Gotta Get One

After two weeks, what I like and don't like about the iPad

2010-04-27T04:13:00.001-05:00

I'll take care of the don't-likes first because there are so few of them:

There should be stereo sound without using headphones.
The sound without using headphones should be LOUDER.
eNewspapers don't come in plastic bags that can be used to pick up dog crap.

4. I have to finish watching a movie rented from iTunes within 24 hours of starting to watch it. Movies should be fun, not an obligation. Yesterday morning I started watching the fantastic 157-minute "American Gangster" and paused it after about an hour. I resumed watching this morning, paused it to answer the phone, and learned I'd have to pay $2.99 to see the end of the movie. This annoyance is not caused by the iPad, but the iPad revealed the problem.

Now for the do-likes:

The screen is in color, unlike other eReaders
The screen is beautifully bright and sharp
The screen is big
There is no space wasted on a physical keyboard that is seldom needed, as with the Kindle
The overall size is right
It's easy to use, with seldom any need to check the instructions
Very easy to load photos, music, videos and documents from my PCs
Very fast downloads from web, via wi-fi
Works fine with G-mail
Slide shows with music
Apple's Safari web browser works fine -- I don't miss IE
BestBuy gave me 18 months to pay with no interest
Virtual keyboard is well designed, and very smart
Pre-made links for Youtube, iTunes, App Store
Easy to view from the side so several people can see what's on the screen
Super-fast downloads of eBooks
Cool display of books on shelf, which rotates (like entrance to secret passage) to access Apple's bookstore
Contact manager address book (which can pick up photos already stored)
Amazing maps
Appointment book ("calendar")
Newspapers and magazines look great
eBooks show photos better than pBooks
Infinitely rotatable
Ability to enlarge text for easier reading
Hyperlinks in magazines, books and newspapers
Fits nicely between my pillow and headboard for in-bed belly-down reading and movies
Unlike pBooks, pMagazines, and pNewspapers, it doesn't get damaged by doggie drool or orange juice
Magazine and book covers can't get wrinkled and pages can't fall out
eNewspapers and eMagazines are not stuffed with annoying coupons
Newspapers and magazines arrive without my having to go outside to get them in bad weather
Old newspapers and magazines don't have to go into blue recycling bin and schlepped outside in bad weather
Free samples of eBooks can be quickly converted into paid-for complete books
My sister is getting my netbook, which I no longer need
iPad is a great geek-chick magnet
My wife doesn't complain about the money spent on it

Might-be-nice-to-have:

USB port
Memory card slot
Compatibility with Adobe's Flash
More colorful "home" button
Ability to see screen in bright sunlight

...

Flashing red Batphone can be delivered before Christmas

2009-12-17T04:10:00.002-05:00

Now everyone can have a red phone with a flashing light like Batman.

When there’s trouble in Gotham City, Police Commissioner Gordon calls caped crusader Batman, the secret alter ego of millionaire Bruce Wayne.

At Wayne Manor, the flashing red Batphone is answered by Alfred the butler, who tells Wayne about the trouble. Then Wayne and his young ward Dick Grayson put on their superhero costumes. As Batman and Robin, they race from the Batcave in the Batmobile to battle evil-doers, or rescue citizens in distress.

Now everyone can have a bright red flashing Batphone just like a superhero. When an emergency call -- or even an ordinary call -- comes in, a bright red light centered in a shiny chrome ring starts flashing to attract attention.

The Batphone has classic sixties styling, with heavy-duty construction, a two-year warranty, and is made in the USA. It gets all of its power from the phone line, and doesn’t require a power cord or batteries. It can work on an ordinary home phone line, or on an "analog extension port" in a business phone system.

The phone rings when the light flashes, unless a purchaser prefers the bell to be disconnected for silent signaling, or an optional high-pitched "BatSignal" or buzzer to be installed instead of the bell. Price with the bell is $122, including Priority Mail shipping to all 50 states.

Order online at www.GetABatPhone.com, or call toll-free 1-888-225-3999.

After 40 years of faithfulness, I've cheated on Nikon. Blame Tiger Woods, or Panasonic

2009-12-15T05:10:00.012-05:00

I'm a sucker for red. I have a 31-year-old tomato-red Fiat sports car. I have a website that specializes in red phones. My favorite uncle and an important girlfriend had red hair. I even had red walls in my apartment until I married a different girlfriend who didn't like red walls. I refuse to eat "white pizza." If it doesn't have red sauce, it's not pizza.

As soon as I saw the new Panasonic Lumix G1 digital camera last year, I started salivating and panting. The G1 probably won every camera award there is.

I've been a Nikon fan and owner since 1969, starting with my first "grown-up" camera, the Nikon Photomic FTn. I bought it to use on my first post-college job as assistant editor of a hi-fi magazine, paying a friendly camera dealer 10 bucks a week from my meager $115 weekly salary. It was an expensive, huge, heavy machine, but it took amazing pictures and was ultra-reliable. The earlier manual version, the Nikon F, was the first Japanese camera to win the loyalty of pro photographers who were previously addicted to German Leicas. One FTn was taken on the Apollo 15 mission to the Moon. Mine traveled as far as England, and pictures taken with it ended up in Rolling Stone, Womens Wear Daily, my first book back in 1976, and were projected 10-feet-wide on the screen in my basement.

By today's standards, the FTn was primitive, and expensive. The only zoom lens had a range of just 43-86 millimeters, and I think it cost over $500. There was no built-in flash. A motor drive (which became part of $35 cameras in the 1990s) was beyond the budget for an amateur like me.

Over the years I gradually upgraded to newer Nikons, with more built-in features, less heft and smaller price tags. I had an FE, then a miniaturized EM, then my first digital SLR -- the D70, a smaller digital rangefinder CoolPix P5000, and a pocketable CoolPix L6. They have all been superb picture-takers that have never let me down. They all still work.

In general, I use my big Nikon D70 DSLR for "serious" photography, and the compact Nikon Coolpix L6 is always in my briefcase or car for unplanned photos. In my office, there's the older Coolpix P5000 on a tripod for taking product pictures. I occasionally fondle the film cameras, but I haven't shot film in years.

People tend to stay with the beer brands, tool brands, car brands and camera brands they've been happy with. Dave, my best buddy from college, has long been a "Canon guy." Until last weekend, I was a "Nikon guy."

I've been well aware of the inroads that Panasonic has made into the digital camera business, especially since they started using Leica lenses on some products. Panasonic has long been an important innovator in video cameras and camcorders, and now they're kicking ass in still photography, too.

I'm not ready to empty my shelf full of Nikons, but I was definitely ready to add a Panasonic to the collection, and it will not just stay on the shelf.

The Lumix G1 is the world’s first Micro Four Thirds system camera. Panasonic says it's the world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens camera system, with the body and standard "kit" lens weighing about 20 ounces. It fills an important middle ground between my big and small Nikons, offering the quality and versatility of an SLR in a much smaller package (about one-third smaller than the D70), and has a bigger display than my other cameras.

Based on the new Micro Four Thirds System standard, the Lumix G1 eliminates the internal moving mirror and prism that are used in other single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, so it reduces the size and weight significantly.

With the mirror-less system, the G1’s distance between the lens mount and the image sensor, has been reduced from 40 mm to approximately 20 mm.

The G1's Full-time Live View lets you see in the LCD screen while making adjustments to see how the exposure, white balance, aperture and even the shutter speed will affect the photo. This kind of super-easy live-view shooting has never before been possible with a conventional digital SLR camera.

Intelligent Auto mode activates six detection and compensation functions that work automatically, leaving you free to just aim and shoot.

But wait. There's more.

Shake detection - Mega O.I.S. Helps prevent blurring when the camera shakes.

Motion detection - Intelligent ISO Control Helps prevent blur caused by subject motion.

Light detection - Intelligent Exposure Adjusts the brightness of dark areas in the image.

Advanced Face Detection Face Detection AF/AE Helps deliver clear portraits.

Scene detection - Intelligent Scene Selector Selects the optimal scene mode for the situation.

Subject detection - AF Tracking follows moving subjects and adjusts accordingly.

The 3.0-inch free-angle LCD with high 460,000-dot resolution 180° horizontally and 270° vertically, makes it easy to capture shots from extreme angles without getting into an awkward position. And when the lighting around you changes, the LCD backlighting level automatically changes too, so you get easy-on-the-eyes viewing at all times. You can flip the screen around to face front for self-portraits, or to allow subjects to see themselves.

In My Color mode you can freely adjust the color, brightness and saturation of an image, while checking it with Full-time Live View. This gives you the power to control how your image will look. You can even make dramatic color changes.

Film mode lets you capture photos with a special mood or expressiveness. Much like changing the film type in a film camera, you can get a wide range of expression based on six color modes and three monochromatic modes. When the multi-film mode is selected, you can record pictures having up to three different effects with each press of the shutter button.

1920 x 1080-pixel HD (high-definition) photo recording. The G1 shoots wide-screen, 16:9, full-HD images. These images can be displayed on an HDTV, which handles about four times the data of a standard-definition TV.

The camera has a high-definition output so it's easy to connect to an HDTV for high definition viewing. If your TV is HDMI compatible, a single HDMI mini cable is all you need. If you have a Panasonic Viera HDTV, you can also operate the G1 with the Viera remote control for even easier viewing.

The image sensor has 13.1 total Megapixels -- over twice the resolution of my newest Nikon. It can provide both RAW and JPG versions of the same shots. There's a Supersonic wave filter dust reduction system. Lens focal length is 14mm to 45mm -- the 35mm film camera equivalent 28mm to 90mm, which I've always considered the ideal zoom range for most shooting. Back in my pre-zoom Nikon days, my favorite lenses were 28mm and 85mm.

More joy: ISO Sensitivity can be selected for Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / Intelligent ISO. White Balance choices are: Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1,2 / Color temperature setting.

A G1 kit with the Lumix G Vario 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S lens has a list price of $800, but you should be able to get it for under $700. Also available is the 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/Mega O.I.S.lens.

The Lumix G1 is apparently the world’s first interchangeable lens camera with color choices, just like some Panasonic phone models. You can choose basic black, electric blue or bloody red models. I like bloody/tomato/Fiat red.

For current Four Thirds users with a collection of lenses, an optional mount adapter will allow Four Thirds lenses to be compatible with the Lumix G1.

Panasonic is offering accessories including External Flash DMW-FL220(GN22); PL Filter: DMW-LPL52; Mount Adapter: DMW-MA1; Battery Pack: DMW-BLB13; DC Cable: DMW-DCC3; Soft Case: DMW-CG1; Soft Bag: DMW-BAG1; Shoulder Strap (Stylish) DMW-SSTG1-A/C/R; Shoulder Strap (Woven) DMW-SSTG2-W; Shoulder Strap (Leather) DMW-SSTG3-T.

Last weekend included the beginning of Chanukah and my 38th anniversary - - two reasons for gifting.

My practical wife wanted a set of new Michelin tires for her Town & Country van. I got them at Costco. Seeking a bit more excitement in my life, and perhaps inspired by Tiger Woods, I cheated on Nikon and I got a sexy red Lumix.

It's an amazing camera. Images are bright and sharp. I can compose a shot with the viewfinder or the large flip-screen. There is no lag between pressing the shutter button and capturing an image. The zoom lens covers the ideal range for me. The built-in strobe is so powerful that I probably won't buy an external strobe. The menu system is logical and easy-to-use -- much better than on my digital Nikons. Unlike my film Nikons, the lens cap never pops off when it shouldn't.

I have only one criticism. The strobe light doesn't pop up automatically in low-light situations. However, it's possible that it really can auto-pop, but I just have not figured out how to activate the feature. I guess I'll have to do a very un-manly thing: RTFM. I hope I'll be forgiven.

...

I need a break.

2009-05-27T03:24:00.002-05:00

I began blogging on 5/7/06. I started writing one blog, and gradually built up to five blogs a day. I got out of bed at 3:30AM to start my daily writing.

I did it for fun, but lately it has seemed too much like work. I'm not sure that I am officially "burned-out," but I have definitely lost enthusiasm for the daily grind of blogging.

Since the blog obligation was only to myself, and I have no contract, it's an obligation I am free to suspend, cancel or modify at will. No one has a paid-up subscription for words they won't receive.

Therefore, after 2,715 posts, I have decided to take some time off. I need to finish writing a few books, and some essays, and maybe I'll even try poetry and songwriting. My to-do list includes many unread books and un-watched DVDs. I want to spend more time swimming, and walk my dog more often.

The break will last at least a few weeks, but might even be several months. J. D. Salinger has not published an original work since 1965, but I won't be away that long. Even if I don't come back full-time until the Fall, I might pop back in occasionally if I think there's something worth saying.

I am continuing to write BookMakingBlog, my blog about writing, editing and publishing.

CUL/mnm

Circuit City reincarnated as a Web-only biz

2009-05-26T09:05:00.003-05:00

Circuit City's CircuitCity.com Website was revived over the Memorial Day weekend, as Systemax relaunched the brand as an online-only consumer electronics retailer.

After the original Circuit City's bankruptcy earlier this year, its assets were auctioned, and acquired by Systemax, which also owns the TigerDirect and CompUSA brands.

Palm Pre is almost here, and you'll be able to buy it at Wal-Mart

2009-05-20T08:50:00.004-05:00

Sprint Nextel plans to start selling Palm's much anticipated new smart phone, the Pre, on June 6 for $200. The device could give Palm a needed boost in sales and help Sprint stop the defection of subscribers to other wireless carriers. The price requires a new two-year service plan and a $100 mail-in rebate.

The Pre, which looks like an iPhone but sports a slide-out keyboard in addition to a touch screen, is seen as Palm's chance of reversing a long slide and taking on newer smart phones like the iPhone and BlackBerry.

The phone, which was introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, has a capacitive touch screen, slide-out keyboard, Wi-Fi, 3G, GPS, and Bluetooth. One of the most appealing features of the Pre is its new operating system, which is called webOS. The OS was built from the ground up with Internet connectivity in mind, and it has a finger-friendly user interface that can run multiple applications at once. Palm is planning to use webOS on a variety of devices, but it needs the Pre to be a hit in order to gain market share.

Sprint lost 1.25 million of its valuable contracted subscribers in the first three months of the year, even worse than the drop of 1.1 million in the fourth quarter.

Given their challenges, Collins Stewart analyst Ashok Kumar said the device is a "make or break product" for both companies. Kumar is skeptical that the Pre will be a runaway success because the smart phone market is already so crowded, and said the Pre should be priced lower than the $199 iPhone.

Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney said Palm has "a legitimate shot of resurrecting themselves," but argues that for the Pre to be successful it would have to become the dominant smart phone at Sprint, which he thinks is unlikely.

Palm also said Tuesday that it will also start selling a wireless charging dock for the Pre called the Touchstone, along with a special back cover that makes the phone compatible with the dock, for $70.

In addition to the usual Sprint sales channels, the Pre will be available at Wal-Mart, which is making a strong upgrade of its electronics departments to lure customers from rivals such as Best Buy and Amazon. They are all fighting for a share of business from recently closed Circuit City, which had over 700 stores and more than $11 billion in annual sales. Part of Wal-Mart's strategy is to offer high-end smartphones, such as the Pre. (info from The Associated Press and Information Week)

Napster cutting prices for music

2009-05-19T04:17:00.002-05:00

Napster.com has cut the price of its online music streaming service to $5 a month from $12.95, and threw in five song downloads for customers in a move to better compete with rival iTunes.

The company gained notoriety in the early years of music downloading with its free music swapping service, but following copyright lawsuits emerged as a subscription-based service. It has struggled to grow its user base from over 700,000 last August, and compete with music retailers like Apple's iTunes store.

Napster said the new offering stands up well against iTunes because 5 songs a month will cost just $5 even if they are new releases. By comparison, iTunes recently began charging up to $1.29 for newer, more popular tracks. Napster also allows unlimited full-length song previews versus iTunes' 30-second samples. Subscribers can also buy additional MP3-format songs priced between 69 cents and $1.29.

Sites such as MySpace, Pandora and imeem pay for song streams with advertising revenue so don;t charge for the music, but Napster does not have any ads.

The plan will be marketed through Best Buy stores starting today including with pre-paid cards that will cost from $5 for one month to up to $60 for a 12-month subscription. Online buyers of lengthier subscriptions will get a few extra song download credits thrown in.

Users of Napster's existing $12.95-per-month computer-based music streaming service will be switched over automatically on their next billing cycle.

Others who pay $14.95 a month to be able to download unlimited numbers of songs and play them from portable devices, will be given a choice to stick with their plan or switch to the new plan. Subscribers who pay $7.49 to have five over-the-air song downloads to mobile phones will not be affected. (info from The Associated Press)

Free samples of Howard Stern on XM satellite radio

2009-05-18T09:57:00.002-05:00

The Howard Stern Show is a basic part of Sirius satellite radio programming, and available at extra cost on XM.

From may 18 through May 25, Howard is available for free listening on XM.
CLICK for info

Sprint & Verizon will sell itty-bitty Wi-Fi router

2009-05-15T04:34:00.001-05:00

Sprint will join Verizon Wireless in marketing Novatel’s pocket-size battery-powered Wi-Fi router with embedded cellular data modem.

Verizon announced earlier this week that it would be first to market on May 17. Thursday, Sprint announced availability during the first week of June. Both carriers are pricing the Novatel-made MiFi 2200 at $99 after $50 mail-in rebate with two-year wireless-data service contract.

The 2200 incorporates CDMA 1x EV-DO Rev. A cellular-data modem and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, enabling up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices to access the Internet from places where fixed hot spots or Wi-Fi networks are unavailable. The MiFi’s rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge. It measures 3.5 inches by 2.3 inches by 0.4 inches and weighs 2.05 ounces.

The device is the first of its kind to operate on batteries, enabling consumers to take it easily from car to car. Recently, Autonet launched a transportable in-vehicle cellular hot spot, which consumers can move from car to car, but the device must be docked with an installed mounting kit. Kyocera continues to offer a KR2 Wi-Fi router that operates off AC, comes with car cigarette-lighter adapter, and accepts a cellular EV-DO data card to connect to up to 20 Wi-Fi-equipped laptops to the Internet.

The Novatel device will be available through all Verizon Wireless channels. Sprint will offer it online, in its stores and through select other retailers. Soon after, it will offer a version to wireless wholesalers.

Eligible Verizon price plans include $39.99 monthly access for 250MB monthly allowance and 10 cents per megabyte overage. A $59.99 monthly plan comes with 5GB monthly allowance and 5 cents per megabyte overage. Consumers can pay a higher price if they don’t commit to a monthly plan. In that case, the user must get a $15 Mobile Broadband DayPass to access the service for a single 24-hour period.

Sprint’s eligible plans are the $59.99/month broadband-only plan and the $149/month Simply Everything Plan + Mobile Broadband plan, which covers a phone plus the device. Both plans include up to 5GB of data per month, plus 5 cents for every MB more. (info from TWICE)

Even if you did't care about Star Trek on TV, you'll probably still like the movie

2009-05-11T04:05:00.007-05:00

Before the release of the new Star Trek "prequel" movie, there was some loud grumbling from diehard fans who feared that it would be untrue to the original.

I can't imagine any real ST fan not liking the movie, and there's a lot that will appeal to "kids" who were born too late to miss out on the original fun. My wife, who never watched any of the TV shows, and grumbled through the movies she went to with me, actually had a very good time. I was never a Trekkie or Trekker. I never went to a Star Trek convention. I never wore Kirk pajamas or Spock ears, but I did see every movie and every episode of every TV series. I could not imagine not going on opening day, and I loved the movie.

I thought that the cast was mostly unknowns, but Generation-Xer Cousin Dave pointed out that if I was 15 to 25 years old, I would recognize them as current stars. The producers were smart to pick a theme that would appeal to my generation, and have a cast that would appeal to kids.

Zachary Quinto (above, right) looks so Spock-like that he could be the original Nimoy's son, or the current Nimoy's grandson. We even get to see the present Quinto-Spock talking to the future Nimoy-Spock. At the end of the conversation they both give the Vulcan/Jewish spread finger salute. My wife said that she read that Quinto's fingers had to be temporaily glued together to do the stunt, but the glue didn't show. As Nimoy-Spock was about to leave Quinto-Spock he said something like, "It would be self-serving to use the traditional farewell, so I'll just say good luck;" meaning it would be wrong to say "live long and prosper" to himself.

I went to a 6:30 screening, that had a mix of old farts like me and young families with kids. A few seats away from me was a bearded guy of approximately my age (63). At several points in the movie where there were homages to the original STs, it seemed that he and I were the only ones in the theater who were laughing or applauding.

This happened the first time Quinto-Spock raised his eybrow, and when Bones said, "Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor, not a..." and when Scotty said, "I'm givin' 'er all she's got, Cap'n." I did not hear "I canna change the laws of physics" or "He's dead, Jim, dead," but I'll likely see it again and will listen closely.

Chris Pine was perfect as Kirk, confident, smart, horny, willing to break rules and piss-off people when necessary. I can identify with that.

Early in the movie we see Kirk at around age 12 speeding in an ancient Corvette. While driving he raises the top so it can be blown off the car and heads for a cliff while being chased by a cop in a flying motorcycle. Kirk leaps out just in time and as he crawls back up from the abyss, the cop asks his name. Is a squeeky kid voice, he replies, "James Tiberias Kirk." It was as assertive as "Bond, James Bond." A few years later Kirk shows up at Starfleet Academy and gives away his futuristic motorcycle before heading off into space.

Kirk soon tries and fails to pick up Space Cadet Uhura in a bar. Later she is hot for Spock, and Spock and Uhura have a passionate goodbye while standing in the transporter bay, as Kirk watches them.

Kirk has a sex scene with a green woman, and when her roommate arrives he hides under her bed, but the second woman tells the green woman that she hears him breathing, and Kirk runs out of the bedroom in his undies.

There's an early scene where Kirk meets Dr. McCoy. McCoy warns Kirk about the dangers of space and explains that he just lost everything in a divorce. All he has left are his "bones."

Because of his "cheating" manipulation of the Kobayashi Maru test, Kirk is suspended from Starfleet and not allowed to go into space on an emergency mission. Bones comes up with a faked excuse to take him on board the Enterprise, allegedly because Kirk needs his medical attention.

When Spock is acting-captain of the Enterprise, Kirk pisses him off, and Spock maroons him on a frigid planet. Kirk is chased by a monster and seeks refuge in a cave and is saved by Nimoy-Spock, who gives him an update on Vulcan/Romulan history. Nimoy-Spock takes Kirk to a Federation research station where he meets super-geek Scotty. Nimoy-Spock gives Scotty advice on modifying the transport equipment so Scotty and Kirk can be transported to the Enterprise whle the ship is moving at Warp speed. The arrival on Enterprise is very funny, with Scotty trapped. (I won't spoil it for you by explaining it.) Quinto-Spock is pissed off to see Kirk again. They get into a fight. Spock realizes that his emotional ourburst shows that he is unfit for duty, and Kirk takes over as Captain to fight the Romulans.

Anton Yelchin stole the show as 17-year-old Chekov ("wictory," "werry," "Wulcan").

McCoy had a great line to Spock: "Are you Vulcan crazy?"

At the end we see Captain Pike in a wheelchair, a precurser of the Pike head mounted on a mobile box in the original series.

The conclusion has Nimoy reciting, over the original theme music, "These are the voyages of the Star Ship Enterprise..."

I can be emotional and loud in movie theaters, and my wife often cringes. Sometimes during a really preposterous scene I'll yell BULLSHIT, as in the original Batman movie when an airplane was brought down with a shot from a handgun.

Long before Gene Roddenberry, British writer Samuel Talyor Coleridge (1772-1834) wrote that a "willing suspension of disbelief" is necessary to enjoy art and literature. I was unable to suspend disbelief to accept shooting down the plane, but I had no problem with the new ST movie plot line happening before the TV series, and also happening in an alternate/parallel zone of existence so two Spocks could have a meeting.

Friday night, I had not even one negative outburst, and there was much to laugh and clap about.

I was pissed off that the melted butter didn't seep through to the lower third of my popcorn, but I can't complain at all about the actual movie. Based on the reviews, I expected it to be really good, but it was still better than expected. Purists may dislike the writers changing the Kobayashi Maru story line, but the new version worked out fine.

