Category Archives: Geek Stuff

After the Visitor

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I had my cousin Dave from Edmonton in town this weekend. On Saturday we went downtown Vancouver for the football game and wandered around for a few hours. We ended up at Steamworks for a bite to eat and though the power of the internet had a interesting encounter. I use the location software FourSquare and checked in at the restaurant. Sometime into our meal a gentleman who turned out to be the manager approached our table and said hello to me by name. and thanked me for checking in on Foursquare. We talked for a few minutes and then we were back to eating. My cousin said he did not believe what just happened and that I must have paid that guy to approach the table. All weekend he was making fun of me for checking in with foursquare and after this he would just chuckle each time i checked in. Ahh the power of the internet.

After the football game we headed home and Sunday we headed to the Vedder River for a walk. The rain which had been coming down pretty good all morning stopped while we went for a walk along the Rotary Trail. Some pictures from the weekend.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Toys in the Toy box

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It is an early Christmas for me as I have a couple of new toys in my toy box. I have decided to get myself an IPhone 4S and join the Apple craze. To go along with my new phone I have a new laptop, a MacBook Pro

Before getting my new IPhone and MacBook Pro I had very little experience with Apple products and have been a life long Windows/Microsoft user. I have had my iPhone for just over a week and absolutely love it. The Macbook I have had for a few weeks and am still getting used to the differences in operating a Mac versus a Windows machine. Even though I am still in new user mode I am really loving the sleek and simple Mac OS and software. Never thought I would say this but it looks like the Macbook is my new goto computer.

Using it in conjunction with my new IPhone is so simple and learning the nuances of a Mac is really straightforward. I am not quite sure I am fully onboard but I think I have to admit I am joining the folks who adore their Apples.

Technology and Me

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If you read my posts or if you noticed my Tagline for this blog you will know I am a geek. Yes as hard as it may seem to admit I am a geek and I like my technology toys. I used to try and get the current technology as soon as something new would come out. Over the years I grew to learn to be somewhat patient and try and get my toys at the appropriate time. I discovered that no matter when I got a new piece of electronics there would be something better and faster released soon after I got my new toy. It took me sometime to accept that this would always happen and at some point I would have to make the plunge and buy my new toy. Still no one says I have to like it when I do get a new toy and the manufacturers decide to release a better faster model right after I have opened the box.

Smartphones By the Numbers

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Recently I received a text from my cell carrier Bell Mobility letting me know I was eligible for a phone upgrade. I still have a year left on my contract but if I re-sign for a new term I can get a new phone. Now the dilemma, what phone to get? I could get an IPhone 4 or maybe an Android phone. I have looked at both options and I am bending towards the IPhone but what adds a roadblock to my decision is should I wait and possibly get an IPhone 5? I want a new toy but I should probably wait as there really is no hurry. Ugh I hate when I get a chance to get some new technology and cannot make my mind up.

Reading into It

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Recently I have been considering whether I should get an EBook reader as I think it will be more convenient for travel. I was looking at an IPAD type contraption but I think I will wait for those to develop a little more before I go down that path.

Having said that I think I will get an IPAD or similar device in the future as my travel computer replacement but in the meantime instead of buying more books in paper form I think taking the technological step makes the most sense. Now the problem I am having is which one should I choose, I think I have it narrowed down to the Sony Touch. It has some good features and accepts a good variety of formats which makes it quite versatile. Still I am torn with maybe waiting and getting an IPAD. I hate when I have to make a choice like this, why can’t it be simple.

Full Body Scan

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With all my travel back and forth to Calgary a recent change at the Calgary Airport has caused me some concern. A full body scanner has been installed and you have a choice either go through the scanner or have a pat down search completed. I have heard differing opinions on the scanner and am not sure whether I will submit to the body pat down or just go through the machine.

One negative impact from the scanner are the lineups are a lot longer and the delays are worse. Probably this will work itself out over time but still I am not sure whether to embrace technology and go through the scanner or go old school and get the pat down search.

Embracing Technology

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Lately and I do mean over the past year or so my television habits have changed quite a bit due to my work schedule and amount of travel I do. Except for hockey I tend not to watch too much in the way of “live” television. Thanks to the internet and the progress of streaming technology I am able to download or stream almost all the shows I would have watched during their original broadcast times. I must admit I do like to watch shows on my schedule and yes I could get a PVR but I do not see the need at this point as everything I like to watch is easily accessible.

As my tagline from my title says I am a Geek and do like technology, it has changed my viewing habits and allows me to watch what I want when I want. Isn’t Technology Grand!

My New Toy, Yes Another One

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I recently got a new laptop to replace my dependable Compaq R3240. It took a lot of time for me to decide what would replace my beloved and well used Compaq. I was very worried I would be disappointed but am happy to report that not only am I happy with my choice, it has surpassed my expectations. My new Laptop is a Lenovo T61, Core 2 Duo 2.0 Ghz with a 15.4″ screen and an NVidea video card.

I was originally going to install Vista but since I have been testing Windows 7 decided to give it a whirl. It installed seamlessly and I found all the required drivers. Overall a very nice system, runs all my software without issues including some games I could not run on my old Compaq.

t61