Passage of healthcare reform, whether you're for or against this particular bill, is an amazing landmark event that I frankly feared would never happen in my lifetime. I have my reservations about the bill, but something had to be done, and any sort of action is better than prolonged inaction. Congratulations to the courage and conviction of both President Obama and the Democratic party!
"At every crossway on the road that leads to the future, each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand men appointed to guard the past." -Maeterlinck
UPDATE (December 13, 2010): A federal judge in Virginia has ruled the insurance mandate (one of my reservations) to be unconstitutional. If upheld, this will probably wipe out the insurance reforms, further calling into question this particular exercise. I still applaud the effort, but now think it was probably the wrong idea at the wrong time. The top priorities should have been economic recovery and jobs (and the home mortgage mess).
Monday, March 22, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
LED Headlamp/Flashlight
The best LED flashlight/headlamp I've found for boating at night is the Photon Freedom Fusion. Click the link and scroll down for full information. Notably:
- Red as primary or secondary color
- Full range dimmer
- AA (not AAA) batteries
- Safety beacon modes
- Water resistant
- Rugged
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Constant brightness
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Your Own Logo Gear in Your Own Storefront
It's cool to have logo gear (hats, shirts, etc) for a boat you cruise or race on, and it's even cooler when the crew gear matches.
You can of course order custom logo gear from a wide variety of suppliers, but that usually means the hassle and expense of ordering in quantity.
A good way to avoid such hassles is to use a supplier that makes it possible for you to have your own "storefront". Some will even host your storefront for free, with no order minimums. Once you've designed your logo (for which there is typically a reasonable setup charge), your crew can order what they want without having to design or coordinate orders.
Storefront suppliers:
You can of course order custom logo gear from a wide variety of suppliers, but that usually means the hassle and expense of ordering in quantity.
A good way to avoid such hassles is to use a supplier that makes it possible for you to have your own "storefront". Some will even host your storefront for free, with no order minimums. Once you've designed your logo (for which there is typically a reasonable setup charge), your crew can order what they want without having to design or coordinate orders.
Storefront suppliers:
Thursday, February 25, 2010
SSD or 7200 RPM Hard Drive?
SSD (Solid-State Drive, based on non-volatile memory) has finally come of age, and is now a realistic alternative to rotating hard disk drives for certain purposes.
Pro
It's also important to note even a premium SSD provides only a modest system performance gain (on the order of about 15% overall) as compared to hard disk. Is that worth the cost and other drawbacks?
Best Product
Pro
- Fast read speed
- Low latency (delay)
- Low power
- Silent
- Instant starting
- No moving parts
- Cost
- Write speed not as good as read speed
- Performance decrease over time
- More limited lifespan
It's also important to note even a premium SSD provides only a modest system performance gain (on the order of about 15% overall) as compared to hard disk. Is that worth the cost and other drawbacks?
Best Product
- OCZ Vertex (200MB/s read, 160MB/s write)
Find it at the OCZ Store
- Intel X-25M (250MB/s read, 70MB/s write)
Find It Online with Google Products
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
7200 RPM Laptop/Notebook Hard Drives
Over the past few years 2.5" hard drives for laptop/notebook computers have greatly improved, to the point where they are now comparable in performance to most 3.5" desktop hard drives while still being quiet, cool and thrifty on power.
That improvement has been made possible by (a) increases in recording density (the amount of data squeezed on a disk platter) that translate into corresponding increases in transfer performance; (b) increased performance of the SATA interface, now 3 Gb/s; and (c) faster 7200 RPM drives that increase transfer performance and reduce latency (delays) over slower rotation drives.
Each generation is faster than the last. It's important to get the latest generation, and since each generation is offered in a variety of capacities, it can be hard to figure out which generation is which. 160 GB 7200 RPM, for example, is available from Hitachi Global Storage Technologies in 3rd (Travelstar 7K200), 4th (Travelstar 7K320), and 5th (Travelstar 7K500) generation versions, identified only by model number.
In addition to generation, similar drives from different manufacturers have significant differences in performance due to differences in technology, including architecture and on-board control firmware. Different brands are not the same!
Best Product
That improvement has been made possible by (a) increases in recording density (the amount of data squeezed on a disk platter) that translate into corresponding increases in transfer performance; (b) increased performance of the SATA interface, now 3 Gb/s; and (c) faster 7200 RPM drives that increase transfer performance and reduce latency (delays) over slower rotation drives.
Each generation is faster than the last. It's important to get the latest generation, and since each generation is offered in a variety of capacities, it can be hard to figure out which generation is which. 160 GB 7200 RPM, for example, is available from Hitachi Global Storage Technologies in 3rd (Travelstar 7K200), 4th (Travelstar 7K320), and 5th (Travelstar 7K500) generation versions, identified only by model number.
In addition to generation, similar drives from different manufacturers have significant differences in performance due to differences in technology, including architecture and on-board control firmware. Different brands are not the same!