Acting, casting, writing, special effects, photography, music, everything was outstanding.

For me, most movies are a $10/90-minute nap. This time I stayed awake for all 2 hours and 6 minutes, and I'm now old enough for the Old Fart Discount.

TIME OUT

2009-05-04T05:39:00.001-05:00

I'm taking a few days off to finish writing a book and start a new one. I should be back during the week of 5/11.

New itty-bitty camcorders

2009-05-01T04:52:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Pure Digital Technologies introduced the second generation of its Flip Ultra camcorder line, both both standard- and high-def models.

The Flip Ultra ($149 suggested retail) and Flip UltraHD ($199) feature two hours of recording time, a two-inch high-resolution anti-glare screen and a AA battery recharging system using a built-in USB arm.

The Flip UltraHD is available in black or white (with chrome trim), and has 1,280 by 720p HD resolution. It will capture up to two hours of recordings on its 8GB of built in memory and includes an HDMI output and 2x digital zoom.

The new Flip Ultra model is available in black, white, yellow and pink, and offers 640 by 480 standard-definition resolution. It records up to two hours on its 4GB of built-in memory, and includes a composite-video output and 2x digital zoom.

The new models are preloaded with FlipShare onboard video editing, filing and sharing software. The system enables fast file sharing after plugging the camcorder’s USB arm into a Mac or PC.

Pure Digital said it sold more than 2 million units since the introduction of the first Flip Family camcorders about two years ago. The company also claims that its Flip Ultra is No. 1-selling camcorder in the US, and its Flip MinoHD, launched last November, is currently the top-selling HD camcorder in the country. (info from TWICE)

Cablevision new high-speed champ, beating FiOS

2009-04-28T05:44:00.003-05:00

Cablevision plans to announce today the fastest Internet speeds available from any cable or phone company.

Starting May 11, the cableco will offer speeds of up to 101 megabits per second downstream throughout its service area, and 15 Mbps upstream. Cablevision has three million subscribers in the New York metro area.

Cablevision also plans to double the downstream speed of its Wi-Fi Internet service up to 3 Mbps for free. Cablevision offers wireless Internet at several Wi-Fi hotspots in New York's Long Island, Connecticut and Westchester service areas, and in parts of New Jersey.

Cablevision is in a race against Verizon Communications, which is rolling out its fiber-optic FiOs service in New York City. At present, Verizon's top Internet speed is 50 Mbps per second with a starting cost of $140 a month plus a free wireless router. Cablevision is offering its service at $99.95 a month.

The second fastest Internet speed offered by a cable operator is up to 60 Mbps from Charter Communications, but currently it's only available in the St. Louis area. (info from The Associated Press)

UPDATE: K GRILLED C is delicious.

2009-04-23T15:04:00.003-05:00

I tasted it and I approve. Delicious, juicy, healthy, and fewer napkins are needed.

KFC now has GRILLED chicken,and you can try it for FREE

2009-04-22T04:50:00.010-05:00

A while ago Kentucky Fried Chicken morphed into mere KFC, to avoid the heart-stopping F-word, and maybe to save money by using smaller signs.

KFC has had various kinds of non-fried fare over the years, including pretty good roasted chicken, and ultra-greasy beef ribs. As other fast feeders like Subway, Wendy's and Mickey Dee's have been promoting "healthier" menus, the heirs to Colonel Harland Sanders are now cooking up grilled chicken.

KFC’s Kentucky Grilled Chicken is marinated and seasoned with a blend of six herbs and spices and "slow-grilled in special ovens." I'm not sure how you can grill in an oven, special or otherwise. So, technically the KGC pieces maybe not be really grilled, but actually baked or roasted, but WTF. The pieces do have grill stripes on them. I hope they're not from Magic Markers. Maybe the pieces are grilled in the chicken factory, and hen reheated in the local restaurants. I'm going to try to get a clarification, and I'll update this posting when I learn more.

KGC is KFC’s second "secret recipe", and the first not developed by Col. Sanders. It has between 70 to 180 calories and four to nine grams of fat depending on the piece. KFC is a bit late to the grilled game, and will compete with El Pollo Loco, Chick-fil-A, and even gilled chicken sandwiches, salads and wraps at "The Inn of the Golden Arches."

KFC is inviting America to sample the new menu item on “UNFry Day,” Monday, April 27. People are encouraged to stop by KFC and receive a FREE piece of Kentucky Grilled Chicken. A full page ad will run in USA Today on April 24 to remind Americans to get their freebies. See www.unthinkfc.com for more details. The website has some funny chicken dancing (you can upload yours), a game, commercials with un-funny outtakes, and an iPhone app.

In addition to the UNFry Day national sampling, KFC also has a new ad campaign challenging America to “UNTHINK What You Thought About KFC.” The TV spot, produced by Academy Award-winning director Errol Morris, contains Kentucky Grilled Chicken endorsements from celebrated chefs Sandra Lee, editor-in-chief of Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Magazine, and TV One’s G. Garvin.

“The new Kentucky Grilled Chicken is delicious,” said Sandra Lee. “In addition to being a better-for-you option, I love that moms can swing by the drive-thru of their local KFC and pick up an entire meal for the family that is high in quality and taste.” (Blogger's note: I've heard of Sandra Dee, but I have no idea who the hell Sandra Lee is.)

KFC’s KGC recipe is a combination of six herbs and spices that KFC has developed over several years working with one of the world's most well-known spice companies. (K FRIED C has 11.) Only a few KFC executives know the second secret recipe and they have all signed confidentiality agreements to keep the recipe as secret as the Colonel’s Original Recipe. One of them told me the recipe, but if I tell you, I'll have to shoot you -- so don't ask. The original copy of the second secret recipe, kept on an encrypted computer flash drive, will join Colonel Harland Sanders’ handwritten Original Recipe in KFC’s recently beefed-up (chickened-up?) high-security vault.

The high-tech, customized oven used to grill (or roast, or maybe just re-heat) the chicken is proprietary to KFC and is patented, so don't expect to see it at Arby's.

On April 4, KFC conducted a mandatory three-hour session where KFC cooks successfully mastered the KGC cooking process, becoming KFC-certified “Grill Sergeants.” You’ll find a “Grill Sergeant” in restaurants nationwide. It's like the program that Red Lobster did when they introduced their wood-fired grilled menu last year.

KFC has spent major moolah developing and launching the new KGC. If the taste is as good as the marketing, it should be delicious. I just wish I could convince them to bring back KFC chicken noodle soup. It was probably the best I ever had in a restaurant.

Kentucky Grilled Chicken is now available in participating KFC® restaurants nationwide – at the same price as Original Recipe Chicken. A two-piece Grilled meal (breast & wing or drumstick & thigh, along with two side items and a biscuit) is priced at only $3.99 plus tax. You can even mix KFC and KGC in the same bucket.

This is a preview, not a review.

A new way to save gas: drive more smoothly

2009-04-17T03:58:00.002-05:00

"Eco-driving" is a technique that combines a racecar driver's skill with the proverbial grandmother's pace. By learning to drive all over again a woman in Phoenix estimates she has boosted her pickup's fuel economy to 21 miles per gallon from 15, a jump of 40% that surpasses the mileage advertised by its manufacturer, Toyota. With that shift in behavior, she has done more to curb oil consumption than most people zooming around in the latest hybrid cars.

Even without futuristic technologies, drivers can achieve amazing fuel economy in their current cars with nothing fancier than their brains and some lighter feet. The idea is to maintain momentum much as on a leisurely bicycle ride: accelerating only gradually, coasting whenever possible and constantly adjusting speed to minimize the need to stop.

The challenge will be to get Americans to ease up instead of variously slamming on the gas and the brakes. In the meantime, as early eco-drivers lower their own emissions, they are certain to raise tempers of the impatient drivers around them.

Trials in Europe, Japan and the US are finding that drivers commonly improve their fuel economy upwards of 20% after deploying a handful of eco-driving techniques, such as driving more slowly on highways, shifting gears earlier in cities and shutting off the engine rather than idling at long stops.

Technology still matters. A car that is lighter and loaded with the latest environmental hardware will use less gasoline than a car that is heavier and conventional under the hood.

Attempts to promote eco-driving have puttered along for at least a decade, mostly in northern Europe. In 1999, Germany began requiring that elements of eco-driving be taught in driver-education classes, in the land of the autobahn and the Porsche. About 800,000 new drivers get their licenses annually in Germany, and they are supposed to learn three basic eco-driving tips.

First, watch the tachometer, not just the speedometer, and shift gears before the car's engine speed reaches 2,000 revolutions per minute to minimize how hard the engine has to work. Second, don't tailgate, because tailgating requires a lot of unnecessary braking and accelerating. Third, coast if an upcoming light is red, letting it turn green so there is no need to stop.

In the US, where 5% of the world's population consumes 23% of its oil, eco-driving has existed so far mostly as a tiny subculture. In "hypermiling," a quirky new competitive pastime, the winning drivers have surpassed 150 miles per gallon in mass-produced hybrids.

The basic hypermiling technique is the "pulse-and-glide." The driver slowly accelerates to about 60% of full throttle -- the point where a car's engine tends to operate most efficiently -- and then steps off the gas, coasting until the car's speed drops. At the right moment, before losing too much speed, the driver gently presses the gas pedal again.

One tip: Drive as if there is a hot cup of coffee in the cup holder at risk of splashing.

Auto makers are enthusiastic eco-driving promoters. Pressured to improve the fuel economy of their vehicles, they see eco-driving as a way to shift some of the responsibility away from themselves and onto their customers.

Ford has been promoting eco-driving for several years in Germany. Last July, Ford flew German Road Safety Council instructors to Detroit to give an eco-driving lesson to drivers from Pro Formance, the Phoenix professional-driving company. A month later, Ford and Pro Formance staged an eco-driving test with 48 drivers, who improved their fuel economy an average of 24%.

To help drivers make the change, car makers have begun providing technological aids, including dashboard gauges that display fuel economy in real time. If drivers see how their behavior affects their energy consumption, they will be more likely to change.

Within the next two years, Nissan plans to start offering in the US and Japan a feature that it calls the "eco-pedal" -- a sensor that, when the driver is accelerating too piggishly, pushes back against the driver's foot.

But Nissan realizes that slow and steady also is the rule when it comes to changing drivers' behavior behind the wheel. "Not every driver likes to be an eco-driver," notes Nissan's Kazuhiro Doi. So Nissan will include a switch that allows drivers to turn the eco-pedal off. (info fro mThe Wall Street Journal)

Crappy Birthday to me, R.I.P. Dunk'n Donuts pizza, and dog vig

2009-04-16T04:50:00.013-05:00

Yesterday was my birthday. It has long been a family tradition that the birthday kid gets to choose the restaurant.

I told my wife that I wanted to celebrate with a delicious (red) clam pizza from Papa's, my favorite local pizzeria. She has been trying to cut back on body-stuffing bread and cheese, and argued in favor of going somewhere where I could get pizza and she could get something else. After much whining, I agreed to go to Vazzi's. It's a pretty good -- not great -- local Italian restaurant that had replaced a truly great Italian restaurant operated by a nice family from Cape Verde.

She ordered veal marsala, and didn't like it. Our niece Allison ordered chicken parm with linguine, and didn't like it. I ordered my red clam pizza and it sucked. The pasta fagioli was cold and loaded with carrots. Yeccch.

My pizza was made perfectly (heavy on the sauce, but light on the cheese, crisp but not burned). Unfortunately the sauce had no flavor and the clams were obviously from the can.

Since none of us finished the unsatisfying meal, the food was packed to take home. I knew I would see the same rejects a few hours later, for supper.

After work, in an effort to avoid the misery, I stopped at the Dunk'n Donuts next to my office to get one of their little car-convenient CD-sized pizzas to eat on the way home. It's not "real" pizza, but it's better than the shit that was waiting for me in the fridge at home.

Alas, my plan failed. The disembodied voice from the speaker squeaked something like "no more pizza."

Dejected, I drove home. Wife tried to push her rejected veal marsala on me, emphasizing how good the mushrooms are. I like mushrooms. I don't like marsala sauce.

The thought of eating the non-Papas clam pizza was too depressing, so I opted for Allison's leftover chicken parm and linguine. Wife wanted to heat it in the microwave. I told her not to bother. I can enjoy cold linguine, and I planned to scrape off the clotted cheese anyway. She insisted that it would taste better hot. I countered that re-heated shit is still shit, and not to bother.

I forced myself to eat a few strands of pasta and a few pieces of chicken and then bailed out. Throughout the meal, my eager-to-eat dog Hunter was in his normal position with his chin firmly perched on my upper right leg, awaiting his "vig."

Vig, from "vigorish," was originally a Yiddish word, derived from a Russian word, now more often associated with Italian mobsters. It's used in several ways. It can be the fee charged by a bookie for his services, or the interest charged by a loanshark, or the 10% "protection" fee paid by a business to the mob to avoid murder and mayhem.

In our family, the vig is the approximately 10-25% of my food (which could be Rice Krispies, scrambled eggs, potato chips, cooled wonton soup, a burger, an apple, or even lobster or steak) that is paid to appease Hunter, the Golden Retriever with the endless appetite.

Hunter is usually quite patient because he knows he'll collect at the end of the meal. Sometimes, however, if he feels that I'm eating too slowly, the pressure of chin-on-upper-leg will increase. Sometimes he'll switch from right leg to left leg. If he gets really impatient, I'll see a damp dark nose emerge from under my armpit. Sometimes he may provide some verbal encouragement to hurry up and pay the vig. If he's extremely pissed off, he'll stand up and put his face in the plate.

If I'm eating something that's inappropriate for canine consumption, I say, "not for doggies." Hunter knows this means that although I don't think he should eat it, if he is willing to wait, he will eventually wear me down. If it's something he really should not eat, like chocolate cake, he'll settle for around 3% vig instead of his usual 10-25%.

However, last night's food sucked so bad, I wouldn't give it to a dog, and certainly not to my dog. He settled for some rice cakes and ice cream. So did I. Not exactly a birthday banquet, but 63 is one of those "dumb" ages that does not merit much commemoration.

Today I will celebrate 63 years plus one day, with a proper clam pizza, at Papa's, alone. I'll save some of the crusts for Hunter.

CLICK for the original blog about Dunk's pizza.

Finally a Japanese dressing you can buy in the supermarket

2009-04-15T06:01:00.004-05:00

I love the ginger dressings served in many Japanese restaurants. When I lived in Westchester County, NY, my favorite Japanese restaurant was Noda's.

I was a regular customer and earned two special privileges. Because I drank a lot of water, I got an extra large "sumo size" water glass. I also was able to take home some of Noda-san's special ginger dressing in a cleaned out Kirin beer bottle.

It has always surprised and troubled me that despite the overwhelming effect of Japanese culture on the US (sushi, Kirin, Benihana, Honda, Sony, Godzilla, hentai, anime, karaoki, Nintendo, kanban, judo, transforming toys, pokemon and much more) I could not simply go to the supermarket and buy a bottle of Japanese dressing to take home and slosh on a salad.

Many other nations were represented. There were endless choices of French, Russian, Greek and Italian dressing, but nothing from one of America's most important trading partners. I could even buy dressings with dumb names like Ranch. What the hell does a ranch taste like? Dirt? Cow shit? Cowboy sweat? None of the alternatives have been appealing enough for me to taste it.

Fortunately I don't seem to be the only one seeking the taste of a Japanese salad at home.

Makoto is a Japanese steakhouse in Melbourne, Florida, in business since 1985.

Makotos' customers, like me up north at Noda's, begged to buy their ginger dressing after a meal. Local grocers wanted to buy it for resale, too.

In 1990 they began packaging and selling Makoto dressings and sauces for local retailers in Melbourne, and since then their distribution has expanded across the US, and made me a very happy gaijin. It is absolutely delicious, and I recommend it highly.

Makoto dressings are made with fresh, natural ingredients. In addition to being great on salads, Makoto dressings and sauces are excellent as vegetable dips, sauces or marinades for beef, poultry and fish.

In addition to the traditional ginger dressing, you can also get Makoto Honey Ginger Dressing, Dill Dressing, Seafood Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Ginger Slaw Dressing and Vegetable Sauce. Until I typed this list, I didn't realize that they made teriyaki, too, and I'll definitely try it as an alternative to my usual Kikkoman.

Dog-friendly Element coming from Honda

2009-04-14T05:58:00.002-05:00

At the New York International Auto Show, Honda displayed new dog-friendly transportation concepts designed for the Honda Element.

The Dog Friendly™ components demonstrate the potential for a dedicated pet restraint system designed to meet the needs of dog owners. A finalized version of the Dog Friendly Element is scheduled to debut this fall.

Major components will likely include:

a cushioned pet bed in the cargo area with an elevated platform;
second row and cargo area pet restraint systems;
an extendable cargo area load-in ramp;
a 12V DC rear ventilation fan;
second-row seat covers with a dog pattern design (matches the bed fabric);
all-season rubber floor mats with a toy bone pattern;
a spill-resistant water bowl; and
Dog Friendly exterior emblems.

"In an interesting turn of events, cars are now chasing dogs," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. "Factory integration of a cushioned pet bed, restraint systems and other components is intended to transform the Element into the ultimate dog car."

The Dog Friendly equipment, engineered specifically for the Element, is designed to accommodate the transportation of dogs in the second-row passenger seats or in the cargo area. The restraint system concepts were designed and fabricated by Takata Corporation, one of the world's leading automotive safety systems suppliers, exclusively for display on the Dog Friendly Honda Element concept vehicle.

The restraint concepts are intended to complement the potential of the vehicle's existing restraint systems by helping to protect the dog and helping to prevent injuries to other vehicle occupants due to an unrestrained dog impacting them in a collision. For convenience, a ramp is included to help dogs access the rear cargo area. The ramp stores underneath the bed platform and can be conveniently accessed when the rear tailgate is down.

The Element has long been recognized for its dog-friendly interior with an easy-to-clean urethane floor and expansive, flat cargo area (up to 74.6 cu-ft. with rear seats removed), wide-opening side cargo doors, low lift-in height, and accommodating dimensions for tall items. The consumer pet travel advice Web site, Dogcars.com, honored the 2007 Honda Element with its first-ever "Dog Car of the Year" award.

Substantially restyled for the 2009 model year and available with new features, the Honda Element builds on its spacious and versatile SUV character with a more chiseled exterior appearance and a refreshed interior design. Three unique Element styles are available that range from the rugged and simple Element LX, to the more refined Element EX, to the sporty Element SC.

Powered by a 2.4-liter i-VTEC® 4-cylinder engine, the Element is available with either a 5-speed manual transmission (standard) or an available 5-speed automatic transmission. Available Real Time 4WD™ can enhance all-weather traction. The interior provides seating for up to four people along with a cargo area that adapts to large items with its flip-up rear seats that fold flat, fold up and to the side, or can be removed altogether (64-plus seating arrangements). The Element EX has a water resistant urethane-coated utility floor that wipes down for ease-of-cleaning and seat fabric that resists moisture.

For 2009, all Elements incorporate significant exterior styling changes that include new front grille and bumper designs, restyled front fenders (now metal, previously composite material), a new hood design, squared wheel arches, and new headlight and taillight configurations. Interior enhancements include revised dashboard color combinations with titanium-look side linings, new fabric patterns, and enhanced switchgear designs and instrument panel meter graphics. The Element EX exclusively adds a new convertible center console with a removable cooler/storage box. (Photo from The Wall Street Journal)

This is a preview, not a review.)

Time out

2009-04-08T13:19:00.001-05:00

I'm taking a few days off.

Segway with roof and a seat

2009-04-07T05:24:00.003-05:00

General Motors is working with Segway, maker of upright, self-balancing scooters, to build a new type of two-wheeled vehicle designed to move easily through congested urban streets.

The machine (Project PUMA, Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), which GM says it aims to develop by 2012, would run on batteries and use wireless technology to avoid traffic backups and navigate cities.

GM and Segway say the vehicle could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly, and at a lower total cost.

The struggling auto maker, surviving on a government lifeline, is looking to generate enthusiasm for its appearance at the New York auto show this week.

GM has slashed product-development programs, advertising and spending on auto show events, but it will have PUMA on the streets of Manhattan today to show off.

The Segway Personal Transporter was launched with considerable hype eight years ago but practical issues prevented the scooter from becoming a mass-market product, including its relatively high cost and restrictions on its use in many jurisdictions.

GM is betting PUMA's more car-like traits -- an enclosed compartment and top speed of 35 miles per hour -- will lead to better results. GM didn't say how much the machines would cost, but research chief Larry Burns said owners would spend one-third to one-fourth of the cost of a traditional vehicle.

PUMA would have a range of about 35 miles. GM said it aims to use so-called vehicle-to-vehicle technology to avoid traffic problems and potentially have it navigate itself through city streets. Info and photo from The Wall Street Journal)

If you don't mind pink, you can save big on a camera

2009-04-07T05:06:00.004-05:00

The Kodak EasyShare C813 sells for $89.95 direct from Kodak, and usually goes for $75 to $200 elsewhere.

If you don't mind being seen with a pink camera, or actually like pink or know someone who likes pink, you can get the camera for just $65 in a special limited-time deal at OfficeMax.

FEATURES:
8.2 MP for prints up to 30 × 40 in.
3X optical zoom lens
2.4 in. indoor/outdoor color display
Digital image stabilization
High ISO, up to 1250
HD still capture
Video with sound and print options

Sunshine, Ocean, Fiat and Dire StraitsMake My Day

2009-04-06T02:15:00.016-05:00

Yesterday was the first perfect top-down day of the year.

The morning temperature was in the mid-40s. It was too cold for driving, so I puttered around in the garage, shined up the ancient Fiat 124 Spider and replaced a fuse that restored operation of fuel gage, directional signals and fuel pump. I could live without the fuel gage, but it's tough to drive without a functioning fuel pump. The dual Weber carbs need liquid gasoline -- not just fumes and memories.

By one in the afternoon it was 52 degrees, the sun was shining, I was in a pair of shorts and a Fiat-red shirt with Fiat-red Seiko on my wrist, and eager to greet the Spring. Per my standard ritual I cued up my hit-the-road theme song "Money For Nothing" (I want my MTV, chicks for free, etc.) and hit the road.

I started my trip with a five mile drive west on the Boston Post Road so I could try to get some spare fuses at Pep Boys.

As usual, the road was filled with shoppers, but I hardly noticed them. I was absorbed in the sound of Dire Straits and my engine. I might have been as loud as the assholes who blast hiphop from their Hondas, but if anyone complained I felt I could easily defend my action and not merely flip the bird in response. No one complained and I received a few smiles and thumbs-up. I know that Dire Straits deserves and demands max SPL (maximum sound pressure level, i.e. HIGH volume). I didn't need approval, but the positive reaction felt good.

I was thrilled and surprised that Pep Boys did have weird fuses for a 31-year-old Italian car. I bought some extras, because future availability is certainly uncertain. When I got out of the store there was a small crowd around the car. I'm used to that. The most common question is always "what year is it?" I point to my license plate (ITSA-78) to answer the question. 31 years old used to be old. It's not anymore. Neither is nearly-63.

I got back on the road and headed south toward Long Island Sound, still grooving to Dire Straits coming from the huge Pioneer TS-TRX40 speakers behind me powered by a big-watt Opti-Lanzar 2X150D power amp in the trunk, connected directly to the car's battery. Although the new Kenwood KDC-MP338 receiver in the 31-year-old dashboard can play AM, FM, XM and iPod, I tend to just play the Brothers In Arms CD over and over.

When I got to Jimmies in Savin Rock, I headed west to follow the shoreline. The water and the world were on my left. The right seat and my mind were filled with the spirit of an old girlfriend whom I know would have enjoyed the trip.

I've always felt empowered by the ocean, and by the sun. They're the source of life, and joy. When I feel sick, I soak up some rays. I can feel the sun penetrate my body and drive out the "evil spirits." Water is my favorite toy. I've often said that if God never got around to creating dry land, I would not complain. I could be a very happy sea creature, eating other sea creatures.

