Category Archives: Techology

Good Uses of Drones

March 30, 2013 by SBG · 4 Comments

I  wrote previously about my concern that flying drones might further reduce our privacy and constitutional rights. That is still on my mind but I’ve been thinking how drones might be useful at the same time. I have some ideas:

  • Traffic reports. While I enjoy watching Vanessa Borge Vanessa Borge point out the traffic jams and accidents on her cool map,. I would prefer watching her at the remote controls of a Traffic Drone, headphones on, joysticks in hand as she guides a live action traffic drone down I-95 for real time traffic reports.
  • Speaking of journalism, what about using it for news reporting? Send one of these drone to chase down school board members or the mayor for immediate interviews.  Much cheaper than sending an entire news crew and truck out to the scene.
  • Sports coverage?
  • Damage assessment after a disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, etc.
  • Chinese food delivery.  chinese-takeout-box

If they work out the constitutional protections, drones could become useful.

 

Some Blogging Guy

Posted in Techology.

South Florida Daily Blog Closed

March 23, 2013 by SBG · 4 Comments

I have seen hundreds of blogs and bloggers come and go over the last ten to twelve years that I have been a regular blogger. But I never thought I would see Rick from South Florida Daily Blog close up shop. Granted, there were more than a few times in the last few years during the heat of debate I would have wished SFDB closed. But only for a few moments. Once I calmed down I would regret those thoughts.

You see, SFDB was an extremely unique blog. First, it was blogging central for South Florida. Nearly every single day Rick was online with the hot button news from the local media and links to some of the community’s blogs. In a few minutes one could obtain a quick survey of the happenings in our community. Rick would introduce new bloggers to us, and tell us when others had faded away. His blog held links to nearly all of the active blogs in South Florida. Hell, he even linked to me.

The closing of SFDB will have an impact on blogging in South Florida. It may even signal an end or transition in the blogging community. I know if I can’t count on pissing Rick off with some of my blog posts, why blog? (I am half kidding.)

I started blogging by writing html. That was not easy or pretty. I switched to various blogging platforms until I found WordPress, which I’ve used ever since. But for many years I blogged in a dark lonely corner of the Blogosphere.  I had few visitors. Hell, I couldn’t even attract spam!  I was doing better when Rick came along and started linking to some of my posts. “Only shit!” I thought, “Someone is actually reading this drivel?”

With the attention I had to step up. I had my wife proof my blog posts for over a year until I could manage to not make typos. (OK, not too many typos).  Eventually, with years of blog posts and Rick’s referrals my daily stats rose to what I consider to be high levels.

So, I owe Rick. He made me a better blogger.

He also made me a worse blogger too, sort of. You see, SFDB had a split personality.  As mentioned above it was blogging central for the community, performing a tremendous public service to all comers. But Rick is passionate about politics and social issues. And he could not help but blog about those things.

I do not read political blogs. Not the conservative ones and certainly not the liberal ones. Both can piss me off.  I found that if I just didn’t read things that would anger me I would not become angry! Makes sense, right?

Well, one could hardly reside in the South Florida Blogosphere without checking in with SFDB daily. Or at least a few times a week. I would do that, and do my best to avert my eyes from his political writings. But sooner or later I would read it and then leave a comment and maybe blog about the subject on my site and it was downhill from there.

Rick was not just a blogger but he read blogs and commented on the issues. Lord knows he and I had some royal battles. Needless to say our politics are opposite. Opposing even.

Rick indicated that with twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and dozens of other new social media platforms he actually wondered if the typical blog was relevant anymore. He may be right. Plus the pressure of searching the internet daily and reporting on the events of the community and linking to bloggers daily must have been grueling after a spell.   I mean, that man hardly ever missed a day! Can we say “Burn Out”?

Despite our opposing political and social views, I am going to miss SFDB. It is my hope that Rick will take some time off, relax, and then come back to the Blogosphere with yet another unique creative useful blog.  Maybe something with a lot less politics.

Or….maybe he can write a book about blogging? I can’t think of anyone who has written as many blog posts as Rick, or who knows blogging as well. It would be a great book. One that I would read.

Rick, where ever you are, thank you. Thank you for your service to the blogging community and thank you for making me a better blogger.

Some Blogging Guy

 

Posted in Miscellaneous, Personal, Techology.

Simplifing Life to Enjoy More Life…

March 15, 2013 by SBG · 8 Comments

For many years I ran computers at home and work using Windows, Mac OS, Linux not to mention Android OS on mobile devices.

I am now reducing my PC operating systems to Windows. Yes, I am retiring my MAC Mini. (Gave up my Macbook a few years ago.) Soon, perhaps this weekend, I will be Mac-Less for the first time in maybe a decade.

