Google Chromebook
If you are looking for an inexpensive laptop experience, the Chromebook should be considered.
I like how it accepts you as a new user by using your Google account. That’s it. You are part of the family.
Of course this means you need to signup with Google to create an account. If you have not experienced all the apps and tools that Google offers, you should check it out.
For example, I have an Android phone and moved all my music to the Google Play app. I can stream my music from any internet connected device and on my phone (with the ability to download songs and playlists to the device locally for those times when the internet is not accessible).
If you need to know, the touchpad is your mouse and there are no buttons. If you need to right-click, use <alt>+<tap touchpad> or a 2-finger-tap (requires some mad skill).
I propose that everyone pay only 17% tax at the end of next year.
This goes for you who pay nothing now. Buck up and throw some money to the roads, education, and national defense.
The sizes of the cell phone technology has come 360 degrees.
In the 80′s, we had the large Bag Phone. This was a cell phone in a bag. It was the cell technology that made its way out of the ‘car phone’ to something mobile we could use while on foot. Then again, it was somewhat heavy and nobody wanted to carry it around.
Bag Phone
The bag phone made a cameo in “Lethal Weapon” when Sgt Murtaugh used it in the field. He was a strong tough guy so the weight meant nothing to him.
Sgt Murtaugh Bag Phone usage
As phone technology got better, the devices got smaller and smaller. The bag got dropped from the form factor. Batteries got smaller. Antennae no longer needed to be included.
Cell Phone history
Will Ferrell parodied the smallest cell phone on SNL in the 90′s. It was his attempt to show the hipness of having a small phone.
Will Ferrell
Phones got so small, we started hanging them off our belts. Not sure if this was a status thing or a convenience thing.
Then around mid 200′s, the iPhone and Smartphones came on the scene and started getting a bit bigger. Screens got larger. Touch screens etc.
Smartphones
We were confused. Is the device supposed to be a phone or a computer. It served both purposes. Texting reigns supreme, phone calls are actually a nuisance. People carried around phones to play games, text, and listen to music.
Enter the tablet.
Tablet
People now haul around their tablets much like we did with bag phones.
Full circle.
working from home
The Yahoo! decision to end the policy of working from home has put a spotlight on the concept. As a result there are many interesting takes on the matter. One of them is a women’s rights issue. I am sure on that, it feels like a stretch. In the interest of equality in the workplace, I like to keep all employees on the same level. There are single dads too.
I fall squarely in the middle. I have worked remotely and I like it. Working from home can be good and bad. It is not for everyone. If you are a person who can set a task and get it done, then you are good. If you are a 20-something who thinks you can multi-task (watching SyFy channel, reading comic books and managing workload) thus not finishing what you need to get done, then no.
For the old school management style, I understand the insecurity of not having physical bodies present in one place for you to “manage” (keep an eye on) or bounce a quick question off of. This style of management is antiquated and seems better suited for a workforce that is less motivated, less educated, less self starting.
In a professional workforce, managers set goals and let the resources achieve. Obviously there are technologies needed to keep a remote workforce within communication (Instant Messaging, Cell Phones, Video conferencing). Not all companies have this ability (I argue that Yahoo! does). SideBar: I find it funny that if my IM is offline, the sender feels “they can’t get hold of me”. Uh, hello, email, call. We are not avatars.
I have worked remotely and found great benefits of doing so. I like the ability to focus on a single (or few) task(s) for a longer period of time without interruption (which sometimes means turning off the IM). I really like saving the time (and gas) commuting (and showering). I avoid the unnecessary kibitzing that often occurs in the office (note: this is also not all bad). I find the home work time productive, but I would not want work from home full time.
The downside of remote workers is a disconnection from the others. This is not always an element of all workplaces that is important. Some places of work require more interactive collaboration where others require heads down focus. For example, a team of software developers will need to sit in a room spitballing on a white board. An editor may need seclusion to read through manuscripts and take notes. My personal experience finds the need too queue up questions and get back to the office and have face to face meetings (PS. meetings are for collaboration and decision making, not announcements to the team).
I don’t know the full reason why Yahoo! decided to pull back workers. I suspect they feel their remote workers were not as productive . I feel bad for those productive remote employees who are being punished by the others. A blanket policy tends to crush the morale. We will only see if this was a good move.
I feel that a workplace can evaluate those worker roles suited for Working From Home and make a decision on a case by case basis. If you produce, it is a good policy. If you don’t, then get in the office or get out.
Good Luck Yahoo!
PS.S. It pisses me off how some people can’t communicate… like reply to email. Often times email is used to ask a question not requiring immediate response. I get peeved when no reply is ever received. Or how about people who email you and immediately walk to your desk with “I sent you and email”. I have ranted on this before. Here.
Hockey is not the only great thing that “The Great One” ever did.
He produced a hot daughter too. Meet Paulina Gretzky.
To see much much more, Let me Google that for you…
Paulina Gretzky
There are literally thousands of different vacation opportunities to pursue through a paddle related vacation. Many people choose to use the paddling adventure as the main focal point, the nucleus for their vacation. However, rarely do people just stop there! Enjoying cultural opportunities, sightseeing, tasting local cuisine, or simply just winding down from the hustle and bustle of ordinary life are sideline activities often appended to one’s R&R!