Floating is just plain magic. Swimming underwater is close to flying. (Astronauts train in big tanks with diving gear.) When I'm under water I can move left, right, forward, reverse, up or down. Gravity becomes irrelevant. The feeling of freedom while driving a sports car is pretty close to flying, too.

Even up on the surface, ocean equals freedom. If I had the strength and supplies, I could walk from the beach into the ocean in Connecticut, and walk from the ocean onto the beach in Spain or Japan. No highways or airports are necessary to see the world. If I chose to hollow out a tree and carve oars or weave a sail, my trans-ocean voyage would be more likely to succeed. Ocean equals freedom, and life.

For about 30 minutes I followed four guys on motorcycles. It seemed like we had the same emotional objective and physical itinerary so the four-wheeler bonded with the two-wheelers. It was the vehicular equivalent of the "zipless fuck" that Erica Jong wrote about in Fear of Flying.

At one time another old guy in a bright red Ferrari approached from the other direction. In a pleasant and completely unexpected violation of sports car etiquette, the Ferrari driver waved first. Traditionally, drivers of equal cars try to wave simultaneously, but in an economic mismatch the driver of the lesser car pays homage to the superior vehicle and waves first, hoping for a fleeting recognition. Ferrari Guy recognized a kindred spirit, and so did I.

The bikers and I passed lots of ordinary cars, other bikers, kids and adults on un-engined bikes, one horse rider, and lots of dogs with their dog-walkers. I was disturbed by seeing many cool cars being driven by people who didn't appreciate them, and therefore didn't deserve them. What kind of an asshole would own a Porsche 911 and keep the top up on a perfect top-down day? With a car like that, on a day like this, I'd put the top down even for a two-minute trip to 7-11 for a quart of milk.

The call of the ocean was irresistible, like the Sirens' songs in Greek mythology, so I parked at a nice beach in Milford. I had no beach blanket, but I just stretched out on some warm grass, closed my eyes and absorbed the sunlight and sea-smell breeze and dreamed for awhile.

I got up from the beach and got back in the car and kept following the shoreline west. I kept the engine speed at about 4500 RPM. It was a bit higher than normal, but the exhaust sounded great, and the "throttle response" was amazing. I was either in second or third gear and the slightest change in gas pedal pressure caused an immediate reaction from the engine and the Yokohama A378 tires on the pavement.

The speed limit signs meant nothing to me. I wasn't racing, but was breaking the law, maybe doing 40MPH in a 25 zones. Part of the magic of being in a small car with a high-revving engine is that 40 can feel like 80. When I'm on the highway, with the wind blowing, there is sufficient ecstasy at 55 and seldom any need to enter the fast lane. Other cars may pass me, but it's unlikely that the drivers' fun surpasses mine.

Driving a car with a 5-speed transmission (even a somewhat loose 31-year-old 5-speed) is a special experience. I would never want a car with a manual transmission if I had to drive in Manhattan every day, but in a sports car on the right roads it's ecstasy, car-gasm, wander-lust.

A car with an automatic transmission ("slush box") can drive itself, at least until it hits a wall.

A car with a manual transmission and no driver would probably stall before it hits the wall.

A car with an automatic transmission is needed by the driver to get somewhere.

A car with a manual transmisison needs the driver to go anywhere.

The car and driver have to combine in the human-mechanical equivalent of Mr. Spock's "Vulcan Mind Meld." They become one. The tires, tranny, brakes and engine had direct links to my cerebral cortex. Continuing the Star Trek analogy, it's Borg-like, but I'm not sure who or what does the assimilating. I suppose I was the humanoid drone that was assimilated by the Fiat/Borg Collective. The Fiat was my bright red cybernetic implant -- but I volunteered for the implant.

In an ideal world, Fiat drivers would have evolved with three feet to handle the three pedals sprouting from the firewall. It's not just gas pedal and brake pedal, but there's a clutch pedal. The three pedals both invite and requires a delicate interplay between the right and left feet to maintain the car in the proper position while "hovering" on an upward slope at a red light.

When the light goes green, the foot movement has to be just right to avoid stalling and seeming like an asshole (especially in a loud bright red car) or sliding back and crashing into the car behind you. "Heel and toe" and "double clutching" add to the control. They're not necessary with modern cars and pretty much a lost art. I'm not sure if I can still do them.

As planned, I headed north through Milford and Orange into Derby. I had two five-mile laps on the Wilbur Cross Parkway to give the car its annual "Italian tuneup" (drive with the tach at the red line to blow the crap out of the carbs), and then a great ride on the Derby-Milford Road and Wheelers Farm Road, and went home.

This next part seems like bullshit and I'd yell BULLSHIT if I saw it in a movie; but I swear it's true.

Exactly as I entered my driveway, I heard Dire Straits start to sing: "Now look at them yo-yo's, that's the way you do it. You play the guitar on the MTV. That ain't workin', that's the way you do it. Money for nothin' and chicks for free."

My odyssey was ending on the same note it had begun with. The overture and the finale of my loud-but-personal symphony were identical. I shut off the engine but kept the CD running. I shut my eyes and leaned back to absorb the sounds and the sun.

When the song ended I opened my eyes and saw a neighbor standing next to the car looking down on me. He said, "At first I thought you were dead, but then I saw your knee moving along with the bass beat, and the smile on your face, so I knew you were OK."

I was much more than OK. I just had the perfect day.

Vanity, laziness and Michael'sbaby/old-man sneaks

2009-04-03T18:54:00.016-05:00

I'm not lazy. It's just that I think some things are not worth the effort they require. Even though many other people think it's not much effort and the end results are worth it.

I'm selective about the things I will work at and work for. I have limited time, and have to establish priorities.

I guess that means I'm selectively lazy.

I'm also selectively vain.

I long ago decided that I'd risk "blepharoplasty" surgery if I developed old-people hanging bags under my eyes. I could not stand seeing them in the mirror and I check for them periodically.

My neck has suddenly developed some loose skin. It's usually hidden by my beard, but I hate my mirror during the first few days after a beard trim. I'm not sure if I'll go for plastic surgery or a long ZZ Top beard or a big supply of turtleneck shirts, or keep my chin tilted down.

On the other hand, I'm too lazy to get involved with a hairpiece, so the whole world knows I've lost most of my top-of-head hair.

I'm too lazy to get involved with contact lenses, so the whole world knows I need glasses.

Except for a few brief interludes, I gave up on shoes with laces many decades ago.

I got along fine with loafers, boots, sandals, sneakers with Velcro straps, and even rubber beach booties.

Two years ago I discovered Crocs. They were comfortable, durable, grotesquely fashionable, inexpensive, suitable for work, weddings, beach, backyard and bedroom.

Two weeks ago my podiatrist proclaimed I had a heel spur and Achilles tendonitis. He prescribed cold packs, twice-weekly physical therapy and new shoes. Real shoes, not Crocs. And with laces. Something with support.

I told him I don't wear real shoes. When I was in college, I often went to class barefoot, like my ape ancestors. Merely enclosing my foot is a major compromise, and maybe going against nature. Except in the winter.

I have a few real shoes for funerals, but I'll be barefoot or Croc-ed at mine.

The doc offered a compromise, New Balance sneakers, with almost as much support as shoes.

I went to a local shoe store. The NBs cost over a hundred bucks. I remember when regular sneakers cost $5.98 and expensive ones went for three bucks more.

But the NBs were comfortable, and they were even available with Velcro instead of laces. I thought I could live with that.

When I was trying them on, there was a little kid a few seats away from me, getting new lace-up dress shoes for Easter. His old and tattered Vecro sneakers were on the floor nearby. He was about four years old. He saw my new Velcro-equipped NBs. He laughed. He pointed to me and said, "look Mommy, that old man is wearing baby shoes like I used to wear." His mother told him to be quiet and that it's not nice to point.

When I got to the office, Cynical Cousin Dave laughed and pointed, too.

He said, "Nice old-man shoes, Gramps. When are you moving to Florida?"

Dave is about 36 years younger than I am. He has a huge sneaker collection, including weird pink ones. He sometimes serves as an artistic advisor for my websites and book covers, and keeps me aware of Gen-X fashion trends. I think his hats are stupid, but he has a good graphic sense and I like his T-shirts and we usually agree on wristwatches. I knew he wouldn't sanction Velcro, but I thought he'd agree that the NB bottoms were cool. He said the bottoms were not cool enough to counteract the Velcro.

I know he's right. There is a fundamental visual flaw in Velcro-ized footwear. The vertical gap in a shoe just doesn't easily coexist with the two horizontal straps. Laces really do look better. Snapjacks, which I wore in sixth grade, were a visually coherent solution and a good compromise among vanity, utility and lazyness. Alas, they disappeared around 1960.

In 2009 I'm getting abuse for being a baby and for being ancient. All because of Velcro.

I'm just not sure if laziness will continue to beat vanity. My podiatrist will be pleased if I vote for vanity.

Panasonic lawyers lose April Fools' fight

2009-04-01T04:44:00.000-05:00

April Fooler Michael N. Marcus Rejects Panasonic Gag Order, Urges People to Attend Free Speech Rally at Patrick Henry Memorial in Virginia

Michael N. Marcus is an author, businessman and April Fooler. Born in April, Marcus says April Fools' Day and Halloween are his favorite holidays. For nearly ten years, he's "pranked" electronics manufacturer Panasonic in early April, but this year his perennial victim has gotten tough, and has threatened court action to block the pranking. Marcus remains defiant despite the threat.

Marcus is president of AbleComm, Inc., a Connecticut-based supplier of telecommunications equipment. The company's main phone system brand is Panasonic. Marcus said, "I also own some Panasonic stock, and I review Panasonic electronic products on my GottaGet1 blog. I have a lot of respect for the company, but that doesn't mean I can't have some fun with it."

Marcus continued, "Since the mid 1990s, I've distributed an April Fools' news report about a mythical press conference that took place at a non-existent hotel, where fake people announced fake corporate policy changes and fake new products. For those who were in on it, It became an eagerly awaited annual tradition. Lots of people love my spoofs, but gullible victims, of course, don't. Some of my fake news has actually become real news in later years."

The annual custom reached a new height in April, 2008. Marcus realized that the public and the news media were becoming increasingly sophisticated and skeptical of "news" distributed with a 4/1 date. So, to enhance credibility, he skipped the first of the month and distributed a spoof two days later.

Early on April 3, 2008 he launched a 90%-false press release. The press release contained several revelations, but the most important was that Panasonic would be manufacturing cellphones with plasma video displays. A few months earlier Panasonic demonstrated the world's largest plasma TV, so Marcus decided they should also have the smallest.

Through very lucky timing, a few days before the "news" went out, AT&T had announced their Mobile TV service for watching shows and sports on cellphones, which added usefulness and legitimacy to the fictitious device.

Within a few hours, the story was picked up and published by websites around the world. Many news writers added original material to demonstrate their extensive knowledge of the phony subject; but only one of them called Marcus to check on the story, and Marcus told him that it was a spoof.

Mobileburn.com was particularly fanciful in enhancing the fake news. They said "Panasonic took the stage at CTIA 2008 this week with partner AbleComm to announce that it has been working with AT&T to develop plasma displays for mobile phones, for use with the carrier's new Mobile TV service." There was absolutely nothing in the news release about an appearance at the CTIA event or Panasonic "working with AT&T.".

Crunchgear.com had a headline that read, "AT&T wants Panasonic to develop plasma screens for cellphones." The news release never said that, and neither did AT&T.

Some people at Panasonic laughed as expected, but some, particularly new employees who were unaware of the tradition, were upset. One outraged exec sent an email saying that Marcus caused "people to lose thousands of productive working hours." Panasonic demanded that the news distribution service that Marcus had used issue a retraction -- and this added fuel to the fire.

The retraction generated more coverage of the fake news, and personal insults, Marcus explained. "Several websites that received the retraction accused me of forgetting what day it was. One critic with dubious credentials said it was a "late, poorly executed April Fools' joke," and another called me an April Idiot. Actually it was not late, and it was extremely well executed, and my mother didn't have any stupid kids."

"There's certainly no rule that limits hoaxing to one day per year," Marcus continued. "No one who was filmed for TV's Candid Camera on 3/20 or 10/15 objected because it wasn't 4/1. Similarly the celebrities who were victims on the MTV show Punk'd may have grumbled, but not because they were not punked on the first day of the fourth month. And the subjects of "Stuttering John" interviews on The Howard Stern Show didn't check the date before deciding to participate."

Many of the websites that ran the news of the retraction, but had not run the original fake news, ran it with the retraction, thus increasing the circulation and readership of the spoof.

Some victims were complimentary.

Dailytech.com said, "Yesterday AbleComm sent out a press release that was all very believable talking about how Panasonic was going to be using small plasma displays in a mobile phone designed to be used on the new AT&T Mobile TV service launching in May. The release was professional, interesting and all very plausible replete with quotes from Panasonic and all. It didn't take long before the story was all around the internet…"

Some websites were actually suspicious of the retraction. Phonemag.com said it "Looks like someone let the plasma cat out of the proverbial bag too soon, and is now desperately backtracking to try to salvage a business relationship. It's unclear whether this was a deliberate or accidental occurrence, though the release was sizable and contained multiple quotes from all the parties involved which lends weight to the idea that it was an authentic document prematurely distributed."

In anticipation of another April Fools "attack" this year, Panasonic's law firm Katz, Honigman, Shapiro and Flynn sent a registered letter to Marcus last week warning him against further spoofing. The attorneys told Marcus that "unless you agree to restrain yourself, Panasonic will go to Court to obtain a restraining order against you."

Years earlier, Panasonic's in-house legal department had warned Marcus not to contact the then-new head of Panasonic's Business Telephone Systems division, and Marcus refused to obey.

Now in 2009, Marcus is once again making a stand for freedom of speech and freedom of fun.

He said, "It's ridiculous that the company that I have invested my money in, and that makes products that I sell and recommend, will spend money and time merely because they have no sense of humor. I will not be silenced. I will not obey a "gag order" even if they convince a court to issue one. We are living in dark times, and Panasonic and the rest of the world need to lighten up."

"Freedom of speech is a fundamental part of American culture," Marcus emphasized. "In 1791 it was guaranteed in the very first Amendment of the U. S. Constitution. Even earlier, in 1215, free speech was included in the British Magna Carta, and the caliph Umar incorporated free speech as part of Islamic law in the 7th century."

Marcus invites all supporters of free speech, both serious and spurious, to gather on April 1 at 2:00 p.m. at the Patrick Henry National Memorial in Virginia, about 35 miles south of Lynchburg.

Patrick Henry is known for his immortal words supporting the American Revolution in 1775: "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" The rally will take place at the Orator's Stage, near Henry's grave and law office. All attendees will be allowed five minutes each to address the audience on any topic. While there will be no censorship, Marcus urges that speakers "keep it clean" because there will probably be children in the audience. The address is 1250 Red Hill Road, Brookneal, VA 24528.

Marcus noted, "My former spoof victims and passive co-conspirators have been eagerly waiting to see what I would devise for this year. I won't let them down and will not be intimidated by lawyers. I'm reminded of what John Belushi said in his Bluto Blutarski role in Animal House: "Over? Did you say 'over'? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!"

The merry prankster proclaimed, "I proudly reiterate the defiant words of Bluto Blutarsky. I say to Panasonic and to its uptight attorneys, Hell no!"

"It's time they realize that pranks, spoofs and put-ons are part of normal American life, and should be responded to with a smile, not an injunction," Marcus concluded. "Besides, most people know not to believe anything they read on the first day of April."

Michael N. Marcus is author of the recently published I Only Flunk My Brightest Students: stories from school and real life, Phone Systems & Phones for Small Business & Home, and The AbleComm Guide to Phone Systems, all available at Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com.

(Patrick Henry painting by George Matthews from the U. S. Senate website. Michael N. Marcus photo by Cloe Poisson. © 2008 The Hartford Courant.)

Best April Fools' Day Hoaxes

2009-04-01T03:59:00.001-05:00

CLICK

Battery disposal tips

2009-03-30T09:53:00.002-05:00

Alkaline

•Common Name: Coppertop, Alkaline
•Examples of Use: Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls
•Disposal classification: These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste.
•Proper Disposal: Place in the trash with normal municipal waste, except in California, which requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules.

Button

•Common Name: Mercuric Oxide, Silver Oxide, Lithium, Alkaline, Zinc-Air
•Examples of Use: Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls
•Disposal classification: Hazardous waste
•Proper Disposal: Contact your municipality for the nearest Household HazardousWaste Collection Site.

Carbon Zinc

•Common Name: "Classic", Heavy Duty, General Purpose, All Purpose, Power Cell
•Examples of Use: Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, smoke alarms, remote controls, transistor radios, garage door openers
•Disposal classification: These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste.
•Proper Disposal: Place in the trash with normal municipal waste.
•Exceptions: California requires non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules. Also, Minnesota (Hennipen County only) requires these batteries be disposed as a hazardous waste.

Lithium and Lithium Ion

•Common Name: Usually has "lithium" label on the battery
•Examples of Use: Cameras, calculators, computer memory back-up, tennis shoes
•Disposal classification: These batteries are classified by the federal government as non-hazardous waste
•Proper Disposal: They can be recycled. To find a center near you go to: www.rbrc.org/start.php

Nickel-Cadmium (Rechargeable)

◦Common Name: Either unlabeled or labeled "Ni-Cd"
◦Examples of Use: Flashlights, toys, cellular phones, power tools, computer packs
◦Disposal classification: Hazardous waste
◦Proper Disposal: They can be recycled. To find a center near you go to: www.rbrc.org/start.php

Nickel Metal Hydride (Rechargeable)

■Common Name: Either unlabeled or labeled "Ni-Li" or "Ni-Hydride"
■Examples of Use: Flashlights, toys, cellular phones, power tools, computer packs
■Disposal classification: non-hazardous waste, except in California, which requires Non-households to dispose of these batteries in accordance with the California Universal Waste Rules.
■Proper Disposal: Safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream. They can also be recycled. To find a center near you go to: www.rbrc.org/start.php

Reusable Alkaline Manganese (Rechargeable)

■Common Name: Renewal
■Examples of Use: Flashlights, calculators, toys, clocks, radios, remote controls
■Disposal classification: Non-hazardous waste,
■Proper Disposal: Safe for disposal in the normal municipal waste stream. www.rbrc.org/start.php

Sealed Lead Acid (Rechargeable)

■Common Name: "Gel," VRB, AGM, Cyclone, El Power, Dynasty, Gates, Lithonia, Saft, Yuasa
■Examples of Use: Video cameras, power tools, wheelchairs, ATV’s, metal detectors, clocks, cameras
■Disposal classification: Hazardous waste
■Proper Disposal: Contact your municipality for the nearest Household HazardousWaste Collection Site
www.rbrc.org/start.php

Silver Oxide

■Common Name: Panasonic Silver Oxide
■Examples of Use: Watches, hearing aids, toys, greeting cards, remote controls
■Disposal classification: hazardous waste
■Proper Disposal: Non-consumers must dispose of these batteries in full compliance with the hazardous waste rules. Consumers are covered by the Household exemption under RCRA which allows for these batteries to be disposed of into the municipal waste stream, but hey can be recycled. To find a center near you go to: www.rbrc.org/start.php (info from TWICE)

And now, something for the ladies in the audience

2009-03-27T06:06:00.009-05:00

I get tons of spam email, at least 100 each day. In addition to the Nigerian princes who want to help me to get rich, and the discount Canadian pharmacies, and warnings from religious fanatics, I get a lot of sex stuff.

The spam senders are getting much more sophisticated. In the past I got an equal amount of promos for penis enlargement and for breast enlargement, but lately the spammers are about 90% correct in their gender assumptions.

Nevertheless, yesterday I got an email intended for the ladies. The product seems to make sense, so I'll pass it on.

I've always been a selective neat freak. I have no problem working with a messy desk, but I hate seeing messy, snarled, over-long electrical cords. I also don't like seeing bra straps. Actually, I don't mind seeing the straps on the bra of a well-built lady -- unless she's wearing something over the bra.

Now, in the era of hybrid cars, flat-screen TVs and VoIP, science has a solution. StrapPerfect, "the ultimate bra strap solution," is supposed to hide the straps, improve posture, give cleavage "a firm and youthful lift," and increase the apparent cup size by at least one letter. Sounds good to me.

Note: I have not personally tested this product.

On-demand video games will even work with slow PCs and TVs

2009-03-24T06:17:00.004-05:00

A technology company owned by veteran entrepreneur Steve Perlman is starting a new on-demand service that it says will let users play fast-action games without having to buy game consoles or high-end PCs.

Rearden LLC said it has developed technology that allows advanced games to be run remotely on servers and played over the Internet. The technology can quickly compress and decompress large amounts of data for transmission over standard home broadband networks, helping entry-level personal computers and specially equipped televisions play the sophisticated software.

The technology is being applied first to a new video game service that is expected to launch in late 2009. The service, operated by a new company called OnLive Inc., says it has signed up nine software publishers -- including Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive Software and THQ -- which have agreed to offer their newest game titles through the service.

Game software now runs on PCs and game consoles, which have special graphics circuitry to create fast action and realistic settings. But games on OnLive will be run on high-end servers hosted by the company, Perlman said, so they can be played on home systems without much computational power.

Though video services like YouTube already allow users to access content that is stored elsewhere, OnLive says services that allow graphics-rich fast-action games to be played from a central server remotely are not currently possible -- in large part because current technology can't provide the instantaneous two-way response time they require. Perlman said his company has worked seven years on that problem, and has solved it.

"For the first time, you can get any game, any time, anywhere," said Perlman in an interview, where he demonstrated the technology with the game Crysis, published by EA. "Getting the latest games won't mean getting the latest PC or console."

For consumers, the advantage would be that they could play advanced games without having to buy consoles such as PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or a computer with a powerful graphics chip. Televisions are expected be able to access the service by connecting to a small Internet-capable device dubbed the OnLive MicroConsole.

Publishers could benefit because they would be spared the cost of distributing physical software and it could eliminate software piracy since users would access rather than own the games. It could also cut down on used game sales for the same reason.

Perlman is best known for the set-top box company WebTV Networks, which was acquired by Microsoft in the 1990s. He started Rearden with a small team of engineers.

Two years ago, the firm developed technology that can create digital reproductions of the human body that are as accurate as photographs. That technology was used in the movie "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" about a man who ages in reverse.

Perlman declined to comment on specifics about the service such as pricing. Some of the features of the service include an ability for many people to remotely watch somebody else play a game. Players can also hit a button to record the last 15 seconds of game-play, so they can record memorable moments to share with friends. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

Classic movie DVDs available from Warner Bros.

2009-03-23T03:50:00.002-05:00

As part of a plan to squeeze all it can out of its film library, Warner Bros. Entertainment will sell vintage movies previously unreleased on DVD directly to the public for $19.95 each.

"Once Upon a Honeymoon," the 1942 movie with Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers, and "Possessed," the 1931 movie with Clark Gable and Joan Crawford, are among the titles consumers can buy directly from the Website of the Warner Archive Collection, starting today.

Many of the titles were among a group the studio originally planned to release through regular retail channels, but as retail space devoted to DVDs declines, the studio decided to try a new approach. Remastering the movies for DVD release took anywhere between a few weeks to two years, with the older, silent films requiring the most work because they are on highly fragile nitrate film.

To keep down costs associated with creating and warehousing DVDs, Warner has licensed an independent company to produce each DVD on demand. The customer will get the disc by mail, complete with cover art, within five days. Alternatively, customers can purchase a digital download of the movie for $14.95.

DVDs have experienced declining sales in recent years. Warner hopes to tap into an unfilled demand for classic titles that haven't been available on DVD. Many titles, such as 1949's "John Loves Mary" with Ronald Reagan and 1951's "Goodbye My Fancy" with Joan Crawford, weren't on VHS tape either. But a few titles are available on pirate Web sites that sell bootleg DVDs, likely made from television screenings of the movies, giving Warner all the more incentive to cut itself in on the action.

The studio's feature-film library contains about 6,800 films, of which only 1,200 have been released on DVD and 4,100 on VHS tape.

