Apparently TMZ has noticed too, as they put together a comparison of Adam Lambert and former American Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell...
http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/19/adam-lambert-david-cooks-ex/
Thursday, March 19, 2009
American Idol... WTF?!?
I've been watching American Idol lately, and while I think all of the current contestants are very talented, there's one that just irritates me - Adam Lambert. Every week, he gets more and more effeminate. I don't care what his orientation is, nor do I care if he wears "guyliner". I just wonder about the state of our society if this guy ends up winning. He's very talented, but I can't stand to watch him writhe around as he sings in an increasingly feminine falsetto.
Apparently TMZ has noticed too, as they put together a comparison of Adam Lambert and former American Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell...
http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/19/adam-lambert-david-cooks-ex/
Apparently TMZ has noticed too, as they put together a comparison of Adam Lambert and former American Idol contestant Kimberly Caldwell...
http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/19/adam-lambert-david-cooks-ex/
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Terrorism = "Man-Caused Disaster"???
Janet Napolitano, the new Homeland Security Secretary, apparently has a policy of avoiding use of the words "terrorism" and "terrorist". She prefers the poorly-crafted phrase "man-caused disasters."
Yeah, right... This kinda reminds me of the news anchors describing a guy with a bomb strapped to his chest as a "homicide bomber" instead of "suicide bomber." You know you've heard them do it. Did you notice it?
Is this political correctness or just stupidity?
Here's an interview with Mrs. Napolitano in Germany's "Der Spiegel":
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,613330,00.html
Yeah, right... This kinda reminds me of the news anchors describing a guy with a bomb strapped to his chest as a "homicide bomber" instead of "suicide bomber." You know you've heard them do it. Did you notice it?
Is this political correctness or just stupidity?
Here's an interview with Mrs. Napolitano in Germany's "Der Spiegel":
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,613330,00.html
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
iomega's customer support is CRAP
A client of mine has an iomega NAS 150d RAID box. He bought it to use as a network storage device, and since it was advertised as a redundant RAID, he felt that it was a sort of "built-in" backup. I questioned the strategy, and suggested that a different approach might be better, as well as provide faster access to his files. He rebuffed my suggestion, probably because he paid nearly $1,000 for the device, and truly believed that it was adequate for his needs. I didn't push the issue further, and figured I'd address it again at a later time.
A few months later, he moved his office, which necessitated a change the IP addressing of his network. Since it's configured using a built-in webserver, the directions clearly say the device must be reset to factory settings. Okay...
The device was configured by the client to have four named folders, each with their own permissions. Again, according to iomega, when you reset such a device to the factory settings, all you have to do is "re-create" the folders and you'll be able to access them.
Unfortunately, the firmware on the device was 4x.xx, and the current firmware is somewhere around 8X.XX. This is significant. With the older firmware, when you try to "re-create" the folders, you have to click "browse" to get to them. When you click browse, the subsequent window never populates. So normally, the answer would be to update the firmware so that it functions properly. However, to go from 4X.XX to 8X.XX would erase all data on the device. In order to keep your data when doing a fimware update, iomega recommends using the device's built-in backup function. You hook up an external USB hard disk to the box, and use another "browse" button to tell the box what folders you wish to back up. That function doesn't work either.
Iomega's telephone support took days before even getting a return phone call to me, and by that point they told me there was nothing that their tech support could do. However, they also were quick to inform me that they have their own in-house DATA RECOVERY SERVICE. Hmmm... Let's build a device that's horribly flawed and overpriced considering those flaws. We can then charge THOUSANDS of dollars to recover data from a device we built - data that is only inaccessible due to OUR OWN DESIGN FLAWS.
During the whole process of contacting iomega for the client, I gave one of the phone reps my email address. I got various boilerplate/automated messages from the support department, but none of them were helpful. The client also mentioned that he dutifully registered the device, but never heard anything from iomega about updating the firmware. He and I both, however, have been receiving plenty of advertising emails from iomega.
