Here’s a great way to end your weekend or ease into Monday morning… Don’t forget your morning coffee!

• Introducing the Leap [Video] – Imagine using iOS-like gestures to control your computer… Remember that movie with Tom Cruise with the awesome computer screen?  Yeah, awesomeness like that!
• There’s no speed limit. (The lessons that changed my life.) [Article] – Amazing article about how a guy went through grad school in just over two years and how he crushes it. We just need to challenge ourselves and not accept the normal way of doing things.
• Meet the tireless entrepreneur who squatted at AOL [Article] – I’ve heard of lean startups and bootstrapping before but I think this kid took it to the extreme.  One month he only spent $30 on his monthly expenses – for the occasional McDonald’s splurge.
• IBM stung by BYOD pitfalls [Article] – Epic fail on IBM’s part… However, the BYOD topic could be a complete series of blog articles and there is no one correct way to implement it.
• What to Do When “Doing What You Love” Isn’t an Option [Article] – There are some good points that I agree with but I’ll let you make your own opinion on this one.

This week’s Follow Friday recipient is…

First of all, sorry for the late post folks!  There’s really is a good reason, promise.  Yesterday, when Follow Friday was supposed to be published, Erin had LASIK performed at Whiting Clinic.  We have been amazed with the service, detail to attention, marketing materials, and the over all customer experience.

First Experience

When we showed up for the initial consultation we were first amazed by the building.  When you roll up to Whiting Clinic you see the branding on the building, find your parking spot, and walk in.  You are immediately confronted with a lot of glass and a very sleek interior – kind of a loft feeling.  Immediately you can notice the attention to detail: glasswork with the company logo, music, branded information packets with a designed workflow, a snack/food/beverage bar, and more.

The branded information packets were one of my favorite parts of the consultation (you can see the yellow packet next to the coffee mug).  The packet included all the information you needed to know about the various procedures, what to expect, a little about Dr. Whiting, and most importantly – the results.  You use this packet from the consultation until your procedure.  It’s almost like your personal file that you take with you.

Geekness/Technology

Source: Shea's iPhone

The inner geek in me had a field day at Whiting Clinic!  You walk up to the reception counter and BAM! Two shiny iMacs, bluetooth keyboards, and Magic Mice.

But wait, there’s more!  After you get through the paperwork and some of the optometry stuff you are then put into this little room where you have another consultation and watch their introductory video – the video that explains the process.  Let me tell you – this wasn’t some cheesy video but a well produced, informative, and it was on an iPad! During your stay at Whiting Clinic you’re able to use the iPad for whatever you want.  In fact, they would appreciate it if you were to check into Foursquare, Facebook, or whatever your social media of choice is.

Social Media

Whiting Clinic is off to a great start with their various social media campaigns – IMHO.  They have a great Facebook Page with updates and a great following.  To help increase their following they are using an awesome sticker system.

It’s pretty simple. Well, just take a look at their instructions for yourself.

Oh yeah, you can win some fabulous prizes too if you put the sticker to good use.  So far they’ve given away some sports tickets and I think someone has won an iPad.

Lasting Impression

Even though I didn’t have my eyes fixed at Whiting Clinic I would highly recommend Whiting Clinic to anyone that is looking for any sort of eye care or LASIK.  Actually, it might be time for me to get my eyes checked and maybe get glasses.  I might be a customer after all.

Disclaimer:  They didn’t pay us, give us a discount, or any incentive to write or say any of this.  All images (except the iPad image) are the property of Whiting Clinic and were procured from their Facebook Page -  https://www.facebook.com/WhitingClinicLASIK

Here’s a great way to end your weekend or ease into Monday morning… Don’t forget your morning coffee!

•  Internet Sharing – How to Get Revenge on the Cable Company [Article] – Imagine the savings if you could get all of your neighbors, the ones you like, to get onboard. You could fill the community pool with money due to all of the savings!
• Kalita Wave Brewing : Intensive [Video] – How to make a great cup of Joe, coffee, go juice, or whatever it is that you want to call it using the “poor over method”.
• How Coffee Shops Can Make the Best Substitute Offices [Article] – I’m still a fan of coffee shops.  As always, there are things to keep in mind if you’re working there: don’t take phone calls, buy stuff once in a while, and don’t outstay your welcome.
• How to Open a Beer the Drunken Woodsman Way! [Video] – I wonder how many beers they wasted trying to figure this out.
• CordLite – illuminated Charger Cable for your iPhone [Video] – BEST iPhone CHARGER EVER – at least right now.

Labels for Apple Cables

I just learned about Buoy Tags from Patrick Rhone’s Minimal Mac blog and was immediately sold on this product just by the look.  I’m not sure if I would buy these but they look awesome and do serve a purpose.  They actually look like they were designed by Apple, IMHO.  Here’s the quick sales video.

