Jimiz.net – Jim Becher on the web

I seem to use google reader more and more. Instead of going directly to a site I end up reading the post in GR (google Reader). Some of the major sites I follow

Lifehacker.com
switched.com
digg.com (not so great any more)
techcrunch.com
makeuseof.com
engadget.com
gizmodo.com
blogmaverick.com

It does not seem like I open the sites that much any more. Twitter is the same, I can’t remember the last time I actually opened twitter.com in a browser.

The team over at Universal Mind has created a great brainstorming capture and sharing application called ibrainstorm. You can download this app over at itunes. This app works for both the iPhone and the iPad. What a great working app to create and share ideas.

iPad
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibrainstorm/id382252825?mt=8

iPhone
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibrainstorm/id382252825?mt=8

The Universal mind team had a great celebration party out at the HopCat in Grand Rapids. Congrats to the team for a well done application.

I have recently purchased a road bike. I have been looking for an alternative to running. Not that I don’t enjoy running but when you run 5 miles or greater after a while it gets repetitive. I attempted to use my mountain bike and do some miles on the road but it was not working too well.

After some research I ended up going to my favorite bike shop in Grand rapids – FreeWheeler

I’ve put a few miles on my new bike, but realize that I need some bike shorts. Somehow my bike shorts that I used on my mountain bike got wrecked in the drier. It is amazing how fast you can go on a road bike.

http://wwj.cbslocal.com/2010/07/08/dangers-of-free-public-wifi/

If this article is news to you, please take the time to learn how to be secure. If the idea of doing more work to be secure scares you then please take the time to do a few minor things. Understand that when using public wifi (anywhere you don’t know who’s wi-fi network you are using) do not do anything that you would not want the person sitting next to you to see. Example: don’t do banking, online purchases, or share any personal information.

The reason you would not do these activites is you do not know who is listening or watching. It is releativley simple for a hacker to intercept (“man in the middle”) your information as you are using the wi-fi network. The interception happens because of the wi-fi you are using is available to everyone around you.

If you do intend to use public wifi please use a VPN or some other method to secure your information.

If you are part of the group that is having reception issues with your new iPhone 4, here is a great DIY bumper.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/01/iphone-4-gets-a-1-alternative-to-pricey-bumpers/

Instead of purchasing a $30 bumper, you can make one with a $1 Bracelet.
What would be interesting is if you could find an Apple branded bracelet.

The project known as “Kin” is now being killed inside microsoft. Engadget is running a post that explains what they believe is going on.
http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/30/what-killed-the-kin/

The concept behind the Kin was to create a low price device that would allow people to stay connected to social media / cloud information. Essentially a blackberry to those not needing a blackberry. What I found interesting during the discussions of the “kin” project was how this all fit together with the upcoming windows 7 phone OS.

From the article it is unclear what Microsoft’s direction is. What I did take away was that a device that many people did not think would succeed is no longer being offered.

What are your thoughts on the KIN?

I have been watching a lot of soccer. My Tivo has been working overtime. Because the games are during the hours I work, I’ve been watching them in the evening. It was good to have a break today from watching games.

I am disappointed to see the US out of the tourney. We did well to make it to the second round. I hope to see soccer continue to grow in the US, and I hope that the success of our team will further that.

One element of this world cup that I keep getting asked about is instant replay and referees. Many people who know I am a soccer fan are asking why there is not instant replay in the games. The unique element of soccer is the continuous running clock. The games are 90 minutes with a running timer. I’m not sure how you would add instant replay and address that rule.
The reason for people asking about instant replay is just the amount of poor refereeing. I don’t think I have seen as many poor officiated games as in this world cup. I’m not sure why so many poor calls or matches have been determined by the ref.

I do think some type of change is needed, but I am at a loss as how to get better ref’s other than the referee themselves.

As an avid soccer fan this has been a great world cup so far. Lots of goals, lots of action and news. So far I have seen great play, fantastic failures, bad ref’s, and great goals.

6/23/2010 USA vs Algeria 10:00 AM EST.

Can we make it to the 2nd round. We need a win. Thanks to ESPN3 and a few iPhone apps, I have been able to hear or watch a lot of games.

It looks like apple is shipping / delivering the iPhone 4 before June 24th.

