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New Tech - iPhone X

2017-12-25T15:33:00.002-05:00

Just got an iPhone X as a Christmas gift. I didn’t expect it but my iPhone 6 was getting slow and the battery problematic.

I’ve been enjoying the setup and transition of my apps handling most of it manually to do a little housecleaning rather than wholesale transfer.

I can say that I like the new features, the size, and the images provided by the new device.

More to come as I put it through it’s paces with the start of the new work year.

New Blog Installment Theme - Pursuing Architect

2017-12-24T13:00:00.002-05:00

New installment based post category to start the new year and to reinvigorate my writing more regular blog posts.

Parking the idea here for now, more like stopping briefly in the Loading Zone rather than long term parking.

Read "On Writing" for Steven King's thoughts on waiting for the muse to come before just sitting down to write.

Also read "Drive" to discover Dan Pink's approach for self- and other- motivation.

Enjoy!

Dave

Fun flies when you're doing time...

2017-12-24T12:29:00.003-05:00

That was a mis-quote from a prior colleague, I believe from my Superconducting Super Collider days. That would make it over 20 years ago as that was the last place I worked prior to moving to New Jersey. I can't remember the particular persons name, but I do remember him talking about being a guest ice guy at Dallas Stars hockey.

The quote comes to mind since I haven't posted to this blog in over 3 1/2 years. The fact that was when I stopped working in NYC and so lost my train commute time for writing. Since then there has been a lot that has transpired in my work life and life in general.

Those are topics for future blog posts, if I am able to break out time to write, that is.

Being that it is Christmas Eve and New Year's is coming after with it's opportunity for resolutions. We'll see...

Merry Christmas, 2017, and Happy New Year, 2018!

Dave

Visual Project Planning Method using Mindjet and MS Project

2014-12-21T21:52:00.001-05:00

I have developed what I think is a novel approach to do project planning particularly when involving a group of people. Many people balk at being effective during a group planning session when using MS Project as the planning tool. The very nature of it

Decision Analysis - Part 1 - MPG versus gas price

2014-06-27T08:24:00.002-05:00

Gas mileage comparo for my daily commute:

Seems the VW turbo diesel is still in the lead.

Next I will factor in price difference and cost per year.

Car options are:

Diesel: VW passat, VW jetta

Gas: Mazda 3

Electric: Ford Fusion Energi

and base comparison is the VW eos using premium gas (Andy)

Still Rocking the 1st Generation iPad

2014-02-15T10:53:00.001-05:00

Why is that? Because it just works for most of the things I want and need to do with it. Of course I am missing having a camera on this model as you know I like to blog with photos. Yeah, I could blog from my cell phone but don't really like the one I have.

There may soon come time to upgrade my tablet device, particularly in that this one can't be updated to the new OS. Until then, this is my device.

Enjoy the gear you have.

1st Post of 2014 - On Walden Pond

2014-01-01T09:39:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Golf Man

2013-10-10T21:40:00.001-05:00

Basecamp from 37 Signals vs Project Director from Mindjet

2013-08-17T09:40:00.001-05:00

I am going to do an evaluation comparing Basecamp collaboration tool versus the new offering from Mindjet called Project Director. I like the simplicity of Basecamp and have been a user for more than five years but I also like the ability to mindmap in a group setting that MindManager has allowed me equally as long.

Mindmapping is also the basis for the planning approach I have developed called Visual Project Planning Method (VPPM) and that is not well supported in Basecamp since it is more task based rather than project plan based. MindManager's integration with MS Project and other MS applications is also a plus.

I will provide more direct evaluation results in an update to this post. If anyone has something to offer related to this topic please post a response or send a direct email.

Poor Sport or Bad Loser

2013-07-19T06:18:00.001-05:00

I was playing online chess on the train commute this morning. A good game matched against an opponent only two points separating our ranking. We were into the end game and I managed to get a queen against his remaining rook. I then trapped his rook and was ready to finish him off with my queen and king to his lone king.

Rather than take his next move he offered me a draw three times. Since I had the advantage to win I declined each time. Rather than move (I would have been able to check mate in 3-4 moves) he let the time run out. I was awarded the win based on time but this seems like an approach of a poor sport.

He could have resigned or played for a stale mate draw but to offer a draw when you are behind is insulting.

Seems online games see more of that due to anonymity. Any thoughts?

