Command that has Win7 check for system file integrity

Right click on Command Prompt application and choose Run as Administrator
Then type sfc.exe /scannow

Best online comparison tools

pricegrabber.com

http://shopping.yahoo.com/

Review by consumers reports on pricing engines

Good tutorial on basic lighting

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/News/News-Post.aspx?News=1426

Children's Events in the Bay Area

http://www.bayareakidfun.com/pages/events.html

Confluence attachment trick

By default if you use the WYSIWYG link tool in Confluence, the attachment links always show up with versions.  This can be a problem if you always want people to see the latest version of a document.  To get around that, go to the actual attachment view on the hosting page, copy the URL there and use that as a static HTML text link.

From then on, whenever you click that link you'll always get the latest version of that document.

Possible post on how to get in and clean the Epson print head

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/How-to-Unclog-Epson-Print-Heads/178/1

Future book

- Success criteria

- “Meet your commitments”

- Order to chaos

-

Latest glasses prescription

OD (right eye)
Sphere: -1.75
Cylinder: -.25
Axis: 090

OS (left eye)
Sphere: -1.50
Cylinder: -.75
Axis: 030

Great crowdsourcing site to see if Netflix is down

http://downrightnow.com/netflix

New Granada Green website URL

New Granada Green HOA website.
https://sites.google.com/site/granadagreenhoa/home

When I'm ready a way to determine % of iTunes songs that are DRM free

Not an answer, but a reference to the fact it can be done.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20079626-266/ask-maggie-what-you-should-know-about-ditching-the-iphone-for-android/


And it also sounds like you can convert them to being DRM free as well, for a small fee, sigh...

National Geographic map purchase site

For orienteering it would seem.
https://www.topo.com/store
Got a few free map credits with my compass purchase.

List of clear qam channels in my area

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lineup_web/US:94043#lineup_1171485

In case I ever lose my phone...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20038043-245.html

How to have Win7 change default printer based on network

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Automatically-switch-default-printers-between-home-work-or-school

Skipping that annoying announcement

You can skip the inane 15-second voice-mail instructions when leaving a message (“To page this person, press 5”) — if you know your friend’s cellphone carrier. If it’s Verizon, press * to cut directly to the beep. AT&T or Sprint, press 1. T-Mobile, press #. (Better yet: Do the world a favor and add this trick to your own greeting: “To cut to the beep, press 1.”)

From http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/technology/personaltech/19pogue.html?src=dayp

Simple fix for pop up windows not showing up in the right screen or monitor

Set up dual monitor setup for laptop and outlook tasks kept popping up on the wrong screen. simple fix: drag task window to primary monitor and close it. From then on it remembers to open in that other monitor.

Toyota online service website

https://idriveonline.com/

testing

New entry...

Just to keep things fresh... Bob Murata

Thunderbolt 3G fix in some areas

http://mobile.engadget.com/2011/03/30/htc-thunderbolt-3g-data-problems-solved/

Macbook Pro Install, Migration, Upgrade

MacBook Pro install

- Mac: All software update
- Bootcamp partition
- Install Win 7 SP1

- Win: run Apple Software Update
- Win: install all updates
- Win: add to Adobenet domain
- Win: Firefox install

- Mac: VMWare
- Activate Win7 in Fusion (at work wired)
- Reboot native win
- Activate Win7 again
- Reboot native mac
- Activate Fusion again (or confirm ok)
- Reboot native win confirm ok

- Win: install Cisco Access Anywhere
- Win: install virusscan
- Win: install Office 2010
- Win: install ePo administrator
- Win: install Win Zip (important for installing MS Project from volume servers correctly)
- Win: install corp id fonts
- Win: Adobe wireless setup

- Win: install Project 2010
- Win: install TimelineMaker Pro
- Win: install Florencesoft DiffEngineX

- Win: Design Premium Win, activate
- Reboot fusion, confirm activation ok
- Install Digsby
- Flash
- AIR


- Adobe Directory
- Connect JS shortcut
- Launch Connect

- Set homepages for browsers
- Add printers

- Connected backup (opt)

---
Mac side

- VPN
- VirusScan
- Microsoft Keyboard
- Flash
- AIR
- Adobe Directory
- Mac Office
- Bookmarks and JS for Connect

- Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium
- Keynote from App Store
- Adium, log file location /Users/username/Library/Application Support/Adium 2.0/Users/Default/Logs/
- Corp ID fonts
- Launch Connect
- IT helpdesk app
- Transmit FTP
- UnRarX
- WinClone

