I'm talking and I can't shut up!

2012-01-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

Over the past decade or two, Adobe’s Photoshop image editing software has become a staple in the world of graphics and media. The program’s primary function is to take an image and alter it in such a way that the final image is cleaner, crisper, and – for lack of a better word – better. In fact, Photoshop’s popularity and usage is so widespread that the word “photoshop” has become a colloquial verb meaning to edit and touch up an image, not unlike how the word “google” can now be used interchangeably with the term “search”.

Unfortunately, not every image that is put through Photoshop turns out well. Mistakes are made, errors are overlooked, and the final product can be catastrophically bad. Here are some of the absolute worst Photoshop blunders of all time.

#10 – Color Confused Cereal

Let me start off by saying that I don’t have anything against breakfast cereal. In fact, a tasty bowl of healthy morning goodness is a fantastic way to start the day. But there’s something about race-changing cereal that I just can’t make myself endorse…

#9 – Missing Belly Button

Playboy ran this ad sometime in the past and instantly knocked many readers back to the genesis of humankind. Where is this woman’s belly button? One explanation is that a careless photo artist accidentally airbrushed it away. Personally, I think we’ve found Eve of Eden.

#8 – Wrong Reflection

There’s a tiny chance that this was intentional, but even then it would be terrible. Creating a text reflection is one of the most basic image editing procedures to perform. So basic, in fact, that there are websites that will automatically generate image reflections for you. There’s no excuse for this one.

#7 – Lazy Stock Image

The designer for this video game decided to save a few bucks on the cover, essentially ripping the image from iStockphoto without paying for it. Unfortunately, he was too inattentive to notice the watermarks. That, or just really ballsy.

#6 – Headless Athlete

It’s amazing how a print publication as large and prolific as Sports Illustrated managed to let a mistake like this pass under their radar. It’s hard to tell what exactly they were trying to photoshop, but they forgot to put this guy’s head back on.

#5 – Mismatched Reflection

It’s hard to put any trust into a company that fails this badly. Were they deliberately trying to fool the consumer? Or was it simply human error? Either way, Lexar comes out bottom as dishonest or incompetent.

#4 – Fake Cheque

Speaking of dishonesty, how about an image that blatantly lies to your face? This guy has two massive Photoshop mistakes in this picture. For one, the image quality of the fake cheque is abysmal – it might fool someone who is computer illiterate, but that’s about it. For another, the cheque appears to be a vampire cheque. Vampires don’t have shadows, right? It is missing in the reflection in the paint of the vehicle too.

#3 – Copy & Pasted Audience

Not really sure what to say here. Did the image editor really think nobody would notice?

#2 – Really Smart Redhead

Alright, so here’s the thing: in order to achieve this effect, the image artist had to voluntarily and consciously slice this poor woman’s forehead and manually move it up a few hundred pixels… and during that entire process, it never crossed the artist’s mind that the result of such an operation would be unnatural, to say the least. It boggles the mind.

#1 – Legless Beauty

Here we have the absolute worst Photoshop mistake of all time. Now, I am by no means a Photoshop expert, but at what point does a woman’s leg disappear? And even afterwards, how is it that nobody on staff noticed an entire thigh missing?

Love that Mio Energy stuff

2012-01-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

REVIEW: MiO Energy Liquid Water Enhancer (Black Cherry and Green Thunder)

Written by Marvo | January 5, 2012

Topics: 7 Rating, MiO, Water

NOTE: Click here for our regular MiO Liquid Water Enhancer review

The new Black Cherry and Green Thunder MiO Energy Liquid Water Enhancers are kind of like NyQuil. They both have camel case names, both come in a cherry flavor and some weird green flavor, and they both make me grimace when I consume them straight out of their containers.

However, while NyQuil contains antihistamines and alcohol to make one sleepy, MiO Energy contains caffeine and B vitamins to make me hold back Mr. Sandman for a while.

Because of the caffeine they contain, the MiO Energy bottles have a warning that states they’re not for children and should not be added to alcoholic drinks. I also thought they didn’t have any warnings about squirting it straight into your mouth instead of a glass of water, but on the opposite side of the children and alcoholic beverages warning, the bottle says, “Always dilute concentrate.”

Unfortunately, I didn’t read that until after I squirted some Black Cherry and Green Thunder MiO Liquid Water Enhancer down my gullet, so my heart could’ve exploded. Thankfully, it didn’t.

When a 1/2 teaspoon of MiO Energy is squirted into eight ounces of water, the mixture provides 60 milligrams of sweet, sweet caffeine, which is 20 less milligrams than a Red Bull. MiO Energy is also cheaper than a Red Bull. For the price of one bottle of MiO ($4.99 regular price), which can make 18 servings, you can only buy two 10-ounce cans of Red Bull, or if you’re at a bar, half a can of Red Bull.

When mixed with water, both MiO Energy flavors have a slight medicinal flavor, which will probably be off-putting to many drinkers. At first, I didn’t care for the Black Cherry flavor because it kind of reminded me of watered down cough syrup. But it’s grown on me and now I think it tastes more like a cherry Tootsie Pop. Green Thunder tastes like an energy drink. If you’re someone who likes to try all kinds of energy drinks, it tastes like one of those cheap energy drinks that tries to copy the flavor of Red Bull, except without any carbonation. For those of you who don’t like to try all kinds of energy drinks, it has a pleasant sweet and tart flavor. Although, as I mentioned earlier, it’s also slightly medicinal. I like both flavors, but if I had to pick a favorite, I’d choose Green Thunder, but not by much.

As for its ability as an energy booster, I think it did a pretty good job, providing me with a jolt of energy that lasted a few hours. To be honest, I was surprised by how well it worked since it has less caffeine than I’m used to consuming.

MiO Energy costs the same and comes in the same 1.62-ounce size as regular MiO. However, a bottle of MiO Energy makes only 18 servings, which is 25 percent fewer servings than a bottle of regular MiO.

But who cares about that, besides cost-conscious people? I certainly don’t because MiO Energy has sweet, sweet caffeine, and that’s all that matters to me and my tired ass.

(Nutrition Facts – 1/2 tsp – 0 calories, 0 grams of fat, 10 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, 10% niacin, 10% vitamin B6, and 10% vitamin B12.)

Other MiO Energy reviews:
Foodette Reviews
Drinkable Review
Drink What
Caffeine King

Item: MiO Energy Liquid Water Enhancer (Black Cherry and Green Thunder)
Price: $3.50 (on sale)
Size: 1.62 ounces
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Black Cherry)
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Green Thunder)
Pros: Contains sweet, sweet caffeine. Black Cherry tastes like a cherry Tootsie Pop. Green Thunder taste like an non-carbonated energy drink. Good energy booster. Easy to make.
Cons: Makes less serving than regular MiO. Slightly medicinal flavor might be off-putting. Contains a pitiful amount of B vitamins. Squirting MiO straight into my mouth.

Great post from MakeUseOf.com

2011-11-30T07:42:00.000-08:00

5 Cool Gadget Buying Help Tools You Can Go To For Geek Gift Ideas

Posted: 29 Nov 2011 11:01 AM PST

Just what do you gift a geek? He may not have everything but he is certainly isn’t the guy who will appreciate a toaster when all he wants is to go hands on with the latest Kindle. When it comes to gifting a geek something for the season, be ultra-careful because these guys can be totally finicky.

How you select a gift for the geek in your life of course shows how much you care for him (or her). You can go trawling across the shops in your neibourhood or sit back in your armchair and let these (and many more) online shopping and recommendation sites help you out.

Presented below are five sites that offer a mixed bag of ways to search for the perfect geeky gift. From a Q&A site to a ‘crazy gifts’ one.

gdgt

gdgt takes the question-answer route to help you get to the best reviewed products out there. Gdgt uses crowd-wisdom to give you the inside dope from people who actually own and use the gadget you are searching for. The site follows the Wikipedia principle – that is, all products are reviewed and rated by its community. On gdgt, you can make lists where you can organize all the gadgets you have, want, used to have, or just want to keep an eye on. You can use gdgt lists as a starting point for asking question and triggering discussions. Gdgt has more than 8000 gadgets in its database. (Directory mention)

Uncrate

It’s a mix of geeky, cool, and offbeat…a digital magazine for guys who love stuff. Uncrate posts five “awesome” things each day and you can use them as hints to buy things. Expect to get stuff like the $13 ‘Rogue Voodoo Doughnut Bacon Maple Ale’ (listed under Vices) to the $75,000 Orvis Timeless Airstream trailer for the guy who likes to hit the road. Uncrate is styled as a blog, and it’s a fun read if you are shopping for really offbeat ideas.

Giftmeister

If you are searching for technology gifts Giftmeister is a must-use tool. The search tool gives you two ways to search for the perfect tech gift – select age, gender, lifestyle, and budget; alternatively, search by keyword—brand, product number or type of device. Try out the turns on the lifestyle wheel – you get all sorts of options like the ‘Game Nut’, ‘Techno-Geek’, ‘Fotog’ etc. Giftmeister showcases featured gifts as well as deals for the day. The Price Drop Notification alert is really useful especially when discounts and deals start going out around the holiday season.

ReviewGist

ReviewGist touts itself as a comprehensive gadget review website. It helps you avoid going to multiple gadget sites in search of the best products as it scans the best review sources like (CNET, PC World etc.) across the internet and aggregates them together under the ReviewGist Score and ReviewGist Ranking. ReviewGist also helps you decide the best by giving you a face-off comparison tool to look at two products and their features. The ‘Find The Best’ lists are straight shortcuts to look at the best from the rest if you are running short of time. (Directory mention)

Genie Gadgets

Well, I just had to include this U.K. website because it features some of the crazy stuff geeks just might love. If the Appblaster iPhone gun is your idea of a gift or the clock that goes backwards, do give this site a browse. I could do with something more useful like the USB cup warmer or the Find It Keyfinder. You can use the Gift Genie to filter gifts for ‘Him’ or ‘Her’ according to budget and lifestyle. Then there’s the ‘Who Are You Shopping For’ gift selector tool to get just the right gift for the kid bro or the super mum.

Then again, you can leave these five sites alone and go through the gadget and gift ideas we have regularly posted at MakeUseOf.com. Here’s a selection which starts with the

Get a Spotify account without an invite

2011-07-14T23:26:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome tip from our friends at Lifehacker.com.

How to Get Spotify Free Without an Invite

Spotify just launched in the US, but if you want an account now, you either need an invite or have to start paying for the service. Fortunately, if you want to skip the queue and get a free account right now there's a pretty simple loophole.

Before you try this method, you may first want to see if you can get an invite via this link. Apparently @amanda has an in at Spotify and is making invites available faster than the normal route. But if that doesn't work for you, here's how to sneak in without an invite at all:

You need to start with a UK account. To do that, you'll need to be in the UK—or, at least, appear to be. To do that, visit DaveProxy (or another free, UK-based proxy service) and go to spotify.com. (Note: if you're using DaveProxy, be prepared to contend with a lot of pop-up ads. Just close them as they come up. They're harmless.)
Sign up for an account on the UK site. You'll need a UK zip code, but just search for McDonald's in London and you'll find one without issue.
Once you have an account, sign out and go to spotify.com like you normally would in the US. You won't see a place to log in because that's hidden behind the signup page. Pretend you're signing up for a premium account and you'll see a message asking you already have an account and want to log in. You do, so click the associated link and log in.
Go back to spotify.com and you'll now see a black box up at the top of the site. It'll read "continue to spotify.com." Click on it.
You're in, but your account is still UK-based. You'll see your username displayed up on the top right. Click it and choose "Edit Profile."
In the "Country" menu, change "United Kingdom" to "United States" and set your zip code to whatever it actually is. Save your profile when you're done.

Estimate Temperature from Crickets!

2011-07-06T10:25:00.001-07:00

Estimate the Temperature from a Cricket’s Chirp

Kay Saunders — Curious about the temperature outside but don't have a thermometer or weather app on hand? You can roughly calculate the temperature outside using cricket chirps and a formula from the Old Farmer's Almanac.

As myth-busting site Snopes explains it, a physicist by the name of Amos Dolbear discovered that the temperature outside determined the number of times a cricket would rub its legs together to create its mating sound. By taking the inverse of this, folks figured out they could use it to cleverly calculate the temperature.

There are a few different schools of thought as to what the exact formula is, but the most reliable seems to come from The Old Farmer's Almanac. It states the following method:

To convert cricket chirps to degrees Fahrenheit, count number of chirps in 14 seconds then add 40 to get temperature. For example: 30 chirps + 40 = 70° F

To convert cricket chirps to degrees Celsius, count number of chirps in 25 seconds, divide by 3, then add 4 to get temperature. For example: 48 chirps / 3 + 4 = 20° C

The main difficulty with this method: You've got to be able to single out one cricket from many. Photo by me'nthedogs. Photo by Mark Robinson.

Cricket Chirps: Nature's Thermometer | Old Farmer's Almanac

The irony is staggering

2011-07-05T11:51:00.001-07:00

Bareheaded motorcyclist dies in helmet protest

By Nina Raja, CNN

July 4, 2011 10:20 p.m. EDT

(CNN) -- A bareheaded motorcyclist participating in a ride to protest mandatory helmet laws was killed when he was thrown over the handlebars in Onondaga, New York.

Philip A. Contos, 55, of Parish, New York, was on a ride organized by the Onondaga chapter of American Bikers Aimed Towards Education (ABATE), state police said Sunday.

Contos hit his brakes, began fishtailing and lost control of his 1983 Harley Davidson. He shot over the handlebars, hit his head on the pavement and was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, New York, where he was pronounced dead.

State police say evidence at the scene plus information from the attending medical expert indicated Contos would have survived had he been wearing a helmet as required by state law.

Asked about the apparent irony of Contos' death, the statewide president of ABATE, Thomas Alton, said, "We are riding at an increased risk and accept that. ... This individual was a seasoned rider, not a newbie. He made an adult decision. A full decision to ride in the manner he rode in."

Another New Yorker who has been a motorcyclist for over 50 years, Joseph Costantini, said, "I would never ride without a helmet -- even in a state that says you don't have to. I understand where the protesters are coming from because ultimately it's a matter of choice. For me, I would wear a helmet no matter what. ... Must feel great to ride without a helmet because sometimes it's uncomfortable. ... I'm sure his family isn't going to be happy."

Motorcycle helmet use dropped from 67% in 2009 to 54% in 2010, according to a press release issued by the Governors Highway Safety Association.

"This is another sad and tragic example where we have lost someone due to the lack of wearing a helmet," said Jonathan Adkins, communications director for the association.

According to Alton, a large percentage of motorcycle fatalities are due to inexperience and drivers not seeing motorcyclists when switching lanes or making turns.

ABATE of NY Inc. is organizing a memorial "to honor an individual who rode for freedom and risked his all for freedom," he said. A formal date is still to be determined.

Annual motorcycle deaths have more than doubled since the late 1990s with 5,290 in 2008, based on a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

When I am old I will wear purple

2011-07-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

Warning - When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

By Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

and run my stick along the public railings

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick the flowers in other people's gardens

and learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at a go

or only bread and pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent and not swear in the street

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

how to install Flash on an iOS device

2011-06-28T13:35:00.003-07:00

Here are the step by step instructions on how to download and install Flash on your iPad.

The first step is to make sure that you have a jailbroken iPad. This process varies depending on the version you have, so we'll just assume you have done that.
The next step is to install SSH on your iPad. You can follow our step by step guide posted here to do so.
Now connect your iPad to your computer and make sure that iTunes is not running.
Now install WinSCP on your Windows OS [ CyberDuck for Mac] and enter the IP address of your iPad in server field. You can check your iPad IP address by going to Settings> Wi-Fi> IP Address.
The username and password are by default root and alpine respectively and also set the protocol to SFTP.
Now download Frash.deb file from here [ Please do let us know if the link stops working, we will update it with a copy exclusively hosted on our servers].
Now Open WinSCP on windows [CyberDuck on Mac] and navigate to /var/root/media and create a new folder by the name of “Cydia”. Now open the newly created “Cydia” folder and create another folder inside named as “AutoInstall”.
Now copy the Frash-001.deb file you just downloaded and paste it in the AutoInstall folder.
After this reboot your iPad and you are all set to use Flash! Please note that this release isn’t final yet and some flash content including Flash videos won’t be playing. It is advised to wait for a final release in case you are looking for a more stable version.

I'm getting slow in my old age...

2011-06-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

http://www.typingtest.com/

I'd like to see you do better. ;)

Great anti-theft stickers

2011-06-27T14:23:00.001-07:00

After I lost my only high-end phone, my mom gave me another one which was used by my folks for almost a decade for she believed that it would deter thieves from eyeing my phone….same with these stickers.

The moment I read through this Anti-Car-theft Sticker Designs, the only expression I had on myself was ” My Good Lord” a sticker that makes your look worn-out and something that you care a darn about is what I am talking about. The makers believe this will discourage the bad guys to even consider stealing your car. But sale of scrap also fetches a decent amount, so you never know.

This is what I call backward integration when amid heavy-duty stuff, makers resort to simple concepts to change things around. It can be be put on both bikes and cars. Each sticker costs for as much as $5.8. But I am still wondering that putting these on a shiny new car doesn’t defeat the actual purpose of buying a new car? Well, never mind, check the fake car stereo and Telsa coil Car Alarm as other anti-car-theft devices.

Via Coated

Clocks!!

2011-06-27T13:42:00.001-07:00

A clock is something that is a must in every household. This is one thing that people choose according to their taste and style rather than what suites their walls. If you are one of those geeky types, who love to know their time is a creative, unique, and complex way, then the geekiest clocks mentioned in the article are the right things for you. It can’t get geekier than this, for sure!