I bolted from Windows when Windows truly sucked. I crossed over to the challenger, MAC OS. Back when Apple was not king of the digital world. Today, with Windows 7 or Windows 8, windows just doesn’t suck anymore. And big shot Apple is becoming more arrogant than Microsoft.

I am tired of working on projects in all these operating systems where they just don’t always look exactly the same. And there are still niche software programs that just are not available on one operating system. Usually Mac.

Linux is an operating system too noticeable. By that I mean it can’t get totally out of the way so you can use programs without having to be aware that you are in Linux. And again, some niche software programs won’t run without doing complex maneuvers in the OS.

So, I am back to being a Windows man. Although I prefer 7 than 8 right now. All my software works exactly the same on all my desktops and laptops from work to home to friend’s computers.

There is something to be said about consistency.

Some Blogging Guy

Posted in Techology.

Texting Legislation Ineffective

March 8, 2013 by SBG · 2 Comments

There is a powerful movement under way to pass a law in Florida banning texting and driving. This is a total waste of taxpayers money and time. Our professional politicians should be focused on something more useful and effective. Research does not indicate that A) Texting laws work or B) They reduce accidents. It is just another law on the books.

There is an excellent article here about the matter.  Many people think we can solve problems by passing laws.  Social engineering takes a whole lot more than that! And instead of ranting and yelling anew, I found a post I did in 2010 that pretty much sums things up.

 

Reprint from September 21, 2010

I am hearing an abundance of noise lately about stopping people, especially teen type people, from texting while driving. There are even pledges everyone is encouraged to sign swearing on a stack of Barry Manilow eight tracks that you will never, ever text while driving. (Or you’ll be forced to purchase a 1979 Pontiac with an 8 track stereo and listen to every single Barry Manilow tune!)

Ive 1 wrd 4 dat – baloney!

People who text are going to text while driving, sleeping, taking a shower, at work, in school, in church, while riding a bike, while riding a bike in church and especially during sex. Hell, if texting was available during Old Testament times Jonah,  while trapped inside the belly of the whale would have been texting like crazy!

hlp! insid fat whale! plz harpn it qk n resQ me!!!

it realy stinks n hre!

Now please don’t judge me too harshly yet. Hear me out, OK?

I drive a pick-up truck. Ford Ranger. Have for twelve years. It isn’t a large truck, but I am able to see into most vehicles. Trust me, there is a whole lot going on in people’s vehicles besides texting! Things that are equally as dangerous as texting. In fact, many that are a whole lot more dangerous!

In the twelve years that I have driven the streets of South Florida in rush hour traffic in my Ford Ranger I have seen the following:

  • At least 120 dogs of some kind sitting in the driver’s lap. I’m not counting dogs in the back seat or dogs in the passenger seat. I am talking about dogs sitting between the driver and the steering wheel.  Trust me, I would much rather have the driver texting than trying to steer and reach brake pedals with a dog in their lap. I won’t even bring up big dogs stepping on a driver’s balls. (OK sorry, seems I just did!)
  • At least 240 full-sized dinner plates in the driver’s lap or propped up against the steering wheel. I’m not talking about someone eating a burger. I”m talking about fine china, a huge plate with real silverware, meat loaf, bacon and eggs, oatmeal, mash potatoes kind of food. Again, give me a guy or gal with a simple phone in their hands texting quickly with their thumb over balancing a seven course meal in their lap!
  • 1,317 instances of the driver reading newspapers or magazines while driving. I’ve seen bus drivers do that! School bus drivers!!!
  • 52 cases of someone apparently doing their homework while driving.
  • 52,737 instances of women applying make-up while driving. And that was just this morning! And I don’t mean just rubbing a tube of lipstick across their lips. I mean weird delicate brushes and several bottles and something that looks like artwork going on their faces.
  • 307 nose pickers. Really, nose picking can be dangerous. If a guy has his finger two inches up his right nostril and he is just barely managing to reach the tip of that huge booger he’s been after for the last two miles, he is not really focusing on the highway. Hell, he may not even remember he is in a car! Plus, you ever gaze over at someone digging for booger gold? It can make you drive off the road! Yuck!
  • 111 cases of people arguing violently. I’ve seen people shouting and flinging their arms about like a crazed troupe of actors pretending to be windmills on fire. If they were texting they would be more aware than the fight they are in.
  • 37 instances of various stages of dressing or undressing. Yes, people apparently think they can actually totally change outfits while driving.
  • 160 cases of women messing with their hair. I mean sprays and combs and brushes and sticks and all kinds of instruments being stuck in their hair, pulling it, combing it, brushing it, teasing it.
  • 19 clowns. I don’t know why this occurs, but I have seen 19 full-fledged red hair, red nose, giant red shoe clowns driving about.
  • 72 instances of some nitwit thinking he/she can drive with 5000 party balloons inside their car. They can’t even see out the windshield! And every time a balloon pops they swerve into the other lane!
  • 293 instances of driver drool.  (Most of these incidences occurred in Pembroke Pines.) The driver is so old that they haven’t actually closed their mouth in decades. They drive cars so large they have their own zip codes with their mouths wide open and drool dripping onto their shoes.
  • 8 loose cats. By that I mean they are not in carriers, but loose in the vehicle. (Although I can’t say for sure if some of them weren’t sluts too.) I suspect this number is so low because of the blood and screaming involved in attempting to drive with a cat in your car. Having driven from South Florida all the way to Jacksonville with a loose cat in the car, trust me, this is a while lot more dangerous than texting!!!
  • 48 instances of people actually watching a television show or a movie while driving! I mean the TV is right there for the driver, who is the only person in the car.

