Texas Longhorn?

So, I received a new Gateway tablet PC yesterday and I have been installing the latest software (including Microsoft Vista—I have a MSDNAA copy). I have been burning ISOs and storing them in one of my DVD cases. Well, this particular case has you tear out perforated pieces that happen to look like the Texas Longhorns logo. See for yourself. Coincidence you say? I say subtle advertising. :-)

Anyway, I will write more on Vista at another time. I am anxiously awaiting my copy of Office Pro 2007.


Perforated Sheet


Texas Longhorn

Apple Computer Update

I was just reading this blog about Apple and I thought it may be interesting to comment on. It talks about some lawsuits currently plaguing Apple. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes wonders if a monopoly suit against Apple is a good thing. I would like to be able to use my iPod without having to use iTunes. An online service like Napster has become increasingly appealing since I can pay a monthly subscription and play if on both my computer and my iPod. If I want to burn the song to a CD, then I have to pay for it. But hey, why do I need to use CDs anymore? I can plug my iPod into anything (w/ the help of some converter cables). Hopefully, the greedy lawyers aren't the only ones winning big in this case.

Apple Computer

Summary: Why I hate (and love) Apple Computer.

I'm in the process of putting all my CDs into my iTunes library. Why you may ask? I actually have several of these CDs in my iTunes library, but since I reformatted my laptop a couple of weeks ago, I haven't put them back on. My primary reason for doing so is to not limit myself to only using iTunes. I want to try out Windows Media Player (WMP) 11. I actually downloaded it the first day (hey, I'm a techie--I generally download things the first day they're out, if not before). However, since my iTunes library is full of AAC files.

The problem with AAC files is that WMP can't natively play these files. You have to use a third-party decoder; however, I do not want to have to install another piece of software in order to access a huge chunk of my library. While AAC may be better (size-quality ratio), I am planning on getting a Palm Treo 700wx in the near future and I want to be able to have music tones. However, the phone (and almost any other device) doesn't support AAC files. That's the biggest reason for switching over. My iPaq PDA also can't play AAC files. So, I just have gotten tired of being constrained by Apple. Since iTunes 7 came out, I've come to dislike some of its features. For example, I've been organizing my TV shows on it and sometimes it takes up to a minute to update the XML tag. That's way too long! I don't know what the problem is.

Another thing that I dislike about Apple is its support. You almost get no support with the company. I've never had to use it (I don't own an Mac), but you have to pay for it! I've called Dell support on various occasions and I've never had to pay a dime for it. What triggered this remark is iTunes' MiniStore. I decided to turn it on, thinking that I could quickly turn it off. However, there is no "off" button. I did find a "Hide MiniStore" feature. I went ahead and hid it, but I was still wondering if this truly turned the MiniStore off. Now, this is a really old topic since many sites have complained about this same thing, but why hasn't Apple done anything about it? After all, the issue was brought up in an iTunes 6.x update. We're now to v. 7.0.2.16. It should read "off" not "hide." The two words don't mean the same thing.

While there are several things that I dislike about Apple, I still want to own one of their iMacs or MacBook Pros. Since I already own three computers (w/ a tablet PC on the way), I can't justify getting another computer. In fact, if you're in need of an old PC, I have one that's only gonna cost you $25.

Home Improvement - Part 2

Well, my home improvement has come to a close. The table extensions were stained two times and the table top was stained three times because it needed a little extra TLC.


Here's a shot of the table as it was drying.

Overall, I think the project was a success. Does the look perfect? No, but it does look better than it used to. I guess the real judges are my parents. They are the ones who will be left to use the table.

New Blogger

OK, I was trying to post last night (see Home Improvement post) and I was having all sorts of trouble. I recently *upgraded* to the new Blogger (out of beta). I figured that it wouldn't be a big deal, right? Well, I was sorely mistaken. First, the Word add-in (used to post blogs from Microsoft Word) no longer works! That would've nice to know before I upgraded. I hate using Blogger's web-based editor. It's a pain to insert images. After reading some other blogs, I found a site (Write My Blog) that was supposedly the answer to my frustration. However, when I tried posting the previous blog, the text was all messed up. Anyway, so I tried using Blogger's web-based editor. Second, inserting pictures works less than 50% of the time. I upload a picture and it doesn't upload. I found out that you sometimes have to hit F5 (Refresh) after you *upload* an image. Only then will it actually upload. Third, after you upload a picture, it's inserted at the top of the editor. Why can't it be placed where the cursor is? Alright. That's enough venting for now. Back to the Notre Dame vs. LSU game.

