Solution Spheres

I fixed my iPod!

2007-03-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

No real secret to it. The iPod had bad blocks on it. I knew it did... HD-based iPods are prone to bad blocks because they get tossed around while playing. That head hits the platter and boom-- you got some bad blocks (a bad block is a portion of the drive that can no longer have data written to it).

Anyway, the iPod wasn't really dead. But powering it up got you a Settings menu, nothing more. It had no playlists, but would simply play all the songs in random order. Kinda neat, but not useful.

So I broke out an old TechTool Pro CD, and booted up my ancient G3 iBook with it. I plugged in the iPod, and scanned. Like I said, I knew the surface inside the drive (the little platters) had damage because I did the self-diagnostic scan and it failed. TTP told me I had 8 bad blocks, and recommended I zero out the data. Guess what? TTP had an erase disk function, which allowed me to do just that!

For some reason Apple's own disk utility wasn't doing this trick for me...

Anyway, while I won't rely on the thing, and I'm a little sad I bowed out one side getting it open a while back in an attempt to re-seat the drive, I'm happy it's working. That little 20 GB 4th gen form factor was so nice.

Let's all just change to Zulu time

2007-03-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

I happened to drive the kids to see the grandparents today and caught up on some podcasts. Cnet's Buzz Out Loud had a comment from a listener regarding this time change we're all panicking about. In reference to aviation, he said planes won't fall from the skies because airlines, pilots, the entire system uses ONE time system. Zulu time. It's the Greenwich time standard, kinda like time zero... So what if it'll be wacky for a while? I don't mind going to bed at 7 am!

How to lock up your Intel Mac completely

2007-03-06T14:32:00.000-08:00

I have found a solid, reliable way to crash my Macbook Pro. By "crash" I mean totally, 100% unrecoverable lockup. The mouse moves, but all other signs of life are gone...

1. Launch Word.
2. Connect external monitor.
3. Do stuff for a while.
4. Disconnect external monitor.
5. Use Cmd-Tab to switch to another app.... BAM! You done been frozed up.

This had been vexing me, until I finally caught GeekTool putting the message from the Console (a crash reporter) onto the desktop... apparently Word must be informed of any monitor activity. Once an external is disconnected, it starts to get cranky.

Bug or feature? Did MS put the bug in to intentionally crash my Mac? Let the conspiracy theories begin!

Anwyay, try it, lots of fun. Thank goodness for web-based work (no appreciable loss of data-- just a real PITA).

Fixing health care

2007-02-22T05:34:00.001-08:00

(this is copied from my superpixel blog, but I wanted it here too-- it counts as a Solution!)

One of the coolest bloggers around, Willy Volk, recently said in an interview that he'd blog full-time IF he could still get health insurance. Oh sure, he can get *private* insurance, but we all know how expensive that is (well I do, as I've got friends on it). So my wife and I got to talking last night about this mess... Make no mistake, it IS a mess. Why is your insurance tied to your place of employment? This seems really arbitrary considering how often we all change jobs nowadays. Also, I think it is safe to say many Americans feel shackled by jobs they've taken "just for insurance." And don't forget the upward-spiraling cost of said group coverage...

Well, I can't do much about the increasing costs. That is something that would indeed involve a modicum of reform and government oversight. Personally the idea of a sort of "Federal Trade Board" makes sense-- a body of experts who can evaluate and promote medical solutions objectively. As objectively as possible, anyway. But that isn't something I can speak to, because there are a myriad of reasons for increasing costs, some of which seem blatantly abusive, and some which are subtle in their intricacies.

What I can speak of is using technology to provide coverage for most Americans at an affordable rate, independent of their jobs. Think about that for a moment. If you could buy into affordable group health insurance, yet remain a "free agent," what would that do for our economy? I think a great outpouring of entrepreneurship would occur. We would literally set free the pent-up dreams and ambitions of thousands, if not millions, of Americans who otherwise took jobs for the insurance. It would revitalize the economy, it would make people happier, and it would spur innovation and productivity like the world has never seen. So how do we do it? Technology has the answer!

If there's one thing we've learned about the web, it's that the real power is in connecting dots that would have previously sat isolated. Take ebay, linking up oddball sci-fi toy collectors and grandmas cleaning out dusty garages for over 10 years. Before, geographic proximity was the limiting factor for collectors, but ebay has removed that obstacle. Well, how about doing this for health care? I'm in my 30's, quite healthy, and I lead a "safe" lifestyle... Why not use the power of the interwebs to put me in a similar group for healthcare? It's like LinkedIn for group health-- except you need an intermediary. So you build a website that serves as a nexus for patients seeking group coverage (and matching them up in groups), and doctors looking to serve this clientele. Doctors would finally play a part in the cost equation, as their willingness to take a deep-fried Twinkie-eating smoker aged 40 would really have a cost associated with the risk. The company handling all this would take patient info, evaluate the risk, and assign groups and match up doctors. It's so simple! Why can't there be a Progressive insurance for health?

