For those of you watching breathlessly to find out when or whenever I might finally buy a Blu-ray video disc player, that day came today. After months of muddling, I bought one.
But wait. I haven't opened it yet so of course I haven't connected it yet. That will have to wait until tomorrow. It's not that I'm concerned it won't work. After all, it's a Sony, so naturally it will work. (Fingers crossed.)
It has the built in wi-fi feature I wanted and a lot of other bells and whistles to play with when I get around to them. So why haven't you plugged it in yet, you ask?
Well, we're cautious, my wife and I. You see we received our latest video disk from Netflix this afternoon and we want to watch the movie tonight. And we don't want to take any chances that I'll have problems swapping out our old reliable DVD player for the Blu-ray version. (Screwing it up, in plain English.)
So we'll watch our movie tonight and then tomorrow I'll have plenty of time to make the switch, hopefully without incident. And if we like it enough, we could watch tonight's movie again just to see how the new guy works. Or stream a different Netflix offering using the wi-fi feature.
We're cautiously optimistic. Stay tuned.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
The Good Stuff
As much as I rail against the proliferation of technological gizmos that I have no use for, there is one development that my wife and I are eternally grateful for – the video email.
This week we received video emails of our two great-granddaughters in Israel. Although they were brief the delight they provide is priceless. When you are 6,000 miles apart anything that brings you momentarily closer is a blessing. And we save these videos so we can revisit them from time to time.
The girls are two-and-a-half and 16 months. The little one is just learning to say her name. The older one seems to like to play big sister. At least that's what it looks like on the video.
You could say that this is a small scale version of social networking since the videos are sent only to immediate family members rather than distributed on a broader platform, such as Facebook
I'm not suggesting creating a Granny app that would encourage Grandparents all over the world to share pictures of their precious ones. I can only imagine the chaos that would ensue.
Come to think of it, an internet full of pictures of children we all think are beautiful would be a lot more attractive than some of the raunchier stuff that's out there.
Smile, Sweetie. You never know who may be watching.
This week we received video emails of our two great-granddaughters in Israel. Although they were brief the delight they provide is priceless. When you are 6,000 miles apart anything that brings you momentarily closer is a blessing. And we save these videos so we can revisit them from time to time.
The girls are two-and-a-half and 16 months. The little one is just learning to say her name. The older one seems to like to play big sister. At least that's what it looks like on the video.
You could say that this is a small scale version of social networking since the videos are sent only to immediate family members rather than distributed on a broader platform, such as Facebook
I'm not suggesting creating a Granny app that would encourage Grandparents all over the world to share pictures of their precious ones. I can only imagine the chaos that would ensue.
Come to think of it, an internet full of pictures of children we all think are beautiful would be a lot more attractive than some of the raunchier stuff that's out there.
Smile, Sweetie. You never know who may be watching.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
All Signs Point Back
Are we really heading back to the time when a grunt and a finger was all you needed to make a point? There is new evidence that the art of personal communication has been given another jolt.
Think I'm dialing a wrong number? There's a free app called Thoughts, according to today's NYTimes, which allows you to send a brief recorded message to virtually anyone, anywhere any time. Bare bones information. No response necessary. For more details see “Gadgetwise,” in today's paper.
What struck me about it is that it's just another way to avoid talking to someone. Why bother to talk when you can email, text, twit and now Thought, without thought. Where is nuance and context? Where is simple courtesy?
Have we all become so busy we can't spare the time to say hello, how are you, how you doing. Etc.? OK, full disclosure: be careful who you ask. There are some people who will tell you in great detail when you ask those questions, often more than you need to know. You know who they are.
Look, I'm an old guy astonished at the leaps and bounds of technology today and the money thrown into the latest gizmo hoping against hype that it will prove successful.
Here's a Thought (NNTR): Good luck and God Bless.
Think I'm dialing a wrong number? There's a free app called Thoughts, according to today's NYTimes, which allows you to send a brief recorded message to virtually anyone, anywhere any time. Bare bones information. No response necessary. For more details see “Gadgetwise,” in today's paper.
What struck me about it is that it's just another way to avoid talking to someone. Why bother to talk when you can email, text, twit and now Thought, without thought. Where is nuance and context? Where is simple courtesy?
Have we all become so busy we can't spare the time to say hello, how are you, how you doing. Etc.? OK, full disclosure: be careful who you ask. There are some people who will tell you in great detail when you ask those questions, often more than you need to know. You know who they are.
Look, I'm an old guy astonished at the leaps and bounds of technology today and the money thrown into the latest gizmo hoping against hype that it will prove successful.
