January, 2008

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31
Jan 08

My Mile Marker

I started using My Mile Marker in 2007 to simply find the average gas miles per gallon for our vehicles. It is a one-trick pony that I found to be deceptively interesting. Beyond the average miles per gallon, I also learned that the cold weather dropped efficiency on both of our vehicles by 2-3 mpg. And that we will drive some 20,000 miles combined over then next year. And that those miles will cost approximately $2400 in gas.

If you – like me – love the stats, give it a try! You can get the data into their site conveniently via text messages from your cellphone, using twitter, or simply via their web site.



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29
Jan 08

Redux

There are already too many sites reposting stuff they posted a year ago. Flashbacks, yesteryear, and whatnot. I abhor the thought of posting just for the sake of posting, so I do so with some trepidation.

I’ve been thinking about a redux for some time and as I considered it more, I concluded that the reason wasn’t to simply fill a void*, but that it furthered the purpose for the whole site: I’ve found stuff on the internet that I think you’ll find interesting and useful. I posted about these things once, and more than a year later I still think they are every bit as relevant and important as when I first posted them. If you missed them then, perhaps you’ll enjoy them now. Thanks for taking the time!

* I think a lot of redux’s are to fill a void, and this isn’t my problem: I’ve got a backlog of posts that could fill half a year and the ideas keep flowing as I scan some 2500 articles a month.

REDUX POSTS FROM 2006

* Google News can send you email updates when any new information or recent news articles are posted to the internet on a topic of your choice. Click on “News Alerts” on the left side of the web site to set up the scheduled email. Useful for breaking news or keeping up on any topic you want to follow. (11/10/2006)

* Collaborative writeboards, online notes, a calendar, etc with Backpack. All in the fancy web 2.0 style with AJAX. My favorite feature: set a reminder on the site that will text message your cell phone at a preset time so you don’t forget about something. Originally posted on 12/15/2006, and mentioned again “to keep track of the links” on 11/14/07 and yet again on 12/11/07 as “a way to track your to-do’s and other random data that you want to get done.” I’m still using it every day.

* “[Work] below your means. If you can handle three elements, handle only two. If you can handle ten, then handle only five. In that way the ones you do handle, you handle with more ease, more mastery, and you create a feeling of strength in reserve.” [Pablo Picasso] (12/22/2006)

But tell me what you think! Do you already use Google News and Backpack? Is this old news? Did you look into them and decide they were no good? What do you use instead?


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28
Jan 08

Software Robots, Credibile IKEA, Queue and the Dominant Language

* “every software project is about invention” – Johanna Rothman

* We the Robots. “It is my favorite webcomic, easy.” says Dan. I’m not sure that I have a favorite yet. But this one is certainly good.

* Apple’s Investor Relations page. It’s the only stock I own and hasn’t done to well in the short term, but I have high hopes. My theory is that every iPod owner will eventually buy an iPhone. (though there needs to be more than just one model).

* Sun buys MySQL. Lends more credibility to the Open Source database – not that it needed any help – but it’s good just the same.

* IKEA Hacks “whatever they may be – a funked up klippan sofa, an ingenious idea for your pax wardrobe, a creative twist on your kitchen countertop, or even advice on how to finally stop forby stools from wobbling”

* A nice interface touch on Highrise: I tried exporting my contact list – a process that apparently takes some time – and instead of being unresponsive while their servers did their thing, the site said:

You’re exporting more than 100 contacts so we’ve queued your request. We’ll send you an email with the file when the export is complete. The email will come from Highrise . It should just take a few minutes.

Nice.

* “Japanese, not English, has become the dominant language of the blogosphere, according to Technorati. But unlike Americans, who often times blog to stand out, the Japanese blog to fit into society.” [via HD Podcast | washingtonpost.com]


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22
Jan 08

Review: The Elegant Solution: Toyota’s Formula for Mastering Innovation

Just finished up The Elegant Solution by Matthew E. May. It came to me highly recommended and was a quick read.

In a nutshell the advise is: use the the scientific method, give yourself time to think through things, plan for continuous improvement, use system thinking, simple is better than complex, and go for small improvements with the resources you have – not big changes.

Yet sometimes take big risks – like Toyota’s billion-dollar initiative that created the Lexus brand: “the decision was clear: start clean.” (p43)

Many examples in the book impressively detail out how successful Elegant Solutions can be. The book is worth the read if only for the examples. And yes, I do want to buy a Prius now – but I’ll settle for any Toyota.

Be sure to check out the book site, their blog and don’t forget the downloads to get a jump start on innovation in your own projects.


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19
Jan 08

Homemade Irish Cream


1 cup heavy cream

14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 2/3 cup Irish Whiskey *
1 teaspoon instant coffee
2 tablespoon chocolate syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract
* A reliable resource says “Jameson is very good and worth the price if you can swing it. You’ll never go back to Jack.”

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