Reinke Faces Life

Vangard requires Adobe PDF Reader! Yuck!!!

Adobe stinks. It’s a pig in terms of size and complexity. You put out a pdf. Why can’t I use an Open Source free product to view the pdf? And, it used to work. SO you’ve introduced a change without notification. Just like your split authentication change, it does zip from my perspective except make my life more difficult.

# # # # #

Has worked very nicely from the road. The hotel’s wifi is deadly slow. But moving up to the Verizon wireless broadband gives good performance. (It should for those prices.)

# # # # #

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080519/google_health.html?.v=1

Google makes health service publicly available
Monday May 19, 10:24 pm ET
By Rachel Metz, AP Business Writer
Google makes public service that gives consumers electronic medical record access

***Begin Quote***

NEW YORK (AP) — Google’s online filing cabinet for medical records opened to the public Monday, giving users instant electronic access to their health histories while reigniting privacy concerns.

Called Google Health, the service lets users link information from a handful of pharmacies and care providers, including Quest Diagnostics labs. Google plans to add more.

***End Quote***

Well, I’m singularly unimpressed. I signed up. Figured it would be good to track Frau Reinke’s medical exploits. It’s dumb. And a giant waste of time.

Unless they have more they are not showing, it’s a waste of electrons. Never mind privacy. It doesn’t even get into the batter’s box.

Not Recommended!

# # # # #

A blog doesn’t lend itself to reading like a book — from beginning to end. So the writer has to “connect” the chapters for his readers, by putting foward and back links on the post itself.

# – # – #

<— Last Chapter: Snidely ties Pearl to track

Pearl hears train.

Next Chapter: Dudley arrives on scene —>

# – # – #

You get the idea. Now I have to do the work.

:-)

# # # # #

http://media-convert.com/ Recommended

https://www.pdfonline.com/convert_pdf.asp Emails results

# # # # #

http://www.foldershare.com

A “Windows Live” Beta service to sync machines.

They did an update yesterday.

Today, my personal notebook says it’s connecting. My work notebook says it’s connecting. But they never connect.

Both personal and work notebook show three of the four machines in the group offline.

Interesting.

I think they have a problem.

# – # – #

Update: As of 1400, the service is now connecting on both stations?

# # # # #

FROM GOOGLE to admins of domains using google apps

***Begin Quote***

Greetings admins!

Today, we’re excited to announce the introduction of Google Sites as part of Google Apps.

Google Sites makes creating a team web site as easy as editing a document. You can quickly gather a variety of information in one place — including videos, calendars, presentations, attachments, and gadgets — and easily share it for viewing or editing with a small group, your entire organization, or the world.

As of today, Google Sites is enabled for reinkefaceslife.com, which means your users can get started immediately. To help you announce this new offering to your users, we’ve included a template message below that you’re welcome to use.

You can learn more about Google Sites at http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/users/sites.html.

To find more information or get in touch, visit our Help Center at http://www.google.com/support/a. Please do not reply to this email; replies are not monitored.

Sincerely,

The Google Apps Team

——————————————————-

Google has just released a new product called Google Sites, and you can start using it today!

What is Google Sites?
It’s an online application that makes creating a team web site as easy as editing a document. You can quickly gather a variety of information in one place — including videos, calendars, presentations, attachments, and gadgets — and easily share it for viewing or editing with a small group, their entire organization, or the world.

* Anyone can do it — Building a site is as simple as editing a document, and you don’t need anyone’s help to get started.
* Share from one place — Create a single place to bring together all the information your team needs to share, including docs, videos, photos, calendars and attachments.
* Work together — Invite co-workers, classmates, or your entire organization to edit your site with you to keep it fresh and up-to-date. And let as many or few people view your site as you want.

Take a look at some example sites to see how you might use Google Sites:
* Company intranet — http://sites.google.com/a/organic-city.com/intranet/Home
* Team project — http://sites.google.com/a/altostrat.com/project-eggplant/Home
* Employee profile — http://sites.google.com/a/altostrat.com/jkraus/Home
* Classroom — http://sites.google.com/a/googleclassrooms.org/mrs-richau/Home
* Student club — http://sites.google.com/a/googleuniversity.org/ski-club/Home

To start using Google Sites, go to http://sites.google.com/a/reinkefaceslife.com

If you have questions, visit the Google Sites Help Center at http://www.google.com/support/sites.

***End Quote***

Interesting!