Here's a Thought (NNTR): Good luck and God Bless.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Not a Happy Camper
As promised last night, today I successfully tested and then connected a microphone to my PC so I could make phone or video calls using Skype. Didn't work.
Here's the story. First, I tried to test the mic to make sure it was working with Skype. Could not find the Skype testing site, which I had seen before, no matter how many different sites I went to. Very frustrating. But since I knew the mic was OK, I wasn't too concerned.
Next, I tried to make a call. Skype promises new users their first call is free but when I clicked on the “make a free call button” up popped fees for various types of calls. Sorry, I'm not buying that.
So I'm connected but un-connectable. I sent off a message to Skype using their “contact us” site. But after composing my message there was no “send” or “submit” button. They also suggested I leave an email address so they could contact me. There was no place to type it in. It was all very strange. Then I saw what I thought might be a send sign and clicked on it just in case.
I'll wait a day a two for a response from Skype. If I haven't heard from them by then, I'll cancel and remove the program from my PC. I don't think it will be much of a loss.
I've had enough Skype hype.
Here's the story. First, I tried to test the mic to make sure it was working with Skype. Could not find the Skype testing site, which I had seen before, no matter how many different sites I went to. Very frustrating. But since I knew the mic was OK, I wasn't too concerned.
Next, I tried to make a call. Skype promises new users their first call is free but when I clicked on the “make a free call button” up popped fees for various types of calls. Sorry, I'm not buying that.
So I'm connected but un-connectable. I sent off a message to Skype using their “contact us” site. But after composing my message there was no “send” or “submit” button. They also suggested I leave an email address so they could contact me. There was no place to type it in. It was all very strange. Then I saw what I thought might be a send sign and clicked on it just in case.
I'll wait a day a two for a response from Skype. If I haven't heard from them by then, I'll cancel and remove the program from my PC. I don't think it will be much of a loss.
I've had enough Skype hype.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I Am a Pro
Procrastinator, that is. You may recall I signed up with Skype in order to talk free with my granddaughter in Israel. And I found out I needed a microphone in my PC to complete the call.
I knew I had some microphones in the house that I used to use in my media training days. So I found them. And they have been sitting on my desk for almost two weeks within two feet of the PC.
Did I think one of the mics would plug itself in. Of course not. So why haven't I connected it? Lazy? Other things keep cropping up. Like Spider Solitaire. Or answering emails. Or just plain forgetting.
That's hard to believe since the microphone is within my sight whenever I'm at my desk. I know why I've been putting it off. I'm not sure if the batteries will still work. I haven't used the mic in about two years. Sound reasonable?
So test it already, you say. Good idea. I've got a free day tomorrow and I will make connecting the microphone my #1 task of the day. I'll even buy fresh batteries, if needed. You read it here first. And if I don't do it I'll have to admit tomorrow that once again I procrastinated.
Nothing like shame to motivate a person.
I knew I had some microphones in the house that I used to use in my media training days. So I found them. And they have been sitting on my desk for almost two weeks within two feet of the PC.
Did I think one of the mics would plug itself in. Of course not. So why haven't I connected it? Lazy? Other things keep cropping up. Like Spider Solitaire. Or answering emails. Or just plain forgetting.
That's hard to believe since the microphone is within my sight whenever I'm at my desk. I know why I've been putting it off. I'm not sure if the batteries will still work. I haven't used the mic in about two years. Sound reasonable?
So test it already, you say. Good idea. I've got a free day tomorrow and I will make connecting the microphone my #1 task of the day. I'll even buy fresh batteries, if needed. You read it here first. And if I don't do it I'll have to admit tomorrow that once again I procrastinated.
Nothing like shame to motivate a person.
Monday, May 23, 2011
One Step Closer
I am one “follower” closer to 10, thanks to coercing a wonderful relative to sign on to my Blog.
I'm not looking for mass distribution here but it would be nice to break into double figures. Any takers out there? C'mon. You don't have to actually read my stuff, although you might find you like some of it, but sign up anyway. It'll make my day.
This pleading for followers sounds pathetic, I know, but I've been browsing through The Huffington Post Complete Guide to BLOGGING” (all caps their idea). If I read the guide right it's OK to blog for yourself but if you are really serious you have to GET OUT THERE AND GET READERS.
And you have to BREAK NEWS. Sorry, I spent 25 plus years in the news business back in the day and much of what passes for news today just doesn't interest me. I headed up an all-news radio station but we didn't expect you to be listening all 24 hours. That's why we created the news cycle. You got what you needed in 20 to 22 minutes and then you were free to go about your business. Check in once in a while during the day and you were up to date.
