Financing a guy this funny is worth the payback in karma.
Support Johnny Truant!!
Please visit this poor fu*ker's site and send him some kind of support cash.
Things Amazon has done to piss me off this week
(I already posted some of this previously, but I am irritated and haven't had ANY COFFEE yet so just be aware that I could reach out through your computer screen and take your coffee!)
First they came out with the Kindle DX for $489. It's cool, I would like one, but once again they were too cheap to really think through the total technical specifications or hire a designer to make it look cool.
I think Jeff Bezos designed all the Kindles on his Etch-A-Sketch. Seriously.
I own a Kindle one, which is dying with a line right up the middle of the screen and the occasional lockup where it just stops responding. Amazon's solution to an out of warranty Kindle one? Send them $180 and they will send you a refurbished Kindle one with a 3 month warranty.
Totally unacceptable. They should offer us early Kindle adopters/loyal customers (I spend THOUSANDS on Amazon yearly) a discount on the DX, whether you own a Kindle one or a Kindle two. Yeah no one else in the technical business does that but so what?
The other thing they did, and I kick myself for going through this because I have fallen for this before, is ship a book I ordered on Thursday to arrive on Monday. Fine, except that I paid the extra $3.99 for one day shipping so that it would arrive on Friday. This always happens, no matter how early in the day I order. It is such a standard occurrence that I feel like it is a scam.
OK, that's it for my Amazon rant. My good Amazon news is that I have been reading the Assassin series by Robin Hobb on my Kindle because Amazon offered a slew of FREE Kindle titles recently. Of course they were all the first book in a series, so if you got hooked with volume one, you were probably going to get the rest of the series. That's how it worked for me and the Assassin books; the first one was free and I bought the second and third ones. In fact, I have grown to enjoy the writer enough to consider other titles by him/her (Robin Hobb? Are you female or male?).
First they came out with the Kindle DX for $489. It's cool, I would like one, but once again they were too cheap to really think through the total technical specifications or hire a designer to make it look cool.
I think Jeff Bezos designed all the Kindles on his Etch-A-Sketch. Seriously.
I own a Kindle one, which is dying with a line right up the middle of the screen and the occasional lockup where it just stops responding. Amazon's solution to an out of warranty Kindle one? Send them $180 and they will send you a refurbished Kindle one with a 3 month warranty.
Totally unacceptable. They should offer us early Kindle adopters/loyal customers (I spend THOUSANDS on Amazon yearly) a discount on the DX, whether you own a Kindle one or a Kindle two. Yeah no one else in the technical business does that but so what?
The other thing they did, and I kick myself for going through this because I have fallen for this before, is ship a book I ordered on Thursday to arrive on Monday. Fine, except that I paid the extra $3.99 for one day shipping so that it would arrive on Friday. This always happens, no matter how early in the day I order. It is such a standard occurrence that I feel like it is a scam.
OK, that's it for my Amazon rant. My good Amazon news is that I have been reading the Assassin series by Robin Hobb on my Kindle because Amazon offered a slew of FREE Kindle titles recently. Of course they were all the first book in a series, so if you got hooked with volume one, you were probably going to get the rest of the series. That's how it worked for me and the Assassin books; the first one was free and I bought the second and third ones. In fact, I have grown to enjoy the writer enough to consider other titles by him/her (Robin Hobb? Are you female or male?).
Kindle DX and Amazon customer loyalty
I own a Kindle one. This is immaterial but I spent thousands a year on Amazon. Yet Amazon has no concept of rewarding customer loyalty.
For Kindle one owners, there was no offer to buy a Kindle two at a reduced price.
For Kindle one and two owners there are no incentives or discounts to buy the Kindle DX.
I don't know what Amazon's thinking is unless they figure they are the only game in town and that once you have bought any Kindle you are commited. Well if Congress passes the internet tax, which is one incentive to purchase from Amazon, customer loyalty might change.
I have a year and a half old Kindle one that is rapidly failing. It has a vertical line up the center of the screen and often cannot move to the next page in a book. Yet the only offer one can get from Amazon regarding this type of issue is to sell me a refurbished Kindle one for $180!I'll stick with my failing Kindle one until it dies. At the moment though, there is no reason to consider an "upgrade" to either the Kindle two or the DX.
I think Amazon needs more customer awareness no matter how much one spends annually at Amazon.
For Kindle one owners, there was no offer to buy a Kindle two at a reduced price.
For Kindle one and two owners there are no incentives or discounts to buy the Kindle DX.
I don't know what Amazon's thinking is unless they figure they are the only game in town and that once you have bought any Kindle you are commited. Well if Congress passes the internet tax, which is one incentive to purchase from Amazon, customer loyalty might change.