Now what about fraud? Obviously this could be a problem. Again, technology to the rescue. Develop devices that allow you to monitor vitals and push that info to your provider via the web. An e-checkup? Sure, why not? Or build kiosks to do this. Also, once someone is caught being fraudulent (like saying they don't smoke but winding up with emphysema a week) you just cut them off. Fraud would not be tolerated, just like car insurance or at a bank. I already monitor my heart rate when I jog-- I'd be happy to pass this along to my doc.

So that's it-- affordable medical coverage for most Americans is within reach. We still need some reforms, we still need some government oversight, but just handing the keys to the Feds, if history proves anything, would be a disaster. Keep it private, but keep it quality. You only buy what you need, and insurance would finally have to make real decisions for the betterment of their customers. I think it's a win/win/win for patients, doctors and the insurance companies. Never mind the aforementioned surge in productivity (and reduction in stress) we'd see in the country as a whole.

Llamapod is dead!

2007-02-21T17:23:00.000-08:00

We'll be closing in a week.

In other news, this blog is officially closed.

ZOMG TEH INTERNETS!

Take a chance on the little guy...

2006-09-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

You know, Apple was once an upstart. Then again, they had to rebuild from almost nothing. What a long journey...
And so it has been for the family business-- Llamapod.
Made our first cases when the 4G was newish, and we've been chasing sales ever since. Take a look and see (there's a 5G version, and a cool nano "Gama" system I designed to keep your nano on your wrist or wallet or dashboard... just go to llamapod.com to see it all)

the dumbening of the internet?

2006-07-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

They said AOL was for internet n00bs, yet we are now experiencing a huge surge in web-based tools and services as a result of so many users.

Now, one might think bringing even more people, with less money and education would lower the "quality" of the citizenry. Maybe, but it definitely brings more diversity. Diversity is the essence of life, both the reflection of a healthy ecosystem, and a way to propogate the very same diversity... it is stupid-proof, and that's the point.

Here's your Mac mini media center

2006-04-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

This is awesome. However, it's taken THIS LONG for it to happen. My El Gato device is now so obsolete it's silly. Mine didn't come with a remote, isn't this small, needs a power brick, and gets excessively hot. Never mind it won't really work right on an Intel Mac. I can't wait to get a new mini some day...

Tips on using Windows

2006-04-12T19:45:00.000-07:00

I started using Apples back in 1977ish. I was six. Point is, I also started using PC's running MS-DOS when those became available. I remember snickering a bit at Windows 1.0. I remember trying out a different way to look things up on the internet called Mosaic.

And now you can run Windows and Mac OS on one machine. That machine just happens to be a Mac, which is pretty cool too...

Anyway, I wrote up a few tips for living in Windows. Next installment should be the security perspective. Because Mac users are kinda clueless when it comes to security ;)

The article is over at Download Squad: Tips for Boot Campers

Apple ][

2006-04-03T18:12:00.000-07:00

Apple ][
Originally uploaded by superpixel.

Riddle me this: how can a nearly 3 decades-old machine still have its keys legibly printed on the keyboard, yet my iBook, less than 3 years old, is now almost blank?

Clean your Mac

2006-03-20T19:01:00.000-08:00

I have been pondering the use of Spring Cleaning from Aladdin Software (or whatever they're calling themselves these days) for a while, as I know there are lots of little cache files, etc. left over when you do the amount of surfing I do.

But Mr. Clean is so much cooler because it's free! (Thanks to Lifehacker on the tip)

One thing I did today to clear nearly 10 gigs off my machine: I deleted 2 entire "Previous System" folders. If Apple has ever had you do the OS shuffle, setting up a new account, and leaving your old one as an archive, consider going back and deleting your old system. Were there crazy fonts in there I should have saved? Maybe. All I know is that my hard drive is a lot leaner now... I'll probably live to regret that one.

Mac mini media center here almost...

2006-02-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

As I write this Engadget, TUAW, and several other sites are buckling under the strain, but iLounge has intermittent info on the new Mac mini's, with Intel chips inside, and sporting more media-sharing tools (Front Row with Bonjour). I still don't see anything revolutionary, although the remote is nice. I believe ALL the Macs will have this from here out. Awesomeness.

