Friday, November 22, 2013
Printing to Dymo Printer using Paypal on Mac OS X: a sort of Workaround
It works simply and beautifully under Windows XP using Paypal to generate and print the postage.
Mac OS X 10.6.8? No go.
So that unfortunately is my solution: use Parallels and Windows XP or higher to print a shipping label using Paypal.
FORTUNATELY, if you have an old Windows laptop laying around and Parallels, your cost is extremely low.
I bought an old version 6 for $5 at Micro Center. At the time, I think version 8 was current. I had 3 and 5, and they all run XP fine. 6 is noticeably faster to startup than 5.
Will update if I find a Mac only solution.
Support us by getting Parallels and such from Amazon (Sorry, Takes a second to load..wait for it...waaaaiit..):
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Thursday, October 17, 2013
My Obamacare Application Process: A Mini-Review
Not horrible, but it has a $6000 deductible, $6000 maximum out of pocket expense.
So really, it's just for pretty bad stuff. You're not going to the doctor for basic ailments.
But I did not add in the wife and kids. So let's assume the same for the wife, and half of that for each of the kids.
Voila. $400+ a month.
Just for fun I looked at buying a brand new 2014 Mustang. I could get that instead. Welcome to your new mandatory car purchase equivalent.
Old post:
I don't need it, I was just curious to see how much it would cost. So here are my notes:
----
so to see what the fuss is about on Obamacare, I decided to 'sign up'.
Here's the first thing I noted:
" You need an email address to sign up. You can get one now for free: GmailOutlookYahooAOL"
Seriously? I guess we really are going to insure everyone, even those who don't realize email is available for free.
Slow but pretty site…check…like a hollywood starlet…
Had to refresh one time…confusing questionnaire options…I have a college degree and I was uncertain…
site would not advance using Chrome browser after "please wait…' and a screen refresh…
site logged me out a few times…
had to click my app NUMEROUS times.
Excruciatingly slow and doesn't work well …like a live government worker.
no my14 yo and 11yo do not make much $$$…my 11yo does not pay alimony….yes. i said no income so thats what i think he will make…
I submitted. Then the site spun and spun and spun…hit refresh, managed to Submit again…now I can't see any application under my profile.
---
I'm done. As in: I don't have time for this.
Summary: GARBAGE. Hope you weren't planning on doing this on a lunch break or reasonable time span.
I'm not even going to clean these notes up. Consider the 'review' to be the same quality as the site.Worst website I've seen in a LONG time. Typically this level of performance is only seen during a price mistake shopping frenzy, new super popular site rollout, etc.
Enjoy!
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Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Andrew Baker Dances
So, This:
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Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Western Digital Out of Warranty RMA: I got it anyway and here's how.
I guess the timing was good because it turned up 8 that were consistently bad. So, it would be a bad idea to use that drive.
It was a Western Digital 1.5 TB made in Jan 2010 according to the label.
This happened in August 2013. They have a 3 year warranty.
I bought a replacement made in April 2013, so it took 4 months from manufacture date to get it in hand, from Fry's.
By that math, that means the drive started going bad about 90 days, probably less, from going out of warranty.
I explained also on the phone that I had bought a WD replacement, had another WD drive as a backup unit for Time Machine, and had done TWO RMAs in 2010 that I had records on.
To sum, I was a loyal WD customer. I have 3 drives, 5 TB total, about $350 worth or so sitting in front of me.
So, the supervisor decided to let me do the RMA. I did the advance replacement which requires a credit card and that you return the defective unit within 30 days. They said the hold amount was $138.
I paid about that for the *2TB* 7200RPM drive I bought as a replacement. So I guess I got a deal. :) 33% more, and faster.
Good luck! And remember, backup frequently, and it's a good idea especially on Mac OS X to do a sector scan on external drives because they don't report SMART status.
I also recommend a SMART Status reporter such as (appropriately) SMARTReporter for OS X, or the equivalent for Windows. It monitors your drive's health using the drives' onboard hardware and software.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Swappa.com Mini-review
Swappa, the Craigslist of device trading. Goofy rules, flake buyer for my first sale, and when I complained about some of it I got this ridiculous answer:
"...we do things different on Swappa. It's part of what makes us better."
Internet .com bubble period language. Sorry, it just makes you different. And weird really.
