Art Graham | Online | Uncensored

Death and Taxes

2012-01-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

January 3rd, 2012. If I pay county property tax today, I get a 3 % discount. Not much, but worth it. I go online to the tax payment web site, and the first page is a login screen. Your property number, Name, or address of property.

Not one for numbers, I typed in my name and clicked search button. After a few moments, I got a "No results Found" message. Impossible. Or was it..

I looked at the billing statement and saw that my name was Last, First. What?
So I tried the backwards combo and was able to access the system.

In my frustration, I sent an email to the tax collector's office this afternoon, stating the problem and potential solutions.

Surprisingly, I got a positive response back this evening. And they are going to fix it. Where is Bugzilla when you need it?

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Hello Mr. Graham,

Thank you for contacting your Constitutional Tax Collector’s office and your suggestion.

The search option field can be clarified in more detail by stating “Enter: Last name First Name”. We appreciate your feedback and will submit the necessary changes.
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One person can make a difference.

Kim Jong Il is dead. Who is next?

2011-12-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

It has been a good year for good over evil as Osama Bin Laden, Gaddafi, and now Kim have left the world without three evil people.

A lot of money was spent in the search and isolate missions on Bin Laden and Gaddafi. Kim was apparently a victim of his own vices, including a substantial cognac bill.

This is a perfect time for countries that are needing to purge archaic dictatorial rule to make a stand, and perhaps get support.

One term I hope not to make it into the dictionary is IED (improvised explosive device).

When do you just move on and let justice prevail?

2011-12-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

From a post this evening "Monday marks the four year anniversary of the brutal murders of a mother and daugher outside Boca Raton's Town Center Mall. Despite hundreds of leads police still have not solved the case". CBS12 NEWS link

While there are murders daily in Palm Beach County, and more recently in Boca Raton, this case haunts the memories of law enforcement and residents.

My home is approximately three blocks north of the scene of the murder. For four years, I have been reminded of this case by the almost daily placement of a Boca Raton Police Department car in the general area of the crime.

Security has been upgraded with cameras everywhere imaginable at the mall, yet the sentinel police cruiser stands guard.

Which brings me to my point. Does anyone think that the original perpetrator or any other criminal with a TV would come near this location to recreate the crime. Also it has been on America's Most Wanted, so even those who watch FOX network have been exposed to the crime.

Four years. The carefree experience of going to the mall shopping marred by the fear that one may be the next victim. I do understand what the local police and TV media are trying to do to revive a cold case, however it is time to let this tragedy be left to the professionals to solve. Not to remind the public of their vulnerability.

I have not mentioned any names out of respect for the family.

Dave Thomas is rolling over in his grave.

2011-10-26T18:53:00.000-07:00

The Wendy's Classic. A burger you could always count on for qualities beyond the Whopper or Big Mac. I get this snazzy direct mail piece to try the NEW Hot and Juicy burger for free (with purchase of small fries and drink).

I haven't had a burger out in weeks, but wanted to give it a try. Drive thru, nah, eat in. I placed my order and got what looked to be fresh squeezed lemonade. My tray was set with the drink and fries, which upon sampling were not up to par. After apologies for the delay on the burger, I asked for fresh fries, which I got from the same batch as the first fries. The lemonade turned out to be a mix, with slices thrown in to fool you.

Now wondering why I got eat in, I sat by myself in the restaurant to overhear the Haitian chatter in the kitchen.

Having already dished the drink and fries, I move on to the main course. The Big n' Juicy. Well It is was a letdown. The texture of the meat was different to increase the size of the patty. The toppings were ok, but the characteristic flavor was gone. I don't know if it was missing mustard or what.

Dave, the corporate minions have done you wrong, and I think it will be the end of Wendy's before long.

ADG

Battle of the Titans - Facebook vs. Google +

2011-10-02T21:26:00.000-07:00

This has been a rough month for the users of social media services. Facebook has introduced a series of updates that completely redefine the experience. Prioritized news feeds, a ticker of superfluous information, and a redesigned profile - "Timeline" that uses algorithms to decide what was important for you on any given day.
There is more, but you have to read up on it yourself.
Google, on the other hand, has let Google + expand in a "viral" fashion. People are joining circles for the sake of finding someone familiar. There is more a sentiment of superiority and conversational facilitation.
In my own social world, I actually know about 20% of my Facebook friends, and about 5% of my Google circle peeps. I am still using both services side by side to see what incremental changes are made to tweak the releases rushed out for the last trade shows.
In my opinion, Facebook and Google should stabilize, document, and let the user communities catch up.

Why I am distancing myself on Facebook

2011-07-15T20:31:00.000-07:00

Hell with toe in the water, I jumped right into Facebook social fantasy park. After almost 3 years, I have come to almost a complete dead stop.

I don't play games or other crap. Messaging and sharing experience is what I enjoy.

