My first smart phone was a Palm Treo 755p. Oh how I miss that phone with it's stylus and touch screen. I replaced it with a RIM BlackBerry 8330 eventually. Even initially I had trouble with the BlackBerry. The first phone I had, I returned to the store and went home with a Samsung Insight instead. I ended up returning the insight after accidentally texting my wife's aunt in California at 4:30AM her time. Thankfully, it was a landline and the message didn't get delivered. Didn't get along well with the Insight's touch screen. I finally decided my first impression of BlackBerry must be wrong and it couldn't really be that bad.
I took another BlackBerry home and tried installing the desktop software on my 64-bit Vista Home Premium computer. No luck, the software didn't support 64-bit Vista. Eventually, I ended up just using the BlackBerry as a USB drive to transfer data. This all happened nearly two years ago, and my BlackBerry contract with Sprint is going to expire this coming spring.
I continued being disappointed with the BlackBerry. Installing apps was always a pain. My Treo 755p had long had the Slingbox app to watch my cable TV from anywhere, which never became available for my model 8330. Installing updates on the BlackBerry often caused a regression to an application or made the experience less fulfilling.
The Vista 64-bit computer has since been upgraded to 64-bit Win 7 Ultimate.
This morning I decided to try an app called Flixter that I learned about on InfoWorld.com. Sounded like it might be an interesting application. The link took me to appworld on blackberry.com. It wanted to install something called "Blackberry AppWorld Installer". I tried installing using Firefox with no luck. Tried using an IE window in Firefox with no luck. Finally started up IE 8 and tried installing from there. It seemed to install, but the connection to the phone didn't seem to work enough to satisfy the installation web page. Decided enough was enough and looked for help on the BlackBerry web site. What I quickly found was their recommended work around was to use a compatible operating system on my computer to install and use their application. In disgust I uninstalled Blackberry AppWorld Installer using the Control Panel.
Imagine the arrogance involved with a phone application (or web site or phone vendor) requiring that I use a compatible operating system on my computer to load their application. Although I have another 32-bit Win 7 Home Premium and three 32-bit XP @Home computers which might be compatible, they are not my primary computer. I will not defile them with this software. So I hereby decree, I will no longer install anything related to Blackberry on either my computer or the phone itself and will begin investigating Android phones to replace the BlackBerry. If I can't find a phone compatible with my needs then I'll do without a so-called smartphone and save lots of money each month. Oh how I miss my Palm Treo. Palm sort of reminds me of the Commodore story of a better product failing because they couldn't sell it to save themselves.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Firefox & Software Update Madness
I spent nearly an hour downloading Microsoft Office Plus 2010 after purchasing and Firefox stopped responding. The download had reached 621MB of the 650MB. Eventually I found a hidden dialog box asking me to update Firefox to 3.6.11. I clicked the button to "Ask Me Later", but Firefox still was not responding. My only choice was to kill Firefox which I did.
Firefox restarted and I chose to restore the previous session which it did. Finally checking the download manager I found it was back to downloading the Office download at about 285MB. It quickly completed the download successfully in 5-10 minutes.
I've grown used to clicking on a link in an email message and receiving a "fatal error" message from Firefox only to find Firefox wants to update some totally unrelated add-on. Performing the update gets Firefox to finally start. However, interrupting a 650MB download for an update is totally unacceptable. Mozilla, the Firefox developer, along with all the software development community have got to get this update madness under control. Each piece of software seems to think their software is the only software installed on a computer and must be updated immediately regardless what the user is doing.
Last week proved to be incredibly annoying. It was Micro$oft Tuesday and they wanted to install a massive number of updates. In the midst of the M$ mess, Adobe Reader decided it needed to be updated immediately. Then Norton Internet Security wanted to update from the 2010 version to 2011. When this happens on a weeknight while trying to update five (5) home computers and all your trying to do is read your day's email, it becomes overwhelming.
So what do you think? Has this update madness gotten out of control and do software developers need to change their paradigm on when to tickle a user to update?
Firefox restarted and I chose to restore the previous session which it did. Finally checking the download manager I found it was back to downloading the Office download at about 285MB. It quickly completed the download successfully in 5-10 minutes.
I've grown used to clicking on a link in an email message and receiving a "fatal error" message from Firefox only to find Firefox wants to update some totally unrelated add-on. Performing the update gets Firefox to finally start. However, interrupting a 650MB download for an update is totally unacceptable. Mozilla, the Firefox developer, along with all the software development community have got to get this update madness under control. Each piece of software seems to think their software is the only software installed on a computer and must be updated immediately regardless what the user is doing.