Wave Clock

For those who don’t want to know the exact time, but just something close to it or those who love interesting clocks which doesn’t look like one then this “Wave Clock” is perfect for them. The Wave Clock is part timepiece and part kinetic sculpture which uses ball bearings. The ball bearing are moved by unseen magnets below the clock’s surface, with the only marking being a dimple signifying 12 o’clock.

Source 1

Poetry Reading Rolling Clock

“Poetry Reading Rolling Clock” – This innovative clock reveals the passing of the time by rolling around your desk and telling time in one long continuous sentence. Designer Buro Vormkrijgers has designed this clock in reaction to our stressed lives, where we tend to plan our daily activities to the minute. This clock simply tells you “It’s about six o’clock” or “It’s almost seven now.” While rolling around your table, the slow but constant, almost meditative motion allows you to relax and maybe even forget about the time for a few minutes.

The Gear Clock

A fascinating and novel wall clock “The Gear Clock” uses gears to work. The gears all spin around slowly and quietly creating a very eye catching unique clock and make a real center piece in one’s room. The clock is ideal for the modern home wherein something a bit different is required. The Gear Clock is made of high quality black plastic with some metal components.

Source 1

Gear Crank Wall Clock

This “Gear Crank Wall Clock” is made using a recycled bicycle gear crank and a new quarts drive movement. It would make a great piece on your wall or a great gift for that biker you know who is so hard to shop for. Since these clocks are made from actual recycled bike parts, there will be imperfections consistent with age, etc. This gear was sandblasted, primed, and repainted.

Doctor Who Dalek Illuminating Wall Clock

Maybe you have always wanted to release the inner geek within and start collecting Doctor Who toys and gadgets. Well what is stopping you? Well when you come up against one of the most dangerous creatures in the universe you will have nothing to fear as it is just a wall clock. This “Doctor Who Wall Clock” has the minute and hour hands of the front of the body. It is designed so that when the lights go out it will illuminate, telling you the time.

Sushi Wall Clock

Don’t look at the time when you are hungry, it will make you more hungry. This “Sushi Clock” as the name suggests looks like a traditional Japanese dish sushi. It is a 21 cm diameter wall clock made of hard plastic with high quality imitation sushi that looks realistic and the hands of the clock are made from wooden chopsticks.

Movie Time Clock

Time just flies by watching a nice interesting movie, but now, the same movies might help you keep a tab on the time passing by. This innovative and beautiful “Movie Time Clocks” are made from movie reels. These time tellers are just perfect to give new life to your walls. The Movie Time Clocks are handmade clocks created by using a vintage recycled 16-mm film and reels. Each design is inspired by the reel’s color, design, and pattern of holes, making each clock unique and exquisite.

Social Media Clock

“Social Media Clock” by Geek Cook is something that anybody would love to have. This web timer has got various social networking sites logos and start ups instead of numbers. You would see the logo of Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and other such online companies, instead of numbers. Cool right?

The Chaotic Shattered Clock

Wait a minute, your eyesight is perfectly normal, and it is the clock that is playing the tricks. The “Shattered Clock” which has been designed by Igor Barbashin and Daria Volokhova, is an interesting and unique clock, which, people will definitely take a longer look at before turning their heads away. One simple glance is not enough, to make sense out of chaotic such figures. All you have to do is look at the least broken number which will be the hours and minutes are shown by the minutes hand like any other clock. Interesting right?

Apple iBook G4 Clock

Apple notebooks are now seeing a new after-life and are being recycled into wall clocks. It may sound weird to have a wall clock shaped like an Apple notebook, but then again, it looks cool! Made from a recycled iBook G4 case, the “Apple iBook G4 Clock” uses a mouse for a pendulum. If you truly are an Apple fan or just a gadget freak, this clock will sure find a place in your apartment.

Star Trek Wall Clock

If you’re one who’s caught by the Star Trek mania, this timepiece is made for your walls. Spectacular design and an incredible geek touch makes this beautiful chrome sterling and noble “Star Trek Wall Clock” look truly hip and hit. The Star Trek Clock features 12 hand-crafted vintage classic starships to represent the 12 digits of a clock. You may also get it custom designed with more wild Star Trek ideas.

Atmos 556 Clock

Designed by Marc Newson, this “Atmos 556 Clock” is made from clear or blue Baccarat crystal and apart from telling the time, it also displays a current sky map of your area. Almost like some weird kind of Alchemical energy might be the driving force for this particular clock. Surprisingly it works on a completely different phenomenon- Temperature Change! Yes, the sole driving force for this clock is the usual temperature changes throughout the day. Sounds interesting right?

LED Analog Clock

Using LEDs to simulate an analog clock is kind of cool. This clock mimics the hands of a traditional clock using rows upon rows of LEDs that are all wired together. This clever piece of design by Dave combines LED technology with the comfort of a plain old analog style clock.

Math Clock

The “Math Clock” is cool, albeit nerdy way to tell time around your home. Keeping your math skills in check, but more likely than not, most people will just know what number each position is. You will surely like the chalkboard look of this clock which will remind you of being back in school.

The Incomplete Clock

Guaranteed to draw attention to your mantelpiece, the “Unfinished Clock” creates the illusion of an incomplete clock ticking away. However, the hands fully rotate, even though only the top half of the clock is visible. Made from steel with aluminum hands, the Unfinished Clock is different and will surely enhance the décor of your house.

Aspiral Clocks

The “Aspiral Clock” is quite cool and self-spinning timepiece which uses a ball rather than clocks hands to tell the time and which rotates its face with each passing moment, while the ball remains on the spiral ledge to tell the time. You can tell the time at looking at the position of the ball. If it’s at the center point between 2 and 3, for instance, then its 2:30. As soon as the ball reaches the twelfth hour, the ball drops through a hole at the center to resume the same process for the next 12 hours.

Vertical Wall Clock

Designed by Klaus Rosburg this “Vertical Wall Clock” shows the same time which any other normal clock will show, but in more stylish manner. Instead of a round or rectangular clock, this vertical clock might look different and attractive on your wall. The hour numbers are laser-cut into an anodized Aluminum frame floating above the clock fingers with a front made of back painted acrylic. These clocks are hand assembled and comes in different bright colors.

The Progress Bar Clock

The “Progress Bar Clock” will be loved by those who are familiar with the typical program loading bar. The clock will come with 24 reusable tabs that mark alarms throughout the day and can be turned off by simply turning them 90 degrees. It’s a sleek looking clock and can sit on your table or hang on your wall.

Pong Game Clock

Buro Vromkrijger’s “Pong Clock” is quite an interesting concept for a clock. This Pong Clock works like a game that shows two players scoring time. The player on the left hand side scores the hour, whereas the one on the right scores the minutes.

Clock Clock Concept

Who would’ve thought that one could actually build a clock out of…yes, you’ve guessed it – many other smaller clocks? That’s exactly what the “Clock Clock Concept” is – comprising of two dozen individual clocks alongside 48 electronically-controlled analog clock hands that will always rotate to the right position so that you can tell the current time when looking at the big picture. Designed by a Swedish designer, this is only a prototype at this point of time.

QLOCKTWO Clock

“QLOCKTWO” is another clock that hates numbers. Instead, it tells time in full sentences such as “quarter to eleven,” “twenty five past twelve,” etc. The clock might give some people a better grasp of what time it is by telling time in full sentences instead of numbers. If you’re one who hates jumping digits on a clock or hates reading the hour and minute hands of a clock, then the QLOCKTWO should be a better choice.

You and Me Wall Clock

“The You & Me Wall Clock” is a lover’s time tracker. When that special somebody lives in a different time zone, use this clock to know when he’s asleep and when he will be awake. There is no better way to know the best times to call just to say hi. When you check the time as the day progresses, you’ll feel closer to that special somebody, even if it’s only in thoughts. It comes with six spare blank hands, so just affix and mark them with names of near and dear ones who are far away geographically.

Simple Icon Clock

It doesn’t get any simpler than this! We are all familiar with the mold of a clock and even without the usual numbers, clock hands and the positioning is all you would need to tell the time. That is basically what the “Simple Icon Clock” is all about. It is made of ABS resin material and surely portrays a minimalistic design which may be a familiar sight on our computers. Simple and elegant, these are the two words that come to mind when we look at these simple icon clock designs.

Classic Kit Cat Clock

You must have seen this clock before, but did you know that it dates all the way back in 1930’s Great Depression when US and other nations were facing economic crisis and unemployment? It was made to offer humor and cheer during a stressful time. Perfect for anyone that loves a retro look, the “Classic Kit Cat Clock” has the familiar swinging tail, rolling eyes, bow tie, and smile.

Things to do as an Evil Overlord

2011-06-10T09:29:00.000-07:00

Credit to: http://www.eviloverlord.com/lists/overlord.html

The Top 100 Things I'd Do
If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord

My Legions of Terror will have helmets with clear plexiglass visors, not face-concealing ones.
My ventilation ducts will be too small to crawl through.
My noble half-brother whose throne I usurped will be killed, not kept anonymously imprisoned in a forgotten cell of my dungeon.
Shooting is not too good for my enemies.
The artifact which is the source of my power will not be kept on the Mountain of Despair beyond the River of Fire guarded by the Dragons of Eternity. It will be in my safe-deposit box. The same applies to the object which is my one weakness.
I will not gloat over my enemies' predicament before killing them.
When I've captured my adversary and he says, "Look, before you kill me, will you at least tell me what this is all about?" I'll say, "No." and shoot him. No, on second thought I'll shoot him then say "No."
After I kidnap the beautiful princess, we will be married immediately in a quiet civil ceremony, not a lavish spectacle in three weeks' time during which the final phase of my plan will be carried out.
I will not include a self-destruct mechanism unless absolutely necessary. If it is necessary, it will not be a large red button labelled "Danger: Do Not Push". The big red button marked "Do Not Push" will instead trigger a spray of bullets on anyone stupid enough to disregard it. Similarly, the ON/OFF switch will not clearly be labelled as such.
I will not interrogate my enemies in the inner sanctum -- a small hotel well outside my borders will work just as well.
I will be secure in my superiority. Therefore, I will feel no need to prove it by leaving clues in the form of riddles or leaving my weaker enemies alive to show they pose no threat.
One of my advisors will be an average five-year-old child. Any flaws in my plan that he is able to spot will be corrected before implementation.
All slain enemies will be cremated, or at least have several rounds of ammunition emptied into them, not left for dead at the bottom of the cliff. The announcement of their deaths, as well as any accompanying celebration, will be deferred until after the aforementioned disposal.
The hero is not entitled to a last kiss, a last cigarette, or any other form of last request.
I will never employ any device with a digital countdown. If I find that such a device is absolutely unavoidable, I will set it to activate when the counter reaches 117 and the hero is just putting his plan into operation.
I will never utter the sentence "But before I kill you, there's just one thing I want to know."
When I employ people as advisors, I will occasionally listen to their advice.
I will not have a son. Although his laughably under-planned attempt to usurp power would easily fail, it would provide a fatal distraction at a crucial point in time.
I will not have a daughter. She would be as beautiful as she was evil, but one look at the hero's rugged countenance and she'd betray her own father.
Despite its proven stress-relieving effect, I will not indulge in maniacal laughter. When so occupied, it's too easy to miss unexpected developments that a more attentive individual could adjust to accordingly.
I will hire a talented fashion designer to create original uniforms for my Legions of Terror, as opposed to some cheap knock-offs that make them look like Nazi stormtroopers, Roman footsoldiers, or savage Mongol hordes. All were eventually defeated and I want my troops to have a more positive mind-set.
No matter how tempted I am with the prospect of unlimited power, I will not consume any energy field bigger than my head.
I will keep a special cache of low-tech weapons and train my troops in their use. That way -- even if the heroes manage to neutralize my power generator and/or render the standard-issue energy weapons useless -- my troops will not be overrun by a handful of savages armed with spears and rocks.
I will maintain a realistic assessment of my strengths and weaknesses. Even though this takes some of the fun out of the job, at least I will never utter the line "No, this cannot be! I AM INVINCIBLE!!!" (After that, death is usually instantaneous.)
No matter how well it would perform, I will never construct any sort of machinery which is completely indestructible except for one small and virtually inaccessible vulnerable spot.
No matter how attractive certain members of the rebellion are, there is probably someone just as attractive who is not desperate to kill me. Therefore, I will think twice before ordering a prisoner sent to my bedchamber.
I will never build only one of anything important. All important systems will have redundant control panels and power supplies. For the same reason I will always carry at least two fully loaded weapons at all times.
My pet monster will be kept in a secure cage from which it cannot escape and into which I could not accidentally stumble.
I will dress in bright and cheery colors, and so throw my enemies into confusion.
All bumbling conjurers, clumsy squires, no-talent bards, and cowardly thieves in the land will be preemptively put to death. My foes will surely give up and abandon their quest if they have no source of comic relief.
All naive, busty tavern wenches in my realm will be replaced with surly, world-weary waitresses who will provide no unexpected reinforcement and/or romantic subplot for the hero or his sidekick.
I will not fly into a rage and kill a messenger who brings me bad news just to illustrate how evil I really am. Good messengers are hard to come by.
I won't require high-ranking female members of my organization to wear a stainless-steel bustier. Morale is better with a more casual dress-code. Similarly, outfits made entirely from black leather will be reserved for formal occasions.
I will not turn into a snake. It never helps.
I will not grow a goatee. In the old days they made you look diabolic. Now they just make you look like a disaffected member of Generation X.
I will not imprison members of the same party in the same cell block, let alone the same cell. If they are important prisoners, I will keep the only key to the cell door on my person instead of handing out copies to every bottom-rung guard in the prison.
If my trusted lieutenant tells me my Legions of Terror are losing a battle, I will believe him. After all, he's my trusted lieutenant.
If an enemy I have just killed has a younger sibling or offspring anywhere, I will find them and have them killed immediately, instead of waiting for them to grow up harboring feelings of vengeance towards me in my old age.
If I absolutely must ride into battle, I will certainly not ride at the forefront of my Legions of Terror, nor will I seek out my opposite number among his army.
I will be neither chivalrous nor sporting. If I have an unstoppable superweapon, I will use it as early and as often as possible instead of keeping it in reserve.
Once my power is secure, I will destroy all those pesky time-travel devices.
When I capture the hero, I will make sure I also get his dog, monkey, ferret, or whatever sickeningly cute little animal capable of untying ropes and filching keys happens to follow him around.
I will maintain a healthy amount of skepticism when I capture the beautiful rebel and she claims she is attracted to my power and good looks and will gladly betray her companions if I just let her in on my plans.
I will only employ bounty hunters who work for money. Those who work for the pleasure of the hunt tend to do dumb things like even the odds to give the other guy a sporting chance.
I will make sure I have a clear understanding of who is responsible for what in my organization. For example, if my general screws up I will not draw my weapon, point it at him, say "And here is the price for failure," then suddenly turn and kill some random underling.
If an advisor says to me "My liege, he is but one man. What can one man possibly do?", I will reply "This." and kill the advisor.
If I learn that a callow youth has begun a quest to destroy me, I will slay him while he is still a callow youth instead of waiting for him to mature.
I will treat any beast which I control through magic or technology with respect and kindness. Thus if the control is ever broken, it will not immediately come after me for revenge.
If I learn the whereabouts of the one artifact which can destroy me, I will not send all my troops out to seize it. Instead I will send them out to seize something else and quietly put a Want-Ad in the local paper.
My main computers will have their own special operating system that will be completely incompatible with standard IBM and Macintosh powerbooks.
If one of my dungeon guards begins expressing concern over the conditions in the beautiful princess' cell, I will immediately transfer him to a less people-oriented position.
I will hire a team of board-certified architects and surveyors to examine my castle and inform me of any secret passages and abandoned tunnels that I might not know about.
If the beautiful princess that I capture says "I'll never marry you! Never, do you hear me, NEVER!!!", I will say "Oh well" and kill her.
I will not strike a bargain with a demonic being then attempt to double-cross it simply because I feel like being contrary.
The deformed mutants and odd-ball psychotics will have their place in my Legions of Terror. However before I send them out on important covert missions that require tact and subtlety, I will first see if there is anyone else equally qualified who would attract less attention.
My Legions of Terror will be trained in basic marksmanship. Any who cannot learn to hit a man-sized target at 10 meters will be used for target practice.
Before employing any captured artifacts or machinery, I will carefully read the owner's manual.
If it becomes necessary to escape, I will never stop to pose dramatically and toss off a one-liner.
I will never build a sentient computer smarter than I am.
My five-year-old child advisor will also be asked to decipher any code I am thinking of using. If he breaks the code in under 30 seconds, it will not be used. Note: this also applies to passwords.
If my advisors ask "Why are you risking everything on such a mad scheme?", I will not proceed until I have a response that satisfies them.
I will design fortress hallways with no alcoves or protruding structural supports which intruders could use for cover in a firefight.
Bulk trash will be disposed of in incinerators, not compactors. And they will be kept hot, with none of that nonsense about flames going through accessible tunnels at predictable intervals.
I will see a competent psychiatrist and get cured of all extremely unusual phobias and bizarre compulsive habits which could prove to be a disadvantage.
If I must have computer systems with publically available terminals, the maps they display of my complex will have a room clearly marked as the Main Control Room. That room will be the Execution Chamber. The actual main control room will be marked as Sewage Overflow Containment.
My security keypad will actually be a fingerprint scanner. Anyone who watches someone press a sequence of buttons or dusts the pad for fingerprints then subsequently tries to enter by repeating that sequence will trigger the alarm system.
No matter how many shorts we have in the system, my guards will be instructed to treat every surveillance camera malfunction as a full-scale emergency.
I will spare someone who saved my life sometime in the past. This is only reasonable as it encourages others to do so. However, the offer is good one time only. If they want me to spare them again, they'd better save my life again.
All midwives will be banned from the realm. All babies will be delivered at state-approved hospitals. Orphans will be placed in foster-homes, not abandoned in the woods to be raised by creatures of the wild.
When my guards split up to search for intruders, they will always travel in groups of at least two. They will be trained so that if one of them disappears mysteriously while on patrol, the other will immediately initiate an alert and call for backup, instead of quizzically peering around a corner.
If I decide to test a lieutenant's loyalty and see if he/she should be made a trusted lieutenant, I will have a crack squad of marksmen standing by in case the answer is no.
If all the heroes are standing together around a strange device and begin to taunt me, I will pull out a conventional weapon instead of using my unstoppable superweapon on them.
I will not agree to let the heroes go free if they win a rigged contest, even though my advisors assure me it is impossible for them to win.
When I create a multimedia presentation of my plan designed so that my five-year-old advisor can easily understand the details, I will not label the disk "Project Overlord" and leave it lying on top of my desk.
I will instruct my Legions of Terror to attack the hero en masse, instead of standing around waiting while members break off and attack one or two at a time.
If the hero runs up to my roof, I will not run up after him and struggle with him in an attempt to push him over the edge. I will also not engage him at the edge of a cliff. (In the middle of a rope-bridge over a river of molten lava is not even worth considering.)
If I have a fit of temporary insanity and decide to give the hero the chance to reject a job as my trusted lieutentant, I will retain enough sanity to wait until my current trusted lieutenant is out of earshot before making the offer.
I will not tell my Legions of Terror "And he must be taken alive!" The command will be "And try to take him alive if it is reasonably practical."
If my doomsday device happens to come with a reverse switch, as soon as it has been employed it will be melted down and made into limited-edition commemorative coins.
If my weakest troops fail to eliminate a hero, I will send out my best troops instead of wasting time with progressively stronger ones as he gets closer and closer to my fortress.
If I am fighting with the hero atop a moving platform, have disarmed him, and am about to finish him off and he glances behind me and drops flat, I too will drop flat instead of quizzically turning around to find out what he saw.
I will not shoot at any of my enemies if they are standing in front of the crucial support beam to a heavy, dangerous, unbalanced structure.
If I'm eating dinner with the hero, put poison in his goblet, then have to leave the table for any reason, I will order new drinks for both of us instead of trying to decide whether or not to switch with him.
I will not have captives of one sex guarded by members of the opposite sex.
I will not use any plan in which the final step is horribly complicated, e.g. "Align the 12 Stones of Power on the sacred altar then activate the medallion at the moment of total eclipse." Instead it will be more along the lines of "Push the button."
I will make sure that my doomsday device is up to code and properly grounded.
My vats of hazardous chemicals will be covered when not in use. Also, I will not construct walkways above them.
If a group of henchmen fail miserably at a task, I will not berate them for incompetence then send the same group out to try the task again.
After I captures the hero's superweapon, I will not immediately disband my legions and relax my guard because I believe whoever holds the weapon is unstoppable. After all, the hero held the weapon and I took it from him.
I will not design my Main Control Room so that every workstation is facing away from the door.
I will not ignore the messenger that stumbles in exhausted and obviously agitated until my personal grooming or current entertainment is finished. It might actually be important.
If I ever talk to the hero on the phone, I will not taunt him. Instead I will say this his dogged perseverance has given me new insight on the futility of my evil ways and that if he leaves me alone for a few months of quiet contemplation I will likely return to the path of righteousness. (Heroes are incredibly gullible in this regard.)
If I decide to hold a double execution of the hero and an underling who failed or betrayed me, I will see to it that the hero is scheduled to go first.
When arresting prisoners, my guards will not allow them to stop and grab a useless trinket of purely sentimental value.
My dungeon will have its own qualified medical staff complete with bodyguards. That way if a prisoner becomes sick and his cellmate tells the guard it's an emergency, the guard will fetch a trauma team instead of opening up the cell for a look.
My door mechanisms will be designed so that blasting the control panel on the outside seals the door and blasting the control panel on the inside opens the door, not vice versa.
My dungeon cells will not be furnished with objects that contain reflective surfaces or anything that can be unravelled.
If an attractive young couple enters my realm, I will carefully monitor their activities. If I find they are happy and affectionate, I will ignore them. However if circumstance have forced them together against their will and they spend all their time bickering and criticizing each other except during the intermittent occasions when they are saving each others' lives at which point there are hints of sexual tension, I will immediately order their execution.
Any data file of crucial importance will be padded to 1.45Mb in size.
Finally, to keep my subjects permanently locked in a mindless trance, I will provide each of them with free unlimited Internet access.

