6.02.2008
Twitter.com - Surprisingly Useful Tool, Needs Capacity Upgrades Pronto!
Again, I'm late to the party on this one - so no new news in this post. Still, if you have stayed away from it for the same reason I stayed away from it - "That's gotta' be the lamest idea EVER" - then you should drop that thinking and give it a try.
I'm talking, of course (see post title) about Twitter.com. That seemingly ridiculous web service that allows you to post brief status updates about what you are up to, what you are feeling, etc.
I've really had no interest in it, but the uber-geeks over at TWIT were raving about it so I figured I would at least reserve my name. After setting up the account I jumped on Google and ran a couple of quick searches, [Twitter Tips], [Twitter "useful links"], etc. - then added a few recommended newsfeeds, the TWIT guys, Chris Pirillo, DIGG and some other essential stuff to the list of those I'm "Following." Quickly, Twitter proved to be an effective and simple news aggregator. I'm looking forward to see what other nifty uses develop!
One word of concern/caution - Twitter seems to be having some serious capacity issues at present. I'm sure that they have a team of hard-working techs. on the issue and it will be resolved soon. For now, be aware that it might be a little slow to log in to at times and you may get the occasional error page.
I'm talking, of course (see post title) about Twitter.com. That seemingly ridiculous web service that allows you to post brief status updates about what you are up to, what you are feeling, etc.
I've really had no interest in it, but the uber-geeks over at TWIT were raving about it so I figured I would at least reserve my name. After setting up the account I jumped on Google and ran a couple of quick searches, [Twitter Tips], [Twitter "useful links"], etc. - then added a few recommended newsfeeds, the TWIT guys, Chris Pirillo, DIGG and some other essential stuff to the list of those I'm "Following." Quickly, Twitter proved to be an effective and simple news aggregator. I'm looking forward to see what other nifty uses develop!
One word of concern/caution - Twitter seems to be having some serious capacity issues at present. I'm sure that they have a team of hard-working techs. on the issue and it will be resolved soon. For now, be aware that it might be a little slow to log in to at times and you may get the occasional error page.
4.04.2008
This year's tech-challenge-so-my-brain-doesn't-rot
Every year I try to find some little tech. challenge to help keep my brain from rotting away. It has to be something that I encounter every time I sit down at the computer. Previous years have included running the computer without a mouse (a dead mouse and poverty started this entire endeavour...), creating a shorthand for tech. notes and playing around with voice recognition (I think I'll revisit that one next year) .
This year the challenge is to move to a zero-icon desktop interface on all operating systems - particularly Windows XP and Windows Vista. I've found several resources that have been very useful in accomplishing this, especially this post at Wiggins' Curse.
One neat benefit of moving to an empty desktop is that you free up your screens for applications like Yahoo's! Widgets, eperales' FlickrWall and Desktop Earth from CodeFromThe70s. For my XP notebook, which is not continuously connected to the Internet (sigh - I know - but that's just the way it is for now... ;-) I installed the XP Wallpaper Changer and several wallpaper photos from InterfaceLIFT (a really great site from an LLC with a really great name: "L-bow Grease, LLC").
This year the challenge is to move to a zero-icon desktop interface on all operating systems - particularly Windows XP and Windows Vista. I've found several resources that have been very useful in accomplishing this, especially this post at Wiggins' Curse.
One neat benefit of moving to an empty desktop is that you free up your screens for applications like Yahoo's! Widgets, eperales' FlickrWall and Desktop Earth from CodeFromThe70s. For my XP notebook, which is not continuously connected to the Internet (sigh - I know - but that's just the way it is for now... ;-) I installed the XP Wallpaper Changer and several wallpaper photos from InterfaceLIFT (a really great site from an LLC with a really great name: "L-bow Grease, LLC").
4.03.2008
Free Stuff
4.02.2008
Microsoft Surface Headed for AT&T Stores! - via Endgadget
The incredible resource that is Endgadget keeps us apprised on the evolution of Microsoft's Surface and "its long march towards consumerdom."