Maybe this is a good faith gesture for all the issues that surrounded the pre-order of the iPhone 4. No matter what the cause or the reason, this is great to see a company hit a deadline and also come in early.

It is amazing how reliant you get on internet access. Over the weekend a few things happened with our family and the need to communicate and send messages. I realized that I have become dependent on being able to either just pick up a phone or have some type of communication.

Because of the location where we were the cell signal is weak. If you go outside you are ok, however in a rainstorm it is a bit difficult to go outside and have a conversation.

In the end I was able to get the wifi back up (we get wifi from a very long distance repeater – high wind can cause some interference). Used a few tools to forward calls and in the end my favorite google voice to make a few calls.

The difficult part was anticipation of not having WiFi and missing the worldcup games on Saturday. (Thank you ESPN3)

I take technology for granted. As much as I would love to say that I could get along fine without some forms of technology I would struggle.

As a huge soccer fan, I can’t wait for the Cup to start. For all those in Grand Rapids area, I’ll see you at some of the local places for the games. Here is a good schedule.

http://worldcupgr.com/sa_2010

The keynote speech by Steve Jobs was great. I personally like the moment where the wifi was not working. Beyond that little issue the overall presentation was great. Especially the launch of the new iPhone. I can’t wait to get my hands on the new device. I don’t think of myself as a gadget geek, however I use the iPhone as a business tool. From email, cellphone, remote access, and notes I find that the little device is priceless. My only complaint with my current iPhone (3g) is the speed. It seems to have got slower over time.

So come the end of June I am guessing I will have a new phone, maybe even one for my wife. I’ve been with ATT since ’99, when it was ATTwireless.

There has been a lot of talk in the news about AT&T allowing people still in contract till the end of the year getting an early upgrade deal. To check if this is available to you, you only need to go online and check availability or just call *639#. ATT will text you back if the account can upgrade. As you can see, I am ready to be the proud owner of a new iPhone if I desire.

I hope everyone else has the chance to upgrade.

I have read a lot of great posts on tips and tricks on the iPad. Here are a few that I use the most.

1. I love the feature of a soft reset (I use this on my iPhone a lot) You hold down Top button and the Home button (the only two real physical buttons) for a few seconds and it will cause a reset.

2. Screen Shots – I got a lot of emails from people asking how I was able to get screen grabs from the iPad for the VPN post (iPad VPN setup). I used the screen capture trick on the iPad (this also works on the iPhone) : You hold down the power button (top) and the home button (bottom) for about a half-second and it will do a screen capture that is saved into your pictures area.

3. Web page scrolling. How many times have you been on a page that scrolls down forever on the iPad. Then you realize that you want to get back to the top to get to the navigation. Well all you need to do is hit the title bar and it will take you back to the top. I wish I would have known this one earlier.

4. Quick Mute : just hold down the down volume button. I use this one when the Strawberry shortcake video is too loud…. (kids)

5. Remove “Sent from my iPad” in your email: This is a not really a tip but a suggestion. I don’t like to promote the fact that I’m using an iPad or iPhone. : go to Settings | Mail, Contact, Calendar | Signature. You can remove it completely or replace it.

6. Add Web link to Home Screen: I often visit some sites more than others. You can save that link directly to your iPad home screen. I have lifehacker there. When in Safari on the ipad select the favorites button (the Plus “+”) sign, then select “Add to Home Screen”

7. Try to stay out of direct sunlight : Just like MACbooks the screen does not do well in areas with lots of sunlight. You can push the brightness as high as it can go, but it is still hard to read.

Lifehacker (lifehacker.com) is a productivity site that I frequent. Every year the put out a list of free applications for windows and call it the Lifehacker Pack 2010. The most recent list is out.

Lifehacker Pack 2010

This is a great list of applications that any windows user should use. From burning cd’s / Dvd’s to tools to re-install your computer software. Over the years I have found that I automatically use most of these tools. Happy Installing.

The folks over at fastmac.com are working to create the u-socket. It is a power outlet with two USB jacks in the plate. This is a great little product. So far it has had some delays. Head on over and check out the specs – http://fastmac.com/usocket.

This little gem is available for order for $20.00. Sounds like it is not available yet. I plan on ordering this today. From other forums it sounds like it will power an iPad 10W power. We will have to see. Not only does this allow for a central charging station, it will make for a clean layout.