Run for the hills!

2006-02-21T18:44:00.000-08:00

OK, lesson for today: always apply security patches to your machine, no matter what OS. Even Linux has problems, which is why developers drink caffeinated beverages and patches are released. For every OS. Some more than others, but they all have issues. Let's remember that social vectors are the most likely method of a security breach. For instance, if I steal your laptop, I just "hacked" your machine. In meatspace, granted, but it's a hack. You didn't give me permission to do wild things to your machine, did you?

Well here's a story I found on CNN, because with all their Apple lovin' they have to show they are still somewhat unbiased.
Worm targets Macs through Bluetooth

That's scary, isn't it? Well here's the counterpoint, provided several days in advance for your viewing pleasure:
Yet another pointless worm Inqtana

Granted, a fan of the Mac platform isn't going to scream bloody murder at the first sign of these things. Which raises the constant specter of laziness. That's a social vector too-- thinking you can't get a virus when you can and doing nothing once you've been warned.

Good news: so far I have yet to see anything so destructive or easy to infect and do damage on the Mac as on the PC. So for now you are safe, in my opinion (patent pending). If you want to be paranoid, switch to FreeBSD and wear a tinfoil hat.

Mac mini portable media center

2006-02-09T20:15:00.000-08:00

The mini
Originally uploaded by superpixel.

Posted up some pics of my mac mini I take to parties. It's a sort of video jukebox, and it can do more than just be a glorified video iPod. I can connect a camera and play EyeToy-style games, or other mac games. Yes, there are some. I use VLC and QuickTime to play video, iTunes for audio, and a trackball instead of a remote. I can drop AppleScripts on the desktop, make 'em really big, and pretty much script an entire evening of wacky, nerdy entertainment.

Can't buy Danger Doom on iTunes?

2005-11-22T09:04:00.000-08:00

Don't know if anyone else is having this problem, but I have been unable to purchase the latest Danger Doom album for almost a week now off of iTunes. Something about it's being modified?

Oh well, that's why we have p2p. DD, if you ever read my email to ya, sorry but I tried! Looks like it's back to breaking the law for me.

Which is a point: jHymn, and other tools not condoned by Apple exist because the tools provided by Apple sometimes don't work. Unfortunately, the DMCA says these things are illegal. It's like if you bought a Ford with faulty Firestone tires (remember that fiasco?) but were prevented by law from going to a 3rd party for tires. Wouldn't make sense, would it? Well, neither does this DRM nonsense, neither does locking me out of a purchase...

More on this as I figure out a workaround...

Front Row on NTSC TV's

2005-10-27T20:20:00.000-07:00

I happened to see Front Row running on a plain ol' TV the other day. It was gorgeous. A mac mini was connected via crummy little RCA jacks (not even gold), about the worst signal you can get, on a mediocre 29" TV. The gradients in the background of FR's interface had no banding! The fonts on screen were smooth and legible. Everything looked fantastic.

Front Row is made for TV. Say it with me: Front Row is made for your television.

Will the Mac mini be superseded by the Mac nano?

Imagine a set-top PVR with integrated iPod dock. You can run it headless, via BT keyboard, mouse, or IR remote... through the TV. Or you can buy a wireless tablet screen as an accessory to interface with things like email, iCal, photos, etc.... Then those Airport Expresses to spread the joy across the house.

Perhaps I've said too much.

Front Row hacked, the juice is loose

2005-10-24T20:38:00.000-07:00

Go here to get Front Row on your Mac. YMMV. As seen on TUAW!

Automatically get video onto your iPod using p2p

2005-10-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

It's a mashup of tools like videora and azeurus (if you don't know what those are read the article anyway), but it looks pretty cool. Hackaday has the deets on grabbing vids off the net and plopping them on your 5g iPod automatically each night. Not as easy as the method below, or obviously buying them off iTMS, but very cool for you DIY crews.

Not only that, but you can get stuff off p2p faster than the store (like Lost).

Turn EyeTV vids to iPoddable vids

2005-10-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

So I still use my EyeTV, though not as I'd intended, because I'm being cheap and not wanting to pony up the dough and time to put Airport on my mini. There it sits in a corner, tethered to TV cable, but not internet cable. I need a cheaper wireless solution, as the WAP-11 won't act as a simple pass-thru for DHCP... Or something like that. I'm no networking guru, that's for sure.

HOWEVER, if I ever get an iPod for video (the 5th gen one), I'll really want to automate the process of capturing TV shows and plopping them onto my iPod. Jim Heid has put together a great how-to on getting video from the EyeTV to the iPod. Thanks for beating me to the punch Jim!

