I have an iPhone 3G that I upgraded to iOS 4.0, but then I downgraded back to OS 3.1.3. Why? Continue reading →
iPhone Chess Apps
Just thought I would share some random musings on various chess apps I’ve used for the iPhone. I have an iPhone 3G running OS 3.1.3 (the upgrade to iOS 4.x slowed down the phone too much), which somewhat limits me as some of the apps are only compatible with iOS 4.x. Continue reading →
Chess with Friends on iPhone
I’ve started playing Chess with Friends on the iPhone. While the user interface is not the greatest in terms of finding opponents, etc., it works well if you already have chess friends with iPhones. I played a lot of tournaments over twenty years ago, but I “retired” due to other commitments. Now that online play is so much easier, I’m somewhat “back in the game”, so to speak. Revision3 did a review of the app here: Continue reading →
Mobile Phone “Turn-Based” Online Chess
I’m looking for ways to play “turn-based” correspondence-style chess that I can play from my iPhone. My idea is to play a slow-paced game with friends, making moves at my convenience during “dead time” such as waiting in line. The ones I have found are the following: Continue reading →
Why 3 Foot Passing Laws Are Bad for Bicyclists
This morning, on the steps of Los Angeles’ City Hall, Mayor Villaraigosa announced the unveiling of the “Give Me 3″ bus shelter posters and also announced that he would like to “make the 3 Foot Passing Rule a 3 Foot Passing Law” in California.
But why do we need a law in California requiring motorists to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of passing clearance? Continue reading →
Offline Maps Working on iPhone OS 3.1.2!
I’ve done enough hiking, mountain biking, and bicycle touring to be able to get a GPS signal on my iPhone 3G (OS 3.1.2), but no map showing my position due to a lack of a cellular connection. While an iPhone is no substitute for a “real” GPS, it would still be nice to have the maps stored offline for more “casual” outings. This procedure will only work on a jailbroken phone, if you don’t have one, or don’t even know what that means, don’t read any further! Continue reading →
Using Two Routers with One Internet Connection
This new project all started when I bought an internet capable Blu-ray player for the downstairs TV. Rather than get a player with a wireless internet connection, I saved money by getting one with a wired connection.
So how to get the ethernet cable to the player? My DSL modem is in the garage, and I have a network cable going upstairs to my wireless router. Running a new wire from the upstairs router to the player would have meant too many holes in the walls. Continue reading →
New TV, Blu-ray Player(s), and Netflix!
Regular readers of this space know I’m not a big TV watcher. In fact, when I was home alone for a week, the TV didn’t even get turned on once! So I’ve been able to keep my TV/landline/internet monthly payments to a minimum. At home the network channels come in crystal clear with a digital TV antenna, so we pay about $55/month for landline/internet. Over the air TV reception is impossible at our mountain rental cabin, but we only pay $11/month for network channels and a few others through an unadvertised Dish network package. But the bigger cost savings (as described in a previous post) is the $15/month for DSL without needing to get landline service! Continue reading →
Tour of California 2010, Stage 6 Photos and Videos
Here are some photos and videos of the Stage 6 of the Tour of California as it passed through Wrightwood earlier today.
I laughed when I read this after the race: “The field has made a right hand turn onto the hump between Wrightwood and the descent. It’s a very steep ramp lined by what appears to be the entire population of the town.”
What did the kiddo like best about the race? The packet of jelly beans tossed out the window by the Jelly Belly team support car! Continue reading →
WP Plugin for Sending Blog Posts to Facebook
Previously, I had imported blog posts into my Facebook notes. The problem was that Facebook would take a really long time to repost the blog entry as a note. So now this post is to test the FT FacePress II WordPress plugin. This should put a link to my blog post in my status, rather than reposting it as a note. If a link to this post shows up on my Facebook page on Wednesday morning, then the plugin worked as expected! Continue reading →