- Android file transfer
- Printers
- Lightroom

- Backup software
- Covenant Eyes
- Sierra Wireless

----
Data Migration

Windows
- Desktop contents
- Setup Outlook
- Email datafile
- Reimport Outlook data files
- OneNote files
- Reimport rules

Mac
- User data folder
- Desktop stuff
- Browser favorites/bookmarks and JS for Connect
- Adium log file location /Users/username/Library/Application Support/Adium 2.0/Users/Default/Logs/
- Pictures folder
- Music folder

Turning on snap to grid in OS X

can't believe this is off by default. Go to

view->show view options->arrange by pull down->snap to grid

Excel: how to change rows to columns, or columns to rows

Paste Special->Transpose
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/rotate-data-by-converting-columns-to-rows-or-vice-versa-HP005203138.aspx

Excel: how to convert cells with text delimited content into individual cells

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-convert-delimited-text-files-into-excel-spreadsheets/

Excel wizard to the rescue.

Turning off vibrate feedback on Thunderbolt

Two obscure settings:
- Settings->Sound->(scroll to bottom), Vibrate Feedback
- Settings > language & keyboard > Touch Input > Text input and uncheck vibrate when typing.

Important study on sleep - 7 ain't even quite enough

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/magazine/mag-17Sleep-t.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage

How to make multiplicity photos

http://www.diyphotography.net/taking-multiplicity-photographs

Blitz planning

Process for agile scheduling, Alistair Cockburn

Agile interactive tools

gogamestorm.com
tastycupcakes.com

4 simple rules for better sleep

http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/23/simple-rules-for-better-sleep/?src=me&ref=homepage

How to add XOOM to internal Wifi with TLS

On Mac using keychain
* export private ca file as .cer
** change extension to .crt
* export machine (user) cert to .p12
* Copy to VMWare partition I had with Win 7
* use usb cable to copy to XOOM root directory from VMWare partition
* enable password protect on security panel
* import from usb
* connect to wireless network
* choose TLS
* choose 2 certs
* enter in ldap name, no domain

In order to transfer files between Mac and Motorola XOOM need to install File Transfer app

Kinda lame
http://www.android.com/filetransfer/

How to fix Motorola XOOM Marketplace purchase error

Upon using my XOOM in the marketplace any apps for purchase kept failing. I think it was due to us recently switching credit cards. The only way I was able to fix this was:

- on a real computer going to google checkout and removing the old credit card and added in the new one
- then going to android marketplace on my desktop and making a purchase
- after app was installed on the XOOM, subsequent purchases made from the XOOM itself worked just fine.

install list

aknote
weather bug tablet
2 certs
amazon reader

Settings->Language & input -> Keyboard settings -> Input method selector (Always show)

Directions: how to have Outlook bold or color red emails with specific properties in your inbox

Would have thought this had to do with rules, but instead it turns out to be View Settings:
http://outlook4business.blogspot.com/2007/11/let-outlook-highlight-important-emails.html

Inserting and not overwriting cells in Excel

Why this isn't the default, or why it's only available via right-click makes no sense to me:
http://www.excelforum.com/excel-general/712565-paste-rows-without-overwriting-other-rows-automatically-shift-other-rows-down.html

- Right click and choose Insert Copied cells...

Using MS Project for meeting agendas, offsites

You can use MS Project for meeting agenda or offsite planning. Two key things need to happen to make this work:
1) Change start/finish to also show times
- Tools->Options->View tab, Date Format (choose the first one)

2) Change working time to get rid of the lunch hour since that'll mess up planning:
- Tools->Change Working Time...
- Click Work Weeks tab
- Click on Default and hit the Details button
- Select the days that you care about and change the work time accordingly.

How to mount new disk Win7

It's so dumb that you have to know to go to Disk Management in order to initialize a disk. Come on...
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_vista-hardware/2nd-hard-drive-not-showing-up-in-my-computer/2d73e570-a007-46d5-aaee-9d1cbe915813

Cell phone coverage maps

http://rootmetrics.com/

Amazing article on peer pressure

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/teenagers-friends-and-bad-decisions/?src=me&ref=homepage

Teenagers do more risk taking even when friends aren't even in the same room.

In case your flight is canceled

Check out this advice before you leave for the airport.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/travel/30prac-flightrights.html?ref=homepage&src=me&pagewanted=all

To give people read-only access in Outlook 2007 by default

Man, took me forever to find this. If you want your calendar to be read-only to everyone in your company by default:
- Switch the calendar mode
- Right click your calendar under My Calendars
- Choose Change Sharing Permissions
- Change Default to Reviewer

Dangers of leisure time while sitting down...

