New Tech - iPhone X

Just got an iPhone X as a Christmas gift. I didn’t expect it but my iPhone 6 was getting slow and the battery problematic.

I’ve been enjoying the setup and transition of my apps handling most of it manually to do a little housecleaning rather than wholesale transfer.

I can say that I like the new features, the size, and the images provided by the new device.

More to come as I put it through it’s paces with the start of the new work year.

New Blog Installment Theme - Pursuing Architect

New installment based post category to start the new year and to reinvigorate my writing more regular blog posts.

Parking the idea here for now, more like stopping briefly in the Loading Zone rather than long term parking.

Read "On Writing" for Steven King's thoughts on waiting for the muse to come before just sitting down to write.

Also read "Drive" to discover Dan Pink's approach for self- and other- motivation.

Enjoy!

Dave

Fun flies when you're doing time...

That was a mis-quote from a prior colleague, I believe from my Superconducting Super Collider days. That would make it over 20 years ago as that was the last place I worked prior to moving to New Jersey. I can't remember the particular persons name, but I do remember him talking about being a guest ice guy at Dallas Stars hockey.

The quote comes to mind since I haven't posted to this blog in over 3 1/2 years. The fact that was when I stopped working in NYC and so lost my train commute time for writing. Since then there has been a lot that has transpired in my work life and life in general.

Those are topics for future blog posts, if I am able to break out time to write, that is.

Being that it is Christmas Eve and New Year's is coming after with it's opportunity for resolutions. We'll see...

Merry Christmas, 2017, and Happy New Year, 2018!

Dave

Visual Project Planning Method using Mindjet and MS Project

I have developed what I think is a novel approach to do project planning particularly when involving a group of people. Many people balk at being effective during a group planning session when using MS Project as the planning tool. The very nature of it

Decision Analysis - Part 1 - MPG versus gas price

Gas mileage comparo for my daily commute:



Seems the VW turbo diesel is still in the lead.

Next I will factor in price difference and cost per year.

Car options are:

Diesel: VW passat, VW jetta

Gas: Mazda 3

Electric: Ford Fusion Energi

and base comparison is the VW eos using premium gas (Andy)

Still Rocking the 1st Generation iPad

Why is that? Because it just works for most of the things I want and need to do with it. Of course I am missing having a camera on this model as you know I like to blog with photos. Yeah, I could blog from my cell phone but don't really like the one I have.

There may soon come time to upgrade my tablet device, particularly in that this one can't be updated to the new OS. Until then, this is my device.

Enjoy the gear you have.

1st Post of 2014 - On Walden Pond

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Happy Birthday Golf Man

Basecamp from 37 Signals vs Project Director from Mindjet

I am going to do an evaluation comparing Basecamp collaboration tool versus the new offering from Mindjet called Project Director. I like the simplicity of Basecamp and have been a user for more than five years but I also like the ability to mindmap in a group setting that MindManager has allowed me equally as long.

Mindmapping is also the basis for the planning approach I have developed called Visual Project Planning Method (VPPM) and that is not well supported in Basecamp since it is more task based rather than project plan based. MindManager's integration with MS Project and other MS applications is also a plus.

I will provide more direct evaluation results in an update to this post. If anyone has something to offer related to this topic please post a response or send a direct email.

Poor Sport or Bad Loser

I was playing online chess on the train commute this morning. A good game matched against an opponent only two points separating our ranking. We were into the end game and I managed to get a queen against his remaining rook. I then trapped his rook and was ready to finish him off with my queen and king to his lone king.

Rather than take his next move he offered me a draw three times. Since I had the advantage to win I declined each time. Rather than move (I would have been able to check mate in 3-4 moves) he let the time run out. I was awarded the win based on time but this seems like an approach of a poor sport.

He could have resigned or played for a stale mate draw but to offer a draw when you are behind is insulting.

Seems online games see more of that due to anonymity. Any thoughts?

So long

As in so long between posts. Not so long as in goodbye. January to June. Not that nothing has happened but way too much occurs all the time.

The brief stay at a cabin on a frozen lake in February comes to mind. I need another getaway. Thinking about a driving vacation in a camper van or small RV. Need to do some research for vehicles and route and destinations.

Enjoy whatever getaway comes your way.

Test

This is a test. Not a quiz or exam kind of test. An action to check if something works. My blogger app for Droid in this case. This is only a test.

Boys and Burgers

The Cheeseburger Cheeseburger 16 ounce burger challenge accepted and won.

Should have taken photo

Of Thanksgiving turkey gravy that was perfect color (for a brown). And it taste good too.

Nissan GTR Sighting

Another sweet ride just under $100K.

Sighted in the Bronx.

Dad and son making pizzas

At wolf den outing for cub scouts. Had cooking lesson from instructors from Mercer County Community College. Learned about five tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and unami.

Papa Johns better watch out.

A night at the museum

Linda and I attended a dinner hosted by SunGard at the U of Penn museum of archeology and anthropology where we enjoyed the Egypt artifacts. Almost too cool not to touch.

Golfer

A pretty good swing but I have to admit that the form is more a baseball swing like his brothers and his father. Whatever gets the ball down the fairway (or over the fence) .

Golf today

Played golf today at Mercer Oaks East course. Very nice course and I had a good outing. Scored pretty well even with my hybrid baseball/golf swing.

New Phone

Just got the Droid Bionic to replace my old cell phone and iPhone. Still getting used to it but it seems more powerful even if not as easy to use as the iPhone. What's next? An android tablet to replace my iPad? We'll see.