I finally got 600 miles on a single tank of gas! My 2005 Civic Hybrid has an 11.9 gallon tank, but when I filled up (at 601.4 miles) I only needed to put in 10.22 gallons. So this tank gave me about 58.8 MPG!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
600 miles on a single tank
I finally got 600 miles on a single tank of gas! My 2005 Civic Hybrid has an 11.9 gallon tank, but when I filled up (at 601.4 miles) I only needed to put in 10.22 gallons. So this tank gave me about 58.8 MPG!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Want something for $10?
This is actually a pretty cool idea. You send them $10, they send you something...randomly...from their warehouse. Could be a nice leather wallet, or could be a USB Rocket Launcher. Who knows! It's the surprise that makes this fun!
Hey, now you can send yourself a gift on your birthday and not know what you're buying yourself!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Adding Twitter to my blog
Now that I have a fancy new phone, I decided to try Twitter, a cool service that allows you to keep friends updated with what you are doing at any particular time.
The concept is simple. You login and type a quick update, like "I'm eating a cheese sandwich...and it reminds me of summer." Or anything you want, really. But it can only be 140 characters long. No blog posts, no novels. Just a quick blurb. The cool part is you can use your mobile phone to text in your update, and receive updates from friends or people you are "following".
I added the Twitter feed to the top of my blog here, so quick updates will show there, while full blown blog posts are shown here.
The concept is simple. You login and type a quick update, like "I'm eating a cheese sandwich...and it reminds me of summer." Or anything you want, really. But it can only be 140 characters long. No blog posts, no novels. Just a quick blurb. The cool part is you can use your mobile phone to text in your update, and receive updates from friends or people you are "following".
I added the Twitter feed to the top of my blog here, so quick updates will show there, while full blown blog posts are shown here.
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Ok, I got the Moto Q9c
I know I said I had to wait until June, but apparently Sprint mixed it up (my WIFE has to wait till June to upgrade, but my account was ready now). So I was able to get the best discount (with a 2 year renewal, of course).
Saturday, April 05, 2008
OneNote 2007, Tablet PC's, and Smartphones
Been a while since I've posted anything here. Been busy. But now I feel I have something to share...and it's almost entirely not Zazzle related! :-)
So I've recently shifted positions at Zazzle (I said "almost"!). My new role is in our product group, specifically acting as an Interaction Designer. This means more mockups, prototypes, and wireframes. It also means being involved in a few more meetings every week, where I need to be a bit more organized about my To Do lists. Before, as an engineer, I was more focused on writing code, so it was always more obvious what I needed to be working on at any given time.
Getting digitally organized - The Hardware
Now, I am involved in more projects, and need to prioritize my time better. So I decided to get an old Tablet PC to take notes. I wanted a pen device because I wanted to be able to draw ideas and have it in a digital format. I searched eBay and found a Motion Computing M1400 Tablet PC, and got it for around $400.
Yes, it's a few years old, but it's powerful enough for what I need. It runs Windows XP Tablet Edition, which means I can install any Windows software I'm already used to or depend on. To that end, I installed Microsoft Office 2007 and noticed something interesting.
Getting digitally organized - The Software
I chose to do a custom install of Office because I knew I wouldn't need to install the whole suite. When I saw the list of programs that I could choose from, I saw something called OneNote 2007. I decided to try it out.
Here's what the Amazon product page for OneNote says:
Well that's perfect! So I set it up on my tablet as well as on my desktop, and now I can take notes in meetings using digital ink, and have it fully integrated into my work Outlook! I can even create To Do items in OneNote that automatically get added to my tasks in Outlook. And as long as my OneNote notebook files are on our network, I have access to it from both my desktop and tablet.
Going Mobile
So this now brings me to the Smartphone part of this post. I will be getting a new phone come June, when my current phone turns two years old and Sprint will give me a nice discount on any new phone to keep me as a customer.
While researching smartphones on Sprint, I liked the Samsung Ace (Windows Mobile), Blackberry 8130 (Blackberry, duh), and Moto Q9c (Windows Mobile). Sprint is also slated to get the shiny new Blackberry Curve soon, and I love the specs on that thing.
But now that I am using OneNote, it changes my view a bit. See, OneNote comes with a Windows Mobile version, but NOT a Blackberry version. Hmmm. So come June, I have a choice to make. I could get one of the Windows phones (which are pretty cool), or go with the slightly better specs of the new Curve.