I have a year and a half old Kindle one that is rapidly failing. It has a vertical line up the center of the screen and often cannot move to the next page in a book. Yet the only offer one can get from Amazon regarding this type of issue is to sell me a refurbished Kindle one for $180!I'll stick with my failing Kindle one until it dies. At the moment though, there is no reason to consider an "upgrade" to either the Kindle two or the DX.
I think Amazon needs more customer awareness no matter how much one spends annually at Amazon.
Think Again before buying Think Big
(I've posted this review on Amazon, but I doubt that it will see the light of day.)
Think Big! There! I just gave you the ENTIRE book for free. I’m not kidding.
The author Michael Port promotes thinking “big” as a way to create a worldwide revolution that will make everything politically correct. You will also benefit from this revolution by being blissfully happy and possibly even create some wealth along the way.
Mr. Port, born in 1970, missed the “worldwide revolution” of the late 60s and early 70s that promoted most of the same philosophy. He acknowledges the cubicle workplace, the cookie cutter suburban homes and the watch TV/go shopping lifestyle of America, but his sole recommendation for breaking out of that scenario is to “think big”.
The way he writes, I presume that at the end of this worldwide revolution that we will all be sitting around a campfire, singing Kum-ba-ya and making smores.
He uses the phrase “think big” over and over on every single page, which gets to be very tiresome in attempting to find any worthwhile content in this book. Occasionally he writes something along the lines of “Oh my! Did I just say that out loud?” Evidently as a former actor (you can look him up on www.imdb.com) he is still carrying around a lot of excess ego.
Mr. Port was born into wealth and he has wealth. So there’s no risk on his part in advocating that you change YOUR life by quitting your job, risking your money on starting a new business, or leaving your relationship. This is basically just another slick, well promoted happy talk book that does not move you forward with your life.
I received numerous blog recommendations for this book from Seth Godin and many others, which is usually a warning sign when the blogosphere promote one of their own as the next important person/book. So, against my better judgment, I bought the book.
I suppose that writing a negative review of this non-book is “thinking small”.
Think Big! There! I just gave you the ENTIRE book for free. I’m not kidding.
The author Michael Port promotes thinking “big” as a way to create a worldwide revolution that will make everything politically correct. You will also benefit from this revolution by being blissfully happy and possibly even create some wealth along the way.
Mr. Port, born in 1970, missed the “worldwide revolution” of the late 60s and early 70s that promoted most of the same philosophy. He acknowledges the cubicle workplace, the cookie cutter suburban homes and the watch TV/go shopping lifestyle of America, but his sole recommendation for breaking out of that scenario is to “think big”.
The way he writes, I presume that at the end of this worldwide revolution that we will all be sitting around a campfire, singing Kum-ba-ya and making smores.
He uses the phrase “think big” over and over on every single page, which gets to be very tiresome in attempting to find any worthwhile content in this book. Occasionally he writes something along the lines of “Oh my! Did I just say that out loud?” Evidently as a former actor (you can look him up on www.imdb.com) he is still carrying around a lot of excess ego.
Mr. Port was born into wealth and he has wealth. So there’s no risk on his part in advocating that you change YOUR life by quitting your job, risking your money on starting a new business, or leaving your relationship. This is basically just another slick, well promoted happy talk book that does not move you forward with your life.
I received numerous blog recommendations for this book from Seth Godin and many others, which is usually a warning sign when the blogosphere promote one of their own as the next important person/book. So, against my better judgment, I bought the book.
I suppose that writing a negative review of this non-book is “thinking small”.
More gibberish
I earn my living as a consultant specialising in Microsoft technologies, mainly SharePoint, with an occasional foray into BizTalk.However I don't love or worship Microsoft, nor do I have any desire to be "certified" or become an MVP.I'm not a Microsoft fanboy. I'm a critical cynic that's often just outspoken.I got a call today from a recruiter saying I wasn't getting a job with one particular company because the guy I interviewed with felt that "I wasn't RESPECTFUL enough towards Microsoft!"
Sounds like an ass kissing company anyway so I probably wouldn't have fit in. Ha!
Sounds like an ass kissing company anyway so I probably wouldn't have fit in. Ha!
Redesign and the end of "Blah Blah"
I've given a lot of thought to the state of blogging and imho, it pretty much sucks.
We lack a deep knowledge about those whose blogs that we follow, with possibly a few rare exceptions.
So with that thought in mind, I plan to redesign my blog site and possibly even move it to a hosted scenario.
We'll see.
Stay tuned.
We lack a deep knowledge about those whose blogs that we follow, with possibly a few rare exceptions.