# # # # #

http://www.bloglines.com

As an RSS reader, I liked it a little better than Google’s. Until it stop working today.

# # # # #

http://wumt.westernunion.com

***Begin Quote***

Why do I have to call to complete my transaction?
See answer
For security reasons, we need to speak with you to confirm that your transaction is valid. We apologize for inconvenience.

***End Quote***

It’s a disaster.

NOT RECOMMENDED

# # # # #

http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/web/2008/0114web2.html

What comes after blogging?
First comes static Web site postings, then comes blogs, then comes tumblelogs

Web Applications Alert Newsletter By Mark Gibbs, Network World, 01/16/08

*** begin quote ***

First came Web sites with static postings. Then came blogs, essentially diaries on steroids. The astute reader might guess what question that raises: What comes after blogging? Some believe the answer is “tumblelogs” – a curious and compelling hybrid of a blog and a scrapbook. The definitive tumblelog service today is Tumblr, but the term “tumblelog” was first coined as long ago as 2005 to describe the formatting of a blog.

*** end quote ***

Interesting. I’ll try it, of course.

http://www.tumblr.com/dashboard

# # # # #

http://blog.econsultant.com/how-to-replace-microsoft-outlook-address-book-with-online-service-big-contacts

How to replace Microsoft Outlook address book with online service: Big Contacts
14 January 2008

***Begin Quote***

Problem: How to replace Microsoft Outlook address book with online service: Big Contacts

Solution: Big Contacts

Site: http://www.bigcontacts.com/

***End Quote***

The limits are set at a 1,000 contacts per user. You can have two thousand users. So, in theory, 2M contacts. But, on Outlook I have over 19k of contacts in various and sundry categories.

SO BIG ain’t BIG enough!

NOT RECOMMENDED!

# # # # #

http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9842728-2.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Webware

Hands-on
PicMarker watermarks, keeps your photos safe from evildoers
By Josh Lowensohn – January 7, 2008, 5:03 AM PST

***Begin Quote***

The correct attribution for online photos is a touchy subject.

***and***

Maybe one of the simpler ways to keep your photos and videos moderately safe from incorrect attribution is watermarking. I’m sure you’ve all seen it before, but if not, it’s basically layering on a semi-transparent line of text, or image over a spot in a photo. Some folks put it in a corner, and if they’re really worried, will place it all over the photo. A new service called PicMarker has set up shop to help people accomplish such a task, although instead of having to rely on a desktop software application, anyone can watermark up to ten shots at a time right in their browser.

***End Quote***

Interesting?!?

Now what can I use this thing for that it wasn’t intended to accomplish?

Social networking?

# # # # #

http://www.emurse.com/invite

EMURSE

Join XXXXX’s Network

***Begin Quote***

XXXXX would like to add you as a connection on Emurse. By connecting with trusted friends and colleagues, you will always have access to their most current resume and contact information!
Are you already an Emurse member?

***End Quote***

Wow!

A resume distribution service, which I recommended, has added a social networking component.

Why?

It’s now not enough to do your one thing well; you have to chase wildly any wisp of an idea (like little children playing soccer who follow the ball all over the field?).

Strange!

# # # # #

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=340

Western Digital 1TB My Book World Edition – Ethernet (10/100/1000) Network External Hard Drive – WDG1NC10000N

***Begin Quote***

Add this unique remote-access storage system to your wired or wireless network and you’ll have a surprisingly simple and secure way to access data and photos at home, in the office, and anywhere in the world–even when your local computer is off. The included RAID software makes it easy for you to take advantage of RAID mirroring for extra data protection.

Product Features
WD Anywhere Access™ – This storage system and all the files on it are always accessible when you need them, even when your local computer is turned off.*

***and***

*Due to unverifiable media license authentication, the most common audio and video file types cannot be shared with different users using WD Anywhere Access. A list of the non shareable file types can be found here.

***End Quote***

Excuse me, who made you the “license” police?

Argh!

Would have bought one on the spot, but for this minor after-though kowtow to the RIAA!

NOT RECOMMENDED!

# # # # #

http://blog.spokeo.com/?page_id=128

***Begin Quote***

1. Is Spokeo another social network?

No. Spokeo is a friend tracker (or a reader for the Open Social Graph) that automatically brings you friends’ updates across the Web. You cannot send messages, create profiles, or interact with others. Learn more about how to track friends.

***End Quote***

This looks like another JIGSAW or SPOCK type engine.