Decisions, decisions. If I keep using OneNote and find it increasingly useful (as I do so far), then I'll probably lean toward a Windows Mobile phone. It's nice to be completely synced with all my devices (I hear push email on a Windows Mobile device is better than Blackberry if you are using Microsoft Exchange). But I still need to do more research and weigh the pros and cons.
I mean, I may not really need to use OneNote on my phone. At the office, I'll always have my tablet with me, so the phone is extra. But if I can sync offline notes I take on the phone with my OneNote notebook at work, it's a no brainer. Or, better yet, if I can open my office notebook remotely on my phone, that would rock! I kind of doubt that will be possible, however, since it resides on our corporate network.
But maybe I can VPN from a Windows Mobile smartphone....hmmmmm?
So I've recently shifted positions at Zazzle (I said "almost"!). My new role is in our product group, specifically acting as an Interaction Designer. This means more mockups, prototypes, and wireframes. It also means being involved in a few more meetings every week, where I need to be a bit more organized about my To Do lists. Before, as an engineer, I was more focused on writing code, so it was always more obvious what I needed to be working on at any given time.
Getting digitally organized - The Hardware
Now, I am involved in more projects, and need to prioritize my time better. So I decided to get an old Tablet PC to take notes. I wanted a pen device because I wanted to be able to draw ideas and have it in a digital format. I searched eBay and found a Motion Computing M1400 Tablet PC, and got it for around $400.
Yes, it's a few years old, but it's powerful enough for what I need. It runs Windows XP Tablet Edition, which means I can install any Windows software I'm already used to or depend on. To that end, I installed Microsoft Office 2007 and noticed something interesting.Getting digitally organized - The Software
I chose to do a custom install of Office because I knew I wouldn't need to install the whole suite. When I saw the list of programs that I could choose from, I saw something called OneNote 2007. I decided to try it out.
Here's what the Amazon product page for OneNote says:
- Digital notebook provides one place to gather and manage notes and information
- Offers powerful search capabilities to find what you're looking for quickly, and easy-to-use shared notebooks to help manage information overload and work with others more effectively
- An integrated part of the 2007 Microsoft Office system
- Helps consolidate various types of information-- including freeform notes, images, documents, files from other Microsoft Office system programs, and rich media-- and organize it in the way that works best for you
- Creates a living repository of group decisions and brainstorming sessions that adds continuity and context to business meetings and memos
Well that's perfect! So I set it up on my tablet as well as on my desktop, and now I can take notes in meetings using digital ink, and have it fully integrated into my work Outlook! I can even create To Do items in OneNote that automatically get added to my tasks in Outlook. And as long as my OneNote notebook files are on our network, I have access to it from both my desktop and tablet.
Going Mobile
So this now brings me to the Smartphone part of this post. I will be getting a new phone come June, when my current phone turns two years old and Sprint will give me a nice discount on any new phone to keep me as a customer.
While researching smartphones on Sprint, I liked the Samsung Ace (Windows Mobile), Blackberry 8130 (Blackberry, duh), and Moto Q9c (Windows Mobile). Sprint is also slated to get the shiny new Blackberry Curve soon, and I love the specs on that thing.
But now that I am using OneNote, it changes my view a bit. See, OneNote comes with a Windows Mobile version, but NOT a Blackberry version. Hmmm. So come June, I have a choice to make. I could get one of the Windows phones (which are pretty cool), or go with the slightly better specs of the new Curve.
Decisions, decisions. If I keep using OneNote and find it increasingly useful (as I do so far), then I'll probably lean toward a Windows Mobile phone. It's nice to be completely synced with all my devices (I hear push email on a Windows Mobile device is better than Blackberry if you are using Microsoft Exchange). But I still need to do more research and weigh the pros and cons.
I mean, I may not really need to use OneNote on my phone. At the office, I'll always have my tablet with me, so the phone is extra. But if I can sync offline notes I take on the phone with my OneNote notebook at work, it's a no brainer. Or, better yet, if I can open my office notebook remotely on my phone, that would rock! I kind of doubt that will be possible, however, since it resides on our corporate network.
But maybe I can VPN from a Windows Mobile smartphone....hmmmmm?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Zigg - Submit your Zazzle designs!
I've just created Zigg, a new website that allows Zazzle contributors to submit and rate Zazzle designs, a la Digg style.
