I want an Android phone.
I want to keep my iPhone.
There is an inherit conflict there. While I would love to have 2 phones, the cost would be pretty steep. Enter Woot.com.
Woot had a sale this past week on the Samsung Galaxy S Wifi 5.0. Think of it as the Andoid version of the iPod Touch. It’s not a phone, but a media player. The device is a great chance for me to try out Android while still keeping my iPhone and without needing another monthly plan for 2 smartphones.
It arrived on Friday and I’ve been playing with it since then. My goal for the next two weeks is to rely completely on my new Android. My iPhone will provide mobile Internet via tethering to simulate the mobile smartphone experience.
To qualify as a complete replacement, it has to be able to replace or replicate a few key apps I use on my iPhone.
- Note Taking: Easy here, Evernote. Available on both platforms
- Social: Need good Facebook and Twitter apps. iPhone side I used MyPad and Tweetbot. Tweetdeck is a strong Android contender
- Alarm Clock: Still searching for a replacement. Touch LCD is my standby on iPhone.
- Podcast: I really wish Downcast was available for Android. My most used app on my iPhone
- Task Management: Must sync with Toodledo
I’ll keep updates on how the test progresses. Right now, I am in the giddy stages of having a new device. I’ll do a initial impressions post when the tech honeymoon period is over.
Let the grand fight begin!
Time for another little experiment. This time, I am trying out a new office arrangement that will allow me to stand up while I am doing my computer work all day.
Work had a stand of sorts I could put on top of my desk that was shy of the right height for me. According to OSH, the height for precision standing work should be about 5cm above elbow height. The monitors also did not get to eye level height either. A booster was needed.
Enter some monitor stands and the right height was achieved. The keyboard is about at elbow height and my monitors are at the right height. Well, almost at the right height. One of them does not extend high enough so one of my training companions from a certification class has been called into duty as a monitor stand.
The only missing piece is a foot rest. Both the OSH recommendations and the 43Folders wiki entry on Working while standing recommend a footrest to help keep your back and hips strait. I’ll be hunting this weekend for something about 20cm – 30cm tall to use.
Why am I doing this? I got this idea when I saw co-worker have a standing setup at his cube. It looked interesting and could be an option to get more active. After the surgery, I have been somewhat of a lump and need to combat the inactivity. There is a lot of documentation out there on how standing while working can be a benefit. It convinced me to give it a try if I had the chance.
So far the experiment has been a success.I have been feeling more productive, I have more energy during the day, and I think it’s been making me sleep better as it tires me out more during the day so I am not up to 1-2am.
The downside is I am still getting used to standing for long periods. I am confident the discomfort will go away eventually. When I was a trainer and when I worked at Boy Scout camp, I was on my feet all day and it was not bad. I can handle it when my body gets used to it. The pain now will be worth it later. Meetings are a nice break where I can rest my legs and back if I am having a bad discomfort day.
Check back in about a month and I’ll post some updates on how the experiment is progressing.
Further reading:
- The Benefits of a Stand Up Desk at Work
- Wikipedia – Standing Desk
- NTY: Can’t Stand to Sit Too Long? There’s a Desk for That
- 43 Folders Wiki – Working while standing
- Lifehacker – Create a Simple Standing Desk for $20
- Lifehacker – Save Your Back and Some Cash with a DIY Standing Desk
- OSH Answers – Working in a Standing Position
Tags: exercise, experiment, standing, work
One of many reasons I loath iTunes is the difficulty in moving your iPod or iPhone to a new computer. I won’t bother with tips on moving music and such, there are plenty of blogs and sites out there to help with that. My main goal is to record for myself and others how to sync your iPhone’s apps to a new computer without losing the apps’ data and settings.
Before you do this, make sure you have a good backup of your phone on the old computer.
For those snoozing in the back, BE SURE TO BACKUP YOUR IPHONE FIRST. Caps = Important.
- Install iTunes on the new computer. Simple, but it needs to be said.
- Get the apps to the new computer. They should be at C:\Users\<USERNAME>\Music\iTunes\Mobile Applications on Windows Vista or Windows 7. Copy that to your new computer. Location doesn’t matter on the new computer right now.
- Start iTunes. I have iTunes set to copy files to my iTunes library when I add things to it. The setting is in Edit >> Preferences >> Advance >> Copy files to iTunes Media folder  when adding to library. I have this setup to let iTunes handle saving all my apps, music, and video to the same location. I  have a habit of leaving the files all over my computer if I don’t have this setup. Having the files in one location makes backup and file management easier.