He also notes that a future rev of the EyeTV app will include an iPod video preset (as the latest QT 7 Pro does). So that's a good thing.

Now I need to setup an AppleScript (since Automator is too lame to do it) that'll take a recording, once it's done, and export to iTunes. Should be easy when the preset is available, as EyeTV is very scriptable. That way I'll have auto downloads of shows onto my pod!

Why? I'm a BIG "Lost" fan, but I work on Weds nights. So I'm missing it like right now... And I don't want to pay $1.99 just to have commercials removed. I'll just record it, and have it on my iPod in the morning (because I can plug in at night, see how that works?). Nifty. That is, IF I get a 5th gen iPod!

Steve Jobs has a posse

2005-10-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs has a posse
Originally uploaded by superpixel.

This one is just for fun. Jobs has a fascinating history, really. At the epicenter of the Silicon Valley story, he and others have made the technology world what it is today... Check Wikipedia.org for a great short story... What's interesting to me is how Sun, IBM, Microsoft and others have either been enemies or allies of Apple at any given time, and Steve has just about seen it all.

More tips coming soon!

Stop the Broadcast Flag-- again

2005-10-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

Why do we keep going down this road? Obviously the boneheads in Hollywood STILL don't get technology... They have, once again, tried to resurrect the Broadcast Flag. What's that?

Well, you know how you can plug in a VCR to your cable and tape a show, then watch it on your TV? That's nice, isn't it? Well the Broadcast Flag would make sure that, in the future of HDTV, that is NOT possible. No more recording for you! In Hollywood's America every citizen is a thief, guilty until sued out of existence. And even then they want you to buy the package of Dorito's with Yoda on it...

So let's kill this thing AGAIN. Some really stupid congressional idiots have actually been suckered into supporting this crap, and BoingBoing.net has their info here. I'm dismayed to see rep. Marsha Blackburn, from my state of TN is on there. I think I met Marsha back when I lived in Nashville.

This is SO stupid...

Video DJ tool

2005-10-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

Oh how I wish I had the dough to try this out: the Tactic M2 from Livid Instruments. It's like something out of a BBC sci-fi show. It's freakin' sweet!

The Tactic M2 is literally like a video mixer, and as such you can mix video streams (and audio, naturally) just like a DJ mixes the music. Very cool. It's for the Mac!

Sun and Google teaming up

2005-10-03T21:28:00.000-07:00

Wow, Marc Perton has a nose for news. I hadn't seen this yet, but he pulled this info on Google and Sun's big announcement tomorrow. The post (on Download Squad) actually refers to the roadmap for Open Office, or rather StarOffice, which Google has been kicking around...

Put that together with Jordan's post on Jon Schwartz (also from Sun, for those who don't know) saying everyone would rather ditch their desktop apps before their browser... Doesn't this sound like the beginning of a Google OS?

Well, duh for many techies, but for those of you unfamiliar with all this, and how it would make a useful solution, allow me to explain very briefly.

A web-based office app, combined with online calendar/email/newsfeed apps, and some form of online storage is a holy grail. Imagine being able to walk up to any network-enabled device and get to all your work. Between this, Google's purchasing of fiber lines, gearing up wireless spots...

Well, when you connect the dots I think it's clear that 2006 may be the year of the Google.

I'm hoping they get to releasing some more Mac apps, like Earth and Picasa. But having an online work solution would be cool. If they could tap in to Backpack features, that'd be nice too...

SIGGRAPH via Hackaday

2005-09-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

Someday I would love to make it to SIGGRAPH. It occurs to me that many of my pet projects or ideas start out pretty wild like these... So this is great stuff. Applicable to ideas on creativity (why not turn a bunch of routers into a display?), 3d graphics (love the cell phone stereograph). Read the article for more:

Read Hackaday's Best of SIGGRAPH 2005

Sharing the love

2005-09-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody. Whoo-eee, I been hectic as a junebug in a pickle jar lately. Expanded my gig with WIN from Download Squad to TUAW... Speaking of which, TUAW is running a contest where you can win an iPod nano!!!

[link removed]

Last week (I think) had some day where bloggers share links to other blogs on their blogs. OK, I'm late to that party. But I've been trying to share the love around (Knoxville blog done, Animation and sp to go).

So here's one blog I found via TUAW that absolutely rocks the hizzie. Since I can't be trusted to provide killer tips (at least, not every week), check out Mac Tutorials, which is another Blogger-powered site. Good stuff.

And I've been working on my solution sphere ecosystem thing some more. Should have that up in a bit... Finally!