Last week proved to be incredibly annoying. It was Micro$oft Tuesday and they wanted to install a massive number of updates. In the midst of the M$ mess, Adobe Reader decided it needed to be updated immediately. Then Norton Internet Security wanted to update from the 2010 version to 2011. When this happens on a weeknight while trying to update five (5) home computers and all your trying to do is read your day's email, it becomes overwhelming.
So what do you think? Has this update madness gotten out of control and do software developers need to change their paradigm on when to tickle a user to update?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
NPR: Amazing Univ. of Michigan Study of Political Opinions vs. Facts
Maybe this National Public Radio story explains why we elect idiots and crooks over and over. We don’t want facts to get in the way. With an electorate like this making such insane and irrational decisions you have to wonder whether a dictatorship is so bad. At least you could apply rationale to why a decision was made!
From the NPR ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490874 )
In Politics, Sometimes The Facts Don't Matter
July 13, 2010
New research suggests that misinformed people rarely change their minds when presented with the facts -- and often become even more attached to their beliefs. The finding raises questions about a key principle of a strong democracy: that a well-informed electorate is best.
Transcript (extract):
Copyright © 2010 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.
NEAL CONAN, host:
This is TALK OF THE NATION. I’m Neal Conan in Washington.
We'd like to believe that most of what we know is accurate and that if presented with facts to prove we're wrong, we would sheepishly accept the truth and change our views accordingly.
A new body of research out of the University of Michigan suggests that's not what happens, that we base our opinions on beliefs and when presented with contradictory facts, we adhere to our original belief even more strongly.
The phenomenon is called backfire, and it plays an especially important role in how we shape and solidify our beliefs on immigration, the president's place of birth, welfare and other highly partisan issues.
Have the facts ever convinced you to change your mind, and how did it happen?
Story is continued on the NPR site which also has an audio of this episode.
From the NPR ( http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490874 )
In Politics, Sometimes The Facts Don't Matter
July 13, 2010
New research suggests that misinformed people rarely change their minds when presented with the facts -- and often become even more attached to their beliefs. The finding raises questions about a key principle of a strong democracy: that a well-informed electorate is best.
Transcript (extract):
Copyright © 2010 National Public Radio®. For personal, noncommercial use only. See Terms of Use. For other uses, prior permission required.
NEAL CONAN, host:
This is TALK OF THE NATION. I’m Neal Conan in Washington.
We'd like to believe that most of what we know is accurate and that if presented with facts to prove we're wrong, we would sheepishly accept the truth and change our views accordingly.
A new body of research out of the University of Michigan suggests that's not what happens, that we base our opinions on beliefs and when presented with contradictory facts, we adhere to our original belief even more strongly.
The phenomenon is called backfire, and it plays an especially important role in how we shape and solidify our beliefs on immigration, the president's place of birth, welfare and other highly partisan issues.
Have the facts ever convinced you to change your mind, and how did it happen?
Story is continued on the NPR site which also has an audio of this episode.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Solving Oil Spill - Connecting High Pressure Pipes
If you have ever tried to connect a hose to a faucet that has running water you have seen the problem that BP is experiencing in the Gulf right now. There is a simple means to mate two pipes or a hose and faucet while fluid is flowing from one..
The issue is the high pressure in the pipe spilling either oil or water. Matching the connecting pipe of the same size causes a rapid lateral flow (splash to the face) and sudden increase in pressure.
How can two pipes or hose and faucet be brought together and the fluid, whether oil or water, flowing between them. I'll explain and illustrate with a series of three pictures.
A collar is placed around the the pipe spilling the fluid. Performing this task offers little pressure differential or resistance. Next you bring a pipe, called the nozzle pipe, of the same size or larger containing concentric smaller pipes welded inside each adjacent pipe (and larger pipes as necessary for structural integrity). The nozzle pipe is connected to the remote repository intended to receive the fluid with three or four threaded screws around the periphery (see Phase 1 below). These screws are hinged and meant to drop into latches on the spilling pipe The nozzle pipe is slowly inserted into the spilling pipe using the threaded screws until the two pipes are securely mated (Phase 2). At this point the collar is secured by clamps on both the spilling pipe and the nozzle pipe (Phase 3).
At this point the fluid will be flowing from the spilling pipe to the nozzle pipe without leakage. See the above figure.
Now if someone can explain this concept to BP and they listen we can stop the horrible mess that is continuing to develop in the Gulf.
So why isn't BP trying to capture the oil leaking from their oil head?
The issue is the high pressure in the pipe spilling either oil or water. Matching the connecting pipe of the same size causes a rapid lateral flow (splash to the face) and sudden increase in pressure.
How can two pipes or hose and faucet be brought together and the fluid, whether oil or water, flowing between them. I'll explain and illustrate with a series of three pictures.
