Slash Blank

/Blogger

2013-10-27T20:45:00.000-07:00

Once a week I would like to write about what went on. Once a week isn't so much. and a lot of live happens in a week. How hard could it be right? Since I haven't done it in years my guess would be very hard.

This next week is Halloween. And I have some fun projects at work. Should be able to have some good stories.

I started this late on Sunday so this is it for the first post in ages.

How did you find this?!

2013-10-27T19:47:00.001-07:00

If you are reading this... how did you find it? I haven't touched this blog in two years. Soo.... Sorry for the lack of updates? In that time though I have had over 2000 hits.

I wonder what would happen if I started posting?

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

2011-02-28T18:08:00.001-08:00

I just finished Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card. I have read over 20 books by Card, my first one being Ender's Game, and every one has been a treat to read. If you are looking for a great Sci-Fi read pick up a book by this award winning writer.

The main story of Pathfinder follows a young boy named Rigg who has the ability to see in 4 dimentions, time being the fourth dimension. He sees the paths that people have taken in the past. His ability along with those of his traveling companions allow them to manipulate time and change the past.

The book was a pretty long read, 660 pages but, it was so easy to follow the complex storyline and it was such a pleasure to read that I was able to consume it in 8 days. The time travel can make it a challenge to follow what exactlly is happening and when but if you push though the confusion it works itself out.
Visit your library. Pick up a book. And if you have a suggestion for my next read please let me know.

A Useful Chrome App

2011-02-01T18:32:00.001-08:00

When you have been home all day due to a blizzard cutting across the Midwest you get a little tired of looking at Facebook status updates about snow. In my search for productive information I started looking at Chrome apps and came across a nice weather application, Full Screen Weather. It's not super fancy. It doesn't do anything special. It just gives you access to a clean weather map full screen with layers you can add or subtract as needed. I hope to get some good use out of this come spring when the thunderstorms and tornadoes start rolling through.

Pin Tabs

2011-01-25T19:14:00.001-08:00

Google has always been about making their browser all about what is in the frame and less about the frame itself. Today, I found out about a really cool new feature in Chrome today, Pin Tabs!

To enable this feature, if you right click a tab the option for "pin tab" is available.

When you select it, the tab reduces the tab to the favicon only.

If you don't use multiple tab's this feature isn't really all that handy but if you have three or four tabs that you keep open all the time like Gmail, Facebook, and Pandora reducing them to an icon is really handy. I haven't opened Firefox in a while but I believe they also have a similar feature that can be enabled.

A Case for the Satchel (Murse, Go Bag, whatever you call it)

2011-01-16T21:33:00.001-08:00

Before I get into the case for the Satchel let me define what it is not: sissy looking.

My least favorite commercial on TV at the moment is that insurance commercial where there is a guy carrying a "European carryall". That dude has a strait up womens purse. The defining factors that make this one a purse.. 1) It is uselessly small 2) The way he is carrying it. 3) His wife bought it for him. If you are a man and going to carry a bag around it can be none of these things.

Now that that is out of the way lets look at some men who are doing this correctly.

We all know the famous individuals Jack Bauer and Indiana Jones. Rugged and carrying all kinds of fun toys and treasures in those bags.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

There are also groups of men who use them for their jobs or hobbies, GeoCachers, Writers, Postal Workers, Students, Single Fathers, and many more. The bags themselves may go by different names, go-bags, laptop bags, diaper bags, or messenger bags but the common factor in all theses professions/hobbies is that we have more gear than what we can carry in our pockets.

This pocket overload issue is a problem that has moved from specialty professions and hobbies to the daily life of many men. Thirty years ago a wallet with some cash, your keys, maybe a pocket knife was all you carried around. Now add to that a phone (sometimes two or three), a small laptop or tablet, Credit Cards, Store membership cards, portable digital storage, chargers for all these gadgets... all of this stuff is way more than one pocket can handle. That is why rule number one is "The bag must be functional". It doesn't have to carry a laptop or a every book from you library but it should be larger than a woman's pocketbook.

The bag also cannot have a short thin strap. If you have a bag loaded a wide canvas or leather strap is absolutely necessary to distribute the weight well. The second defining factor that makes a man's bag acceptable is how they carry it. Always, Always, Always slung across the body. If you wear a bag on the same side of the shoulder that it is hanging from... I'm sorry.. It's just wrong.

There are several places to find a good bag. I got my current day bag from a Aldo Shoes. Great prices and quality products much similar to something like a Tumi messenger bag.