The service aims squarely at the over-40 set who enjoy building up physical collections of DVDs and will be familiar with the titles. A few titles might appeal to younger groups, such as the 1975 action film "Doc Savage," which has comic-book crossover appeal. The service is launching with 150 titles, and will add 20 or so each month. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

Seven years to pay for a DVD recorder

2009-03-20T08:44:00.003-05:00

Jennifer Ann Logan of Dallas accepted a seven-year prison sentence following her arrest after an incident in which a dog in her vehicle was commanded to bite a Wal-Mart employee who accused her of stealing a DVD recorder.

According to police, on June 23, 2007 Logan took a $298 DVD recorder from Wal-Mart and left the store through the garden department. She was followed to her Ford Escape by a store employee, who grabbed Logan to keep her from leaving. A man sitting in the Escape told a dog in the vehicle to “Get him” and motioned at the employee.

The dog jumped out of the SUV and bit the employee on the buttocks and leg.

Logan, the man in the SUV and the dog fled with the DVD recorder. The employee later identified Logan in a photo lineup. (info from The Waco Tribune)

Finally, a cellphone you can go swimming with

2009-03-19T05:16:00.005-05:00

The photo at the left, taken in 2006, shows your humble blogmeister interrupting his dog-paddling to accept an urgent call on a water-resistant cordless phone made by Uniden.

The photo at the right shows the new Samsung B2100 Xplorer cellphone, which can survive submersion in water up to one meter deep for a half hour without sucking in tiny fish or going belly-up like a dead fish. It also complies with "MIL-STD-810F" for use in harsh outdoor conditions over prolonged periods of time.

Built to be dust-proof and sand-proof, other features include a 1.77-inch TFT display, 1.3 mega pixel camera with built-in LED flash, MP3 music player, stereo FM radio with RDS, microSD memory card expansion supporting up to 8GB and Blueto0th v2.1 with A2DP. It also has a noise cancellation microphone, speakers, flashlight, video capture at 15fps, and support for JAVA.

It should be great for hiking, making war, going to the beach, floating in the pool, or fraternity parties.

More than 100 new features for iPhone and iPod Touch

2009-03-18T05:18:00.002-05:00

Yesterday Apple announced over 100 new features that will be available to iPhone and iPod touch users this summer. They include: cut, copy and paste which can be done within or across applications; MMS to send and receive photos, contacts, audio files and locations with the Messages app; stereo Bluetooth; syncing Notes to the Mac and PC; shake to shuffle; parental controls for TV shows, movies and apps from the App Store; automatic login at Wi-Fi hot spots, and the ability to capture and send audio recordings on the go with the new Voice Memo app. Landscape view will be available for Mail, Text and Notes. Search capabilities will be expanded, allowing customers to search within Mail, iPod and Notes or search across all key apps by typing a key word or phrase into the new Spotlight search, conveniently accessed from the Home screen.

The updated Stock app will add the ability to display recent company news and current trading information like opening or average price, trading volume or Market Cap, and will offer a landscape view to see a full screen of any stock chart. Customers will also be able to view shared calendars right on their iPhone with CalDAV support and sync their calendars with iCal®, Yahoo, Google and Oracle.

iPhone customers will be able to download the new iPhone OS 3.0 software for free summer and iPod touch customers will be able to purchase a software update for $9.95.

Apple also announced the immediate availability of a beta software release to registered developers. The iPhone OS 3.0 beta release includes an updated Software Development Kit (SDK) with over 1,000 new Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) including In-App Purchases; Peer-to-Peer connections; an app interface for accessories; access to the iPod music library; a new Maps API and Push Notifications.

Included in these APIs is the ability to leverage the App Store within apps. In-App Purchases will allow developers to offer subscription content and provide the ability to sell new content and features in a simple and secure process. Developers can also more easily create peer-to-peer games for iPhone and iPod touch by using Bluetooth.

Another key developer feature in the iPhone OS 3.0 beta software is the ability for apps to interface with hardware accessories, creating a new element of control for iPhone and iPod touch accessory developers as well as a new ecosystem of solutions for customers. Developers will also be able to use Apple’s new Maps API to integrate Google Mobile Maps services within their apps which will offer Google Map tiles, current location, custom annotations and geocoding. The iPhone OS 3.0 beta software includes the Apple Push Notification service which provides developers with a mechanism to alert users with sounds, text or a badge.

Super-thin, super-expensive laptop from Dell

2009-03-17T03:01:00.004-05:00

Dell is entering the ultra-thin notebook business with the Adamo, from the Latin for "to fall in love with."

The aluminum-body laptop costs $2,000 or more and comes in two colors, "onyx" and "pearl." It has a 13-inch screen and, with a depth of less than 0.67-inch, is thinner than both Apple's 0.76-inch MacBook Air ($1,800 and up) and Hewlett-Packard Co.'s 0.7-inch Voodoo Envy notebook (from $1,900).

Even the customer support package goes upscale. Dell will guarantee the same team of service representatives for $99 for a year or $349 for three.

Dell, known for affordable, no-frills computers, leaned toward the seductive imagery of couture as it designed a marketing campaign to fit the Adamo. The leap Dell is asking consumers to make from its core brand would be a risk in any economy, let alone the worst recession of the personal-computer age. PC sales are sliding and the lone bright spot in the market appears to be small, inexpensive "netbooks," Adamo's polar opposite.

CLICK for more info. (Info from The Associated Press, photo from notebooks-site.com)

Live TV and Sirius XM comintg to iPhones and iPods

2009-03-13T04:19:00.003-05:00

MobiTV and CBS Sports will stream live video of the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament to the iPhone and iPod Touch via Wi-Fi to people who buy a $4.99 application from the Apple iTunes App Store.

The application’s official name is “CBS Sports Mobile: NCAA March Madness On Demand.”

MobiTV already supplies live TV over cellular radio to other cellphones in the US but not to the iPhone. MobiTV expects to provide other TV content to Apple devices in the future.

The MobiTV-powered Wi-Fi application will feature live Wi-Fi video of all 63 games of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship from March 19 through April 6. Live audio of each game, however, can be streamed via the iPhone’s cellular 3G and EDGE technologies as well as live updates, stats and video-on-demand highlights of games.

The application delivers a “clickable” tournament bracket showing all tournament teams and allows users to touch any current game to launch live TV of the game.

Sirius XM plans to offer an iPhone/iPod Touch application in the second quarter.

The app would stream Sirius XM to iPhones and iPod Touch devices and will permit an estimated users to access Sirius XM content if they are paid subscribers. New subscribers won’t have to purchase a new radio. (info from TWICE)

New iPod is small enough to shove up your ass, and it speaks 14 languages.

2009-03-12T06:15:00.008-05:00

Yesterday Apple introduced their latest iPod shuffle (they spell it with a lower-case "s"). Apparently it's the world’s smallest music player at nearly half the size of the previous model. If you don't have to endure a cavity search, you can smuggle it into a prison.

It's also the first music player that talks to you.

The new VoiceOver feature enables iPod shuffle to speak your song titles, artists and playlist names, and battery power.

The unit is smaller than a AA battery, holds up to 1,000 songs and all of the controls except the power switch are in a small pod on the earbud cord. With the press of a button, you can play, pause, adjust volume, switch playlists and hear the name of the song and artist. iPod shuffle has an aluminum case available in black or silver, with a built-in stainless steel clip that makes it easy to wear.

The iPod shuffle is based on Apple’s shuffle feature, which randomly selects songs from your music library. And when you can’t remember the name of a song or an artist playing, with the press of a button iPod shuffle tells you the name of the song and artist.

The tiny robot can even tell you status information, such as battery life. With the ability to hold up to 1,000 songs and the VoiceOver feature, you can now easily switch between multiple playlists on your iPod shuffle. iPod shuffle can speak 14 languages including English, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.

It's said to have up to 10 hours of battery life.

The new third generation 4GB iPod shuffle is now available, with a suggested price of $79.

This is a preview, not a review.

Save 25% on mini widescreen TV at RadioShack

2009-03-11T05:08:00.003-05:00

Apparently this is a one-day special, so act fast if you're interested.

Small battery-powered TVs are nice to have in the car, and in the office or around the house, and while traveling.

I've used them to monitor a security camera that observes my driveway, and even to watch one TV show with a headset in bed while my beloved bride watched some shitty show on the big HDTV. I also use one to keep busy in a parking lot while waiting for her to get out of the supermarket. And I sometimes use one while traveling to watch in an airport, or in a hotel or motel that doesn't have TVs where I want them to be,

The Shacks's Acurian Model #16-454 has a 7" 16:9 aspect ratio widescreen LCD display and its NTSC/ATSC TV tuner lets you watch both analog and digital TV broadcasts. An A/V input lets you connect external audio and video sources. The built-in rod antenna can be positioned for the best possible reception. It has an "F" coax connector so you can connect an external antenna if needed (often important in a car) or to Cable TV service.

Included accessories include a remote control with battery, audio/video cable, AC adapter, car power adapter, F connector.

Regular price is $199.99. Sale price is $50 less. CLICK

THIS IS A PREVIEW, NOT A REVIEW.

Digital TV converter coupons available again

2009-03-09T04:01:00.002-05:00

This is probably not important news to the ultra-techies who usually read this blog, but it might affect some low-tech people you know.

The government agency that distributes coupons for digital TV converter boxes expects to eliminate its waiting list by the end of March.

Helped by $650 million from the economic stimulus package, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has started to mail out coupons to the 2.3 million households on the list.

The fund that pays for the $40 coupons reached its spending limit in early January. The NTIA was still able to mail out coupons, but only as old ones expired, 90 days after being issued.

The NTIA now expects to change its rules so that people who received coupons before but let them expire can now apply for new ones.

Coupons are now being mailed "first class." The government had been criticized for mailing the coupons "standard mail," which can take weeks.

The converter boxes allow older TVs to receive new digital broadcast signals. American full-power TV stations were scheduled to turn off their ancient analog signals on Feb. 17, but because of the coupon backlog, the deadline was extended to June 12. About a quarter of stations shut down in mid-February anyway, but most of them are in small markets. (info from The Associated Press)

Today is the last day to shop at Circuit City.

2009-03-08T05:27:00.002-05:00

Today is your official last chance to go to a CC store to buy what other bargain-hunters passed over because it was over-priced, useless, defective, ugly or all four.

In a few weeks, however, the dregs, remnants and gleanings should be in the dollar stores and on eBay.

New book about phone equipment and services

2009-03-06T05:54:00.000-05:00

(press release about my own book)

A hundred years ago, telephones were simple. If you wanted to call someone, you picked up the receiver, cranked the crank, and waited for the nice lady to say, “Operator, may I help you?” Then you said something like, “I want to talk to Daddy,” or “I need the doctor;” and in a few seconds you were connected. You didn’t even need to know the phone numbers.

For equipment, maybe you could choose between an oak box on the kitchen wall, or a metal candlestick model on the hall table. If you lived in a high-tech area, maybe you could get a dial instead of a crank.

Regardless of the telephone style, you would pay to rent it month after month, and there was just one company in your town that you could do business with, and that company owned “your” phone.

Today the choices seem endless. Phones can be analog or digital, rotary or touch-tone, plain or fancy, corded, cordless, or cellular. You can connect through a local phone company, a national phone company, an international phone company, a TV company, a satellite company, a cellular company, or a VoIP company. Phone companies sell TV service. Cable television companies sell phone service. They both sell Internet service.

You can get a phone or phone system or a phone gadget from hundreds of sources, and buy it, rent it, lease it or may-be get a freebie. You can pay someone to install it, you can install it yourself, or you can get something that needs no installation.

An authoritative but easy-to-understand new book, “Phone Systems & Phones for Small Business and Home” by Michael N. Marcus helps people sort out their options. It covers basic phones, multi-line phone systems, add-ons like headsets, music-on-hold, paging systems, backup power and fax equipment — for professional offices, businesses and homes. There are sections on technology trends, telecommunications terminology, tools, wiring, troubleshooting, and much more.

The book will help people pick out the right size phone system, to minimize initial cost, and provide room to grow. It even deals with the important items that people really do need in a phone system, but are often left off sellers’ bids and proposals.

The book also sorts out the various technologies for making phone calls and accessing the Internet: conventional dial tone, ISDN, DSL, cable, fiber, T1 and VoIP.

Marcus’s book includes about 40 detailed hands-on product reviews. Recommendations range from a $12.99 home phone to complex multi-thousand-dollar business phone systems, plus a wide array of add-one to improve communications.

It will help readers avoid the worst mistakes of phone system buyers, and can help them decide if they can save money by installing their own home or business phones. The book will also help people quickly diagnose many common telecom troubles, and often fix them easily and inexpensively or maybe even for free.

Marcus says, “But even if you don’t plan to do your own phone work, by understanding what has to be done, you’re more likely to get the right thing done, and pay the right price. You could save much more than the price of this book.”

Some reader comments:

• Outstanding! An entertaining and sometimes humorous thorough education on phones and telecommunications. It’s a must-read for shoppers as well as salespeople.

• I’ve been in telecommunications for nearly 30 years, but I still learned a lot from this informative and entertaining book.

• After just three minutes I learned that a really annoying telephone problem could be cured for $4, instead of nearly $400. This book belongs in every office and many homes.

• This delightful book makes phones ultra-useful for people who run mini-Fortune 500 companies. Highly recommended.

The illustrated book has 396 pages. It is available from Amazon.com and other booksellers.

This is the third book on communications equipment written by Michael N. Marcus, a writer who has specialized in electronics and telecommunications for over 30 years. Marcus is a successful and popular explainer, known for mixing technology and humor. His humorous memoir “I Only Flunk My Brightest Students: stories from school and real life” was published in December.

If you get a new Amazon.com credit card, you can get a $30 certificate to pay for the book.

Good news and sad news at Sam's Club

2009-03-05T08:55:00.004-05:00

I normally love Costco, and approve of almost everything they do.

I got really pissed off at them last year when they replaced my beloved Austin Toasty Crackers With Peanut Butter Filling with the much-too-salty Lance's brand.

Fortunately, by driving about three miles farther, I could get to my usually-much-less-loved Sam's Club, and buy Austin there.

Yesterday I was shocked to find that Sam's, too, had replaced Austin with Lance's.

Depressed and dejected, I headed for the exit.

My mood quickly changed when I saw an item that had been missing from Sam's for about a year: a FOUR-POUND PILLSBURY CHOCOLATE CHUNK FUDGE BROWNIE.

Technically, it's a 4-lb. slab that could be cut into 42 normal size brownies, but it's much more fun to think of it as just one giant brownie.

Apparently the Austin crackers have been removed because of the peanut-salmonella scare.

Kellogg makes crackers under the Keebler and Austin brands and says it gets some of its peanut butter paste from the Peanut Corporation of America -- the same company linked to tainted peanut butter that has sickened people across the country.

Kellogg says they did not recall the crackers but issued a "precautionary hold...until the company can determined if any of its products are linked to the tainted peanut butter."

So far, the Keebler and Austin brand peanut butter crackers are not linked to any illnesses....and the company is telling customers to hold onto the crackers, but don't eat them, for now.

I still have a few Austin packs I stashed at home. To make them last longer, I'll alternate them with my brownies.

Amazon will provide e-books for iPhones and iPods

2009-03-04T04:06:00.002-05:00

Amazon.com plans to release a program today for reading electronic books on Apple iPhones, extending Amazon's sales of digital books to devices beyond its own Kindle e-book reader.

Amazon's software application, which can be downloaded for free, allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to read books or periodicals purchased on the Web or through their dedicated Kindle device, usually for $9.99. Using a service that Amazon calls whispersync, the program keeps track of a readers' latest page in any given book across both a Kindle and iPhone.

"There are times when you're going to be in a place where you happen to have your iPhone but not your Kindle," said Ian Freed, an Amazon vice president. "If I get stuck in line at the grocery store, I can pick up where I was reading with my iPhone."

Other e-book providers, such as Indigo Books and Music Inc.'s Shortcovers, already allow users to buy and read books on the iPhone. Amazon also faces competition from Google, which allows users to read e-books via a Web site optimized for the iPhone screen.

Freed said he is "not at all concerned" that making e-books available on other devices will cannibalize sales of the $359 Kindle. Instead, it will increase sales of digital books and the Kindle, he says. Amazon says it plans to release applications to read Kindle books on other devices, but declined to specify which ones.

Freed expects that users of the iPhone application would read their books for 20 to 30 minutes at most, after which eye strain or battery life might become a problem. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

In honor of Arthur, an updated rerun from 2007.SHOCK: Frozen pizza can taste like pizza

2009-03-03T04:53:00.007-05:00

I grew up in New Haven, CT, and returned to the area in 2001 after a 37-year absence. New Haven and the surrounding towns have a huge number of Italian-Americans. New Haven is probably the second place in the US where pizza was served. New Haveners are fanatical about pizza, which is spelled apizza, pronounced ah-beetz and sometimes called tomato pie.

When I was in college, I sometimes arranged for friendly Allegheny Airlines stewardesses to carry fresh New Haven tomato pies on the plane and meet me at the airport in Allentown.

The geographic, historical and emotional center of New Haven pizza-making is Wooster Street, still an Italian enclave after about 100 years. On weekend evenings, there are long lines of the faithful outside the doors of the two traditional rivals, Sally's and Pepe's.

"Traditional" New Haven pizzas are baked in brick ovens with coal fires. They're thin, oddly shaped, partly charred, oily, sloppy, and delicious. No two slices are the same size, and there is minimal handle for gripping a slice. A "plain" New Haven pie is served without mozzarella ("no mootz"). They're also available with toppings like clam chunks, that you are unlikely to find at Domino's or Pizza Hut.

Cousin Dave, also a pizza maven and probably a fair representation of local attitude, says PH's food is edible, if you don't think of it as pizza. "It's not pizza," he explains, "it's pizza hut."

Although the national pizza chains have done notoriously poorly in this center of authentic Italian cuisine, new apizza joints seem to sprout up every couple of days (only a slight exaggeration). Within a few miles of where I'm typing this, there have been five recent debuts, and the sixth one to be announced is within a few blocks of four others. Some local folks make quite good pizza at home. My neighbor Connie (nee Concetta, and daughter of a professional pizza-maker), even makes great pizza on her barbecue grill.

One big problem with pizza, or apizza, is portability. My favorite local pizzeria (Papa's in Milford) has two outdoor picnic tables, but no indoor tables. I can't eat there in the winter or when it's raining; and even if I drive a fast Ferrari, the pie is cold by the time I get it home. A local caterer operates The Big Green Pizza Truck. They'll bake incredibly good wood-fired pizzas in my own driveway, but the minimum fee for even one pie is about 1000 bucks.

Another pizza problem is availability. Most pizzerias are closed for at least a few hours a day -- maybe the hours when you have the strongest urge for pizza. When I lived in Scarsdale NY, I was thrilled to learn that a nearby jazz club served pizza until 2AM. As a test, I went there at 1:45 one morning. The music was great. Alas, the pizza sucked.

Here is Southern Connecticut, the pizza capo-di-tutti-capi has decreed that no pizzeria can be open for business on Monday. The sensory deprivation is like having Lent or Yom Kippur every week.

A while ago, at my local Costco, I inhaled a familiar smell. PIZZA. It was not the usual cardboard-and-grease combo served at the snack bar, but something that smelled and looked remarkably like what I might get at Wooster street or from the Big Green Truck.

A company called Aliki Foods was doing a road show -- a special event a manufacturer stages to enable Costco members to sample a new product line, and perhaps convince Costco management to stock the product.

The Aliki folks had a bunch of miniature electric ovens stacked up under an indoor tent top, and were churning out magnificent personal-size pizzas every few minutes. I stayed there, wide-eyed, wide-mouthed, in love, mesmerized, imobilized, captivated and salivating. (If I drooled on you, I hereby apologize.)

I sampled every thin-crust gem they made over a 20-minute period. I even tried toppings like sausage that I normally don't eat, and a chicken fajita variety that was decidedly un-Italian, but decidedly delicious. Every pie was spectacular. I pigged-out, but I was not the only pig. I bought a box of three Margherita pizzas (tomato, basil, garlic and three kinds of cheese) for my own freezer, for $9.99.

The package is 10 inches wide, and fits just fine in the freezer side of a side-by-side. Estimated cooking time is 8 - 11 minutes, at 425 degrees.

Strangely, when I originally posted this blog entry, pizza was not even on the Aliki website (where they had lots of other Italian foods, and even Philly cheese steaks and mac-and-cheese), so it must have been really new; and my lucky readers were among the first to know about it. You owe it to your bellies to pester your nearby food sellers to stock this treasure.

Also strangely, the boss of Aliki is Michael Pappas, a Greek-American, not an Italian-American. Most Greek pizza is kind of like Pizza Hut pizza: maybe OK, if you don't think of it as pizza (the dough is too thick and fluffy, and there's not enough tomato sauce).

There's no one thing that makes Aliki pizzas so special; it's the combination of multiple good decisions, and perfect execution. The crust has the right mix of chewiness and crunchiness, and tastes like it came from an ancient brick oven on Wooster Street. Michael says "the flour we use is very high quality and the crust is hand stretched and goes through a lengthy proofing and dough retardation process for a rich flavor." The sauce is made from Michael's grandmother's recipe, which is securely locked up in a secret location, and protected by armed guards with sharp-toothed dogs. Aliki uses only fresh toppings, and highest quality cheeses that Michael can find.

The pizza varieties represent several ethnicities, including Italian, Greek, Mexican, and even WolfgangPuckian. You can get Four Cheese, Pepperoni, Margherita, Spinach & Feta Cheese, Sausage Delizioso, Chicken Fajita, or Grilled Chicken & Goat Cheese.

Aliki's pizzas are being slowly rolled out across the country, generally in warehouse clubs including Costco and BJ's, not supermarkets.

Michael Pappas credits his Greek grandparents for inspiring his great Italian foods: "I was blessed to have a grandmother who made the best food you could imagine, all from scratch. Many of the ingredients came from my grandfather’s magnificent vegetable garden. Whenever I visited them, my grandmother would always make an irresistable dish with her oven-baked bread, fresh vegetables from the garden, and spices from the old country. It always smelled so good walking into her kitchen, I can still smell all of the delightful aromas."

Michael has maintained the tradition, and recently, thanks to him, even Costco smelled delightful. Aliki Foods has the right recipe and terrific technique. The company is based in Old Lyme, CT -- not exactly New Haven, but close enough to have picked up the proper vibes.

Unless you live really close to a first-class pizzeria, Aliki makes the best pizza you will ever eat at home. GO GET SOME!

UPDATE: When you heat your Aliki pizza in your oven at home, just put it on the oven rack, NOT on a piece of foil on the rack. It's better to have to clean up the bottom of the oven, than to have a crust that's not fully cooked.

Pizza you can eat while you drive,from Dunkin' Donuts

2009-03-02T07:17:00.004-05:00

I'm probably the only regular customer of Dunkin' Donuts who has never tasted their coffee. Actually I've never tasted anybody's coffee. I was once accidentally served coffee ice cream and I hated it, and that was close enough. My mother has never tasted coffee either. Her mother drank about 14 gallons each day, so maybe mom was rebelling against grandma. My wife tasted coffee once and hated it and never tasted it again. Maybe she married me because she knew she'd never have to make coffee for me.

I've heard that Dunk makes great coffee and there's a Dunk conveniently next door to my office. The coffee smells good, but I've never been tempted to try it. On the other hand, Dunk does make the world's best hot chocolate, which I drink every morning in cold weather.

It's infinitely better than the too-sweet, too-thin crap they serve at Starbucks. I was in an airport recently at breakfast time and Starbucks hot chocolate was my only warm beverage option. I hated having to to say grande instead of medium. If English was good enough for Moses and Jesus (grin), it's good enough for me. Grande is Starbucks-Italian for medium. In Italian-Italian, however, grande means large and medio means medium. Dunk lets you order in good old American English.

Anyway, back in February '08, Dunkin' Donuts, which calls itself "the world's largest coffee and baked goods chain," officially launched its all-day Oven-Toasted menu. The new program is an effort to get people to spend money at the chain after breakfast, and includes easy-to-hold-and-eat Flatbread Sandwiches, Hash Browns, and Personal Pizzas.

