Archive for December, 2005
12/3/2005
BOO-YAH! I now have fast internet back. It has been a while but I finally got the stuff working.
Being that I live in an area that has absolutely no high speed connectivity whatsoever, meaning no cablemodem and no DSL (seriously), I was referenced to a satellite internet provider. No, it’s not as fast as cablemodem but heck, I’m just extremely happy to have anything, so no complaints.
This satellite internet is different from the old school one-way and two-way systems. There is no phone line required (thank God) and the up/down speeds aren’t too bad. It’s 512k down and 128k up which is slightly slower than cablemodem - and I can live with that.
Vonage may or may not work with it (I haven’t tested that yet), but the installers I’ve spoken to say it doesn’t, so… guess I’ll have to write again on this once I test it out.
Right now I’m just beaming all over because I got my ‘net back. Absolutely beaming. It’s great to have it again.
posted in blog | Comments Off
12/3/2005
Okay… I’ve been without ‘net for a while so I got some stuff to write about here.
–
Pop is in the hospital. I’m not going to go into the details of what’s happening, but I can say that it will require surgery in order for him to get better again. Right now he is in a hospital room hopefully catching a few z’s. On Monday the surgery will occur and if all goes well he will be released on Tuesday.
–
Sis is currently visiting and we have been getting along very well (something that’s never happened before). After years and years of being ostracized from each other for one reason or another, both of us finally sat down and talked it out. We talked a lot. A whole lot. Several good things were said.
I won’t get into the detail of what was said as far as my sis is concerned (that’s private to her), but I will say things that were said to me which are true.
1. I do not take other people’s feelings into consideration.
A phrase I use often is that I see things “from the power of I”. What this means is that I see things my way, always my way and only my way. As I get older I am slowly but surely getting to the place where I will actually listen instead of just blasting out all the time. I’m one of those people who (used to) say “Hey, I just tell it like it is!” Anyone who says that, including yours truly, only states it as an excuse for being an uncaring pigheaded fool. As I said a second ago, I’m slowly getting to the point where I am now listening more. Things like this take one little step at a time.
2. I am too much of a “fixer”.
This relates to point 1 above. Sometimes I do not know when to leave well enough alone. I interject and try to “fix” situations (i.e. “do it my way or no way”) where I really don’t have any business doing so in the first place. Sometimes you just have to let sleeping dogs lie. Once again this is one of those goals achieved by taking one little step at a time.
There were other points made but those two were the biggies. I think the first step to improving yourself as a person is being aware things you do that might offend others in one way or another. Once you’re aware, then you can take steps to resolve and go from there.
–
The biggest thing that’s hit me head on is the whole family thing. I’ve been reminded (in not-so-subtle ways) that family is very important. You should not take it for granted and appreciate it while you have it.
I’m happy to be doing so.
posted in blog | Comments Off
12/5/2005
On the product page for the Garmin StreetPilot i3 (of which I am a proud owner) Garmin now states:
As an added benefit, you can now import customized points of interest with the help of Garmin’s free POI Loader software.
So I downloaded it and checked it out. Doesn’t really do much except load in POI (Points of Interest, i.e. “Favorites”) into the i3. Furthermore, you need to have the native format of the data file as a CSV (comma separated value).
All is not lost however.
What is not known to most people is that MapSource (freeware made by Garmin) will also work with the i3. It’s a free download and will work with your existing DVD that comes with the i3 to load in POI’s. And yes you do need a data source.
Small note before continuing: Don’t try to do routes with MapSource and export to the i3. The i3 doesn’t do routes. It only does waypoints. More expensive GPS units like the StreetPilot 2730 will do routes.
MapSource has the ability to export waypoints but doesn’t save in CSV. It does however have the ability to save in GPX format.
With a nifty freeware tool called GPXtoPOI, you can convert MapSource GPX files to CSV’s and export to the i3 using the POI Loader software.
This begs the question “If MapSource already does all that (as in import/export waypoints), why bother with the POI software?” The answer is compatibility with other GPS manufacturers like TomTom. CSV is a universal format and you should have the ability to create/load/save CSV files.
