Archive for February 2005

An new mook is out! Meet Make: Technology on Your Time and see what it’s all about.

Make: Technology on Your Own Time is not a book… exactly. It’s between a magazine and a book. Mook? Magook? Boozine? Actually, it’s a mook, which is a hybrid of a magazine and a book. When I received it and quickly looked through it to see what it was about, I wasn’t too impressed. Still, I’m a reviewer and as such give everything a chance. It’s a magazine from O’Reilly, but not a typical one.

In my initial perusal, I think I wasn’t keen on it because I’m not into home projects partly due to the usual time constraints. When I was a kid, I enjoyed making things like model cars (yes, I am a girl) and a magnet out of a battery. I liked those science books where you do a project to make something happen. But the projects in the mook were not the simple projects I did as a kid.

Then, I sat down and carefully read it like I do when reading a book I review. Shortly, I became engaged and enjoyed reading the articles. Though I don’t plan to make anything (like I’m going to put a monorail in my backyard—yes, this is a real project), the stories and the writing drew me in.

I like geeky things, but I’m not a geek in terms of building computers from scratch and hacking gadgets. These are the kinds of projects covered in the mook. The premiere issue includes the following projects:

* magnetic stripe card reader

* kite aerial photography (camera on a kite—cooool!)

* $14 video camera stabilizer or buy one

* 5-in-1 network cable

The quarterly mook has a Web site with things not covered in the print edition as well as a blog. Its design is clever with color codes on the cover and side for the major projects. The initial issue has 192 pages of quality paper and color printing to justify $8.74 an issue.

The mook has a homemade yet professional feel and has “home improvement” style fonts to add to its DIY (do-it-yourself) theme. The photos give the impression they’re taken by average people and not photographers. They’re good quality and complement the articles.

People who don’t have time to build (like me) and like technology will find it an engrossing read thanks to the personable writing and instructions that don’t make eyes glaze.

Few new magazines make it past the first year or so. Make should thrive for years to come.

Title: Make: Technology on Your Time
Author: Various
Publisher: O’Reilly Media
ISBN: B0007RNI5K
Publishing frequency: Four issues a year
Format: Paperback
Cover Price: USD: $34.95 for one year’s subscription

The subject of this entry is literal. The youngest (would you believe he’ll be two in April?) posted his artwork near the front door on three sides of the column. He didn’t have the good sense to use pretty colors… instead, he used ugly brown. One of my least favorite colors. My first car was brown. Thankfully, I liked the car itself so I could live with the color for as long as I drove it.

Anyway, the timing couldn’t have been better if I had to put up with something like that. I got fantasik OxyPower Multi-Purpose Cleaner. It claims to have a million uses around the house and does the job of multiple cleaners, so you won’t need so many bottles. I knew we were the perfect family to test this thing consider all the cr@p on the carpet, handles, and who knows where else.

This was an ultimate test. I would think getting stains off the wall is easier than off the carpet. I held a competition between fantastik and Magic Eraser. fantasik hit the first squirt and upon dripping down, color smeared. I dabbed over the artwork and it got lighter, but wouldn’t disappear. 0 points.

Magic Eraser came to bat. Before getting to work, it took a shower because it works when wet. I began dabbing it and rubbing it up and down the marks. It produced fewer smears, but it couldn’t make the lines disappear. They faded, but are still noticeable. Instead of brown, we have khaki. I can see the art from my desk. 0 points.

I tried different techniques based on the products’ instructions and experience. No one could make the artwork disappear into thin wall.

I’m a parent of three kids with a lot of things going on. I don’t have time to research and figure out what product and technique would get the column back to its old self. Why can’t cleaners ever work as easily as the commercials make them?

I’ll try Fantastik on other things to see if it can do what it claims. So far, it has failed one test. It doesn’t do markers on a wall.

I hate cleaning and am lousy at it. Can never get anything spotless. I’m a neat and clean freak—it’s a hair-puller to put up with stains even though I’ve learned to loosen up about a spotless house… after all, three kids, y’know?

Whew… talk about going back in time. It was worth reading this list. Expect a lot of, “Oh yeah! I had one! I remember that!” while reading The Top 100 Gadgets of All Time. Think the editors missed something? Share! I haven’t come up with anything so far… as the list is well-rounded.

Got feedback on my cordless keyboard and mouse problem… lots of suggestions and fans of specific brands.

My cordless keyboard is dying a slow death (Actually, it died. I plugged it back in to try something and it would not spill out any letters or numbers.). I changed the batteries and everything… reset the keyboard and its charging base. The keyboard still tunes in and out as its pleases causing me t tpe stff lke ths. Right now I am on a keyboard with a cord and I am still using the cordless mouse as it works fine.