Home Improvement - Part 1

So, it’s a late Tuesday night (or early Wednesday morning) and I can’t sleep. Maybe that’s what I get for going to the gym around 9:30 tonight. My mind’s running and I can’t turn it off. Today was an interesting day. I am currently in the middle of my first *major* home improvement project. OK, so it’s probably not major, but something exciting to me. I have wanted my parents to update their kitchen for some time now. There’s no need for them to do so, but I thought it would be a fun project to tackle. I convinced my mom to start with our kitchen table. After all, we’ve had this table for nearly 20 years (can you believe it?!) and it hasn’t been refinished. Obviously, kitchen tables are really not that expensive and my mom could buy a new one if she really wanted one. Anyway, I decided to make this my first experiment with refinishing.

So, my mom and I went down to Lowe’s today and had a friendly gentleman explain to us the refinishing process. It is quite simple—at least, it sounded simple when the gentleman explained it to us. It’s also quite inexpensive (we only spent about $30 in supplies). I forgot to take a picture of the table before I started working on it, but try to imagine a really old table that’s been scratched up.


Table partly sanded (left side)

If you haven’t noticed, there are no power tools involved in this project. What does that mean for me? Lots of labor! Trying to sand a table by hand is a pain. (The right side of the table still has paint stripper on it.)


Look at the abuse this table has taken.

This is how the top of the table looks (it’s definitely shows wear and tear). I really need to sand it well in order to make sure the final product turns out well.


My first attempt at staining anything!

So, I decided not to buy an $8 paint brush because you can stain a table with a simple clean cloth. Which method is easier? I have no clue. The gentleman at Lowe’s told me to use an old t-shirt or something. Below, you’ll see how the table looks after the first coat.


This lightly used area (table extensions) came out well!


The table top still needs another layer or two.

While the two parts of the table look differently, trust me, they’re the same color. It’s just poor photography skills (and lack of light) that causes one to look darker than the other. Anyway, the plan is to put another coat on both pieces; actually, the table top will receive a third coat, depending on how it looks after the second attempt. Hopefully, it’ll have a deeper stain to improve its appearance. Wish me luck!

Btw, I am quite dissatisfied with the new Blogger. I'll wrote more on that later today (it's nearly 1:30 in the morning!).

Popular New Year Resolutions

So, a friend of mine spoke about new year resolutions and got me thinking. I believe he used the list found on About.com:

1. Spend more time with family & friends
2. Fit in fitness
3. Tame the bulge
4. Quit smoking
5. Enjoy life more
6. Quit drinking
7. Get out of debt
8. Learn something new
9. Help others
10. Get organized

Here are lists compiled by the U.S. government and a lesser-known site. He then went to explain how many of these resolutions are things that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) strive to do on a regular basis. Here, I will go into more detail and provide references found inside the LDS scriptures.

1. Spend more time with family & friends
• Read The Family: A Proclamation to the World
• Visit the Church's website and learn more about building a strong family.
  
2. Fit in fitness
• Clarence Robison explained it well in his article (dated 1972).
3. Tame the bulge
• Many people often overlook the eating healthy aspect of the Word of Wisdom (WoW). It's more than a list of "don'ts." Particularly pay attention to verses 10 on. The benefits are listed beginning in verse 18.
4. Quit smoking
• Ditto... see verse 8 of the WoW.
5. Enjoy life more
• Well, I hope people are enjoying life; if they're not, then what are they living for? What's their purpose? Money? Power? I don't know. Nephi believes that part of our reason for being is to have joy.
6. Quit drinking
• Same as 3) and 4). Please see verses 5 and 7 of the WoW.
7. Get out of debt
• Many times, we get into debt (myself included) to immediately satisfy our own desires. At times, we buy things even when we don't need them! Look at my wardrobe, if you're looking for a good example. What about all the luxury cars that I see back home? Yes, there are plenty of wealthy people, but many of these people have gotten themselves in to a lot of debt to drive the latest luxury car. Again, Nephi counsels us to not spend our money on things of no worth.
8. Learn something new
• One of my professors has always encouraged us to spend 10 hours a week learning something new. Why is it important to continue learning? Read Doctrine & Covenants 130 and find out.
9. Help others
• An easy way to forget about your troubles is to give service to others. The Bible teaches this as well.
  
10. Get organized
• God expects us to have a house of order. This has probably been on my resolutions list of years! Maybe one day, I'll master this.

Obviously, I've barely scratched the surface of any of these topics. Even though The Church of Jesus Christ teaches all of these principles, this does not mean that its members are completely following them. I'm just saying that if you're looking for an organization that can help you in these areas, please consider visiting a local chapel.