Entries Tagged 'Other Stuff' ↓

Last night, I decided to reload OS X on my MacBook. Contrary to most expert opinions, I upgraded to Leopard instead of doing a clean install. Since my performance has seemingly gotten progressively worse over the past six months, I figured a clean install was the way to go. Here’s what I did:

1. Did a full backup to an external USB drive using SuperDuper.
2. Did the above again to another drive just in case…
3. Left the USB drive attached and rebooted my MacBook while holding down the Option key to get the boot menu and chose to boot from the USB drive just to make sure everything was backed up.
4. Did the above again with the other drive just in case…
5. Disconnected the USB drive, inserted the Leopard DVD and rebooted while holding down the Option key again and chose to boot from the DVD.
6. Did the installation and customized the options to remove print drivers and language translations I don’t use.
7. Created the primary account on the new install the same as my current account.
8. Ran Software Update and rebooted until all updates were installed.
9. Enabled the root user.
10. Logged in as the root user and ran the Migration Utility.
11. Plugged the USB drive in and chose the option to migrate my data from a mountable volume and chose the USB drive and my user account. Chose the option to overwrite the current account.
12. Read a few chapters of a book while this copied.
13. Unmounted the USB drive and rebooted.
14. Logged in as my normal user account and verified everything still worked. It did.

You could probably skip having to enable the root user by creating a temporary user account during the installation and then telling the Migration Utility to just copy your account over since that wouldn’t require replacing the current account which requires you to be logged in as root.

I’m very impressed with how easy this was and that everything “just works” after the restore. If you’ve done this before and have any feedback, let me know in the comments.

Yes, that’s the best title I could come up with for my latest project Followinger. The idea is simple: follow the followinger user and then you can d followinger with a Twitter username and you’ll receive a d back with all kinds of fun stats:

• when their account was created
• how many people they are following
• how many people are following them (friends)
• the ratio of following to friends

The idea is that when you want to make a follow decision these stats are good to know. If you see that the account was just created or they follow way more people than follow them, you may want to think twice about following them back. This tool gives you a way to get this info in a Twitter reply.

Feedback welcome.

Don’t want to leave the house today to get good deals? Check out Amazon’s Black Friday deals. Every hour between 6AM and 6PM Pacific time, they’ll have a new deal. Scroll down on that page to find more ongoing deals in various categories.

I have a feeling that between this and my Prime membership, I’ll be greeting the UPS guy on Monday.

Technorati Tags: black friday, amazon

This weekend, a group of local swimmers will be attempting to set the world record for a 100K swim relay. Julie and I will be swimming our 2K each sometime between 2AM and 6AM on Saturday the 13th. Since this record doesn’t exist, we’re guaranteed to make it if the relay is completed.

At the same time, Yuko, a competitive marathon swimmer and regular at Lucky’s will be attempting to break the current open water lake swim record of 80.2K. She’s a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and holds the record for the fewest days to get into the 100K club at Lucky’s: 10 days.

We are also raising money for the YMCA Aquatic Center Learn to Swim scholarship program. This scholarship program subsidizes pool time for the Orange County Special Olympics Swim Team and the Learn to Swim programs for economically disadvantaged children. If you’d like to donate, please contact me. Any amount is appreciated.

Technorati Tags: swimming, orlando

Having been in Orlando for 17 years (ouch, feeling old now) rarely a day goes by that my world doesn’t seem a bit smaller. It just seems like every time I meet someone we have a friend in common.

Just today, I’m reading the paper version of the Orlando Sentinel (yes, John and I are the only ones under 50 that do) and I see an article about Alex, written by Etan, featuring quotes from Josh–all three are people I have talked with in the past week. Then I read the photo credit and see it was taken by Julie Fletcher who I know through the Y run club (and last talked to when she was taking photos at the iPhone launch at Millenia). Now all I need to do is meet the Boswell’s (from the article) and the circle will be complete.

After reading about Alex’s problems with Spirit Airlines, I figured I’d give the flip side and call out a company that has consistently (and recently) given me great service: AAA. I’ve had their service for about 6 years and have used their towing service twice.

