HD vs Blu-Ray

It has come to my attention why I have to take a stance on Blu-Ray or HD. I had thought I would cheer for the Blu-Ray, because in storage space matters, I was watching CNET Video blog on the debate and they braught one point that will definitly push me toward the Blu-Ray. The Big factor - Blu-ray is trying to prevent everyone from replicating porn. They all said that they don't in anyway duplicate Porn. For this alone. SONY has gotten a huge boost in my books, even if they don't support macs.

Predicting the future

I had planned on writing this many months ago when it had become obvious to me what the next big change in computing was going to be. It has become even more evident with the new IPhone coming along. The next major advance won't be in touch screens, while the new IPhone will have a great tech. It is not a huge advance, other than its dispensing with a keyboard. The next great advance will be in the human interface, though. I believe ultimately we will be getting rid of a flat screen. Somehow it will be scanned into our minds or maybe a 3D holographic projection. In like manner there will be less to no need for a keyboard. This will all lead to computers becoming more ubiquitous. There will be less of a need for a computer with people sitting down, like I am now, to use a machine. The computer will be built into the book that will automatically be programed to update this blog wirelessly when it comes within range of any network.

Thus computing as we have known it will be completely different, possibly a bigger change than the World Wide Web has caused. Could be better compared to the change from the typewriter and the computer.

717 or the CRJ1000 - some striking similarities

Any body notice some similarities. Now they are obviously not the same, but maybe Boeing wasn't so smart to close the 717 line down.

Ghostaction - Getting things done

The question always arises in my mind which is the best software for doing something. Now I am one who does a lot of research, so much research that I have been getting Macworld for a year and I don’t even own a Mac(yet). I read most of the Mac blogs and news and just about anything on the web, not merely because I like the Mac, but because I dislike the MS solution. I did not say I hate it, I just think that there is little thought really in how users will use it and more about how to sell it. Thus MS always is playing catch-up to the underdog, apple. I decided to go with the underdog. Some will try to say that Mac is more expensive, but when comparing the two at the appropriate levels, one realizes that the apple is the same price. Not only that apple actually is a cheaper machine as the OS is cheaper to own and is will run on older machines much longer historically. Thus the apple is cheaper in the long run, not counting the aspirin needed for the Microsoft. I started to look for scheduling and planning software and ran across a note about Ghostaction. Now not actually being able to run the software I can only evaluate it off of three criteria. What they say it will do, screen shots and the appearance of the quality of customer services, the fourth is price. Ghost action is software based on the recent philosophy of project planning called Getting Things Done. There are a number of software and other solutions developed for this. I ran across this comparison of all the software on Wikipedia GTD Software. This was great for then I could compare the software available. Most of the software as normal was written for M$. Some was written cross platform and a few are web based and about four are exclusively Mac. I looked at them all. Most seem to be OK, but not great. I hate a cluttered interface, I also hate to pay a lot for software. Ghostware seems to win on all my evaluations

• What they say it will do- Do the most, easily.(Others might do more, but have an interface that precludes its being used regularly
• screen shots – By far the best interface
• customer services – Though it is only one guy he seems very easy to contact and communicated clearly on the web, with an interest in good customer service. He also seems intent on maintaining it, which is very important
• Price – It seems as though $20 is the base price of software today.
• The last is is it made4Mac? – Yep and Intel compatible Once I get my mac, I will be looking at buying my license.

Ready for customer service

Lithia Motors Repair - Reno NV

Now I went to Lithia Motors in Reno last year to have my timing belt replaced. Subaru Forrester 2001. I had a coupon that was sent out and it was probably $100 off. All seemed well. The serce manager just commented on how much this was less than the original, especially as it was a set price and they had just increased their prices.

All seemed well, until I picked up the car. Even that seemed well, other than I appreciate it when a car dealer will wash your car. I had driven a long way and really though it should have been washed. I also like it when a dealer will go out of there way to get a loaner car, this seems to me to be a no brainer to loan a late model car, they are trying to sell them I thought.

A few months ago I took the car in for something else and the mechanic, I know, said, you might want to change the timing belt. I told him I had, and asked why. He said that the fan belt was old and cracked and clearly not knew, and should be replaced. I had him relace it.

Conclusion:

It it rather common sense to replace the fan belt at the same time as the timing belt. I reallize that I got a great discount, but its unacceptably poor maintanence to not even mention it to me that it might need to be done.

Subaru Forester 2001

For some time I have been thinking about doing a review of car. I have a Subaru forester 2001 silver l model. Driving - Excellent Snow driving - Excellent Breaking – Excellent Interior – Needs some attention to the quality of the detail Noise – Far to noisy Cost for upkeep- fine, now that I found some one in town to do the majors I guess the biggest complaints are The Carpet is to thin and not nearly enough padding under it in the back seats especially. The air seems to make a lot of noise in the front seats; I think the air flowing over the mirrors is the culprit. The cup holders are just far to easy to break, and are a joke. All in all the car is a great car, especially with driving in the snow.

United Health Care: Rating -2

Last year my company moved its health care to UHC, as Blue Cross was doubling the price. That sounded outragous. Well, it was, but UHC was worse. My wife ended up going to the doctor in that time 2 times and having lab and exray twice. Each and every visit I have had call up and deal with on the phone. Now all the service people were very kind, but non the less I always had to check with every charge. I hve never had as much problem with any other insurance company. I figured out any insurance company who fails to pay on claims is worthless, no matter how nice they are thus so Far UHC get a -2 rating