Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Boing Boing: Ludicorp Organizr: like iPhoto for your browser
Boing Boing: Organizr: like iPhoto for your browser
Ludicorp has the highest cool factor on the web right now.
Ludicorp has the highest cool factor on the web right now.
Review of Apple Airport Express and Interesting Alternatives.
Roaming charges: Hardware hunger hits Wi-Fi
Lots of fun for geeks!
The AX, along with D-Link's PocketRouter and Netgear's two specialized APs, are in many ways templates for the kind of products I expect to see more of from mainstream computer companies. All four enhance a user's ability to use the computer that he or she already has by adding both functions and value. And you can do things with the new AX that you couldn't do before, at a price point that is less than the previous cost of separate hardware solutions. And the AX's internal antenna has nearly the same range as the rabbit ears do.
With all four of the solutions profiled here, the key is how the hardware, by integrating with the user's software, has become part of the overall solution. AX needs iTunes as much as iTunes needs AX; and together the two deliver a more complete solution to the user. In the end, the user gets better and more for less. Not a bad deal, when you think about it.
Lots of fun for geeks!
Senior Travel Advice: Your only internet resource!
If one searches on advice for senior travelers, one finds lots of web sites marketing to active able-bodied seniors. There's not much providing advice on travel for seniors who may be significantly disabled by visual problems, motor problems, cognitive limitations, etc. The only way I found this useful resource was by limiting my google search to ".gov" sites.
So here's my contribution. A few travel tips for seniors disabled by time or disease. It will likely apply to many healthy seniors over age 80. Some of these tips apply to child travel (not a very kind comparison, but I'll be senior too one day -- I hope!), some to travel by disabled persons.
1. In the US ticketing agents can provide passes to allow one to accompany disabled seniors to the gate. Highly recommended!
2. The better US airports provide good shuttle service between gates and security. Try to learn how this works in advance; sometimes airport employees are not very supportive.
3. Northwest offers a fee-based companion program to help seniors go from ticketing to their plane seat. Other airlines offer less sophisticated services for free. Use these where available.
4. Passing security is tough -- even when traffic is light. If possible screen elders in advance. Encourage use of running shoes (no metal). Don't use metal braces. Watch for body implants (most now are non-magnetic). Remove coins, slim down bulky wallets, remove keys, etc. Consider a neck bag for carrying ID, boarding pass, passport, itinerary, help page (see below), etc.
5. In addition to the official itinerary provide a written document with plainly written directions, contact information for local help (children, friends) etc. Include advice on where to go if lost or separated. Provide a cell phone number that seniors or others can call to get assistance.
6. Meeting points on arrival are tricker than departures. There may be many meeting points and, it may be hard to know where elders will appear. Ask the airline for advice, ask about their escort services if any. If possible meet where seniors leave security rather than at a baggage claim.
7. When purchasing tickets work with a human agent on seating arrangements. Ventilation is better at the front of planes. Try to get the same seats in both directions. Consider sending seniors a seating map. Encourage seniors to take advantage of pre-boarding and to be ready for the pre-boarding announcement.
8. Hotels usually have special rooms for disabled persons near the main desk. Ask for them. When registering, look for a way to indicate that the room occupants will need special assistance in the event of an emergency.
meta: elder, geriatric, old, senior, travel, airplane, air travel, airport, tips, advice
So here's my contribution. A few travel tips for seniors disabled by time or disease. It will likely apply to many healthy seniors over age 80. Some of these tips apply to child travel (not a very kind comparison, but I'll be senior too one day -- I hope!), some to travel by disabled persons.
1. In the US ticketing agents can provide passes to allow one to accompany disabled seniors to the gate. Highly recommended!
2. The better US airports provide good shuttle service between gates and security. Try to learn how this works in advance; sometimes airport employees are not very supportive.
3. Northwest offers a fee-based companion program to help seniors go from ticketing to their plane seat. Other airlines offer less sophisticated services for free. Use these where available.
4. Passing security is tough -- even when traffic is light. If possible screen elders in advance. Encourage use of running shoes (no metal). Don't use metal braces. Watch for body implants (most now are non-magnetic). Remove coins, slim down bulky wallets, remove keys, etc. Consider a neck bag for carrying ID, boarding pass, passport, itinerary, help page (see below), etc.
5. In addition to the official itinerary provide a written document with plainly written directions, contact information for local help (children, friends) etc. Include advice on where to go if lost or separated. Provide a cell phone number that seniors or others can call to get assistance.
6. Meeting points on arrival are tricker than departures. There may be many meeting points and, it may be hard to know where elders will appear. Ask the airline for advice, ask about their escort services if any. If possible meet where seniors leave security rather than at a baggage claim.
7. When purchasing tickets work with a human agent on seating arrangements. Ventilation is better at the front of planes. Try to get the same seats in both directions. Consider sending seniors a seating map. Encourage seniors to take advantage of pre-boarding and to be ready for the pre-boarding announcement.
8. Hotels usually have special rooms for disabled persons near the main desk. Ask for them. When registering, look for a way to indicate that the room occupants will need special assistance in the event of an emergency.
meta: elder, geriatric, old, senior, travel, airplane, air travel, airport, tips, advice
Friday, August 20, 2004
Thursday, August 19, 2004
William Pfaff's stories ...
IHT: Article Search
Now that firefox works with the IHT I'm going to start reading Pfaff again.
Now that firefox works with the IHT I'm going to start reading Pfaff again.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
PowerBook fan problems - resetting PMU
Macintouch - Mac OS X Panther (10.3.5): "
Alan Sopczak
I am a service provider and have seen the fan issue on PowerBook 17's and 15's. The solution which worked for me, appears to be as follows: (this worked on my 17 and on a number of other machines) - reset the power manager.
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Reset the power manager by simultaneously pressing and then releasing Shift-Control-Option-Power on the keyboard. Do not press the fn (Function) key while using this combination of keystrokes.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to restart the computer.
This seemed to settle down the temperature the unit was running at and the fan does not come on now.(Except when playing a very graphic intensive game)."
Alan Sopczak
I am a service provider and have seen the fan issue on PowerBook 17's and 15's. The solution which worked for me, appears to be as follows: (this worked on my 17 and on a number of other machines) - reset the power manager.
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Reset the power manager by simultaneously pressing and then releasing Shift-Control-Option-Power on the keyboard. Do not press the fn (Function) key while using this combination of keystrokes.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to restart the computer.
This seemed to settle down the temperature the unit was running at and the fan does not come on now.(Except when playing a very graphic intensive game)."
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