Today I became aware of a WordPress plugin for checking broken links on your website.  I don’t have that many posts, so I didn’t think it was necessary to check for this.

When I installed it, I was amazed to know I had over 15 links which were broken.  Most of the broken links were from the Google and Microsoft sites.  I like the fact the plugin also checks your site on a regular basis and sends an email informing you of broken links.

It is worth your time to install the Broken Link Checker.  If you are interested in other WordPress plugins, here are the Best WordPress Plugins.

If you like Apple products, are interested in Steve Job or are wondering why he always wore the black turtlenecks, you will enjoy this book.

Even though this is a very long book, I enjoyed it. There were some things in the book which I wasn’t as interested in regarding some of the things about his family. But that certainly helped contribute to the person he became.

However, it was very interesting for me to learn:

• about how Apple got started
• how they came up with the name
• the dynamic of the company
• how much of an ass at times Steve was to employees
• how he was kicked out of Apple
• how he started NeXT
• how he got involved in Pixar
• how he came back to Apple as iCEO

and the list goes on and on…

Maybe I am spoiled.  Or maybe over the years  being I have purchased things over the internet from companies like Apple, Amazon, 1-800-Contacts, 1-800-Flowers and dozens of others…they have spoiled me.  I say this because when I order something, normally I get a response within about 10 minutes delivered to my email inbox with a summary of what I have ordered and mention of when the item(s) will be delivered.

Last week I mentioned I got a new PowerBag. Oh was I excited.  I liked everything about the bag and wanted to start using it ASAP.

I had a trip coming up and was worried about the battery which came with the bag.  It was the smallest they had.  I decided to order the biggest they had off of their website (mypowerbag.com).  I ordered the new battery on a Friday morning.  My upcoming trip I was leaving on a Tuesday so I paid extra in order to have my new battery delivered on Monday.

Friday afternoon came.  I did not get an order confirmation.  I sent an email late Friday evening to the company letting them know I didn’t get an order confirmation and I needed the battery by Monday.  Still no response.

I didn’t hear from them on Saturday.

I didn’t hear from them on Sunday.

I called Monday morning. I was on hold over 20 minutes and hung up.

I called back Monday afternoon and finally talked to someone after 10 minutes of being on hold.  The rep told me there is some disclaimer on their site which states it takes 1-3 days for your order to be processed and it was my fault for missing that when I ordered. He went on to  let me know I would get my order on Wednesday (a day after I left for my trip).  I asked for a credit or cash back just for the money I spent to expedite the shipping.  I was told no.

I asked to talk to a supervisor.  He told me the same thing as the service rep.  But the supervisor went on to tell me if I wanted a refund on the shipping I could return the battery altogether (which they would credit me for) and then I could order the battery again with standard shipping.

In my mind this is not at all what is expected in 2012.  I hope mypowerbag.com allows other vendors like Amazon to sell their accessories.  Even though they have a great product (which I really enjoy),  I have a very tough time purchasing more items from them in the future.

A few months ago I had seen a post on Google+ for the technology person who have everything.  I certainly don’t claim to have everything, but I thought the product was a great idea.  It was a power bag, or should I say a backpack which allows you to charge your iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, blue tooth headset or whatever from the bag while you travel.  This was brilliant.

I got one for Christmas.  I have used it a few times on different trips and really like the bag.  I have the Sling, but there are many other options for bags depending on your preferences.  You can find them at mypowerbag.com or on Amazon.

If you pick one up, please let me know how you like it.

I was very excited to read this book by Richard Branson.  I thought this was going to be a very good book based off of  all of the success Richard Branson has accomplished at Virgin in various areas like: music, mobile phones, money, lifestyle, airlines, etc.

Unfortunately I was wrong.

The book was ok, but it wasn’t great.

Sure it had a lot of very good stories about his mum, and his near death experiences traveling by balloon over the ocean, but I was expecting more.  Why I expected more, maybe based off of the title.  I thought after reading this book I would be inspired to “do something.”  I wasn’t.

Yesterday I participated in the Team Ortho Polar Dash.  At some point I would like to do a half marathon, but on this day I completed the 5K.  It wasn’t my fastest 5K time, but it was the first I had run outside in January (in Minnesota).

If you are looking for a race to run, I would strongly recommend any of the Team Ortho events.  They are all very well organized.  They also always have great volunteers helping with the registration, packet pick-up, race day questions and the list goes on and on.

My family and I went to church for Christmas.  During the sermon the pastor asked each one of us to think of our favorite Christmas gift we have received.  Honestly I know my parents gave me some pretty cool gifts as I was growing up, but as I grow older I don’t remember too many of them.

The gift that came to my mind right away was an electric car starter which my wife got for me a few years ago.  I use it daily during the winter (as well as a few times in the summer).  Clifford is the brand I received.  I highly recommend getting one (or giving it as a gift).

What is your favorite Christmas gift?

Photo by amaneb34 on flickr.

Gentlemen – if you need a new suit, shirt or a new pair of jeans I strongly recommend stopping by the Men’s Wearhouse before Tuesday.  The Men’s Wearhouse has been running a “buy one, get one free” sale for the last few weeks.

In the past I have bought quite a few dress shirts and suits at the Men’s Wearhouse, but I recently started buying my premium denim jeans there too.  I really like the Buffalo jeans by David Bitton.  If you take a look at their website you can see what the front and the back of the jeans look like.

Anyway, I digress.  I highly recommend stopping in at the Men’s Wearhouse this weekend.  While there, make sure you sign up for their Perfect Fit program to receive $50 back for every $500 you spend.

Photo by adam8or_2011Failure on Flickr