Having grown up in New Haven, the spiritual heartland (or maybe the bellyland) of American pizza culture, I have very high standards for pizza. I regard white pizza as heresy, and what most Americans consider to be good pizza -- whether it comes from neighborhood independents or national chains like Domino's or Sbarro -- I think is barely above the level of cardboard with ketchup and American cheese.

Pizza Hut is in a special category. Fellow pizza maven Cynical Cousin Dave and I are willing to eat it and simply don't compare it to the genuine article. We've put PH in it's own classification. As we say, "It's not pizza, it's pizza Hut."

The new Dunkin' Donuts Personal Pizzas are five inches in diameter, a tad bigger than a CD or a DVD. They're basically clones of the Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizza. You can select three varieties: Supreme (sausage, pepperoni plus green and red peppers); Pepperoni (with mozzarella); and Cheese (four varieties blended.) Some Dunks may not have all of the pizza varieties.

The first time I got one, I was surprised at its DVD size and assumed I would want a second; but found it both filling and satisfying. Although I hate green peppers, I ordered the Supreme, and didn't bother picking out the peppers. They didn't kill me. I've had about 20 more since then. That's a good sign.

After my plane landed from the trp with the shitty Starbucks hot chocolate, I drove to a Dunk near the airport and picked up a pizza to eat as I drove. When I got near my office, I got in line at the Dunk drive-up window, put the empty pizza box in their trash can, and bought a hot chocolate. Maybe I should buy some stock as well as food.

As with PH pizza, a Dunk pizza is not "real" pizza. But it's cooked much faster, available much closer, costs much less, is tasty, and can be carried, opened and eaten with one hand, and it's NEAT.

There's no way I could drive a car while eating a slice from Sally's, Pepe's or Papa's. The sauce, mootz, oil and clams would be all over the upholstery, dashboard and carpet.

Just as Mickey Dee's Egg McMuffin turned out to be the perfect one-handed mobile breakfast, Dunkin' Donuts has devised the perfect one-handed mobile pizza. It might even provide some McMuffin competition, because you can get it in the morning, or any time.

Bravo! Dunkin' Donuts. Bravo! When can I get a pizza grande?

Mama Mia.Vroooooooooom.Vroooooooooooom.Fix It Again Tony

2009-02-27T14:03:00.003-05:00

Today is the fifth anniversary of my purchase of a 1978 Fiat Spider. CLICK for the story and more pics.

Buy a Fiat to be a toy, not transportation.

Turning the key is like spinning a gun barrel to play Russian Roulette. You never know what will happen.

It's wonderful to own a Fiat, as long as you don't depend on it to get you to work or school or anywhere important. It should never be your only vehicle.

New software harrasses laptop thieves

2009-02-26T06:13:00.003-05:00

If your laptop has been stolen, you can remotely yell at the thief and interfere with his use of the computer.

Front Door Software's Retriever program displays your contact information as your computer boots up. There's even space for a plea to a Good Samaritan - "$50 for my safe return."

In most cases, that's enough to help an honest person return the machine, said Carrie Hafeman, chief executive of the company.

But Retriever can get tougher.

You can log on to a Website and check a box indicating the computer is missing. Now during start-up, a big yellow and red banner appears on the screen, boldly declaring the laptop lost or stolen. This message is set to reappear every 30 seconds, no matter how many times the thief closes the window.

You can remotely switch on a second password prompt if you fear the thief has also stolen your regular password.

Behind the scenes, Retriever uses built-in Wi-Fi to sniff out nearby networks, then figure out what Internet service providers power them. With that information you can file a police report and get help locating the criminal.

While waiting for law enforcement to come through, you can even let off steam by sending new messages to the nagging "Stolen Computer!" screen, such as "You are being tracked. I am right at your door."

The latest version of Retriever, which costs $29.95 for three years of use, is even more aggressive.

Now, when the "stolen" screen pops up, the laptop cries for help. Use a canned message ("Help, this laptop is reported lost or stolen. If you are not my owner, please report me now.") or record your own.

You can say, "Get your hands off me, you S.O.B." (info from The Associated Press)

We've come a long way, baby.After 15 years, I bought a second baby laptop

2009-02-24T04:47:00.009-05:00

Back in 1994 I needed a portable PC that I could take to my customers' offices to program their phone systems. I bought a Compaq Contura Aero, touted as "the least expensive, fully featured subnotebook PC" available.

For the "low" price of $1399, I got a PC with an 8-inch monochrome display that weighed 3.5 pounds and provided up to six hours of battery life. There was a model with a color screen and faster chip, but I could not justify spending $2,199 or more. The Aeros were "driven by powerful Intel 486 processors" and came with hard drives providing as much as 250 megabytes (not gigabytes) of storage.

The Aero was approximately 45 percent lighter and 33 percent smaller than most notebook PCs and with a rechargeable Duracell battery option it could run almost twice as long as the average notebook PC.

The standard RAM was 4 megabytes (again, not gigabytes) expandable to 12 megabytes. The standard hard drive was 84 megabytes (like many corporate desktop machines of that time). The unit had a built-in trackball pointing device and a PCMCIA Type II slot for a modem (that could even work with a cellphone) or storage card. Networking was not even mentioned. An external floppy drive could be plugged in.

My Aero came preinstalled with DOS 6, Windows 3.1, TabWorks, Lotus Organizer -- an integrated package with a calendar and planner -- WinLink File Transfer software and a serial cable.

I used the Aero for about three years, even after the screen was damaged, rendering about 20% of the display useless, and then moved on to a succession of full-size and widescreen laptops.

In January I went to Florida to visit my parents for a few days. Normally I would have schlepped my wide-screen Toshiba Laptop, which usually travels in its own case with a bunch of accessories. I wanted to be able to avoid checking luggage, and my carry-on bag just could not accommodate my clothing and other personal needs as well as the Toshiba, so it stayed home. I figured I could manage to live without the Web and email for the weekend, and in an emergency I could use my father's iMac.

I turned out that his newly installed AT&T DSL service did not work, and I missed my PC. It was time to consider one of the new netbooks that could easily fit in my carry-on luggage.

Two weeks ago my new baby arrived. I had been aware of the category for a while, and tapped on a few of the mini-size keyboards at Staples and Costo, but was really not in the market.

A bargain pushed me to buy.

The super-cool Acer Aspire One sells for as much as $500 at RatShack (or just $100 with a two-year AT&T wireless contract.) Staples sells it for $300, or less with a rebate when you buy a printer, too. I got an apparently perfect reconditioned unit for $250 from TigerDirect.com.

Acer Aspire One was introduced in July 2008. It is based on the 1.6GHz Intel Atom platform, and is available in several shell colors: seashell white, sapphire blue, golden brown, onyx black, and coral pink. I got the blue, which ironically matches my much bigger Toshiba lappy.

Although some Aspires are sold with Linux, I was pleased to get one running Windows XP. It has built-in 802.11b/g WiFi for easy access to wireless networks, a bright and crisp 8.9-inch backlit display with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels, and "CrystalEye" webcam for live video streaming, video chats and conferences. Other features include 1GB DDR2 533MHz memory, a 120GB hard drive, SD Card reader, multi-format media card reader, three USB 2.0 ports (more than my big Toshiba), and a bunch of pre-loaded software. It weighs about a pound and a quarter less than my old Aero.

After two weeks I am pleased to recommend it. It has worked just fine, and what's more -- it's FUN. Sometimes I use it on my desk at the same time I'm using my monster desktop machine. I found I was able to grab WiFi signals from neighbors at home and at work, and I sometimes take the baby in the car. I can frequently go online while in a parking lot, waiting for my wife to finish shopping.

Amazon has a different version of this baby selling for just $259 (new) and you can pay it off over six months with no interest. CLICK.

I'm a container collector -- actually "addict" is a better term. To me, one of the best things about getting a new lappy is to shop for a new case for it. I thought I might snag a bargain at a local Circuit City's final-gasp sale, but they had nothing. I also struck out at Staples, but found something perfect at ebags.com. It's made by CaseLogic, one of my favored case makers. It's designed and manufactured just right, and has space for the AC adapter, mouse, and other vital trinkets.

Value of Sirius XM may be in the billions it lost

2009-02-23T06:38:00.002-05:00

Some investors are baffled why media titans John Malone and Charles Ergen are competing to throw money at Sirius XM Radio, the money-losing satellite-radio company that was perilously close to bankruptcy.

But the company's most valuable asset could be precisely all the money it has lost.

Sirius XM has at least $6 billion of tax losses. That means that the losses it has accumulated over the years can be used as deductions to cut taxes on future profits. As long as those losses stay with Sirius, they have little value, because the company's future prospects for significant profits are still slim.

But in the eventual hands of another company, like Malone's Liberty Media, those tax losses could become extremely valuable, helping to wipe more than $6 billion in taxable income off of its income tax returns -- thus some day cutting Liberty's corporate income-tax bill by more than $2 billion.

Tax concerns are often a big driver of corporate deal making, but few players maneuver through the tax code as thoroughly as Malone. In 2006, he acquired the Atlanta Braves in a way that enabled Liberty to effectively cash out its stake in Time Warner without incurring taxes.

Similarly, Sirius's tax losses are considered a key part of the company's appeal to Liberty. They were considered less significant to Ergen, who bought up Sirius debt in hopes of adding Sirius to his satellite assets. On Tuesday, Liberty announced it would rescue the company from a bankruptcy filing with a $530 million loan and receive a 40% stake in Sirius.

Companies often have tax losses. But experts say it is unusual that they are potentially a firm's most valuable asset, as with Sirius. The only asset that is comparable is the company's collection of radio wave spectrum licenses granted by the FCC valued at $2 billion.

However, for Liberty to maximize the use of those tax losses, it must navigate Internal Revenue Service rules intended to prevent companies from acquiring others solely for their losses -- so-called "trafficking in losses."

The IRS curbs already kicked in after the Sirius XM merger was closed in last July and limit how much of the losses can be used as tax deductions each year.

Another complication hangs over these tax losses. If ownership of the company changes again, the use of the tax losses would become even more limited, according to IRS rules. That is because the restrictions are calculated based in part on the market value of the company -- which is roughly 10% of what it was when the Sirius XM merger closed.

There is an additional wrinkle: If another investor purchased enough stock to give it a stake of 5% or more during the next three years, that could combine with Liberty's stake to trigger those restrictions anew. Sirius can implement trading restrictions to prevent that. At current values, a new restriction on the losses could cause Sirius to lose about 80% of its tax losses over the next 20 years.

Without those changes, Liberty would then be free to acquire the rest of Sirius in three years and use all the losses to shelter taxable profits elsewhere. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

Cable TV shows may be going online

2009-02-20T05:53:00.002-05:00

Top cable television services including Comcast and Time Warner Cable, and TV network owners Viacom, Time Warner and NBC Universal are exploring a sweeping solution to the threat of online video: putting large numbers of cable shows online, but accessible only to cable subscribers. The cable networks include USA, TNT and MTV.

The cable operators hope the new Web services, which could launch this year, will attract new subscribers -- even given the popularity of free-to-watch Web sites such as hulu.com -- by offering a wealth of previously unavailable video.

Cable networks and operators have a big stake in preserving the cable TV business model: US cable, satellite and telecom operators paid cable-network owners about $22.5 billion in subscription fees in 2008. Citing those fees, cable operators have placed limits on how much free content some networks can put online.

The programming available on the proposed Web services would likely be in a streaming format with ads, accessible in and out of the home, and without any additional charge to cable TV subscribers.

Under the arrangements being discussed, existing cable subscribers could access content online that goes well beyond what is currently available free to consumers,

Major cable operators -- Time Warner Cable in particular -- have said that the proliferation of free video content online threatens to undermine the subscription business model for the cable-TV business. "If all of the programming goes to the Internet, and it's free, then there is a whole source of revenue that the entertainment business is not going to have anymore," Glenn Britt, CEO of Time Warner Cable, said last year.

Beside the technical hurdles, some critics say it might be too late to put the online-video genie back in the subscription bottle. A growing number of people are growing accustomed to watching TV shows online, without any charge. About 136 million people watched online video content in January, up 16% from the same period in 2008. (info from The Wall Stree Journal)

New book about phone equipment and services

2009-02-19T04:28:00.008-05:00

iPhone app helps to win at blackjack

2009-02-17T05:27:00.003-05:00

California gaming authorities tipped off their Nevada counterparts to a blackjack card-counting program that can be used on either the Apple iPhone or the Apple iPod Touch portable music player. "The program calculates the true count and does it significantly more accurately," according to a Gaming Control Board memorandum sent to casino operators last week warning of the electronic device.

Card counting is not illegal in Nevada casinos. However, using a device to aid in the counting of cards is considered a felony under Nevada laws governing cheating, control board member Randy Sayre said. Gamblers using the iPhone card-counting program can be detained by casino operators and arrested by state gaming agents. "We wanted to put the industry on notice to be aware this device is out there," Sayre said.

He added that there haven't been any reports of the device being used in Nevada. Sayre and the agency consider the iPhone program an electronic method for cheating.

Operators of a Northern California Indian casino discovered customers using the program and alerted the California Bureau of Gambling Control. The program is installed through the iTunes Web site. It makes counting cards easier, Sayre said.

The program uses four different strategies for card counting. It also operates in the "stealth mode," in which the phone's screen is shut off. The program can be run effortlessly without detection as long as the user knows where the keys are.

Sayre said it is up to individual casino operators to decide policies concerning the use of cellphones and other electronic devices at gaming tables. Last year, state gaming regulators eliminated the ban on cellphones inside race and sports books.

After iPhones came on the market in 2007, Harrah's Entertainment halted their use at the World Series of Poker. Cellphones are banned at the tournament, although iPods and other MP3 players are allowed. "We're looking at this internally and this is an issue that needed to be in the public domain," Sayre said. (info from Las Vegas Review-Journal)

No work today?Go shopping for half-price candy

2009-02-16T09:35:00.002-05:00

Most stores that sell candy have marked-down their Valentine's Day munchies to half of last week's price.

They taste just as good as when the price was double, and you can load up the freezer with your favorites.

Go quickly for the best selection.

A better alternative to disappointingJu-Ju hearts

2009-02-13T04:35:00.007-05:00

Last month I complained that this year's vintage of Mayfair JuJu Hearts -- ordinarily my favorite candy -- was not as good as in previous years. The company switched to a supplier in Brazil instead of Canada, and the sweet gooey hearts were bigger and not nearly as delicious as in the past.

I am very pleased to report that candy maker Brach's has apparently duplicated the traditional Mayfar aroma, flavor, texture and size, with their made-in-Mexico Jube Jel Cherry Hearts, so I'll be able to make it through the 2009 Valentine's season OK. They're available at Walgreen's and probably elsewhere. I've seen two package sizes selling for 99 cents and $1.29. They should be half-price on 2/15.

Share the love -- or have a personal feast. If you need some hearts for a Valentine's Day gift, you'll pay full price. For yourself, wait 'til Sunday and save.

TV satellite companies may fight over satellite radio company

2009-02-12T05:02:00.002-05:00

Sirius XM Radio is said to be seeking an investment from Liberty Media in a last-ditch effort to fend off an unsolicited takeover approach from satellite entrepreneur Charles Ergen.

The talks set the stage for a battle between the leading US satellite-television providers -- Liberty-controlled DirectTV and Ergen's Dish Network -- for control of the country's sole satellite-radio operator.

Liberty, which is controlled by billionaire John Malone, emerged as a potential "white knight" for Sirius after Ergen made an unsolicited offer late last year to take control of the radio operator.

Though the talks between Sirius and Liberty are advanced, a deal remains far from certain. It wasn't clear how much Liberty would be willing to invest in Sirius and whether it would end up with control. Malone is a careful negotiator and is unlikely to cut a deal in haste.

Sirius doesn't have much time.

Ergen, who controls a satellite empire around EchoStar and Dish, quietly began amassing Sirius debt in the fall. He is now using that debt, including about $175 million in bonds that mature on Feb. 17, as leverage to try to force Sirius into a deal. Sirius, which carries a total debt load of about $3.25 billion, is nearly out of cash and will likely be forced into bankruptcy proceedings or a deal with Mr. Ergen if the company can't secure funds to repay its obligations by Tuesday.

Ergen has offered to inject about $500 million into Sirius and restructure the roughly $375 million in short-term debt he holds in return for control of the company. Sirius rejected the offer.

The gamesmanship between Sirius and Ergen has escalated over the past week. Sirius had been trying to convert the $175 million debt tranche that matures Tuesday into more senior debt and equity with the previous holder of the notes, a hedge fund. Before it could secure a deal, however, Ergen swooped in last week and acquired the bonds.

It was a high-risk move because the notes in question are junior to about $600 million in bank loans and other debt Sirius has issued, and will likely be worthless if the company goes bankrupt.

This week, Sirius representatives responded to Ergen's move by spreading word that the company was preparing to file for bankruptcy and had hired bankruptcy and restructuring advisers. Company officials also privately told investors that Sirius has entered a "zone of insolvency" and that a bankruptcy filing would be preferable to cutting a deal with Mr. Ergen, according to people who participated in the discussions.

Sirius shares, which have lost nearly all of their value since late July, fell 52% to six cents in Nasdaq trading. The company's market value is less than $200 million.

Some investors have expressed concern that Sirius might pursue a deal inferior to Ergen's offer just to escape his clutches. Ergen and Sirius Chief Executive Mel Karmazin have a long-running feud. (info fro mThe Wall Street Journal)

Sat radio facing buyout or bankruptcy

2009-02-11T07:13:00.005-05:00

I'm a big fan of satellite radio. I've had both XM and Sirius accounts for many years, and listen at home, in cars, in my office and in hotel rooms.

I had hoped that the merger would cut my monthly costs and enable me to listen to all programs on all of my radios.

Unfortunately challenges by the feds, competitors and others delayed the merger. The delay and expensive talent costs bled the companies for years, and when the merger was finally approved, the new "Sirius XM" faced recession and terrible car sales -- and car sales are a major source of new customers.

Satellite mogul Charles Ergen has offered to restructure Sirius XM debt and inject several hundred million dollars of capital into the company in return for control. Ergen's plan doesn't involve buying out existing shareholders, something many investors in the company had been hoping for.

Sirius rejected Ergen's offer late last year, but it remains on the table. While the two sides are still in discussions, Ergen has given no indication that it is prepared to accept the deal.

Yet Sirius may have no other option. If it can't raise about $175 million by Feb. 17 to repay bonds held by EchoStar Corp., which is controlled by Ergen, Sirius will likely be forced into bankruptcy. In addition to the February bonds, EchoStar controls $400 million of Sirius debt that expires in December.

The standoff has turned into a test of wills between Ergen and Sirius XM boss Mel Karmazin. Both are television-industry veterans and have often found themselves on opposite ends of the negotiating table.

A bankruptcy filing would wipe out Sirius's shareholders. Sirius's management and board would likely expose themselves to litigation if they filed for bankruptcy in the face of an offer that would preserve at least some of investors' equity in the company.

Sirius's total debt load is about $3.25 billion. Sirius shares fell five cents, or 44%, in after-hours trading to six cents. The company's market value has plummeted by more than 96% since last July as its crisis has worsened. Sirius hired bankruptcy and restructuring advisers several weeks ago to prepare for a possible bankruptcy filing. The hiring of bankruptcy and restructuring advisers, while not surprising given the company's financial predicament, doesn't mean a filing is imminent. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

Info on new Kindle

2009-02-10T22:22:00.002-05:00

Amazon tweaked but didn't revolutionize the new Kindle. The new device lacks a color screen, for instance, although it can now display more shades of gray in photos. Amazon said the new Kindle will cost $359, the same as the original version, and will begin shipping Feb. 24.

Kindle 2 is smaller than the first version of the product. The new device also features a five-way navigation element, faster wireless service for downloading books and the ability to wirelessly sync between Kindles and cellphones.

Amazon faces competition in the electronic delivery of books from other e-book makers Sony Corp. and Plastic Logic Ltd., as well as cellphones and multipurpose devices such as Apple Inc.'s iPhone. "Reading is important enough that it deserves a dedicated device," said Amazon boss Jeff Bezos. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

New Kindle e-book reader coming from Amazon. Old model is still out of stock.

2009-02-09T07:50:00.002-05:00

Amazon.com is expected to announce a new version of its Kindle e-book reader today. And in a sign that the electronic book is gaining clout in the publishing world, Amazon is also expected to say it has acquired a new work by best-selling novelist Stephen King that will be available exclusively, at least for a time, on Kindle.

Many publishers have long feared that Amazon would persuade a major author to write for its Kindle on an exclusive basis. Although retailers such as Barnes & Noble have long published their own books, they have struggled to find distribution outside their own stores. But Amazon has already proven that it can sell as many Kindles as it can manufacture. Indeed, Amazon is working to overcome the supply problems that have plagued the device and the Amazon website shows that the Kindle is "sold out," and it has been since November and missed holiday sales.

It is possible that the King work -- in which a Kindle-like device plays a role in the story -- could be published as part of a physical book at a later date by the author's current publisher, Scribner.

The maker of the Kindle's special screens, Taiwanese manufacturer Prime View International, says the Kindle shortages came from Amazon's conservative sales forecast for the device. Prime View adds that Amazon is now trying to avoid repeating the current shortage by asking it to pump out more screens.

"It wasn't about delivery delay," says a Prime View spokeswoman. "The sales were just faster than expected," The company says the new version of the Kindle is set to have a slightly bigger screen than the first-generation model.

"Amazon might be managing the Kindle availability as it wants to keep the buzz on its product and improve features and performance with the launch of the second generation product," says Vinita Jakhanwal, an analyst for iSuppli Corp. From a screen-manufacturing perspective, she adds, "there doesn't seem to be any specific reason why Amazon was unable to meet the demand with its first generation product."

How well Amazon can supply the Kindle -- its first foray into the consumer-electronics industry -- is important because the device is expected to be a growth business for the company's drive into digital sales.

Amazon won't disclose details about the new Kindle, but said last week that it is working to make titles for the device available on cellphones. That puts the company more squarely in competition with Google's digital-books distribution platform.

To create the Kindle, Amazon tapped a deep bench of consumer-electronics experts. The product was designed by a subsidiary called Lab 126, located a few blocks away from the Apple headquarters. Lab 126 employs executives who used to work in the consumer electronics industry.

Analysts who have examined the device also say Amazon turned to Apple's giant contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision Industry, among others, to assemble the device in China.

One factor that may have contributed to Amazon's supply problem was an Oct. 24 endorsement by Oprah Winfrey, who called her Kindle "my new favorite thing in the world." Ms. Winfrey's production company, Harpo Inc., says she wasn't paid for that endorsement, and chose to promote the Kindle on her own after being shown one by a friend. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

Some TV stations will delay end of analog, and some won't

2009-02-06T06:57:00.002-05:00

Television viewers who use antennas and were expecting a few more months to prepare for digital TV may not have much time left before their sets go dark. Many stations still plan to drop analog broadcasts in less than two weeks.

When Congress postponed the mandatory transition to digital TV until June, it also gave stations the option to stick to the originally scheduled date of Feb. 17. That means the shutdown of analog signals, which broadcasters had hoped would happen at nearly the same time nationwide, could now unfold in a confusing patchwork of different schedules.

Lawmakers wanted to address concerns that many households that receive TV signals through an antenna are not prepared for the switch. They were also mindful that a government fund has run out of money to subsidize digital converter boxes for older TVs.

Dozens of stations around the country now say they are going to take advantage of the option to drop analog broadcasts this month. Many others are on the fence. The total number is likely to be in the hundreds, a substantial chunk and maybe even a majority of the country's 1,796 full-power TV stations.

The House voted Wednesday to delay the mandatory shutdown until June 12. The Senate passed the measure unanimously last week, and the bill now goes to President Obama for his signature.

The legislation means analog signals could vanish entirely in some areas but persist in neighboring regions. In rural areas, low-power stations will continue to broadcast in analog even beyond June 12.

Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps said the commission could prohibit stations from making the switch if doing so is not in the public interest, for example if all stations in a market want to turn off early.

For many broadcasters, delaying the shutdown is inconvenient and expensive. Many of them have scheduled engineering work on their equipment to make the transition on Feb. 17.

PBS spokeswoman Lea Sloan said about half of the 356 public broadcasting stations across the country will make the switch on Feb. 17. Many will do it for financial reasons. PBS said last month that if all its stations had to delay the switch, it would cost an estimated $22 million.