Raising my sit/stand desk as I type this...
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/12/the-hazards-of-the-couch/?src=me&ref=homepage

Best way to store fresh ginger

http://www.finecooking.com/articles/storing-ginger.aspx

Tips for non-stick pans

Paper towel with oil before use, do not use non-stick sprays
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/18/your-money/18shortcuts.html?_r=1&src=me&ref=homepage

To remove exact duplicates in iTunes

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/12/22/itunes-101-display-exact-duplicate-songs-using-the-option-key/

The best explanation of chocolate tempering

http://chocolatetempering.net/abouttempering.htm

Finally explains why you have to let the chocolate cool and then heat it up again.

Great article on fixing the deficit

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/13/weekinreview/deficits-graphic.html?hp

Passwords not to use...

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/12/13/the-top-50-gawker-media-passwords/

Let's take Alzheimer's down!

Amazing new insights. NYT

Makeup site for trial with my wife

taaz.com

Aetna Healthfund auto accident coverage

- Called on 11/23/2010 at 3:22pm
- Found out there is no special treatment for medical injuries due to a car accident.
- Only additional thing they do is they give you a questionnaire to basically check and see if you have any non-Aetna insurers that should be billed first.
- 3rd party insurance kicks in (mine or other person's) before Aetna kicks in
- Will need denial or exhaustion of coverage letter before Aetna kicks in from 3rd party insurer.

Future flash purchases

- Umbrella adapter
- Male/Male PC connector (9' minimum)
- Possibly cold shoe adapter as well

Win7 install info

- Downloaded all Win7 drivers fro all EVGA components ahead of time:
* Audio
* Network
* Chipset

BIOS settings
* SATA mode: [RAID]
* JMB362 SATA contorller [auto]
* JMB363 SATA/PATA controller [auto]
* JMB363 Mode [RAID mode]
* JMB362 Mode [RAID mode]

Power Management
* ACPI enabled
* ACPI Suspend type [S3/STR]
* USB KB wake up [disabled]

Adobe RSRG offset

After a phone call with Adobe accounting I figured out what was going on. When my Restricted Stock Shares vested:
- Adobe listed the full value of the vested restricted shares as income on my paycheck statement.
- Adobe then paid taxes by selling some of those vested shares (so I don't end up with a tax surprise at the end of the year).
- However, if they stopped there Adobe's finance system would have generated a check for me for the balance (i.e., value of options - taxes withheld > 0). But of course that "income" is listed for tax reporting purposes only, the shares now in my control actually hold the value. So to avoid having the system create an incorrect paycheck they create an artificial "RSRG Offset" item that is listed as a deduction. The RSRG Offset is exactly the net left over after subtracting the taxes withheld from the value of the shares that vested.

In other words the formula is:
Value of options at vest - taxes withheld = RSRG offset.

Vinyl base molding is what I need to purchase

Grocery stores for key pantry staples

Whole Foods
- Maldon sea salt
- Muir Glen canned tomatoes

Nob Hill
- Perichetty black pepper corns (McCormick premium brand)
- Swanson Organic Free Range chicken broth

- King Arthur flour at Whole Foods and Safeway
-

Cold symptoms are due to our body, not the virus itself causing damage

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/opinion/05ackerman.html?src=me&ref=homepage

Inside analysis on why Wesabe failed and Mint won

http://blog.precipice.org/why-wesabe-lost-to-mint

Free credit card swiper for iPhone - Square

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/technology/personaltech/30pogue.html?ref=homepage&src=me&pagewanted=all

Free tool to test what people remember about a website

http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2010/09/24/24readwriteweb-get-a-clue-what-do-people-remember-about-you-3556.html?src=me&ref=technology

Best clear qam channel listing in my area

http://www.silicondust.com

To create a copy of a Gliffy diagram:

Copy the whole wiki page, and then change the WML code to point the Gliffy reference to the current page's attachment. Copying wiki page also copies attachments, but the new duplicate page still refers to the old attachment (and that reference is now invalid since it's not a part of the current page). So by changing the WML code to refer to new page's attachment all is well and the original document and Gliffy are not effected.

Anther vaccine autism study

Another study, this time showing that Mercury exposure is not tied to Autism risk. here

Going to try OpenDNS

Let's hope Pogue is right:

Tutorial on how to count names

http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1043792.html

Based on zip code example

So do I or do I not get sun exposure...vitamin d...man

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/27/health/27brod.html?src=me&ref=homepage

Bob's custom monitor calibration steps

Dell monitor - set right for printing:
- Set brightness to 45
- Then do monitor calibration
- Then adjust brightness to match print output

Stupid shower washer...