A collar is placed around the the pipe spilling the fluid. Performing this task offers little pressure differential or resistance. Next you bring a pipe, called the nozzle pipe, of the same size or larger containing concentric smaller pipes welded inside each adjacent pipe (and larger pipes as necessary for structural integrity). The nozzle pipe is connected to the remote repository intended to receive the fluid with three or four threaded screws around the periphery (see Phase 1 below). These screws are hinged and meant to drop into latches on the spilling pipe The nozzle pipe is slowly inserted into the spilling pipe using the threaded screws until the two pipes are securely mated (Phase 2). At this point the collar is secured by clamps on both the spilling pipe and the nozzle pipe (Phase 3).
At this point the fluid will be flowing from the spilling pipe to the nozzle pipe without leakage. See the above figure.
Now if someone can explain this concept to BP and they listen we can stop the horrible mess that is continuing to develop in the Gulf.
So why isn't BP trying to capture the oil leaking from their oil head?
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Toshiba DVR Support a Big Disappointment
In 2006 we bought a Toshiba RD-XS35 DVR while we were living in an apartment in Nebraska. The DVR worked fine and did as promised while we lived in Nebraska. Late in 2007 we moved back to our house in Colorado. After the move we found the DVD tray would open and not close whenever power was applied. Of course I found our warranty had expired and I had to pay to send the DVR back for repairs. Everything worked fine until early last year, around June 2009. It was then that I noticed the TV Guide on-screen had stopped working, making programming the DVR annoying at best. After trying to re-setup the DVR numerous times I finally decided to try contacting Toshiba technical support. This started my long term relationship with the Advanced Services Group (ASG) at Toshiba.
First contact with Toshiba ASG occurred on September 11, 2009. We stepped through the key sequences to do a low level reset of the DVR and they told me to call back if that didn't fix the problem. It didn't. I even checked with Comcast after the first call to see if they were blocking the necessary TVGOS analog signal. Comcast said they were not blocking any analog signal. I've contacted the Toshiba ASG by phone three times since and each time resulted in stepping through the same sequence to capture diagnostics and then resetting the device. Each call ended in a promise that they would pass the diagnostics to "The Engineers" at Rovi (Macrovision) and get back to me. After not hearing anything from Toshiba ASG I would call again and go through the same ritual.
Now on April 9, 2010, the problem with the DVR is still happening and I've heard nothing from Toshiba ASG. So I sent them an email trying to explain my frustration and receive a reply that says, "My team here in Advanced Services Group have done everything that we have been asked by "Rovi" (Macrovision) and I understand that this has to cause frustration on the customer's behalf, especially when there seems to be no resolution. Since this is a third party affiliation, it is hard for us to do much when we are at the mercy of another company and the programming." Toshiba ASG didn't seem to understand that expecting me to call back, e-mail them or otherwise follow-up after providing them the requested information is unreasonable. Communication is two-way and the protocol required a response from them. The matter is closed and I will never buy nor recommend another Toshiba product under any name.
I am reminded of an episode with a 1986 Chrysler Voyager mini-Van. The van suffered from vapor lock and eventually in the mid 90's became totally gutless which is fatal living in mountainous country. I kept taking this van back to Chrysler over and over, eventually I only dealt with the manager when I would drop the van off to have it looked at. On the last visit, the eleventh, the manager had the moxie to tell me as we stood looking under the van's hood that, "those Mitsubishi engines always were crap", and then incredibly walking away toward the showroom said, "interested in looking at a new van?"
What that Chrysler manager and Toshiba ASG don't understand is that I didn't buy anything from their suppliers, either Mitsubishi or Rovi. They each made the design decision to buy something rather than build in-house. Even more important, they made promises to their customers about the capabilities and functionality of their products. These are not the failures of individuals within the companies, but instead a statement on poor quality products and lack of support capabilities. These things cost money for stock holders, so they are willing to drive customers away.
The Toshiba DVR issue is closed, not by Toshiba, but Comcast instead. On the same day I e-mailed Toshiba this last time I received a letter from Comcast telling me that to "improve my digital experience" they were going to require that any TV (and other devices) would need either a set top box or digital adapter to receive their service. So the Toshiba DVR will become a very expensive DVD player and I will never buy another Toshiba product. I guess Toshiba is the winner here since they managed to not fix their product at the expense of only one lifetime customer. Makes you wonder how long they can keep doing this kind of support.
First contact with Toshiba ASG occurred on September 11, 2009. We stepped through the key sequences to do a low level reset of the DVR and they told me to call back if that didn't fix the problem. It didn't. I even checked with Comcast after the first call to see if they were blocking the necessary TVGOS analog signal. Comcast said they were not blocking any analog signal. I've contacted the Toshiba ASG by phone three times since and each time resulted in stepping through the same sequence to capture diagnostics and then resetting the device. Each call ended in a promise that they would pass the diagnostics to "The Engineers" at Rovi (Macrovision) and get back to me. After not hearing anything from Toshiba ASG I would call again and go through the same ritual.
