Technology

Task Management With Remember The Milk

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I have been using Remember The Milk for several months now and I think I am hooked. Like many tools that I actually like I am never satisfied (well almsot never) so I have been on a trek for months to find a better solution than RTM. That is what is so funny to me. When I try to find something better than something I already have or use is usually when I realize it may not be perfect but it is the best thing out there. RTM is one of those things that is just the best out there but not perfect.

I have in the past year really liked applications or services that let me use them anywhere I am. For RTM that means I want to be able to use it at home and work, and while I am on my mobile phone. The RTM website is pretty easy to use and I have not really minded there is no native client for the Mac and Windows. I actually chose to use the web interface over syncing with Outlook. I used Google Gears for a while specifically for RTM, but have since unistalled it at work at least. It was taking forever to load lists sometimes with Gears on. Without Gears the site was much faster. Go figure since Gears was supposed to speed things up.

RTM’s recent call it scripting task entry is fantastic. It was exactly what I was waiting for. Now I can batch add tasks via email and have them tagged and put in the proper locations and lists without me having to edit manually. The only thing I am missing from the site right now is the ability to batch add notes. I need to do that a lot daily when updating tasks.

Using RTM on my iPhone is a breeze. Honestly having RTM on my iPhone makes the phone useful. I love my iPhone (another device I am always trying to replace but for almost a year and a half I have been unsuccessful), but without RTM’s app for task management I am not sure if I could keep it as my main phone. When I am anywhere (mainly commuting on the subway) I am updating my task lists or see what I need to be doing. RTM on my iPhone and updating my work email on my Blackberry are what I do while in transit that keeps me productive while on the move.

I hope the RTM people continue to update the service, but it has been hands down a fantastic task management system for me. I was big into task management before I used the service so it isn’t for everyone, but for me it is as close to perfect as I have been able to find. I am still looking but as the months go by I am looking less and less!

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My New Media Center

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I broke down and picked up a new Mac Mini last weekend. I have been tempted to build myself a full fledged Media Center computer again but haven’t wanted to make the investment. I also wasn’t sure if I would be able to setup the computer with my LCD TV to work right. In the past I have had issues with HDMI adapters and any computer fitting to the screen on my 40″ LCD. Even with Mac OS 10.6 set to 1080i (yes there is even an option for that now) the picture didn’t fit the entire screen.

With those questions I still went out and picked up a Mini. In the end I needed to connect my Drobo’s to an actual computer vs using them as network attached storage. The editing I was doing was taking too long over the network (802.11n to my desktop). The new Mini is plugged into the Drobo’s and my TV directly via VGA. The picture is good, but not HD. I still think the issue is with my TV and not any computer since this is about the 5th or 6th computer I have tried plugged into the TV with the same issue. Using VGA the picture works so I am keeping it setup like that. I am able to access the computer using VNC when I want to work on it, or I have a wireless mouse and keyboard plugged into it as well.

Even though the Mini is plugged into the TV i am serving up its content via iTunes so I can stream it to my Apple TV. At least the ATV works with HD so that is why I am doing that. The plus side of having the Mini plugged into the TV and not just use it headless as a server is that I can watch Hulu streaming full screen on my TV now. I can use the remote on my Mac and it is just like using a DVR. I found that very useful since I gave up on hacking the ATV with Boxee long ago.

Other plus to this new configuration is that I can watch DVD’s on the Mini. I don’t have a DVD player and using the Xbox 360 for DVD’s is ok but it is loud. I love the Droo’s, but the speed still isn’t what i expect, but it is better than when I was accessing them over the wireless LAN so I am so far very happy with this configuration.

My new media center setup

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A New Netbook

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When my parents signed up for Fios they were eligible for a new Netbook. I didn’t realize this but my dad called and told me what he was getting. I told him thanks for my new toy. He wanted to know why he couldn’t use it. I told him get it, open it up and see if he likes it. I said this knowing what my parents can and can’t do electronically. I also think by now I know what they like and don’t like getting. He got his netbook and called me like 20 minutes after asking when I would come and take it. He didn’t know what he could do with it. I told him and his only comment was could he watch movies on it. I said sure and explained his options and he was like to heck with that. He wanted a nice easy DVD movie player like he has.