Of course, these are merely the Top 100 Things I'd do. Other suggestions have been sent to me which didn't quite make the Top 100 List. But they are still so good that I couldn't bear to throw them out. Therefore, as an expression of gratitude, I have tossed them into...

and

Disney Subliminal Messages

2011-06-09T01:33:00.000-07:00

This article gives an overview of the various disney subliminal messages but first of all it is important to have a basic understanding of subliminal messaging, so:

The word subliminal literally means “below threshold”. to elaborate on this it means that you are not aware of the message – it is below the threshold of your cocnscious perception. However you will still take the message in on some level as your subconscious mind processes it and stores this information still. Subliminal messaging therefore refers to the action of sending a suggestion directly into the subconscious mind.

Are there subliminal messages in Disney movies?

Yes, absoloutely!

Disney is notorious for using subliminal messages across its short animations, Tv series and movies. In fact it’s a tradition of studio and they use both subliminal and consciously visable subtle suggestions. it has got to just the point that when a new Disney films come out, subliminal message hunters compete to find the messages in these movies and post them on youtube and various blogs around the internet.

So Which Disney films use subliminal messages?

Lol, almost all of them!

The practice of including hidden messages goes right back to the early mickey mouse goofy short movie animations. it stated decades ago, and nearly all of their movies contain subliminal references to adult words, and even images. Here is a quick run down of some of the more popular subliminal suggestions which have been found across Disney’s portfolio:

Here’s a quick run-down:

The Little Mermaid

At the start of the movie when King Triton swoops down over the people, you can see Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy among the crowd.

There is also some suggestion that in the scene where Eric and Ursula are about to get married, the priest has an erection. However, there is equally as much suggestion that in fact what can be seen is merely his knee (this too has been edited out for modern DVD release):

On the subject of disney hidden messages and hidden erotica in Disney movies, we should mention the cover art for The Little Mermaid. Many people have commented that the tower looks rather phallic! The artist apparently fully intended for the tower to look like a penis, although when he had finished the cover, he realised that it was actually a bit too obvious. The artwork was sent for approval with the assumption that some changes would be required, but no such request was ever made and so the cover was released with a not-very-hidden phallus on it:

For a video on all of the little mermaid subliminal messages then follow our link.

The Rescuers

Features two frames of an actual topless model. They are in the scene when Bernard and Bianca fly through the city – you can briefly see her in a window in the background if you freeze the frame:

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

There is a distinctly shot of Jessica Rabbit jumping out of a Taxi -and the subliminal image only lasts a couple of frames – but her skirt is open and it shows a nude womans legs open for just a second:

Also later in the film the home phone number of Disney Chief Executive Michael Eisner appears on a wall – but this has apparantly been edited out of modern DVD releases.

Aladdin

On the scene where Aladin is trying to reach Jasmin outside her balcony you can hear Aladdin say “Good teenagers take off your clothes” quite quickly. You can watch these Aladdin subliminal messages here.

The Lion King

In the scene where Simba remembers his father on a cliff top the word “SEX” is formed in the clouds above his head:

This is only the tip of the iceberg though in the Lion king subliminal saga – there are countless examples, hidden in the background, the animation, the word sex appears in nearly every scene – all subliminally of course – but to the trained eye they can be found. View our lion king subliminal messages video for the whole story.

Pocahontas

There are references to the word “Sex” all throughout this movie, it can be seen spelled out in a lot of the background images all throughout the movie.

For a full video review follow our link to the pocahontas subliminal messages post.

Why can’t I find these hidden messages on my DVDs??

Whilst Disney let many hidden messages go unchallenged in the cinema, however as controversy built and the messages were found by the pbulic they had to remove some of them for VHS and DVD releases

amazing...

2011-06-09T01:17:00.000-07:00

A 20GB (eight 2.5GB) storage in year 1980 is 648000% to 758400% more expensive and 440000000% more heavy than a 32GB storage in year 2010. Fast forward 30 years and I suppose the comparison would instead be 20TB in 2010 vs 32TB in 2040?

Family Guy is The Office!

2011-06-09T00:58:00.000-07:00

Resume Mistakes

2011-06-09T00:54:00.000-07:00

These are as they have appeared on actual resumes. Misspellings and typos included.

“I am loyal to my employer at all costs… Please feel free to respond to my resume on my office voice mail.”
“Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store.”

Job Duties: “Answer phones, file papers, respond to customer e-mails, take odors.”
Interests: “Gossiping.”
Favorite Activities: “Playing trivia games. I am a repository of worthless knowledge.”
Skills: “I can type without looking at thekeyboard.”
Experience: “Chapter president, 1887-1992.”
Experience: “Demonstrated ability in multi-tasting.”
Experience: “I’m a hard worker, etc.”
Languages: “Speak English and Spinach.”
Reason for leaving: “I thought the world was coming to an end.”
Additional skills: “I am a Notary Republic.”
Skills: “I have integrity so I will not steal office supplies and take them home.”
Skills: “I have technical skills that will take your breath away.”
Qualifications: “I have guts, drive, ambition and heart, which is probably more than a lot of the drones that you have working for you.”
Objective: “I need money because I have bills to pay and I would like to have a life, go out partying, please my young wife with gifts, and have a menu entrée consisting of more than soup.”
Qualifications: “Twin sister has accounting degree.”
Experience: “Have not yet been abducted by aliens.”
Skills: “Written communication = 3 years; verbal communication = 5 years.”
Objective: “I would like to work for a company that is very lax when it comes to tardiness.”
Education: “I possess a moderate educatin but willing to learn more.”
Education: “Have repeated courses repeatedly.”
Salary requirements: “The higher the better.”
Salary desired: “Starting over due to recent bankruptcies. Need large bonus when starting job.”
Bad traits: “I am very bad about time and don’t mind admitting it. Having to arrive at a certain hour doesn’t make sense to me. What does make sense is that I do the job. Any company that insists upon rigid time schedules will find me a nightmare.”
References: “Bill, Tom, Eric. But I don’t know their phone numbers.”
Personal: “I limit important relationships to people who want to do what I want them to do.”
Objective: “Student today. Vice president tomarrow.”
Accomplishments: “Brought in a balloon artist to entertain the team.”
Application: Why should an employer hire you? “I bring doughnuts on Friday.”
Achievements: “First runner-up for Miss Fort Worth, 1982.”
Reason for leaving: “Pushed aside so the vice president’s girlfriend could steal my job.”
Special skills: “I’ve got a Ph.D. in human feelings.”

Reason for leaving last job: “Bounty hunting was outlawed in my state.”
Experience: “Any interruption in employment is due to being unemployed.”
Objective: “To become Overlord of the Galaxy!”
Objective: “What I’m looking for in a job: #1) Money #2) Money #3) Money.”
Experience: “Child care provider: Organized activities; prepared lunches and snakes.”
Objective: “My dream job would be as a professional baseball player, but since I can’t do that, I’ll settle on being an accountant.”
Awards: “National record for eating 45 eggs in two minutes.”
“I am a ‘neat nut’ with a reputation for being hardnosed. I have no patience for sloppywork, carelessmistakes and theft of companytime.”
Experience: “Provide Custer Service.”
Experience: “I was brought in as a turnaround consultant to help turn the company around.”
Work experience: “Responsibilities included checking customers out.”
Work experience: “Maintained files and reports, did data processing, cashed employees’ paychecks.”
Educational background: “Highschool was a incredible experience.”
Resume: “A great management team that has patents with its workers.”
Cover letter: “Experienced in all faucets of accounting.”
Objective: “I am anxious to use my exiting skills.”
Personal: “I am loyal and know when to keep my big mouth shut.”
Job duties: “Filing, billing, printing and coping.”
Application: “Q: In what local areas do you prefer to work? A: Smoking.”
Reason for leaving: “Terminated after saying, ‘It would be a blessing to be fired.’”
Personal: “My family is willing to relocate. However not to New England (too cold) and not to Southern California (earthquakes). Indianapolis or Chicago would be fine. My youngest prefers Orlando’s proximity to Disney World.”
Resume: “I have a lifetime’s worth of technical expertise (I wasn’t born – my mother simply chose ‘eject child’ from the special menu.”
Resume: “Spent several years in the United States Navel Reserve.”
Qualifications: “I have extensive experience with foreign accents.”
References: “Please do not contact my immediate supervisor at the company. My colleagues will give me a better reference.”
“Worked in a consulting office where I carried out my own accountant.”
Accomplishments: “My contributions on product launches were based on dreams that I had.”
Career: “I have worked with restraints for the past two years.”
Experience: “My father is a computer programmer, so I have 15 years of computer experience.”
Education: “I have a bachelorette degree in computers.”

iPhone 5

2011-06-09T00:53:00.000-07:00

iPhone 5 is started thinking the people day by day for some reason of iPhone 4.In this post i’m presenting a couple of iPhone 5 designs.

The first one shows the next-gen iPhone 5 as a very thin device, a lot thinner than the current iPod touch 4G.Apple will probably take more than a years to launch such a device.When it will launch it will be magical to everybody.

The second iPhone
5 design shows an iPhone 4-like design and the outer antenna is still there. What’s interesting about it are the apps, which are totally new, and they’d definitely convince you to buy the phone. And here’s what regular apps will be able to do on this iPhone 5, as there will be an app that:

* Attracts UFOs
* Ex-foliation
* Spins straw into gold
* Enables time travel
* Makes you invisible
* Pie on demand
* Get out of jail free
* Predicts future, changes past
* Controls weather & stock market
* Makes broccoli taste like chocolate
* Masseuse
* Gives flu to your ex
* Cures flu
* Repairs appliances
* Cosmetic surgery
* Cleans teeth
* Does your taxes & your hair
* 3D video camera
* Plays 3D movies
* Washes your cat

So, there’s an app for everything in the iPhone 5.It’s now time for wait and wait.

Details: http://thetechjournal.com/electronics/iphone/iphone-5-concept.xhtml#ixzz1OlNXVH5H

Coolest thing EVER!!

2011-06-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/kitchen/e86a/?cpg=160S&link

Check that out. Chopsticks and a fork & knife all in one!!! That is pure GENIUS!!!

Testing

2011-05-11T12:11:00.001-07:00

I'm posting from a new app on my iPad. Just seeing how well it works.

Weather in Seattle (and Utah, only colder)