On second thought… I would definitely get these to label my cables with my name and phone number – I tend to misplace things from time to time.  Buoy Tags gives you the templates to create your own labels too – if you wanted to add your name and phone number.

Check it out!  A stylish way to add a little flair to your Apple cables.

Oh yeah, they’re only $12 for 3 tags!

Image Source: http://www.buoytags.com/about.html

This is not my stuff... Photo Credit: Refracted Moments

This post is long overdue but here it is!  All of my favorite gadgets, gear, and services.

—

Often times I get asked about the various gadgets I carry, what kind of bag is that, or what do you use for invoicing…  I also said in a blog post (long long time ago) that I would share with y’all my favorite gadgets, gear, and services.

Disclaimer! Some of the links below are affiliate links.  What does this mean?  If you click on a link and end up buying that product or service, I will get a piece of the action at no extra cost to you!

Disclaimer to the disclaimer!  Everything below is something that I’ve used and would recommend to others or is something that I continue to use.

Gadgets & Gear

• iPhone 4 / iPad 2
• Logitech Illuminated Keyboard
• Logitech MX 518 Mouse
• Canon 5D Mark II
• Apple 13″ MacBook Pro
• Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger
• Timbuk2 Messenger Bag
• Timbuk2 Snoop Camera Insert
• Moleskin Journals (Moleskine Square Notebook Soft Cover Large / Moleskine Squared Notebook Soft Cover Pocket)

Services

• Evernote - Note taking application for Mac, PC, iOS, and web that syncs across all of these platforms
• Dropbox - File syncing across multiple systems and platforms
• CrashPlan - System backups and restores.  I use the free version and it’s awesome and saved me a few times!
• DreamHost - Shared web hosting
• WordPress Theme Packages (StudioPress, Elegant Themes)
• MailChimp - Email newsletters – I use it for this blog too!
• NameCheap - Domain registration
• Amazon Prime – Online shopping with free two day shipping
• Gmail – I use this for personal and my small biz email

For a comprehensive and up-to-date list head on over to the Things I Use page.

Photo Credit:  Refracted Moments™

This has been bothering me for a while… We’ve been getting protein bars from the store for quick snacks and for some reason, I’m not always satisfied after eating one.  What I really mean is that I want to eat another one or four because I’m still hungry.  I then started thinking about how much more substance I could get if they would stop putting that silly layer of chocolate, chocolate chips, or other “sweet” layer of goodness.  Now you’re shaking your head at me because you’re going to tell me that’s the best part.  But how much more “bar” could you get if you got rid of the chocolate – 10% more?  Maybe 25% more…

1. Give me more substance in my protein bars
2. Starbucks coffee that’s 10-20 degrees cooler.  I swear that I burn my mouth every single time.  The blonde roast is great by the way… But Caribou is still better, sorry.
3. Yogurt lids that don’t fart yogurt on you.  It always happens when you least expect it and when you’re wearing nice clothes.  You get super hungry and don’t even think when you open the yogurt and then… it farts on you and you now have yogurt on your shirt.
4. Nail clippers that didn’t fling the nail across the room.
5. Urinals that eliminate splash back - first world male problem.
6. Locks on click pens to eliminate them from accidentally clicking open in your pocket to reduce the ink from ruining your pants/shirt.
7. Battery covers on remotes that don’t fall off when the remote is dropped.  It’s really annoying when the cover slides under the couch.  Out comes the duct tape…
8. The option to get cheaper airfare if you decline the meal or “complimentary” beverages.  This could potentially reduce the number of flight attendants too.  Seems like a great money saver.
9. Give your customers free wifi if they buy something.  Also, don’t make them sign up with a 3rd party service to do it.  Just give them the wifi password – you can change this everyday too.
10. For heavens sake, give me the ability to pay my student loans with my credit card.  I want to rewards.  If you think this is a bad idea just remember that it’s the card holder’s responsibility to be responsible.  If you’re stupid enough to use your credit card, which has a much higher interest rate, and you decide to not pay it off on time then that’s your fault.

Short and sweet!  I really think #8, #9, and #10 have some merit.  Go forth, make it happen, and I’ll use it!

What are some of your recommendations?

Image Source:  ladybugbkt

Back to your regularly scheduled programming!

• HG uses an obscure login URL and port number.  Great for security but bad for remember the login and also bad for networks that block such things.
• phpMyAdmin does allow you drop databases.
• If you create a database in phpMyAdmin you aren’t allowed to assign a user to that database.
• SFTP can’t be used out of the gate because you need to contact support to have SSH enabled.
• The wait period for tech support was greater than  10 minutes (today).

