Archive for the ‘Opinion’ Category
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011 I was recently trying to sign up for an account on the website of one of my favorite podcast/radio shows, This American Life. As I was doing so, I used one of my “low security” passwords in the registration form. I decided to use one of my low security passwords because:
- The site is not secured with HTTPS, so the password will travel across the internet unencrypted anyway, and
- None of my personal information, other than the podcasts that I’ve already listened to, will be associated with this account – no credit card numbers, social security numbers, or even telephone number!
When I tried to click “Register” though, I got an error. Apparently, in addition to the numeral and random characters that are in my password, I have to also have both upper and lowercase letters, and also a symbol! Why are they enforcing these outrageous password requirements that, to be frank, many far-more-important internet commerce websites do not even enforce. This is a counterproductive practice that will require me to write down my password, which at the end of the day is less secure than the password that I tried to input in the first place!
This American Life, please fix your website.
Posted in Opinion, technology | No Comments »
Monday, December 20th, 2010 
The start menu of my computer is fully-opaque gray. My windows are not transparent. The menus do not slide in. My Windows 7 theme is Windows Classic.
Many people are confused by this. They wonder why I don’t opt for a more visually-appealing user experience when Windows can provide one.
I like my computers to be workhorses – no frills. My personal laptop is a ThinkPad, what is traditionally a very boring, workplace computer. I like that it gets the job done and does not necessarily waste resources toward looking good.
I reflect this utilitarian view in my operating system too. I don’t need my OS to be a show of opening and closing applications – I want it to get me to my final destination (my applications) quicker. And if visual effects are turned off I can achieve that goal.
The fact that the Classic Windows theme is more like the old versions of Windows 98 and Windows 2000 – the versions I had grown to know and love when I was younger – is just a positive byproduct of the decision.
Long live the Windows Classic theme.
Posted in Opinion, technology | 2 Comments »
Thursday, November 11th, 2010 
My mouse of choice is the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 4.0
My ideal mouse:
- Large and ergonomic so it feels solid in my hand
- Optical/laser
- Must have scroll wheel and thumb forward/back buttons
- Must be wired (not wireless)
As I wrote in a review on Amazon.com:
This mouse is the most amazing mouse I’ve ever used. The “back/forward” buttons right where your thumb naturally sits work really well for going back/forward while browsing on the web.
The “smooth scroll” of the center scroll wheel takes some getting used to, but the sensitivity can be adjusted in the IntelliPoint software, and once you are used to it it’s great.
The mouse is a bit larger than other mice, so it’s great for men (and some women too) with larger hands. The ergonomics make this mouse amazing to come back home to after a day working at other computers and sub-par mice. Buy this one now!
See the Tom’s Hardware Review, or check out my review and the product on Amazon.com. What mouse do you like to use?
Posted in Opinion, technology | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 
I do not like vegetables. I don’t know why, and I don’t know how. Well it could have to do with the fact that my parents made me sit at the dinner table until I ate all my vegetables even if I didn’t like them. But that doesn’t matter – the bottom line is I haven’t liked vegetables in general since I was young.
Of course there are some vegetables that I like. Potatoes (mashed – not baked), carrots, lettuce, and celery are veggies I can handle. Notice that “green” (I don’t count lettuce and celery as green vegetables) vegetables are a subset of vegetables that I particularly despise. Broccoli, brussels sprouts, green beans, mushrooms, and spinach are vegetables I don’t even like the smell of – much less the taste.
I recently discovered Edamame (thanks to vegetable expert Katey) – green, in-the-pod immature soybeans. I have grown to really enjoy this vegetable. It is extremely nutritious without all the “green” taste. You can eat it as a side dish, or in other dishes (like succotash, dips, or casseroles).
How to eat edamame as a side dish:
- Buy a bag of frozen in-the-pod edamame
- Put 1 serving full (15-30 pods) in a microwave-safe container
- Rinse in cold water
- Microwave for 1.5 minutes
- Apply a few dashes of Kosher Salt
- Eat by sliding the beans out of the pod with your teeth in a scraping motion
Edamame has transformed my dislike of all green vegetables. If you’ve never tried Edamame, buy some in the frozen vegetables aisle of your grocery store today!
Edamame resources:
Roasted Edamame Salad
Edamame Dip
Edamame Brittle
Hulu: Et Tu Mame – Alton Brown Good Eats:
Posted in Food, Opinion | No Comments »
Friday, September 10th, 2010 
I recently had my original Garmin Nuvi 760 stolen from my car. Because insurance didn’t cover the replacement cost, I decided to try to live without a GPS device for awhile. I took one trip using my Blackberry’s built-in GPS and Google Maps for Blackberry, but I quickly discovered that driving without a GPS was not going to work. I was constantly looking down to the screen to make sure I was still on track. I did not know how far I had until I had to exit. I knew that I had to buy a new device (a shiny Garmin nüvi 755 with Traffic
) .
What was troubling about this situation was that there was little question that I was going to buy a replacement. I had to buy a new Garmin GPS device. Those who know me as a frugal shopper know that this is unique for me to buy something without much objective thought.
I am, frankly, very dependent and appreciative of my Garmin GPS navigator. I have owned and used a Garmin in-car GPS device for about two years, and have really come to appreciate the device. There are many benefits to using this device while driving:
- Zero prep time needed to determine a route before travelling
- Live re-routing if you take a wrong turn
- Accurate travel time estimates
- Dedicated navigation (unlike smartphones where calls or other apps may interrupt your navigating)
Is our generation becoming too dependent on GPS car navigation? People of older generations put more value on planning and mapping a route for a road trip. They also take pride in knowing the best route to take to anywhere in the area. These “GPS-phobes” balk at younger people who depend fully on GPS devices to navigate on the roads.
What is fun or important about driving? Is driving simply about travelling from place to place? If so, a GPS device that directs you should be adequate and quite an appropriate solution to the problem of navigation. But if driving is more of a lifestyle or recreational activity, then maybe there is something to be said for knowing the ideal routes and focusing on the road. If this is the case, with our generation of GPS dependent drivers are we doomed to a lifeless travel existence?
Posted in Opinion, technology | No Comments »
When I tried to click “Register” though, I got an error. Apparently, in addition to the numeral and random characters that are in my password, I have to also have both upper and lowercase letters, and also a symbol! Why are they enforcing these outrageous password requirements that, to be frank, many far-more-important internet commerce websites do not even enforce. This is a counterproductive practice that will require me to write down my password, which at the end of the day is less secure than the password that I tried to input in the first place!