3.27.2008
Two Great Electricity Technologies That Belong Together
First, you gather the electricity...
...then you use it.
...then you use it.
3.26.2008
Peer into the future (?) of portable computers.
ComputerWorld, "Hello, gorgeous! Meet the laptop you'll use in 2015"
3.24.2008
dailywireless.org » Intel’s WiFi/WiMax Card: $50
3.20.2008
700 MHz Auction Results; Articles and Other Info.
Tech Trader Daily - "Verizon, AT&T Big Winners In 700 MHz Auction; Verizon Wins Much-Discussed C Block; No Spectrum For Google"
Good overview, posted by Eric Savitz .
also...
Link to FCC Auction Results
Washington Post: "FCC Names Winners of Wireless Auction," 03.21.2008
Multichannel News: "Dish Network, Cox Among 700-MHz Auction Winners, 03.20.2008"
Good overview, posted by Eric Savitz .
also...
Link to FCC Auction Results
Washington Post: "FCC Names Winners of Wireless Auction," 03.21.2008
Multichannel News: "Dish Network, Cox Among 700-MHz Auction Winners, 03.20.2008"
1.24.2008
Two Excellent Financial Information Links
A very good friend of mine sent these two links along yesterday. If you aren't familiar with these sites and you are interested in business/financial info., these are excellent sources:
http://www.minyanville.com/
http://www.financialsense.com/Market/wrapup.htm
Thanks Dustin!
http://www.dustindeason.com/
"...your one-stop source for Custom Home Building and Construction services covering Sonoma & Mendocino Counties"
http://www.minyanville.com/
http://www.financialsense.com/Market/wrapup.htm
Thanks Dustin!
http://www.dustindeason.com/
"...your one-stop source for Custom Home Building and Construction services covering Sonoma & Mendocino Counties"
1.04.2008
Google Earth Weather Reports
Ok, I'm probably the only network/computer professional (a.k.a. "geek") I know that didn't know about this yet...but as I know how the end of the year usually is for everybody...did you see this? It's very, very cool!
Make sure to update to the current version of Google Earth: "Help" -> "Check for Updates"
...then read this brief article: http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2007/11/big_layer_update_weather_layers_in.html
Make sure to update to the current version of Google Earth: "Help" -> "Check for Updates"
...then read this brief article: http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2007/11/big_layer_update_weather_layers_in.html
1.02.2008
TechCrunch: Michael Arrington's, "2008: Web 2.0 Companies I Couldn’t Live Without," Jan. 1, 2008
A good bunch of links. I have used most of these tools and agree with his assessments.
Simplythrifty.com - 45 Things You Can Learn Online for Free
Found this via popurls.com to http://del.icio.us to the link above - this morning. Lots of fun links!
11.15.2007
Slate.com: "The Death of E-Mail," Chad Lorenz, 11.14.2007
An interesting article on the evolution of internet-enabled communications...or lack thereof...
11.08.2007
'Tis The Season to Send Catalogs Packing...
It's that time of year again...
The catalogs are arriving at an unnerving pace,
Shoving tons of stuff you don't need in front of your face.
If this is stressing your eco-minded view -
Or you simply have many better things to do,
Then sign up with this site and start sending them packing...
Just think of all the time you'll save not stacking!
http://www.catalogchoice.org/
The catalogs are arriving at an unnerving pace,
Shoving tons of stuff you don't need in front of your face.
If this is stressing your eco-minded view -
Or you simply have many better things to do,
Then sign up with this site and start sending them packing...
Just think of all the time you'll save not stacking!
http://www.catalogchoice.org/
11.05.2007
gPhones...nope... GeeWiz Software?...possibly...
A fun introduction to Android...make sure to watch what the kids see in their magic phones: http://www.openhandsetalliance.com/oha_overview.html
Fun Stuff!
Ah...these are good days to be a Geek. ;-)
Fun Stuff!
Ah...these are good days to be a Geek. ;-)