Lately, the responses to my posts on both my personal and Signal 7 Media pages have been sluggish. Not because I haven't been trying.

This Google + thing gives me a chance to have a space where i can attach my services that I get from Google. Picasa photo sharing, Google Merchant account, Google Checkout. Google Analytics, Ad Words, Ad Sense, You Tube. I have a massive virtual infrastructure.

There is always a time of transition. I learned a lot from Facebook. Not all good. And not the service, but the people that taint your experience.

For now I will maintain a dual citizenship. But my Facebook friends better buck up or be booted.

A Week of Change in Online Services

2011-07-15T18:01:00.001-07:00

It has been a whirlwind of announcements, with Facebook and Skype and Justin Timberlake buying MySpace.
Then Google announced Plus, their latest social networking effort. Incredibly well received and poised to collect much personal search information, Google + poses a real challenge to Facebook, particularly the disenchanted.

I got a Google + invite Sunday past and spent the day playing with circles and features yet unknown. I am very impressed with what I have experienced.

Then came Klout and Spotify. I had been introduced to Klout by a friend/CEO. I wondered what relevance it would have to me, an unknown participant in several start ups. Well, I found that my activity on Twitter and Facebook had put me in a socially relevant position.

The introduction to the US of the music service Spotify, with "invitation only" access, was the break out of the week. By making a deal with Klout to distribute 100.000 invitations, a scenario was created that caused both web sites to crash due to traffic.

Out of this madness, I got an invite from Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails that was at first refused, then later welcomed me on board. Today I used Klout perks to see if I could get another account. I was surprised when it said due to my profile, I was a "US Spotify Ambassador". Neat. I get access to offers and promos.

So this week in SEO, SEM, SEX took second fiddle to simple collaborative marketing techniques.

Finally, Mashable seems to be distancing itself from Facebook by providing a Google + bar at the top of articles. There are those who thought Mashable to be minions of Facebook.

I've Fallen and I can't get up! Part 1

2011-06-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

We all know the commercial, but do not think that will happen to "me". Unfortunately it did happen to me this week. But I could get up, and be walking the next day.

As a preamble, I have an artificial left hip and have dislocated it 4, now 5 times with minimal cause.

Thursday, June 15 was my daughter's birthday. I was finishing up the day by taking some photos of product in my home studio. After taking a shot, I stepped backwards, and my hip dislocated and I fell into a stack of TV's and landed on the floor.

Disbelief. I did nothing abnormal, but was now sprawled on the floor in agony. Usually, I have my cell phone in my pocket in case something like this might happen. Not today. It was on the kitchen table.

After recovering my composure, I crawled backwards (forwards does not work) from the photo room. I stopped in the kitchen, where I have my Ortho Surgeon's card on the fridge, and crawled back to dining room to get my phone.

First I called the Ortho office, and worked my way through the phone system to get to an assistant who said to call 911 and go to the nearest hospital. But I did not want another ambulance ride, so I told her to call the Dr. and put him in the loop.

Then I called my son, N/A, then my former spouse at work, who had been through this before. She came over, helped me get dressed and drove me to the ER. I hobbled in to the ER on crutches and told the receptionist what my problem was. She looked at me and said .. " and you're walking?"

Come back for part 2.

Who are the next players in technology?

2011-06-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

Recent remarks by Google's CEO have named the players as Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Apple. No mention of Microsoft or Adobe. The mutually adversarial relationships between some of these companies is the thing of legend, some more scurrilous. While those who promote the cloud downplay the longevity of local applications, the scrutinized service level provided by these vendors leaves one to wonder about putting all their eggs in one basket.

Security meets Aesthetics and loses in Boca

2011-03-01T17:50:00.000-08:00

It was a big deal a few weeks ago when burglars broke into the Walgreen's Liquors on St. Andrews Blvd in Boca Raton, Fl. The surveillance video was a big news hit. Boca Police parked a car outside with a camera facing the store for a few weeks. I used it as a backdrop for a holiday card for a few close friends.

So, Walgreen's hires contractors to install protective devices. They put in big doors with an exposed mechanical structure. More appropriate for Home Depot. But it would keep the damn thieves out.

Tonight I find out that the protective devices are going to be removed. There were complaints that this was not acceptable in Boca Raton.

Maybe the fact there is a Mayoral election coming up had something to do with it, as well as condo commandos.

I would err on the side of the burglars and screw the aesthetics. Get real.

Talking to noone in particular

2011-02-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

Yeah, it is fairly quiet my home/office/self imposed exile. I am just coming up on 24 hours without talking to another human being. I have my loyal cats Charlie and Cleo, who do vocalize with me when I talk to them.
But I know that I crossed the line when this afternoon I was talking to them about the new electric meter that I will be getting that allows me to monitor energy use via web.

They didn't get it. Not a squak back. I think I will keep with the simple cat phrases that I have repeated to them over and over for years.

