Misuse of Technology… silly kids

Posted on October 29th, 2010 by craighope

Do you have pager service in your hotel?

My almost 17 year old nephew communicates almost solely via text messages (unless physically near you).  But then you can be in the same house and he will text instead of climbing stairs.

I digress….  He texted me an item he wants for his birthday.  It’s a audio component for his car, but that’s not important.  I open the text.  It has an attached picture.  I open the picture.  The picture was of a webpage displaying the item.

The dork used his phone to take a picture to then text it to me.

The more prudent method would be to forward the link via email.

The children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.

My Carbonite Experience

Posted on October 26th, 2010 by craighope

Lost my data, get Carbonite

December Update: I am very satisfied with Carbonite thus far.  The backup was a bit slow but I attribute that to me being cheap with regard to my Internet service (next to lowest bandwidth option through Time Warner).

The interface for managing the backup of files is simple and easy.  Your Windows explorer will display a small dot on the folder and file icons.  Green meaning backed up.  Orange indicating not yet backed up.  The “InfoCenter” is not complicated and displays a progress bar indicating the overall status/progress.  I scheduled my backups to run overnight.

The Holidays mean more pictures and videos and I find myself transferring my photos to the hard drive and then checking Carbonite to be sure they get backed up.

THIS IS A NO BRAINER!!!! Sign up and get your data backed up in the cloud.

(Previous Post) October: I finally decided to signup for an online backup solution.  Until now, I have kept all my data scattered about on a couple home computers and mostly on an external hard drive.

Well… the hard drive crashed.  Stopped spinning.  Disaster strikes.  The good news is that I can pull together the data from the various sources and collect on my drive.

Once that is done, I going to start backing the data up with Carbonite.

My Experience:  The signup and install is easy.  Out of the box, Carbonite only backs up your c: drive.  It does NOT backup any external drives.  However, you can perform steps to mount a drive and then select the folder you want to backup.  For example, I put my files on f:\mydata, then I opened disk management and “added a mounted drive” to my newly created c:\myexternaldata folder.  See this Microsoft article (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307889).

Citizen Pledge to Society…

Posted on October 2nd, 2010 by craighope

A Pledge to America

The republicans are campaigning on an old platform “A Pledge to America“.  It is nothing new.  I don’t disagree.  It is a simple  rehash of conservative values on which this country was founded.  Bor-Ring!!!!!

But… I am irritated by it.  I am irritated that we too often get fed the message the government takes care of us (the citizens).  Government is necessary to a certain extent (roads and basic services we all share), but the argument begins when our government begins to control too many facets of our lives.  I digress.   … the message is old.   Obviously, my narrative here is for limited government etc.

We The People…

I believe, we (the citizens) need to have our own pledge to this great country and to our fellow citizens.  After all, the cogs that make this machine go ’round are the people who work and contribute to this great free enterprise country.  The pledge goes something like this.

Citizens Pledge

I pledge to my country…

… to behave within the laws of my local, state, and federal governments (that’s pretty simple right?)

… to develop skills that benefit private industry either through education or experience.  (note: skills can be used in public services as well.  I concede this is needed as well)

… to make every effort to be employed in good times and bad either inside or outside my skills or industry of my choosing.  (Note: this does not necessarily mean earning money.  working for free at a school or church can be “employment”, but also feeds into the next item.)

… to live within my financial means and maintain reasonable debt.

… to limit my use of public programs and rely on my own resources.

… to file and pay my taxes on time and lawfully within the tax code.

… to be informed and exercise my right to vote at all local, state, and federal elections.

… to be counted (census) when called upon to be counted.

… to donate time or money to needy causes.

… to respect our neighbors by maintaining property.

… to laugh at myself and recognize my own stupidity.

… to maintain good health by eating right and exercising.  (Disclaimer: consult your doctor before engaging in exercise).

… to plant a tree.

… to be a good example for our kids.

And finally…  Drink plenty of water.

Don’t be stingy on your coffee experience…

Posted on September 11th, 2010 by craighope

Start the day right

One aspect of life is our to achieve levels of luxury.  One small way is to get yourself a good coffee maker.

Cheap coffee makers WILL break down over time.

A good one will last longer.  Treat it like any other major appliance.  You use it every day.

I would suggest to home builders to stub in water hookups for commercial style coffee makers much like they do for fridge ice makers or any other appliance.   But I digress.

What is in a good one?  A timer is priceless.  The timer allows you to make it in the evening and then have to start brewing and finish for your wakeup time.  Filterless (gold mesh baskets).  We all hate fumbling with the paper filters right?  The travel mug styles are pretty nice, but don’t really have weekender staying power when you want a normal morning mug.

Enjoy!

Click below to buy from Amazon…

Product Review: Motion Sensor Sprinkler

Posted on August 31st, 2010 by craighope

I have been having a problem with deer chomping on my plants and trees.  The trees are fine but the plants are not growing or blooming due to the critter munching them down to stems.

I bought a motion sensor sprinkler that will squirt in a short 3 second burst when something activates the sensor.  Remember to turn it off when working in the yard.

I highly recommend this product.

Tags: motion sensor sprinkler

Water Bottles, many uses…

Posted on June 27th, 2010 by craighope

We all need to drink water.  Simply drink more water.  It is cliche to say, but using plastic simply ain’t cool anymore.  You should invest in a BPA free metal style bottle.  The beauty of the metal bottles is they are tough.  We have one that has a huge dent in the side.  Still works.  Works fine.

But, you can use these for more than water.  During these summer months, you can fill with your favorite poolside beverage (margarita’s, Coconut rum with lime, heck drop a 40 oz of Bud in there).  The bottles are ideal for any venue where glass is not a smart idea.  Off load your favorite wine into a 1000ml sized bottle for a picnic.

Don’t let the price scare you.  They are a bit more expensive but they are worth it.  These bottles last forever.

Tags: water bottle

Maca, “Spanish Fly”?, Aphrodisiac?

Posted on June 25th, 2010 by craighope

Maca is a superfood-food-herb with an outstanding ability to increase energy, endurance and strength.  It is also touted to increase female sexual function.

Is it true?  I don’t know, but it is quite interesting.

Buy some online… it is not very expensive.   ….Organic Maca

Tags: feel sexy, Maca

Project Management 101

Posted on June 25th, 2010 by craighope

When a project team gathers to collaborate and set goals, there are elements to be considered.

1. Remove inefficiency.

2. Focus on the goal.

3. Be respectful and empathetic to all ideas. And above all…  “Be Nice!”

Dalton, tell them what I mean….

Tags: Project Management, Road House

“Bakon”, Baked Bacon…

Posted on June 19th, 2010 by craighope

Bakon

This method of cooking bacon is not my own invention and one that is most likely employed by many in the food world.  I have to give credit to my friend Jason McMahon.  He use this method one weekend when rustlin’ up the grub during a dudes weekend where he was cooking for 6 ravenous hungover 30-somethings.

The method is easy, clean and allows you more time to do other things in the kitchen.

Using a cookie sheet covered with foil, you place the slices of bacon on the foil.  I like to pepper the bacon really good, but that is optional.  Heat the oven to 350 and cook until your desired level of crispy is achieved.

In about 15 to 20 minutes you have a literal “slice” of heaven.

Bakon Finished...

Tags: bake your bacon