Hmm?

# # # # #

http://slashdot.org/~Felipe+Hoffa/journal/191246

http://groups.google.com/group/google-reader-howdoi/msg/876a2302bc71b433

GReader sharing flap!

***Begin Quote***

Message from discussion New Feature: Sharing with Friends
The group you are posting to is a Usenet group. Messages posted to this group will make your email address visible to anyone on the Internet.
Your reply message has not been sent.
Your post was successful

AnnaB
View profile
More options Dec 22, 8:03 pm
From: AnnaB
Date: Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:03:45 -0800 (PST)
Local: Sat, Dec 22 2007 8:03 pm
Subject: Re: New Feature: Sharing with Friends
Reply | Forward | Print | View thread | Report this message | Find messages by this author
This is going to sound like hyperbole, but this new feature has
actually RUINED CHRISTMAS for my family! I sent a share a few days ago
that I thought would only go to a few politically-like-minded friends.
I didn’t realize that because I had chatted with him in GChat, it
would also go to my brother, who is of a different political
persuasion. When he received it, he sent a snide, angry email about it
to a large group of our family members. I sent him an email (I’ll
admit, not the nicest one I’ve ever sent) asking him not to talk about
me behind my back and recommending that he stop reading my feed if the
posts were going to make him so angry. He called me a nasty name and
told me that if I can’t take a little ribbing, maybe we shouldn’t talk
anymore at all, including at Christmas Eve dinner. My whole family has
taken sides over this divisive political issue, and several of them
are not speaking. I kid you not, this is threatening to break up my
family at Christmas.

***End Quote***

In case you missed the latest GREADER “feature”, that’s what you get with web-based software — no change control; no feature control; AND it may happen without you even being aware of it.

Sigh!

# # # # #

*** begin quote ***

From: Nadine
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2007 5:31 PM
To: reinkefj
Subject: Fw: Ferdinand Reinke has requested your trust on Spock

Hi fjohn,

I received the following email regarding your Spock request. I’m not a user. If you are, do you recommend it and why?

*** end quote ***

OK, SPOCK is of interest (as I’ve blogged about) that is a “sponge”. It “sucks up” publicly available info, (somewhat like JIGSAW), and makes it available. Unlike JIGSAW, you can “claim” the account and make sure what it says is accurate. Leaving it alone, just leaves a collection point that is “untended”. In these days of digital dirt, I am a fan of taking any control I can of anything that will let me. I’m afraid this is just another something that you need to “tend”?

# # # # #

http://askbobrankin.com/gmail_beyond_the_basics.html

***Begin Quote***

Gmail: Beyond the Basics
————————–

I love my Gmail. In fact, I’ve been using Google’s web-based email service for over two years now, and there’s NOTHING about traditional desktop email software that I miss. If you’ve been hesitating about moving your email online, read my tips and tricks for the Gmail user who wants to advance beyond the basics of the inbox.

I cover advanced searching in Gmail, how to use labels and filters, keyboard shortcuts, and how to tweak your Gmail settings to win friends, influence people and become better looking. ;-)

***End Quote***

Maybe I’ll have to reconsider my current reliance on LookOut from MSFT!

# # # # #

http://www.collanos.com/en/products/workplace/how_it_works

***Begin Quote***

How it Works

Collanos Workplace is built on peer-to-peer technology, similar to Skype™ internet telephony and popular music sharing networks. The solution stores the data of shared workspaces securely on the computers of all participating team members. Members can even work from behind firewalls thanks to a special Relay service that helps routing traffic in these situations. All the communication between users is encrypted and transmitted securely.

***End Quote***

Interesting?!!

We’ll see.

# # # # #

http://manhattan.facebook.com/profile.php?id=32104185

***Begin Quote***

I don’t get it. What is Honesty Box?

People who choose to have an Honesty Box on their profile can get messages from anyone that has access to their profile. These messages are anonymous. That means you will never find out who wrote on your Honesty Box. It’s fun because you can find out things people think about you that you wouldn’t otherwise.

***End Quote***

So the person has to be a registered Facebook user. If your comments get “ignored” to many times, you get locked out as a spammer. (Not sure that really follows.)

So being a glutton for punishment, I put it up. :-)

# # # # #

http://www.legalandrew.com/2007/11/23/check-out-my-tumblelog

Check Out My Tumblelog

***Begin Quote***

Do you have a tumblelog? Check out mine!

