Sci Fi Jungle

Instapaper: Now Even More Useful with Email - The Steve Rubel Stream

via www.steverubel.com

I am trying to use Instapaper in conjuction with my Kindle to create a "magazine" of articles for reading later. This way I can have reading material on the Kindle for those little moments here and there where you have time to read something.

Having the email feature seems like it may help my plan, but I am still working out the kinks of the Kindle part.

I spend all day at work solving technical riddles, so sometimes the second to last thing (after finding the best hemorrhoids treatment) I want to do at home is solve more technical riddles.  I like it when things are just super easy and work as expected.  Fighting with software is part of life but I'd frankly rather be spending time on life, in my free time.  So, I will keep looking for the perfect tutorial I can follow.

Do I need an iPad?

All period jokes aside, I've been thinking about Wednesday's introduction of Apple's new tablet sized color media reader.

I think there is definealty a place for a color e-reader.  While I love the Kindle immensely, its no eyestrain e-ink screen isn't suitable for magazines, content rich web browsing, fancy applications, etc.

That's where the tablet comes in, I guess.  Looking like a iPod touch that's been expanded in size, early reviews say it is fast, and looks great.  It certainly has a great cool factor, and with support from the Apple App store and the iPhone like interface it will have some good traction to get into the market.

There are also a lot of things this device does NOT have.  USB, Camera, Media card slot, DVD drive...  If you want all that stuff get a tiny laptop, right.  That's the message there.  This is a simple device meant for accessing one piece of content at a time.  No multitasking, or abilivty to see web pages written with flash animation, either.

Then there's the question of the monthly service for the wireless access.  I would be hard pressed to want to pay a second monthly fee for wireless access on my pad.  I am already balking at the idea of getting a wireless anywhere card for my laptop.   Could this device replace my laptop for taking on trips?  I seems to lack some support that I might need... so maybe maybe now.  I guess is depends on the user and what they like their device to do.

Anyone want to steal my free idea?  Business plan consultants can have this for the price of nothing:

My dream device would have two screens, maybe one on the front and one on the back.  One with e-ink screen and the other side a color screen for reading magazines and watching video.  Still small and not with the screens facing each other - that's too distracting.  Maybe even one screen that you can change from e-ink mode to color mode at will.  That would be cool.

Gadgets Gadgets Gadgets

I got paid on Friday night, and my 6 year old had a reward coming to him so we braved the icy Atlanta roads and headed out to Best Buy.  The place was packed.  I think that for those who do have a job now the recession is on the wane.  Of course employment is a lagging indicator so there are quite a few people who are still feeling it, believe me.  (We are a one person working house - hubster is still in school.)

Anyhow, the kids got their new DS games and they have been happily playing with their favorite electronics.  Thank God for the Nintendo DS; it rocks at keeping kids happy and occupied when they can't really play outside.  I mean its pretty cold out there - dude. 

Yeah I know its probably not the greatest parenting, but I need a break too.  After yesterday's "snow day" we all just want to chill out and do out own thing. 

What are the kids playing on DS today?  Drawn to Life 2: the second chapter, and Mario Party DS.

The Binary Watch

Dude, I so totally need a binary watch.  Check it out - it's called The One.  To tell the time you add the numbers on the top row for the hours and then add the numbers on the bottom row for minutes.

 

Are you looking for a big ass chunky steel watch that no one will fail to notice?  Then check out TW Steel watches.    I just think they are a nice looking watch.  They have a lot of different models including divers watches that are rated to be underwater and have rubber straps that look sort of like a tire tread.  Lots of cool watches at Kenmar Watches.

   

WordPress Woes

Wordpress and I are not getting along.  I was laid off in December, so you would think I have time to mess around with my web hosting company, DreamHost, and my WordPress blog cheesyromance.com.  But although I pre-paid one years hosting fees, I just cannot seem to muster up the energy to tackle customizing WordPress.

I even got a book on WordPress out of the library, which I think is 2 days overdue.  Ack - I need to get my butt in gear.  Me and millions of other romance fans need this site.

Yeah, I know you scifi types probably don't want to know about romance, but since I don't have a pretty looking blog over there yet, I will force you to listen to my web hosting woes.

Actually, I am very happy with the web host themselves.  By the way, check out webhosting reviews at http://webhostingrating.com/.  The also have a list of articles on the subject of web hosting that are interesting.

Too bad they don't have instant energy and motivation.  That's what I need.  Also I need to logon to the library web site and extend my check out on the books I have.

"Pimp" Your Scooter

Here's a way to survive the economic crisis, pay less for gas, have fun, and look cool.  The geeky looking scooters of yesteryear are gone - the Honda Metropolitan is a sporty, classy model that takes a cue from 1940's art deco.

Getting astounding gas mileage (reportedly up to 90 MPG), and designed to require little maintenance, this scooter could be a great addition to fill the gap between the bike and auto.  For short trips and in good weather you can't beat it.

Make sure you are suited up with a proper helmet and gear, however.  And drive with extreme defensive driving as you are just small enough to fit in a car's blind spot on one of these puppies.

Want to customize your ride and give it some Sci Fi flair?  Check out what kind of honda motorcycle parts you can add to an off the shelf scooter to create a custom ride.

photo credit
http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/sci-fi-scootermotorcycle.htm

oDesk Jobs - global marketplace for technical freelancers

For technical types looking for freelance work, I have learned about a new web based service called oDesk.   I hear that one of their hot areas right now is Apple iPhone app developers. 

My brother is doing some freelance application development work around the social networking field right now so I know that this niche is growing.  Employers are looking for flexibility and immidiate staffing, and technical experts are finding themselves in need of immediate bread for the table if you know what I mean.  A service like oDesk is the perfect middleman for these two.

From Associated Content Press Release:

oDesk is a global marketplace for freelancers, where certified professionals can pick up real jobs with guaranteed payment - and do it all from the comfort of home. oDesk provides services to create an 'on-demand global workforce', making it easy for technology professionals to network with companies in need of their services. The recent economic upheaval is making sites like oDesk a tremendously valuable resource for technology professionals who are now desperately hunting for legitimate jobs online.

Big Mama G gave us a Page Ranking!

Google's top secret page ranking algorithm gave this site Sci Fi Jungle a page ranking of 1.  This is super exciting to me.  I have 3 web logs and none of them have ever had any page ranking.  I was just happy to be in the big G index.  Hey - I get excited when I look at my web site statistics and see 15 - 50 hits a day.  This is not a huge cpm  type of site with thousand of clicks a day and tons of ad revenues.  I have Google Adsense on my sites and have since April and I've not yet accumulated enough money for them to cut me a check.

But people, I have DREAMS.   I have 3 blogs, 4 Squidoo lenses, and a Dream.  I am an Amazon affiliate.  I have a t-shirt shop.  And quite oddly, I am actually making quite a bit of mad money selling used books on half.com.  I also do super super well with PayU2Blog and they even sent me a free t-shirt the other day.  I love those guys.

So, I am sticking to my plan which involves taking consistent small steps over a long period of time.  Getting a page ranking is one rung on the ladder - a sign that my plan is working step by small step.  It is very gratifying and it is all thanks to my readers. Thank you readers.

MWAH!