In the end, rather than sending the box via fedex to iomega and spending at least $3,000 to have the data retrieved, I personally took the device to a local data recovery service that I had used in the past. The owner of the lab (with over 30 years experience in the field) described NAS devices in general as a "bad idea". He and his staff spent several days hacking into the Linux-based device, and eventually were able to recover the client's data. The final cost for that service was $1,000. It's a significant discount over iomega's data recovery service, but it's still a bitter pill to swallow.
What's worse from my perspective is that because it happened on "my watch", I felt partially responsible, despite the fact that I followed iomega's instructions and did nothing wrong. I "ate" a significant portion of my fees, and did a lot for the client without charging him. I also believe the client feels that it's my fault that he had to spend $1,000 to recover his data.
In short, I will never buy or recommend another iomega device. Their device (and apparently all similar iomega NAS devices in the product line) shipped with such serious flaws, and rather than HELPING me, they added my email to their marketing list.
Can you tell I'm upset by this??? ;)
A few months later, he moved his office, which necessitated a change the IP addressing of his network. Since it's configured using a built-in webserver, the directions clearly say the device must be reset to factory settings. Okay...
The device was configured by the client to have four named folders, each with their own permissions. Again, according to iomega, when you reset such a device to the factory settings, all you have to do is "re-create" the folders and you'll be able to access them.
Unfortunately, the firmware on the device was 4x.xx, and the current firmware is somewhere around 8X.XX. This is significant. With the older firmware, when you try to "re-create" the folders, you have to click "browse" to get to them. When you click browse, the subsequent window never populates. So normally, the answer would be to update the firmware so that it functions properly. However, to go from 4X.XX to 8X.XX would erase all data on the device. In order to keep your data when doing a fimware update, iomega recommends using the device's built-in backup function. You hook up an external USB hard disk to the box, and use another "browse" button to tell the box what folders you wish to back up. That function doesn't work either.
Iomega's telephone support took days before even getting a return phone call to me, and by that point they told me there was nothing that their tech support could do. However, they also were quick to inform me that they have their own in-house DATA RECOVERY SERVICE. Hmmm... Let's build a device that's horribly flawed and overpriced considering those flaws. We can then charge THOUSANDS of dollars to recover data from a device we built - data that is only inaccessible due to OUR OWN DESIGN FLAWS.
During the whole process of contacting iomega for the client, I gave one of the phone reps my email address. I got various boilerplate/automated messages from the support department, but none of them were helpful. The client also mentioned that he dutifully registered the device, but never heard anything from iomega about updating the firmware. He and I both, however, have been receiving plenty of advertising emails from iomega.
In the end, rather than sending the box via fedex to iomega and spending at least $3,000 to have the data retrieved, I personally took the device to a local data recovery service that I had used in the past. The owner of the lab (with over 30 years experience in the field) described NAS devices in general as a "bad idea". He and his staff spent several days hacking into the Linux-based device, and eventually were able to recover the client's data. The final cost for that service was $1,000. It's a significant discount over iomega's data recovery service, but it's still a bitter pill to swallow.
What's worse from my perspective is that because it happened on "my watch", I felt partially responsible, despite the fact that I followed iomega's instructions and did nothing wrong. I "ate" a significant portion of my fees, and did a lot for the client without charging him. I also believe the client feels that it's my fault that he had to spend $1,000 to recover his data.
In short, I will never buy or recommend another iomega device. Their device (and apparently all similar iomega NAS devices in the product line) shipped with such serious flaws, and rather than HELPING me, they added my email to their marketing list.
Can you tell I'm upset by this??? ;)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Idiot sighting
I went to dinner with my Dad & Stepmom on Sunday. My Stepmom whispered to me: "Don't look now, but why is that guy wearing his hood inside the restaurant?"
I waited a moment, then looked over to see this idiot:
(It may be a little tough to see, since it was dark, and the iPhone camera doesn't do too well in dim lighting...)
Of course, at some point I had to ask why that young lady was having dinner with the Unabomber... ;)
I waited a moment, then looked over to see this idiot:
(It may be a little tough to see, since it was dark, and the iPhone camera doesn't do too well in dim lighting...)
Of course, at some point I had to ask why that young lady was having dinner with the Unabomber... ;)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Octomom IDIOT
TMZ has published a photo of the OCTOMOM IDIOT'S Minivan with a "Denver boot" on it.