If you want to go with a more rugged and utilitarian style try looking at military and police gear. For my next bag I'm leaning towards this one in particular... the battle bag. It's a medium size bag with a canvas look and feel. I also like the fact that it is modular and would be great for caring a variety of tech gear and a few tools.

A Case for the Satchel (Murse, Go Bag, whatever you call it)

2011-01-16T21:30:00.001-08:00

Before I get into the case for the Satchel let me define what it is not: sissy looking.

Now that that is out of the way lets look at some men who are doing this correctly.

We all know the famous individuals Jack Bauer and Indiana Jones. Rugged and carrying all kinds of fun toys and treasures in those bags.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

There are several places to find a good bag. I got my current day bag from a Aldo Shoes. Great prices and quality products much similar to something like a Tumi messenger bag.

BlueBook for Electronics

2011-01-03T13:09:00.001-08:00

Need to know what to sell that old iPod or Blackberry for on Ebay? check out WorthMonkey.com

Worth Monkey - The blue book for used electronics and more!

www.worthmonkey.com

WorthMonkey.com enables buyers and sellers to determine the real world value of almost any used electronic, vehicle and more!

2011

2011-01-01T13:00:00.001-08:00

So far the new year has been productive. Cleaned up my paper file system and my work email... Read the bible... Restored a computer to factory setting (Actually I did that on the 31st but I'm counting it)... And it wouldn't be right to start out a new year without try to get blogging again right?

I know it's been done a million times but I'm going to do it anyway; Resolutions!

So my first resolution for the year was inspired by my work earlier today use Evernote.com to keep documents digital. I'm probably going to have to keep my documents filed and in a paper form as well but it would be nice to have them accessible and searchable. Evernote seems like the best option for the following reasons... I have an account. It works across platforms; desktop, phone, and web browsers. I send documents, photos, and audio files to Evernote and it makes it searchable.

My second resolution is to stay on top of my finances. I plan on using Mint.com to do this. If you have never heard of Mint.com please take a look. This is an online financial budgeting program that is secure, easy to use, and automatic for the most part. Just connect the accounts that you want mint to access; bank, retirement, and other investments and it helps you create budgets, reports and save you money. It's also free, they make money by referring you banks and services that can save you money. Bonus, if you have an Android or iPhone you can track your expenses on the go.

Resolution number thee post to my blog more. I put in an application for the pilot program to get a Google Chrome computer, the CR-48. Now I know that won't make me blog more but to have a cheep laptop with 100 MB of built in wireless data... I think that would help me. I also hope to push more articles that I am reading out here... I don't want to overload it with republished content but something to keep it fresh between what I hope will be weekly postings.

I have more resolutions like get fit, read more, and other personal goals but those three are ones I am using fun technology to accomplish. Please feel free to comment with any resolutions you are making and what tech you are using to keep them.

Bio-Tech Battery

2010-12-08T18:49:00.001-08:00

http://www.futurity.org - Nasty Virus Makes Nice Lithium Batteries

Battery technology is the one area in our mobile world that isn't keeping pace. Processors, storage, resolution and just about every other component on your computer has had that hockey stick of progress. The battery seems to be more of a straight line. Most of the smart phones today, like the iphone and my wife's EVO, only gets a day's worth of charge before you have to run and find an outlet. I was really excited when I first saw this article. I know that this technology is probably 10-20 years out before it is in commercial production but just the fact that it is out there raises my hopes that I will have a phone that I don't have to charge constantly.

Get a clue.

2010-11-16T10:27:00.001-08:00

Yahoo has just launched a new service that looks like it has some promise, Clues . This new service shows you basically the demographics of the people searching for your defined criteria. It tells you how many people search on that term over a time period, age, and gender. Also it shows where in the US the search was conducted from. I can see this being very useful as a marketing tool and just plain fun to find out statistics. Try doing a search on one of your favorite TV Shows for fun. The Office vs Modern Family

How to Sync Your Gmail and Facebook Contacts

2010-11-11T13:07:00.001-08:00

Currently, if you were not aware, Google and Facebook are having a bit of a feud. Google is upset that Facebook can pull all your contact info from Gmail but Google doesn't get the return favor of all your Facebook friends. You can get the in depth back and forth in this article from TechCrunch - Google’s Response To Facebook’s Response To Google’s Facebook API Ban

Until the dust settles (and my prediction is Facebook will allow exports eventually) there is a workaround if you really want to be able to email all of your Facebook friends but it is less direct than one or two button clicks like it should be. To make this little hack work just use Yahoo! as the middle man. While Facebook has an embargo on Google it does not have the same hostilities and restrictions with those it sees as partners.