Not to leave anyone out, I also talked to Cardinal, Blue Jay, and Squirrel today. And the fish.

Rules, what Rules - NASCAR starts 2011

2011-02-19T17:07:00.000-08:00

by Art Graham

Spring brings a new season of auto racing, with Daytona hosting the NASCAR season opener. The track has been rebuilt since last year, the cars have had major modifications. Teams were going to have to man up to see if they can compete with these challenges.

There was a practice session a month ago for teams to test what cars they had built, and allow for modifications before bringing them to Daytona for Speedweeks. But alas, the new combination had created a new form of racing, where two cars go faster than one, or three. Speeds were above what was expected by the all.

So what does NASCAR do? Change the rules for air intake to the engine, and water pressure control. What?

If this was football and the teams were scoring too many points, would the NFL make the field longer, or the football heavier? If the first game of baseball season had too many home runs, would the league mandate lighter bats? If too many hockey players were having their heads smashed against the glass, would the league make a soft wall mandatory?

Even with their best intentions, there has been a considerable amount of carnage on the track in all three series running this weekend. I am sure NASCAR says their changes were for the sake of safety, but that has not yet proven itself to be a true measure.

I have enjoyed the finishes of the races, but not the racing and subsequent multi-car crashes. But all fans seem to wait for "the Big One" at Daytona.

Sinus Douche Relief

2011-02-15T20:31:00.000-08:00

I have been having problems with my left sinus, which I already had deviated septum surgery and polyp removal some dozen years ago. For some reason , whether environmental or pathological, my sinus cavity has become a nuisance.

Today I woke up with so discombobulated that I could not function. I tried simple tasks, but I would forget what I was doing in transit.

Unable to maintain this condition, I prepared a Sinus Rinse. Using the Neil Med sinus bottle, I flushed out my sinus cavities. This is not particularly pleasant or comfortable. In one nostril, out the other, as well as down the throat and out of the mouth.

If the procedure is followed properly. you should get some relief after a few minutes.

A couple of hours later, when I was bending over peering into the fridge for dinner, a gusher came out of my upper sinuses. A few paper towels later, it was contained. And again, and again the dribble would come out when I leaned over.

The end result is that I highly recommend sinus rinsing if you have allergy or inflammation.
However, I would put the procedure just above an enema in terms of self humiliation.

If you are unfamiliar with the treatment, visit http://www.neilmed.com/ for info.

Just a night out photo gig. not.

2011-02-14T17:15:00.000-08:00

Through my internet connections, I got invited to a novel event featuring an online radio show, plus other performers. I had not been out for several months, due to various issues. Getting a last minute message on Twitter made me decide to go.

I am a photographer, and do my best to integrate with the staff and performers.

Once the show begins, I am a stalker. Any location, any angle, no posing.

Once I feel the performers are comfortable with me, I move in. The closer the better.

On this evening there were several targets. The customers, performers, and venue. A couple of imported drafts reduce the inhibition, and then the mindset tunes in. Keep moving, upstairs, downstairs, outside. Use the camera as your mutual conduit.

The photo shoot included a variety of social entertainment.

Radio show star, sidekick, musicians, dancing girls, and the interactive audience.

Almost everyone had a personal electronic device and were Tweeting and using Facebook during the entire event. This is a new chapter in social gathering.

NASCAR - A New Season, the Same Champion?

2011-02-12T14:52:00.000-08:00

A new season has started for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with it comes the question of if any team/driver is poised to outlast Hendrick/Jimmie Johnson for the Cup Championship.

NASCAR has done their best to equalize the package of the car, changing fuel, fueling process, front end of cars, and the Shootout point system. Teams have reorganized with different owners, manufacturers, teams, and sponsors. It is blur to try to comprehend all of the changes to a simple sport that requires racing acumen and luck.

Will all of these changes equalize the competition in a manner that gives another driver a chance to dethrone 5 time champion Jimmie Johnson?

The spoiler appears to be Kevin Harvick and RCR Racing. With the fairness of equipment and competition venues, Harvick has been the only driver to show the mettle to take home the Cup.

Information Overload - TILT

2010-11-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

Depending on which tab is up front in Firefox in the morning, my day takes a Facebook or a gmail detour. Outlook is there, too, but hidden. I start absorbing the days stream of facts about the latest press release from the guiding lights of the industry. I read blogs about Twitter being like one drug, and gmail like another and I realize I have succumbed to the whirlwind of social media that I was involved in the evolution in another decade.

Under construction

2010-10-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

I hate to see that when visiting a website, but on my own, that is TFB. I have started building several projects "live," rather than deployed when there is a "build." That way I know what people are interested in before I spend a lot of time developing a dog. Woof!

Blog : the final frontier

2010-10-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

Not really, but I have had blogs and let sleeping blogs lie, but now that I am fabricating a fully endowed media presence, I will have to put maintaining this on my dashboard. Trick or Treat ?