I would like to replace it with a keyboard and mouse set, but with an ergonomic mouse. I don’t like the ergo keyboards. I tried one (Paul loves it), and my hands became finger-tied. I researched through Google and Consumer Reports, but came up empty. Even the big computer magazines don’t have much of a comparison of keyboard / mouse combos.

I also use rechargeable batteries in the mouse. Funny, I use regular batteries for the keyboard and it lasts for months, but not for the mouse.

So I went to Lockergnome readers for input. I asked if they have had a good experience with a combo that also has a ergo mouse? Or a bad one that I absolutely should avoid? I’ve gathered a few opinions so now I am publishing them so others who are searching for quality cordless desktops have something to help make a decision.

I’ve been using Logitech’s keyboard and mouse set. Not sure what model as the back of all three accessories don’t indicate it. I’ve used it for a long time and have been happy with it. The only thing I didn’t like was the plastic wrist rest. I’d like to replace it with a softer one.

I am not much into customizing the buttons. So it’s not an important feature. A scrolling wheel is a must. If I can’t get an ergo mouse, that’s OK.

Read on for reader responses…

Paul (not my husband) writes:

You couldn’t GIVE me a mouse after using a trackball. The only things I have to move are my fingers, not my wrist, arm, etc. I agree that a scroll wheel is a big advantage and the Logitech TrackMan Wheel that I have moves the ball to the thumb in order to provide it. I’m not just as accurate with my thumb, though. However, there are other trackballs that provide the best of both worlds — a middle button option to pop-up a scroller onscreen.

But mice vs trackballs? Fageddaboudit!

And wired, not wireless…

Nikolas says:

I to use the Logitech Cordless Mx Duo and I love it.. I’ve had it for almost 3 yrs and no problems at all ..it also beats out all the other brands by far…I love it

From Joan:

I haven’t used a wireless keyboard and now use my laptop most of the time, but I am a mouse hater and love touchpads and use an Adesso keyboard with built in touchpad on my desktop. I see they are coming out with a wireless version but also have wireless keyboards with mice. Here are their products.

Ed writes:

Stick to your (the most simple) Logitech keyboard and rechargeble mouse. Works fine with me.

Ricardo says:

Logitech is the best, I used genius and some other brands, all have disadvantages. Logitech may not be the beautifull one, sure, but it runs smootly for years, I used both ball and optical mouse, and it is perfect. The only problem is with batteries as the optical mouse needs a replacement every one to two months, ball mouse about every year. If it doesn’t bug you, then go with Logitech.

Uncle Bob (not my New York uncle) advises:

I’m using a Logitech combo unit, have two as a matter of fact. I, too, thought my keyboard was dying only to discover that the location of the sending/receiving unit was the problem.

The main unit, which is located maybe 24 inches above the mouse and
keyboard, will stop working by being one inch or more back from its normal location. Apparently line of sight is a big thing.

The second unit, which is located on a portable work bench next to my desk seems to work when it wants to. But by moving it maybe an inch in any direction all is well. This unit will work five or six feet from the base as long as it is in line of sight.

Hope that helps. Both are Logitech mx700 sets. And the keyboards lose
the signal before the mouse on both.

I did try moving the base closer. It still won’t play nice.

John shares a lot of great information:

I can appreciate the quandary you’re in. We just don’t think about keyboard and mice until they don’t work or cause problems. Personally I just don’t care for wireless keyboards or mice, but then there are times that I boot my computer with an old DOS boot disk, too, because I want access to true DOS and not the newer version of virtual DOS in newer OSes like Win 2K or XP.

Over the years I’ve tried many keyboards thinking, “Heck a keyboard is a keyboard, right?” Not so. Those $10 keyboards last about a year or less until keys start sticking or getting stiff. The spendier keyboard like IBM are better, but their design is limited as are the features. Now we have the more spendier ones like Logitech which I didn’t care for.

I bit the bullet and tried a keyboard from the Evil Empire in Redmond. I love it so much that I bought a second one to take to work where I did tech support and did a lot of typing while I was talking. These things are just about bulletproof and there are no software conflicts like with some other brands. I use the no longer available Internet Keyboard Pro and probably will until either me or it die.

Microsoft Digital Media Pro keyboard

…I recommend this highly. It’s got programmable buttons but you can ignore them. The keyboard is just one rugged, good feeling piece of equipment and it looks good with its modern black color scheme. The durability of Microsoft’s keyboard is tops in my book as I’ve put ‘em through years of hard use because I’m more of a hunt-and-pecker than a typist.

My MS keyboard has survived several years of smoke and slops especially at work where it’s a open environment with three shifts of people using that keyboard 24/7 we can’t smoke, but I’ve gotten baloney out from between the keys at times. Dependable and good feeling is all I can say about the better MS keyboards.