Here’s how it’s done:
First I load up MapSource and make a waypoint. I click Find then Find Places, then select the category as All Points of Interest, then type in West Marine for the name (that’s a Garmin distributor) and select the state as New Hampshire (for non-USA readers, New Hampshire is a state in the USA). Then I click Find, select the entry for Portsmouth NH USA and click Make WayPoint then OK on the next screen. Now I have a waypoint saved ready to export.
Above: Selecting a waypoint.
Above: Confirming selection of waypoint.
Above: Waypoint now appears in list.
After the waypoint is in your list on the left, you click File then Save, BUT… you have to select the “Save as Type” to GPS eXchange Format (*.gpx) so the GPXtoPOI converter has something to convert.
Above: I named the file “West Marine”, selected the “Save as Type” to the GPX format and clicked the Save button in a directory I called “gpx” just so I knew where it was.
Now I load up the GPStoPOI software and convert the GPX file to CSV. It’s really easy. Illustrated below.
Choosing a Conversion Profile is not necessary.
Then you load up the POI Loader. This is how it goes:
(Note: You do have to have your GPS plugged into your computer before you do this.)
Hit next.
Your computer will pause for a moment while it finds the GPS. When it does, click Next.
Browse to the directory where you exported your CSV file (for me it was c:\gpx) and hit Next.
If successful, the POI Loader program will tell you that you’ve successfully transferred your POI to the GPS. If using a StreetPilot i3, the unit will restart itself. Then when you go to “My Favorites”, the POI will be there.
If you need a CSV file to start off with, here’s the one I used for West Marine in Portsmouth NH USA (very tiny file).
posted in gps | Comments Off
12/5/2005
Earlier this evening my sister and I were playing Atari, as in an Atari video game system. They had this thing in the Wal-Mart called Atari Flashback 2 - and it had two player capability (yeah!) so sis bought it. Price: About $30.00. Comes built in with forty games.
Back at the house we played all the old games. Centipede, Missle Command, Maze Craze and several others. It was like we were both little kids all over again.
Awesome.
I highly recommend picking one up.
By the way, the joysticks work about ten times better than the original 2600’s. ;-) Nice smooth action.
posted in blog | Comments Off
12/5/2005
Here’s something I’m happy to report: Pop made it through surgery without any problems. Sis and I are extremely happy about that (we were obviously worried). He’s going to stay at the hospital for another day (possibly two) and then he will be released.
It’ll be great to see him again.
posted in blog | Comments Off
12/7/2005
Pop got released from the hospital today. Sis and I were glad to have him home again. He’s doing okay and is in good spirits. The stitches on his feet will have to stay there for a few weeks before they come off.
Pop is walking with the assistance of a walker right now. It’s weird seeing him like that but at least it’s temporary so it’s not that bad. There is absolutely no pain in his left foot any longer which is great.
During some tests it was found that he is close to being (but not quite) a “Type 2″ diabetic. The doctor has instructed him to eliminate sugars from his diet. Being that he already has been good at doing that, it won’t be too much of a stretch.
posted in blog | Comments Off
12/10/2005
I just got back from the mall. I went because I needed to get a cell phone. U.S. Cellular is the dominant carrier around these parts and people have told me the coverage is good so I decided that that’s what I want to get.
I get to the U.S. Cellular store in the mall and stand for a half-hour waiting for a salesperson to get to me (there were only two). One finally finishes up and gets to me. I explain what I want, picked out a phone, then the sales guy called away and started to do his thing with the activation.
I was then told that even though I provided a driver’s license and a social security card as identification, U.S. Cellular would not accept it. They said that I would have to get a ceritifcate from the Social Security Office in order to get a phone.
Let me repeat that again: I had my SSN card on me and presented it to the sales guy. You know, the one issued by the Social Security Administration themeselves - and this wasn’t good enough.
(sigh)
Either I go to the local SSA office and get this documentation, or I go get TRAC phone instead.