2011-05-06T12:18:00.001-07:00

Good story on waving to bikers

2011-05-06T09:36:00.001-07:00

The bike's passenger seat swept up just enough that I could see over my father's shoulders. That seat was my throne. My dad and I traveled many backroads, searching for the ones we had never found before. Traveling these roads just to see where they went. Never in a rush. Just be home for supper.
I remember wandering down a back road with my father, sitting on my throne watching the trees whiz by, feeling the rumble of our bike beneath us like a contented giant cat. A motorcycle came over a hill toward us and as it went by, my father threw up his gloved clutch hand and gave a little wave. The other biker waved back with the same friendly swing of his left wrist.
I tapped my father on his shoulder, which was our signal that I wanted to say something. He cocked his helmeted ear back slightly while keeping his eyes ahead.
I yelled, "Do we know him?"
'What?" he shouted.
"You waved to him. Who was it?"
"I don't know. Just another guy on a bike. So I waved."
"How come?"
"You just do. It's important."
Later, when we had stopped for chocolate ice cream, I asked why it was important to wave to other bikers. My father tried to explain how the wave demonstrated comradeship and a mutual understanding of what it was to enjoy riding a motorcycle. He looked for the words to describe how almost all bikers struggled with the same things like cold, rain, heat, car drivers who did not see them, but how riding remained an almost pure pleasure.
I was young then and I am not sure that I really understood what he was trying to get across, but it was a beginning. Afterward, I always waved along with my father when we passed other bikers.
I remember one cold October morning when the clouds were heavy and dark, giving us another clue that winter was riding in from just over the horizon. My father and I were warm inside our car as we headed to a friend's home. Rounding a comer, we saw a motorcycle parked on the shoulder of the road. Past the bike, we saw the rider walking through the ditch, scouring the long grasses crowned with a touch of frost. We pulled over and backed up to where the bike stood.
I asked Dad, "Who's that?"
"Don't know," he replied. "But he seems to have lost something. Maybe we can give him a hand."
We left the car and wandered through the tall grass of the ditch to the biker. He said that he had been pulling on his gloves as he rode and he had lost one. The three of us spent some time combing the ditch, but all we found were two empty cans and a plastic water bottle.
My father turned and headed back to our car and I followed him. He opened the trunk and threw the cans and the water bottle into a small cardboard box that we kept for garbage. He rummaged through various tools, oil containers and windshield washer fluid until he found an old crumpled pair of brown leather gloves. Dad straightened them out and handed them to me to hold. He continued looking until he located an old catalogue. I understood why my dad had grabbed the gloves. I had no idea what he was going to do with the catalogue. We headed back to the biker who was still walking the ditch.
My dad said, "Here's some gloves for you. And I brought you a catalogue as well."
"Thanks," he replied. I really appreciate it." He reached into his hip pocket and withdrew a worn black wallet.
"Let me give you some money for the gloves," he said as he slid some bills out.
"No thanks," my dad replied as I handed the rider the gloves. "They're old and not worth anything anyway."
The biker smiled. "Thanks a lot." He pulled on the old gloves and then he unzipped his jacket. I watched as my father handed him the catalogue and the biker slipped it inside his coat. He jostled his jacket around to get the catalogue sitting high and centered under his coat and zipped it up. I remember nodding my head at the time, finally making sense of why my dad had given him the catalogue. It would keep him a bit warmer. After wishing the biker well, my father and I left him warming up his bike.
Two weeks later, the biker came to our home and returned my father's gloves. He had found our address on the catalogue. Neither my father nor the biker seemed to think that my father stopping at the side of the road for a stranger and giving him a pair of gloves, and that stranger making sure that the gloves were returned, were events at all out of the ordinary for people who rode motorcycles. For me, it was another subtle lesson.
It was spring the next year when I was sitting high on my throne, watching the farm fields slip by when I saw two bikes coming towards us. As they rumbled past, both my father and I waved, but the other bikers kept their sunglasses locked straight ahead and did not acknowledge us. I remember thinking that they must have seen us because our waves were too obvious to miss. Why hadn't they waved back? I thought all bikers waved to one another.
I patted my father on his shoulder and yelled, "How come they didn't wave to us?"
"Don't know. Sometimes they don't."
I remember feeling very puzzled. Why wouldn't someone wave back?
Later that summer, I turned 12 and learned how to ride a bike with a clutch. I spent many afternoons on a country laneway beside our home, kicking and kicking to start my father's '55 BSA. When it would finally sputter to a start, my concentration would grow to a sharp focus as I tried to let out the clutch slowly while marrying it with just enough throttle to bring me to a smooth takeoff. More often, I lurched and stumbled forward while trying to keep the front wheel straight and remember to pick my feet up. A few feet farther down the lane, I would sigh and begin kicking again.
A couple of years later, my older brother began road racing, and I became a racetrack rat. We spent many weekends wandering to several tracks in Ontario-Harewood, Mosport and eventually Shannonville. These were the early years of two-stroke domination, of Kawasaki green and 750 two-stroke triples, of Yvon Duhamel's cat-and-mouse games and the artistry of Steve Baker.
Eventually, I started to pursue interests other than the race track. I got my motorcycle licence and began wandering the backroads on my own. I found myself stopping along sideroads if I saw a rider sitting alone, just checking to see if I could be of help. And I continued to wave to each biker I saw.
But I remained confused as to why some riders never waved back. It left me with almost a feeling of rejection, as if I were reaching to shake someone's hand but they kept their arm hanging by their side.
I began to canvass my friends about waving. I talked with people I met at bike events, asking what they thought. Most of the riders told me they waved to other motorcyclists and often initiated the friendly air handshake as they passed one another.
I did meet some riders, though, who told me that they did not wave to other riders because they felt that they were different from other bikers. They felt that they were "a breed apart." One guy told me in colourful language that he did not "wave to no wusses.'' He went on to say that his kind of bikers were tough, independent, and they did not require or want the help of anyone, whether they rode a bike or not.
I suspected that there were some people who bought a bike because they wanted to purchase an image of being tougher, more independent, a not-putting-up-with-anyone's-crap kind of person, but I did not think that this was typical of most riders.
People buy bikes for different reasons. Some will be quick to tell you what make it is, how much they paid for it, or how fast it will go. Brand loyalty is going to be strong for some people whether they have a Harley, Ford, Sony, Nike or whatever. Some people want to buy an image and try to purchase another person's perception of them. But it can't be done. They hope that it can, but it can't.
Still, there is a group of people who ride bikes who truly are a "breed apart." They appreciate both the engineering and the artistry in the machines they ride. Their bikes become part of who they are and how they define themselves to themselves alone.
They don't care what other people think. They don't care if anyone knows how much they paid for their bike or how fast it will go. The bike means something to them that nothing else does. They ride for themselves and not for anyone else. They don't care whether anyone knows they have a bike. They may not be able to find words to describe what it means to ride, but they still know. They might not be able to explain what it means to feel the smooth acceleration and the strength beneath them. But they understand.
These are the riders who park their bikes, begin to walk away and then stop. They turn and took back. They see something when they look at their bikes that you might not. Something more complex, something that is almost secret, sensed rather than known. They see their passion. They see a part of themselves.
These are the riders who understand why they wave to other motorcyclists. They savour the wave. It symbolizes the connection between riders, and if they saw you and your bike on the side of the road, they would stop to help and might not ask your name. They understand what you are up against every time you take your bike on the road-the drivers that do not see you, the ones that cut you off or tailgate you, the potholes that hide in wait. The rain. The cold.
I have been shivering and sweating on a bike for more than 40 years. Most of the riders that pass give me a supportive wave. I love it when I see a younger rider on a "crotch rocket" scream past me and wave. New riders carrying on traditions.
And I will continue in my attempts to get every biker just a little closer to one another with a simple wave of my gloved clutch hand. And if they do not wave back when I extend my hand into the breeze as I pass them, I will smile a little more. They may be a little mistaken about just who is a "breed apart."

Why some bikers don't wave back...

2011-05-06T09:35:00.002-07:00

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back
10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

Top 10 Reasons Sport bikers Don't Wave:
10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-Kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Don't Wave Back
10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgment.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, or talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!.
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.

Universal Motorcycle Signals

2011-05-06T09:35:00.001-07:00

Universal Motorcycle Hand Signals

Motorcycle hand signals are important. Here are some Universal Hand Signals that we use to relay signals to other road users.

Youch!- Shouldn't have had that chili at the rest stop!		Hey Asshole! - it's my light, you fucker, get your ass through the intersection!
Hey There! - glad to see a fellow Brother of the Order of Two Wheels		You Wanker! - learn how to drive, why don't you?!
Fuck You! - and stay the hell off your cell phone!		Spank your kids! - or leave them at home if they can't behave in the back seat!
Back off! - I've got two spark plugs -- you only have one windshield		Hey, Baby! - Wanna play some grab-ass?
See This? - It's at least twice as big as yours.		Get back in your own lane - or I'll kick the shit out of your door!
Slow Down - Cops Ahead!		You wanna go? - I'll take on the whole cage load of you mother fuckers
That's it - Watch for flying spark plugs!		Get off the road! - Where did you get your license, a box of fucking cracker jacks?

The cough heard round the world...

2011-05-05T12:14:00.001-07:00

Oh brother... So there is a picture circulating the web of a group of people with Obama supposedly looking at images of Osama's death. Hillary Clinton has her month covered and everybody seems to have a need to read more into that than necessary. CNN has a whole write up about how this picture reveals so much about America and politics and race and blah blah blah... Hillary herself says she was just suppressing a cough!! It is amazing how much work people will go through to read more into a photo than actually exists. They could be watching the opening sequence to Star Wars for all we know. The photo tells nothing. BAH!! It just irritates me...

Fake Quote

2011-05-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

I found this online and thought it was very true.

Shortly after I posted my piece on feeling curiously un-thrilled about Bin Laden's death, the following quote came across my twitter feed:

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy." - Martin Luther King, Jr

I admire the sentiment. But something about it just strikes me as off, like that great Marx quote about the housing bubble that didn't appear anywhere in Das Kapital.

Owners of capital will stimulate the working class to buy more and more of expensive goods, houses and technology, pushing them to take more and more expensive credits, until their debt becomes unbearable. The unpaid debt will lead to bankruptcy of banks, which will have to be nationalised, and the State will have to take the road which will eventually lead to communism. Karl Marx, Das Kapital, 1867

Like the Marx quote, it's a bit too a propos. What "thousands" would King have been talking about? In which enemy's death was he supposed to be rejoicing?

A quick Google search turns up lots of tweets, all of them from today. Searching Martin Luther King Jr. quote pages for the word "enemy" does not turn up this quote, only things that probably wouldn't go over nearly so well, like "Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy to a friend." I'm pretty sure that this quote, too, is fake.

What's fascinating is the speed of it. Someone made up a quote, attributed it to MLK, Jr., and disseminated it widely, all within 24 hours. Why? What do you get out of saying something pithy, and getting no credit for it?

Perhaps they only wanted to say this thing, and knew that no one would pay attention unless it came from someone else. Or, perhaps they are getting a gargantuan kick out of seeing people repeat their lie ad infinitum. Either way, it seems strange to me.

Essential Android Apps for Rooted Phones

2011-04-26T15:17:00.001-07:00

From: http://webscopia.com/2011/04/essential-android-apps-to-install-after-rooting/

There are a number of Android Apps which you have to install after you root your Android Phone. These apps work really well with rooted devices and have features you would have not thought were possible under normal circumstances.

Root Explorer

Root Explorer is one of the best Android apps to use after the system has been rooted. This is a great file manager which lets the user gain access over the Android file system. It is user friendly enough to let you tweak your phone and get rid of system apps which you don’t need. The user can easily archive zip files from the phone and can also access the data folder. The only catch is that you have to pay 2.50 pounds for the application. Get Root Explorer

Android Terminal Emulator

This is a great app but is only recommended for advanced users who can understand a bit of programming. It allows the users to execute commands by accessing the UNIX terminal. It is also a useful tool for removing all those useless apps installed on the phone by the carrier. These useless apps are usually bloatware and end up slowing the phone down. It’s a great way of exploring the internals of the phone. Get Android Terminal Emulator

SQLite Editor

This is an editor which will let the user view and edit data in the SQLite database on the android phone. Under normal circumstances the database engine only lets the user app view and store data. With a rooted phone and SQLite a user can easily check out all the data in the tables on the app. This is a useful tool for all those who want to peek under the bonnet. Get SQLite Editor

AdFree Android

This app will only work with Rooted Android phones and is pretty self explanatory. This app is nifty enough to remove all the ads on the phone while browsing as well as blocking most of the ads on the downloaded apps on the downloaded apps in the browser. This is a great app for all those who can’t stand ads and want to free up resources on the phone. Get AdFree Android

Wireless Tether for Root Users

This is a great app which allows the user to wirelessly tether another device to your phone’s internet. It can be done easily via Bluetooth or to turn it into a Wi-Fi Router. The best thing about it is that it is extremely secure and is reliable. It is a lot better than the iPhone which only allows for tethering if you pay extra for it. The app also shows how much of the bandwidth has been used. The best thing is that this app is available for free. Get Wireless Tether for Root Users

ShootMe

ShootMe is an app which lets you take screenshots of your device. It works by simply shaking it or shouting so that it takes a screenshot. It also always users to record video clips as well (only available on higher end phones) . Get ShootMe

CacheMate for Root Users

CacheMate is a nifty app which allows the user to clean the cache out of all or any apps. It is available in a Free Lite version as well as a paid full version. It also displays the memory used and memory available on the device. Get CacheMate for Root Users

Titanium Backup – Root

Titanium Backup is an app which allows for full scale backup for users. It is a great app for easily backing up and restoring all apps, system settings, text messages and download. It is available in both free versions and a pro version. The pro version allows for multiple backups, faster backup and scheduling. Get Titanium Backup – Root

adbWireless

The adbWireless app is an app which eliminates the need to connect an Android device to the computer. This allows for files to be transferred from phone to computer wirelessly. The only catch is that the user needs to install the Android SDK on the computer so that this process can take place. Get adbWireless

SetCPU

SetCPU is a useful app for overclocking or underclocking an Android device. It is available for $1.99 and allows for extension of battery life by underclocking. The app is easy to use and is suitable for both beginners and advanced users. This is one of the best Rooted Android Apps available on the Android Marketplace. Get SetCPU

I don't care what anybody says... Facebook is not something I need

2011-04-18T14:50:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to say it is stupid. I'm sure it is very smart. I'm sure people enjoy stalking others on it and that a lot of people have found old friends they hadn't heard from in years. HOWEVER, the fact remains that I DON'T NEED IT! I don't need it and I don't want it. Trust me, I have everything I need. I even have most of what I want, so if I ever did find a use for Facebook that didn't include all of the inherently SHITTY things about it, then I might sign up.

A recent post on Gizmodo has stirred these emotions in me. They wrote an article that I just disagree with on SOOOOOOOO many levels... here is an excerpt:

I will grant you this: Facebook, much like Twitter, has a lot that sucks about it. A tremendous amount. You're exposed to inane human behavior on a scope and volume unprecedented in the history of mankind. And yes, there are privacy eyebrow-raises that are warranted—it's a little weird that people I barely know anymore see where I work, where I live, and who I'm talking to. And there's plenty of crap. Pokes from creepy people. Photos of idiots. Moronic comments. Racism. All the worst parts about our species, sandwiched between poorly-targeted banner ads.

And yet, Facebook is a spectacular tool.

So what is the problem with this picture??? It is a spectacular tool, but it opens you to privacy concerns like no other tool I know. The bottom line is that if I'm not already communicating with you through email or phone, THEN I PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO BE COMMUNICATING WITH YOU AT ALL. Yes, that goes for you psycho ex-girlfriends and "friends" I had 20 years ago in high school. Let's be honest... We aren't speaking with each other for good reason. We have NOTHING in common. Why would I want to know anything about your life now? And why would I want you knowing anything about mine?

Social networks are the most anti-social things I've ever seen. In what world is logging onto a website and silently scrolling through the daily goings on for a thousand "friends" without ever having to interact with them considered "SOCIAL"??? Isn't that the epitome of ANTIsocial?? If I can find out what my brother had for breakfast 3000 miles away without having to speak to him or have him know that I know, then what is social about that??

I suppose if I had a business where I wanted my customers to be able to get to know each other then something like Facebook would be sweet. Or if I was a celebrity and wanted my fans to feel like they were special because they know what I'm doing RIGHT NOW, then Twitter would be cool. But the fact is that I don't and I'm not, so as a tool I'd say Facebook is about as handy as a 20lb hammer to a guy with no arms.

So my retort to Gizmodo is that I'm sick of people telling me how great it is. Just because everybody uses it doesn't mean it isn't still incredibly stupid. How many lives has Facebook destroyed? How many jobs have been lost because someone just had to check it during work hours and their boss saw? How many marriages have been ruined because someone hooked up with an old flame on Facebook and decided the grass was greener? Wanna know how many problems facebook has caused me? ZERO.

I'm not wasting any more time ranting about it. Besides, I've got just about the same number of regular readers of this blog as I have Facebook friends. Oh, wait... that would be none!

FICO scoring

2011-04-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

This is really incredible. FICO doesn't normally share any information about how they calculate credit scores. This is the kind of information that would take me a hundred credit reports and probably a year to determine through the process I was using when I worked for a law firm specializing in it. It actually confirms what I had already reported to the firm, so I feel pretty good right now. :) Check this out...

Research looks at how mortgage delinquencies affect scores

How much impact does a short sale have on FICO® Scores? How about a foreclosure? Since I frequently hear these questions from clients and others, I thought I’d share new FICO research that sheds light on this very subject.

The FICO study simulated various types of mortgage delinquencies on three representative credit bureau profiles of consumers scoring 680, 720 and 780, respectively. I say “representative profiles” because we focused on consumers whose credit characteristics (e.g., utilization, delinquency history, age of file) were typical of the three score points considered. All consumers had an active currently-paid-as-agreed mortgage on file.

Results are shown below. The first chart shows the impact on the score for each stage of delinquency, and the second shows how long it takes the score to fully “recover” after the fact.

All in all, we saw:

The magnitude of FICO® Score impact is highly dependent on the starting score.
There's no significant difference in score impact between short sale/deed-in-lieu/settlement and foreclosure.
While a score may begin to improve sooner, it could take up to 7-10 years to fully recover, assuming all other obligations are paid as agreed.
In general, the higher starting score, the longer it takes for the score to fully recover.
Even if there’s minimal difference in score impact between moderate and severe delinquencies, there may be significant difference in time required for the score to fully recover.

This study provides good benchmarks of score impact from mortgage delinquencies. However, it is important to note that research was done only on select consumer credit profiles. Given the wide range of credit profiles that exist, results may vary beyond what's in the charts above.

The Always Up To Date Guide For Rooting and Jailbreaking

2011-04-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANDROID ROOTING GUIDE

This is definitely a good resource for rooting Android OS phones.

CLICK HERE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS ON JAILBREAKING THE 'LESS AWESOME THAN ANDROID' IOS DEVICES.