As far as I'm concerned, the boot isn't the interesting part.
It's the fact that she left her children UNATTENDED in a CAR.
http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/13/octuplet-mom-odyssey-interrupted/
WARNING - They also have a picture of her showing off her HUGE belly. Be warned.
As far as I'm concerned, the boot isn't the interesting part.
It's the fact that she left her children UNATTENDED in a CAR.
http://www.tmz.com/2009/02/13/octuplet-mom-odyssey-interrupted/
WARNING - They also have a picture of her showing off her HUGE belly. Be warned.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Octuplets Mom Has 6 Other Kids
Apparently the CA woman who recently gave birth to OCTUPLETS already has 6 kids.
She also lives with her parents in a small house.
The "father" of the children, at least the most recent 8, is apparently not in the country.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/29/earlyshow/health/main4761676.shtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7860041.stm
Of course, shetook fertility drugs had 8 embryos implanted - which often leads to twins/triplets/etc.
I've heard reports in the media that her parents had to file for bankruptcy recently.
The babies were born several weeks premature, and are all around 2-3 pounds each.
Who do you think will pay for the extended stay and special care these children will receive in the hospital. Hmmm... I wonder...
Update:
She's apparently been obsessed with having children for a long time, so much that her mother believes she's got a psychological disorder of some sort:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090131/ap_on_re_us/octuplets_10
Why is it that virtually nowhere in the media is anyone reporting what an irresponsible parasite this woman is?
I just heard a report on NBC that said:
- Implanting eight embryos is NOT a normal medical practice. Typically no more than one or two are implanted. How this woman got a doctor to implant EIGHT is beyond me.
- "Complicated Births" can cost as much as $400,000 per child. That puts this idiot's bill at well over 3 MILLION DOLLARS. WHO DO YOU THINK IS PAYING FOR IT?
She also lives with her parents in a small house.
The "father" of the children, at least the most recent 8, is apparently not in the country.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/29/earlyshow/health/main4761676.shtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7860041.stm
Of course, she
I've heard reports in the media that her parents had to file for bankruptcy recently.
The babies were born several weeks premature, and are all around 2-3 pounds each.
Who do you think will pay for the extended stay and special care these children will receive in the hospital. Hmmm... I wonder...
Update:
She's apparently been obsessed with having children for a long time, so much that her mother believes she's got a psychological disorder of some sort:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090131/ap_on_re_us/octuplets_10
Why is it that virtually nowhere in the media is anyone reporting what an irresponsible parasite this woman is?
I just heard a report on NBC that said:
- Implanting eight embryos is NOT a normal medical practice. Typically no more than one or two are implanted. How this woman got a doctor to implant EIGHT is beyond me.
- "Complicated Births" can cost as much as $400,000 per child. That puts this idiot's bill at well over 3 MILLION DOLLARS. WHO DO YOU THINK IS PAYING FOR IT?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Our economy is in deeper trouble than many are aware...
This chart shows the federal supply of money. The steep curve starts in 2008.
Source: http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/fredgraph?chart_type=line&width=1000&height=600&preserve_ratio=true&s[1][id]=AMBNS
Source: http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/fredgraph?chart_type=line&width=1000&height=600&preserve_ratio=true&s[1][id]=AMBNS
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Surprised and humbled
My buddy Mike called me today, and asked me to be Godfather to his youngest son.
I didn't expect it, but of course told him I would be honored to do so.
Of course, this makes me feel old (a increasingly common situation.)
However, as John Mayer says, you can't stop this train...
I didn't expect it, but of course told him I would be honored to do so.
Of course, this makes me feel old (a increasingly common situation.)
However, as John Mayer says, you can't stop this train...
Monday, January 12, 2009
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/
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/
Saturday, January 3, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, December 19, 2008
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...
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...
Sunday, November 23, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, November 7, 2008
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!!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Ford Sync from Microsoft
Microsoft Sync just rocks.
My iPod works GREAT with it.
My iPhone works GREAT with it.
Couldn't be happier!
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 guy can dream, right?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
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.
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...
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