines for the same features/functions. In Windows 7, the search results are expanded. The term "virtual" gives me options from Internet Explorer, the Virtualbox application, and the Virtual machines within Windows 7 - such as the "free" Windows XP machine.

Wallpapers
The extra wallpapers are really nice.

Themes
It's about time more (free) themes are readily available for Windows 7 directly from MS.

I'll keep trying... but I will keep seeking the fault. It ain't wrong.

Windows 7 - Day 1

After downloading and burning the x64 edition of Windows 7, I believe, more and more, that the UI is influenced - if not derived - from KDE.

Thus far, I am really enjoying the task bar pinned applications.

Tomorrow, I am going to get the Live adapter setup to share my media - specifically my music.

A daily touchpoint may be in order...

Free Mac OS X

In light of the Windows 7 + Free XP Virtual Machine, perhaps a decent approach for Mac OS X would be to offer up a 90 day virtual machine of the operating system. Perhaps, limited to Virtualbox as a single image download.

I bring this up as the opportunity to "test drive" Mac OS X for a specific period of time AND have the full functionality of that operating system during the specified time period would allow those, like myself, the chance to go further than the local Mac store for interacting with the OS.

Basically, hook me with the freebie... otherwise, will I ever REALLY know what I am missing but not having Mac OS X?

Free sh-it edition

Some of my favorite and commonly used software that

A) Works
B) Is free

There are plenty more... and some will follow.

System Utilities

Anti-virus (free edition)
http://www.avast.com/

Disk Defrag

http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag

CD/DVD Burning
http://infrarecorder.org/

Zip/Archive Utility
http://www.7-zip.org/

Entertainment

Media Player
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Graphics
I am torn between

Paint.net
http://www.getpaint.net/

and

GIMP
http://www.gimp.org/

Virtualization
VirtualBox
http://www.virtualbox.org/

Who's moving the line?

As I get older, I find myself wondering if I moved or did the line move?

I ask this as I feel as though someone, somewhere is moving the line moreso than I am shifting my views around the world and the US in general.

Wow... This theme SUCKS!

.... at handling text and word-wrap.

FTW or WTF?

And I did so much enjoy the color spread.

In today's episode: I want one of two things...

I want one of two things... my own Capital One "image card" or... Zach Braff money. Now Zach probably doesn't make crazy-dope kinda "dolla-dolla-bill-y'all" money, but it may be enough to keep certain government officials from pointing their greedy finger(s) at me... whilst, at the same time, being able to front like "I got the money, if you got the time".

Why did we decide to put these fools in charge?

It is interesting times we live in when a local auto dealer's radio commercial uses the Presidents name and the US Government to guarantee the auto warranty. Did anyone ever think it would come to this?

Look, I will concede to Bush haters that he did some funny stuff and made some mistakes. Nobody is perfect, we all do that. But to have a President's name invoked in an auto dealer commercial almost seems a bit comical and below the Office of the Presidency. I know it isn't Obama doing it but it is his decisions that feed the idea for the commercial.

And that is the most important thing. President Obama's decisions since he has taken office have been dreadful. Look at all the bad appointments and waffling decisions. Here is a quick list:

Appointing numerous tax cheats
Floating the idea of having war vet's personal insurance pay their medical for war related injuries
Releasing the so-called "torture" memos
Shaking hands with Hugo Chavez
Telling Turkey we are not a christian nation
Bowing to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
Napolitano calling vets possible terrorists
Hillary's reset button
Saying that the US invented the automobile

The list could go on and on but I think I made my point. Why have as a nation decided to put these folks in charge? Seriously, this is getting embarrassing to watch. And what is even worse is how the media pushes how good of a job Obama is doing. I will just start calling him bumbling Obama.

Here is a funny video I found. I personally think it would be worse than this if the government was running the auto warranty department.

Call to websites: Favorite stock market website

Post in the comments your favorite on-line website to watch the stock market...

Call to apps: RSS Reader - cross-platform

What is your favorite CROSS-PLATFORM RSS reader?

Update in the comments...

thanks

People who know, know I am a Bears fan

After the announcement of the Bears trading some draft picks and Orton to Denver for Cutler, I have finally ready a post from a source showing that, for the long haul, this deal is NOT A BAD ONE for the Bears.

Cutler, age 25, is a Pro Bowler... a statistical accomplishment that Orton would not make in Chicago... and can be again... and again... and again. For the NFC.

Let's look at what the NFC posted for Pro Bowl QBs in 2008 -

• Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner - ok. I think I would be in contention with the receiver corp to work with in AZ.
  