Best Product
- Hitachi Travelstar 7K500 - Hitachi took the time to get it right, and the result is a superb product with blazing performance, smooth and quiet operation, and high reliability. Encrypting and high availability versions are also offered. Find It Online with Google Products
- Western Digital Scorpio Black - Very good, but only 4th generation. Find It Online with Google Products
- Western Digital Scorpio Blue - Only 5200 RPM, but higher capacities than 7200 RPM, and very good performance due to excellent architecture and on-board control firmware. Find It Online with Google Products
Friday, February 19, 2010
Great Compact Digital Cameras 2010
UPDATED: Great Compact Digital Cameras 2013
Here's how I get my great images:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
Here's how I get my great images:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35
- 18x zoom
- 27 mm wide angle
- Fast f/2.8 lens
- Conversion lens compatible
- Ultra high-speed autofocus
- Stereo mic
- 12.1 megapixel
- It's what I use
- Find It Online with Google Products
- 12x optical zoom
- 25 mm wide angle
- Pocket size
- HDMI output
- 10.1 megapixel
- Also available in silver, blue, and red
- Great all-around camera for most people
- Find It Online with Google Products
What they both share
- Fantastic Leica super-zoom lens
(glass matters more than megapixels!)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- Intelligent Auto Mode
- Face Recognition
- AVCHD Lite HD video
- Superb image quality
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wireless Mouse that Really Works
The problem with many a wireless mouse is that they don't work terribly well due to annoying lag. Another problem is the dongle needed for the computer to communicate with the wireless mouse. After much searching I've finally found a wireless mouse that really works, the Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000. Response is excellent, size and shape are just right (for me at least), battery life is excellent, and the price is right (as low as $25 online). Find It Online with Google Products
If your notebook computer doesn't have built-in Bluetooth like mine, you can get a Bluetooth dongle so small you can leave it plugged into a USB port, like the Kensington Bluetooth USB Micro Adapter, or a much less expensive generic equivalent.
If you prefer a larger mouse, check out the other Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse options -- while I haven't used them, my guess™ is that they work equally well.
If your notebook computer doesn't have built-in Bluetooth like mine, you can get a Bluetooth dongle so small you can leave it plugged into a USB port, like the Kensington Bluetooth USB Micro Adapter, or a much less expensive generic equivalent.
If you prefer a larger mouse, check out the other Microsoft Bluetooth Mouse options -- while I haven't used them, my guess™ is that they work equally well.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
VHF Radio with DSC and GPS plus AIS
- Dual Channel AIS Receiver built-in
- Contact AIS Ship with DSC
- AIS Closest Point of Approach Alarm
- Navigate to waypoints with Compass page
- Navigate to DSC Distress Call
- Programmable Scanning and Soft Keys
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Radio Chest Harness
The Mesh Radio Chest Harness and Deluxe Radio Chest Harness at Med-Tech Resource are very good ways to carry a hand-held VHF radio.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Hand-held VHF Radio Could Save Your Life
A problem with EPIRB or PLB is that if you fall off a boat, without an expensive 121.5 MHz RDF the boat has no way of finding you by the radio signal, and you might well succumb to hypothermia before the USCG responds and arrives.
An excellent alternative that will give your boat (and all other DSC-equipped VHF radios) within a range of several miles your exact position, making it possible to find you, is a waterproof hand-held marine VHF radio with internal GPS and DSC.
Best Products
UPDATE: Another option is the Mobilarm V100 "VPIRB" water-activated DSC+GPS distress beacon. Cool idea (despite the misleading moniker), but suffers from limited function and very high price tag (~$750). At (say) $250 it would be much more competitive and compelling.
An excellent alternative that will give your boat (and all other DSC-equipped VHF radios) within a range of several miles your exact position, making it possible to find you, is a waterproof hand-held marine VHF radio with internal GPS and DSC.
Best Products
- Standard Horizon HX850S
6W, floating, internal GPS, DSC, SOS strobe light
"EDITOR'S CHOICE" by Practical Sailor September 2009
"BEST CHOICE" by Practical Sailor July 2009
SAIL Magazine 2009 Pittman "INNOVATION AWARD" January 2009
Find It Online with Google Products
- Standard Horizon HX851
6W, floating, internal GPS, DSC, SOS strobe light, glow-in-the dark gasket, navigate to waypoints and compass display.
Improved version of HX850S
Find It Online with Google Products
- Lowrance LHR-80
5W, floating, internal GPS, DSC, navigate to waypoints
PRO: track-your-buddy, larger display, less expensive
CON: not as waterproof, less powerful, not as rugged
- Help When You Need It [Chuck Husick, BoatUS]
- MMSI Frequently Asked Questions [BoatUS]
UPDATE: Another option is the Mobilarm V100 "VPIRB" water-activated DSC+GPS distress beacon. Cool idea (despite the misleading moniker), but suffers from limited function and very high price tag (~$750). At (say) $250 it would be much more competitive and compelling.