Oldest 100 Domain Names

2011-03-31T10:38:00.001-07:00

Rank	Registered Date	Domain Name
1	15-March-1985	SYMBOLICS.COM
2	24-April-1985	BBN.COM
3	24-May-1985	THINK.COM
4	11-July-1985	MCC.COM
5	30-September-1985	DEC.COM
6	07-November-1985	NORTHROP.COM
7	09-January-1986	XEROX.COM
8	17-January-1986	SRI.COM
9	03-March-1986	HP.COM
10	05-March-1986	BELLCORE.COM
11	19-March-1986	IBM.COM
11	19-March-1986	SUN.COM
13	25-March-1986	INTEL.COM
13	25-March-1986	TI.COM
15	25-April-1986	ATT.COM
16	08-May-1986	GMR.COM
16	08-May-1986	TEK.COM
18	10-July-1986	FMC.COM
18	10-July-1986	UB.COM
20	05-August-1986	BELL-ATL.COM
20	05-August-1986	GE.COM
20	05-August-1986	GREBYN.COM
20	05-August-1986	ISC.COM
20	05-August-1986	NSC.COM
20	05-August-1986	STARGATE.COM
26	02-September-1986	BOEING.COM
27	18-September-1986	ITCORP.COM
28	29-September-1986	SIEMENS.COM
29	18-October-1986	PYRAMID.COM
30	27-October-1986	ALPHACDC.COM
30	27-October-1986	BDM.COM
30	27-October-1986	FLUKE.COM
30	27-October-1986	INMET.COM
30	27-October-1986	KESMAI.COM
30	27-October-1986	MENTOR.COM
30	27-October-1986	NEC.COM
30	27-October-1986	RAY.COM
30	27-October-1986	ROSEMOUNT.COM
30	27-October-1986	VORTEX.COM
40	05-November-1986	ALCOA.COM
40	05-November-1986	GTE.COM
42	17-November-1986	ADOBE.COM
42	17-November-1986	AMD.COM
42	17-November-1986	DAS.COM
42	17-November-1986	DATA-IO.COM
42	17-November-1986	OCTOPUS.COM
42	17-November-1986	PORTAL.COM
42	17-November-1986	TELTONE.COM
42	11-December-1986	3COM.COM
50	11-December-1986	AMDAHL.COM
50	11-December-1986	CCUR.COM
50	11-December-1986	CI.COM
50	11-December-1986	CONVERGENT.COM
50	11-December-1986	DG.COM
50	11-December-1986	PEREGRINE.COM
50	11-December-1986	QUAD.COM
50	11-December-1986	SQ.COM
50	11-December-1986	TANDY.COM
50	11-December-1986	TTI.COM
50	11-December-1986	UNISYS.COM
61	19-January-1987	CGI.COM
61	19-January-1987	CTS.COM
61	19-January-1987	SPDCC.COM
64	19-February-1987	APPLE.COM
65	04-March-1987	NMA.COM
65	04-March-1987	PRIME.COM
67	04-April-1987	PHILIPS.COM
68	23-April-1987	DATACUBE.COM
68	23-April-1987	KAI.COM
68	23-April-1987	TIC.COM
68	23-April-1987	VINE.COM
72	30-April-1987	NCR.COM
73	14-May-1987	CISCO.COM
73	14-May-1987	RDL.COM
75	20-May-1987	SLB.COM
76	27-May-1987	PARCPLACE.COM
76	27-May-1987	UTC.COM
78	26-June-1987	IDE.COM
79	09-July-1987	TRW.COM
80	13-July-1987	UNIPRESS.COM
81	27-July-1987	DUPONT.COM
81	27-July-1987	LOCKHEED.COM
83	28-July-1987	ROSETTA.COM
84	18-August-1987	TOAD.COM
85	31-August-1987	QUICK.COM
86	03-September-1987	ALLIED.COM
86	03-September-1987	DSC.COM
86	03-September-1987	SCO.COM
89	22-September-1987	GENE.COM
89	22-September-1987	KCCS.COM
89	22-September-1987	SPECTRA.COM
89	22-September-1987	WLK.COM
93	30-September-1987	MENTAT.COM
94	14-October-1987	WYSE.COM
95	02-November-1987	CFG.COM
96	09-November-1987	MARBLE.COM
97	16-November-1987	CAYMAN.COM
97	16-November-1987	ENTITY.COM
99	24-November-1987	KSR.COM
100	30-November-1987	NYNEXST.COM

S.H.I.T.

2011-03-30T14:25:00.001-07:00

Memo to all employees:

In order to assure the highest levels of quality work and Productivity from employees, it will be our policy to keep all employees well trained through our program of SPECIAL HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING (S.H.I.T).

We are trying to give our employees more S.H.I.T than anyone else. If you feel that you do not receive your share of S.H.I.T on the course, please see your supervisor. You will be immediately placed at the top of the S.H.I.T list and our supervisors are especially skilled at seeing you get all the S.H.I.T you can handle.

Employees who don’t take their S.H.I.T will be placed in DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEE EVALUATION PROGRAMS (D.E.E.P.S.H.I.T).

Those who fail to take D.E.E.P.S.H.I.T seriously will have to go to EMPLOYEE ATTITUDE TRAINING (E.A.T.S.H.I.T). Since our supervisors took S.H.I.T before they were promoted, they don’t have to do S.H.I.T anymore, and are all full of S.H.I.T already.

If you are full of S.H.I.T you may be interested in a job teaching others. We can add your name to our BASIC UNDERSTANDING LIST of LEADERS (B.U.L.L.S.H.I.T).

For employees who are intending to pursue a career in management and consulting, we will refer you to
the department of MANAGERIAL OPERATIONAL RESEARCH EDUCATION (M.O.R.E.S.H.I.T). This course emphasizes how to manage M.O.R.E.S.H.I.T

If you have further questions, please direct them to our HEAD OF TEACHING, SPECIAL HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING (H.O.T.S.H.I.T).

Thank you,
BOSS IN GENERAL,
SPECIAL HIGH INTENSITY TRAINING (B.I.G.S.H.I.T)

P.S. Now send this S.H.I.T to 5 people who need S.H.I.T in their life, just not the same person who sent you this S.H.I.T. They have already had their fill of S.H.I.T.

Thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
The Director Under the Main Bureau of Super High Intensity Training.
(The D.U.M.B.S.H.I.T).

M50 Links

2011-03-22T12:06:00.001-07:00

I'm putting this here because it is useful info and I don't want to have to search for it every time. All credit goes to the fantastic efforts of those on the Motorcycle Foums. The original thread may be found here. CLICK HERE

REFERENCES
M50 service manual (pdf)
advice for new M50 owners (forum)
Parts vendor list
OEM Parts- you'll have to look around to find Suzuki parts (website)

INTAKE
custom typhoon intake mod (forum)
custom typhoon intake restrictor plates (forum)
custom cone filter intake (forum)
airbox mod (forum)
Thunder Mfg (vendor)
Thunder air intake mod (forum)
Hypercharger (vendor)
naked jugs (VR forum)

FUEL PROCESSOR
Power Commander PCIII install instructions (file download)
PCIII map analysis (forum)
Power Commander (website)
Cobra Fi2000 install instructions (pdf)
Cobra Fi2000 (website)
Techlusion install instructions (forum)
Another TFI install + airbox mod (forum)
Techlusion TFI website (vendor)

EXHAUST
exhaust- buyer's research guide (forum)
debaffle (video)
how to remove mickey and cyclops plates (forum)
sound clip: before and after debaffle (youtube)
sound clip: debaffled pipes in a garage (youtube)
stock pipes to straight pipes (forum)
sound clip: straight pipes riding (youtube)
fibrosleeves (forum)
soundclip: straight pipes with full length fibrosleeves (youtube)
sound clip: no pipes- headers only (youtube)
sound clip: Vance & Hines in a garage (youtube)
sound clip: Vance & Hines Straight Shots with baffles (file download)
sound clip: Vance & Hines Straight Shots with wrapped baffles (file download)
pipes (forum)
modded and powder-coated aftermarket shortys (forum)
painting exhaust pipes (forum)

OIL
all about oil (website)
recommended synthetic and dino oils for motorcycles (website)
Oil not to use in your motorcycle- energy conserving (forum)

DEBADGE
debadge (forum)

PAIR VALVE
removal kit (website)

FORWARD CONTROLS
John's kits (website)
Mapam forward controls (forum)

LOWERING
John's kits (website)
Scootworks (vendor)

SEAT
lumpectomy (forum)
reshape foam mod (forum)
another reshape foam mod (forum)
swap to C50 rear seat mod (forum)
Air Riders gel pads (website)
Mustang (website)
Corbin (website)
Saddlemen (website)

HANDLEBARS
drag bars (forum)
swap to C50 bars + reroute cables behind triple tree (forum)
nubs inside control housings (forum)

RISERS
custom made riser spacers (forum)
harley risers install (forum)
harley riser adapter bolts (vendor)
Phat Risers III install (forum)

LIGHTS
headlight bulb upgrade (forum)
another headlight bulb thread (forum)
dual headlight mod (forum)
custom light bar mod (forum)
yamaha light bar modded to fit (forum)

TURN SIGNALS
front turn signal mod (forum)
turn indicator panel relocation mod (forum)

LEVERS
stock levers mod (forum)

BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT
integrated tail light (website)

WINDSHIELD
recommendations (forum)
windshield whoas (forum)

SADDLEBAGS
saddlebag direct mount mod (forum)
Easy Brackets (forum)
Saddlemen (website)
Leatherlyke (website)
US Saddlebag (website)
US Saddlebag install (forum)

HIGHWAY BARS/ENGINE GUARDS
Lindby (forum)
small engine guards (forum)

SHAFT DRIVE
DJ mod (forum)

TANK
chrome tank trim (forum)

HORN
Stebel Nautilus air horn on an S50 (forum)

VALVE ADJUSTMENT
valve adjustment tool (forum)
easy valve adjustment (forum)

CLUTCH
adjustment (forum)

ERROR CODES
flashing error codes (forum)

MISC
complete tool kit (forum)
polished control housings (forum)
kickstand nub mod for lowered bikes (forum)
grip removal (website)
remove gas tank (forum)
stupid rear fender bolts (forum)
Garmin Zumo 550 install (forum)
handlebar camera mount (website)
top speed (forum + youtube)
tire pressure (forum)

My Response to ClamCase Reviews......

2011-03-10T06:28:00.001-08:00

I have a problem with people reviewing iPad keyboard cases. They always want to compare them to netbooks and macbook air computers. I don't know if google will read this response, but I hope that you morons out there trying to make these comparisons will eventually see reason.

These so called 'tablets' (still nowhere near as cool as the TabletPCs which have existed since 2001) are very useful satellites to your regular use machines. I can take my iPad (and soon my Android powered tablet) into a meeting and not have to carry my really heavy laptop and charger. Sure the macbook air is pretty light and slim, but I promise you that VERY FEW businessmen are issued macbook airs when they start work. They are given five pound DELL and HP computers. So even if the case doubles the weight of the tablet, it still comes nowhere near the weight and size of probably over 95% of the businessmen out there who would even consider bringing their ipad into a meeting instead of their computer.

So size and weight really aren't viable dispute points. Any case is going to increase the thickness of the iPad, but seriously... who cares?? My iPad is currently in a leather portfolio with a bluetooth keyboard integrated with it and it is still half as thick as my Day Planner ever was and just as thick as my leather notebook portfolio. Size really isn't an issue here. It's not like we are comparing something slim like an iPhone to the old brick radio phones of the 1980's or something. So what if it turns out to be a whole INCH THICK!!! What will we do?!?!?!?!? The fact is, the iPad is too fragile to be without protection. The aluminum back will dent and scuff just by looking at it. The screens of iPhones are known to shatter on impact regardless of your screen protector, so that is another area which warrants protection. Don't call me crazy just because I'm smart enough not to care that my sexy slim iPad is encased in protective padding.

So get over it Apple fans. I know you are all trying to overcompensate for something, but size really doesn't matter. I don't know what you could be trying to compensate for by trying to get the smallest and slimmest toys around, but that's none of my business. You need to forget your 'form over function' ways that Steve Jobs has convinced you is the right way. It doesn't matter how sexy something is if it isn't functional. The iPad is not a functional business tool without a keyboard case. Well, not AS functional anyway.

A couple other points I've read is that the touchscreen isn't very practical when you have it in 'netbook mode' with a keyboard. There have been more than a few complaints that there isn't a trackpad to enable easier text selection. Wha?? Hey, go talk to Jobs about that one. Regardless of whether you are using a keyboard on the iPad or a bluetooth one in a case, the problem is the same. The iPad sucks at selecting text. If you are going to take shots at something, at least take shots at something it impairs over regular operation. The keyboard cases don't impair anything. Besides, I can count on one finger how many times I've needed to select text when I am in serious typing mode.

Another ridiculous point is that you can't use the keyboard with the iPad in portrait mode. Again, WHA??? Ok, so the Zaggmade let's you do that, but the Zaggmate also just has the iPad sitting on a stand with nothing holding it down. Try typing with that on a plane and watch your ipad fall into your lap every time the guy in front of you moves in his seat. For one, not having the iPad secured in whatever case it is using is a bad idea. The Zaggmate leaves the back of the iPad completely exposed when it is face down in the case. Two piece keyboard cases are not for me. Anyway, the point is, HOW MANY APPS REQUIRE YOU TYPE IN PORTRAIT MODE??? I don't know of any. In fact, not once have I ever wished I could type in portrait mode. That is a mode designed for when your iPad is NOT in a case and you want to type with your thumbs. If you have a keyboard, then you wouldn't want to use it that way anyway.

So here are the main points:

Weight: It doesn't matter that it is heavier than an iPad when you use the ClamCase or any keyboard case. The iPad is still lighter than the computer most people use anyway. Let's not forget how SMALL a population the macbook users really are.

Size: IT DOESN'T MATTER. The iPad, even with a case, is still slimmer than most laptops. I've never seen a case which bulks it up so much that it becomes a problem. Sure it is going to make it thicker, but it doesn't have to be paper thin to be functional. Sometimes things are less functional when they are smaller.

Touch Screen: The iOS has the same problems regardless of what kind of case it is in. No you can't use a mouse with it, no your keyboard won't have a trackpad, and no it is still going to suck to select text with your finger regardless of your case. Don't blame the shortcomings of the iOS on the peripherals. I wouldn't write a novel on the iPad or edit performance evaluations for a team of 20 or something, but it is perfect for those times when you need to take notes or update a document without dragging out the laptop. Sure, it has its limitations, but it works in a pinch. And having a keyboard on it is just about mandatory if you plan on doing any real work on it.

Use in Portrait mode: Please... Someone please give me ONE example of when you need to type in portrait mode and yet still have the space to pull out a keyboard. I've never been in that situation. These people who spend a hundred bucks on a keyboard and yet still type with it in portrait are like blind people who have been given sight and still walk around with their cane in front of them. Quit being stupid.

So the bottom line is that if you are using your iPad as an overgrown iPod, then screw you and your opinions on keyboard accessories. You know nothing. If you are trying to compare your iPad to your macbook, then screw you too. You aren't the target market for this product. And if I hear one more person say that it won't be compatible with the iPad 2 I think I'm going to be sick. The hugest SCREW YOU ever goes out to you. So what if it doesn't fit? They'll just make another one for that model. Do you bitch that the case for your iPhone 3G doesn't work for your iPhone 4? No, you just go buy a new one. DUH!!! You people can be so stupid sometimes... And you wonder why Apple product users are stuck with the stigma of being the dumbest people ever. I have an iPad because there wasn't anything in the Android market that compared when I bought it, but now there is. You better believe that the iPad will be replaced by an Android tablet soon enough and then I won't have to listen to you morons whine about things you know nothing about. ...IDIOTS!

Awesome iPhone site

2011-02-09T14:13:00.000-08:00

You gotta read this!

http://theiphonefever.blogspot.com/p/idont-list.html

This is probably the best argument I've ever read about why the iPhone is not the superior machine everybody seems to think it is. I think the number one reason people who use it have to believe it is awesome is because they bought the most expensive consumer phone on the market, so obviously it must be the BEST at everything. Yeah... So by that logic the Bugatti Veyron is better than anything else, right? It gets lousy gas milage, is ridiculously expensive to repair, Doesn't have any trunk space, no headroom, no back seat, lousy sound system, and very high insurance premiums. That makes it the best. It also does poorly in the snow, excels at little more than driving in a straight line very fast, and comes in a very limited number of color options. Yet for over a million dollars, it is clearly the best, right? Let's take this conversation off road and see how it does against a Jeep. Or let's take it around town and see how it does against a Civic. Just because something is expensive and sexy, doesn't mean it has any use in the real world.

That is the way an iPhone works. It doesn't support widgets or real multi tasking. Until the recent Verizon launch, it couldn't broadcast a wifi hotspot. It is a TOY, plain and simple. Most of the apps in the market are stupid games that nobody really wants to play. It has very little use as a business accessory, yet somehow it is THE BEST phone evaaar!

Apple fanboys give me gas. They are stupid and brainless. They hate everything which isn't an iPhone simply because it isn't an iPhone. Forget that for what they use their phones for they could get more functionality out of just about any Android on the market. Forget that it has a woefully slow processor, which is probably why it can't multitask or do many of the other things Android users are able to do with their phones. The market is very limited because only Apple gets to say what you put on it. I can put whatever I want on my Android and I don't have to jailbreak it to do so. They come out of the box that way. So without voiding my warranty one bit, I can develop and install any app I want on my phone. So take that Apple! Your loyal cult may say what they want, but I would challenge any current iPhone user in a battle with my G2 and I'll bet I can do everything they can do and tons of things they cannot. By the time the battle is over, I'll have them crying to mommy to buy them a real phone.

Rest in peace, Sissy Bird. We love you!

2011-01-31T23:27:00.000-08:00

We've had a very sad thing happen tonight...Anthony and Erik had just come home from Erik's baptism seminar. Erik had come downstairs to let me know he got to pick between 2 different kinds of brownies, and that made him so happy. Anthony had just made it down the stairs when Sissy made one of her squawks, both him and Erik ran upstairs. Usually when that happens, they hold her and console her because she has pulled out a feather. I was in the playroom with the other two, and I hear Erik crying. I yell up to see what is the matter...Erik tells me that Sissy is dead. I run upstairs, and Anthony is just holding her, sobbing. We think she must've had a heart attack, and she died in Anthony's hands. This has been Anthony's bird for 19 years. Her birthday was in a couple weeks...she would've been 20. We love you Sissy, and we will all miss you so much.She has been around since Erik was born...he is taking it really hard. He loved his Sissy bird.Adrienne has always been a little afraid of her, but she still loved the Sissy bird.
We just had to keep Parker away from her, he'd have her running around forever! Everytime he goes by her cage, he sticks out his finger because he wants to hold her.This was the last picture we took of Sissy right before Anthony left for Augusta. Erik was so happy because Sissy flew off his shoulder and then got right back on his finger when he went to pick her up.

Anthony is at least ok with it now. He spent time with her on Saturday when he got home from Augusta. She was a poofy feather bird and very happy. He talked with her that night and on Sunday afternoon when we got home from church. When she had her little freak out right before she died, he was able to be with her and hold her as she squeaked her last squeak. He has no regrets about the last hours he was able to spend with her. She felt loved and was able to be with Anthony and Erik when she died. There isn't a better way this could have happened if it was going to happen at all.

I love this quote...

2011-01-27T09:44:00.001-08:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of god. Your playing small doesn't serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone.

And, as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
- Marianne Williamson

Obama's State of the Future...