- Drag the apps that copied onto your computer into iTunes to the Library. If you have the setting from step 3 enabled, you can delete the apps you copied over from your old computer.
- Plug in your iPhone
- In iTunes, click on your iPhone and then the Apps tab
- Ensure all your apps are listed here. If they are not, you did not import them correctly.
- Check the Sync Apps checkbox
At this point, iTunes will give you a warning that doing this will delete all the apps and data from your iPhone. iTunes is a lying liar. If you are syncing the same apps that are currently on the iPhone, it will not delete the apps’ data. However iTunes will take it upon itself to arrange all your apps in alphabetical order. If you have a lot of apps, it will take some time to move everything back to how you want it. The important bits, the data, will be there at least. The exception to this is if the app is on your iPhone, but not your new computer. If that is the case the app and the data will be deleted. Before you sync the phone to the new computer, make sure all the apps on the phone are also on the new computer.
Finally, click Apply. After the sync, your apps and data will still be on the iPhone and the apps are associated with your new computer. You can now start moving your music and other goodies over.
Your mileage will vary. I did this from Windows Vista to 7 and it worked for me. If it did not work for you, you still are able to restore your iPhone to your last backup. You did do a backup right?
To avoid using the Adobe download manager, you can get the latest Flash installer for Firefox here:
http://www.softwarepatch.com/software/flash-standalone-installation-firefox.html
I don’t want to have to install extra software on my computers to download a tiny, tiny file. The “download manager” is unnecessary bloat and a useless piece of software.
After getting my gallbladder yanked out, my health went to pot again. I gained a bunch of weight and I am horribly out of shape. It’s not a pretty health picture. I dread to find out what my cholesterol is back up to. Yuck.
To fight that, I am trying to keep on schedule to working out. I made 2 of 3 workout nights last week and aim to hit all 3 this week. I want to get into a better shape than pathetic for the Crazy Legs walk coming up. It would be a sad, sad day to have a 2 mile walk kick my ass. Unfortunately, that is the state I am currently in.
Here is where my membership to Snap Fitness comes in. One day I would like to run. I am not a runner, so it’s something I want to try. I like trying things that don’t seem like something I should do. For example, Ballroom dancing. It didn’t seem right for someone from my gene pool to be able to dance. In college, I could cut a decent rug. My skills for dancing are rather rusty now, but I was good back then.
So the latest attempt at something that is not an expected activity is running. Before I get running, I am using the elliptical machines at Snap to get into a shape to be able to run. My legs need some warning before I hop onto the road or a path. I do not want to be rude to a body part that historically has fought against rapid locomotion.
My assistant is the couch to 5k program via the Get Running app on my iPhone. It is a good guide so far for my running experiment. Maybe at it’s conclusion I will find a 5k to test out my new locomotion skills. Though let’s not get too high of expectations. My goal is to be able to wander around England in June without feeling like I need a Segway to carry me around. Small goals can combine to big things.
Since the app has a Twitter post feature, keep an eye on my twitter page to see how I am keeping up.
Tags: c25k, exercise, health, iPhone, Snap Fitness
Finally got around to trying to install Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 onto my EEE 1005HA netbook. I am happy to report that everything works as expected! Wireless, network, sleep, hibernate, the whole 10 yards is working smooth.
I took some notes on the installation process. You can see em after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
Last year I had a goal to lose some weight. That was a wash. This year, I am going to lose that weight. I would love to get down to a normal BMI of less than 25. In my case, that would land me about 205 pounds. It’s about 45 pounds to go. It’s a long way, but there is some good news!
At the start of this year, I clocked in at about 286 pounds, a BMI of 34.8. As my Wii Fit always tells me, “That’s obese.” I’ve been losing weight using calorie counting until about a month ago when I switched over to Medifast. It’s bee a grand success so far. Overall, I am currently down to 249 and getting damn close to not being obese any more.
My current trends are getting me down about 3-4 pounds a week. If I keep on my current rate, I should hit my goal around the end of July. Once the weight is tackled, the fitness will be the next focus of interest.
Here’s to keeping on pace!
Cheers,
Here are some not so random observations from my Saturday in New York.
1. I am thankful that the cabbie had his brakes in good repair.
2. When ever I go see a red panda, all I get to see is their butt.
3. I really like zoos, big or small.
4. I now appreciate Vilas Zoo so much more. They are an awesome deal. All you people in Madison go there right now! They are going to get a donation when I get home.
