Andrew's posterous

Started Reading the Dresden Files

Sat, 08 May 2010 03:41:00 -0700

I started to read Storm Front - The first in the series of Dresden Files by Jim Butcher - http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/

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My Twitter / Chrome Setup in windows 7

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:45:14 -0800

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It's amazing what you can do with limited letters at Old Navy

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:46:43 -0800

See the full gallery on Posterous

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How to find items in Evernote created on a certain date

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:38:00 -0800

Almost everyday I try to find new ways to improve my organizational skills, and this has never been apparent as it is now with the use of tools like Evernote and Google Apps. This morning I wanted to look up notes in Evernote that I created yesterday, and instead of looking through the list of all of my notes by date, I wanted a way to view just the notes created yesterday. So like any normal person I looked through the help files of Evernote (Which are very thorough by the way) and I came across the search section. Below you will find methods on how to find a note by a particular date with some common uses:

Note: An easy way to remember how to use this search feature, remember year, month then day... Which is the exact opposite way that Americans remember dates.

created:[datetime] ‐ will match any note that has a 'created' timestamp that is equal to, or more recent than, the provided datetime.

created:20070704
- Matches notes that were created on or after July 4th, 2007, based on the client's timezone.
created:20070704T090000
- Matches notes that were created on or after 9:00am on July 4th, 2007, based on the client's timezone.
created:20070704T150000Z
- Matches notes that were created on or after 3:00pm GMT on July 4th, 2007.
-created:20070704
- Matches notes that were created before July 4th, 2007, based on the client's timezone.
created:day‐1
- Matches notes that were created yesterday or today
‐created:day
- Matches notes that were created before today
created:day‐1 ‐created:day
- Matches notes that were created yesterday (only)
created:day‐30
- Matches notes that were created within the last 30 days (or today)
created:week
- Matches notes that were created in this calendar week (Sunday‐Saturday)
‐created:month
- Matches notes that were created before this month
created:year‐1
- Matches notes that were created last year or this year
created:20100101
- Matches all notes created from this day on

updated:[datetime] ‐ will match any note that has a 'updated' timestamp that is equal to, or more recent than, the provided datetime.

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The automated restroom?

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:35:57 -0800

I personally love automated items which make our lives easier, especially ones that help with hygiene. So this got me to thinking, over the past couple of years we are seeing more automated options in the public restrooms and this made me ask the question: Why isn't the toilet paper automated?

You have to admit, the toilet paper in a public restroom is pretty gross when you think about it. Since technology is taking off at a rapid pace in our homes and with many businesses, I think that in the next 2-5 years you will start to see an automated toilet paper dispenser in public restrooms.

The next questions is, how many squares will you get? 3, 4, 5? Who knows, but it should limit the amount of germs gathered from using a public restroom.

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New website design for Eve-Online contest

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:45:03 -0800

I don't get to do much website design lately but here is my most recent design that I finished this morning. Next step is to code this site.

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Pros and Cons of switching to Google Chrome from Firefox

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:25:29 -0800

Last month I decided to give Google Chrome a try as my main browser, I wanted to see if the new browser had the tools and options I needed for website development. Since I started using Chrome I came across a list of Google Chrome extensions for website development.

Below you will find the pro's and con's of switching to Google Chrome:

Pros to switching to Chrome

Start up speed
Page speed load times
Javascript execution speeds
Works better for Google products
Built in search engine into the URL bar
Google's Speed Tracer tool
Sandboxed plug-ins
Sandboxed tabs
Sandboxed extensions
Evernotes web version actually works in it
Streamlined interface
Easy to use home page
Coding for Chrome means that the site will work for iPhone and Android phones and safari
Doesn't crash very often
Is new to the browser market so it adds some new features that users are looking for
Able to pin tabs to open everytime, easier then adding multiple home pages in firefox
Built in application shortcuts
Extensions can be added, removed or updated without the browser needing to restart
Extensions are built using HTML, CSS and Javascript
Built in bookmark and history sync
Easy to find items that you search for within a page (the find feature) with the highlighted locations on the scrollbar
built in hot keys for hiding and showing the bookmar toolbar

Cons to switching to Chrome

Less people use it, smaller market share
Doesn't have firebug extension (no longer an issue, extension came out since starting use)
Doesn't have pixel perfect extension
Doesn't have yslow extension
Doesn't have developer toolbar extension (Most tools in the developer toolbar are replaced by multiple extensions)
I am use to using Firefox (no longer an issue)
Firefox Has been around for a few years
Unable to do a full screen capture of a website with extensions (no longer an issue, extension came out)
Unable to not save all data automatically (no cookies, history, downloads, etc (small issue))
Unable to control sessions (no longer an issue, extension came out)
Limited right click menu, no "copy email address", no "properties for images" etc.
Runs multiple processes in the task manager all labeled "Chrome", it would be nice if they were labels something more useful, like "Chrome: NYTimes.com" which would be the name of the tab.