Even if you are not a Zazzle contributor, you should visit and rate the designs you like! The website uses CoRank.com as the host, which made it super easy to create. So the full URL to Zigg is http://zigg.corank.com/
Even if you are not a Zazzle contributor, you should visit and rate the designs you like! The website uses CoRank.com as the host, which made it super easy to create. So the full URL to Zigg is http://zigg.corank.com/
Friday, January 11, 2008
Sunday, December 23, 2007
My Xbox now has a blog
In a geeky turn of events, I decided to let my Xbox 360 get its own blog. Yes, my Xbox now blogs. On its own. By itself.
"What on Earth would your Xbox blog about?" you ask? Simple. It talks about the games I play! Check it out!
"What on Earth would your Xbox blog about?" you ask? Simple. It talks about the games I play! Check it out!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Mass Effect Conversation T-Shirt!
This is too cool not to share! So I've been playing Mass Effect on my Xbox 360. It's a sci-fi role playing game and it's quite an immersive, deep game with plot twists, side quests, and a great storyline. Love it.
The method used to select conversation choices is very easy, with all choices as a "spoke" on a wheel. It's so effective it becomes second nature.
That being said, I decided to see what if there was anything on Zazzle that was Mass Effect related. I found this shirt, which is a template that allows you to change each text option. Check it out!
The method used to select conversation choices is very easy, with all choices as a "spoke" on a wheel. It's so effective it becomes second nature.
That being said, I decided to see what if there was anything on Zazzle that was Mass Effect related. I found this shirt, which is a template that allows you to change each text option. Check it out!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
IE8 passes Acid2 test for first time!
The IE Dev Team at Microsoft just announced that they have reached a milestone in development by having a build of IE8 that successfully passes the Acid2 Face Test.
This is a great step for IE's standards compliance. Watch the video interview with some IE devs explaining what this all means.
This is a great step for IE's standards compliance. Watch the video interview with some IE devs explaining what this all means.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Friday, December 07, 2007
Thursday, December 06, 2007
For all you guitar heroes out there!
Get this t-shirt on Zazzle. You can choose from hundreds of styles and colors with this design on it, customize this shirt with more images or text, or create your own t-shirts from scratch!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Get outta my grill!
I just put this new design up on Zazzle. It's the first design I made starting from a pencil drawing. I drew the dog, scanned it in, then colorized it and added the text in Photoshop. Get it on a shirt!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Get your Xbox Gamertag on a t-shirt!
Sorry folks, apparently this shirt has been removed due to copyright issues. But here are some other cool gaming related t-shirt sites I found:
CustomGameShirts
PlayFish
GameZone
CasuallyHardcore
Strk3
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Jack Thompson - GTA 4 Mission "clearly a reference to me"
GamePolitics.com reports that lawyer/crusader for video game legislation Jack Thompson is saying that Rockstar Games has put him in their next Grand Theft Auto game...as a target to kill. He is threatening to sue and try to block the sale of the game if he is not removed from the game.
Well, first, he is apparently not mentioned in the game. There is simply a lawyer character who believes in banning violent video games. Jack Thompson is sure it's a jab at him.
Hmmm, you know, come to think of it, I could be mistaken for Mario...maybe I should sue. Come on, Mr. Thompson. Seriously? The fact that the Florida Bar had to impose disciplinary action on you, and that you lost your license to practice law in Alabama says to me you're basically an idiot.
I wasn't planning on buying GTA 4, but now I may do so just so I can play that mission and pretend it's you.
Well, first, he is apparently not mentioned in the game. There is simply a lawyer character who believes in banning violent video games. Jack Thompson is sure it's a jab at him.
"...the fact that the lawyer, killed on Niko's first mission, would bring up video games, makes it clearly a reference to me..."
Hmmm, you know, come to think of it, I could be mistaken for Mario...maybe I should sue. Come on, Mr. Thompson. Seriously? The fact that the Florida Bar had to impose disciplinary action on you, and that you lost your license to practice law in Alabama says to me you're basically an idiot.
I wasn't planning on buying GTA 4, but now I may do so just so I can play that mission and pretend it's you.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Kathy Griffin tells Jesus to "Suck it"
Comedian Kathy Griffin, upon winning the award for Outstanding Reality Program for her show "My Life on the D-List" on Saturday, Sept. 8th, shouted "Suck it, Jesus, this award is my god now!"
Apparently, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has decided to censor the remarks from the E! taped airing of the award show this Sunday. This is in response to complaints from the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
Great. Now we have to start censoring comments from comedians that are not meant to be insulting, but rather funny.