Folks, I could continue, but I think you are getting the point, right? The issue is not just texting while driving. It is doing a whole lot of things when you are supposed to be focusing on driving!

Did you notice that I did NOT mention driving while talking on the cell phone? Would you like to know why? Well, of course, I’ll be happy to tell you.

3 people.

That is how many people I saw today on my way to and from work who were NOT on the phone!

Talking on the cell phone is now apparently a requirement. I don’t think some people would be able to start their cars if they were not on their phone. And this goes for the guys too!

Have you noticed that people have just given up trying to tell people to stop talking and driving? Totally given up.

The same thing will happen with texting. Eventually people will discover that people who do not focus on driving are the problem, not texting itself.  If you stop people from texting do you think they will be better drivers? No, these idiots will find something else to occupy their attention and time while driving.

And let’s face reality folks, if we really wanted people to stop texting or talking on their cell phones we could easily make phones that do not operate when the engine is running. Why don’t we do that? Because deep down we don’t really mean it. It makes us feel good when we create a campaign to get people to agree to not text while driving. It is a knee jerk reaction. Instead we should teach people how to drive, have campaigns to get people to agree to drive carefully, and maybe have full driver’s tests every license renewal.

The issue isn’t texting, it is people who do not focus on driving, regardless of what they are doing to distract themselves.

Hell, I know one guy who is constantly taking photographs while driving! Yes, really!!!

PS: An added extra – I found it amazing that all the photos above I easily found, and lots more, but just typing in” __________ while driving” in Google images! Weird!

Sum Blogging Guy

Posted in Politics, Techology.

The Key to a Good Keyboard

March 1, 2013 by SBG · 4 Comments

When I was about 16 years old I bought myself an Underwood typewriter that looked similar to this:  underwood-typewriter

I paid about $25 dollars for it I think.  I taught myself how to type. It took some time, but in a few years I was using two fingers on each hand and hitting speeds of 40 words per minute. Later in college I hit over 60 words per minute, spelling almost all of them correctly.

I kept that typewriter for several years. Eventually I moved on to an actual electric typewriter. Years later while working in the banking industry I became proficient on the world famous IBM Selectric typewriter. But the first few years of typing was done on that 40 ton Underwood.  The metal keys, the long reach, man you had to pound that machine with most of your strength. “Touch Typing”? More like “Pound it” typing. To this day the muscles I developed in my fingers typing on that thing allows me to lift entire freight trains with one finger.

Today, I needed to purchase a new keyboard for one of my computers. This is what I was using:  OLDKEYBOARD

As you can see, it is a standard cheap plastic keyboard. The arrow keys are embedded into the number keys, and the keyboard is almost totally silent. Quiet, soft barely even moving keys. Yuck.

I needed the arrow keys separate from the numbered keys, and I need a  noisy keyboard. I learned to type hitting real solid metal keys. These plastic keyboards hardly last me six months.

So, off to CompUSA I went, which was bought by Tiger Direct when CompUSA died. I had about 73,000 models to choose from, ranging in price from $9.99 to several hundred dollars. They had more keyboards than Lindsay Lohan has DUIs.

keyboards2I swear I must have spent the better part of 45 minutes testing and pounding on keyboards. Some sales kid came over to offer me help, but when I tried to explain to the lad manual typewriters the weight of Volkswagens I lost him. He just pulled down a $400 keyboard that was the size of  a surfboard, had over 400 keys and buttons and sliders, lights that that lit up and I think a special USB port for a George Foreman grill.