End Daylights Savings time
I work in Information Technology and I have to monkey with this time change event twice a year. It’s a hassle and as you look deeper into why we do it, you realize it is silly and no longer useful.
The origin of this concept was Ben Franklin in 1784. The old goat felt that changing the time would save on candles. He was probably right, but he could have as easily awoken an hour later to begin his day.
During the World Wars, DST was used by some countries as a cost savings effort to help fund their war efforts. FDR called it “war time” and it was enforced after Pearl Harbor bombing. After Japan surrendered, it became known as “peace time”.
Daylights Savings it confusing for obvious reasons. It’s 4 oclock here and 5 oclock there and we are 2 miles from each other (bordering cities). Not all of the country participated originally. It was 1966 when Congress passed the Uniform Time Act and it was modified in 2005 by extending it by a month.
The modern reality:
Energy consumption savings from DST is minimal and can be easily offset by energy efficient bulbs, appliances, and adding solar energy sources. Let’s stop this antiquated practice of adjusting our clocks. If local governments, schools, and businesses want to make use of the daylight hours why not adjust your schedules instead.
If you want to see an end to DST, visit the White House Petition site and sign it.
Having children is a grand journey. Without question. But it is also not without its frustrating moments. There are some tips and tricks you can follow to make the journey easier.
Here is the list in no particular order.
- Noise cancelling headphones. This one speaks for itself. Buy Now.
- Media outlets on your personal device. Unless you are Donald Trump or Mr. Burns and have your own media room, your TV will get overrun with Cartoons and children glued to the TV. #occupyMYTV. You can tap into your cable channel or other free online media on your phone or tablet. Install them for a private viewing room anywhere in the house (see Noise cancelling headphones).
- A secret savings account. This is not what you think. I am not suggesting stashing money to buy booze or go to strip clubs. I am saying to chuck away a few dollars for a sitter. From time to time you and Mrs. or girlfriend need a date night.
- A Kid PC. Setup an old computer for use to browse the web. Simply install the basics… virus protection, parental controls, and a web browser. Bam! Let ‘em play games and watch youtube all day long.
- Multiple DVR’s. I got mine, you got yours. I should not need to explain further.
- A crap collection bin. Put a container in a spot where you can collect all the junk the kids leave around and place in the bin for later return to their rooms. My kids are constantly leaving clothes and toys in the living room. Toss in the bin. Buy Now.
More to come….
Adam Carolla used to do his “Do yourself a favor” list of helpful things you can do to ease your life. (If you want to subscribe to Adam Carolla’s © podcast, visit here.)
I am going to partly steal the idea and carry on with it. Here are some thoughts and ideas I believe you can employ to make living more enjoyable, reduce stress and basically make stuff easy.
- Throw away any and all catalogs and advertising from the postal mail. Flipping through these catalogs are fun but they also melt your brain and you end up buying crap you don’t really need.
- Put basic tools in every room of the house. Have a drawer or small toolbox with a hammer, tape measure, tape, screw drivers. Keep this in the same place and don’t remove it from the room. When you need it you know where it is. Same goes for scissors, tape and post-it notes.
- Remove sugary snack foods from the house. If you crave the quick snack, its too easy to consume when they are accessible.
- Buy a Universal remote for your TV’s and associated devices. I have 3 of the Logitech remotes. They are easy to program and makes turning on the TV, DVD, stereo etc. easy and keep only one remote handy.
Logitech 915-000162 Harmony 700 Rechargeable Remote with Color Screen (Black)
- Don’t purchase something just because you have a coupon. Chances are you don’t need it.
- Use multi blade razors. These are the best shave you can get.
Gillette Fusion Proglide Manual 1 Up Razor
- Install a password manager on your computer. There are many similar products out there, but do some research and choose on. I use LastPass. It’s great! Coral your passwords to all those websites. It can even autofill fields and log you in automagically.
Happy New Year and may your 2013 be fruitful.
5 min egg sandwich
I often time hear people say “they don’t have time for breakfast” or “I don’t have time to cook” in the morning. Bully!
Here is a breakdown on how to cook a lovely egg sandwich in 5 min.
Stuff you need: Microwave, toaster, bread or english muffin (preferred), egg, slice of cheese, butter (or substitute), small microwavable dish (bowl, pyrex dish), and salt and pepper to taste. Oh, a bit of paper towel to cover the dish.
1. Drop the bread or english muffin in the toaster. This will take about 90 seconds
2. Put a small pat of butter in the dish and microwave for 30 seconds to melt the butter.
3. crack the egg in the buttered dish, break the yolk, cover with paper towel and microwave for about 45 seconds. Note: it will pop in the microwave when cooked through.
4. Toasted bread/eng muffin should be finished by now.
5. Construct your sandwich. Toast… cheese… lay down cooked egg. Salt and pepper to taste. Then cover with other toast piece.
Bam!
Optional Items: You can place a slice of ham, canadian bacon on top of the egg before you cook it. add 5 seconds to total cooking time. You can also schmere some mayo on the bread if you wish.
Eat.
