Sunday, October 30, 2011

My TouchPad Today: More About the TP as a TV Wayback Machine

After finishing last week's post about using the TouchPad as a wayback machine and giving a number of YouTube links to some good TV history, I realized that I forgot a trio that should be near the top of any wayback list...


How the hell did I forget these guys the first time around?


This post was drafted on my TouchPad


Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

Friday, October 28, 2011

My TouchPad Today: First Snow of the Season

Check out my post about the first snow of the season on The Friday Special


This post was drafted on my TouchPad


Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

My TouchPad Today: Windpower North of Boston

More meanderings with my TouchPad and Pre2 in tow...

Using windpower to generate electricity is a controversial subject in Massachusetts and many other parts of the nation. But in a small group of communities just north of downtown Boston, wind turbines have established visibility, if nothing else, during the past few years.



Charlestown

Somerville view of MWRA wind turbine -- HP Pre2 photo
MWRA wind turbine as seen on Rte. 99, Charlestown -- HP Pre2 photo

On Route 99, across from a former Boston Edison electric plant, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) recently constructed a 364 foot-high -- at blade peak -- wind turbine in the Charlestown neighborhood of Boston to generate power to assist with sewage processing.

Click here to learn more about the MWRA turbine.

View an HP Pre2 video clip of the turbine on YouTube. (The video was cropped and processed in Super C, Virtual Dub and Windows Live MovieMaker.)



Medford


McGlynn Elementary School wind turbine -- HP Pre2 photo

In 2009, the City of Medford erected a 131-foot wind turbine on the grounds of the McGlynn Elementary School. The 35-foot blades of the unit have been generating 10% of the school's power needs.

Click here to learn more about this turbine on the shore of the Mystic River.



Chelsea

Forbes Park wind turbine -- HP Pre2 photo
Forbes Park from Orient Heights, Revere -- HP Pre2 photo

Reconstruction of an old factory complex began in 2008 on the shore of the "Chelsea Creek". The most visible part of the Forbes Park/Forbes Lofts project is probably a 165-foot wind turbine rising out of the site.

The entire Forbes project may have been stalled by the poor economy, but the turbine is still a stunning sight to local residents and travelers on nearby routes.

Click here to learn more about the original vision for Forbes Park.



This post was drafted on my TouchPad


Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

Sunday, October 23, 2011

My TouchPad Today: TP - A TV Wayback Machine

A couple of times a month, I find myself trolling YouTube late on a Friday or Saturday night for old television clips or interviews/remembrances about the history of the medium.

Most of these trips down my memory lane take place on my laptop or the Roku box attached to my TV. In the last few months, however, the TouchPad has crept into the mix of my conveyances.

The TP is a great vehicle (with headphones - remember, this is a late night activity) for use as your personal wayback machine.

My last trip took me to a great series of clips with Bill Marx (Harpo's son) and Dick Cavett chatting about the Marx Brothers.

If you have the opportunity or inclination to take one of these trips, here are some points of interest for your itinerary...

Is your passport up-to-date?


This post was drafted on my TouchPad


Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

Friday, October 21, 2011

My TouchPad Today: webOS 3.0.4 - Good News/Bad News

I downloaded the latest webOS update (3.0.4) to my TouchPad a couple of days ago.

As with most things in life, there's good news and bad news, but on my TP there doesn't seem to be any of the cataclysmic problems some internet discussion/forum posters are finding on their devices.

Good News (... Or at least not bad news)
  • Speed - My TP does seem to be a bit zippier after the update, just as HP stated it would be
  • Sound - Does not appear to be having problems after the update
  • Video - Video recording capability added with the update seems to be working as well as can be expected with the low-grade TP built-in camera
  • Kindle - App appears to be working fine, unlike the situ reported by many Internet posters

Bad News
  • Touchstone Charging - A definite loss here... Device will still charge with a cover on, but placement in the Touchstone must be absolutely precise and perfect for it to work
  • Accelerometer - Somewhat amiss after the update... Tends to shift from landscape to portrait orientation at the slightest movement
  • Preware patches disabled - Maybe not "bad news", but its a kink that should be fixed shortly


I think its safe to assume that I'll find more -- hopefully small -- issues in the coming days as I cruise through all of the apps and functions on my TP.




Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Thursday, October 20, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: Notes from the Boston Book Festival

    More meanderings with my TouchPad and Pre2 in tow...

    I managed to get in to Boston for a couple of hours last Saturday (October 15) for the annual Boston Book Festival and attended a couple of good sessions.

    Boston Book Festival tents in Copley Square, Boston -- HP Pre2 Photo

      
    Boston Book Festival tents in Copley Square, Boston -- HP Pre2 Photo

     Alone Together

    This was a late morning presentation, panel discussion and audience Q&A session in the basement-level Dorothy Quincy Suite of the old John Hancock Building (now known as the Back Bay Events Center).

    Alone Together panel, Dorothy Quincy Suite of the BBEC -- HP Pre2 Photo

    Author Sherry Turkle's brief remarks about her latest book Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other were the springboard for a lively discussion moderated by Andrew McAfee that also included panelists Ethan Gilsdorf and Sue Hallowell.