The netbook is a great idea, but it is defiantly not for everyone. I will probably sell this one or my existing HP Mini 1000 but I am not sure what one is better. i am going to see if my sister has any need for this thing either, but I am thinking she will have the same thoughts about it like my dad did.

New Macbook Pro

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I got a new 13″ Macbook Pro today. Back in March I decided I didn’t need a personal laptop so I ditched my Aluminum Macbook for a 24″ iMac. Recently however I have wanted the potential portability of a laptop. I know I have my work laptop but it is really not the fastest thing out there and I don’t like putting personal stuff on it, and work also frowns on that! Problems with my iMac have also soured my opinion of all in ones. I am still a bit pissed at Apple, but the reality is I looked around and I couldn’t find anything as nice from Dell or HP. I don’t care what the Microsoft commercials say, the Macbook’s are still really well built nice to look at, and perform fantastically. I was open to running Windows 7, heck I may still dual boot the Macbook Pro. Now I know I didn’t need the laptop, but I never treated myself to anything after my tax return this year so I splurged. With my employee discount I was able to get a really good deal. I also had a much bigger hard drive I still had that I pulled from my old laptop so I didn’t have to configure the higher end model.

I still really want to get a 30″ display. Right now the Dell 30″ is looking better than the Apple one, but both require the dual link DVI adapter for the Macbook Pro. I have read horrible reviews about it so I don’t want to shell out money on a huge monitor and have it not work because the cable is crappy.

With this new purchase I will probably use my 24″ iMac as a media center machine. I will most likely sell the older 20″ iMac I was using as the media center since it has great resale value. I could probably make back most of the cost of the laptop on that sale! Gotta love Craigslist and Ebay. I may also just give it to my sister for the kids, the reality is I think it is way more powerful than they need. I might just buy them an upgrade to the old dell they currently have. I need to check out how their computer is working when I am out there this month.

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LCD Burn in and Why I am Not Happy With Apple Right Now

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I own a 24″ iMac since March. For me going to a desktop as my main computer was a big deal since for years I had a laptop as my main computer. In recent history that has been either an Apple Powerbook or Macbook. When I calculated the cost of a new 24″ or larger LCD and a new computer I made sense to just get an a desktop. With my current job I was using the company issued laptop anyway so I needed portability less. The new 24″ iMac was a logical choice. It wasn’t as expensive as going with a dedicated computer and a large monitor. It also packed enough power that I would be happy for the time being.

Before the summer started I started to notice issues with the display on my iMac. At first i thought it was me. Then over time it looked like there were horizontal lines on the display. I thought something was wrong with the display but didn’t want to deal with calling in for support and then being without my computer for a while so I did what any good procrastinator does I put the issue off a bit. By the middle of the summer the issue started to bother me more and more. Partly because I was noticing it, and partially because for the amount I paid for this computer it should be working normally. But my annoyance aside I noticed something else with the display. It wasn’t that I was just seeing lines on the screen. At some times I was seeing burn in of items that are no longer on the screen. If you don’t know what burn in is, it is when you leave something on the screen long enough that even when you move it there is still a remnants or ghost of the object on the screen. It was an issue way back when with old CRT monitors, and is a problem with Plasma TV’s today. Up until this computer I have never seen it with an LCD. I am someone who has managed hundreds of desktop installs (with flat panels of all types and sizes) for companies, and I have owned at least a half a dozen or more flat panels personally over the past 9 years so I hope I know what I am talking about.

Surprised by what I found I put a note down to call Apple and see what I can do to get this fixed. The computer is after all just 6 months old as of this writing. After some more procrastination I finally called Apple last weekend. After two or three troubleshooting attempts by the support guy on the phone it was determined that he can’t do anything for me and I should take the computer to an Apple Store so they can look at it. I wasn’t too happy about that since this thing is not something I can throw in my bag, but I scheduled an appointment with the Apple Store in Soho and took it in on Saturday.