So long

2013-06-21T13:36:00.001-05:00

As in so long between posts. Not so long as in goodbye. January to June. Not that nothing has happened but way too much occurs all the time.

The brief stay at a cabin on a frozen lake in February comes to mind. I need another getaway. Thinking about a driving vacation in a camper van or small RV. Need to do some research for vehicles and route and destinations.

Enjoy whatever getaway comes your way.

Test

2013-01-10T18:18:00.001-05:00

This is a test. Not a quiz or exam kind of test. An action to check if something works. My blogger app for Droid in this case. This is only a test.

Boys and Burgers

2012-04-30T05:47:00.001-05:00

The Cheeseburger Cheeseburger 16 ounce burger challenge accepted and won.

Should have taken photo

2011-11-25T09:45:00.001-05:00

Of Thanksgiving turkey gravy that was perfect color (for a brown). And it taste good too.

Nissan GTR Sighting

2011-11-03T08:07:00.002-05:00

Another sweet ride just under $100K.

Sighted in the Bronx.

Dad and son making pizzas

2011-10-30T21:27:00.002-05:00

At wolf den outing for cub scouts. Had cooking lesson from instructors from Mercer County Community College. Learned about five tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and unami.

Papa Johns better watch out.

A night at the museum

2011-10-18T22:46:00.002-05:00

Linda and I attended a dinner hosted by SunGard at the U of Penn museum of archeology and anthropology where we enjoyed the Egypt artifacts. Almost too cool not to touch.

Golfer

2011-10-17T06:26:00.002-05:00

A pretty good swing but I have to admit that the form is more a baseball swing like his brothers and his father. Whatever gets the ball down the fairway (or over the fence) .

Golf today

2011-10-14T20:37:00.002-05:00

Played golf today at Mercer Oaks East course. Very nice course and I had a good outing. Scored pretty well even with my hybrid baseball/golf swing.

New Phone

2011-09-25T21:30:00.002-05:00

Just got the Droid Bionic to replace my old cell phone and iPhone. Still getting used to it but it seems more powerful even if not as easy to use as the iPhone. What's next? An android tablet to replace my iPad? We'll see.

eReaders

2011-04-19T07:30:00.006-05:00

Having switched from the Kindle reader to the Kindle App for iPhone several years ago, I now find it hard to read on a normal sized page. Even the Kindle App for iPad (shown) presents such a large format I seem to get lost from row to row.

I think the smaller, more focused presentation of sentences and paragraphs on the iPhone screen allows me to read faster and with greater comprehension. I find myself turning pages faster and faster.

I also like the features of the Kindle App including one-touch dictionary, passage highlighting and note digest, and popular highlights from other readers. Text search is also very good. And for ease on the eyes, the use of brightness adjust works well for varying light levels including darkness.

I'm staying with my iPhone as my primary reading device at least for now. Having ny library at my belt at all times is just too good a thing.

New Business Opportunity or New Toy

2011-04-11T14:13:00.001-05:00

Actually, it was justified as a time-saver and indeed, it really moves across the ground.

Vincent was able to learn the operation in about 15 minutes so I may be able to sit on the porch with a glass of lemonade while he does the lawn. Now if I can get him to carry the weedwacker I will have it good.

King of Snow Mountain

2011-02-05T20:30:00.003-05:00

One bright spot for all the snow we've received this year is the fun we've had climbing snow mountains created in shopping center parking lots. If the mountain climbers rate the best by how many peaks over 20,000 feet they have climbed, Vincent and I measure similar stature by how many snow mountains over 20 feet we have climbed. I think the current count may be 5 or 6 but that is no small feat for a little guy.

I know we are in for a climbing expedition when he wants to wear his boots for a trip to Lowes or Wegman's. Keep climbing toward your dreams.

Big winner for speed and Best in Show for design

2011-01-29T20:30:00.002-05:00

Here is the result for the Pack 87 Pine Wood Derby. Vincent came away with two trophies, a modest one for 1st place in speed for his Tiger Cub den, and the one shown for being voted Best in Show for design. I admit I helped him with the speed aspect by polishing the axles and lubricating the wheels with graphite.
But the design was all his as was most of the construction, sanding, and painting. All those aesthetic things that is involved with design. I think he gets that from his mother while I provide the engineering side.
In all a great event for the kiddos executed in a great way by a caring Pack. Hat's off to Pack 87 and congratulations to Vincent!

Before the big race

2011-01-29T12:56:00.002-05:00

Before the big race