There are cool things that I run across and want to share with you. But many of them are short or wouldn’t fit my themes at Legal Andrew.

***End Quote***

http://reinkefj.tumblr.com/

which is tied to http://www.reinkefaceslife.com/

We’ll see if I can make any better use out of it when I first tried it.

# # # # #

http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2007/11/this-sunday-a-1.html

***Begin Quote***

If you like making lists and setting out your resolutions, take a look at Your 100 Things. This site organizes goals into 16 categories — you can also see other people’s goals. I have my own resolution charts that keep me plenty busy (email me at grubin [at] gretchenrubin [dot] [com] if you’d like to take a look, for inspiration) but this looks like another great way to think through and commit to goals.

***End Quote***

Sort of like Joes Goals in multiple dimensions.

# # # # #

Just when I think I am at the top of my game, I find out how little I really grok!

Take the mighty GOOGLE for instance. It too can be a little schizophrenic!

For the longest time, I thought I was the one going nuts. When I would post on fellow blogger’s blog hosted at BLOGGER, now a GOOGLE minion, I’d try to use one of my funny email addresses tied to reinkefaceslife dot com like “The Big Turkey” for Dave Opton’s blog about job search.

(You know how I try to partition my life despite Gandhi’s admonition and GTD’s paradigm. Maybe I am the schizophrenic?)

So for the longest time, I when I’d want to make a comment at Dave’s blog — something truly insightful or witty imho — I’d tap out my comment and then try to authenticate to BLOGGER using my GOOGLE account. But, I always had trouble and eventual would take one of the other options.

Had similar problems, at the South Brunswick blog where I wanted to be “a libertarian in 08824”.

But authenticating to and signing in to Blogger was always a hassle. And, I attributed to a hidden Google cookie.

Being the naturally insistent jerk that you all know and love, and like pet with a quirk you see on America’s Funniest Videos, I kept trying. I wonder how many hours I’ve wasted banging my fingers on the keyboard just trying?

SO for the South Brunswick blog, I came up with a workaround. Before I’d post at BLOGGER, I’d log on and off and on again to GMAIL with “a libertarian in 08824”. Then, having cleared the “mythical GOOGLE cookie”, I could go an make my comment and BLOGGER would find my old “a libertarian in 08824” GMAIL signon cookie from the other FIREFOX tab and all would work perfectly.

(Note that this workaround reinforces my belief in the magical GOOGLE cookie that prevented my from using the BLOOGER “use your GOOGLE account” authentication mechanism.)

So I thought I was pretty smart!

So, now, I want to comment and use “The Big Turkey @ Reinke Faces Life” account to comment on a different BLOGGER blog. (It was going to be a wonderfully insightful and funny comment about cannibalism on Thanksgiving being unacceptable to the the big fat old turkey hisself. I thought it would be funny.) But, I could NOT authenticate to BLOGGER. (and, for it to be funny, it had to come from “The Big Turkey”!) So I tried my magic workaround. Which, of course, when needed would NOT work.

Now, I am faced with evidence. (Always, an annoying fact of life!) TBT @ RFL is working for email purposes cause I can see it in outlook. I KNOW the passwords for sure because ROBOFORM keeps all my passwords precisely! I can NOT authenticate to BLOGGER to make my comment. I can NOT authenticate to GMAIL to use my working email. I can not authenticate to GOOGLEACCOUNTS even though … hmmm.

Eureka!

TBT @ RFL is a GOOGLEAPPSFORDOMAINS account!

Remember back when Google announced APPSFORDOMAINS? You could turn any domain into a fully functional one for free. (Hey I admit I’m cheap, but I also like to try everything.) So, I put RFL on GAFD!

BUT, that’s not the same as having a GOOGLE ACCOUNT!

Cute.

GOOGLE is the one that’s schizophrenic.

By way of a test I created “yet another blogger” at rfl dot com. And, proved you can sign in to GMAIL or GOOGLEACCOUNT with it, but you can logon on to GMAIL via the GAFD interface. (How’s that for confusing!) And, even stranger, using that id you can create a GOOGLEACCOUNT with it.

(Now I have to go create GOOGLE ACCOUNTS for those email addresses in RFL that are in GAFD!)

So the moral of the story, is GOOGLE has some split personalities.

And, keep poking at something and eventually all will be revealed.

(But does it have to take so long and make me look so dumb?)

Happy tday.
from the big fat old turkey hisself

# # # # #