Easter 2010

Hey folks.  For those of you that stop by from time to time, thank you.  I do have things to say, but life has taken the spotlight recently.  I am very focused on my first, and most beloved project, The Speedzine.  At the TheSpeedzine.com, I am blogging and reporting on various motorsports topics and headlines.  Doing this, and reporting on the races each week, has taken up a lot of the time I would normally have devoted to this blog.

TweetDeck Icon

With all the social networks on the web today, it is very easy to become overwhelmed by them all.  I have accounts with most of them, and I am most active with the same top three that most of my readers are: Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace.  All these services have a feature called status, to which you constantly update to tell the world what you doing, reading, thinking, seeing, feeling, promoting, wishing for, etc.  Since so many of us have so many accounts, various developers have created a barrage of service updater applications to aggregate and push out information.  Up until recently, I have been very big on Tweet Deck, but I now find myself using the web more and more instead.

Tweet Deck is one of the largest updaters on the market.  With this Adobe Air based application, I can keep track of multiple accounts in Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.  I can even stay up to date with my seldom used LinkedIn profile.  I can do most everything on Tweet Deck that I can do in each respective service too.  However, there are problems.  The Adobe Air platform is sluggish.  I don’t get the updates in true real time, I don’t view aspects of each post the same way that the source developers had intended, and overall I feel a tad alienated from the experience.  I can see how useful a service like Tweet Deck, or HootSuite, or Seesmic can be for someone that is using social networking as a business model, but for me, I find that the only thing I use them for is to update all my profiles at one time.

For that, I am turning to Ping.fm.  That’s exactly what it is for. Updating. That is all I care about.  For the rest of my social networking experience, I turn to the host service itself.

What do you think?  What services do you use?  What do you think about the third party applications vs. the service’s main website?  Tell me what you think and post bellow.

Apple CEO, Steve Jobs holds up the new iPad as he speaks during Apple's event in San Francisco.

After waiting what felt like an eternity, I came home today and got all up to speed on the big Apple press event. Today, Apple announced the iPad, Apple’s official entry into the still young tablet market. Steve Jobs and company demoed the iPad showing it’s many features and specifications. Thanks to Leo Laporte, Engadget, and Mashable, and MacMost, I feel as though I was a part of the event… even if it came five hours late. While it seems as it Apple has officially wowed us all again, they didn’t reveal anything that wasn’t previously speculated or tremendously revolutionary. What they have brought, however, is the Apple style and essence to the tablet market and in turn will probably far very well with this product.

The iPad continues several of Apple’s current styling trends, including the unibody concept, the “i” moniker, and the less is more mantra. The sleek lines of it’s unibody design fall inline with it’s cousin the Macbook and the all glass front, input buttons and most notably, Home button bring Apple continuity from the iPhone. Looking a little deeper, the all glass front with bold black bezel are styling queues borrowed from the current iMac and Cinema Display product lines.

Weighing in at a mere 1.5 pounds, and measuring in at roughly 9.5 by 7.5, the iPad is about the size of a magazine and has the weight of many books. Speaking of books, the iPad will feature an App, and store, called iBooks. Demoed with a stunning graphical interface, iBooks will be where you preview, buy and read your books, periodicals and possibly even some documents. The GUI resembles many of the popular eReaders already on the market, adding and utilizing the iPad’s 1024 by 768 pixel resolution and 9.7 inch LED backlit glossy screen. The iBooks Store will carry forward the format of the current App Store and iTunes, being the place to purchase your reading material.

Your content, which will includes support from iTunes will be sent to your iPad using WiFi or 3G. There is no wired data connection other than the 30 pin dock connector used to sync the iPad with iTunes on your Mac or PC. This is a disappointment for me, as it forces you to use wireless internet, which I do not prefer. 3G content will come from of course AT&T through two pre-paid data plans at 14.99 per month for 250 MB of data or 29.00 per month for unlimited with no contract required. The cool thing, however, is that you are not locked into having to use AT&T to get your 3G connection. Apple announced that the iPad will be an un-locked device, meaning that you can use a SIM card from T-Mobile, or other GSM service. Also, the iPad supports Bluetooth. This means that you can use your Wireless Apple Keyboard with the device.

Speaking of keyboards, in addition to the virtual keyboard, Apple with have a dock/keyboard accessory available for purchase. They will also have a camera kit that will allow to hook up you camera or load a SD card to transfer photos to the iPad, which does not have a built in iSight camera. Yet another disappointment. Additionally, Apple has an Apple branded iPad case that doubles as a stand for the tablet. I am sure by the time the iPad is available for sale there will be a ton of third party accessories on the market.

Available by the end of April 2010, the iPad will come in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB WiFi and WiFi + 3G configurations starting at 499.00 and topping out at 850.00. Looks like there will be a model for everyone with a nice price point like that. The price of the iPad is a nice surprise to me, as I was thinking it would start at 999.00.

I have only scratched the surface of the feature laden iPad. Like all Apple products, it has a significant wow and cool factor, but at the same time leaves you wanting just a little more. Apple fanboys will be debating future updates from now forward, myself included. If I have the cash, I will be an early adopter. Do I need this device? No. Do I want it? Hell to the YEAH!