5. TKTS is an awesome way to get Broadyway tickets at half off. Though get there early.
6. Even if her lips start to turn blue, my wife still thinks she’s warm.
7. They did a great job on Shrek the muscal.
8. I just discovered that hitting the spacebar twice inserts a period.
9. The next time I go to the candy store, Dylan’s Candy Bar, I should set a budget before going in.
10. Being able to get anything delivered is Awesome!
Tags: travel
We are finally in New York.
The flight was quick (in geological terms) and scenic (if you like staring at clouds). As an added bonus, we were treated to a lovely tour of the Chicago-O’Hare tarnac holding area.
New York’s airports found out that they are no match against the all mighty low lying cloud. They ran in fear like Rincewind from slight danger. [See the Discworld series of books for those who are lost on that referance.] For two hours, we pondered the meaning of parked until we got on our way. On viewing of My Name Is Bruce (gotta love movies on the iphone) and two holding patterns later, we arrive!
Our last transportation adventure of the night was a silently insane cabby. Turn signals were a signal of defeat and he flashed his brights at anyone within 400 yards. I do have to give him props, he got us here in a flash!
All this and we are now in bed drifting off to sleep. Well, Leah is. I am killing my fingers typing this on my iPhone (forgive my typos).
Time to get sleepy by reading, night!
I love half days! Just about done with work and then off to the airport for vacation.
Stay tuned for notes, pics, and ramblings.
Tags: travel
It’s time for live blogging! I’ll chronicle the night of Trick or Treaters all night long.
Note: For those reading this through RSS readers, it might not mark the post as new when I update it. If you want to keep up to date, swing on by and keep hitting that reload!
5:16 pm – Computer is setup, dogs are fed, can see people getting prepped outside, but no candy yet. It’s in the wife’s car, so have to wait till she gets home to officially open for the night!
5:40 pm – Wife is home with FOOD! (for me) and candy (For Me! OK, for trick or treaters too)
6:13 pm - In a repeat of last year, the light wasn’t on! I gave it a stern talking to and it assured me it would stay on this time.
6:17 pm – First visitors of the night! A fairy, a bride, and Harry Potter! Ulric gave them a greeting of champions when they arrived.
6:26 pm – New York Yankees and Michigan fans, along with a mini vampire DOG OF DEATH!!! (From it being a well known fact any pets put into a costume automatically want to kill you out of embarrassment. That or the dog was dressed like a vampire. )
6:29 pm – Not Halloween related, but there was a commercial of a puppy running in a field with the text saying it was a “Political Ad Break” I would beg to differ, the cats are planning an attack ad in response!
6:39 pm - Vampire, skeleton, and a wagon made up like Herbie the Love Bug. Mad props for the Herbie! (Ulric bark count upon their arrival, 3)
7:00 pm – Slow night so far, but means more candy for me! Also notes for costumes for next year, Mr Clean or a Superfan.
7:05 pm - A pop tart and an elf! (Ulric’s Bark Rating: 11)
7:27 pm - Yugio, a witch, a baby in a pumpkin outfit, and a queen! (Ulric “Barky Bark” Schaab’s # of greetings: 19)
7:41 pm – A gaggle of uncostumed teenagers. Save one, she was in a weird baby getup.
7:45 pm – A ghost and a princess. Also Ulric has decided to go as a broken Home Security System this year!
7:47 pm-Count Chocula, a Pirate, and the Pope! I am a bit disappointed the Pope was not trying to kill or exorcise the Count. He’s a vampire for heaven’s sake!
8:15 pm- That’s it for the night! A slower year than last, but I get more candy now! Good night and Happy Halloween!
Just testing how the new Zoundry raven posts.
Testing some more
- Bullet List
- Bullet List
- Bullet List
- Numeric List
- Numeric List
- Numeric List
Tags: Test
It’s a busy week for me as the big work conference is this week and some of my friends were married this past weekend on RI. I wasn’t able to make it out there for the ceremonies, but they are having a reception this weekend I am really looking forward to. Congrats you two!
The other big news on the home front is we have a new pet. Yea, another one… Though this one is all L’s doing. 
The newest furry edition to the house is Q (Queens) the cat. A rescue from the humane society who is a little too hissy for my tastes, but for some psychotic reason loves me. When I sleep at night, he sleeps right next to my head or almost on it. He was sick when we got him with a cold so it was lots of trips to the vet and one very very messy cat. He’s better now, though I still refer to him as Snot Face.