1/2"- 14 NPT

Musical instrument ranges for subwoofer analysis

Acoustic ranges
Nice interactive chart
Vague but nice chart
Simple but precise chart
Crazy chart that captures obscure instruments

Probably want +/- 3db at 27Hz

The best time to buy things and save money

Vanguard

Man, now we have to worry about lithium ion battery ingestion

Man...

Found fix for Excel row auto-fit

Using the Format menu in the Ribbon. So annoying when double click doesn't work.
http://www.uwec.edu/help/Excel07/ws-rowcol.htm

Solution to "this is not a valid copy of windows" and VMWare Fusion

Here's what happened to me. Was happily running VMWare 3.0.2 on Macbook Pro. Had Win7 Enterprise installed as a bootcamp partition and would open that up on the Mac using Fusion - basically allowed me to use Win7 for Outlook and MS Project while doing everything else on the Mac.

Saw an enticing notice that Fusion 3.1 was now available. Downloaded, installed and updated VMWare tools on the bootcamp partition. All of a sudden Win7 started telling me that the activation was no longer valid and that I needed to reactivate. Tried everything under the sun in order to try and get it activated to no avail (restarts, going to microsoft.com/genuine, using slmgr.vbs, grabbing the key using Produkey, etc.). The weird/good thing was that whenever I booted natively into Win7 it was fine. It was whenever I booted into Win7 using fusion on the Mac side that it wasn't valid.

Finally had to call in the IT guy at work and he figured it out (go Mike!). Basically two combined fixes:

a) VMWare networking sometimes gets confused (tell me about it). He ran the following in the terminal to reset it:
sudo /Library/Application\ Support/VMware\ Fusion/boot.sh --restart

b) This was probably the key - he changed the perferences in VMWare such that before the Fusion image loaded that it was set to use Bridged networking from the beginning. I had it set to NAT and then tried switching it to Bridged after launch, but that probably wasn't good enough. Once he did that the Fusion Win7 instance was able to find the KMS server inside the firewall and all was well.

Glad that only burned a whole day from my life...arg...

Produkey to the rescue

Good tool to find Product Keys from an existing legit installs (for when I'm about to format a machine and the user doesn't have their original disks/serials anymore). Produkey from here:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/productkeysactivation/tp/topkeyfinder.htm

Shopping robots to check out

"Shopping robots, such as PriceGrabber.com and Shopping.com, are good places to comparison shop and may be particularly useful before visiting any liquidation sale, says Dworsky. One of his favorite sites, PriceSpider.com, posts historical prices; the range of prices should help you determine whether the price is likely to hold or continue to drop."

Great article showing the upcoming pain for Europe

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/world/europe/23europe.html?hp

The best way to diff Excels

Florencesoft DiffEngineX
one of the few pieces of shareware type software that I was happy to pay for (or rather my company did...:)).

Interesting stats based on culture vs. wealth

By David Brooks

Lifehacker tip on how to get the date in the Mac menu bar

Here

Fantastic article by NY Times on exercise and weight loss

Really helps explain a lot.

Gabriela Montero pianist

Gotta go see Gabriela Montero sometime. She improvises her encores. Very cool.

Interesting article on spending money to by experiences instead of stuff

From Vanguard

How to reference a cell in another tab in Excel

=Sheet2!B2

Uses the value in cell B2 on Sheet2

How Christian were America's founders?

Ny Times article. Mostly focuses on Texas Education board.

Problem with CDM+

First step was to find serial number in old install. Then I had to clear out an old registry entry for OpenBase which had been uninstalled. Next had to create a new Firewall exception for the 3 OpenBase applications instead of relying on the port exceptions.

Santa Clara County property tax estimator

Here

Interesting article on poverty in foreign countries

David Brooks

Interesting psychological studies on buying behavior

Nice quick blurbs that ring true...from Vanguard

Extension tube calculator

Here

The Mystery of Life's Origins

Reassessing current theories from a bio-chemical point of view. Sections here.

Online recipe sites

To check out later

How to make the Adobe Reader "content preparation progress" thing stop

Stop with the accessibility scan...hopefully.

Port forward reference info

For the Linksys WRT54G:
- interesting test app
- instructions

Basecamp alternatives

TeamWorkPM.com
CentralDesktop.com
DeskAway.com
GoPlanApp.com
ZOHO.com (Projects)

Christian perspective on radiometric dating

Christian perspective on radiometric dating

Generics not always the same

Not all generic drugs exactly as good as the original ones. NY Times Mostly for heart patients or folks taking drugs to avoid seizures.

Great LR trick for compare to original

\ key, didn't even know about it.
Here

Discussion on the differences between the two main Hebrew texts of the OT

Here