• Drew Brees - yeah, the number of yards, etc., WTF?
• Eli - I am a little sick and tired of hearing how "golden boy" this cat is in the grand scheme.
  

Now, the Bears NEED a receiver... a real number one... to provide Cutler with that specific threat to make sure that point are on the board. This will allow the defense to get aggressive and go for the extra interception or sack.

As a Bears fan, the next great thing would be to pull a trade for a Fitzgerald caliber receiver. That would be the end all of the be all to the greatest offensive season in recent (read 40+ years) of Bears history.

What are your thoughts on the trade? Next steps for the Bears?

Reid: Obama casino rule "nonsensical"

Snip of a letter from Sen. Harry Reid to President Obama
"A couple of specific examples are illustrative of the problems caused by the overly broad language. The Department of Justice-Office on Violence Against Women's Transition Housing Assistance Program offers funding to provide victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking supportive services such as short-term housing assistance. In many Nevada rural communities the only hotel rooms available are in casinos. The overly broad restriction deprives victims of a safe place away from their attackers."

Nevada rural communities is not specifically defined to a location, but the following maps.google.com search shows 4 pages of searches with "+hotels -casinos Las Vegas NV".

Link to Map

Why not have the funds go towards establishing better shelters - or new shelters - if there is THAT much of a need to support various activities that normally are only designated as "casino" activities.

Another snip...
"...which has created a unique environment in which hotel/casino complexes are often the most appropriate venue for certain activities, particularly holding public events such as community outreach events, Parent Teacher Association meetings, domestic violence trainings, and other workshops."

Can't these meetings be held in schools, churches, and the like.

Another search for "+meeting -casinos las vegas nv" (LINK) shows 5,000+ locations.

There are so many other options that don't require the involvement or intervention of the casinos. What would the supposed people he is looking after have done without this stimulus money? Keep the money that can be used for casino based meetings and subsidize additional meetings in non-casino venues.

Done. Everyone is happy.

Next topic.

Now I know what these guys feel like

Firefighters

PCLinuxOS 2009.1 - A Taste of an Old Friend

Much time has past since I ventured away from the *buntu namespace for my home Linux adventures. I converted to Linux from Windows XP/Vista/whatever about a year ago. The main stay for me moving to Ubuntu 8.10 was the inclusion of and easy configuration of:

• Wireless for more than WEP, specifically WPA Enterprise
• Dual-monitor support
• DVD/CD burning software that REALLY worked for my two different types of burners
• External media
  
• Better USB support - this is specifically for my cell phones. I really (REALLY) require my computer to be able to natively charge my cell phone through my USB cable
  
• Printing support - I love the fact that I connect my HP to Linux and the printer fully detects not only the printer, but the scanner as well
  

I have used, in the past, Kubuntu and Xubuntu. I have always fallen back to Ubuntu because the Gnome interface just makes more "sense" to me. The layout is, well, more intuitive and enjoyable (IMO). Although, I am not the biggest fan of the default panels at the bottom and top.

After checking out the details on the latest build of PCLinuxOS, I decided to play with the LiveCD of PCLinuxOS 2009.1. My goal was to check on what was new in this distro but not necessarily to fully replace my installation of Ubuntu 8.10.

Here is the link to the distro site:
http://www.pclinuxos.com/

After about 10 minutes in 2009.1, I could not double click the "Install" icon on the desktop fast enough.

Some key items that pushed me over:

• I decided KDE may be ok to "push" through... force myself
• Dual-monitor support was EASIER than Ubuntu
• Wireless was EASIER to get setup than Ubuntu
• Software packages were more up-to-date. An example is Open Office - 3.0 instead of 2.4
• Flash was all set
• Java as well
• Wallpaper - I dig being able to select different wallpaper for each of my monitors... that adds to the cool factor
• Konqueror - I am liking Konqueror more and more (I wish I could get this up and running on Windows)

I'll continue to post information about the distro and my experiences. Such as "this doesn't work" or "that". Things I find cool... whatever.

Save the newspapers?

I was reading through the following article and found myself curious about the intent and breadth of the nationalization of every industry unable to shift with the economic times and wondered, yet again, "Where's my bail-out?"

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/16/MNIA16GCBO.DTL

I started with the understanding of how my wife and I started in our holy matrimony and what steps have resulted in a vast change to the way we use the newspaper.

WAAAYYY back in the day, my wife would buy multiple newspapers, specifically Wednesday and Sunday, in order to accumulate multiple coupon offerings.