The list for the con's may seem like a lot, however each month more useful extensions come out for Chrome and each one more powerful then their alternatives on Firefox. I permanently have switched to Chrome as my main browser and I don't see me switching back to Firefox any time soon.

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Logmein.com in Google Chrome

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:27:47 -0800

I am trying out Logmein.com inside of Google Chrome and so far it is pretty nice, the quality is what you would expect from Logmein.com. The upside to logmein.com in Google Chrome is that is doesn't require any plugin like the firefox version does, which is something that I have been really into lately. On the flip side there is only one downside that I see so far, the sidebar stays showing even when in full screen mode which I could go without, but it is only a minor issue. So far I think it works just as well, if not better then the Firefox version.

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Web developer tools for Google Chrome

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:29:56 -0800

It has been nearly a month since I started to use Google Chrome as my main browser, and the more I use it, the more I love it. During this month I have gathered a great list of extensions which I use for website development.

Web Developer Extensions for Google Chrome:

Notes:

* Disabled when not in use

** I've never been a big fan of firebug personally, disabled when not in use

*** The Developer Tools are the built in tools that comes with Google Chrome

The great thing about Google Chrome extensions is that they allow you to disable and enable extensions without having to restart your browser, making them far more useful.

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My thoughts on this Conan O'Brien NBC issue

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:33:36 -0800

Over the past couple of weeks many have been talking about the change that is happening on NBC's late night lineup. I personally think it is pretty low what NBC is doing just to keep Jay Leno. Jay Leno had a great run on the Tonight Show and the show was rightfully handed over to Conan, but Jay didn't want his show to end, so instead of bowing out gracefully Jay has turned to NBC and they gave him his own show. Giving Jay his own show not only made the new companies upset which are their paid advertisers, but it killed thousands of jobs in the process, by canceling shows.

Now 7 months later NBC is now talking about pushing back the Tonight Show until 12:05am so that Jay can have his show during his old time slot. Not only will this effect other shows such as the Tonight show and the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, it will also change the time slow that the tonight show has been running on for the past 60 years.... All for Jay Leno. I think Jay needs to see what he is doing and notice that him not wanting to retire or move to a different time slot is now screwing up the lives of thousands of people and a tradition.

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Will Google replace Apple after Steve jobs is gone?

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 10:37:24 -0800

The past few years haven't been the best for the legend Steve Jobs. He has been fighting pancreatic cancer and due to the cancer he has taken some time off to heal. While taking his time to heal it left many people wondering "What will happen to Apple once Steve Jobs is gone?". No one really knows. Everyone does know that no ONE man can replace him. Steve Jobs did what many could only hope for, he took a dying company and within a few years turned it into a lifestyle. He managed to have give us iPod's, iMac's and world changing iPhone.

I personally think that Steve Jobs will stay working and a part of Apple until the day he dies. I feel that he lives and breathes that company, which is why it is so successful. But... one company will come in after him and they will fill his shoes, not with one man, or with one women but with a group of the smartest and most creative people in the world, and that can only be Google.

Google created a search engine over a decade ago that was simple, plain and gave it away to their user for free. This motto still shows itself in every product Google creates today. Gmail changed the way many perceive emails, Google Reader brought us the sites that we love to read, Chrome gave us the fastest and cleanest browser, and the Android operating changed the software we use on phones. Though Google may not have been the first to create these tools, they did however bring it to us in a way that we want; easy to use, open and free.

The world is changing and as technology grows many people want more for less, and the one company that is already doing that is Google.

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Farewell to 2009

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 09:13:00 -0800

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Being healthier in 2010

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:13:15 -0800

Early this morning I started to think about how I set out the goal to be healthier around my birthday last year and how I am now actively working to reach that goal. I have been dealing with stomach issues now for 2 years now and I think it is time to fight back.

