Tire Rack

Kevin Kelly -- Cool Tools

Buy tires online. You get the exact tire you want, not what is in stock. They have agreements with local retailers for mounting the tires and they deliver to the retailer.

Anyone in the tri-state (NJ/PA/DE) region try Tire Rack?

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

The North East US is getting smaked with snow. Not as bad as Feb 2003, but we had 9 inches as of 6PM last night. Overnight we had another few inches.

Lots of my neighbors bought snow blowers, but I really enjoy shoveling show and I need the exercise. Today I have a soft ache in my shoulders and lower back, but ibuprofen takes care of that. I'll stretch out today before I shovel again.

Aaarrrggghhh! Resolved Blogger post problems

My automatic posts have beenfailing since the end of the year.

Only this week did I realize that this coincided with tightening security on my network and servers. Even though I had FTP enabled (and even tested it manually), apparently Blogger has a problem.

I'm in Boston today, but will resolve the firewall issue this weekend.

Apple - Mac mini

Apple - Mac mini

Wow. A Mac for $500. If I had more free time, I might consider buying it.

The only problem I see now is that its using a slow processor, the box is not user upgradable (sealed), it only comes with 256 Meg and I would need to get a DVI monitor (flat screen) and the standard hard drive is only a 5400 RPM IDE drive.

OK, its not *that* bad, but after upgrades, its going to be a $1000 box, which is almost twice as much as I pay to build a much higher performance Wintel box on my own.

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta)

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) Home

This is a compelling install for all home users. Please, please, please install this software.

I installed and tested it on all my home machines as well as my work laptop with no ill effects. I did get a 'false positive' on serveral work files, but the software in question is not something the typical home user will be running.

It detected old registry entries for some spyware that was on my daughters desktop as well as eDonkey that I installed (for 15 minutes...) on my work laptop.

I have a set of screen shots for the install and configuration for anyone that is interested. E-mail me. I may post a link later if there is enough interest.

I'm installing this on all my family member PC's.

The Hydrogen Economy

Physics Today December 2004 - Articles: The Hydrogen Economy

Very good article from Physics Today that details the pros and cons of Hydrogen replacing fossil fuels in our lifetime.