1957

I received this one dollar silver certificate for change. The following happened in 1957.

Wham-O Company makes the first Frisbee
Elvis Presley buys Graceland for $100,000 and plays on the Ed Sullivan Show
Dwight D. Eisenhower inaugurated as President for the second time
American Bandstand joins the ABC Television Network
The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 1 and Sputnik 2 (with the first animal to orbit the earth)
Leave it to Beaver premiers on CBS
West Side Story premiers on Broadway in New York City

Windows 10 Upgrade

Tomorrow is the first availability for upgrading to Windows 10. Back in early February, I wrote a blog about testing Windows 10 Technical Preview. As of today, I cannot recommend upgrading to this operating system. My top 3 reasons are below.

1. The Microsoft Store

There are just not enough apps in the store yet as compared to Apple and Android. For example, my two favorite apps lately (WordPress and Periscope) are not available. I say wait until the Microsoft Store is more completely populated.

2. Automated Updates

I am not sure that I can endorse a Microsoft operating system that forces a computer to accept updates as pushed out by Microsoft. If you search their support site, you can find a utility that will allow you to temporarily remove problematic updates, but there is not yet a way to deny updates from installing at the start.

3. Time and Patience

There is still plenty of time available (one year) until the free update offer expires. My vote is to be patient and give it some time. Wait and see how some of the early adopters are doing, read some reviews, and decide for yourself when the time is right to upgrade if you decide this is best for you.

Howd-ee Y’all

Jul25

I traveled through New Braunfels today and made a pit stop at Buc-ee’s for some gas and a Dr. Pepper Slushee. I also found it necessary to squish a shiny penny. 🙂

Apple Music

Jul14

Anyone else out there trying the new Apple Music? They currently have a free, three-month trial membership going on. I am liking it so far and need to try the feature where you can save music from the collection for offline listening. Given a little time, I could build out a nice, energetic playlist for walking. If I get a good one going, I will post it somewhere to share. Let me know if you have a favorite playlist of your own, and I will give it a listen.

Kompressor Plus

Jul2

Hey. I got a new backpack. It is the Marmot Kompressor Plus. I also got this groovy Sea to Summit Lightweight Drysack. The concept is to take them hiking, and then stash everything into the Drysack so I can more easily jump into rivers and stuff. I am kind of a chicken when it comes to swimming in unknown places or crossing weird bodies of water, but maybe since I won’t have to worry about my stuff getting wet, I’ll be less scared? I will be sure to report back to you with the results. 🙂

Periscope Map View

Jun24

Periscope keeps getting cooler, and I get more and more addicted to the App. I can hardly fall asleep now without watching an episode of “Sock Cop” to see Tug Boat, Popsicles, Mills Motors, some Doo Doots, Parkours, and Dr. Peppers. The best new feature (on iOS only for now) is the Map View. I have provided a few screenshots to give you an idea of how it works. You click on the globe icon, and you are presented with a world map and choices for some periscopes you can watch that are originating in that specific part of the world. I can go to Miami, Amsterdam, Cancun, Rome, Honolulu, or anywhere else at the touch of the screen, and see what someone is doing and broadcasting at that moment. If I am planning a trip, I can maybe find a friendly local and ask them for advice about their city. The second screenshot is an example of zooming in on the current activity in Austin. I can even choose geographical areas of the city to see what people are broadcasting from the North side, for example. Keep innovating, Periscope People, and I’m sure I will return each evening to see what’s new in the world.

Artomat

Jun14

It is raining off and on in Austin today, so I find myself upstairs at Whole Foods eating some soup and salad and watching the storms blow by from the second floor windows. There is this old cigarette dispenser that has been retrofitted as an art machine – the Art*o*mat. Pretty cool. I was trying to decide between Joyce Lyman’s Folk Art Sculpture and “Stick Man – Put together a new friend”, and the Folk Art won because a new friend might turn out to be too needy. I put in my hard earned dollars, pull the handle, and out slides a groovy alligator in a box. Don’t be jealous. Joyce Lyman might make an alligator for you too if you ask nicely…

Merrell Moab Mid Waterproof

Jun11

Well, old hiking boots, you have gotten a little bit uncomfortable with the slight pinching at the toes and my right heel has been hurting for some time. Enter new hiking boots. The Moab Mid Waterproof from Merrell is my new style. After a day of wearing these, my poor feet are feeling a bit better. I think my old boots just weren’t sized the best for my feet. I have high hopes for the new ones which were gotten for a deal at the new Round Rock Bass Pro Shops last night. I’m sure we will get along fine and share some cool adventures together. 🙂

Google Photos

Jun1

Remember that time, not so long ago, when I hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail at Zion National Park in Utah and took some crazy awesome pictures with my cell phone? Now, thanks to Google Photos, I do. This new App was recently introduced for Android, iOS, and desktop computers, and I have been having some fun with it. Give it a try if you need to backup, organize, search, edit or store some of your photos. You can thank me later… 🙂

Periscope on Android

May28

I am sure by now that you, my Internet Friends, are tired of me proclaiming the magical wonders of Periscope. However, there is a big announcement – Periscope on Android is LIVE. I now can use my unlimited data plan (as sketchy as the signal can be at times) to create my own broadcasts. I have tried a few local broadcasts (without cats or other cute viewer nabbing critters), and my heart count is up to a whopping 2 hearts. My heart getting skills need a little bit of tender loving care. Don’t worry, I am determined to get the hang of this Android-based Periscoping thing. I am sure to double my heart count in no time. I suggest that you get out there and start some broadcasts of your own, with or without tiny, cute, cuddly, fluffy animals in tow. If you stay focused, you may soon have 2 hearts of your own. 🙂

earthrobert

Category Archives: Stuff