Best Computer Stores for San Francisco Bay Area
Best
- B&H
online, outstanding! - Central Computers
online, Newark, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale - Newegg.com
online
- Best Buy
Greatly improved, low price guarantee - Frys Electronics
online, Campbell, Concord, Fremont, Palo Alto, San Jose, Sunnyvale - Micro Center
online, Santa Clara
Service
- Central Computers
Newark, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale - San Francisco Computer Repair
Excellent!
BMW Oracle Racing Wins 33rd America's Cup
Race #2
My own take is that the upwind tactics of USA were fantastic -- the port lay line call was spot on, and USA then footed for too much speed for Alinghi to tack in front, and had Alinghi tried to lee bow, then it might well not have been able to make the mark. Hats off to American John Kostecki!
By comparison I thought the tactics of Alinghi (Brad Butterworth) were surprisingly poor, tacking onto starboard too early instead of going out to the starboard lay line when it had a big lead.
Spithill's driving was likewise fantastic, winning the start and pushing Alinghi into a penalty for the 2nd time.
And Coutts deserves tremendous credit for assembling and managing such a great team -- his revenge (on Bertarelli) must be sweet!
Despite all the controversy, I've come to think this event was fitting, echoing the initial success of the solo yacht America in 1857, demonstrating the superiority of American sailing technology -- this boat is simply amazing, and I don't think we're going to see her like again!
Final Press Conferences
I thought Larry handled himself well, whereas Bertarelli showed what a childish, arrogant whiner he is. (That he insisted on driving so much instead of giving the wheel to his experts on the boat was a big factor in his loss in my opinion.)
Will the 34th Cup be in San Francisco?
The obvious problems with San Francisco Bay as an AC venue are (a) difficulty and cost of finding suitable waterfront infrastructure for all the teams, (b) heavy commercial traffic, and (c) limited racing area with heavy tides.
Larry currently seems to be leaning toward a return to Newport RI, but does still have San Francisco on his list, along with San Diego (my favorite) and Valencia, Spain. He has promised an independent organizing body, so hopefully the decision will be made for the good of the Cup.
I think we'll see a return to monohulls in a multiple challenger format, but a bit smaller, somewhat less expensive, more high tech, and faster than the last AC rule. (I personally would like to see it sailed in something like Volvo Open 70's.)
The Louis Vuitton Series has proven to be popular and successful, and I'm sure that will be taken into consideration, perhaps folded into a new AC venue.
This will probably be discussed to death on the Sailing Anarchy Forums (but be warned that some of the regulars there can be pretty nasty to newcomers).
Video
The last highlight video is well worth watching.
My own take is that the upwind tactics of USA were fantastic -- the port lay line call was spot on, and USA then footed for too much speed for Alinghi to tack in front, and had Alinghi tried to lee bow, then it might well not have been able to make the mark. Hats off to American John Kostecki!
By comparison I thought the tactics of Alinghi (Brad Butterworth) were surprisingly poor, tacking onto starboard too early instead of going out to the starboard lay line when it had a big lead.
Spithill's driving was likewise fantastic, winning the start and pushing Alinghi into a penalty for the 2nd time.
And Coutts deserves tremendous credit for assembling and managing such a great team -- his revenge (on Bertarelli) must be sweet!
Despite all the controversy, I've come to think this event was fitting, echoing the initial success of the solo yacht America in 1857, demonstrating the superiority of American sailing technology -- this boat is simply amazing, and I don't think we're going to see her like again!
Final Press Conferences
I thought Larry handled himself well, whereas Bertarelli showed what a childish, arrogant whiner he is. (That he insisted on driving so much instead of giving the wheel to his experts on the boat was a big factor in his loss in my opinion.)
Will the 34th Cup be in San Francisco?
The obvious problems with San Francisco Bay as an AC venue are (a) difficulty and cost of finding suitable waterfront infrastructure for all the teams, (b) heavy commercial traffic, and (c) limited racing area with heavy tides.
Larry currently seems to be leaning toward a return to Newport RI, but does still have San Francisco on his list, along with San Diego (my favorite) and Valencia, Spain. He has promised an independent organizing body, so hopefully the decision will be made for the good of the Cup.
I think we'll see a return to monohulls in a multiple challenger format, but a bit smaller, somewhat less expensive, more high tech, and faster than the last AC rule. (I personally would like to see it sailed in something like Volvo Open 70's.)
The Louis Vuitton Series has proven to be popular and successful, and I'm sure that will be taken into consideration, perhaps folded into a new AC venue.
This will probably be discussed to death on the Sailing Anarchy Forums (but be warned that some of the regulars there can be pretty nasty to newcomers).
Video
The last highlight video is well worth watching.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Garmin Foretrex 401 Wrist GPS
The new Garmin Foretrex 401 Wrist GPS is a substantial and worthwhile upgrade to the original Foretrex 101/201, and can be an invaluable tool for marine navigation (cruising, racing, long passages) in addition to hiking. The new high-sensitivity receiver acquires satellites much more rapidly, and holds them in more difficult conditions. New electronic compass works even when not moving. Data can be shared wirelessly with other 401's. Screens are readily customizable. Highly recommended. As of this writing, Internet prices are as low as $172. Find It Online with Google Products | |
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