A New USB Flash Toy
or SanDisk Cruzer (now without U3 technology)
A friend told me how she was having trouble using the browser that was provided on her school’s computers. I thought, “there must be a way to use a public computer and still get your work done.” That got me looking into Portable Apps for USB Flash drives and started my latest obsession.
I knew I would be visiting my wife’s parents soon and it’s one of the only times I’m away from my regular computer, so I was on the look out for an inexpensive usb flash drive to test out these new apps. It’d be great to be able to leave the lap top at home and still be able to work if I want. BestBuy had a deal on SanDisk Cruzer Micro 1GB USB Flash drives. For $25 it seemed like a great bargain.
Happily, new toy in hand, sitting in front of my computer, I proceed to plug the drive into an available port. Software starts automatically and before I know it, the U3 launcher is running asking me if I’d like a tour. The software installed with the drive is nothing I really need, but idea seems interesting. I go to the U3 applications website and find there were other apps I could buy. That’s great, but I’ve already found a bunch of free portable apps with the programs I already know I like to use. After playing with the device for a few hours and adding the programs I want to it, I decided to remove the device and turn off the computer. That’s when I got a little worried…
Programs hung during shutdown and I eventually just turned off the whole system by powering down my UPS battery backup. (Note: I have never turned off the computer this way before).
When I went to turn on my computer this morning, nothing happened.
Turn on battery backup, push computer power button…nada.
This never happened before, so I’m not sure what to do.
First step, make coffee.
Seems like it could only be a Power Supply problem, maybe it was just a coincidence that I had plugged in a new device that started programs that I hadn’t previously inspected before they were run. I have a new power supply an hand, so I figure I’ll spend the morning replacing the power supply and take it from there.
Coffee made, and a little more awake, I try the power button again*, and this time all the usual things happen and my computer starts up. (Note to self: Do not turn off the computer by simply shutting down the back up power supply). I wait for the log in screen to come up and restart the computer. (This is my normal routine…If I don’t restart the computer before I log in, it locks up…yes, I’m running windows…yes, you can get used to all sort of nonsense).
Before I incapacitate anyone else’s computer, I better find out what kind of trouble other users are having with this flash drive. Top of the list on my Google search is Krista Grothoff’s post where I found everything I needed to remove U3 and all it’s programs from my new drive. I needed to use the uninstall program from U3 because SanDisk’s uninstall program thought I had two drives attached.
I’ll be more careful about what I plug into my computer next time!
Here are a few of the other sites and apps I found if you’re looking for portable programs to add to your new flash drive:
- Portable Apps
- Portable gVim
- PortaPuTTY
- Password Safe (I used the pwsafe-3.04-bin.zip version)
- Dvorak Assist (I type using the Dvorak keymap and find it really difficult to type when the keys are all switched around in QWERTY).
- Wikipedia List of Portable Software
* Val and I worked at Bed and Breakfast for half a year. The owner of the property had the philosophy “When in doubt, Wait.” He used this for just about everything. It used to drive us nuts…and it often worked out beautifully. While I don’t use, or even remember, this philosophy as regularly as he did, when I have a problem that I don’t have an immediate answer, I like to apply it.
Photo Gallery Software
I’ve really been having fun with Flickr. It’s easy to use and simple enough for most folks to view your photos. I had a client that wanted a way to easily add photos to a web page and I thought, “wouldn’t it be great if I could have something like that and incorporate it into a blog!”
In comes Gallery 2. Looks like a great idea, so I install and configure it. It’s not as easy to use as Flickr, but there are tons more options…which is the good (I suppose) and bad news. I did get a gallery started, I even began to integrate it into the blog. [WordPress Gallery 2 Plugin] You’ll have to keep an eye out to see if I try to work out the style and integration issues. It’s starting to weigh in on the “not so fun side”, so I’m not too sure…
You can take a look at the gallery here. Like everything on the web, it’s a work in progress…and a good excuse to go out for a ride and take photos.
Anat Baniel Method training is a GO
I received my official acceptance packet this weekend. I’ll start training with Anat Baniel this January. I’m very excited!
For those of you who know me only through my computer and web design work, I’ve also been doing bodywork for the past 15 years. The training schedule will allow my to continue with my current work load and will increase my ability to help my bodywork clients. If you work at a computer, I’d recommend looking at the Desk Trainer site and trying one of the free exercise lessons. This will give you a glimpse of the work I’m planning to learn.
As part of my student training, I’ll be looking for people to teach group Transformational Movement LessonsSM and hands on Functional SynthesisSM lessons. Let me know if you’re interested in being added to my list and I’ll keep you posted.
Food Bandits Found!
Vielen dank Martina! …for locating the elusive midnight raiders, who appear to be making extra money posing for puzzle card letters for tourists. Although they were found, they were not very remorseful about their actions. They did however, express their appreciation for the goodies and even requested more sent to their address:
Fam. Racoon
Hole-in-the-Tree Nr. 1
Somewhere in the Woods
United States
Sadly, I was not able to locate the appropriate postal code to ensure proper delivery, so they will probably have to pilfer from the next camp visitor if they want cookies and chocolate.