Clean up your Twitter Lists

Here is a Twitter tool which can be a little slow to use but is quite a good idea. As Twitter has grown, so has the amount of people we follow and it can become time consuming reading everything. Sometimes it’s difficult to decide who to keep and who to ditch to keep your account fresh.

The site explains:

After logging in (with your Twitter account), enter the number of days in the past you want to check. If you enter 30, then anyone who hasn’t updated their Twitter status (tweeted) in the past 30 days will be shown on a list.

Now some relationships may be offline as well as online, so you can white list your friends, so you don’t ditch them each time you use this. This really is quite an interesting tool because you get to see people and when they last updated their status, I actually found it pretty useful – so I would recommend you give it a try just for the novelty factor.

What do you think of this? How could it be made better?

Original Post

unTweeps Website

Happy New Year!

This time last year I was in complete turmoil.  I was working ungodly long hours at work under very stressful circumstances.  As a result, I was facing what would become the end of my military career.  A blanket of uncertainty and big thunderous cloud of acid rain hovered over me.

In March I left the military and returned home to Pensacola, FL, now without a job and not much of a clue of what would lay ahead.  I had very little money, and if it wasn’t for my awesome parents, I would have surely been up the creek without a paddle.  I became one of the 20% of 18 to 34 year olds that were returning home after failing, falling, being fired, laid off or terminated.

I spent the first month doing nothing… trying to let everything sink in, and get my bearings.  In April I started working on resumes and began the job hunt.  At the same time, I rekindled a serious friendship with my life long best friend and partner Victoria.  With her, I was able to get a job at a local gas station and as a result started to turn my life around.

Over the last year, reconnecting with Victoria has by far been the best thing that could happen.  In her I found a new sense of life and purpose.  In her, I have experienced a very special love and in her kids, have found an awesome place to pour some of my love into.

After working at the gas station for a few months, I finally landed a full time aviation job with Aviation Systems of Northwest Florida, building training aids for various customers.

With my new job, and the significant pay raise, I was able to really enjoy the holiday season.  I didn’t have to worry about anything.  It is a complete 360 from this point last year where I was worrying about everything.

All and all, 2009 was a fantastic year, and I predict that 2010 will be just as great.  I’m not too big on resolutions, but I do have some goals for the new year, mostly dealing with money.

I want to reduce my debt.  I owe my parents my first born after all the money they have helped me with.  Repaying them is one of my highest priorities.  They aren’t rich, so I know the money will be helpful.  I also have credit card debt, and really need to get rid of that so I can rebuild my credit line.  Looking forward into 2011, I want to get a nice place to live on my own, or with Victoria should she want to join me.

Repairing my truck is next on the list after getting my debt under control.  I smashed the front end almost two years ago, and still have not gotten it repaired!  Once I get my truck fixed, I can start to have fun with it: paint job, accessories, sound, wheels, etc.

All along the way, I plan to stash and save extra cash where and when I can, building up an emergency fund and replenishing and rebuilding my savings.

When everything is under control, and I feel like it won’t hurt me, I want to try to get a new computer.  Specifically, a new iMac.  I want a custom model so it’s gonna cost me, but if I save and be patient I know I can get it.  It may be a Christmas present to myself.  Who knows?

Finally, I want to continue to build and grow my various projects, with The Speedzine at the top of the list.  I have yet to commit and finish a full racing season with this project.  That is my goal this year.  I want to have regular content generation and timely news throughout the whole season.  I know it will be challenging, but I feel if I dedicate myself to the one project, and tinker with others at minimum, then I know I can do it.

2009 was great, and I have no regrets for the past year.  I leave 2009 excited about continuing my good fortunes into 2010.  I hope you too are looking forward to a great 2010.

What are your New Year’s Resolutions?  Leave the below in the comments section.  Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

What's in Your Wallet?

I recently posted an article about the importance of “backing up” the content in your wallet (or purse).  Knowing what is in your wallet, and maintaining a copy of that information could save a ton of headaches should it get lost or stolen.  Thinking about that for a moment, it popped in my head, “What is in my wallet anyway?”  So I’m gonna take a look now, and share what I find with you.  When I’m done, I’ll save a file with those contents just in case.

First off, my wallet is slim and sleek.  I have a bi-fold wallet that three card slots and an I.D. window in addition to two money areas.  I have seen some dude’s that have wallets that are an inch and a half thick and full of God knows what.   I think to myself, “What in the hell do you keep in there?  Is it really that hard to clean it out ever so often?”  I, in contrast, try to keep only what I need in my wallet so that I am not sitting with a rock up my butt everywhere I go.

In this electronic age, we as a society are become ever closer to using paperless money for every transaction.  We are not there quite yet, so I do keep a few dollars in my wallet as much as I can.  I use the secondary money area for receipts, notes or things that I accumulate while I am out.  I try to clean that out as often as possible.

In the first of the the three card areas, I keep my debit card, storage membership card, and my Social Security Card.  Then in the I.D. window is of course my driver’s license.