Now on April 9, 2010, the problem with the DVR is still happening and I've heard nothing from Toshiba ASG. So I sent them an email trying to explain my frustration and receive a reply that says, "My team here in Advanced Services Group have done everything that we have been asked by "Rovi" (Macrovision) and I understand that this has to cause frustration on the customer's behalf, especially when there seems to be no resolution. Since this is a third party affiliation, it is hard for us to do much when we are at the mercy of another company and the programming." Toshiba ASG didn't seem to understand that expecting me to call back, e-mail them or otherwise follow-up after providing them the requested information is unreasonable. Communication is two-way and the protocol required a response from them. The matter is closed and I will never buy nor recommend another Toshiba product under any name.
I am reminded of an episode with a 1986 Chrysler Voyager mini-Van. The van suffered from vapor lock and eventually in the mid 90's became totally gutless which is fatal living in mountainous country. I kept taking this van back to Chrysler over and over, eventually I only dealt with the manager when I would drop the van off to have it looked at. On the last visit, the eleventh, the manager had the moxie to tell me as we stood looking under the van's hood that, "those Mitsubishi engines always were crap", and then incredibly walking away toward the showroom said, "interested in looking at a new van?"
What that Chrysler manager and Toshiba ASG don't understand is that I didn't buy anything from their suppliers, either Mitsubishi or Rovi. They each made the design decision to buy something rather than build in-house. Even more important, they made promises to their customers about the capabilities and functionality of their products. These are not the failures of individuals within the companies, but instead a statement on poor quality products and lack of support capabilities. These things cost money for stock holders, so they are willing to drive customers away.
The Toshiba DVR issue is closed, not by Toshiba, but Comcast instead. On the same day I e-mailed Toshiba this last time I received a letter from Comcast telling me that to "improve my digital experience" they were going to require that any TV (and other devices) would need either a set top box or digital adapter to receive their service. So the Toshiba DVR will become a very expensive DVD player and I will never buy another Toshiba product. I guess Toshiba is the winner here since they managed to not fix their product at the expense of only one lifetime customer. Makes you wonder how long they can keep doing this kind of support.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Micro$oft Outlook Replaces Thunderbird
December 29, 2009 I posted on my Facebook wall:
Well yesterday I finally got around to changing from Mozilla Thunderbird to Micro$oft Outlook. As a final attempt to live within the environment provided by Mozilla's Thunderbird, I tried using Kalendra. Kalendra seemed like a really good calendar-centered application, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted an integrated email and calendar application.
The initial transition of setting up Outlook with a new profile and my two personal email accounts went smooth. Haven't tried to move either my old mail or address book from Thunderbird to Outlook, so I haven't faced those problems yet.
This morning I noticed an email from slashdot.org containing the stories was not complete, but I've seen that before. Since I'm already dealing with another issue with slashdot.org emails not being delivered I guess I'll just ignore this problem.
So for now at least, I'm willing to live with the situation.
This web page is what I need to finally get rid of Mozilla Thunderbird for a personal email client and go to Micro$oft Outlook. Not what I wanted to do, but the latest Thunderbird continues the trend of decreased stability and lack of any decent Calendar. Actually, the Calendar, which I have begged Mozilla to update is my primary reason for dumping Thunderbird. Stubbornness was the only reason I kept using TB. I am not a big fan of M$, which goes all the way back to 1976 and Bill Gates "Open Letter to Hobbyists", however M$ Outlook is a mature product which has a very good Calendar. Since I have had Outlook on my computer for years to support work why not use it as my personal client too, if I can separate work and personal email using multiple profiles.
See More
Outlook e-mail profiles explained - Outlook - Microsoft Office Online office.microsoft.com
> Products > Outlook > Outlook 2003 Help and How-to > E-mail > Configuring E-mail Accounts > Profiles
December 29, 2009 at 5:39am
Well yesterday I finally got around to changing from Mozilla Thunderbird to Micro$oft Outlook. As a final attempt to live within the environment provided by Mozilla's Thunderbird, I tried using Kalendra. Kalendra seemed like a really good calendar-centered application, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted an integrated email and calendar application.
The initial transition of setting up Outlook with a new profile and my two personal email accounts went smooth. Haven't tried to move either my old mail or address book from Thunderbird to Outlook, so I haven't faced those problems yet.
This morning I noticed an email from slashdot.org containing the stories was not complete, but I've seen that before. Since I'm already dealing with another issue with slashdot.org emails not being delivered I guess I'll just ignore this problem.
So for now at least, I'm willing to live with the situation.
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