(Assuming you have a yahoo account or can set one up)

1. On the right hand sidebar in Yahoo select “Contacts”

2. This will allow you to import contacts from several sources

3. You can pull from several sources and you can choose any but the one we want is Facebook.

4. Once all of your contacts are synced up in yahoo and ready to go (you can remove duplicates at this stage if you would like. The service is in beta but it seemed to work pretty well.)

log into your Gmail account and enter the settings.

5. In the upper right hand side go into your Gmail settings.

6. Select the Accounts and Import settings

7. From here you can Import your Yahoo/Facebook contacts (and mail)

Gmail also has a delete duplicates in your contact settings but I neglected to capture that... sorry.

Hope you found this helpful.

Touchscreen Gloves

2010-11-11T05:53:00.001-08:00

With winter quickly approaching this is a great find. Grab some gloves to keep those fingers toasty.

Grab Touchscreen-Friendly Agloves for $9, Normally $17.99 from Lifehacker by Kevin Purdy

Yahoo Adds Video Chat to Messenger for Android

2010-11-10T06:41:00.001-08:00

I am a big fan of Video chat so when I saw this I got excited. I haven't tried it out yet but since my wife does have an Evo I think that very soon there will be a test run.
Another reason and kind of a side note as to why this excites me is that it is from Yahoo. This is a company that has been around for a while and struggling to find itself for the past five years or so. It has some really good properties like flickr.com and other content sites and I have always been a fan of their mail services and messaging. The downside of yahoo is that it is so fragmented. It seems to be pulling itself together and partnering with some other companies but only time will tell.
If you do use this new video chat please leave your thoughts in the comments.

Yahoo Adds Video Chat to Messenger for Android
via Phone Scoop - Latest News by Eric M. Zeman on 11/10/10

Yahoo has released new versions of its Yahoo Messenger instant messaging software and Yahoo Mail for the Android platform. The new version of Messenger adds a number of features, including video calling. Yahoo says the users can start video chats on their PC and then transition them to their Android device. ....

Speedy delivery

2010-11-08T20:02:00.001-08:00

I have now set up my second posterous.com account, as in "preposterously easy to blog". I absolutely love this site it is so easy to set up and work in. I have used wordpress, and blogger among other blogging platforms and this is my favorite. It looks great it. You can publish by, email, text, or on the web. When you do publish it will push out to Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Wordpress.... the list goes on forever.

My plan is to use Posterous as the hub of my SlashBlank communications. I still have some bugs to work out but this seems to be a good solution for me. And more importantly it seems like a good way to push out the Pure Water for All blog. Its still not ready for prime time but when it is I plan on letting everyone know. Please feel free to follow on Facebook though. www.facebook.com/purewaterforall

Secure your Gmail

2010-11-02T09:18:00.001-07:00

If you are a gmail user check out the following link to make sure your account is secure.

http://mail.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=checklist.cs&tab=29488

Android Quick App: ChromeMarks browser bookmark sync

2010-11-01T19:12:00.001-07:00

This is an app I have been wanting for some time now. If you use Chrome (and you really should) you will want this.

Android Quick App: ChromeMarks browser bookmark sync
via Android Central - Android Forums, News, and Help by Phil Nickinson on 10/28/10

Tap. Tap. Sync. It's that simple to get your browser bookmarks from Chrome to Android, thanks to ChromeMarks. It's really that easy. OK, it takes a couple more taps the first time around, giving your phone permission to sync with your Google account. But it's just about the easiest way we've found to get your bookmarks from your browser to your phone. And it even follows my crazy folder scheme, which helps keep my head in order. We've got a few more screen shots after the break, plus download links. It'll be the best $2.37 you spend today.
Posted originally at Android Central

GTasks Android App

2010-11-01T19:11:00.001-07:00

This is primarily a test post but I am a big fan of Google tasks and I love the Android OS. This is a wonderful little app that helps you manage tasks on the go.

If you are unsure of how to manage tasks a book I highly recommend is Getting Things Done by David Allen. Pick up a copy from your local library in print or Book on CD.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getting_Things_Done

GTasks Android App

via Free Android App A Day - Featuring a Free Android Apps from the Android Market Everday by admin on 10/29/10

The GTasks Android App by Dato allows you to sync your Google Tasks list between your Android device and your Google account.