A Visit to Anat Baniel’s Class
I was able to sit in on a class at the Anat Baniel Method of Feldenkrais Professional Training yesterday. I wanted to get a feel for the class and teaching and see if it was a fit for me. My interest in Feldenkrais training increases as I see the growth and work that Valerie is learning through her classes.
Anat’s teaching was beautiful to watch. Her movements graceful, present, and aware. I was able to speak to several students in the class and everyone had only good things to say about Anat, her work, and her classes. Many assured me I would be able to integrate Feldenkrais work with my current bodywork immediately. While I enjoy massage, I want to be able to facilitate more change and learning with my work.
Watching the class, I could see how this Method would be a great help with Aikido students. One of my goals for the past several years has been to help my fellow aikidoka to be more flexible and move more freely. We work on making movements without ‘muscling’ and I saw several examples of how this was possible in the work Anat is teaching.
I’m even more excited about this training after visiting this class. Since the classes are in nine day segments, it will only require a week off every few months. I will be able to continue with my regular work while attending classes.
Wish me luck on this journey.
Bandits Wanted
Small beady eyed, masked bandits wanted for the theft of two bars of chocalate, oatmeal, and chocolate chip cookies and general camp area disurption. Last seen at Woodside Campground in Salt Point State Park. Turn yourselves in now! We have your prints!
Feldenkrais Functional Integration Lesson
Wow! I received an FI (Functional Integration Lesson) from a student of the Sonoma II Feldenkrais Training yesterday. Thanks Diane! And yes, my life really is perfect now. I even have more flexibility in moving my back and looking behind me. I’m so excited to have more range of movement and I never even knew I was missing anything. (Visit Diane’s website here: www.diane.org)
Getting more energy in my day
As some of you know, I’ve been using Lifewave Energy Patches for some time now. They give me more stamina to get through the day and I notice a better mental clarity and balance too. All that without putting a single chemical into my body. Today, I opened my newest package of patches and found that the patches have been improved. They’re thinner, more flexible, and stick better than before.
Maybe you’d like to have more energy? Click here to watch a 9 minute video about Lifewave and see if it’s something you’d like experience yourself.
Let me know if you’d like more information.
Feldenkrais training in my future?
Valerie is finishing her third year of Feldenkrais training this week. The more I see of the work she’s learning the more excited I am about it. I’ve been doing bodywork for the past 15 years, longer than I’ve been working on the web. I enjoy the combination of work, massage helps keep me grounded in my body, while design/computer work gives me interesting problems to solve mentally.
The definition of Feldenkrais seems to change depending on who and when you ask, but it seem to me to that it helps people learn new easier ways to move. I think it would improve my Aikido, enhance my bodywork practice, and give me new tools to use.
Does anyone reading this have any experience/comments on the Anat Baniel Method? Her training is one that I’m considering.
New tires on my XJ1100
Well, looking at my site today, I noticed I hadn’t posted anything in a month. I’ve heard that blogging is addictive for some, and having a rather compulsive personality, I figured I’d be posting often. Guess this isn’t one of those thing I need to worry about spending all my time doing…
Motorcycling is another story. I look for excuses to get out and ride. I’m glad to have a few people on the coast to stop by and say hello to. A couple weeks ago I picked up a metal ‘thingy’ in my rear tire. Since the front was just about worn as far as was safe I replaced both with new Dunlop Elite 3 tires. I had no idea that it would make such a significant difference in my ride. The tires are broken in nicely and the bike rides smoother and handles better than before.
It’s even easier to find an excuse for a ride. 🙂
When I’m not at my keyboard, I’ll see you on the back roads in Sonoma county!
Gmail saves my email
Gmail For Your Domain makes it possible for me to get mail at my domain again. I’ve enjoyed having an account that doesn’t get 98% spam, so I don’t check the old account as often, but it sure is nice to be able to get message from folks that still use the old address. Thanks Gmail!
Gmail offers beta testing for domains!
Just when I thought that I may never be able to use our domain name for email again, I noticed that gmail began offering service to domains as part of a beta program. I’ve enjoyed my personal gmail account and it’s been a great help, so I’m very excited about this offer. Don’t start using my old email addresses yet, but maybe in the future I’ll be able to get email here again. Yeah Gmail!!
The Frog is Gone
Blue Security announced today that they will no longer pursue their anti-spam Blue Frog program. See CastleCop’s Blue Security Forum for more information. If you installed Blue Frog you should uninstall it now.
An Uncluttered Inbox
The dust is settling, and now that I’m over the initial shock of the loss of my mail server, the lack of spam is quite refreshing!
I had gotten used to receiving hundreds of junk emails every day. I had programs and systems in place to sort, filter, and sanitize my email. It worried me when there weren’t a dozen spam messages waiting for me. Was my account working? Where’s the junk?
It’s amazing what we get used to…
This past week, when I’ve checked my email, I find messages from people that I want to hear from! I think I can get used to this.