CBS, Fox, ABC and NBC and Telemundo have committed to keeping the stations they own broadcasting analog until June 12. Together, they own 85 full-power stations, mainly in large cities. The rest of the stations that carry these networks are affiliates not owned by the network. The transition to digital TV is being mandated because digital signals are more efficient than analog ones. Ending analog broadcasts will free up valuable space in the nation's airwaves for commercial wireless services and emergency-response networks.

In a few areas, including Hawaii, stations have already abandoned analog broadcasting.

TVs connected to cable or satellite services are not affected by the analog shutdown. But that still leaves a lot of people who could see channels go dark on Feb. 17. According to research firm MRI, 17.7 percent of Americans live in households with only over-the-air TV. (info from The Associated Press)

Superb drill from Sears had unexpected surprises

2009-02-03T04:37:00.009-05:00

I have LOTS of electric drills. My oldest have cords and some of them are over 30 years old and still work, but seldom get used.

My most recent ones from Panasonic and DeWalt use NiCad batteries and get used a lot. I'm certainly aware of the recent trend to use Lithium-Ion batteries, but I felt no urgency to get a Li-Ion tool, since my others worked fine.

Over the weekend I needed to hang some shelves on the wall. My trusty Panasonic electric screwdriver just didn't have the torque to screw into the wall studs, and my newest and mucho-macho 18-volt DeWalt cordless felt too damn heavy, and its big size made it awkward to hold at the right angle in some tight spots.

I have a lightweight 12-volt Black & Decker, that I got at super-low-price last Black Friday with a huge assortment of bits. Unfortunately, like many inexpensive cordless tools, it requires a wall-wart transformer to charge it up -- and it had vanished into the abyss. It's much harder to lose a charging "cradle."

It was time for a shopping trip.

I had to go to Lowe's to get some hardware items, so I checked out their tool department. They had lots of choices from Black & Decker and other brands, but they all seemed either too weak or too bulky for my needs. So I went to the Sears store here in Milford, CT and super-knowledgeable salesman Gary Elkies found me the perfect solution.

The Craftsman #11812 12-volt Lithium-Ion compact drill/driver is a part of the new compact line of Craftsman tools called NEXTEC. These tools are powered by a surprisingly small battery designed to provide extra "oomph" and longer shelf life.

Although the drill weighs only 2.2 pounds with the battery, its powerful motor puts out 195 inch-pounds of maximum torque. That's probably not enough to break your arm like some bigger drills, but it could certainly peel the skin off a finger if you do something stupid. And it had no trouble drilling through shelves and into studs. Its 3/8-inch keyless chuck handles most of the bits I use most often -- both drills and drivers.

The tool is perfectly balanced, and comfortable to hold and use. I particularly liked the rubbery grip surfaces. The directional switch has a "neutral" position that locks the drill -- a nice safety feature that could keep a kid from doing damage.

Although it's probably drill #14 for me, I think it will be the one I use most often. Unless you need to go through steel girders or put holes in bricks, it's a perfect all-around drill for do-it-yourselfers; and lots of pros will find it useful, too.

The drill features a variable speed switch for high speeds of 0-1300 RPM (no load) and low speeds of 0-400 RPM. It has a two-speed gear box for high torque and an 18-position adjustable torque clutch. The 3/8 single sleeve keyless chuck grips the bit quickly and securely.

I bought the drill based on size, power and price ($90), but found a few pleasant surprises when I got it home and opened the box.

* A built-in LED work light illuminates the bit and what you're drilling into.

* It comes with TWO Lithium-ion batteries, not just one, so one can be charging while the other is being used. I figured I'd have to pay $30 for another battery. Charging time is just 30 minutes and the charger has an LED indicator that shows the charging status.

* And it comes with a nice Cordura-like carrying/storage case.

You can get it at Sears, Sears.com, and probably Kmart and other places that sell Craftsman tools.

Buy my book -- or maybe get it for free

2009-02-02T14:18:00.004-05:00

I Only Flunk My Brightest Students: stories from school and real life is a collection of more than 100 stories -- mostly short and funny, one long and serious and funny and shocking.

They deal with my early childhood, my time in public school and college, and while working in advertising, telecommunications, journalism, and as an amateur attorney. Culture clash is a frequent theme. So is food. And phoniness. There's lots of sex, drugs and rock & roll. Even the sex and drug stories are funny. There are four murders.

The main title is a quote from one of my teachers. She was nuts.

Here are some comments from readers:

“I loved the 3-way sex scene. It seemed familiar. Was I there?”

“You’re a great story teller. I laughed my ass off.”

“I knew the lesbian painter. She was a lousy painter but an excellent lesbian. When does the movie come out?”

“You remember everything. I'm glad you didn't see me doing anything illegal or stupid.”

“Obviously your typing class accomplished something useful. You almost made me pee in my pants. Very, very funny.”

“I didn’t realize what an a-hole I was back then. If this book wasn’t so funny, I’d probably sue you for libel. I'll settle for an autographed copy.”

The 308-page illustrated book sells for $19.95 at Amazon.com, but if you get a new Amazon credit card, you'll get a $30 certificate which is enough to pay for the book and shipping, and leave a few bucks to buy something else.

Real men don't wear pants (maybe)

2009-01-29T14:58:00.000-05:00

OK, men, here's your chance to replace your Dockers with something that will really attract the women. In fact, they might even want to wear your new clothes.

Scots have been wearing skirt-like kilts for centuries. Designer Marc Jacobs has been wearing kilts ever since his September women’s show in New York, and recent Paris fashion show runways have featured men in skirts.

I think I'll dig out my toga. (photos from The New York Times)

Warning about emergency dialing pendants

2009-01-28T10:36:00.006-05:00

If any of you have an elderly friend, neighbor or relative who has a pendant that can be used to summon emergency help, pay attention.

Last weekend I visited an old lady (my mother) who was wearing the pendant in her house, and kept it on when we drove to a restaurant about five miles away.

When I asked Mom if she meant to keep it on, she said she needed it so she could call for help if she fell.

I tried to explain to her that it has to send a radio signal to a box connected to the phone line in her den, and it was extremely unlikely that the signal would reach five miles.

I also told her that even if the signal was strong enough to activate the automatic dialer, there was no way she'd hear a voice coming out of the box back at home. Nor would the dispatcher hear her voice if she tried to speak.

And finally I told her that even if the signal was strong enough to activate the automatic dialer, and a dispatcher did not hear her voice and sent an ambulance, the paramedics would go to her house -- not the Chinese restaurant where we were eating.

I made the mistake of asking her how she thought it worked, and she (the mother of the phone maven), replied: "magic."

Throughout our unpleasant interrogation, she kept insisting that the salesman told her it would work "outside."

I told her that "outside" probably meant her front driveway or back yard. Typical range on these things is 75- 200 feet. I urged her to keep a cellphone in her pocketbook.

BUT WAIT. IT GETS WORSE. The next day I visited my aunt. It turns out that Mom had told her about the magical lifesaver that works outside, and my Aunt in turn told some of her friends about it and some want to replace their indoors-only pendants for one like Mom has.

Mom also had trouble with her TV remote control.

Senate wants to delay analog TV end until June

2009-01-27T11:31:00.001-05:00

The Senate voted on Monday to delay next month’s transition to digital television until June 12 because some viewers would not be ready for the switch.

The voice vote followed a call by President Obama’s administration to postpone the Feb. 17 date for major TV stations to stop sending traditional analog signals. Similar legislation awaits action in the House today.

Democratic Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, of West Virginia who leads the commerce committee, said last week that he had reached agreement with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, the top Republican on the panel, on the legislation. Some Republicans had opposed a delay, saying it would cause confusion by changing a long-planned date.

A federal program to subsidize digital equipment that some viewers will need has fallen short of money, and last week the government reported a waiting list of 1.4 million households.

More than 6.5 million homes are not able to receive digital TV programming, the Nielsen Company said last week. The figure is a decrease from last month, when Nielsen said almost 8 million could not receive it. (info from The New York Times)

More about bogus savings at Circuit City

2009-01-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

CLICK

The best thing about January is February candy, but 2009 is an inferior vintage

2009-01-22T08:58:00.005-05:00

January is named for Janus, the Roman god of doors. I'm not sure why the Romans needed a door god; but they had loads of gods, so they could certainly spare one to watch the door. Maybe Janus was the first bouncer.

Anyway, January is the door to the year, and I like January a lot. Each day we get a few more minutes of daylight. Five PM now comes during the day, not at night. The earth is warming. Spring is coming. Crocuses will be popping soon. In about 85 days, the cover comes off the pool.

But the best thing about January can be found in chain drugstores like CVS. That's where you can get JuJu Hearts, the magical chewy-gooey red cherry candies I've been addicted to since babyhood. If I close my eyes when I open the package, the sweet aroma transports me to Cherry Blossom Time in Washington DC, or at least to my grandmother's apartment in the Bronx.

When I was a kid, my Grandma Del would buy pounds and pounds from Krum's -- the pre-eminent candy store in the Bronx, or maybe in the world. Some years she even arranged to buy the huge pile of hearts on display in the window, at a special price after Valentine's Day. We grandchildren would get a few pounds in February, and Grandma would stash the rest in her freezer, to be gradually defrosted and doled out throughout the year. (In later years, when Grandma Del moved to Florida, I provided JuJu Hearts for her.)

Krum's was famous for its candies and ice cream sodas, and used to be on the Grand Concourse between 188th Street and Fordham Road. In the front of the store was a huge display case of chocolates and other candies, and farther back you could sit and slurp. The landmark Lowe's Paradise Theater was across the street, and before McDonalds and Taco Bell came to town, teenagers went to Krum's for a post-picture snack.

The Lowe's Paradise has been reincarnated as a mostly-Latino concert venue, Grandma Del and Krum's are long gone, but JuJu Hearts are as good as ever. The price has gone from 15 cents a pound to 99 cents for a 9 ounce bag. Each year, we get a bit less for our money, but addicts don't care about the cost of their fix. (If you're willing to buy 30 pounds, you can get JuJu Hearts for as little as $1.28 per pound from Metro Candy & Nut. I haven't tried them.)

JuJu Hearts' taste and texture are unique: sweeter and softer than red hot dollars, but not as sweet or slimy as Gummi bears or worms. Strangely, the JuJu Heart formula doesn't seem to be used for anything else, at any other time of year -- not even for JuJubes or Jujyfruits. But that's OK. JuJu Heart season is only a little longer than the bloom of the Cherry Blossom. The rarity makes them more special, and less destructive to teeth and glucose levels... and freezers make it possible to prolong the pleasure.

Unfortunately, I am sad to report that the 2009 vintage is not up to the previous standards. The current crop comes from Brazil, not Canada like last year. The hearts are a bit bigger, and not as good. They are less sweet, and have a somewhat waxy taste. I did buy ten bags on the first day, and managed to eat eight and give away two, but it was a lot less delicious than in the past. Better luck next year.

JuJu history

The JuJu name apparently comes from the jujube, a red fruit first cultivated in China over 4,000 years ago, that can be used for tea, wine, and throat medication, or eaten as a snack.
A jujube tree in Israel is estimated to be over 300 years old.
The jujube's sweet smell is said to make teenagers fall in love, and in the Himalaya mountains, young men put jujube flowers on their hats to attract hot Sherpa babes.
In West Africa, a Juju refers to the supernatural power ascribed to objects or fetishes. Juju can be synonymous with witchcraft, and may be the origin of the American voodoo.

Some of the first JuJu Hearts were made by the Henry Heide Candy Company, founded in 1869 by Henry Heide, who immigrated to New York from Germany. Heide Candy became known for Jujubes, Jujyfruits, jelly beans, Red Hot Dollars, Gummi Bears and Mexican Hats, which have been perennial favorites in movie theaters and five-and-dime stores.

The business stayed in the Heide family through four generations, and was sold to Hershey Foods in 1995. In 2002, Farley's & Sathers Candy Co. acquired the Heide brand products from Hershey.

While Farley's & Sathers makes lots of candy, they apparently do not make JuJu Hearts. The hearts are distributed by Mayfair Candy, in Buffalo, NY. Beware of imitators. Over the years, I've encountered some really crappy copies. Mayfair has the real thing. My dog loves them, too -- and he's very picky. Strangely, there are two (maybe more) kinds of JuJu Hearts distributed by Mayfair. The "original" version is sold by Rite-Aid (and possibly others). I discovered another inferior version for the first time in 2007, at CVS. The individual candy pieces are smaller than the originals, and they have a second heart shape molded onto the front of each piece. They don't taste nearly as good as the originals: they're too sweet and not as chewy. Strangely, the same packaging, with same ingredients and same stock number, is used for both.

Special thanks to Philip Heide,
and Roger McEldowney of Mayfair.

Shop Carefully at Circuit City

2009-01-21T09:35:00.003-05:00

Circuit City begain its going-out-of-business sales last Saturday, and it could take until the end of March to sell out enough to lock the doors and walk away.

You can save money durign a "G-O-B" sale, but be careful.

There have been reports that merchandise that had been previously discounted was marked up to list price, and then discounts were offered. But the resulting price may be higher than CC was selling the items for last week, and higher than you'd pay elsewhere.

During the course of the G-O-B sale, discounts gradually increase as selection gradually decreases, so pay attention. Right now some of the biggest "bargains" are on stuff that few people want to buy at any price.

New "AT&T" cordless system has repeaters to extend range. Cool phone has horrible model number.

2009-01-16T06:00:00.005-05:00

Advanced American Telephones is part of VTech and makes AT&T-branded telephones under license from AT&T.

At the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week, the company previewed the SB67118, a unique four-line corded/cordless system that offers talk range said to be up to about 3,000 feet. It's aimed to take business from the Panasonic KX-TG4500 and EnGenius DuraFon 4X.

The system offers expandability up to 10 handsets and other technologies that help people communicate clearly and faster in environments such as multi-story buildings, garages and warehouses.

It uses DECT 6.0 "zero blind-spot technology," which allows the system to
strengthen the radio signal in areas that normally have a weak signal. It is said to be the only product of its kind to offer repeaters that can extend range up to approximately 3,000 feet.

In addition, the SB67118 enables 10 handsets to be in use simultaneously, while
standard DECT systems allow only five. This system also has push-to-talk (PTT) to communicate with any or all extensions, three-party conferencing, auto-attendant,
voicemail and a base speakerphone.

FEATURES:
• 1 to 4 line capability
• 10 speed dial and 10 intercom number locations
• 3-party conferencing
• Selectable ring tones
• Headset compatible (2.5mm jack)
• Rapid scroll
• Memory loss protection
• Last 10-number redial
• Unsurpassed range
• Music on hold
• Chain dialing
• DECT zero blind slot technology
• Expandable to 10 handsets
• Push to talk between base and handsets
• Caller ID/call waiting*
• Auto attendant-individual voicemail for each extension
• 100 minutes of digital recording time
• Remote access with programmable options

It should be available mid-year for about $500 for the base with an un-specified number of cordless handsets (probably one). Additionally handsets will probably cost about a hundred bucks.

FUCK YOU, LensCrafters

2009-01-15T04:57:00.007-05:00

I recently misplaced -- or actually lost -- the eyeglasses that I use when working at my computer.

After a couple of frustrating days searching my house, office and cars, and suffering with an old inadequate pair of glasses, I declared them officially gone.

I didn't need a complete pair of glasses -- just lenses that would fit into any of several no-longer-used eyeglass frames.

Not wanting to prolong the agony, I went to my local LensCrafters. I've bought from them before and was pleased with the product selection, quality and fast service -- but my wife said I paid too much.

The company advertises that they can make glasses "in about an hour" and has perpetual sales like the mattress stores. Their regular price seems to be their 25%-off price and they have lots of two-fers.

LensCrafters is part of a huge vertically integrated Italian company, Luxottica -- the biggest eyewear company in the world, with many stores and many brands, including Ray-Ban.

The company makes glasses sold with lots of "designer" labels such as DKNY, Polo and Versace. They operate the eyeglass departments in Sears, K-Mart and Target, plus their own LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut stores. With over 6,000 retail outlets and dozens of brands, it's hard to not buy from Luxottica.

There's probably no company that can make frames and lenses as inexpensively as LensCrafters. The corporate websits brags that Luxottica has "lowest production costs and the highest margins."

I expected to pay a bit extra for quick service and an expensive mall location -- but I had no idea I'd get fucked as badly as I did.

Even with my 15% AAA discount, a pair of basic single-vision lenses, with no special coating, would have cost a whopping $192.

If I was willing to buy a complete pair of glasses to take advantage of the alleged 25% discount, and settle for an ugly frame from the closeout section, the total would have been $215.

I left and ordered a perfect pair of complete glasses at Costco for $59. I had to wait about 10 days for them, but I'd rather be part blind than a complete idiot.

According to a study by MIT, a typical pair of lenses costs two bucks to make. The raw material in the frame and lenses is worth pennies. At least one online source will sell me a complete pair of glasses for under ten bucks.

I certainly don't mind if Luxottica makes a profit. But if they get greedy, I walk away.

And if the greedy bastards are stupid enough to brag about their high profit margin, I'll tell everyone to stay away.

Blockbuster goes online in a big way

2009-01-14T06:21:00.004-05:00

Following the lead of competitor Netflix, Blockbuster plans to expand its digital reach by offering access to its video library through a variety of electronic devices.

The company is expected to announce today a partnership with Sonic Solutions to offer movies for rent and for sale on a variety of broadband-connected digital devices, including personal computers, cellphones, Internet-connected televisions and Blu-ray disc players.

The library of offerings will be a combination of titles from Blockbuster and CinemaNow, the movie downloading service Sonic acquired late last year.

Blockbuster is attempting to match the advances of Netflix, which has struck deals to make its online video service available on devices such as Microsoft's Xbox 360 game console, Blu-ray disc players and television sets. Netflix also offers its titles on TiVo digital video recorders.

Blockbuster intends to make the content easily transferable between devices. For example, by registering the device and account, a consumer would be able to start watching a movie on an Internet-connected Blu-ray DVD player and later watch the remainder of it on a personal computer. Blockbuster will also allow users to download a rented video and watch it on a device not connected to the Internet. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

New electric Chryslers

2009-01-13T10:40:00.004-05:00

The Chrysler 200C EV concept car shown at the Detroit Auto Show is an extended-range electric car with a small gasoline engine that would not drive the wheels, but would provide power to stretch the range of the electric motor by charging its battery.

The car was equipped with a large touch-screen on its dashboard as part of a new type of system for controlling its audio and cellphone capabilities. Its Uconnect features would let users build a network of “buddy vehicles,” whose locations could be tracked on a dashboard screen; allow parents to set strict limits on how their teenagers drive and where they go; and provide a slide-out computer for a front-seat passenger.

Chrysler hasn't yet decided whether to produce the vehicle and gave no timeline for when they might make a decision.

The car is supposed to be a midsize sedan and Chrysler's plans for that segment are up in the air. The company has been working on a so-called Project D, that is supposed to yield a midsize sedan that can compete with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The 200C is separate from Project D, and is conceived as a premium model that would likely sell in lower volumes than the mainstream car Project D is supposed to produce.

The 200C was unveiled alongside a battery-powered prototype Jeep Patriot and three electric-vehicle concepts first shown to the public in September. Those included electric versions of the Town & Country minivan, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Circuit, a two-seat sports car.

Chrysler has formed a special development group, called ENVI, to work with partners to produce electric vehicles. It assembled a working prototype of the Dodge Circuit sports car by using major components produced by outsiders, such as an underbody made by Lotus and batteries from A123 Systems Inc. The Circuit runs on battery power alone and is supposed to run for up to 200 miles before needing a recharge. (info from The Wall Street Journal & The New York Times; photo from The Times)

Dancing Obama iPod speaker dock

2009-01-12T05:03:00.006-05:00

If the traditional dull iPod docks don't inspire you, you may soon be able to get a dock with an animated sculpture of the 44th president, who can boogie along with your music.

Unveiled at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the Obama dock comes from Ozaki, a company that also offers iPod docks with animated pandas, lions, frogs, pink bears and dogs.

The Obama iPod speaker dock includes a radio, alarm and speakers. Suggested retail price is $99. We don't know when it will be available.

If there isn’t music playing to motivate the Obama doll to shake his booty, a microphone picks up ambient sound, and Li'l Barack will start dancing. The demo model had a “Change” shirt and played a video of will.i.am, a noted Obama supporter.

We don't know if Ozaki was working on a McCain or Palin dock, just in case. (photo % info from The Wall Street Journal)

Super-useful new Palm has new O.S.

2009-01-09T04:34:00.007-05:00

At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Palm showed a new slider smart phone that lets users access their email, contacts and calendar schedules from multiple sources, as the company attempts to take back share in a market it once dominated.

Palm said its new device, Palm Pre, was designed to help users organize the data and information they may have scattered over multiple Websites and software programs and consolidate them so they can be accessed through one software application.

Palm Pre is built on a new operating system, which is called the Palm webOS, that the company says will make it easier for developers to create applications for Palm devices.

"We think it is the first device that will automatically navigate the Web," said Jon Rubinstein, Palm's executive chairman. The device is Palm's latest attempt to make headway in the smart-phone market. Palm was once a trendsetter in hand-held computers, and helped pioneer the smart-phone category earlier with the Treo device, but it has since been squeezed by competition from Blackberry and Apple's iPhone.

Unlike previous Palm devices, the Palm Pre can consolidate contact information from sources such as Microsoft Outlook email, Facebook and Google's Gmail, while eliminating duplicate data. Palm said Sprint Nextel will be its exclusive US network provider when it launches the phone in the first half of this year. Palm didn't disclose a price for the phone.

Connected calendars and contacts -- Pre uses the Palm® Synergy™ feature to bring your Outlook®,2 Google, and Facebook® calendars together for one logical view of your day. And if you have the same contacts in different places, Pre can link them together, making it easy to find the information you need.

Notifications bar -- Things like text messages and calendar appointments appear as notifications at the bottom of the screen. You’ll know what’s going on without being completely interrupted or losing your train of thought.

Universal search -- Simply start typing to begin searching your contacts, applications, Google, or even Wikipedia. Universal search narrows down the possible results as you type, so it’s easier to find what you need.

Email, Wi-Fi, and GPS -- Check email from Outlook® or personal accounts like Gmail, AOL, and Yahoo!. Take advantage of Wi-Fi hotspots. And look up directions or nearby points of interest using GPS.

Web-connected applications -- A fast browser brings you full websites the way they were meant to be seen. Plus, the applications on the phone are connected to the web and constantly updated, so you get the latest information without having to work for it.

Combined messaging -- Thanks to Synergy, all your conversations with the same person are grouped together in one chat-style view. (Even if it started in IM, for example, and you want to reply with text.) You can also see who’s online right from contacts, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

Slide-out keyboard -- Slide out the keyboard for faster and easier texting. Close it up and rotate Pre for music, websites, photos, and videos in full widescreen. (some info from The Wall Street Journal)

Super-thin plasma HDTV from Panasonic

2009-01-08T04:17:00.003-05:00

A year ago, Panasonic showed a 150-inch plasma TV -- the world's biggest -- at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

This year, instead of going evem bigger, the company is showing what it says is the world's thinnest plasma TV.

Panasonic has developed new thin-profile display panel technologies for both plasma and LCD HDTVs, with affitional advancements in picture quality and environmental performance.

The newly developed NeoPDP technology has been incorporated into two types of PDPs. The first is a super high-efficiency 42-inch PDP that achieves triple luminance efficiency, while reducing the power consumption to 1/3 of the 2007 models, yet achieving the same brightness. The second is an ultra-thin 50-inch PDP just 8.8 mm (approximately 1/3 inch) in profile at it's thinnest point. This ultra-thin panel delivers the world's highest moving picture resolution*3 of 1080 lines.

Panasonic's newly-developed NeoLCD technology is integrated into a super energy-efficient 90kWh per year 37-inch LCD panel, that achieves moving picture resolution of 1000 lines, close to that of a PDP. The company said it has the lowest energy consumption of any LCD HDTV in the world, cutting the energy requirement almost in half compared to the previous model.

