2009 CES

Just got back from the 2009 CES in Las Vegas.

Some cool new stuff, like:
- Windows 7 - running on a large touchscreen
- Upcoming SDXC (super high-capacity SD) cards
with up to 2TB capacity
- Super-thin (less than 1" thick) HDTV's

I also got to play with:
- T-Mobile G1 Smartphone
(feels good in the hand, but still needs some more time)
- Blackberry Storm (I was unimpressed)
- Halo Wars
(interesting - didn't play it too long, but probably will buy it)

Click through to see my pictures from the show.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinlosangeles/sets/72157612445477409/

Idiot Sighting

I went to the grocery store tonight, and saw a woman walking through the grocery store. She was probably in her early 20's. She was talking loudly on her cell phone, and of course oblivious to anyone around her. Of course this happens every day. It's always annoying, but in this case it really irritated me. Why?

1. The conversation was clearly of little importance or substance.
2. A stream of f-bombs was emitted from this idiot's mouth.
3. She was pushing a baby stroller.

I was tempted to say something, but let my better angels win this time.

I curse sometimes; perhaps too much. It's never in public, and never around children.

Morons like this may be common, but the triple-threat combo performed by this idiot makes her extra special.

So pissed...

This is an old problem, but I'm writing about it because I just ran into more gliches... :(

A few months back, I replaced my old XP "work" machine with a very well-equipped Quad-Core machine, with 5GB memory... And Vista 64-Bit.

I have two primary printers in my office. One is a LaserJet 3015, the other is a DeskJet 9650.

HP had Vista-compatible drivers for the LaserJet 3015. Great, right? Well, not so much. The drivers that HP released for Vista treat it like a standard one-function laser printer. Faxing from the computer is gone, and scanning through the document feeder just doesn't work. I told myself I could live without these features, and when I've wanted to use them over the last few months, I argued that the lack of these features wasn't worth replacing the device.

On to the Deskjet 9650. When I bought this printer, I thought I was in heaven. Fast everyday prints, slow-but-amazing LARGE prints (up to 13" x 19", 11" x 17" borderless). When I set up the new computer, I discovered that HP has no Vista-compatible drivers for this printer. That being said, a few points of light on the internetz suggested that using a different driver for a different model would work. To a large extent, this has worked. Of course, the driver doesn't support the borderless printing, and I haven't even tried to print BIG POSTERS. This is the printer I print my business invoices on. I have my logo in color, I put "make payable to" with a highlighted yellow background, etc.

Anyway, this morning it just decided to not work. It did this the other day, and turning it off and on seemed to "fix" the problem then, but not now. I don't have time to connect it to an XP machine this morning.

Looks like today's appointments will be getting black & white invoices...

I think I'm going to have to suck it up and replace both after the holidays...

XBOX Live "Avatars"

Microsoft recently rolled out the "New XBOX Experience (NXE)" which includes personal "avatars" a-la "Mii's" on Nintendo's Wii. Obviously, since they're "cartoony", they'll never look exactly like you, but the options are pretty limited. I tried to make my avatar using the closest options available. This looks nothing like me. (And I'd never wear a watch halfway up my forearm...)

Outlook 2003 was showing TWO instances of my PST...

I use Outlook 2003 very extensively, and was unaware that it suddenly started showing two instances of my "Personal Folders" file.

The two data sources didn't show in the "Mail" control panel item, so I couldn't remove the second one. Within Outlook, I couldn't close the second one.

Normally this wouldn't cause a problem, and it didn't - EXCEPT for the auto-backup add-in. It saw two identical PST's, and chose to ignore BOTH of them.

Here's what I did to fix it.

I created a new profile, and redirected that profile to use the original PST file.

I then re-entered all 11 email accounts, and everything's okay now.

Nuttin' But Stringz

I ordered a CD from Nuttin' But Stringz via their website (www.nuttinbutstringz.com) - well over 6 weeks ago.

No email confirming the order. And still NO CD.

It's only $15, but it's the principle that's important.

They're talented guys, but apparently I'm not the only one they DEFRAUDED:

http://www.complaintsboard.com/complaints/nuttin-but-stringz-c115419.html

UPDATE: I FINALLY RECEIVED THE CD ABOUT TWO DAYS AFTER THIS POST. The disc itself was very professional looking, but the outer packaging felt cheap - no jewel case, just a sleeve.