Even if I do get a TRAC phone I think I’ll pay a visit to the SSA office to see what’s up.
posted in blog | Comments Off
12/12/2005
Got a lot of things done today.
I visited the SSA office. They informed me that it is not required for me to change my address as far as they’re concerned unless I’m receiving a benefit from the SSA (which I’m not). I may however apply for a new SSA card because mine is really old and worn.
I finally have a phone; a local one that is. I’ve been using my old cell phone and racking up the roaming minutes (that completely sucked) but now I have a new phone from U.S. Cellular. Pop bought the phones and got one for himself as well so I owe him big for that.
I installed a new shower head in the upstairs bathroom. Just moved into a new house and the existing shower head completely sucked. It was old and the water spray was terrible, so I headed to the local hardware store, picked up an adjustable wrench, teflon tape and a ten-dollar six-setting shower head. The install took less than ten minutes. Nice’n'easy.
More thoughts on shower heads:
A shower head is one of the most easiest things to install on the planet. For the life of me I can’t understand why people would settle for anything less considering how cheap they are. The one I purchased has six settings on it and the water now sprays evenly and makes the whole washing experience ten times better. It’s completely worth it to take ten minutes (or less) out of your life to install one. Even if you know absolutely nothing about shower heads, you can learn to do it in less than five minutes. Trust me, it’s worth it.
posted in blog | Comments Off
12/12/2005
Things to do tomorrow (and dammit I’ll do ‘em too, haHA!):
1) Unpack the rest of my crap.
Yeah, I already said this but I’m writing it again to remind myself to do it.
2) Get some Castrol GTX 5W-30 for my truck.
I scheduled an appointment at a local GM dealership today for an oil change. My truck is currently 2000 miles overdue ((shudder)). Usually I’m really good about that but I had reasons for being late this time around. When I went to schedule the appointment I asked if I could request a specific oil. They said yes, but didn’t have Castrol GTX on tap, so I have to go buy some tomorrow.
Why I’m a fan of Castrol GTX motor oil:
Back when I owned my Camaro I used to do my own oil changes (I don’t do them any longer because honestly I just don’t like lying on the ground). When I first got the car I bought a case of on-sale Quaker State. On the first oil change I saw what it looked like coming out of the pan. It was clumpy, sludgy and black. That’s bad - it shouldn’t look like that after 3000 miles. The ‘GTX I used on the second oil change did not clump, did not sludge and still had “oil color” to it, and that’s good.
I’ve been sold on the stuff ever since and I refuse to use anything else - so much so that I will go out and buy it and demand the empty bottles back to prove the oil changer guys actually used it.
3) Start recording again.
Being that my crap is still packed up I haven’t reconstructed my home studio yet. I’ve been twanging away on the acoustic for a few nights now and I’m getting the urge to record some stuff - so that’s definitely in order.
posted in blog | Comments Off
12/13/2005
I bought my Dell Inspiron 6000 and my sister’s Inspiron 6000 roughly two weeks apart from each other. My sis’ is a basic 6000. It has the lower-end CPU and no wireless. Mine on the other hand is a bit more powerful, with 1GB of RAM, 60GB HDD, BlueTooth, Wireless, better LCD screen and an optical drive that burns both CD’s and DVD’s.
My Dell has been running very well. The only screw-up is that the “L” key on my keyboard started getting over-sensitive and would do llllllllllll every time I touched it, so I contacted for a replacement ‘board and received it without issue. The install was very easy.
My sister’s optical drive (which is CD-burn and DVD-ROM) started screwing up. It either had a very difficult time reading DVD’s or wouldn’t read them at all. It was not a software issue, so I had to call Dell to get a replacement optical drive.
My beef with Dell consumer support is what it’s always been: I can’t stand talking to (stated politically incorrect to the extreme) “ha-beebs”, i.e. Indian folk. Their English is poor and is it so obvious when they’re talking from a help desk script.
I literally have to prepare myself to skirt around the help desk script before I call. This is what I have at the ready.
1) Service Tag.
Dell lives and dies by the service tag. No tag = no service. I make sure to have that at the ready.
2) Have computer is in front of me.