Today I’ve experience all of the above today and spent well over two hours chatting with tech support.  AND my issue was not resolved.  After this post is published I will be canceling my account.

I contacted tech support for the second time today to have a database dropped because I added it through phpMyAdmin and not through the visual editor.  For some reason and after an hour and a half the technician was not able to drop the database.  Also, he was very unresponsive and lacked detail.  The transcript is below.

[Initial Question]:
(2:22 pm) [System] Customer has entered chat and is waiting for an agent.
(2:42 pm) [Juan R.] Welcome to HostGator LiveChat. I’d be glad to assist you today.
(2:43 pm) [Juan R.]
(2:43 pm) [Juan R.] Please wait while I check. Thank you for your patience.
(2:43 pm) [Shea]: ok
(2:43 pm) [Juan R.] Thank you.
(2:50 pm) [Juan R.] Thank you for waiting, I appreciate your patience.
(2:50 pm) [Shea]: not a problem
(2:50 pm) [Juan R.] I suggest you create your databases using the cPanel icon named MySQL databases. It will give you the option to create them and create users for them also and link them together Shea.
(2:51 pm) [Juan R.] Can you try that please? Thank you.
(2:52 pm) [Shea]: That works but I need to do it from the phpMyAdmin panel.  I’m migrating a WordPress sites from MySQL backups.
(2:56 pm) [Shea]: Is there no way to create a database in phpmyadmin and have it show up in the mysql panel?
(2:57 pm) [Juan R.] Please wait while I check. Thank you for your patience.
(2:58 pm) [Juan R.] If you have the databases backed up, you can also restore them using the Backup Wizard icon in the cPanel.
(2:59 pm) [Shea]: i will try that
(2:59 pm) [Shea]: can you drop the existing database for me?
(2:59 pm) [Shea]: i can’t do that in phpmyadmin
(2:59 pm) [Shea]: and i can’t see it in the mysql panel :S
(3:00 pm) [Juan R.] Please wait while I check. Thank you for your patience.
(3:06 pm) [Juan R.] Thank you for waiting, I appreciate your patience.
(3:06 pm) [Juan R.] For security purposes, I will need you to verify your identity by providing the security PIN on the billing account please. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
(3:07 pm) [Shea]: ****
(3:11 pm) [Shea]: Hello?
(3:13 pm) [Juan R.] I apologize for the delay.
(3:13 pm) [Juan R.] Thank you for that information.
(3:13 pm) [Juan R.] One moment please. I apologize for any delay.
(3:13 pm) [Juan R.] That matches fine. Thanks Shea.
(3:13 pm) [Juan R.] Please wait while I check your databases. Thank you for your patience.
(3:20 pm) [Juan R.] I am working on this for you, thank you for your patience.
(3:21 pm) [Juan R.] Can you please confirm the name of the database please SHea?
(3:22 pm) [Shea]: dented_slwpblog
(3:22 pm) [Shea]: you can drop all of them if there’s more
(3:23 pm) [Shea]: i’m trying to method that you suggested and it just stays on the “restoring database” screen
(3:25 pm) [Shea]: are there more than one databases?
(3:26 pm) [Juan R.] Yes, let me check/
(3:26 pm) [Shea]: Yes as in there is more than one?
(3:27 pm) [Juan R.] Yes Shea. Sorry for the confusion.
(3:28 pm) [Shea]: what are the other ones?
(3:28 pm) [Juan R.] Actually I am incorrect. There is just one, the one that you mention earlier. Sorry about that Shjea.
(3:29 pm) [Shea]: so you’re going to drop that one?
(3:29 pm) [Juan R.] I am working on this for you, thank you for your patience.
(3:30 pm) [Shea]: ok, and how long should it take to import from a backup
(3:30 pm) [Shea]: it’s still on the loading screen – it’s been there for at least 10 minutes
(3:34 pm) [Shea]: Juan…
(3:34 pm) [System] Browser window has re-opened.
(3:35 pm) [System] Browser window has closed. Customer may return within 60 seconds.
(3:37 pm) [Shea]: Juan, are you still there?
(3:38 pm) [Shea]: Hello?
(3:39 pm) [Juan R.] I apologize for the delay.
(3:39 pm) [Juan R.] How big is this database Shea?
(3:40 pm) [Shea]: under 5gb
(3:40 pm) [Shea]: the script file is 4mb
(3:42 pm) [Shea]: have you dropped the other DB yet?
(3:44 pm) [Shea]: Juan, are you there?
(3:45 pm) [Juan R.] I am working on this for you, thank you for your patience.
(3:46 pm) [Juan R.] That database is pretty big and it will take awhile to load Shea.
(3:46 pm) [Shea]: can you please close my HostGator account and issue a full refund?  I’m under the 30 day mark
(3:46 pm) [Shea]: i will need this done in the next 5 minutes
(3:47 pm) [Shea]: please
(3:47 pm) [Shea]: and thank you
(3:47 pm) [Shea]: Did you get that message Juan?
(3:48 pm) [Shea]: Juan, how many customers are you helping at the same time?
(3:49 pm) [Shea]: JUAN!
(3:50 pm) [Juan R.] I apologize for the delay.
(3:50 pm) [Juan R.] Is there any reason why you want to cancel this account Shea?
(3:51 pm) [Shea]: Yes, it’s apparent that I can’t do what I need to do and we’ve been on this chat for 1 hour and 30 minutes to drop one database
(3:51 pm) [Shea]: Please close my account and issue a full refund
(3:52 pm) [Shea]: I need to log off in 5 minutes to leave.  Thus, I need this done immediately.
(3:52 pm) [Juan R.] Remember that you are trying to setup and created a database directly in phpMyAdmin and a longer process to have that removed for you Shea, but I can assure you it will be removed.
(3:52 pm) [Shea]: Please close my account and issue a full refund
(3:53 pm) [Shea]: Are you currently in the process of closing my account?
(3:54 pm) [Shea]: Juan…?
(3:56 pm) [Shea]: Seriously…?
(3:57 pm) [Shea]: Please close my account.
(3:59 pm) [Juan R.] Would it be possible to allow me to remove this database for you so you do not have to cancel Shea?
(4:05 pm) [Shea]: once again, cancel the account.
(4:06 pm) [Juan R.] To request cancellation of your account, please fill out our online form. Once the request has been processed you will be notified via email; however, if you do not get a response within 24 hours, we may not have received your cancellation request and you would be held responsible for any charges as a result…
https://secure.hostgator.com/cancel.php
(4:12 pm) [Juan R.] Was your issue resolved and is there anything else I can assist you with at this time?
(4:19 pm) [Juan R.] This chat will now be terminated due to inactivity. If you need further assistance, please start a new chat session so we can help. If you experienced any technical difficulties, please consider leaving a note in your comment so we may work to improve our service for you. Take care and have a great day!
(4:19 pm) [Juan R.] has closed the chat.