I can’t offer very much input regarding mice though other than the same software issues for non MS mice as I use a Microsoft four button Intellimouse Trackball Explorer and I know you’re not a button person and a trackball is a highly personal preference thing. The best thing I can offer there is play with the mice in the store. I recommend the optical type without the ball, again preferably Microsoft.

What usually fails on cheaper mice are the microswitches for the buttons that might require repeated clicking to get them to work or the real killer where you get a double click instead of a single click, that’s something that really drives me nuts and kills productivity big time. The key is to find a mouse you like the feel of in your hand as you work with it and how easy it is to operate the buttons without looking. A good pointing device should be almost intuitive take a look at…

The basic Microsoft® IntelliMouse® 3.0 or The more advanced Microsoft® Wheel Mouse Optical 1.1.

I think the feel, dependability and longevity of these products will be what you need and make your life easier. Hopefully my suggestions help pave the way for you to improve your computing experience and minimize problems.

Got a comment? Still open for opinions, but not for comment spam.

Dave Taylor is the communications director at David Suzuki Foundation. The organization uses Marqui’s CMS to manage its site.

What were your basic requirements when you began looking for a CMS?

We needed something simple that didn’t require technical expertise to use, had a built-in subscriber database capacity, and a timed release function.

What other CMSes did you look at besides Marqui?

We looked at one other—there weren’t many back then. I think it has since been absorbed by another company or gone out of business.

Since CMSes are so customizable and not easy to “try” before you buy, how did you look at the various CMSes to determine whether or not it met your needs? In other words, what was the process to shop for a CMS?

Marqui (Maestro at the time) suited our needs, was a local company, offered
a decent rate and had functions the other did not. It also had good
references.

How long have you been using it?

Five years.

Whoa! What are the things that have changed most in the five years you’ve been using Marqui (Maestro)?

Customer service has vastly improved since we started with Maestro. The technology has also greatly improved. It still isn’t perfect, but it works for us and the company continues to improve it.

How many use it? What are their roles?

About a dozen have access and half that number use it regularly. Mostly
communications specialists, but some biologists and administrators too.

What was the process of getting started with it and set up?

We imported our site into Maestro quite easily. Then it was a process of
ironing out any bugs or missing sections and links. We have a huge site, so
that took a while, but the problems were easily fixed.

How did you roll it out to your organization?

We just turned it on! We also emailed our members and urged them to check it out.

What kinds of feedback do the users have about Marqui?

Our users like it because it is reliable and easy to use. It also enables us to react quickly and reach out to our members on developing issues. Knowledge is power. Getting the right information to the right people at the right time is essential to bring about change.

Disclaimer… blah blah… Marqui pays me… blah blah… to blog my opinion… yadda yadda.

Last time I reported on the Home Cafe, I indicated I had a problem with the reservoir as it leaked. I finally got a replacement and it doesn’t leak. Based on my research, getting one that leaks is a matter of luck. Some people get it and some don’t. My mom didn’t. I did. Sounds like a 50/50 chance.

If you get one that leaks, contact Black and Decker to receive a replacement. I still prefer a regular coffeemaker. Paul is the one who uses it when I am using the coffeemaker to make my coffee, which is too strong for him.

When the replacement came, it also included a long cylinder-shaped container for the pods with a tight lid. Much better than just keeping the bags around since it takes up less room. Obviously, I would not have this as the only coffeemaker here. I think the best situation to have one of these is at work or if you don’t mind Folger-type coffee and make coffee only occasionally, then the Home Cafe might be ideal.

Just discovered another way the Home Cafe comes in handy. We had family over to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. Only a couple of people wanted coffee. Rather than go through the coffee maker process, we made a cup for each person. Much easier, faster, and more convenient. The coffee drinkers were happy with their cups.

The cost of ethics discusses companies sponsoring and paying bloggers to mentioned its products and services. As you know, I’ve been discussing Marqui every week since December. However, I do have my own code of ethics, which is identical to the six listed in the article:

* Disclose, disclose, disclose. Transparency—of actions, motives and financial considerations—is the golden rule of the blogosphere.

* Follow your passions. Blog about topics you care deeply about.

* Be honest. Write what you believe.

* Trust your readers to form their own judgments and conclusions.

* Reputation is the principal currency of cyberspace. Maintain your independence and integrity—lost trust is difficult to regain.

I explained my beliefs and why I am doing this in the first entry. After doing this for almost three months, I would do it again. Simply because I have a family to support and I know I’m an honest person who can report things as I see them not as what the sponsors think I should say.

My daughter is into Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) and I’d love to use it, but never get to an arcade and pay megabucks to try it out. We have a Nintendo Gamecube, the one console that doesn’t have DDR. Playstation 2 and Xbox have the CDs and pads. Which one would be a better choice? Recommendations anyone?

Update: I found one for the Nintendo Gamecube, but the quality is not as good. Konami makes one for the PC, but no beatpad—all in the fingers.