    Hallowell came from the direction of being a psychologist who works with couples and families struggling to find real communication in a gadget-filled,  "always on" world.

    Davis Sq., Somerville-area resident Gilsdorf approached the discussion as someone who maintains that gaming geeks are not necessarily as isolated and alone as we might think.

    Turkle, in response to a question from the audience, explained how, since her first book about social networking 15 years ago, she has evolved from an internet optimist to someone concerned about the ability to always be connected. Back then, the idea was that you participated in the online world for a certain period of time during your day and then went back to the real world. Now, we can be -- and as many are -- connected to the internet world constantly on the devices we have at home, at work, in our cars, and in our pockets. Something has been lost in our lives by this constant ability to remove yourself from the real world.


    Frontiers of Science

    Boston's Christopher Lydon moderated this afternoon session held in the sanctuary of Copley Square's historic Trinity Church.


    Frontiers of Science at Trinity Church -- HP Pre2 Photo

    Frontiers of Science at Trinity Church -- HP Pre2 Photo

    The presenter/panelists were...


    Greenblatt told of how a 2100+ year-old poem, rediscovered and published in the 1500's, spoke of how it was already believed back then that the matter all around us was composed of atoms.

    Randall followed with a brief spiel about the sub-atomic scale of her scientific work.

    Mukherjee presented in the third spot and captivated the audience with a tremendous story of how the understanding of "what cancer is" has changed over the years with research and study.

    The current view, based on how we now know genes operate, is that cancer is an unpreventable part of us. Our environment and our behavior may help "activate" cancers, but they do not cause it. Cancer is hard-wired in our genes, just like the info hard-wired in our genes to, say, heal a cut on our hand.



    I'm looking forward to next year's festival!!



    Follow me on Twitter,,, @rnolan1087

    Wednesday, October 19, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: A Lost Cause? - Kodak AiO Cloud Printing with TouchPad and Pre2

    I've been aware for the past year or so that cloud printing has been available from HP and Google, but never paid it much mind until last Friday evening. While troubleshooting a printing problem in Word 2010, I found that Kodak has made cloud printing options available for a number of its current and classic printers.

    Two choices appear to be available...

    • Google Cloud Print
    • Kodak's own e-print service

    I opted to go with Kodak's service as it sounded like what I've understood HP's cloud service to be -- your printer is assigned an e-mail address. As long as you have access to e-mail, you can send an attachment to your printer's address and, moments later, out prints your document. Kodak takes care of finding/determining the ip address of your printer.

    Friday night, while sitting next to my printer at home, I test printed from my TouchPad and Pre2. Seemed to work fine.

    While out and about on Saturday, I sent several items back to the printer from my TP and Pre combo. Arriving back at home I found that nothing printed.

    This led to some to some extended futzing around with my Kodak printer, laptop, TP, and Pre2.

    It seems to be that the computer attached to the Kodak printer needs to be turned on and must have a "connector" software program active and logged on... as well as being logged in on Google Cloud Print for the service(s) to work.

    My bottom line: unless I'm missing something about the setup/configuration of these services to do cloud printing from your TP or Pre2 to a Kodak printer, take a pass on it until it becomes much more streamlined for users.




    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Friday, October 14, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: South Boston - Sullivan's and Castle Island/Fort Independence

    From another day out and about with my TouchPad and Pre2...


    Sullivan's

    HP TouchPad Photo

    HP Pre2 Photo



    Now celebrating its 60th anniversary, Sullivan's has been a favorite for generations who want a great hot dog or other quick food.

    The stand (actually a brick building) is open from February to November.

    This year's closing date is November 27.

    Each November, hot dogs are 1/2 price... 80 cents this year.

    The 2012 reopening will be in late February.




    Castle Island/Fort Independence


    HP Pre2 Photo


    HP TouchPad Photo


    HP Pre2 Photo


    HP Pre2 Photo


    Dating back to the 1600's, a number of forts have been on the Castle Island site overlooking Boston Harbor.

    The current Fort Independence dates back to the mid-1800's and is frequently opened for free public tours and community activities.

    Castle Island is a popular spot for walkers and joggers who go around the site on multi-level paved paths. Another popular activity is fishing from a pier on the harbor-facing side of the fort.

    Other points of interest nearby (in addition to Sullivan's) are City Point and Pleasure Bay.


    Click here to see my past photos of the Castle Island area on Flickr.



    Post drafted on my TouchPad at Sullivan's and Castle Island/Fort Independence.




    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Wednesday, October 12, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: Boston - Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market

    More from my recent meanderings in Boston with my TouchPad and Pre2 in tow...

    HP Pre2 Photos

    Historic Faneuil Hall and the adjacent Quincy Market are a major destination for tourists from around the world seeking food, shopping and entertainment in the heart of early Boston.

    See my past photos of the marketplace area on Flickr.


    (Post drafted on my TouchPad)


    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Monday, October 10, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: Boston Public Garden

    More from my recent meanderings in Boston with my TouchPad and Pre2 in tow...