I told him I couldn’t see myself buying a keyboard that cost more than my first car. He smiled and wandered off.

After another fifteen minutes I had narrowed my choices down to three keyboards, ranging in price from 9.99 to $40 bucks. I was not pleased with any of them.   That is when an old sales guy showed up. He wasn’t as old as me, but old enough to at least remember manual typewriters.  He knew what people like me wanted, which was a heavy keyboard, not all plastic, with real keys that traveled to connect, and keys that made enough noise that you knew you were typing!

He pulled a Vengeance K60 gaming keyboard off the top shelf. I told him I wasn’t a gamer and did not want to spend a hundred dollars. He persisted though, and after he took it out of the box and let me slam a few keys I was hooked. Hell, this one even had metal in it’s construction! Aluminum, not steel, but sure a lot better than those wimpy plastic keyboards. It is for gamers who use keys mostly, as the keys have mechanical switches or connections.  And they are durable. But despite it being a gamer keyboard, there was little to it other than keys. It did have some video/audio control buttons but they were out of the way and I could ignore them.  Not fancy LED lights, no weird shape and nothing else to it. The sales person told me he has been selling these keyboards to writers and businessmen who were my age and longed for the solid sound of typewriter keys.

I bought it. I am typing on it now and I am enjoying the sound and the feel so much I am stretching this blog post out as long as I can.

Wow. I love this keyboard.

NEWKEYBOARD

What an awesome keyboard. For old guys such as myself.

 

Some Blogging Guy

 

 

Posted in Personal, Techology.

Who would you go to Mars with?

February 28, 2013 by SBG · 1 Comment

Multi-millionaire Dennis Anthony Tito, (73) is a former aerospace engineer with a passion for space exploration who was the first space tourist, visiting the International Space Station aboard a Russian rocket in 2001, at a reported cost of $20 million. He went on from aerospace to apply his math skills to developing an investment firm that made him a mult-imillionaire. Now, he is organizing and financing a trip to the planet Mars and back. And he wants a married American couple to be the crew.

The trip will take place in a capsule about 300 square feet in space, take about 227 days to get to Mars, not land but orbit at about 70 to 100 miles above the red planet, and then head back to Earth. Over 500 total days inside a small space capsule.

He wants a married middle-age married couple. I am sure he has his reasons.

So, if you were chosen as one of the astronauts, who would you want to have as your partner in that tiny space capsule for a year and a half? What would you bring to keep your sanity?

Me? My wife and I are introverts, loners if you will. We need about 300 square feet of personal space just to survive. I think we could make it, but I suspect there would be damage to several instruments along the way. I can’t think of anyone else I could go with, except maybe one of the Miami Dolphin Cheerleaders, but then I would probably be dead before we left Earth orbit.

Maybe a deaf mute person? What about a cat?

What about you?

 

Some Blogging Guy

Posted in Miscellaneous, Techology.

Here Come the Drones!

February 18, 2013 by SBG · 1 Comment

drone

mikrokopter

How many are in use or about to be in use in America? Check the 2012 FAA Drone List.  

Who wants a drone? Forest service, police, traffic reporters, real estate firms, bird watchers and that weird guy with the funny glasses who lives down the street who oogles your wife occasionally.

Who else wants one? I do!!!!! Yeah, for $300 bucks I can buy my own drone with live streaming video and wi-fi! For hundreds more I can buy one that will fly 165 feet in the air and photograph anything!

945x413-hero-x4es-5r

Think of the thousands of domestic uses! Traffic reporters could have live clear images of traffic all over the city without the expense of a real helicopter. News reporters too! Bird watchers want to photograph eagles or other birds high up in trees. Geological survey companies and hunters. Even Paparazzis are using drones to photograph movie stars in their back yards or while proving to the world they put their pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us.  See that thing flying outside your third story bathroom window? Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Here is my prediction. Sometime within two years of this date, give or take a couple of years, a drone is going to crash into something, maybe a Southwest 737, a major power line, a giant cell tower or something and Ka-Boom! 

Meanwhile, I am proposing a national law that gives anyone the free and legal right to shoot down any domestic drone they see anywhere! Heck, that might even get liberals to own rifles!

Welcome to 2013.

Some Blogging Guy

Posted in Photography, Politics, Techology.

Eyewire – A Game to Help Science

February 13, 2013 by SBG · Leave a comment

Eyewire is a game anyone can play online that will help neuroscientists map the neurons of the retina. A game that is like a puzzle and coloring book all in one.

Cell6-300x209This is really unique and fun and if you play this game you could be helping mankind. Wow.

Go here to read about it. Or here

Or go directly to eyewire.org

 

Some Blogging Guy

Posted in Techology.
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