Image Source:  http://www.hostgatorvsdreamhost.com/HG-Logo.jpg

Here’s a great way to end your weekend or ease into Monday morning… Happy reading and viewing!

• ShelfX’s Vending Fridge nixes the cashier, uses QR codes, RFID to ‘know what you took’ [Video] – Could this work for big box retailers?
• 27 Creative Facebook Timeline Cover Photos [Article] – If you’re looking for some inspiration or if you have a biz account on Facebook then  this might be your ticket…
• Punch Top Can [Video] Good job Miller… Enabling guzzling, shot-gunning, and other college activities…  I bet it’s good for sales!
• Ikea cardboard digital camera: when Instagram isn’t authentic enough [Video] – Neat.  Simple.  This concept could work for a ton of other technology items…
• MACGYVER Original floating home used as Richard Dean Andersons home in TV series [Ebay] – How could I not put this on here!?!?  If I had the money I would totally buy this!!!
• Bodacious Longboarding Babes Dominate a Downhill [Video] – AMAZING! I would be scared out of my mind!

This week’s Follow Friday recipient is…

Lifehacker dispenses cutting edge digital productivity news for efficiency fans everywhere. Motivated business decision makers and at-home DIYers turn to Lifehacker to manage their workplaces, personal finances, and home computer setups. Built on a collection of ‘life hacks,’ Lifehacker is a regular addiction for millions and its editors are recognized as leading digital intellects.

I follow lifehacker pretty religiously because they actually have useful and informative stuff.  Back in the day… I used to follow Digg but then it got polluted with random garbage (IMHO),  Now, lifehacker has very useful DIY info, editorials, and videos.  I hope you give it a chance and become a follower as well.

Here are some of my favorite lifehacker posts!

• The Always Up-to-Date Guide to Building a Hackintosh
• Use Your Home Computer from Anywhere: A Comprehensive Guide to Remote Controlling Your PC
• Let Your Annoying Neighbors Know How You Feel with This Simple Complaint Form
• Create a Makeshift Wrench with a Bolt and Two Nuts
• Start Every Day as a Producer, Not a Consumer
• How to Sell Your Excess Crap for Cash in Just a Few Hours with Amazon’s Fulfillment Program
• Button the Top Button of a Collared Shirt Before Hanging It to Keep the Collar Crisp

Image Source:  http://advertising.gawker.com/logos/