Back Story:

Growing up I have always been very skinny and fit. I was very active in BMX, track and just having fun outdoors and no matter what I did to put on weight I just couldn't do it. So I did the unthinkable an I set out to gain 50 lbs. I no longer wanted to be 123 lbs at nearly 6 foot tall, it looked un-healthy. After a year of trying I met my goal and I am now 173lbs. Gaining that 50lbs did some damage to my body, both physically and visually and now it was time to get back into shape.

Over the past 4 months I have already made major changes in my life to meet these goals.

October Whitney bought me a BMX bike for my birthday which I try to ride every Saturday for 30-60 minutes (Lately I haven't been able to because of the rain and cold weather) but I already noticed that I have turned some fat on both my face and torso into muscle.
November I stopped drinking all soda (I was only drinking only clear soda at this time, but now that is gone as well)
Mid December I started to wake up 20 minutes earlier to give my self a few extra minutes to relax and take my time.
End of December I stopped drinking coffee (I am on day 4 now with no coffee)

I personally think these are solid steps in helping myself get into better shape and being healthier. What were some of your goals for 2010?

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Awful start before the new year

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:54:06 -0800

Last night I was headed over to the in-laws for a new years party with Whitney's cousins when things started to take a turn for the worst.

I left the house with Banks in one hand and my laptop bag in the other.
When I got out the door my car alarm started going off.
I then tried to hurry to see what was up, while hurrying I noticed that my front door lock is completely jammed.
I was now struggling to hold on to Banks and the laptop bag while trying to fix the stupid lock.
Well I got the lock fixed and ran towards my car, not even half way to my car Banks decides to crap in the neighbors yard... right in front of them.
It starts to get worse, I had no bags with me since I walked Banks a mere 15 minutes before.
Banks finished and we sprinted to the car, it seems I just hit the panic button while getting out of the apartment.
I put banks into the car and luckily I had some spare dog bags in the front door pocket.
I grabbed a bag and ran back to pick up her mess.
I then get back into the car and started to drive away when I noticed that I forgot a USB cable I needed for Whitney's Dad.
So I park my car and sprinted home, back to the apartment.
By this time I was getting pretty pissed, so I grabbed the cable and went back to my car.
I started to drive away again and then realize that a CD I needed for Whitney's cousin was on the coffee table.
Now I am starting to boil over.
I parked my car, slammed the door and then headed back to the apartment...
This time I walked very slowly and very pissed off.
I grab the disc and I then I was finally off.

For something that should have taken 2 minutes ended up taking me almost 30 minutes. Luckily I ended relaxing when I got to the in-laws and everything began to look up. Lets hope that 2010 will stay this way.

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A squirrel watching my dog

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:42:40 -0800

IMG_0623.MOV Watch on Posterous

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Pictures from Whitney's big day

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:38:46 -0800

See the full gallery on Posterous

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The crazy snow that came out of nowhere

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:31:27 -0800

See the full gallery on Posterous

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A real teacher is one who gets actively involved

Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:50:04 -0800

I read this article It is the minds of our students that require our guidance and it really made me remember the good and the bad teachers that I have had.

Reading the quote "A poor teacher who is given technology tools to use in their classroom will simply be a bad teacher with technology tools in their classroom. Technology does not make a teacher better or worse. If used properly, technology can be a supplement to good teaching."

I remember when I was in high school and I had classes that just seemed to go on for forever because the teacher was not engaging nor did they care. They only wanted to get through their lessons and proceed on with their day. But then I thought about a few teachers who got actively involved with their students and use modern tools and technology to get their students attention, two in particular; Alison Brink (My Spanish and Sign language Teacher) and my English teacher whom I regretfully forgot his name (I am very bad with names, but I still have a shirt he made). But these two teachers alone made my entire 4 years of High school worth it. With out them I would have never had a high school internship at Will Vinton Studios (Now Liaka), gone to college, graduate, and set goals to actively follow my dreams.

Thank you for taking the time to care about your students, it really changed my life.

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A poster that many should follow

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:57:34 -0800

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The basics of Email

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:15:00 -0800

It seems that many people now-a-days forget to include the basics of writing in their emails.

I remember as a kid I was told to try and include the the following in letters (This applies to emails too): Introduction, 5 'W's', 'H' and always say please and thank you. For those of you that don't know what this is, it is "Who, What, Why, When, Where and How".

I personally think that many people forget to include these in their emails because, email is instant and therefore they think that they should be kept short. But what ends up happening is that without these fundamental questions being answered it can lead to mis-understanding, confusion, lack of interest and even anger by the reader. With a few extra seconds added to each email you can greatly improve your readers understanding of what the purpose of the email was, while getting your message across clearly.

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