2011-01-27T07:37:00.000-08:00

This Is Obama's State of the Future

Last night, President Obama delivered his yearly State of the Union address. Jobs! War! Bipartisanship! Awkward clapping! Sleeping senators! But also, lots of future talk. Below, we break down Obama's claims for America's tech horizon, and what they might mean.

Internet

THE INTERNET! Last night Obama mentioned it a whopping six times, as opposed to a whopping zero in last year's address. Could it be all that The Social Network Oscar buzz? Let's dissect.

Today, just about any company can set up shop, hire workers, and sell their products wherever there's an Internet connection.

OK, maybe not literally true (I think logistically I'd have a hard time selling any sort of non-drug products out of my internet-enabled apartment), but Obama is right in that the internet has made any place with ethernet or Wi-Fi a place of business—a shift maybe not as dramatic, but probably as important as the "Steel mills that once needed 1,000 workers [that] can now do the same work with 100" the president also cites.

Thirty years ago, we couldn't know that something called the Internet would lead to an economic revolution. What we can do - what America does better than anyone else - is spark the creativity and imagination of our people. We're the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers; of Google and Facebook. In America, innovation doesn't just change our lives. It is how we make our living.

The President of the United States just shouted out Facebook in the State of the Union address. Wow. Not particularly surprising, given that social media helped (in part) to push Obama into the White House. But still! Certainly one of those sign of the times moments. Especially poignant when you imagine what presidents of the past mentioned in their addresses—irrigation ditches? Marauding Indians? Steamships? But the above phrasing is also a familiar gloss over the fact that the internet as we know it—the useful internet that's more than just a series of cables between military bases—is owed to the creation of the World Wide Web. Created in Geneva. You know, Switzerland. Yes, America makes some great things thanks to the internet (I think I saw Boehner checking in on Foursquare behind Obama), but America doesn't have any monopoly on internet innovation.

Our free enterprise system is what drives innovation. But because it's not always profitable for companies to invest in basic research, throughout our history, our government has provided cutting-edge scientists and inventors with the support that they need. That's what planted the seeds for the Internet. That's what helped make possible things like computer chips and GPS.

A jab at free market cheerleaders, but a good point. The internet, GPS, the entire space program—all courtesy of Uncle Sam. Even Google was founded with help from a federal grant.

Our infrastructure used to be the best, but our lead has slipped. South Korean homes now have greater Internet access than we do.

Truth. At the end of 2009, the US was ranked 18th in the world for average connection speed, with South Korea at the top. Granted, wiring the continental United States is a bit more challenging than wiring South Korea, but the point stands—large swaths of the country (rural areas in particular) are left in the broadband dark. Which is why...

Within the next five years, we'll make it possible for businesses to deploy the next generation of high-speed wireless coverage to 98 percent of all Americans.

Yikes. This is quite a promise, if by next generation Obama means any sort of 4G, and if by 98% he means anywhere near that number. Obama didn't elaborate on how he plans to blanket the entire country in high speed wireless internet—will it be government subsidized? A private sector rollout?—but five years should be enough time to at least plan something. Still. We're not holding our breath. It's a noble idea, but considering we can't even get reliable 3G service in New York, the prospect of 4G across the Rockies sounds like a vision of the world as seen through the Lady Gaga wonder-glasses, not anything resembling reality.

But let's say Obama is able to call in a networking miracle and cast wireless across the country? What will we do with it?

This isn't about faster Internet or fewer dropped calls. It's about connecting every part of America to the digital age. It's about a rural community in Iowa or Alabama where farmers and small business owners will be able to sell their products all over the world. It's about a firefighter who can download the design of a burning building onto a handheld device; a student who can take classes with a digital textbook; or a patient who can have face-to-face video chats with her doctor.

Shots fired at AT&T, Barack?! These what-ifs all sound decent (and plausible) with the exception of the firefighter app—I don't want anyone going Ughhhh EDGE only? COME ON outside my apartment while I burn to death. But empowering farmers, digitizing classrooms (when the time is right) and making medicine more accessible—we dig it. And the tech is there, if it's got a wireless spine to prop it up. Which, again, is a big if.

Science

Obama wants a nerdier country. Finally. The importance of making math and science cool again (was it ever?) is a terrific thing to hear coming out of a president's mouth. A geekier country is a better one, we reckon. So how are we going to do it?

We need to teach our kids that it's not just the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated, but the winner of the science fair.

An admirable push (unless you're from Pittsburgh), though not much more than rhetoric. But again! Rhetoric we can believe in! Still, this isn't much of a policy proposal. We'll need some dollars to back up this new pro-nerd initiative, Barry.

We're telling America's scientists and engineers that if they assemble teams of the best minds in their fields, and focus on the hardest problems in clean energy, we'll fund the Apollo projects of our time.

Okay, that sounds more promising. But again, no numbers, no stats, no names.

Obama made repeated mention the importance of new fuel sources. But it's a little complicated, because:

Some folks want wind and solar. Others want nuclear, clean coal and natural gas. To meet this goal, we will need them all.

Why choose! But Obama gets concrete:

At the California Institute of Technology, they're developing a way to turn sunlight and water into fuel for our cars. At Oak Ridge National Laboratory, they're using supercomputers to get a lot more power out of our nuclear facilities. With more research and incentives, we can break our dependence on oil with biofuels, and become the first country to have a million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.

Projections like "the first country to have a million electric vehicles on the road by 2015" are always a little dicey (and rarely delivered upon), but again, we applaud the sentiment. Pumping money into these initiatives means avoiding the next BP oil spill.

Wait—uh oh. Here comes another distant promise. Probably the most dubious one of the evening:

By 2035, 80 percent of America's electricity will come from clean energy sources.

That's an incredible thing to promise. Luckily, it's 24 years from now, and not something Obama will have to worry about. As president, at least. But the rest of us will. Again, no details were furnished here. So, uh, we're counting on you, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Like the fantastical promise of ubiquitous 4G, don't get too excited about this one—the large majority of the country's juice comes from oil, coal, and other non-renewable (and very dirty) sources.

Trains

High speed rail figured heavily in the address. Why? We suck, is why:

Countries in Europe and Russia invest more in their roads and railways than we do. China is building faster trains and newer airports. Meanwhile, when our own engineers graded our nation's infrastructure, they gave us a "D."

Ruh roh. But Obama's taking notice, and this will not stand:

Within 25 years, our goal is to give 80 percent of Americans access to high-speed rail. (Applause.) This could allow you to go places in half the time it takes to travel by car. For some trips, it will be faster than flying –- without the pat-down. (Laughter and applause.) As we speak, routes in California and the Midwest are already underway.

Another very long-range projection (so if all goes according to plan almost all of us will have 4G and high speed rail access!) without much detail. And a (too soon?) TSA joke. But Amtrak is a national embarrassment, when compared to the clean, speedy, and efficient rail service that much of, say Western Europe enjoys. Obama is right to make this a priority. Just don't hold your breath on that 25 year number. A national high speed rail line would be massively expensive, and given the fact that Amtrak barely stumbles along its plodding routes with current budgeting, it'd take a quantum (money) leap forward to catch us up with the likes of France or Japan.

So, lofty goals with few details. In other words another State of the Union.

Man... Things have changed!!!

2011-01-24T07:28:00.001-08:00

yeah... I've seen that before

2011-01-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

Rooting the HTC EVO

2011-01-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

This is from XDA Developers. It will work on all EVOs as of 1/21/2011. I have rooted three EVOs using this method and it works great. The number one reason to root an EVO is to be able to mess with the processor speed, but it also works great if you want to use the wifi tether apps in the market which only work on rooted phones. Have fun!

Due to some bugs, Unrevoked 3.2 was taken down shortly after being released, but the updated version is now LIVE! So obviously we're going to bring you a video tutorial on how to do it! Thanks to the guys at Unrevoked for giving us this simple solution to rooting the HTC EVO 4G.

LINK TO VIDEO WALKTHROUGH FOR HOW TO ROOT THE EVO

From Unrevoked:

No system downgrading or /data wiping, one-click root, a full NAND unlock and no PRI downgrade.

Nice, right? So here's what you'll need

◄●REQUIRED DOWNLOADS●►

EVERYONE: Unrevoked3. Download the version for your OS.
WINDOWS USERS: unrEVOked modified USB driver

◄●How to Install HBOOT Drivers (Windows Users ONLY)●►

If you're using Windows, you're going to have to install the HBOOT drivers first. You can follow this video tutorial:

How to Install HBOOT Drivers

and follow along with these written instructions provided by the Unrevoked team:

Download the unrEVOked modified USB driver and expand it somewhere you will remember.
Turn off your phone, then boot it into the HBOOT menu by holding power and volume down.
On your phone, you will have to select HBOOT USB at that menu by pressing volume down four times, then power. Wait until the screen flashes through an “SD Checking” message before pressing buttons; otherwise, the phone will ignore keypresses.
Connect the phone to your Windows machine with a USB cable and wait for the phone to say HBOOT USB PLUG on screen.
Open Device Manager.
Click Start, then right click on Computer, then click Properties, then click Device Manager.
Under Other devices, you should now see the Android 1.0 device.
Right click on Android 1.0 and click Update Driver Software:
Click on Browse my computer for driver software.
Click on Browse and select the Android USB Driver folder on on your computer, click ok, then click next.
You should get a status bar indicating that the driver is installing. If you get any warnings, just click Ok.
Your driver should install.
Click Close and make sure Android Bootloader Interface is listed under Android Phone.

◄●Instructions●►

Make sure you downloaded Unrevoked3 for your OS.
If you're on Windows, make sure you "uninstall HTC Sync or any other program that might talk to the phone over USB (doubletwist, etc). They will cause problems" (Unrevoked.com).
Plug your phone into your computer with USB.
Drag down from the notification bar on your phone and select "Charge Only" and "Remember this"
Make sure your phone has USB Debugging turned on by going to Menu>>Settings>>Applications>>Development and checking USB debugging.
Run the Reflash application that you downloaded.
Unrevoked will run its processes. Follow the few instructions it gives and thats it!

You're now rooted!

2011 Utah Auto Expo

2011-01-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

Every single year since Erik's birth he has gone with Anthony to the Utah Auto Expo. It is just a factory car show with all the new model cars for the year. Nothing too fancy, but they really enjoy it because you can get in all the cars and play around. For these two car guys, it is the best part of the winter. He worked hard to earn his 40 buttons so he could make it. Anthony would have been sad if Erik couldn't come with him for the seventh year in a row. Since Anthony managed to lose our camera at the last show, he took the pictures with his cell phone this year. Erik's dream car is a Mustang for some odd ball reason. It's not like Anthony loved his Mustang more than life or anything. I guess it got passed down in the genes or something... Erik even has the smooth convertible Mustang pose going on. (His Flynn Rider smolder)They have games and other activities available at the car show. Erik enjoys shooting baskets. They had a wriggle car race track too that Anthony didn't get a picture of, but I'm sure there was more time spent playing games than looking at cars.Erik won a prize for his bubble blowing skills at the Minute to Win It booth.The Mustang that Anthony would like to own.The UHP was there and gave Erik a plastic badge and notebook. When he saw this car he wanted to get a picture with it. Here he is writing a ticket to the guy walking by saying the police car wasn't a Mustang. (Erik noted that the guy must not know anything about Mustangs if he didn't know they made police cars) As an interesting side note, this is the exact same police car Anthony detailed several years ago.Forget about Mustangs. THIS is Anthony's dream car. The 2011 Honda Odyssey is a SWEET car. Anthony would buy this car before anything else if he suddenly came into money.Erik looks good in a bright red car.This is a $10,000 option on the Toyota Sienna van. It is for handicapped passengers to help them in and out of the vehicle. Erik really liked this one and marked it as his favorite car of the whole show. Too bad that Odyssey is much higher on Daddy's list than a seat that would get Erik's lazy butt out of the van with the push of a button.Erik enjoyed the convertibles. This is a hundred thousand dollar Corvette. Slightly lower on the list than the Odyssey, but definitely on it.
Anthony saw some concept convertible Camaros at the SEMA show a couple years ago and is thrilled to see an actual production version. Erik would never let him buy a Camaro instead of a Mustang, but I'm sure if we lived in a warmer climate something like this would be on the list.Erik was thrilled to sit in a "Bumble Bee cousin" car. The thing that made Anthony the most pleased is that he went over to check out the motor before getting into the car. :) Priorities... :)The second best car of the show was the yellow Camaro with black stripes. Erik said the wheels were not the same as Bumble Bee, so clearly just another cousin. That kid is so observant!It was a successful seventh annual car show for the OCDetails crew. Next year they'll have to bring Parker along if he is into it. Erik enjoys being an OCDetails employee so he can have this little 'business trip'. They go to the car show and Taco Bell together and really have a great time. This time they even brought home some Tacos for the rest of the family and Erik shared his prizes with Adrienne and Parker. Anthony didn't bring home a new Odyssey or anything, but I'm sure in a few years he'll be eyeballing the used '11 models showing up on the lots.

How to deal...

2011-01-04T11:18:00.000-08:00

ccasionally I get free movie tickets. Friends, co-workers, or family lands a few and I get to go see a movie on someone else's dime. Free is great, but the people who attend free movies are not. On this particular occasion, I got a ticket to go see Sunshine, which I was very excited about primarily because the trailer used the Requiem for a Dream song, which makes any movie look like a tear-jerking, epic masterpiece. I was also excited because it was directed by Danny Boyle, whose other works include Slumdog Millionaire, Shrieking Monkey Plague, and Shrieking Monkey Plague 2 - Lets Throw Up Blood On One Another.

So my friend sat down next to me at the theater and the movie was about to begin. "What's that smell?" she asked, "It smells like pee."

Unflinching, her boyfriend responded: "It's clam chowder."

Sure enough, sitting one row back and three seats to our left was a woman holding a large to-go order of clam chowder which she'd snuck into the theater. Surprisingly, clam chowder smells very similar to urine when you don't know where the source is - it's like the asparagus of soups.

The woman herself looked like a water buffalo in a sweatshirt. She had broad shoulders and a stern, oppressive brow. Her twinkling eyes were fixed straight ahead in the dim theater light, but her powerful jaw moved rapidly to break down the large spoonfuls of chowder which she rhythmically pounded into her mouth. This woman did not simply eat clam chowder, she grazed on it.

Twenty minutes into the film I heard her. She was talking to the screen - narrating her thoughts and feelings, as well as answering rhetorical questions asked by the characters. "What will we do? There's no time!" asked the main character. "I dun' know! You be so screwed!" she belched in anguish, as if the actors in the movie could actually hear her clam-scented reply. Fifteen minutes from the end of the movie - the climax - and the water buffalo was still talking. I'd endured her for nearly two hours, and what was a mild irritation had transformed into a boiling, volcanic rage. I don't know how my popcorn tasted, and I can't remember who was sitting near me. As far as what was happening on the screen, it's a complete blank. My surroundings had become completely blind to me. All I remember is pure, unfiltered hatred. I was Ghenghis Khan. I was genocide. Stars collapsed under the weight of my fury, and when I opened my eyes all I saw was the heads of ten thousand water buffalo on bloody pikes peppering the horizon from Los Angeles to New York City.

So, without further ado, I turned around and spoke.

Her response?

Again, my memory beyond this point is a bit hazy. I remember screaming more obscenities at her, and I remember a couple sitting behind me telling me that I was now more disruptive than the water buffalo had ever been, and I remember walking down the aisle after the movie had ended and hearing another moviegoer say "Where's the guy that went psycho?" I also remember the water buffalo quietly shuffling out of the theater afterwards. I think clam chowder and darkness were the sources of her strength, without them she was a meek, fearful creature.

Did I "go psycho?" I think that's a rather uncreative way of putting it - I like to think of myself as a warrior. Sure, I embarrassed myself and made the situation a lot worse for everyone than it had to be, but in doing so the buffalo was slain. So fuck you, chowderbeast, I'm a champ and you eat seafood from a giant bucket.

Facebook is like Prison...

2011-01-04T10:37:00.001-08:00

Twitter Spelling Test

2011-01-04T10:21:00.001-08:00

Created by Oatmeal

Manila Trip

2010-12-28T13:44:00.001-08:00

These are some pictures Anthony took on his trip to Manila.

My trip got off to a rough start. Halfway to Japan from Los Angeles there was a medical emergency which required the plane to turn around. We landed in Seattle and got the passenger off the plane. In process of refueling and restocking the plane, they missed the NRT airport curfew and everybody had to stay the night in Seattle. Good thing I left two days early!!

Passengers waiting on the plane in Seattle

In-flight meal

Flying over the long tail of Alaska

Seattle Hotel

Tokyo sunset with Mount Fuji in the distance

He got to stay at the swanky Shangri-La hotel. It is a very nice hotel.

He had a great view from his hotel room of Manila.

That mall was HUGE!!!

Lots of scooters in Manila

Bootleg DVDs anybody?

His typical 'Brinner' (since his dinner was technically morning for them)consisted of waffles, french toast, fruit, and sushi. Oh, and a chocolate doughnut. He sure eats healthy when on the road.

The call center had a sign welcoming him and his boss.

Some of the products were a little strange over there...

The ceiling in Manila airport

Irene pretty much passed out the second she got on the plane

Irene is a VERY frequent flier, so they hung out in the crown room in Tokyo for awhile.

It was a really fun trip. 2 hours to LA, 4.5 hours out of LA and about 3 hours back to Seattle, about 14 hours from Seattle to Tokyo and about 4 hours to Manila pretty much was the worst 27 hours in a plane of my life, but that's life in the fast lane. I'm not looking forward to my next flight over there, but I will look forward to the time I get to spend in Manila. I'll be happy to just jet set around the US for the time being though... Too much time in the plane makes Anthony a grumpy boy.

Eye Direction and Lying

2010-12-21T15:45:00.000-08:00

Eye Direction and Lying

Eye Movement and Direction & How it Can Reveal Truth or Lies

This is a continuation of our previous article " Detecting Lies". Many comments by our visitors have asked about how eye direction can indicate the presence of a lie.