So with that thought in mind, I plan to redesign my blog site and possibly even move it to a hosted scenario.
We'll see.
Stay tuned.
Susan Boyle - AMAZING!!
My God! It was so worth finding out and repeatedly viewing this video. There are multiple versions on YouTube, but this one is available for viewing in HQ. There is another one though that has the lyrics posted with it.
Please go view the entire clip if you haven't seen it. It is inspirational and totally amazing!
Makes me cry everytime I view it. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg&feature=related
Please go view the entire clip if you haven't seen it. It is inspirational and totally amazing!
Makes me cry everytime I view it. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg&feature=related
Magpie - viral marketing for Twitter
Here's a viral marketing service for Twitter that is very transparent if one follows thousands of other Tweeple: http://be-a-magpie.com/
Seesmic Desktop versus TweetDeck
Apologies to Loic Le Meur, but the current beta of Seesmic Desktop doesn't hold a candle to TweetDeck!
I had just heard a podcast raving about Seesmic while at the same time, the podcasters indicated that they based their rave review on other media sources! Hmm.. sounds a bit like PR BS to me.
I had just heard a podcast raving about Seesmic while at the same time, the podcasters indicated that they based their rave review on other media sources! Hmm.. sounds a bit like PR BS to me.
No Twitter for Hitler - This video will make you laugh out loud.
OMG! This is the funniest video that only Twitter users can truly appreciate!!
http://www.twooting.com/members/twooting/videos/VIEW/00000008/No-Twitter-for-Hitler.html
http://www.twooting.com/members/twooting/videos/VIEW/00000008/No-Twitter-for-Hitler.html
Twitter performance
Obviously Twitter is on to a good thing, but they certainly need to build up their infrastructure as their performance is inconsistent and just plain sucks!
BumpTop - A new Windows UI
BumpTop is a new and at the moment free UI for Windows. Still requires a strong graphics card to take advantage of its interface though. They plan to charge $29 for a premium version of this UI one day, but for now it's free.
TwtrCon - A Twitter Mash Up
TwtrCon: http://twtrcon.com/
Twitter for Business Hotel Nikko, San Francisco May 31, 2009
You can attend for free if you get 10 other people to buy a ticket.
As I am about as social as the Unibomber, that isn't going to work for me.
Twitter for Business Hotel Nikko, San Francisco May 31, 2009
You can attend for free if you get 10 other people to buy a ticket.
As I am about as social as the Unibomber, that isn't going to work for me.
Twitter and Marketing
Having way too much fun with Twitter, which comes as a surprise as I thought I would never use or find any value with the service.
My Twitter profile is at: http://twitpwr.com/profile/mdrips/
I also found this great free book on self marketing by Dan Schawbel:
http://danschawbel.com/bloggingyourbrand.pdf
My Twitter profile is at: http://twitpwr.com/profile/mdrips/
I also found this great free book on self marketing by Dan Schawbel:
http://danschawbel.com/bloggingyourbrand.pdf
If Fallout 3 doesn't start, try this
Turn off Skype. It will not start up if Skype is running.
Even so, be ready for random, patternless crashes. I can spend an entire evening on Fallout 3 without a crash or I can get a crash every 5 minutes. Weird.
Also if you decide to purchase and download the add-ons for Fallout 3, be prepared to continually download them and delete them until a copy actually arrives on your desk from Games For Windows Live. THEN once you actually have the files, you have to move them to the Data folder under Fallout 3. It's a real mess, trust me.
The add-ons are interesting and do give you some new weapons and armor.
Even so, be ready for random, patternless crashes. I can spend an entire evening on Fallout 3 without a crash or I can get a crash every 5 minutes. Weird.
Also if you decide to purchase and download the add-ons for Fallout 3, be prepared to continually download them and delete them until a copy actually arrives on your desk from Games For Windows Live. THEN once you actually have the files, you have to move them to the Data folder under Fallout 3. It's a real mess, trust me.
The add-ons are interesting and do give you some new weapons and armor.
Leslie Gelbman isn't much of an editor
Leslie Gelbman is the head of the Penguin Group's Jove imprint. The recent title "The Ghost War" has this quote on the inside cover:
"Only the dead have seen the end of war" -- Plato
Totally incorrect! Have the people at Penguin even HEARD of the Internet?
'Yet the poor fellows think they are safe! They think that the war is over! Only the dead have seen the end of war.' -- written by George Santayana, Soliloquies in England, Soliloquy #25, Tipperary - as an answer to Woodrow Wilson's 'war to end all wars' speech. Often attributed to Plato (as in the epigram of Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down), following a mistake in General Douglas MacArthur's farewell address to cadets at West Point, as well as numerous other historic errors relative to this quote.