Download GTasks

Download

Time to Learn... 15 Minutes

2010-10-22T21:14:00.001-07:00

I never thought I would say this but I actually miss school. Not the tests and daily humiliations but the chance to learn something new. I was always a fan of science, industrial arts, and home economics. It was the hands on aspects of those classes that really helped make the theories and lectures more than just ideas but practical life applications. In school the amount of time spent on the lectures seemed like such a waste. I would love to have eight hours to devote to learning now. Being out of school, working full time, and preparing for a baby, my time to focus on learning new things has gone from 8 hours a day to around something closer to 15 minutes.

So what is a guy who likes to learn supposed to do? Find ways to compress lectures and studies. The best ways I have found are books on CD, online videos, or podcasts.

I love CD’s and audio podcasts. Load them up on your mp3 player or phone and you are ready to go. Listen on your commute to work, at the gym, or while doing work that doesn’t take much concentration like… data entry (disclaimer: do not attempt to multitask while performing open heart surgery or other life sustaining work). I get most of my CD’s from the library. Its a great source of free learning material. With libraries on-line now just put a reserve in and pick up the material when its in. Its like Netflix for learning.

What the library lacks is the ability to stay current on topics like technology and pop culture. To do this online video and podcast are the best option. My favorite podcast networks are Revision3 and the TWiT network. These two networks create both audio and video content. Most of the subjects are technology related and they go over the week’s top tech news. I’m a geek. I learn geeky things.

My newest favorite learning site is a YouTube channel called iGNiTe. This site focuses on giving 5 minute lectures over seemingly random topics. They way they do it is the presenter creates 20 slides that auto advance every 15 seconds. It is both an entertaining and educational site.

Finally, I have a list of links to the right side of my blog where I can learn tips and tricks as well. LifeHacker.com is by far my favorite. That’s where I learned I can put a mason jar on my blender and make smoothies. It’s quick easy and a lot less clean up.

I was never really good at English or creative writing in school… Hence the awkward ending… Time to learn how to properly compose a blog post. Later.

Why /_________ (Slash Blank)

2010-02-19T17:45:00.000-08:00

I have yet to make a business card.

I have never really needed one for self promotion but have always wanted one. So this week my goal is to create and print business cards.

My main reason for putting this task off is because I didn't know what to put on it for a job title. I never wanted to put my actual job title on a card I'm paying for or to commit to doing just one thing. If I create a business card that says AV Specialist, my current job, then that defines me and my abilities. Same thing goes for computer specialist, photographer, or manager; I become limited by my title.

That's where the slash blank comes in.

I have abilities beyond job titles and WANT to learn to do NEW things. On the card I will create this week, at the bottom will be something along the lines of "freelance work in... computers/digital media/_____________". In that blank I reserve the right to put anything I feel I can do well. Writer, instructor, public speaker, dance instructor, construction worker.... you get the picture.

The same idea applies to this blog. I don't want what is posted here to be limited to what the title is. I like a lot of thing and have a wide spectrum of interests. Most of those interests are a bit geeky in nature but not all (I actually was a swing dance instructor in college for a school club). The topics will be varied, they will be interesting, and most importantly they will be helpful.

Information for the sake of information is pointless. The information you find here will be something that you can try, make, or practice. Press F11 to make your browser go full screen.

Also I chose the name slash blank because it sounds cool.

Slash Blank

/Blogger

How did you find this?!

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card

A Useful Chrome App

Pin Tabs

A Case for the Satchel (Murse, Go Bag, whatever you call it)

A Case for the Satchel (Murse, Go Bag, whatever you call it)

BlueBook for Electronics

Need to know what to sell that old iPod or Blackberry for on Ebay? check out WorthMonkey.com

2011

Bio-Tech Battery

Get a clue.

How to Sync Your Gmail and Facebook Contacts

Touchscreen Gloves

Grab Touchscreen-Friendly Agloves for $9, Normally $17.99 from Lifehacker by Kevin Purdy

Yahoo Adds Video Chat to Messenger for Android

Speedy delivery

Secure your Gmail

Android Quick App: ChromeMarks browser bookmark sync

GTasks Android App

GTasks Android App via Free Android App A Day - Featuring a Free Android Apps from the Android Market Everday by admin on 10/29/10 The GTasks Android App by Dato allows you to sync your Google Tasks list between your Android device and your Google account. Download GTasks Download

Time to Learn... 15 Minutes

Why /_________ (Slash Blank)

GTasks Android App

via Free Android App A Day - Featuring a Free Android Apps from the Android Market Everday by admin on 10/29/10

The GTasks Android App by Dato allows you to sync your Google Tasks list between your Android device and your Google account.

Download GTasks

Download