TV News took that to another level, down I'd say, and made news entertainment. Hence all this chit chat and concentration on celebrities and wannabe celebrities. And the lightweights delivering all this chatter haven't a clue what to do when a real news break is handed them.
Well, that was fun. Now I'll go back under my rock. Thanks for listening.
And sign up, if you will. Please.
I'm not looking for mass distribution here but it would be nice to break into double figures. Any takers out there? C'mon. You don't have to actually read my stuff, although you might find you like some of it, but sign up anyway. It'll make my day.
This pleading for followers sounds pathetic, I know, but I've been browsing through The Huffington Post Complete Guide to BLOGGING” (all caps their idea). If I read the guide right it's OK to blog for yourself but if you are really serious you have to GET OUT THERE AND GET READERS.
And you have to BREAK NEWS. Sorry, I spent 25 plus years in the news business back in the day and much of what passes for news today just doesn't interest me. I headed up an all-news radio station but we didn't expect you to be listening all 24 hours. That's why we created the news cycle. You got what you needed in 20 to 22 minutes and then you were free to go about your business. Check in once in a while during the day and you were up to date.
TV News took that to another level, down I'd say, and made news entertainment. Hence all this chit chat and concentration on celebrities and wannabe celebrities. And the lightweights delivering all this chatter haven't a clue what to do when a real news break is handed them.
Well, that was fun. Now I'll go back under my rock. Thanks for listening.
And sign up, if you will. Please.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Navigators
I have three navigators. GPS, PJF and MAP. You are probably familiar with GPS but only I use the PJF with MAP.
What in heaven's name is he talking about you may ask? I shall answer.
We had four different destinations on Long Island today. Three on the outbound leg and one on the inbound. When you live in New Jersey a voyage to Long Island can be an adventure. Sometimes you make it, sometimes you don't. The same can be said for those venturing from Long Island to New Jersey. But that's several other stories.
We knew how to get to our first destination since we'd been there many times. No need for GPS now. However, from point one to point two required some celestial assistance. The GPS performed splendidly and we arrived without incident and on schedule.
Point three was some distance further east and although we had no specific street address, GPS got us to the neighborhood and we figured out the rest ourselves. Success swelling our heads, it was time for a coffee break. Found a Dunkin' Donuts nearby and relaxed.
The true test of GPS was next. How to get from point three to point four, some distance west. We had an idea of how we wanted to proceed but Marvelous Martha, today's name for Ms. GPS, had other ideas. We ignored her at the peril of constant “recalculatings.” The true test of her mettle came when we ran into an accident-caused traffic jam on the Southern State Parkway.
I took the first available exit and turned to my PJF who wielded her MAP to get us heading to our objective. All the time, MM was “recalculating” trying to get us back on the same highway we just ditched. It was definitely a test of wills in which the human bested the machine.
We arrived at point four safely and gave MM a rest on the way home since the return route to NJ is embedded in my DNA.
If you haven't figured it out, PJF is my wife and MAP is the map she keeps on her lap to guide us when we need it. Been using both long before and since GPS was born
I literally would be lost without the lap app.
What in heaven's name is he talking about you may ask? I shall answer.
We had four different destinations on Long Island today. Three on the outbound leg and one on the inbound. When you live in New Jersey a voyage to Long Island can be an adventure. Sometimes you make it, sometimes you don't. The same can be said for those venturing from Long Island to New Jersey. But that's several other stories.
We knew how to get to our first destination since we'd been there many times. No need for GPS now. However, from point one to point two required some celestial assistance. The GPS performed splendidly and we arrived without incident and on schedule.
Point three was some distance further east and although we had no specific street address, GPS got us to the neighborhood and we figured out the rest ourselves. Success swelling our heads, it was time for a coffee break. Found a Dunkin' Donuts nearby and relaxed.
The true test of GPS was next. How to get from point three to point four, some distance west. We had an idea of how we wanted to proceed but Marvelous Martha, today's name for Ms. GPS, had other ideas. We ignored her at the peril of constant “recalculatings.” The true test of her mettle came when we ran into an accident-caused traffic jam on the Southern State Parkway.
I took the first available exit and turned to my PJF who wielded her MAP to get us heading to our objective. All the time, MM was “recalculating” trying to get us back on the same highway we just ditched. It was definitely a test of wills in which the human bested the machine.
We arrived at point four safely and gave MM a rest on the way home since the return route to NJ is embedded in my DNA.
If you haven't figured it out, PJF is my wife and MAP is the map she keeps on her lap to guide us when we need it. Been using both long before and since GPS was born
I literally would be lost without the lap app.
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