I gave the disc away, since I already had it via bittorrent. It's now on my iPod and my iPhone - and it's good, but their crappy follow-up may hinder their growth. It's a shame, because they're very talented.

WOW!

Went to the Apple Store today to get the iPhone fixed. They didn't even send it in.
THEY GAVE ME A NEW ONE!!! WHOO HOO!!

iPhone home button not working

My iPhone 3G's home button stopped working today.

Grrr... I was so pissed off, I actually bought a NEW ONE (this one just 8GB) to use while it's getting repaired. Impulsive, maybe - but I can't be without it. $399 before tax, plus a 2-year contract extension.

I set an appointment to bring it into the Apple Store tomorrow. Hopefully they can fix it quick.

On the bright side, I now have a spare.

Ford Sync from Microsoft

Microsoft Sync just rocks.

My iPod works GREAT with it.

My iPhone works GREAT with it.

Couldn't be happier!

Election Day! John McCain WINS in historic upset!

John McCain wins in historic upset!

A guy can dream, right?

A little surprise with iTunes 8

Recently installed the iTunes 8 update. The new Genius feature is pretty useless for me, as is the new visualizer. That being said, the new album view is kinda nice. Not much else changed/improved.

Except... I noticed that before updating, the icon Windows showed for my iPhone was a camera.

Now it's an iPhone. Nice.

I know it's minor, but a nice touch nonetheless.

syncmyride.com

I've been trying for a few weeks to register my car on the syncmyride.com website.

Apparently, they haven't put my car in the database of possible vehicles.

I contacted Ford, and asked why it kept rejecting my VIN. They told me it would be updated and available by the end of August.

It's September 10. No dice.

Grrr...

I bought a new car...

I had been meaning to buy a new car, and finally did it...

I bought a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid. It has Sync from Microsoft, so it adds voice command to the iPhone, which is super sweet.

So far, I love it. I couldn't be happier. Of course, I'm going from having no car payment to having a new expense, but I will be spending about half on gas, so that'll take some of the sting off...

Vista strikes again...

I used to have two windows XP machnes in my office, and used to be able to print to their printers from my mac.

Now I've got a Vista machine, and cannot get the damn thing to connect to the shared printers.

I've tried everything, and have resorted to creating pdf files on the mac, saving them to a pocket drive, or copying them to the vista machine over the network (yes, I can see/modify files) and then printing them from windows directly...

Very frustrating.

MobileMe sucks

I just tried using MobileMe, and the first thing it did was create two calendars in my Outlook, labeled "Work" and "Home". There's just one problem. I use the default calendar and keep everything there. Lame. I cancelled it immediately, so I didn't have to pay $60 for such garbage.

My XBOX 360 finally got the Red Ring of Death

Well, it's finally happened. It got the Red Ring of Death...
Shipping box is on it's way...

iPhone 2.0.1 firmware update helps, but...

The 2.0.1 firmware update released last night seems to help a little:
- faster backups and sync
- most things on phone respond faster
- phone seems a bit more stable

My biggest gripe about the sync process is that it doesn't seem to confirm changes to Outlook data. That being said, it seems to be making those decisions correctly.

So far, I'm very happy.

iTunes 7.7.1 improves backup

I just installed iTunes 7.7.1. It seems to speed up the backup.

I don't know if it improves anything else...

Got an iPhone, but...

I just got an iPhone 3G!

Overall, I'm loving it!

But, I want to use it for my calendar and to replace my Pocket PC.

It's supposed to synchronize with Outlook 2003 out of the box.

Initially, it seemed to do just that. However, apparently there's at least a few hitches. It looks like there's a problem with recurring appointments (like birthdays).

I've already had to clear it out and restore it from scratch. I'll be watching very closely over the next few days.

Let's just say I'm not gonna be selling my Pocket PC just yet.

iPhone 3G lines...

I want to get an iPhone 3G, but I don't want to wait on line.

It's been on sale for about 3 weeks, and there's still CRAZY lines at every Apple Store in the area.

Grr...