#1 Goofy rule: making you hold up a sign with a code in a pic on EVERY device you list. Verified Paypal? Don't care. Lots of positive feedback? Nope. Doesn't matter. They want proof you have the device! Grainy photos ok as long as you can READ THAT CODE.
Also, you have to enter the IMEI/ESN on EVERY device you sell too. All you need is a 16 digit code from the same device type and you could probably fake it out. Either way it's a pain.
Dumb.
Great interface on the site, and it's pretty. But I think I'll have a short history here.
Ebay and Amazon has nothing to worry about yet.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Well you won't get rear ended
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Microsoft Solitaire Collection
Thursday, July 04, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
May I help you with your shopping?
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
How can I be safe from the rain?
I suppose he decided it wasn't a threat, yeah, that's it. Strangely, none of the other dogs wanted to go protect me either.
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Sunday, June 02, 2013
Landing Area
Just because it says Landing doesn't mean you should or have to. Yes, this really happened. He landed just where you see him. Great accuracy for falling with style. In case you wondered how grasshoppers get from Houston to Little Rock. Just like everyone else, except sometimes they get to ride in the cockpit.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Dell Latitude 10 Tabet Driver issues
Well, here are a few.
As a tablet, great hardware. With Windows 8 Pro, it has a lot of promise in flexibility.
Now if Dell/Intel/Microsoft would make it just work.
1. To get my (old school but still very decent) Think Outside Stowaway Travel mouse working I had to put it in pairing mode, start the pairing, and before it went out of pairing mode, go to Control Panel - Hardware and Sound - Devices and Printers.
Right click the mouse. Select Properties. Then on the Services tab, make sure 'Drivers for Keyboard, mice, etc.' is selected.
Then, my mouse worked.
Brilliant right? Like I don't want Windows 8 to load my mouse driver when I pair a mouse? Why do I have to figure that out? And I don't even know how I did except long persistence of looking at the issue.
Now, I had the Bluetooth Keyboard quit working on me once. To fix that...
Open Device Manager. Expand 'Bluetooth' by clicking the arrow or double clicking it. Right click on 'Bluetooth Radio' and then the Power Management tab. Deselect and reselect 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power'.
I haven't decided to leave this disabled or not. Will try to report back. Obviously it's going to use more power if I don't let the computer turn it off, but having my devices stop working is no bueno.
See my other woes with Dell Customer service at:
http://rcbullock.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-sad-dell-latitude-10-experience.html
Now if I can just get tethering working with my cell phone. It works fine with my Mac of course, and every other hotspot appears to work with the tablet. Sigh.
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Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Biolite Stove on Sale This Week
I own one. I think it overdelivers. I don't own the grill attachment, because I'm cheap. :)
We cooked some veggie burgers last night on it and some regular burgers for the kids with a frying pan.
Free shipping this week from http://www.biolitestove.com/ and use coupon code PARKWEEK13 at checkout.
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Tuesday, April 16, 2013
My Sad Dell Latitude 10 Experience
I ordered this on 5 April. 24 DAYS LATER, still waiting to get a good unit. It will be my FOURTH try. First two had issues right out of the box. Third one was new, but wrong hardware.
First had a bad camera. Here's the pic it took. the inner lens was covered in gunk or something. I'm not taking it apart. No way they tested it.
No, I didn't forget to remove a protective film, but it looks like maybe they did on the inside of the tablet.
The replacement had a crack in the back and a popped corner AND the wrong OS. I ordered Pro, replacement had cheaper regular Win 8. But they shipped it quickly. Overnight I think. Too bad it was wrong and busted. The popped corner I later pressed on a bit and it popped back in. That's as far as I go.
From Dell on 4/16/2013: Just wait, we will get you a replacement. Some day.
23 April 2013:
I spend 20 minutes on the phone with them asking what's up, and they finally tell me there's one on the truck and it's a new one, not a refurb.
Yay, right? Not so fast.
They sent the wrong HARDWARE this time. An ST2e which is the 'Essentials' model missing several features vs. the model I had paid for.
THIRD TRY DELL! One broken, one damaged AND the wrong OS, one brand new with the right OS BUT the WRONG MODEL.
Let's go for FOUR and you better be sending me an upgrade and a case for the hours I'm spending packing these up and on the phone with you.