As we moved forward with technology, we were no longer burdened with requiring an actual coupon to save $.25 on a box of mac-n-cheese. The grocery stores were able to move their sales to a key fob type setup where either through the off-shoot coupon or the key chain store card, we were able to save a bunch on the "sale" items.

Technology plays an important piece in the newspaper landscape. The main intent, from my understanding, is to provide the news in written form and report on events from the last 24 hours. The hard copy newspaper is simply outdated and archaic.

Until recently, I was limited to only MY COMPUTER to be able to log into any newspaper website and peruse the articles and see information about what is going on in that entities community - regardless of size. This can include national newspapers - like U.S. Today or the local scribe, the Star Tribune. All of that being said, even for the bus, I haven't bought a newspaper in over five years.

Why?

One reason is that cellular companies have migrated the need for paper news to bits and bytes. Also, the same stories on on the digital version of many newspapers and magazines. I now get PC World via a link from my email. I no longer receive a hard copy version... I am fine with that. It saves me cleaning the old copies off of the back of the toilet.

Speaking of bathroom reading: Now that I have swung over to the G1 from T-Mobile (friends say I am ADDICTED!!), what is the point of a printed newspaper. Worse yet... NAY, a better question... WHY attempt to save the newspaper if that newspaper is not able to create a 21st century business model that keeps them equitable and contemporary? What is the intent behind Pelosi's drive?

Oh wait - it's left wing... correct? And in her district?

2009 Newspapers Filing Bankruptcy


Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia Daily News
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/business/media/23philly.html

Star Tribune (in Minneapolis)
http://www.startribune.com/business/37685134.html

Now, the article starts "House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, worried about the fate of The Chronicle and other financially struggling newspapers...", but never discusses what other entities SHE is worried about.

Can someone... anyone... provide what SHE is attempting to do for the greater good and position herself as a respected Speaker of the House? Outside of picking and choosing what hometown businesses to attempt to save by making use of her title and influence. I thought the left saved that for right wingers.

And yeah, I take my G1 to the shitter. Never know when you are going to be in there longer than the norm and need a little brick-breaker to pass the time. Go F^&$# yourself...

:)

The Promise Audit - National Journal

The promise of Change. The grass is greener.

[snip]
The Promise Audit - National Journal: "As memories of the campaign trail fade, it’s easy to forget some of the more than 200 promises made by Barack Obama."

http://promises.nationaljournal.com/

I think the betterment of the country is at stake. We should all keep an eye on the ways of government.

The immortal words of Ronald Reagan, "Trust, but verify"

XBMC and Hulu

I am a huge fan of Arrested Development. And Hulu.

This Lifehacker.com post made me happy.

http://lifehacker.com/5134070/simple-plug+in-brings-hulu-to-your-xbmc

Unfortunately, none of the actual shows are playing through the XBMC. Just another soul crush... :)

More to follow once I figure it out...

Linksys WRT54G - Wireless Failing Some Times

I am searching for a solution to an issue I occasionally experience. This includes my Linksys WRT54G router will just stop working for wireless clients.

Wired connections work just fine and have no issues. The wireless... no so good.

I am able to quickly power cycling the router without a problem. The wireless then just starts working once the router comes up.

This happens with the Linksys firmware or the DD-WRT firmware I am running now.

BTW - if you have a Linksys router (or any other supported hardware) and are not running DD-WRT, you need to (HAVE TO) check out the DD-WRT project for your basic home router software needs.

Windows 7 - More Aesthetics

I have been using Windows 7, off and on, since the download was made available earlier this month. The new bells and features seem to make the operating system show some new prowess. However, any of the issues I had before with Vista drivers, I am now having issues in Windows 7.

Amazingly, my cell phone actually charges when plugged into Windows XP SP2 after installing the Sprint software. (The same cell phone has always worked just fine on any Linux distribution)
So:

Windows XP - works after install

Vista - not so much.

Windows 7 - even worse.

I will say that the attempts to update Notepad and Paint are, well, ok. Some of the features are actually pretty nice. The docking taskbar, with links for Internet Explorer, WMP, and Windows Explorer, is a nice improvement. Also, User Account Control (UAC) is less intrusive and objectionable (to me, at least).

The upside -
All of my laptop drivers were detected and installed without an issue. (This is another wonderful piece of Linux, :). Also, the new KDE feel of the default UI is pleasing to me. I wonder if Gnome-like desktop is an option...?

No plans to reimage the laptop for now...