Even if it’s so obvious you’ve figured out what the problem is and what to do about it - they will insist that you reboot your computer, every time without fail. Note to Dell: REBOOTING DOES NOT FIX EVERYTHING.
3) Have answers ready for the stupid questions they ask.
Some of this is laptop specific.
Is your computer turned on?
Yes.
Are you connected to the internet?
NO. Never admit you’re connected to the internet even if you are, that is instant “WE DON’T SUPPORT THAT” and they will rapidly close and disconnect the call or “I HAVE TO TRANSFER YOU” and send you elsewhere where they will say “Um.. you have a hardware problem, I’ll have to send you back where you were. Please hold for another forty minutes.”
Is the battery in the computer?
Yes.
Is your AC Adapter plugged in?
Yes.
Are you running a wireless network?
NO. Again, this is instant help desk death. Even if I am on wireless, I don’t admit to being on one because that’s another “I HAVE TO TRANSFER YOU” thing.
—
So anyway, I know the optical drive is shot; that much is obvious. Now I have to step up to the challenge of convincing the ha-beeb that it is in fact a hardware failure and that a replacement part is necessary, because if the help desk rep thinks it’s a software problem, I’m screwed and the rep will pin the blame on me.
During the call this is what happened (for real). I had already informed the tech that I had tried brand new out-of-box DVD’s and none of them would read:
Is your AC adapter plugged in?
(Sigh…) YES.
Could you reboot the computer please?
(See? Told you so.) Okay, hang on.
(reboot commences)
(reboot completes)
Click on the Start button, then “My Computer”
(I already know where he’s going with this so I cut him short)
The drive letter shows up and there is no data. The title of the drive won’t even show.
(Silence)
Listen, I know you’re reading from a script, the drive is shot. I need a new drive, it will not read ANY disc inserted into the unit.
(Rep tells me to hold for a moment. I’ve officially confused him. He needs to speak to the head cheese ha-beeb there.)
Rep finally comes back on the phone.
—
After hashing it out with the tech for about ten minutes, I finally convinced him that a new optical drive was necessary. Actually, I tell him “CD/DVD drive” because if I say “optical” they get all confused.
The drive arrived today. I pop the old one out, put the new one in, and WHAD’YA KNOW… the problem is fixed. DUH.
Technical description of problem: From using optical drives for many many years (my first optical drive was a 1x CD-ROM) I know when they decide to die. You hear them spin up, the laser won’t read anything even after you clean the lens with a dry cotton swab, and it’s time to junk it. The drive tries over and over again to read, then your computer locks up because Windows wants to make a drive letter and can’t complete its task - and that’s exactly what happened to my sis’ Inspiron.
The new drive has completely fixed the problem 100%.
But no thanks to ha-beeb. It’s sad when I have to school them as to what the problem is and how to fix it. Very sad.
–
For those who wonder why tech support is hell on wheels, here’s why:
Consumer (meaning not corporate enterprise) tech support is the worst kind on the planet for both the computer company and the consumer.
In the corporate world, all computers are “vanilla”, meaning they’re all the same. They’re very easy to support. All hardware and software is A-1 identical across the board.
In the consumer world there is no such thing as a vanilla computer. All of them are different. People add/remove hardware, people add/remove software and there isn’t any consistency at all. When you add to the fray that most consumers don’t have the first friggin’ clue how computers work, you’ve got a bad situation all around.
Your best bet when calling Dell support is to give off this impression: “I never ever use my computer. I don’t connect to the internet with it. I never install anything. I never delete anything. As a matter of fact, the only time I ever turn it on is when I call you.”
Sounds funny, but that’s how you make a vanilla computer that they can support.
(sigh…)
In the end,
Rich: 1
Ha-beeb: 0
Even though I got the drive and fixed the problem, hopefully I will not have to call them again any time soon. It’s just a very painful process.
posted in blog | Comments Off
first time here?get notifiedcontact rich
more info
contact rich
rich@menga.net
Rich's Facebook Profile
Rich's Flickr Photostream
Rich's YouTube Channel