Employing newly developed materials, such as discharge gas and phosphor for electron generation source has improved discharge efficiency and cell structure. The introduction of a new circuit drive method has cut the electricity loss to one third and enabled low-voltage drive. The triple luminance efficiency technology has reduced the number of components and enabled a higher integration of components. As a result, the technology has been incorporated into a 42-inch Full HD PDP.

Further advancements made to the panel structure and circuit layout have lead to an even thinner profile. While a full HD PDP has a moving picture resolution of more than 900 lines, the newly developed drive technology and materials to shorten the afterglow have attained the world’s highest moving resolution of 1080 lines, realizing precise reproduction of full HD programs of any speed without loss of detail.

The super-thin panel also allows users more setup flexibility including wall mounting and suspension from the ceiling. It also has WirelessHD-based transmission system, wide viewing angle, high contrast ratios, and newly achieved moving resolution of 1080 lines.

IPS alpha LCD panels in NeoLCD provide a high light transmission rate and low power consumption due to its panel structure. In addition, these panels feature high moving picture resolution and a wide viewing angle for displaying images that are truly natural when viewed from any angle.

Adoption of the new IPS alpha panel with improved light transmission rate and LED backlighting allows for local lighting control according to the brightness of the picture scenes. With precise control, the panel dramatically improves contrast with its tight black expression. This panel cuts power consumption in half compared with the 2008 model and consumes only 90 kWh per year, which is said to be the world's lowest power consumption level.

A high-speed drive technology for LED backlight, developed by Panasonic, allows for precise control with 1000 lines of moving picture resolution, far exceeding the current models. As a result, the panel is capable of reproducing fast-moving pictures with unparalleled clarity and high contrast ratios that are close to that of PDP panels.

The best thing about January is February candy

2009-01-07T11:20:00.004-05:00

JuJu history

The JuJu name apparently comes from the jujube, a red fruit first cultivated in China over 4,000 years ago, that can be used for tea, wine, and throat medication, or eaten as a snack.
A jujube tree in Israel is estimated to be over 300 years old.
The jujube's sweet smell is said to make teenagers fall in love, and in the Himalaya mountains, young men put jujube flowers on their hats to attract hot Sherpa babes.
In West Africa, a Juju refers to the supernatural power ascribed to objects or fetishes. Juju can be synonymous with witchcraft, and may be the origin of the American voodoo.

The business stayed in the Heide family through four generations, and was sold to Hershey Foods in 1995. In 2002, Farley's & Sathers Candy Co. acquired the Heide brand products from Hershey.

While Farley's & Sathers makes lots of candy, they apparently do not make JuJu Hearts. The hearts come from Canada and are distributed by Mayfair Candy, in Buffalo, NY. Beware of imitators. Over the years, I've encountered some really crappy copies. Mayfair has the real thing. My dog loves them, too -- and he's very picky. Strangely, there are two (maybe more) kinds of JuJu Hearts distributed by Mayfair. The "original" version is sold by Rite-Aid (and possibly others). I discovered another inferior version for the first time in 2007, at CVS. The individual candy pieces are smaller than the originals, and they have a second heart shape molded onto the front of each piece. They don't taste nearly as good as the originals: they're too sweet and not as chewy. Strangely, the same packaging, with same ingredients and same stock number, is used for both.

Special thanks to Philip Heide,
and Roger McEldowney of Mayfair.

Apple lowering some iTunes prices and dropping copy protection

2009-01-07T04:07:00.002-05:00

Apple unveiled significant pricing and copyright changes to its iTunes Store, at the Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco Tuesday. Changes include a new three-tiered pricing plan for songs, instead of the 99-cents fixed price Apple has used for most songs, and the end of copy protection from all of the songs it sells.

Some of Apple's moves appear to be a response in part to shifts in the digital-music market. Growth in paid downloads slowed significantly in 2008, rising 27%, compared with a 45% increase a year earlier.

New online-music rivals have also emerged, including Amazon.com, which sells many songs at a lower price than iTunes and without copy protection, giving users more freedom with the songs they have purchased.

The moves by Apple could prompt others in the online music industry to also explore new ways to sell music. Apple last year surpassed Wal-Mart as the world's largest music retailer. Digital-music retailers in the US sold more than one billion songs in 2008. Apple said it has sold six billion songs since the iTunes Store launched in 2003.

Under Apple's new pricing plan that will take effect in April, songs will cost 69 cents, 99 cents or $1.29. Apple said the "vast majority" of the songs will cost 69 cents, though people familiar with the matter said the most sought-after songs -- which generate most of the sales on the service -- will likely cost $1.29 as both Apple and the major record labels try to boost revenue growth.

Apple also said it is dropping digital rights management, or copy protection, from eight million songs in its catalog effective immediately, and from the remaining two million in its catalog by the end of March.

Apple's DRM has made it complicated for iTunes customers to use competitors' products, like SanDisk music players or Microsoft's Zune. Among the limits imposed by the software locks, it is difficult or impossible to play songs purchased from the iTunes Store on devices other than the iPod or iPhone.

Apple already sells songs from some record labels, including EMI Group and many independent labels, without DRM. Now it is moving to selling everything, including the catalogs of the other three major labels -- Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group -- the same way.

Users can also pay 30 cents a song to upgrade previously purchased songs in their iTunes library to a DRM-free version.

Starting Tuesday, Apple said iPhone 3G owners will also be able to download songs from the iTunes Store via their cellular networks instead of having to connect to a wireless Internet network. The company said the price, selection and quality of the songs would be the same as they are online. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

WOW! Dual screen laptop from Lenovo

2009-01-06T06:26:00.005-05:00

Multi-tasking road warriors and folks with split personalities will appreciate the new Lenovo ThinkPad w700ds, being shown this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Lenovo says it's the first dual-screen mobile workstation. The w700ds will have a 17-inch primary screen and a 10.6 inch secondary screen that slides out to the right.

The unit is no lightweight. It will weigh about 11 pounds and retail for $3,600.

OTOH, Lenovo is also improving its lightweights. For example, the S10 netbook ($350) has Quick Start, a function that lets you access frequently used applications faster. It has a 10.2-inch display, weighs about 2.4 pounds and comes in black, white, red, blue and pink.

Last-minute reminder:Super-easy way to make charitable donations, and maybe get a free vacation.

2008-12-30T13:37:00.003-05:00

Last-minute reminder:
Super-easy way to make charitable donations, and maybe get a free vacation.

As the year ends, you have only a few more hours to make tax deductable donations to charity. It's not a big deal to write a couple of checks, and lots of charities accept credit card donations and have convenient websites. However, if you want to spread money around, AmEx makes it extremely easy -- and personally profitable.

The Giving Express program connects you to over a million charitable organizations! You can search for them by name, keywords, location, or use an extensive list of categories such as performing arts, education, health care, housing, human rights, disaster relief, religion and much more. The AmEx website has financial reports, mission statements, contacts, and other information regarding the organizations.

Donating online helps nonprofit organizations reduce administrative costs so that they can do more with the money. Your dollar donations are tax-deductible and you’ll receive an e-mail receipt for your records.

• Give to one or more charities and nonprofit organizations
• Donate dollars with your American Express Card
• Donate Membership Rewards points
• Set up recurring donations

When you make a donation, you'll get an immediate e-mail confirmation for each transaction. AmEx will post a detailed record of all your donations on your password-protected Giving History web page, if you need a record for an IRS audit in the future. CLICK

TI calculator is vital for anyone who sells stuff

2008-12-23T06:06:00.001-05:00

Texas Instruments would probably prefer to be known for its pioneering work in transistors and integrated circuits. The company makes advanced semiconductor products that are used in cellphones, satellites, cars, computers and Hi-Def TVs. They also make an incredibly useful $25 calculator that belongs on the desks of everyone who buys and sells things.

TI's BA-20 "Profit Manager" has been made for 10 years or more in several versions, but its important special functions have remained, providing easy answers to pricing decisions for merchants.

Preprogrammed functions quickly provide cost-sell-margin solutions; enter any two variables and the third appears instantly.

If you know your cost, and desired profit margin, you tap some brainy buttons and it tells you how much to sell an item for.

If you know your cost, and the selling price, you tap some brainy buttons and it tells you what your margin is.

Less useful, if you know your selling price, and your margin, you tap some brainy buttons and it tells you what your cost might have been.

It's solar powered, has readable buttons and display digits, and does basic math, too. My oldest one even has a digital clock. Highly recommended. Available at Amazon, Staples and other office suppliers.

EnGenius long-range cordless phone

2008-12-22T05:00:00.002-05:00

Most cordless phones can work a few hundred feet from their base. That's fine for most homes and offices, but not nearly enough for a ranch, farm, car lot, campus, warehouse or a big office building or store.

EnGenius Technologies has been marketing long-range cordless phones in the US for about a decade. EnGenius is part of Senao, a Taiwanese manufacturer of phones and wireless data equipment. Some Senao phones can go dozens of miles, but they're not legal in the US. The EnGenius phones are legal here, and can usually reach a mile or more. They have more "horsepower" than other cordlesses, and can even punch through metal walls.

The first generation EnGenius was independently tested to have a five-mile range. Unless you live in death valley, you probably won't reach that far, but coverage of 12 floors in building, 250,000 sq. ft. in a warehouse, and 3,000 acres on a farm, ranch, car lot or campus is not unusual. That's more than 130 million square feet!

EnGenius was one of the first companies to offer a cordless phone with a separate base that can be positioned for maximum range, while the handset needs just a charging cradle, but no phone jack. They were also one of the first companies to offer multi-handset cordless phone systems with handset-to-handset intercom.

EnGenius "DuraFons" are extremely rugged. They are industrial strength phones, built to be dropped and splashed. In addition to providing phone service, they also act as walkie-talkies, and provide paging from one handset to multiple handsets.

Several DuraFon systems are available, for 1, 4 or 32 lines; and up to 9, 32, or 90 handsets. A DuraFon can be connected directly to phone company dialtone, or used with another phone system. Many accessories are available, including an external range-boosting antenna. More info is at www.engenius.info.

Flashing red BatPhone can be delivered before Christmas

2008-12-19T03:54:00.003-05:00

Now everyone can have a red phone with a flashing light like Batman.

When there’s trouble in Gotham City, Police Commissioner Gordon calls caped crusader Batman, the secret alter ego of millionaire Bruce Wayne.

At Wayne Manor, the flashing red Batphone is answered by Alfred the butler, who tells Wayne about the trouble. Then Wayne and his young ward Dick Grayson put on their superhero costumes. As Batman and Robin, they race from the Batcave in the Batmobile to battle evil-doers, or rescue citizens in distress.

Now everyone can have a bright red flashing Batphone just like a superhero. When an emergency call - or even an ordinary call - comes in, a bright red light centered in a shiny chrome ring starts flashing to attract attention.

The Batphone has classic sixties styling, with heavy-duty construction, a two-year warranty, and is made in the USA. It gets all of its power from the phone line, and doesn’t require a power cord or batteries. It can work on an ordinary home phone line, or on an "analog extension port" in a business phone system.

The phone rings when the light flashes, unless a purchaser prefers the bell to be disconnected for silent signaling, or an optional high-pitched "BatSignal" or buzzer to be installed instead of the bell. Price with the bell is $122, including "ground" shipping to all 50 states. Fast shipping for delivery by Christmas costs extra.

Order online at www.GetABatPhone.com, or call toll-free 1-888-225-3999.

Now everyone can have a flashing red phone like Batman

2008-12-18T04:31:00.002-05:00

When there’s trouble in Gotham City, Police Commissioner Gordon calls caped crusader Batman, the secret alter ego of millionaire Bruce Wayne.

At Wayne Manor, the flashing red Batphone is answered by Alfred the butler, who tells Wayne about the trouble. Then Wayne and his young ward Dick Grayson put on their superhero costumes. As Batman and Robin, they race from the Batcave in the Batmobile to battle evil-doers, or rescue citizens in distress.

Now everyone can have a bright red flashing Batphone just like a superhero. When an emergency call - or even an ordinary call - comes in, a bright red light centered in a shiny chrome ring starts flashing to attract attention.

This new phone, developed by AbleComm, Inc., has classic sixties styling, with heavy-duty construction, and a two-year warranty. It gets all of its power from the phone line, and doesn’t require a power cord or batteries.

The phone rings when the light flashes, unless a purchaser prefers the bell to be disconnected for silent signaling, or an optional high-pitched "BatSignal" or buzzer to be installed instead of the bell. Price with the bell is $122, including shipping to all 50 states.

Order online at www.GetABatPhone.com, or call toll-free 1-888-225-3999.

Heavenly Phone can give anyonea direct line to God.

2008-12-17T02:47:00.001-05:00

Some clergy men and women have claimed to have a "direct line to God," and other people merely act that way. Now anyone can have a high quality communications device that implies a direct link to a Higher Power.

Imagine the reaction of visitors when the phone rings, and you answer, "This is your humble servant, how may I assist you?"

It's a great Chanukah/Kwanzaa/Christmas gift for any lay person or clergy person with a sense of humor, or buy one for yourself.

AbleComm's GodPhone is non-denominational, and suitable for rabbis, priests, pastors, chaplains, padres, preachers, ministers, cardinals, imams, monks, nuns, gurus, or any spiritual leader. You probably shouldn't give it to an atheist.

The phone is "office quality," not a toy, made in the USA, and has a seven-year warranty. The phone does not have buttons for dialing out. It will generally be used for answering calls or just as a passive prop.

It can be connected to a phone system with automatic dialing and programmed to call a specific number when the handset is lifted. You can also get an upgraded version with internal memory for automatic dialing, but as with prayers, there is no guarantee that God will answer you.

Price of the standard GodPhone is $100. The Auto-dial GodPhone costs $240. Both models get free shipping anywhere in the USA. CLICK for more info and ordering. AbleComm also manufactures the BatPhone, PizzaPhone and Presidential HotLine phone.

Great gift idea: Pizzaphone automatically calls for food

2008-12-16T06:23:00.002-05:00

An exciting alternative to the traditional ties and wrench sets that often appear at this time of year, the PizzaPhone® is a unique gift for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas or almost any day. It can be easily programmed to call a favorite pizzeria, and the number is dialed as soon as the handset is lifted.

If another restaurant becomes the new favorite, it takes just a few seconds to re-program the phone’s memory. A manually-dialed PizzaPhone is also available.
The PizzaPhone is the ultimate status symbol for a college dorm, fraternity or apartment, or an executive office; and it's a great "power tool" for garage or basement.

It's also good for a lodge or club, the kitchen or break room at work; and although women can use it, it will be particularly appreciated anywhere hungry guys hang out.

The PizzaPhone is a great gift for others, but people can also use it to reward themselves. If a husband puts it on the kitchen wall at home, it might even encourage his wife to cook more. Or he might get hit with the phone.

PizzaPhone easily mounts on a standard "RJ11W" wall phone jack. It works with an ordinary analog phone line, or VoIP, or cable TV phone service, or in a business or institution's phone system. It can also be installed in a hotel or motel lobby or on a military base. PizzaPhone is powered by the telephone line. No AC power or battery is required.

Two models are available. The automatic-dialing PizzaPhone, which can be easily pre-programmed by the user to call a favorite restaurant, sells for $177, with free shipping anywhere in the United States, and has a two-year warranty. The manual-dialing PizzaPhone, which can also be used as a conventional telephone, sells for $77, with free shipping anywhere in the 50 states, and has a five-year warranty. It can even be used to order Chinese or Mexican food. Both phones can answer incoming calls.

The PizzaPhone is a product of RedHotPhones, the developer of the BatPhone, the GodPhone and the Presidential HotLine Phone. CLICK for more information and ordering.

Hundred-buck 3G wireless netbook at RadioShack

2008-12-15T04:34:00.005-05:00

RadioShack is now selling its first netbook, the Acer Aspire One. This is the first time Acer is offering a 3G-capable version of its One in the US market. (The Shack model may not be blue as in the photo above.)

The Shack will offer the device at $99.99 for customers who sign up for a qualifying two-year AT&T DataConnect mobile broadband service agreement with plans starting at $60/month. Price is $499.99 without the service plan.

The 2.44-pound netbook features 1GB memory, 8.9" screen, 160GB hard drive, built-in memory card readers and Windows XP software. The unit has integrated 3G functionality in addition to full Wi-Fi capability. CLICK for more. (info from TWICE)

Great deals on refurbed hi-def TVs at Tiger

2008-12-12T05:39:00.005-05:00

I'm a big fan of Tiger Direct.

Over the years they've been my main source for bare-bones and complete PCs, components for PCs, monitors and printers, and a bunch of ready-to-use desktops and laptops. Their regular prices are very good, but I've often taken advantage of their big bargains on refurbished equipment for my office.

Yesterday I ordered a refurbished flatscreen Vizio HDTV for a guest room, to replace one of the last CRT TVs in the house. They have a variety of sizes and other brands include Toshiba, Samsung, JVC and Sharp. There are also discounts on wall mounts, Blu-ray players, cables and remotes.

I've never regretted buying refurbished electronic products, and I assume this TV will be just about perfect. It was probably returned to Costco or Sam's Club by someone who was too stupid to realize he needed an HDTV signal to see hi-def.

Shipping charges are reasonable. You probably won't have to pay sales tax. And with a Tiger credit card, you can pay over a few months with no interest.

Quanities are limited. Act fact. You can get delivery before Chanukah. CLICK

New favorite salsa and chips are both from Costco

2008-12-11T02:20:00.005-05:00

Ola Senor y Senorita!

I eat lots of salsa and tortilla chips, and I've tried lots of brands over the years. Many salsa brands, including Chi-Chi's and Ortega are acceptable to me -- especially if I have to grab a jar at a nearby 7-11 or Mobil Mart for late-night motel munching.

For the last year or so I had standardized on Santa Barbara salsa from Costco, and the ubiquitious Scoops chips made by Frito-Lay. Their spoon-bowl shape made lots of sense, and they tasted fine. I also like the fresh-made freebie chips served at On-The-Border restaurants, and usually order a refill towards the end of a meal, so I know I'll have some left-overs that they'll pack for me to take home. My wife complains that they're too salty, but she usually scarfs down the contents of the doggie bag before I get a chance. She doesn't like salsa, tho.

I'm a big Costco fan. I'm there twice a week for food, electronics, office supplies, books, DVDs, tools, car stuff, garbage bags, clothes, everything. The constant stream of new products, good value, great customer service, plus free food samples make an unbeatbale combination. I'm also a member of BJ's and Sam's Club, but Costco is always my preferred warehouse destination.

A couple of weeks ago, one of their nice old ladies served me a free sample of their own Kirkland brand organic salsa, on their own Kirkland brand organic tortilla chips. I was immediately impressed, and bought a bag and a big bottle. Yesterday I bought another bag and bottle. They are my new standard, and I highly recommend them.

The chips are not as convenient as Scoops, but the superior taste makes up for having to use a spoon to spread the joy. Of course, you can rough-it and just shove a chip into the salsa. I prefer spreading to dipping.

I buy them for the flavor, but they're also organic. If that impresses you, you'll have two reasons to buy them. And because they're from Costco, you'll save money and have fun shopping, so you'll have four reasons.

CHIP HINT: invariably, as you progress to the bottom of the chip bag, the pieces get smaller and smaller and eventually the pieces and crumbs are just too small to put salsa on. Here are two ways to prolong the joy and minimize the waste. (1) Put the small pieces in a bowl so your dog can eat them. (2) Put the small pieces in a bowl, mash them up with a spoon, pour on the salsa and mix it up and eat with a spoon. YUM.

New movie recommendation service is powered by people

2008-12-10T07:25:00.004-05:00

Clerk dogs believes that people give the best movie recommendations and has a search system powered by human beings, not algorithms.

Its database is made up of hundreds of thousands of individual recommendations from dozens of former video store clerks. The former clerks, who should understand why customers like movies, have analyzed the characteristics of movies to create a database that is said to be much richer and deeper than collaborative filtering engines. The system was designed to allow customers to interact with the database and to take control of their movie selection experience.

The movie genome project that powers Clerk Dogs was started when Stuart Skorman opened a brick-and-mortar video store in 1985, and moved to the web in 1995 when he founded Reel.com. Two years ago he reunited the original writers from Reel.com to create the new movie recommendation site.

Skorman says he designed the search engine for the movie buffs who have seen so many movies that they’re having a hard time finding new ones (or old ones) that they will really love.

QUICK TEST RESULTS:

A search for Bedtime for Bonzo turned up nothing.

A search for Back to the Future showed the sequels. No surprises there. However, when I clicked on "Mash It" I reached a deeper analysis page with slider controls that allowed me to adjust such characteristics as "action" and "screwball humor" to reveal more recommendations, including Miss Congeniality and Blue Streak.

More clicks provide additional movie data, and ordering from Amazon.com

Super deals from Herrington. ACT FAST!

2008-12-08T08:56:00.002-05:00

The Herrington Catalog, seller of all kinds of cool Big Boys Toys (as well as clothing and household items), is having a warehouse clearance sale, with discounts of 25 - 50% or more.

CLICK

New Monster-size pizza from the Hut(but it's not really bigger than their Bigfoot)

2008-12-05T03:59:00.016-05:00

Having grown up in New Haven, and having recently returned to the area after a 37-year absence, I am a pizza snob.

New Haven pizza, as pioneered by Pepe's and Sally's on Wooster Street, spelled "apizza" and pronounced "ah-beetz," is the real thing.

I regard most pizza, particularly mass-produced chain pizza from Domino's, as little more than cardboard with ketchup.

"California" pizza, laden with pineapple, barbecued ferns, tofu, frog vomit, sun-dried twigs and organic pebbles should be illegal.

I am offended by "white pizza" because the essence of pizza is the sauce. If it's not red, like a Ferrari, it's not pizza.

I never order "extra cheese." A traditional New Haven apizza (sometimes called a "tomato pie") has grated cheese, but no mozzarella ("mootz") on it. You can get mootz, but it's an extra-cost topping.

Nevertheless, despite its lack of authenticity, I have enjoyed the pizza-like food that comes out of the non-brick ovens at Pizza Hut. It tastes fine IF I don't think of it as pizza. As Cynical Cousin Dave explains, "It's not pizza, it's Pizza Hut."

Back in 1993, PH offered a giant rectangual pie aptly called the BIGFOOT. It measured two square feet, and cost $10.99 with up to three toppings. CLICK to see a commerical. It was great for parties, but despite many enthusiastic customers, the product disappeared. It may have been a PITA to produce.

Now PH is trying again, with their PANORMOUS pizza. They say it's
biggest pan pizza they've ever made. I don't think it's really bigger than Bigfoot, but it's over 40% bigger than PH's large pan pizza. Price is $12.99 with one topping per "side."

Like Bigfoot, it may not be available for long. Some PH employees are already grumbling about having to assemble yet another size cardboard box.

FREEBIE MUSIC BONUS: if you order Panormous online, you can get 75 free MP3s for yourself from eMusic, plus 75 free MP3s for five friends. (I'm not sure if they each get 75, or if you divide up the 75 among them.)

BULLSHIT REPORT: Actually, Panormous doesn't have two sides. And actually, it's not one enormous pizza like Bigfoot was. Panormous is two separate 8-slice pizzas sold in one box.

New Nokia "mobile computer" (cellphone)

2008-12-04T04:49:00.003-05:00

On Tuesday Nokia unveiled the N97, which the company says is the world's most advanced mobile computer, and will "transform the way people connect to the Internet and to each other."

Designed for the needs of the Internet-savvy, the N97 combines a large 3.5" touch display with a full QWERTY keyboard, providing an always-open window to favorite social networking sites and Internet destinations. It has new technology - including multiple sensors, memory, processing power and connection speeds - for people to create a personal Internet and share their "social location."

With integrated A-GPS sensors and an electronic compass, the Nokia N97 mobile computer intuitively understands where it is. This makes it easy to update social networks automatically with real-time information, giving approved friends the ability to update their "status" and share their "social location" as well as related pictures or videos.

The home screen of the N97 features the people, content and media that matter the most. Friends, social networks and news are available by simply touching the home screen. The 16:9 widescreen display can be fully personalized with frequently updated widgets of favorite web services and social networking sites. The N97 is also suited for browsing the web, streaming Flash videos or playing games. Both the physical QWERTY and virtual touch input can aid efficiency in blogging, chatting, posting, sending texts or emailing.