So can the direction a person's eyes reveal whether or not they are making a truthful statement? Short answer: sort of. But, it isn't as simple as some recent television shows or movies make it seem. In these shows a detective will deduce if a person is being untruthful simply because they looked to the left or right while making a statement.

In reality, it would be foolish to make such a snap judgment without further investigation... but the technique does have some merit. So, here it is... read, ponder and test it on your friends and family to see how reliable it is for yourself.

Visual Accessing Cues

The first time "Visual Accessing Cues" were discussed (at least to my knowledge), was by Richard Bandler and John Grinder in their book "Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) " From their experiments this is what they found:

When asked a question a "normally organized" right-handed person looks (from your viewpoint, looking at them):

Up and to the Left
Indicates: Visually Constructed Images (Vc)
If you asked someone to "Imagine a purple buffalo", this would be the direction their eyes moved in while thinking about the question as they "Visually Constructed" a purple buffalo in their mind.

Up and to the Right
Indicates: Visually Remembered Images (Vr)
If you asked someone to "What color was the first house you lived in?", this would be the direction their eyes moved in while thinking about the question as they "Visually Remembered" the color of their childhood home.

To the Left
Indicates: Auditory Constructed (Ac)
If you asked someone to "Try and create the highest the sound of the pitch possible in your head", this would be the direction their eyes moved in while thinking about the question as they "Auditorily Constructed" this this sound that they have never heard of.

To the Right
Indicates: Auditory Remembered (Ar)
If you asked someone to "Remember what their mother's voice sounds like ", this would be the direction their eyes moved in while thinking about the question as they "Auditorily Remembered " this sound.

Down and to the Left
Indicates: Feeling / Kinesthetic (F)
If you asked someone to "Can you remember the smell of a campfire? ", this would be the direction their eyes moved in while thinking about the question as they used recalled a smell, feeling, or taste.

Down and To the Right
Indicates: Internal Dialog (Ai)
This is the direction of someone eyes as they "talk to themselves".

The Gist of it...

How this information is used to detect lies:

Example: Let's say your child asks you for a cookie, and you ask: "Well, what did your mother say?" As they reply "Mom said... yes.", they look to the left. This would indicate a made up answer as their eyes are showing a "constructed image or sound. Looking to the right would indicated a "remembered" voice or image, and thus would be telling the truth.

Final Notes:

*** Looking straight ahead or with eyes that are defocused/unmoving is also considered a sign of visual accessing.

*** A typical left-handed person would have the opposite meanings for their eye-directions.

*** As with other signs of lying, you should first establish and understand a persons base-behavior before concluding they are lying by the direction of their eyes.

*** Many critics believe the above is a bunch of bull***t. In my own experiments I have found these techniques to be more true than not. But, why not find out for yourself? Make up a list of questions that like the sample ones, and give them to your friends/family anyone who would be your guinea pig, observe their eye movements and record the results.

*** This guide is hardly in-depth, I recommend getting the book "Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming" by Richard Bandler and John Grinder for a more thorough explanation if the subject interests you.

High resolution camera shot

2010-12-20T15:15:00.001-08:00



6. OMG!!!! LOL!!

Truer words were never spoken!

2010-12-20T14:12:00.001-08:00

I read this recently in regards to the new security measures at the airports. It has gotten ridiculous how much security there is, and yet how NOT secure they are making us. Anyway, this is absolutely an awesome analogy. Just substitute the violent relationship with the treatment our government is subjecting us to. It actually makes me ashamed to be an American sometimes...

Right now we are a woman getting beaten by her husband/boyfriend. We can throw a fit and leave or call the cops and the violence will end. Or we can say, as so many do, ‘he isn’t really this bad, he did it for my own good, I did something I shouldn’t have, etc’. And the beatings will continue and get worse and her quality of life and confidence will degrade into nothingness. She will get used to the beatings and take them as the new normal.

Many people look at women in abusive relationships and say, ‘how did that happen, why does she stay?’ The answer is because she didn’t put her foot down when it started.

I love random facts...

2010-12-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

barbies' full name is barbara millicent roberts
in 18 months 2 rats can have more than 2 million descendents
the name wendy was made up for the book peter pan
the most common name in the world is mohammed
american cars honk in the tune of F
every time you lick a stamp you consume 1/10 of a calorie
101 dalmations, peter pan lady and the tramp and mulan are the only disney movies where both parents are present & dont die through the movie
stewardesses is the longest word that can be typed with your left hand
to escape the grip of a crocodile push your thumbs in its eye sockets- it will let go instantly
reindeer like to eat bananas
the word samba means 'to rub navels together'
no words in the english language rhyme with the words puple silver orange and month
the electric chair was invented by a dentist

The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin during World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.
every continent starts with the same letter it ends with
the strongest muscle in your body is the tongue
typewriter is the longest word that can be made on one line of a keyboard
honey doesnt spoil
crocodiles cant stick out their tongues
snails can sleep for 3 years
dolphins sleep with one eye closed and one open

American Airlines saved $40000 in 1987 by eliminating 1 olive from each salad served in 1stclass.
an ant always falls over on its right side when intoxicated
bubble wrap was first invented as a plastic wallpaper in the 50's
the average persons left hand does 56 percent of the typing
The microwave was invented after a researcher walked by a radar tube and a chocolate bar melted in his pocket.
The sentence: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter of the alphabet.
tigers have striped skin, not just fur
a dime had 118 riges around its edge
a cat has 32 muscles in its ear
a goldfish has a memory span of three seconds
a shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes
butterflies taste with their feet
almonds are a member of the peach family
an ostrichs eye is larger than its brain
apples are more efficient at waking you up than coffee
when you sneez all bodily functions stop-including your heart
40000 americans are injured by toilets each year
if color wasnt added to coco cola it would be green
James Bonds wife was named Theresa
in the 17, 677 words Shakespeare used in his plays, over 1700 of them were invented by him, including bump, eyeball, and assassin
a rat can last longer than a camel without water
the little dot in the letter i is called a tittle
on average, 12 babies will be given to the wrong parents daily
donald duck comics were banned from finland because he doesnt wear pants
If a person places one drop of liqor on a scorpian it will instanly go mad an sting itself to death
by raising your legs slowly and lying on your back, you cannot sink in quicksand
chewing gum while cutting onions will keep you from crying
sherlock holmes never said 'elementary my dear watson'
the guiness book of world records holds the record of being the book most stolen from public libraries
the glue on israeli postage is certified kosher
bats always turn left when exiting a cave
all polar bears are left handed
a chameleons tongue is twice the length of its body
a cat cannot move its jaw sideways
ants never sleep
flamingos are not naturally pink-they get their color from their food
the brain cannot process the word of
the Bible doesnt say there were 3 wise men, only 3 gifts
there are 293 ways to make change for a dollar
the man who invented the toilet had the last name of Crapper. hence, the toilet was called the crapper.
eating a poppy seed bagel before a drug test will makeyou test positive for the usage of opium(i wonder who was positivly tested first, poor guy,)
money is made out of cotton
a raisin dropped in a glass of fresh champagne will bounce up and down continually
a ducks quack doesnt echo
40% of Mc donalds profit come from happy meals
315 entries in the 1996 websters dictionary were spelled wrong
most lipstick contains fish scales
leonardo da Vinci could write with one hand and draw with the other at the same time
there are no clocks in las vegas gambling casinos
Da vinci also invented scissors, and it took him 10 years to paint Mona Lisas lips
camels have 3 sets of eyelids
Uses for WD-40(my bro would b proud)-takes crayon off walls, fire ant bites,and attracts fish
every day
more money is printed for monopoly than in the us treasury
men can read smaller print than women, but women can hear better

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: Spades - King David, Hearts - Charlemagne, Clubs - Alexander the Great, Diamonds - Julius Caesar
only two people actually signed the Declaration of Independance on July 4th 1776. most of them signed August 2nd but the last signature wasnt added til 5 years later
the liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma
marilyn monroe had 6 toes
walt disney was afraid of mice
turtles can breathe through their butts
its almost impossible to lick your elbow
75% of people who read the above statement will try to lick their elbow
a shrimps heart is in their head
if you sneeze too hard you can fracture a knee,
if you hold in a sneeze, you can pop blood vessels in you head neck and die, if you force your eyes to stay open while you sneeze your eyes can pop out
rats and horses cannot hurl
If the government has no knowledge of aliens, then why does Title 14, Section 1211 of the Code of Federal Regulations, implemented on July 16, 1969, make it illegal for U.S. citizens to have any contact with extraterrestrials or their vehicles?
23% of all photocopying faults worldwide are caused by people sittng on them and copying their buttocks
If 1% of a hurricanes energy could be harnessed, it would supply the US with energy for a year
about 100 people choke on ballpoint pens every year
elephants cant jump
the longest word in th english language is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.
The only other word with the same number of letters is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses, its plural form

The longest place-name still in use is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturi-

pukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwenuakitnatahu, a New Zealand hill.
donald ducks middle name is flauntleroy

The only 15 letter word that can be spelled without repeating a letter is uncopyrightable.
mosquito repellents dont repel. they hide you so that a mosquito cannot sense youre there
donkeys kill more people than plane crashes
1 out of every 4 americans has been on television
the plastic things on the end of your shoelaces are called aglets
adolf hitlers mother was seriously considering an abortion but was talked out of it by a doctor
to carry the concentrate of coke, trucks have to have a sign on their truck indicationg a highly corrosive material is being carried
\because coke can dissolve a nail in 4 days.
u burn more calories sleeping than watching TV
the sound of E.T. walking was made by someone squishing their hands in jelly
women can smell better than men(in more than one way, thank you.)
barbies measurements if she was life sized-39-23-33
rubber bands last longer when refrigerated
the national anthem (of greece)has 158 verses.
two thirds off the worlds eggplant is grown in new jersey

The "save" icon on Microsoft Word shows a floppy disk, with the shutter on backwards.
emus and kangaroos cannot walk backwards, which is why they are on the austalian coat of arms
cats have over 100 vocal sounds while dogs have 10
pinnochio is italian for pine head
camels milk does not curdle
the US has never lost a war in which mules were used
Blueberry jelly bellies were created for ronald reagan
goldfish have a memory span of three seconds
all porcupines float in water
cats urine glows under a blacklight
non dairy creamer is flammable
debra winger was the voice of ET
pearls dissolve in vinegar
10% of the russian gov'ts income comes from the selling of vodka
the highest point in pennsylvania is lower than the lowest point in colorado
The nursery rhyme Ring Around the Rosey is a rhyme about the bubonic plague. Infected people with the plague would get red circular sores (Ring around the Rosey...). These sores would smell very bad so people would hide flowers on their bodies in an attempt to mask the smell ("pocket full of posies..."). People who died from the plague would be burned to reduce the spread of the disease ("ashes, ashes, we all fall down").
a shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes

Los Angeles's full name is "El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula". And can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its size, "L.A."
The combination "ough" can be pronounced in nine different ways. The following sentence contains them all: "A rough-coated, dough-faced, thoughtful ploughman strode through the streets of Scarborough; after falling into a slough, he coughed and hiccoughed."
The verb "cleave" is the only English word with two synonyms which are antonyms of each other: adhere and separate.

And just to continue the Apple hatefest...

2010-11-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

True true true!!!

2010-11-08T12:43:00.001-08:00

Two sites... appbucket.net and applanet.net. Two very valuable resources for Android users.

Hacking the G2

2010-10-28T11:44:00.001-07:00

The Tmobile G2 is a fantastic phone. I'm a huge fan of the Android operating system and this phone is a huge help! There are a couple tips I want to share which are ridiculously helpful.

Tip 1: Get the Applanet.net app on your phone. This is the free market which allows you to download paid apps for FREE on your phone!

Tip 2: Get an account with Appbucket.net! This is another free market, but with a twist. You download them to your computer and then transfer them to your phone. Actually more stable and faster than Applanet, but just not as convenient.

Tip 3: Do a temporary root on your phone by searching in the Android Market for Visionary. This will do a temp root which will need to be done each time you reboot your phone. Not a big deal. (edit: Check out the xda-developers.com forums for the Permenant Root solutions)

Tip 3: Follow these steps to turn your phone into a wireless hotspot!

1> Root your phone with visionary from the app store

2> go to http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list?can=2&q=NexusOne and download the latest update to the application

3> Copy it to your G2's sd card

4> Go to your Files application, and run the apk for the wireless tether

Tip 4: BE AWESOME!

jailbreak your iPad!!

2010-10-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

This is by far the fastest and easiest way to jailbreak your iPad. Follow the steps in this video to the letter and you will have a whole other experience with your iPad! It is incredible!!

Why should you jailbreak? Let me just give you some reasons. Actually, let me have someone else give you 16 of them.

CLICK HERE

If you want that kind of functionality, then take the few minutes it will be to jailbreak your iPad and open a whole new world of apps and freedom on your device. Just the ability to move more than one icon around and to be able to run apps in the background is worth it!! I can play games while listening to Pandora at the same time now! It is amazing!

NOTE: DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR IPAD IN NOVEMBER WHEN 4.0.1 COMES OUT! It will reverse your jailbreak and your iPad will be actually worse off. There is no reason to upgrade when you do this. Refuse any future upgrades unless you want to undo your jailbreak. There is currently no way of going back to what you have now if you upgrade.

There is lots of research to be done online which will help you understand how to get access to things like the free itunes store, moving multiple icons around, running multiple apps at once, and so much more. Do your research. Google is your friend. I'm not a pro, so don't ask me how to do it. I have learned everything I know about this stuff from Google searches.

Just to give you a helpful start, check this one out. :)

AppSync and Installous for iPad (free itunes market)

Here is a helpful post from one of my favorite Blogs, Gizmodo.

If you're convinced that the walls surrounding the iPhone OS garden are a little too high, jailbreaking is your ticket to freedom. Here's how to bust your iPad out, and why you might want to do so.

How easy is it to jailbreak my iPad?
Stupid easy. The Spirit jailbreak is literally a one click process. Just sync your iPad to make sure everything on your computer is up-to-date, download the Spirit jailbreak application for Mac or Windows, and follow the instructions. In fact, what's most important during the install process is what you shouldn't do, which is to say, pretty much anything. Don't try to fool around with your iPad or iTunes and definitely don't unplug the device while the jailbreak is taking place. Just let Spirit do its thing and you should be fine.

What can a jailbroken iPad do?
First and foremost, multitasking! Backgrounder, an iPhone jailbreak favorite, works beautifully the iPad, allowing you to finally realize that elusive dream of browsing the web to a Pandora-provided soundtrack.

The vast majority of things, on the other hand, don't work as beautifully. Task switchers like ProSwitcher and Kirikae are a no-go so far, though their developers are working on updates that'll work with the iPad.

Basically, the consensus is that it's best to only install apps that have been specifically updated for the iPad. The rest, at best, will half-work and at worst could cause some serious problems. It's likely that Cydia—which itself has a new and improved, iPad-friendly interface—will eventually be full of apps that work swimmingly on the iPad, including pretty much all of the things you know and love on your jailbroken iPhone.

In the meantime, MacStories has a continually updating post of which popular jailbreak apps work on the iPad and which don't, and there's a similar thread on iPadForums in which courageous iPad jailbreak trailblazers are reporting their various successes and failures. Both of these are definitely worth consulting if you take the leap.

What is Cydia?
Cydia is jailbreak HQ, the unofficial app store that gives you access to all of the goodies Apple doesn't allow. After you jailbreak, Cydia will show up as an app like any other, and from there you can download and install Backgrounder and the rest.

Is this going to destroy my iPad?
Probably not. If you stick to Cydia apps that have been updated for use with the iPad, you should be fine. But things are definitely still rough around the edges, and if you just start installing stuff from Cydia willy-nilly, you could seriously mess things up. Stray too far form the beaten path and you might find yourself in a situation in which a factory restore is required, and though there haven't been any reports of it so far, there's always the outside chance that you might brick your iPad altogether.

It's also important to keep in mind that no one is sure how this will work with future upgrades, and once Apple starts trying to patch the holes that make this jailbreak possible, things could get very sticky. So, as always with these sorts of things, proceed with caution, and saving your SHSH blobs is always a good idea.

Things are definitely still rough around the edges, so while the process is easy enough, jailbreaking's still not for the squeamish.

Does this void my iPad's warranty?
Yes. When you jailbreak, you're going off the grid. Apple Store Geniuses, usually a chipper, enthusiastic bunch, will regard your jailbroken device with icy indifference. Of course, restoring your iPad to the original, factory settings should get things back to normal, without anyone ever knowing of your shameful jailbreak secret.

If I jailbreak can I download App Store apps for free?
Yes. Not that we condone this—and I'm not being coy, we really don't—but jailbreaking will let you circumvent the App Store and install many popular apps and games for free. We're not going to get into the specifics here, but if you search around you should be able to get the gist of it.

Will jailbreaking affect my App Store apps?
Nope. You can still use your old apps from the App Store, buy new ones, and sync them to your computer just like normal.

What does it mean that this is an "untethered" jailbreak?
Basically that you don't have to have your iPad plugged in to your computer—or "tethered"—every time you start it up. That's a good thing!

Oh no my iPad looks all crazy and the dock is tiny in the bottom-left corner! What do I do?
This is a known bug with some Cydia apps, like SBSettings. Just "respring"—either in the SBSettings menu or by restarting your iPad—and things should pop back to normal.

OK, that was exciting, but how do I get my old iPad back?
Restoring your iPad to factory settings in iTunes will remove all traces of jailbreaking activity and let you resume your tranquil existence inside Apple's walled garden. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

And remember, be careful! Jailbreaking is unsupported and something that's very new to the iPad. If in doubt about a particular Cydia app, err on the side of caution. You're better safe than sorry, really.