23 April 2013:
Dell tells me it's been discontinued. Umm, this just came out like 90 days ago. The ST model is discontinued, the ST2 is the new one. 50+ minutes on this phone call so far...We agreed to stop using the 'ST2' term and call it the Latitude 10 to eliminate that confusion. I point out to them that their website says this can ship tomorrow. So it's not discontinued.
23 April 2013:
They call and reference the issue # and only leave half a message. No idea why they called.
24 April 2014:
Called them, told me nothing. Waiting on the tech to call. In an hour.
25 April 2014:
I think they called me today, but I'm working and miss business hours, soo...
26 April 2014:
Call the person I'm supposed to call at 255PM CST who is supposed to be in the office until 5pm. Never get a response.
29 April 2014:
Call the guy from 26 April, 905 CST. He's supposed to be in. No answer. Get an email from them so I call, and finally get someone. She's more concerned about getting their systems back than making sure I finally get the right one on the FOURTH attempt. Or that I'm a happy customer. I have never got any waybills to send them back, despite being told earlier that IIRC the third system was supposed to come with one. She says she will send me two. She also tells me now the FOURTH tablet I will get will be a refurb vs. a new one like attempt #3 was. She says a new system of the lower end model costs more than I paid for my refurb. I don't care how much the new system I DON'T WANT AND NEVER ASKED FOR costs.
Later:
I get ONE waybill in my email.
I email her BACK saying I need another one, AS WE DISCUSSED.
25 days and counting, Dell, to get the proper tablet, with the proper OS, that I ordered, and even though you sent a new one for attempt THREE, and it was the WRONG one, now I'm back to getting a refurb.
At some point. If they have it in stock. Or the next model up. If they have it.
30 April 2013:
I go to wipe the one that was cracked and had the wrong OS so I can send it back. Says it "Could not find the files needed". Good thing it was just setup for testing and doesn't contain any of my personal info. I seem to remember that one had a visible restore partition that on the other tablets I've had was hidden. IIRC. Oh well. Another fault, it had enough to start with.
1 May 2013:
I get a message saying Fedex will deliver something tomorrow. Nothing from Dell.
2 May 2013:
A new (well, refurb in great condition so far it appears) tablet arrives! After Dell emails to tell me it's coming. They didn't have this spec in stock.
GUESS WHAT?!! *NO STYLUS*!! I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE SENT IT BACK! A little voice told me they wouldn't get it right.
Well, it was a big voice. My past experience. But with my luck, they would have said I didn't send it all back.
So, back to the phone!
They say they will send me one in a separate order. At least now if I return the tablet (God forbid) I can not jump that hurdle again.
8 May 2013:
Tried all manner of drivers from Dell, Windows updates, etc. The FOURTH unit will not use my phone as a hotspot correctly with the Metro Internet Explorer, and it won't pair with my Bluetooth mouse.
Some stuff works on the hotspot, some doesn't. Most hotspots work though.
My Macbook Air and other devices had had no problems with either device. Did a system wipe and Windows update. No change.
It also has trouble seeing my hotspots right downstairs and my Macbook Air gets a strong great signal.
Defective driver, card, what? I don't care much any more.
It also has several issues like not letting me login unless I open the on screen keyboard. Entering PIN/Password does nothing, or the regular keyboard might not even pop up.
Approx May 30th:
The FIFTH tablet arrives. It's a NEW one. YAY, right? Nope, it's the wrong hardware version AGAIN.
At this point, I don't know if it's comical or sad. Or both.
June 10
Fedex drops off a box. It's my the wrong tablet they sent on May 30th. The return label DELL SENT ME had the to/from reversed. So I got the tablet back I dropped off at Fedex last week. Down the street.
June 26th (approximately)
I pick up the new tablet. It's loaded. AT&T wireless module, and the fingerprint and smart card reader. Nice to have, but I wonder if the case I want will fit with the added bulk of the module? It's only a $4 difference for this model, and I don't need those features really.
Here's what I found wrong so far: battery looks like it was dropped. I know I never did. Slight deformation on the corner. Hey, I noticed it. Yes, it's nit picking but this is now a $700+ tablet.
The battery is VERY hard to get out for some reason.