How on Earth does her jokingly saying she is denouncing Jesus become a censorable offense? Who is she hurting with this? It's not like she called religious people idiots, or made derogatory comments about those who believe. She made a joke.
It's 2007, people. Why are we so Victorian in this country? Why can't we all laugh at an obvious joke, and stop being offended by the littlest things?
Oh, and by the way, suck it, Jesus. The Internet is my god now!
Apparently, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has decided to censor the remarks from the E! taped airing of the award show this Sunday. This is in response to complaints from the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.
Great. Now we have to start censoring comments from comedians that are not meant to be insulting, but rather funny.
How on Earth does her jokingly saying she is denouncing Jesus become a censorable offense? Who is she hurting with this? It's not like she called religious people idiots, or made derogatory comments about those who believe. She made a joke.
It's 2007, people. Why are we so Victorian in this country? Why can't we all laugh at an obvious joke, and stop being offended by the littlest things?
Oh, and by the way, suck it, Jesus. The Internet is my god now!
Monday, September 03, 2007
The Top 10 Most Influential or Memorable Monty Python Sketches
The following list comprises my top 10 most influential or memorable Monty Python sketches. Each one of these has, to some degree or another, influenced comedy, or at the very least become a memorable part of American geek culture. Why is it that Monty Python is currently very popular amongst the geek chic? Maybe these little nuggets offer some insight:
10. Military Drilling
No need to be politically correct when it comes to the Pythons making fun of homosexuality. Right, stop that. It's silly.
First aired: December 7, 1969
9. How Not To Be Seen
Explosive comedy.
First aired: December 8, 1970
8. Ministry of Silly Walks
A more physical sketch for the Pythons shows Michael Palin trying to get a grant to develop his silly walk, which isn't very silly at all. At least not compared to John Cleese's.
First aired: September 15, 1970
7. Fresh Fruit
How about teaching us how to defend ourselves against someone with a pointed stick? I guess bananas are more dangerous.
First aired: October 26, 1969
6. Cheese Shop
Another John Cleese classic. Just how many cheese's are there?
First aired: November 30, 1972
5. Funniest Joke in the World
This sketch shows just how far the Pythons take an idea. Storytelling at it's craziest.
First aired: October 5, 1969 (first ever episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus)
4. Dead Parrot
The Dead Parrot sketch showcases John Cleese and his verbal prowess. How many different ways can he say the parrot is dead?
First aired: December 7, 1969
3. Argument Clinic
This sketch shows how clever the Pythons were for their time. Or at least that they were smoking something in the 70's.
First aired: November 2, 1972
2. The Lumberjack Song
It's so well known that, besides Spam, it's probably one of the most mentioned, mimicked, and memorable songs they have ever come up with.
First aired: December 14, 1969
1. Spam
Arguably the most influential Monty Python sketch ever. It brought life to the term "Spam" for unwanted junk email. (Wikipedia)
First aired: December 15, 1970
10. Military Drilling
No need to be politically correct when it comes to the Pythons making fun of homosexuality. Right, stop that. It's silly.
First aired: December 7, 1969
9. How Not To Be Seen
Explosive comedy.
First aired: December 8, 1970
8. Ministry of Silly Walks
A more physical sketch for the Pythons shows Michael Palin trying to get a grant to develop his silly walk, which isn't very silly at all. At least not compared to John Cleese's.
First aired: September 15, 1970
7. Fresh Fruit
How about teaching us how to defend ourselves against someone with a pointed stick? I guess bananas are more dangerous.
First aired: October 26, 1969
6. Cheese Shop
Another John Cleese classic. Just how many cheese's are there?
First aired: November 30, 1972
5. Funniest Joke in the World
This sketch shows just how far the Pythons take an idea. Storytelling at it's craziest.
First aired: October 5, 1969 (first ever episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus)
4. Dead Parrot
The Dead Parrot sketch showcases John Cleese and his verbal prowess. How many different ways can he say the parrot is dead?
First aired: December 7, 1969
3. Argument Clinic
This sketch shows how clever the Pythons were for their time. Or at least that they were smoking something in the 70's.
First aired: November 2, 1972
2. The Lumberjack Song
It's so well known that, besides Spam, it's probably one of the most mentioned, mimicked, and memorable songs they have ever come up with.
First aired: December 14, 1969
1. Spam
Arguably the most influential Monty Python sketch ever. It brought life to the term "Spam" for unwanted junk email. (Wikipedia)
First aired: December 15, 1970
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