What am I?

2010-10-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

I am for the death penalty. I'm not entirely sure where I sit on abortion. I agree that it should be an option, I just don't like that it is used as birth control. I'm against tax credits to the wealthy. I'm for the legalization of marijuana. I'm against gay marriage. I'm against the war in the Middle East, but I'm patriotic and support our troops. I've never collected unemployment. I've never collected welfare. I don't have a 'baby's mamma' anywhere. I used to be a smoker, but if I see you smoking within 50 feet of a public entrance then you are going to hear about it. I'm against gun control, but will never own a gun. I've never watched a football game in my life, but would love to go if my son was playing. I can't stand country music, but have owned boots and a hat. I don't believe it is right that a man can serve in a war and shoot people for a living and die for his country before he is old enough to buy beer in the US. I'm a Christian, but can also speak intelligently about the beliefs of half a dozen other religions and agree with many of them. I would kill and die for my beliefs, but I really can't say there is one organized religion out there that would support me in all of them. I got married before I had kids and won't ever be married to anyone else. I'm comfortable with monogamy and believe children should be raised by two parents. I chew sunflower seeds, would main vein cherry coke if I could, eat sugar by the bucket, could live on Tootsie Rolls and nachos, and believe Taco Bell is one of the food groups. I don't vote. I don't read the paper. I'm not on Facebook. I don't forward chain emails. I may already be a millionaire. I'm the lost heir to the deposed king of Nigeria. I believe my sons should grow up to be men and my daughter should grow up to be single and innocent her entire life lest somebody hurts her and I'm forced to do something against the Geneva Convention. If I was in charge then I would round up everybody with an accent and have them prove they have a right to be in my country. I would pull the troops out of Iraq and post them along the border with instructions to shoot to kill. I would deputize all law enforcement personnel as immigration agents.

So my question is... what am I? Am I a democrat? A republican? Liberal or conservative? I would die for my beliefs in these things and would never support someone who didn't feel the same way. How could I vote for someone who believe in what I oppose even if we were on the same page in certain areas? It it really about picking the least of the evils? Would you put someone into office who would take away what you value most while fighting for your right to value them? My political views are a conundrum.

I only wrote this to think out loud. Someone baited me into talking politics today and they were clearly passionate about being political. My blase attitude about voting and getting involved in the community offended him on some level. I just honestly believe that no political figure is at all interested in me and my needs. I'm a minority among minorities. I'm a married, straight, middle class, white male who actually cares about my credit score. I pay my bills on time. I've never missed a mortgage payment. I'm not in debt. My vehicles are fuel efficient and funtional. My house is clean and not infested with whatever bugs or disease filthy houses have. I mow my lawn and pull my weeds. I don't rely on the government to solve my problems, because frankly... I don't think they are capable of solving anything. I believe America is a terrorist country based on actions we have taken abroad. We invade and force our beliefs on others and I will not support politicians who endorse that kind of thing, even though I support our troops who have to fight. I have no idea where I would fit in the political definitions people like to attach to their beliefs, but I can say that I don't agree with anybody. I'm happy being independent in my beliefs and thoughts. The next person who wants to get in a political debate with me is going to get punched in the throat or worse.

God bless America. The king is dead. Long live the king.

I wouldn't be surprised...

2010-10-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

This is more than likely the absolute future of technology. However, I don't think it will take till 2014 before it is reality. It will probably happen by 2012.

Awesome Video!!

2010-06-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

scary...

2010-05-24T14:03:00.001-07:00

This isn't even new. Videos of this guy have been circulating for nearly five years!

Parker's new bike

2010-05-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

My 2 year old is in love with my bike. I got him something for his birthday that is absolutely perfect and I thought I'd pass it on to you guys. I found a little bike at ToysRUs that he looked really cute on, but it was a weak sauce 6v bike and I knew he would out grow it in about a month. So I went online looking for something better. I found this guy selling on eBay and bought a bike just to see how the quality was.

He shipped it super quick by FedEx. He is in the Dallas area and I'm in Salt Lake. I put the order in on Monday and the bike arrived on Thursday. Assembly was a piece of cake and I put my other two kids to work testing it out before I let my youngest see it.

It was definitely a winner! It is a 12v bike and can hold 90 pounds. My 6 year old and 4 year old were just about as much as it could take. Going uphill wasn't making it very happy, but on a level grade it buzzed around with both of them without a problem.

So I went back to his store on ebay and looked at what else he had. I knew I wasn't going to get away with just having one of them, so I bought two others so everybody had one. My daughter has the red one and I got one that looks more like my bike for my youngest. Since I wanted them all to have something a little different, I got one with raked out forks for my 6 year old. Now I've got a little biker gang terrorizing the neighborhood.

They have training wheels on them, so you don't have to worry about them dropping the bike. Well, you don't have to worry as long as they don't decide to take it off road and then stop on a precarious angle. lol

You have to admit those are pretty sweet! I sent the pictures to the guy and told him I got a lot of questions about where I got them as we drove around the neighborhood. He as a store that isn't ebay if anybody wants to check them out. www.motorcycles4kids.com. The ebay store seems to have a little lower prices since they include shipping there. You can use MY-10%-354 as a discount code on his store if you want to order there, or you can go to his ebay store here if you want to order there.

I'm not affiliated with him nor am I getting anything to promote him or anything like that. I just thought they were awesome bikes that were really inexpensive and my kids love them. If you have kids who are into your bikes like mine are, then I thought you might want to look into it.

Just imagine...

2010-04-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

I just want to say that I invented this conceptually three years ago in a training class at American Express. I'm not the first to have thought of it either. I'm so glad that this is something that someone may actually be perusing the actual production of! I believe this will be a common card before the middle of this decade.

LOVE IT!!

2010-04-20T11:50:00.001-07:00

Nicholas Sparks is not a writer!!

2010-04-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

Nicholas Sparks stated that he has no contemporaries. No one else does what he does. He writes unpredictable love stories, not trashy run-of-the-mill romance novels like Shakespeare.

Nicholas Sparks is an author who churns out about one romance novel a year.
All of these books are almost immediately made into movies.
All of these books are the same book.

In a recent interview with USA Today, Nicholas Sparks criticized Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, and romance novelists in general for essentially writing the same story over and over:

"(Romances) are all essentially the same story: You've got a woman, she's down on her luck, she meets the handsome stranger who falls desperately in love with her, but he's got these quirks, she must change him, and they have their conflicts, and then they end up happily ever after."

But he claims that he is not a romance novelist. He is a fiction writer who writes love stories.

"You read a romance because you know what to expect. You read a love story because you don't know what to expect."

Really Nicholas Sparks? Really?

A Walk to Remember

Landon, a rebellious high school student, meets Jamie, the booksmart daughter of a pastor. At first, they have a rocky friendship because they are from different worlds. Jamie offers to help Landon learn lines for a school play if he promises to not fall in love with her. They grow close, but Jamie repeatedly rejects him. Jamie's father does not approve of the relationship.

Then tragedy strikes. Jamie tells Landon that she has Leukemia and is dying and therefore they cannot be together. Landon is forced to reconcile with his estranged father, a doctor who sets up treatment for Jamie. Despite the tragedy, Jamie and Landon continue to grow deeper in love.

They get married and a few months later, Jamie dies.

The Notebook

Noah, a local country boy, falls in love with young heiress, Allie. Since...they are from different worlds, she...repeatedly rejects him. Allie's parents...do not approve of the relationship, which eventually causes them to reluctantly break up. Allie regrets breaking up with him.

Noah writes to her letters every day and she never responds. Noah goes off to fight in World War II and Allie meets another man and gets engaged. Noah comes back from war and meets up with Allie, who tells him that she is engaged. Allie asks why he never wrote her. They make love. The next day, Allie's mother gives her all 365 letters Noah wrote, which she had been hiding from her. She tells Allie that her fiancee knows about Noah. Allie chooses Noah.

Fast forward to the future, and it is discovered that Allie has Alzheimer's and can't remember Noah or her life story. Noah reads from a notebook that contains the above story. That day, Allie miraculously remembers Noah. The next morning, they both wake up in bed together in each other's embrace. Dead.

Nights in Rodanthe

Paul, a surgeon, meets Adrienne at a bed and breakfast in Rodanthe, North Carolina. They fall in love. Paul then goes to South America to...Hold on. Something's not right here. Neve rmind. Paul goes to South America to...reconcile with his estranged son, who is a doctor treating local villagers. Paul helps his son treat the villagers. Paul continues to write letters to Adrienne and their love grows.

Then tragedy strikes. Paul is killed in a South American mudslide.

But, Paul's son thanks Adrienne for changing his father and allowing them to reconcile. Because Paul is dead.

Dear John

John, a simple soldier in the Army, falls in love with sophisticated college student, Savannah, while on leave. They grow closer until John must return to the Army. John must choose to stay in the Army, or be with Savannah. He chooses to stay in the Army. John and Savannah write letters back and forth, but eventually drift apart. Savannah gets engaged while John is in the Army...Wait. Hold on. I think this is the wrong book. I think this is the summary for...No, I'm sorry. I guess it is Dear John. Sorry. Anyway, John comes back from war to spend time with his estranged father, who had a heart attack. John and his father were never close, but they...reconcile shortly before John's father dies. Hold on again. Sorry, this is might be Nights in Rodanthe. No, sorry again. This is from Dear John. So, then John goes to visit Savannah.

Then tragedy strikes. Savannah tells John that her husband has cancer. Wait. What the fuck is going on here? Sorry. I guess this is getting confusing. So, John sells his father's prized coin collection to pay the medical bills and goes back to war.

Savannah's husband dies.

Last Song

The question of which estranged parent the main character reconciles with is immediately apparent in the first chapter of the book when you find out that the main character gets along with her mom. The only question remains is who will get cancer and die. Ronnie, the main character, and her little brother Jonah are reluctantly spending the summer with their estranged father. Ronnie meets Will at the beach and they fall in love. Will is from a wealthy and powerful family. Their romance blossoms. But Will's parents...do not approve. Despite that, their romance continues. Ronnie's friend reconciles with her mother. So now side characters are reconciling with their parents too, I guess. That's different, so we'll give him that.

Then tragedy strikes. Ronnie's dad is diagnosed with (wait for it...) cancer and is dying. Seriously, it's like this guy only know one possible bad thing that could happen to people. No one gets laid off or diagnosed with a lumbar strain. Fuck this guy.

At the end of the summer, Ronnie decides to stay with her father to reconcile with him. She finishes a piano composition that her father had been working on. Her father dies. She asks her mother to send her letters that her father wrote her, but that she never got a chance to read. Holy fucking shit. He's got to be doing that on purpose. It doesn't even make any sense. No one even uses the mail any more. It's like this guy spent every day of his childhood reconciling with his parents, getting cancer, and writing letters to people that never got read them.

Ronnie moves back to New York and Will transfers colleges to be with her.

So those are all of his movies. So far. There are several hundred permutations left.

"There are no authors in my genre. No one is doing what I do." - Actual quote from Nicholas Sparks. It looks like several thousand people are doing what you do.

It's like if M. Night Shyamalan started every movie with the main character being shot to death by one of the New Kids on the Block and then criticized Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for always making the same movie over and over.

Now that you know what it takes to make a Nicholas Sparks movie, we want you to predict his next big idea. Find a photo of two famous people having an intimate moment (there seems to be a startling number of these), give it a title and post it on our Facebook wall. Here's a sample to get you started:

We'll take the best entries and not only put them in a special album, we'll post them right here in this section!

Nicholas Sparks Fears He Has Become So Popular That He Needs Guard Dogs To Protect Him Submitted by: ninja | Apr 1, 2010

Nicholas Sparks Is Not a Romance Writer, Dammit Submitted by: ninja | Apr 1, 2010 | Source: USA Today

2010-03-21T13:52:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post a couple pictures I took this weekend. It was a nice weekend for polishing the bike and letting the kids take Parker's birthday present out for another test drive before he gets his hands on it.

Oh so true....

2010-03-09T15:14:00.000-08:00

Language warning ahead, but it is exactly how I feel. Exactly.

Chain letter rant...

2010-03-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

I am so sick of chain letter. I've received several over the past week and I'm absolutely sick of them. Why are people obsessed with sending anything that sounds interesting to everybody in their address book? And more importantly, why don't they even take five seconds to verify if it is true?? Here are the chain letters I never want to see again:

- The shit about 'in god we trust' being removed from the new dollar coins. It is right there printed all the way around the edge of the coin, you retards!! Before you forward an email requesting everybody to refuse the coins, you should at least verify that it is true!!

- Anything that says 'we will track this email and reward you for how many times it is passed along' is even more ridiculous than the coin one! It isn't possible to track emails like that!!! IDIOTS! Do you seriously believe everything you read??

- Anything that says "this is the last time or only time it has happened in a thousand years" have to go. That stupid one about the moon being closer than it has ever been is just the worst. Yeah, it is half a micron closer than it was last year. SO FREAKING WHAT?? Geeze people, don't you have anything better to do?

- NEVER send me another "01/01/01 or 01/02/03 or any other emails about dates that will never happen again. DUH FREAKIN DUH!!! Not only do I not care, but I DON'T CARE!!

Can you tell I'm going to be a great anti social recluse someday? I totally am. I hate getting pointless emails. I don't mind funny jokes or funny videos, but these absolutely wrong factual emails are going to drive me insane!! At least check the facts on SNOPES.COM before sending them on. These stupid emails are meant to do only one thing: MAKE YOU LOOK STUPID FOR FORWARDING THEM ON! Don't fall for it! Just delete them!

Bread freshness

2010-03-09T12:40:00.000-08:00

For years people have looked for a way to ensure freshness in their bread purchases from their local grocery store. Squeezing or smelling the loaves is one method you commonly see while shopping. Though your mom might have told you to try these methods, these are not reliable indicators of freshness when it comes to purchasing bread at your grocery store. Have you noticed the twist ties on your bread loaf? No? Take a moment to look. What color twist tie is there? The next time you visit your grocery store, take a look in the bread section. You will notice that the twist ties on the “day old” bread are different from some of the others on the shelf.

Fresh bread is delivered to retail outlets on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Why are bread deliveries not made on most Wednesdays? Most commercial bakeries utilize Wednesdays for “emergency only” deliveries; customer care calls and as a day off for their drivers as they also have Saturday deliveries to make. That means most bakery drivers have a “split” weekend with Wednesdays and Sundays off.

Each day’s delivery has a different colored twist tie associated with it, these are the most common color tie designations:
Monday – Blue
Tuesday – Green
Thursday – Red
Friday – White
Saturday – Yellow
(Notice that the colors were assigned in alphabetical order.)

So, if today was Thursday, you would want to purchase a loaf with a red twist tie - not a white one which was a Friday delivery (almost a week old)! This coding system has been used in the U.S. for over ten years, though some bread companies have created their own color “schemes” for their daily deliveries.

Most bread delivery personnel will tell you all about their company’s coding system should you catch them at your local store. It is a universal way for the both the store management and the re-stocking delivery person to easily pick out the loaves that need to be returned. By streamlining re-stocking and inventory, the delivery person is able to make more stops and move more efficiently. This also gives the company a better response reputation and improved bottom line.

Knowing about your commercial bakery’s coding system helps the everyday consumer to identify fresher bread. You can also buy the “day old” product with a better idea of just how many “days old” it is! The next time you grocery shop – test out this information and take the guessing out of choosing fresh sliced bread.

I would have to agree with all of this...

2010-03-08T10:21:00.001-08:00

My favorite end credits EVER!!

2010-02-19T14:05:00.000-08:00

If you haven't played Portal by Valve then you are missing out on a really fun game that makes you really think. I love it. Just to give you a taste, here is the final battle in the game and the final credits. It is the funniest thing ever!!! You really should take the seven minutes and watch it.

This is the most non-violent game I've ever played. You are the only person in the game. Everything else in the game is robotic or that voice. Actually, I can't say I've ever played a game I've enjoyed more than Portal.

Here is another really funny part. Check this out:

For those of you who dig the techno remix.... this one is awesome!!

Does any of that sound familiar? Well, if you have played Guitar Hero 3 then it would.

Times to use the "F" word

2010-02-18T09:38:00.000-08:00

There have long been documented times in history when it was appropriate to use the 'F' word. Here are a few of them:

There are only eleven times in history where the "F" word has been considered acceptable for use.

They are as follows:

11. "What the @#$% do you mean, we are sinking?"
-- Capt. E.J. Smith of RMS Titanic, 1912

10. "What the @#$% was that?"
-- Mayor Of Hiroshima, 1945

9. "Where did all those @#$%ing Indians come from?"
-- General George Armstrong Custer, 1877

8. "Any @#$%ing idiot could understand that."
-- Albert Einstein, 1938

7. "It @#$%ing does SO look like her!"
-- Pablo Picasso, 1926

6. "How the @#$% did you work that out?"
-- Pythagoras, 126 BC

5. "You want WHAT on the @#$%ing ceiling?"
-- Michelangelo, 1566

4. "Where the @#$% are we?"
-- Amelia Earhart, 1937

3. "Scattered @#$%ing showers, my ass!"
-- Noah, 4314 BC

2. "Aw c'mon--who the @#$% is going to find out?"
-- Bill Clinton, 1998

1. "Geez, I didn't think they'd get this %#*^ing mad."
-- Saddam Hussein, 2006

I would like to present some visual examples of other times the mother of all swear words is appropriate to be uttered.

Why the Phantom Menace Sucks

2010-02-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

You have to watch these. Seriously... Take the time and watch them. This is how low we have sunk in our definition of 'entertainment'. We rave and shout for movies that are absolutely terrible and would have gotten you a big fat F in film school. We are dazzled by special effects and computer wizardry, but when it comes to the actual fundamentals of film making, we just don't give a shit anymore. Watch and learn!