The first time was in January when my radiator crapped out and I was stuck in a McDonald’s parking lot (closest place to coast to). I called and the operator first asked if I was in a safe place and out of traffic. Then, they took my information and gave me an estimate of 60 mins. for a truck to get there. That seemed a bit long, but I figured it would give me time to grab a coffee and water. About five minutes later, they called back and told me it would be 40 minutes until the truck was there.  About five minutes after that, they called to say it would be 20 minutes. At that point, I grabbed my coffee and water to come back and see the truck driver already there looking at how to load my truck up. The driver did his thing an took me and my truck to the shop.

The last time was yesterday. After being out of town for a week, my truck wouldn’t start. I did what I could by checking the fuses, making sure it had gas, and talking to it nicely and sending positive thoughts it’s way, but it wouldn’t catch. I did an internet request this time and about five minutes after I submitted it and received the confirmation email, I got a call to say it would be about 30 minutes until the truck was there. About 15 minutes later, the truck was there and the driver looked at a few things to see if he could get it working w/out having to tow it. Alas, it had to be towed. The driver pushed it out of my carport while I steered into the road so he could get the truck in front of it and he did his thing and confirmed where I wanted it taken and was off.

AAA did a few very easy things that really made dealing with them pleasant. First, when I called they made sure I was safe. Next, they gave me an estimate up front and then called each time that was revised. Finally, when the rubber hit the road so to speak, the drivers were very nice and professional.

Unfortunately, what should be the norm stands out as exceptional by today’s standards.

SOLD - This is no longer available.

UPDATED 8/26/07: After looking at comparative Land Cruisers for sale, I’ve lowered the price to $4K and also clarified that I’m willing to accept reasonable offers.

I’m selling my Land Cruiser. Email Chris @ chris@iamzed.com if interested.

Good interior and exterior condition, runs well and everything works. Needs some body work and new exhaust system to be perfect. Just changed the oil and charged the A/C but have to sell to get a new truck. $4,000 OBO.

- 170,500 miles (last 30,000 in the 5 years I’ve owned it)
- A/C
- Power windows and locks w/auto-down driver window
- Power steering
- Automatic Transmission w/Overdrive
- 4WD (rarely used but tested)
- New radiator
- 235/75R15 tires

Full photo set on Flickr

Repair history (as much as I have):

• 5/2002 - Front axle rebuilt
• 12/2002 - New front and rear shocks
• 2/2003 - Replace radiator side hose, water pump side hose, upper radiator hose, radiator cap. Adjust valve clearance and replace valve cover gasket.
• 3/2003 - Replace oil pan and gasket
• 6/2003 - Replace battery tray and starter
• 11/2003 - Replace alternator, power steering, and A/C belts. Change tranmission fluid. Flush coolant. Flush brakes. Four new tires.
• 11/2003 - Replace fuel tank pipe assembly
• 12/2003 - New alternator
• 6/2004 - New fuel cap
• 1/2007 - New radiator
• 8/2007 - New ignition coil

Good to see everyone there and meet a few new people. Putting faces to blog names is always good

Technorati Tags: likemind, likemondorl, orlando

The registration for BlogOrlando (Sept. 27-29, 2007) is now live. If it doesn’t work, blame me. I coded it.

Technorati Tags: blogorlando

UPDATED 9/13/07: Just got a letter in the mail from Quoc Van to let his petition signers know that he collected over 4,600 signatures and will be on the primary ballot on August 26, 2008. So, now that he’ll be on the ballot show his some love and send some cash his way for the campaign. This also shows that my memory for numbers is off by an order of magnitude.

Original post from 6/11/2007:

If you’re in the 8th Congressional District in FL, consider taking the time to print out and mail the petition at Quoc Van’s web site to get him on the ballot without having to pay $10,000. He needs 45,000 signatures and I met him today when he showed up at my door asking for a signature. He was still upbeat even in the 94 degree heat and wearing long pants and sleeves. Our current congressman is Ric Keller [R]. Note that the numbers above are as I remember them so they could be off…

He’s a Democrat if that matters to you but I figure even if you aren’t a Democrat, helping get someone on the ballot that really wants it is what democracy is all about.