The second card area stores my insurance card, and my Craftsman Club Card. Finally, the third card area holds my Heat Saver CPR registration and a Toys R Us rewards card.

That’s it. That’s what is in my wallet.  I know, exciting stuff right?!  Or, maybe not.

Share the contents of your wallet. Leave a comment bellow.  Happy blogging!

Rain was the first short coming.  I had planed on taking Victoria and the kids to the Pensacola Christmas Parade, but it was cancelled due to rain.  On top of that, Victoria was suffering from a bit of a head cold, and wasn’t really feeling like being out in the cold weather.

On top of the weather raining on my parade, I have been battling a bad, nagging headache all weekend long.  It’s late Sunday evening and I still have a bit of a headache.  The headache problem caused me to waste away my Saturday more than anything else.

Like I mentioned above, not all was bad this weekend.  I got some more shopping done for Christmas.  I did a lot of cleaning, and put more pictures on my wall.  On Sunday, I cooked pasta for dinner and enjoyed a ton of podcasts and watched a lot of shows on Hulu.

Not every weekend will be the best ever, but this weekend was lackluster.  I hope the week ahead, and the weekend to come make up for it.  Cheers.

Site Updates:

For those that follow me or this blog, here are some things to look forward to in the coming days and weeks.

• What’s in My Wallet #2 – Explore the things in my wallet. Why? Just cause.
• What’s in My Dock – A brief tour of my Macbook Applications and Setup.
• This is My Day Job – Take a look at what I do during the day to pay my bills.
• 2009 Christmas Blog – Pictures, stories and more from Christmas with the Vining/Westbrook brood.
• Geek Update – Starting in January, I will be sharing a monthly update of the geeky side of my life.
• New Year’s Resolutions – Everyone does it, but how many follow through?  I’m putting myself to the test this year.

If you have an idea for a post or theme you would like to see me write about, post a comment bellow or shoot me an email (dan@danielvining.com).  Happy Holidays, and Happy Blogging!

MXL Studio 1 USB Microphone

I am so frustrated.  I’d like to think that I know enough about enough that I can troubleshoot most of my own technical issues.  This time, however, I am stumped on what to do.

I own a Macbook, early 2009 generation, and have had no problems with it.  I also cashed in on the great deals of the Mac Hiest 3 Bundle in Spring of 2009 and got a copy of the video production application BoinxTV.  I was planning on using that, along with my webcam and an MXL Audio Studio 1 USB microphone to record and produce a Christmas video this year.

My problem is with the microphone.  For reasons that I cannot figure out, my Mac does not recognize the MXL microphone. I have tried it in Wire Tap Studio, BoinxTV, and of course in the sound preferences panel within Mac OS X.  Thinking that it may be the mic itself, I tried it on a Vista machine, and it worked fine.  I decided that perhaps I needed a driver, so I searched for one, and have so far came up short.  I have also tried updating the operating system and restarting the machine.

Does anyone out there have any ideas to what my problem is? This is a really nice microphone, and I would hate to have to find a different one.  If you can help me, please leave a comment, send me a tweet (@danielvining) or shoot me an email (dan@danielvining.com)

Many thanks in advance.

What's in Your Wallet?

This may sound a bit odd, but go with me on this.

Without looking, do you know what is in your wallet? I mean everything?  I bet most of you don’t.  I don’t.  So, when and if your wallet is lost or stolen, you won’t be able to figure out, remember or just plain know what all is missing.

Here is a tip.  Take the time to record the contents of your wallet. Take that inventory and put it in a safe place where only you, or someone you trust has access. That way, should you ever loose your wallet you can make quick work of recovering important business card numbers, friends numbers, locker combinations, membership cards or whatever else may slip from your mind and normally be classified as not important enough to remember.

Wordpress Tips

You have put hours and hours of effort into perfecting every inch of your WordPress Blog.  Theme design, permalinks, plugins, pictures, podcasts, and most importantly post content.  Then one day you log on to find that your entire website is gone! Did you backup your data? Now that you have the thought in your head, I bet you will from now on. Worried that it is too difficult to do? Not to worry, It is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. From within your WordPress Dashboard, select “Export” from within the “Tools” panel.

2. Select the authors you would like to export. Exporting is the process used to download and save the file that contains the content of your blog.  I select “All Authors”.

3. Click the “Download Export File” button.

It’s that easy.  Once you have downloaded your file, be sure to save it in a location that is safe. I save a copy on my hard drive in a folder titled “Blog Backups”.  Set up another layer of redundancy by saving a copy to an external hard disk, or include the backup files as a part of your overall computer backup plan.

To take the safety of your content one step further, save your content off site.  I do this by importing my backup file into my WordPress.com blog.  Doing this not only adds another layer of protection, it also provides an additional face to your blog, and could lead to more hits and stats as well.

I am sure there are a ton of ways to protect your content, and I’d love to hear them all.  Leave a comment, or shoot me an email.

Most importantly, do something. Don’t let all your hard work go down into the depths of Internet hell.