As if we didn’t get enough of the vet taking Q to see them, we got in another trip this week with one of the dogs, Freyja. At the dog park yesterday after day one of the conference, she starts limping and not putting weight on one of her back feet. Freyja did not get the best in the back leg department as she has already had knee surgery on both legs. Now with the limp, it got me thinking she wanted to go in for a three-peat. Turns out it is just a pulled muscle so she should be as right as rain in about a week. In the mean time, it’s leash rest for her. The saving grace this time is that I don’t have to carry her up and down the stairs like when she had her knees redone.
I’m back to being a bus commuter. The trip now is about 2-3 times longer than at my old job, but it is relaxing. The end result is more time traveling with the benefit now of having a fairly solid I-can’t-work-any-later-than-this time.
With the extra time comes a need for something to do. I have a few podcasts I listen to, but they only run about an hour each. The podcasts only last for a single one way trip and I have only enough to last about half the week. I have 5 hours or so of time to fill up. Reading is a possibility, but reading on a moving vehicle can result in a sick feeling I would like to avoid.
So what I would like from my readers our there are some podcast or audiobook options. I am pondering getting an Audible subscription again, so anything off of Audible.com would be an option.
The dogs got a special treat today, a trip to doggy daycare! The wife was going to be gone all day and I was at work, so it’s an nice treat for them to be able to play with other mutts all day long.
Ulric had a good time. Maybe a little too much of a good time. I got a call from the doggy day care that he was bleeding from his paws. Bleeding a lot. Since Ulric is still a bit scared of being touched by people, they were not able to check on what was wrong. They called me, but I couldn’t do much due to work. (grumble grumble) The wife called them and got on the way and got Ulric to the vet. Turns out Ulric was playing so much, he wore his claws down to the quick and thus bled a lot. He left blood paw prints all over.
Don’t fret though! He is a mighty trooper. He didn’t seem to be in pain at all. In fact, he was his normal happy self around other dogs still.
The vet got him patched up with green gauze that makes him look like he has some booties on his back feet. Bleeding has stopped, but Ulric has to take it easy for a while so he couldn’t partake in the fun of doggy day care. He was relegated to the world of day time boarding so he could rest up and recover.
All in all, an exciting day. On the plus side, the day care didn’t charge us for the day due to the drama. They are a good bunch of people over there.
A few temptations today. I normally have some breakfast with cheese on it. Today, I had to sadly peel the cheese off of em before eating.
Dairy free today, and breathing clear. Maybe there is a connection.
In an attempt to be a bit healthier and to be able to breath better, I am starting my first 2 week trial. It will be a two week trial to see how it works. At the end of the test, I’ll see if it’s something I want to keep doing.
This one is going to be hard. No dairy. Here are my rules:
- No direct dairy, cheese, milk, ice cream, etc
- Butter is OK if it is part of the recipe, not spread on things
Not too complex. I’ve already got some soy milk to replace milk and it tastes pretty good. Day one has been smooth and dairy free. I don’t feel majorly different, but I am able to breath a bit better today. There are some mixed reports that dairy can cause excess or thickened mucus production. Some folks say that is the case, some say it has no affect. This trial will see if it works for me.
The benefits for me if this works will be better sleep. I am having problems being able to breath clearly at night thus resulting in me not being able to sleep well. My wonderful nasal pathways did not follow the general plan to be an appropriate size for someone of my build/size. Even a little bit of nasal blockage makes it damn hard to breath, the passage is rather small. The goal is to reduce the mucus, make it easier to breath, and to hopefully be able to sleep better.
Now I could just try to use decongestants to get by to breath easier. I have tried that, and the side effects unfortunately are not worth it. Pseudoephedrine works to clear the nose, but it gives my face muscle spasms that just feel wrong. It also make me sleepless. The over-the-counter alternative phenylephrine doesn’t work for me. Nasal sprays are not meant for long term use and make the blockage much much worse after it wears off. What is left is a quest to find the source and fix the issue. The dairy free test is an attempt to find the source.
More updates as they come!
It sucks being sick. It’s nowhere near fun to have a migraine, fever, huge congestion, and general feelings of crappiness. But what really takes the cake for me, and makes no sense, is that what is most annoying right now is that my eyes hurt. If I move my eyes in any direction, they don’t hurt. If I try to move my eyes to look far to the left, right, up, down, any direction, and it hurts like hell. It feels like I pulled my eye muscles somehow. It sucks.
to run down the cube halls of my office shouting the rocky theme while doing the victory pose with my arms raised up in the air.
Oddly enough, thinking of this causes me to grin like a mad man and increases the urge to do it.
Maybe it’s just cause it’s a slow day and nice outside and I would like to be home with the mutts.