AT&T modem driver package downloaded and installed. Didn't change the driver version in device manager but completed happily. Yay.
The glass pops in one area. I left it in the car without the battery with some mild pressure applied via plastic clips
CONTINUAL problems connecting to the internet via plain old wifi! Will update the BIOS and drivers.
Just about ready to sell this thing to someone who likes to twiddle with stuff if I can't resolve these issues. I like the power and promise, and that's all that's keeping me going. And I hate to lose.
Want one? You better be in the same frame of mind.
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Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Dell Latitude 10 Essentials For Sale, some mini review elements
This is an EXCELLENT tablet. Tablet interface OR the standard Windows 8 desktop.
This means all the new tablet goodies and all your regular Windows apps will work.
Quicken 2010? No problem. Chrome desktop Browser? Yup. You can even plug any standard keyboard and mouse, printer, hub, thumb drive, etc. into it with the normal sized USB port.
Dell sells it new for $579+ tax so about $620. I'm asking $400 for this one. That's around 36% off the new price for the same warranty, and it looks like new.
Look here, and it's the 'Essentials' model for $579:
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/latitude-10-tablet/pd.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&~ck=mn
It's the 64gig one.
You don't want the 32, you won't have much space unless you delete a bunch of stuff.
Of course I got the next higher model without the AT&T wireless built in because why?
AT&T is evil. And you can tether it via WiFi to your cell anyway. :)
I've had more Androids than I can remember, dallied with the iPad a bit, Nooks, Kindles, Asus Vivo Smart, Lenovo Lynx, and more. This is my favorite so far.
Trust me. I've tried them all, this is the best if you want to DO things with your tablet, and even play any light windows games.
If you're expecting to play Halo, probably best to look at the Surface Pro, but for most tasks, you'll love it.
Expect a more protracted review later.
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Tuesday, April 02, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Moooon. Moon for you Googlers.
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Saturday, March 23, 2013
Wordpress Menus Not Going to the Right Places
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Senseo Coffee Pods : An Alternative, and free pods!
Use this link and support theroblog:
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Wednesday, March 13, 2013
An Open Letter to Asus
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Thursday, March 07, 2013
240 knots on top
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Sunday, March 03, 2013
Every Party
Friend of mine walks in to the mens` bathroom where a few of us are.
"Is there a party in here I don't know about? Gotta take the Browns to the Super Bowl"
I says "Well, every party has a pooper..."
Is that where the term comes from?
Saturday, March 02, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Bodyfx Scam?
I'm really not saying it's a scam, but their plan looks just like another company that's nearly a household name. In my opinion, they copied Beachbody a LOT.
And 'that ain't right' as we say in Texas.
What caught my eye was the similarity of Bodyfx to Team Beachbody, a little company that does a program you might have heard of called P90X.
Don't take this post as trash talk, but when a company puts on their site that "No other company is offering anything even remotely close to this plan!" and you know it's a very close copy of another company doing the same thing, you gotta say something, so I am.
I will do a brief comparison in a minute but let me give you a little perspective first.
I'm with Team Beachbody because I did P90X for 13 months before I decided to become a coach. I was loving my results, so I figured why not make some money telling people how great I thought it was?
I win, they win, everyone's happy. Love it. It's a beautiful thing. #tonyhorton.
Here's my progress album on Facebook.
You'll see why I am so happy helping others get in the best shape of their life. There's not really much else to say. It works. It worked for me, it will work for anyone who does it.
So I decided to become a Beachbody Coach.
Enough about me, what about this Bodyfx deal?
Someone I worked with posted their site on a company website. The thing that put me in to blog post writing mode was this statement:
"No other company is offering anything even remotely close to this plan!"
Weeeeelll, not true. Specifically:
"Body FX will generate tens of thousands of paying customers who have already purchased Body FX branded exercise, fitness, and weight-loss DVDs from their television infomercials.
The company plans to provide these leads at no charge to its distributors!"
Beachbody does this. Has been for years.
"Body FX will offer a line of ultra premium fitness and performance oriented nutrition and weight loss products that truly are different and better than what you will find anywhere else. These proprietary and patent-pending formulations will be exclusive to Body FX Reps. Body FX Direct Reps can also market the DVD sets that are advertised on the company's television infomercials."