    HP Pre2 Photo

    The famous swanboat rides in the Boston Public Garden may be gone for the year, but there's still a lot to see there as the weather cools during the autumn season.

    Click here to see some of my past Boston Public Garden photos on Flickr.


    (Post drafted on my TouchPad)


    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Saturday, October 8, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: Peter Pan at Boston City Hall Plaza

    More from my recent meanderings in Boston with my TouchPad and Pre2 in tow...


    HP Pre2 Photo

    Construction of a large pavilion is underway at City Hall Plaza for the upcoming run (starting October 18) of the Peter Pan show.

    Read the boston.com article here about the creation of the show and the technology that makes it an immersive experience for the audience.


    See my past photos of Boston City Hall Plaza on Flickr.


    (Post drafted on my TouchPad)


    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Friday, October 7, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: Haymarket Pizza and the Haymarket Sq. Produce Market

    With the car in the shop again today (awaiting parts), I ventured once more into Boston, TouchPad and Pre2 in tow...


    HP Pre2 Photo


    On Fridays and Saturdays the streets near Haymarket Pizza are transformed into an open-air produce market, with bargains galore to be had.

    Truth be told, the produce market long pre-dates the pizza shop and is a big attraction for both savvy locals and tourists from around the world.

    Check out some of my past photos of Haymarket on Flickr.


    (Post drafted on my TouchPad)


    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Wednesday, October 5, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: Haymarket Pizza - A Hidden Gem

    My car is in the shop today, so I've ventured into Boston via the MBTA, TouchPad and Pre2 in tow...



    HP Pre2 Photo


    Stopping for a quick lunch at Haymarket Pizza (106 Blackstone St. ... just a stone's throw from Faneuil Hall and Quincy Marketplace).

    I've been hitting this place a couple of times of year for 20+ years, for 2 cheese slices.

    Back then, the damage for two cheese slices was $2.00.

    Current damage for two cheese slices is $2.50.

    Decor is bare-brick walls and saw-horse tables.

    Can't beat it with a stick!


    (Post drafted on my TouchPad)




    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Monday, October 3, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: My Post-Season Meeting with John W. Henry - Pt. 2

    In yesterday's post I revealed that I have actually owned all of John W. Henry's business interests, including the Boston Red Sox, for most of the past ten years. Until last Friday, he had my confidence and ran the club well. In the wake of September's collapse, I had no choice but to call him in and make it clear that he (JW) had to quit as "principal owner" of the team.

    I have now completed a nation-wide search and have found the best candidate to fill the vacant spot in my organization. This individual has been a success over a period of many years in the business, as well as working successfully with the media. He is the perfect candidate.

    Listen in as I call and offer him the job.



    RN: JW, RN here. I need a favor from you...







    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087

    Sunday, October 2, 2011

    My TouchPad Today: My Post-Season Meeting with John W. Henry

    For almost ten years I've managed to keep it a secret that John W. Henry is not the real owner of the Boston Red Sox.

    The truth is that I've owned all of Henry's businesses and had the confidence in him to manage everything correctly... until last Friday.



    On the Phone...

    RN:  Hello, JW, RN here. Can you stop by my office in a couple minutes?

    JW:  Can it wait a bit?... I'm watching the end of the soccer game.

    RN:  Buddy Boy, that really wasn't a request.  Get your butt in my office now.

    JW:  OK, boss.




    In the Office...

    JW:  You wanted to see me, boss?

    RN:  Sit down, JW. I need to hear what you're thinking about what went right this season, what went wrong, and, more importantly, what your thoughts are about next year.

    JW:  Boss, I don't know quite what to say.  The season just ended two days ago and things are a bit raw for me right now. Its really hard for a fella to just stand by and let his manager and team fail while doing nothing to help. If you want the honest truth...

    RN:  JW, I don't want the honest truth. I just want to know what you think about next year.

    JW:  Boss, all through the season, and especially now, I'm getting the feeling that you don't want me back next year as the team owner.  You never call, you nev....

    RN:  Rubbish! I don't blame you for the team's collapse in September. I have the utmost respect for what you've done in most of your time with me. I just want to know your plans for next year.

    JW:  Well, I think I know where we're going here. You need a new principal owner for the club. Its been very frustrating for me to just stand by and do nothing this year. Not everyone on the team, or you, get that. Maybe its time to get someone different to just stand by and do nothing to support the team. Maybe the team will understand that from a new person. In the past, everyone got it. Let's just end the charade and move forward.

    RN:  JW, don't be so hasty. Why don't you take the weekend to think about things and come back on Monday and quit then. I don't want the media to think that I fired you today... Monday will be soon enough. Then we'll  put out a statement that fixes everything.

    JW:  I'm sensing you really don't think that everyone will know its a crock of crap, whether we do it today or next week?

    RN:  Monday is the perfect time, Buddy Boy!

    JW:  All things being equal, let's make the announcement today that I'm out.  I never did like playing charades.




    Follow me on Twitter... @rnolan1087