"Only the dead have seen the end of war" -- Plato
Totally incorrect! Have the people at Penguin even HEARD of the Internet?
'Yet the poor fellows think they are safe! They think that the war is over! Only the dead have seen the end of war.' -- written by George Santayana, Soliloquies in England, Soliloquy #25, Tipperary - as an answer to Woodrow Wilson's 'war to end all wars' speech. Often attributed to Plato (as in the epigram of Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down), following a mistake in General Douglas MacArthur's farewell address to cadets at West Point, as well as numerous other historic errors relative to this quote.
Zune 30 gig players locked up worldwide!
On December 31, 2008 I joined the universal club of people who own 30 gig Zune players and found that their Zunes are completely locked up!
Microsoft is in almost total denial about this problem. Their site at www.zune.net states:
"Customers using the Zune 30 might experience problems starting their players. We’re aware of the problem and are working to correct it. The Zune Social might be slow or inaccessible. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!"
Every non-Microsoft forum discusses the fact that there is no problem "starting" your player. They all are FROZEN!!
Nice quality control and software testing there Microsoft! Maybe you could bring over some more H1B idiots to work for low wages, take away jobs from Americans and in general do the shoddy work that they are famous for.
Just as a P.S. (Feb. 3, 2009) I think Microsoft will NEVER fix this issue of the last day of leap year locking up Zunes, as they figure most of these older Zunes won't be in service at the end of the next leap year in 2012.
In addition, they lost over $50 million on the Zune in 2008, due to their poor marketing and product support.
Microsoft is in almost total denial about this problem. Their site at www.zune.net states:
"Customers using the Zune 30 might experience problems starting their players. We’re aware of the problem and are working to correct it. The Zune Social might be slow or inaccessible. Sorry for the inconvenience, and thanks for your patience!"
Every non-Microsoft forum discusses the fact that there is no problem "starting" your player. They all are FROZEN!!
Nice quality control and software testing there Microsoft! Maybe you could bring over some more H1B idiots to work for low wages, take away jobs from Americans and in general do the shoddy work that they are famous for.
Just as a P.S. (Feb. 3, 2009) I think Microsoft will NEVER fix this issue of the last day of leap year locking up Zunes, as they figure most of these older Zunes won't be in service at the end of the next leap year in 2012.
In addition, they lost over $50 million on the Zune in 2008, due to their poor marketing and product support.
Vista Ultimate x64 with 8 gigs of RAM
Due to a failing Samsung hard drive that shipped with my system, I decided to do a full upgrade on my system. I went to a 10000 RPM Western Digital (WD3000GLFS) drive for starters, then upgraded my system RAM from 3 Gigs (all that is really useful under 32x Windows) to 8 Gigs.
Even though I got the fastest RAM available (upgraded from 667 to 800), the Windows Experience program only boosted my RAM rating from 5.3 to 5.5 (everything else is 5.9).
Since there is a dearth of 64x applications, I have yet to see the system utilizing more than 3 Gigs of RAM at any time. So basically I have 5 Gigs of RAM sitting around being bored and wishing they were in a server.
I can say though that overall performance is much faster and crisper. Then again perhaps I am just imagining that to compensate for the $500 ($300 for the drive and $200 for the RAM) upgrade price.
Even though I got the fastest RAM available (upgraded from 667 to 800), the Windows Experience program only boosted my RAM rating from 5.3 to 5.5 (everything else is 5.9).
Since there is a dearth of 64x applications, I have yet to see the system utilizing more than 3 Gigs of RAM at any time. So basically I have 5 Gigs of RAM sitting around being bored and wishing they were in a server.
I can say though that overall performance is much faster and crisper. Then again perhaps I am just imagining that to compensate for the $500 ($300 for the drive and $200 for the RAM) upgrade price.
Let Nader Debate
Ralph Nader is on the ballot in almost every state. He is intelligent, articulate and concerned about America.
He should be in the Presidential debates, even for nothing more than raising issues that need to be discussed.
Unfortunately the debate process is controlled by the two major parties so that isn't going to happen.
That's too bad as we all lose out when our two party candidates gloss over the issues.
Thermaltake cools the XFX 8800GT
I haven't posted in 5 months but wanted to mention that I did research cooling the nVidia 8800GT that I bought from XFX. To cut to the chase, I purchased the Thermaltake DuOrb which sports a lot of copper and two fans. It only cost $50 and was well worth it. It keeps the 8800 cool and runs silently.
Thermaltake no longer sells this model as they are always improving their product line, but I highly recommend them for cooling your video board.
Thermaltake no longer sells this model as they are always improving their product line, but I highly recommend them for cooling your video board.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)