'Better' is subjective. Patented formulas are just that. One might be 39% whey protein, one might be 40%. Yes, the infinite variations in formulas can be patented but they could all contain pretty much the same things. This is just marketing speak. Some of Beachbody's products and freebies are Coach exclusive too.
"Body FX will use a network marketing commission structure which pays uni-level commissions on up to nine levels of distributors. The pay structure also includes Fast-Start Bonuses, Infinity Bonuses, and Matching Infinity Bonuses."
Beachbody pays all levels with some small qualifications, and all sorts of bonuses. Again, have been for years.
"A distributor only needs to generate $50 BV in personal monthly sales volume to be eligible to earn Uni-level Commissions and Infinity Bonuses. This volume requirement can be met through personal purchases, or purchases made by retail customers."
Don't know what these terms mean, but even the magnitude of '50' is used on one of our qualification standards: '50 PV'.
"This fee is waived when distributors purchase a Fast-Start product pack at the time of their enrollment."
Beachbody has a Fast Start bonus and similar packs we can purchase at huge discounts.
They are even going to call some of their distributors Coaches. That's what we call ours.
I won't bore you with the rest of it, but I think I've shown that it's very VERY similar to Team Beachbody.
If I were exploring this opportunity, I would want to know that the company I was considering joining had copied a lot of what another company does.
Not just in some nuts and bolts but the industry, plan, benefits, and ideas are almost the same.
I understand there will be inevitable similarities with any new companies coming in where there are established companies, but the degree of similarities really struck me here.
Good luck, and I wish you the success I've had with Team Beachbody.
Update 6/5/2013:
Here's my other page: http://beachfitrob.com
If you want to talk about Beachbody, that page has my contact info.
If you want to do a program like Bodyfx, why not go with the 'household name' (P90X, P90X 2, Insanity, etc.) market leader with the millions in advertising that will work for you?
Click here for the Beachbody coaching info.
If you want help setting up a page like beachfitrob.com, getting an app in the play store, and creating your own mini-brand I will help you.
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Thursday, February 21, 2013
Happy Birthday from Marlboro
Monday, February 11, 2013
How to get messages on Facebook if it's not from a Friend
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Tuesday, February 05, 2013
Adobe Flash for Android Still Available, Just not at Google Play Store
You need to be able to install from non-official sources but usually that's just a checkbox in the settings on your device.
Adobe still has this via a simple APK download.
Go to http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/archived-flash-player-versions.html and get the one for Android 2.x/3.x or 4.0 whichever you have.
I had a slightly older version on my Pantech Element. I got the latest version and saved a copy on my Dropbox in case Adobe takes it down.
Hope this helps, drop a quarter in my Paypal donation box so I can keep drinking coffee and posting helpful tips.
On another note, the icon to change settings needs to be opened via your built in browser for some reason. Chrome doesn't work right to change Flash settings on Android.
Leave a comment if you want more details on that.
Ciao,
Roberto
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Friday, February 01, 2013
Bad cell signal? Try a booster
The only downside is it requires a 15' vertical separation between two antennas. There is a smaller one for an office or similar environment.
But I read good things. She lives out in the woods, and gets 1-2 bars in the driveway but not in the house.
It works with almost any carrier: AT&T, T-Mobile, and more. Once it's setup, it works without configuration.
Unlike the little microcell from AT&T.
All this does is receive the cell signal in your house at the base station, then transmit it over the antenna you put in the attic, outside on the roof, or in an upstairs window. It amplifies it and has more power output than a cell phone. It does the same thing to receive, since it has better reception than a phone.
There is a cable that runs between the two. You can use cable TV cabling as well for a better signal transfer.
The smaller version has a magnetic antenna and you can use it in your car and house in a single room.
I will update it when mom gets it fully installed. Or when her husband does.
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Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
The inside of a Coca Cola Freestyle
Monday, January 07, 2013
A Memory of Light Pre-Order
If you are unfamiliar, please click the banner and learn.
If you are an adventure/fantasy book fan you. Must. Read. It.
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Saturday, January 05, 2013
Repurposed Hummus Container
This holds an even dozen and will stop them from getting damaged in my lunch kit.
The International Delight flavoring cups are the exact same height and they don't even move around when you pack it full.
I drink airline coffee so this and Ideal sweetener are necessary evils.