The Nokia N97 supports up to 48 GB of storage, including 32 GB of onboard memory, expandable with a 16 GB microSD card for music, media and more. This is complemented by music capabilities, full support for the Nokia Music Store and continuous playback time of up to 1.5 days.

The Nokia N97 also has a 5-Megapixel camera with high-quality Carl Zeiss optics, 16:9 and DVD quality video capture, and support for services like Share on Ovi for immediate sharing over HSDPA and WLAN.

The Nokia N97 is expected to begin shipping in the first half of 2009 at an estimated retail price of $699 before taxes or subsidies.

This is a preview, not a review.

Bargain breakfast at Mickey Dee's

2008-12-03T07:06:00.004-05:00

People have been eating breakfast sandwiches (lox on a bagel, egg on a roll) for a very long time. But the notion of a portable morning meal that could be eaten from one hand while the other hand clutches the steering wheel, really took off in 1973, when McDonald's introduced the Egg McMuffin. It also put McDonalds into the breakfast business.

Egg McMuffin is a slice of Canadian bacon (which doesn't have to come from Canada any more than French Fries must be imported from France), a grilled egg, and a slice of cheese on an English muffin. A Sausage McMuffin with Egg is a popular variation that uses a sausage patty in place of the Canadian bacon. In the UK, the McMuffin is available without bacon for vegetarians. People order a "Bacon Egg McMuffin" to get the equivalent of the US version.

Former McDonald's President Ray Kroc wrote that Herb Peterson, the operator of their Santa Barbara franchise, asked him to look at something, not telling him what it was because it was "...a crazy idea, a breakfast sandwich. It consisted of an egg that had been formed in a Teflon circle with the yolk broken, and was dressed with a slice of cheese and a slice of grilled Canadian bacon. It was served open-faced on a toasted and buttered English muffin."

Peterson believed that to launch an entirely new food line, such as breakfast, McDonald's needed something unique and yet something that could be eaten like all other McDonald's items -- with the fingers. His solution came when he started modifying an Eggs Benedict sandwich that was being marketed by Jack-in-the-Box.

By Christmas of 1971, Peterson had been working on the product for months. He had experimented with prepackaged Hollandaise, which he rejected as too runny. He replaced it instead with a slice of cheese, which when melted on a hot egg produced the consistency he was looking for. He also had to develop a foolproof way of preparing an egg on a grill to give it the appearance of a poached egg. Poaching eggs did not fit with McDonald's assembly line production process, but Peterson solved the problem by developing a new cooking utensil -- a cluster of six Teflon-coated metal rings -- that was placed on the grill to give eggs a round shape to match an English muffin. When he added grilled Canadian bacon, Peterson had a breakfast product perfect for a sandwich-oriented fast-food chain.

In 1971, Kroc was celebrating Christmas at his ranch near Santa Barbara, and Peterson asked him to stop by the store.

Peterson was ready with a demonstration of his new product, and a flip-chart to explain its economics; but it was taste, not economics that convinced Kroc. He had just finished lunch before seeing Peterson, but he devoured two of the new sandwiches anyway. At Kroc's request, Peterson took his Teflon rings to Chicago to prepare his new breakfast for the rest of McDonald's senior managers, all of whom responded as positively as Kroc had.

McDonald's was ready to test the product nationwide, as soon as it settled on a name. Peterson favored calling it McDonald's Fast Break Breakfast, but the name had been copyrighted, but never used, by Nabisco. One evening, Mr. and Mrs. Kroc were having dinner with McDonald's exec Fred Turner and his wife Patty. Patty Turner suggested calling it the Egg McMuffin, and the name stuck.

YOU CAN NOW GET TWO FOR JUST THREE BUCKS.

(info from MCDONALD'S: BEHIND THE ARCHES by John F. Love, Wikipedia, & other sources).

Still have a job?Celebrate with an $8,000 Nikon

2008-12-02T05:39:00.005-05:00

On Sunday Nikon announced the D3X, an FX-format digital SLR featuring extreme 24.5-megapixel resolution and superb low-noise capabilities, which provides professional photographers with commercial-quality image performance in a familiar and versatile D-SLR form factor. It's intended to excel in all types of professional photographic disciplines from photojournalism and sideline sports, to commercial in-studio applications. It's also a great toy for rich amateurs.

The foundation of the enhanced performance of the D3X is its FX-format, 24.5-megapixel (6048 x 4032) CMOS sensor providing commercial, high fashion, fine art and landscape photographers with the extreme resolution, dynamic range, color depth, detail and sharpness that clients demand. The large 5.94-micron pixel size and high signal to noise ratio can produce vibrant images with breathtaking image fidelity while reducing lost highlights and shadows, and ensuring smoother tone reproduction with minimized noise, according to Nikon. With full resolution shooting speeds of up to five frames-per-second (fps), and 14-bit files, that when processed are approximately 138 MB, the D3X offers an extreme level of performance and versatility .

To re-emphasize the importance of image quality above all else, the D3X aims to deliver extremely high resolution, exceptional dynamic range, phenomenal total gradation and outstanding color reproduction. Image files can be recorded as TIFF, JPEG or NEF (RAW) formats in either 12- or 14-bit compressed or uncompressed formats, and recorded to UDMA compatible CompactFlash™ cards for optimum speed. Photographers can save image files directly to the dual card slots as overflow, backup, or as separate file formats to different cards. Building on the D3X's flexibility, users have the creative option to shoot in the 5:4 crop mode with 20.4-megapixel resolution, the ideal format for creating 8 x 10-inch portraits. While using DX-format lenses, faster continuous shooting of up to seven frames per second can be achieved at a resolution of 10.5 megapixels.

The low noise of the D3X is essential to any professional commercial application, and it provides photographers with an ISO range of 100 to 1600, expandable to 50 (Lo-1) and 6400 (Hi-2). The ultra smooth tones and lack of grain at ISO 1600 as well as at low sensitivity settings result in smooth, natural skin tones and exacting detail that, before the D3X, required larger and far costlier studio-bound camera systems.

The Nikon D3X can shoot at up to five fps at full resolution or up to seven fps in DX crop mode, allowing photographers to catch the split-second difference in a model’s expression or capture all of the action in a sequence. The D3X achieves a start-up time of a mere 0.12 seconds and a shutter release time lag of 0.04 seconds.

The D3X’s speed, as well as high levels of performance, leverages Nikon core technologies including a newly enhanced EXPEED™ Image Processing System, specially designed for the D3X to provide superior image quality, faster processing speeds and lower power consumption. This advanced system is said to be able to achieve extremely precise color reproduction for a broad spectrum of hues, in addition to vivid saturation and smooth gradation. What’s more, Nikon’s advanced noise processing function is engineered to minimize noise at all sensitivities and operate seamlessly without interfering with other image color parameters.

The D3X also features Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System, which continuously analyzes information from the 1,005-pixel RGB light sensor, to further refine auto exposure, auto white balance and autofocus calculations. This should result in flattering portraits and awe-inspiring landscapes that portray accurate color and fine details. Nikon's exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II helps ensure accurate exposures, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. Instantly evaluating each scene before capture, input data from the system's sensor is automatically referenced against an internal database of more than 30,000 images derived from actual photographs to calculate correct exposure values. Active D-Lighting, used in combination with 3D Matrix Metering II, helps to determines proper exposure, and creates realistic contrast while compensating for lost shadows and highlights. Prior to shooting, users can choose from Extra High, High, Normal, Low or Off settings, as well as an Auto mode.

Additionally, the D3X features Nikon’s exclusive Multi-CAM 3500FX focus module, with 51 AF points, 15 cross type sensors and 36 horizontal sensors that easily track and lock onto moving subjects, delivering the same fast and accurate AF performance that helped make the D3 immediately successful. Users can select any of the AF points, making it easy to consistently attain accurate focus right on a subject’s eyes, frame after frame. Additionally, three AF-area modes – Single point, Dynamic-area AF and Auto-area AF – are available to maximize the use of the 51 focus points by selecting the most suitable one to match subject conditions. AF is also available in one of two Live View modes optimized for the studio, including a phase detection handheld mode and a tripod mode. This feature allows the user to zoom in up to 27x on the LCD screen to ensure critical focus. While in Live View, the graphic indication of a virtual horizon is also available, making it easier than ever to confirm camera orientation.

To further ensure each photographer's ability to balance their personal style, Nikon’s Picture Control System enables users to adjust their images to pre-set parameters such as Standard, Neutral, Vivid and Monochrome that apply tweaks to image sharpening, tone compensation, brightness, overall tone and saturation. Photographers have creative control over these image parameters with the use of up to nine available customizable presets.

Engineered for real-world functionality, the D3X retains a rugged shell with moisture, dust and shock resistance that has become a hallmark of flagship Nikon D-SLRs, while preserving the usability and ergonomics that allow the camera to remain an extension of the photographer’s vision. Attention to detail goes so far as to include a self-diagnostic shutter system that is tested to exceed 300,000 cycles for maximum durability and longevity. The camera’s body also maintains the resilient magnesium alloy construction and form factor of the D3, promoting consistent Nikon system synergy.

A bright and accurate viewfinder offers 100 percent coverage with 0.7x magnification. The body also houses Nikon’s acclaimed 3.0-inch super density LCD screen. The high-resolution 920,000-dot screen is viewable at wide angles up to 170 degrees, and will allow photographers to quickly zoom in to confirm critical focus. Users can also output the video signal to an external display via HDMI to allow client viewing. The D3X can capture up to 4400 shots per single charge of the camera’s Lithium ion battery.

The D3X is fully compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System (CLS) to give photographers a mobile lighting solution that is easy to manage. To further enhance mobility, the D3X is compatible with Nikon’s GP-1 GPS receiver to gather information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and date of shooting. Photographers can easily shoot tethered via USB, or use the WT-4a wireless transmitter to send images wirelessly when speed and mobility are essential. D3X users will also enjoy the system strength of more than 50 genuine NIKKOR lenses that provide outstanding sharpness and high resolution across a broad range of focal lengths.

The Nikon D3X will be available at Nikon Authorized Professional Dealers starting this month for an estimated selling price of $7999.95.

This is a preview, not a review.

Digger's Choice fried clam kit:for yourself, for a party, or to get lucky

2008-12-01T05:38:00.001-05:00

Your humble editor has been cooking and eating clams for many years, but except for a couple of very unsatisfying experiences heating frozen clam strips (think of warm gummy worms), I'd never had fried clams at home before.

A while ago, I received a nice email from Mike Annable of Diggers Choice in Wareham Massachusetts, near Cape Cod. Mike buttered me up with compliments about my WeLoveClams website, and asked if I'd provide a link to the Diggers Choice site.

We get lots of requests for links, and, since the clam website is not my fulltime gig (neither are the blogs), I seldom have time to investigate the requests, and I don't link just anyone. But since Mike said that the folks in his office thought the site was funny; and only a few very enlightened people (not including my wife) appreciate my sense of humor, his request deserved special attention.

Anyway, I went to the Diggers Choice website, and immediately started salivating. I placed an order for a do-it-yourself fried clam kit, and the next morning the UPS driver left a box at my front door, and sped away without ringing the bell. This could have been a tragedy, but my dog barked and I opened the door.

Since I've encountered a lot of lousy fried clams, made by professional cooks in real restaurants, I was not at all optimistic about cooking my own. I'm an OK amateur, but really had no idea what was involved, and doubted that I'd produce anything edible on my first attempt.

The meal was amazing -- way beyond what I expected. I can't say that they're the best fried clams I've ever had, but they're definitely much better than most of the fried clams I've had.

Although our frying oil was of dubious quality, and our kitchen crew had never fried clams before, the amazing freshness of the clams came through. Many restaurants serve frozen clams, or "fresh" clams that have been hanging around for three or four days, after traveling for three or four days. These clams were on the beach on Tuesday, and in our bellies on Wednesday. We could definitely taste the difference.

Another advantage over the pros: In restaurants, your cooked clams can sit around for ten minutes, drying out under the heat lamp until the server brings them to you. If you order a large portion, the second half will be cold before you finish the first half (and cold fried clams suck). When you make your own clams, you cook a small portion (maybe a dozen per person) and eat them while they're hot and juicy. After you finish, it takes just a minute or two to make a second batch, and a third batch, and a fourth batch, and...

Frying clams at home is a great party idea. It's easy, and will provide your guests with a unique experience -- much hipper than fondue or tacos or s'mores. It's fun, too; and you can probably convince guests to cook and clean while you concentrate on eating and drinking.

Also, consider making fried clams with your sweetie for an intimate Valentine's Day dinner. Clams are great aphrodisiacs; and clams and beer are two of the vital food groups necessary for nurturing human brain cells.

Most people have never had really good fried clams, and with next-day delivery of a Diggers Choice Fried Clam Kit, there is no reason to settle for second-rate clams. CLICK for the Diggers Choice website. They're also a great source for delicious lobsters, steaks, oysters, shrimp, scallops and more. If you can't get lucky after serving one of their meals, try a new deodorant!

Now yo ucan program your TiVo from your cellphone

2008-11-28T11:30:00.001-05:00

TiVo is launching a cell phone-friendly Web site that will allow users to search programming and set their TiVo DVRs remotely. TiVo Mobile will be a free service available "with any Internet-enabled phone through any network, regardless of carrier," according to the company. Any user will have access to the program listings, but only TiVo owners (Series2 or Series3/HD) will be able to set their home DVRs to record programs they would've otherwise missed. A similar service was previously available--for a fee--only to Verizon customers. The service (available soon at m.tivo.com) is currently in beta, but will be more widely available "in a few weeks," according to the company.

It's worth noting that TiVo owners can already program their DVRs remotely through the company's main web site

No need to go out to save today

2008-11-28T05:39:00.005-05:00

I started typing this blog at 5:30AM on Black Friday. I had planned to get dressed in a few minutes to take out the trash and head to Circus City to snatch some BluRay disc deals.

Instead I found what I wanted on Amazon.com.

No gas. No crowds. No lines. No tax. And I'll have them all on Tuesday with free shipping.

I also got a super-cool Seiko watch that I had not planned to get, at a bigger discount than I usually get at the Seiko factory outlet store in Maine.

Lots of other stores, including Circus City and Wally's Mart have good deals online, and many websites are offering free shipping. Keep in mind that if the company has a physical presence in your state, you will have to pay sales tax, which probably won't happen with Amazon orders.

Black Friday deal on "Best of" XM & Sirius

2008-11-26T02:02:00.005-05:00

On Black Friday, Sirius XM will launch a trial, free “Best of Both” promotion and its first holiday advertising under a single Sirius XM banner. The company will give people three free months of “Best of Both” service with the purchase of any Sirius or XM aftermarket product.

(FUCK THEM! what about something to reward people like me who have been subscribing to BOTH services for years, and are still waiting to merge their contracts?)

The top-tier service usually carries a charge of $16.99/month, and adds Sirius channels to an XM subscription or XM channels to a Sirius subscription at a $4 premium.

The company will also abandon separate XM and Sirius ads. The company hopes the switch to joint advertising will alleviate customer confusion at retail.

Additionally, Sirius XM is starting to experiment with promotions to customers of used cars that have satellite radios in them, to get the new owners to activate service. It is working with CarMax and AutoNation and with certified pre-owned dealers. (info from TWICE)

New video download service from Blockbuster

2008-11-25T05:54:00.002-05:00

Today Blockbuster introduced the 2Wire MediaPoint™ digital media player, an easy-to-use, on-demand video solution that offers movie fans instant access through their television sets to BLOCKBUSTER® ONDEMAND content, including thousands of titles from the latest movie releases to classic favorites.

Beginning today, for a limited time, the MediaPoint digital media player is available free with the advance rental of 25 BLOCKBUSTER ONDEMAND movies for $99 at http://www.blockbuster.com/. Unlike subscription-based services, which typically offer movies long after their release, BLOCKBUSTER ONDEMAND includes hot new releases, many available within weeks of leaving theaters. After the initial 25 rentals, movies are available for as little as $1.99 each. The players will begin shipping in time for the holiday season.

Said to be easy to install, the MediaPoint digital media player works seamlessly with any broadband connection, either wirelessly via built-in Wi-Fi or wired via Ethernet cable, to deliver movies and television shows from the BLOCKBUSTER digital library. With fast-forward, rewind, and pause capabilities, the viewing experience is DVD quality, no matter the speed of the broadband connection. Movies can be played right away or saved to watch later. Additionally, the player supports HD video content and can be connected to HDTVs.

The MediaPoint digital media player is extremely compact -- about the size of two boxes of movie candy -- and can be integrated seamlessly into home entertainment systems through composite cable, HDMI, component cable, or Toslink.

This is a preview, not a review.

See football in 3-D TV

2008-11-24T02:44:00.002-05:00

If high definition wide-screen TV doesn't thrill you anymore, consider watching football in three dimensions.

Next week, a game between the San Diego Chargers and the Oakland Raiders will be broadcast live in 3-D to theaters in Los Angeles, New York and Boston. It is a preliminary step on what is likely a long road to any regular 3-D broadcasts of football games.

The idea is a "proof of concept," says Howard Katz, NFL senior vice president of broadcasting and media operations. "We want to demonstrate this and let people get excited about it and see what the future holds."

The several hundred guests at the three participating theaters Dec. 4 will include representatives from the NFL's broadcasting partners and from consumer-electronics companies. 3ality Digital will shoot the game with special cameras and transmit it to a satellite, which will relay the program to theaters.

This isn't the first time the NFL has participated in a 3-D experiment. In 2004, a predecessor company to 3ality filmed the Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers. When Sandy Climan, 3ality's chief executive officer, shows the footage, "people crouch down to catch the ball," he says. "It's as if the ball is coming into your arms."

Technology has advanced considerably since then, and now makes live transmission possible. Boxing in 3-D, Climan says, particularly "raises your blood pressure."

Some live events, including opera broadcasts and circus performances, already pop up on screens at theaters across the country.

Next week's demonstration will also include television displays, to show what might one day be available in homes. While 3-D television sets are already available in stores, mainly for the handful of DVDs available in 3-D, the industry is still working on technical standards for 3-D.

That process raises the possibility that 3-D TV sets purchased today might not be compatible with programs aired in a few years' time. Just as in theaters, home viewers must wear special 3-D glasses. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

Paypal offers deferred no-interest payment

2008-11-20T05:17:00.003-05:00

As the money supply tightens, eBay's PayPal subsidiary plans to offer consumers credit lines for online holiday purchases.

Starting Friday, PayPal will test a service offering online credit to several thousand members. The service builds on eBay's recent purchase of deferred-payment service Bill Me Later, which allows Web shoppers to delay payment instead of paying immediately.

The PayPal members will be preapproved for varying credit limits, based on an assessment of their finances. The credit can be used at online retailers such as Amazon.com and Apple, which use Bill Me Later. Shoppers won't get charged interest or have to make payments until April 1, 2009, when they can opt to pay through a payment plan with interest. (info from The Wall Street Journal)

This camera is so cool, it's worth having even if you don't take pictures

2008-11-19T06:38:00.010-05:00

I'm a sucker for red. I have a 30-year-old tomato-red Fiat sports car. I have a website that specializes in red phones. My favorite uncle and an important girlfriend had red hair. I even had red walls in my apartment until I married a different girlfriend who didn't like red walls. I refuse to eat "white pizza." If it doesn't have red sauce, it's not pizza.

As soon as I saw the new Panasonic LUMIX GMX-G1R digital camera, I started salivating and panting.

Although I've been a Nikon fan and owner since 1970, I am well aware of the inroads that Panasonic has made into the digital camera business, especially since they started using Leica lenses on some products. Panasonic has long been an important innovator in video cameras and camcorders, and now they're kicking ass in still progography, too.

In general, I use my big Nikon D70 DSLR for "serious" photography, and a compact Nikon Coolpix L6 is always in my briefcase or car for unplanned photos. In my office, there's an older Coolpix 5000 on a tripod for taking product pictures. I also have a bunch of Nikon film cameras going back to an ancient Ftn that has shot miles of Kodachrome. I occasionally fondle the film cameras, but I haven't shot film in years.

I'm not ready to ditch my shelf full of Nikons, but I'm definitely ready to add a Panasonic.

The LUMIX DMC-G1 is the world’s first Micro Four Thirds system camera. Panasonic says it's the world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens camera system, with the body and standard "kit" lens weighing about 20 ounces. It fills an important middle ground between my big and small Nikons, offering the quality and versatility of an SLR in a much smaller package, and has a bigger display than either of them.

Based on the new Micro Four Thirds System standard, the LUMIX G1 eliminates the internal mirror structure that's used in other single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, and so it reduces the size and weight by nearly half.

With the mirror-less system, the G1’s distance between the lens mount and the image sensor, has been reduced from 40 mm –- as specified in the Four Thirds System –- to approximately 20 mm.

The G1's Full-time Live View lets you see in the LCD screen how adjusting the exposure, white balance, aperture and even the shutter speed will affect the photo. This kind of super-easy live view shooting has never before been possible with a conventional digital SLR camera.

Intelligent Auto mode activates six detection and compensation functions that work automatically, leaving you free to just aim and shoot.

Shake detection - MEGA O.I.S. Helps prevent blurring when the camera shakes.

Motion detection - Intelligent ISO Control Helps prevent blur caused by subject motion.

Light detection - Intelligent Exposure Adjusts the brightness of dark areas in the image.

Advanced Face - Detection Face Detection AF/AE Helps deliver clear portraits.

Scene detection - Intelligent Scene Selector Selects the optimal scene mode for the situation.

Subject detection - AF Tracking follows moving subjects and adjusts accordingly.

The 3.0-inch free-angle LCD with high 460,000-dot resolution 180° horizontally and 270° vertically, making it easy for you to capture dynamic shots from extreme angles without getting into an awkward position. And when the lighting around you changes, the LCD backlighting level automatically changes too, so you get comfortable, easy-on-the-eyes viewing at all times.

In My Color mode you can freely adjust the color, brightness and saturation of an image, while checking it with Full-time Live View. This gives you the power to control how your image will look. You can even make dramatic color changes.

Film mode lets you capture photos with a special mood or expressiveness. Much like changing the film type in a film camera, you can get a wide range of expression based on six color modes and three monochromatic modes. When the multi-film mode is selected, you can record pictures having up to three different effects with each press of the shutter button.

1920 x 1080-pixel HD (high-definition) photo recording. The G1 shoots wide-screen, 16:9, full-HD images. These images can be displayed on an HDTV, which handles about four times the data of a standard-definition TV.

The camera has an HD output so it's easy to connect to an HDTV for high definition viewing. If your TV is HDMI compatible, a single HDMI mini cable is all you need. If you have a Panasonic VIERA HDTV, you can also operate the G1 with the VIERA remote control for even easier viewing.

The image sensor has 13.1 total Megapixels. There's a Supersonic wave filter dust reduction system. Lens focal length is 14mm to 45mm. The 35mm film camera equivalent 28mm to 90mm, which I've always considered the ideal zoom range for most shooting.

ISO Sensitivity can be selected for Auto / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / Intelligent ISO. White Balance choices are: Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Halogen / Flash / White Set 1,2 / Color temperature setting

The G1 should be available now. You can get a kit with the new LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S lens. Also available is the LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S.lens.

The LUMIX G1 is also apparently the world’s first interchangeable lens camera with color choices, just like some Panasonic phone models. You can choose basic black, electric blue or bloody red models.

For current Four Thirds users with a collection of lenses, an optional mount adapter will allow Four Thirds lenses to be compatible with the LUMIX G1.

Panasonic is also offering a wide-variety of accessories including: External Flash DMW-FL220(GN22); PL Filter: DMW-LPL52; Mount Adapter: DMW-MA1; Battery Pack: DMW-BLB13; DC Cable: DMW-DCC3; Soft Case: DMW-CG1; Soft Bag: DMW-BAG1; Shoulder Strap (Stylish) DMW-SSTG1-A/C/R; Shoulder Strap (Woven) DMW-SSTG2-W; Shoulder Strap (Leather) DMW-SSTG3-T.

Suggested retail price for the LUMIX GMX-G1R is $799.95.

This is a preview, not a review.