After a few minutes of seeing what I was talking about the tech went away for a few minutes and came back to tell me that the issue is in fact burn in, but the warrantee does not cover that since it is preventable. I was a bit surprised by that so we discussed the issue for a bit and he offered to bring his supervisor out to discuss. For one I will give them points for that. Usually getting a manager or supervisor is a painful task. The lead came out (I have their names but I am leaving them redacted for now since this is an ongoing issue) and we talked about the issue. They both claimed that burn in does happen on LCD’s but is rarer than with Plasma. I told them that is great but I have used flat panels like the way I use my iMac for years and never had this problem. Now with my iMac I can have a window up on screen and only after a few hours does it burn in. I have left my LCD tv on pause for hours before without any issues. It is an LCD! I explained my previous work and personal experience with LCD’s and how I am very surprised by this. They insisted the issue was preventable with power management and screen savers. Now I use a screen saver (maybe i could turn the settings from 30 minutes to 5, but come on) and whenever I don’t use the computer I have the top left corner as an action to put the display to sleep so I don’t know how I can do more.

After hearing what they had to say I questioned them that basically my normal day to day use of this computer will cause burn in, since when I am working from home I will use it from 8-10 hours a day and during that time I have IM windows and a twitter feed up on screen all the time, yet according to their assessment that is enough time to burn in the display (and my usage has shown that to be true) and they claimed that to be the case, and their recommendation was for me to minimize windows I am not actively using. Now I thought that was a total cop out answer. Come on. I have personally done the same exact things on many other LCD displays with NO issues. Heck when I go into the office at work I the exact same thing with no issues. Why is it that this is such a major issue but only affecting my 24″ iMac. I have another iMac I use for a media center and I don’t have the same issue with that one. I am still baffled by their stance on this.

The two gentleman I spoke to offered to escalated the issue to their engineering team. I asked them if that was possible and they took my information and are in the processes of doing just that. I will give both people I dealt with credit. They were helpful, and friendly the entire time I spoke with them. After I articulated my issues with what they were saying they offered to escalate and so far are doing so. I just can’t believe that Apples stance is basically I am using the computer wrong.

I am writing this on Monday evening. As of yet I have not heard back from Apple on the escalation. I will follow up tomorrow. Since my visit to the Apple store Saturday I went online and did some research about LCD burn in. Apparently it is not totally uncommon but still seems like a rare thing. I tried something that Apple themselves suggested to counter act the issue and it worked a little but the problem is still there. I also worked from home today and noticed that for a while I could see a bit of burn in from a window I had open for maybe 3 hours that day. No one can tell me that 3 hours of something being on the screen is acceptable for burn in to happen. It just blows my mind that is what I am being told! I await an update from Apple, and will update this post or create a new one when I do!

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Mac OS 10.6

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Today I received my copy of Mac OS 10.6 (I refuse to call any Mac OS by their animal names). Last night I backed up my Media Center iMac using Carbon Copy Cloner so i could have a full copy of my old configuration in the even the install causes problems. I like to wipe my computer before installing any OS. Previously I was never happy with the left over bits of the old OS when upgrading any Windows OS. I know I have read that the Mac OS upgrade is seamless but I am still not 100% convinced. I have used the migration wizard to move my apps and configurations from one mac to another when upgrading but that was between like OS’s (10.4 to 10.4). I do selectively copy the configuration files and “Application Support” files in the Library, but generally I start from scratch. That unfortunately requires a bit of effort.

Since I read that several programs that I rely on are not fully compatible with 10.6 I decided to try out the new OS on my media center machine before trying my main computer. The last time a new Apple OS came out I backed up my macbook using CCC and just booted back to the old OS when I needed applications that wouldn’t work with 10.5. This was a pain, but the price I paid for upgrading the day the software came out. This time around I think more of the programs I use are supported but there are a few key ones that are keeping me from taking the plunge on my main computer.

The install on my media center went well. I have what I believe to be all of the apps I use on it setup. The only glaring exception is the screen saver I like Fliqlo does not seem to work. Other than that everything else seems OK. I wanted to try the iMac I use for a media center first since it doesn’t have anywhere near as many applications on it than my main machine. So far that was a good decision. I am in the process of copying back a few remaining media files but I think the new OS install was a success.

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Let the updateathon begin. Mac OS 10.5 to 10.6. I refuse to refer to them by Apple’s silly names!

Apple Are You Kidding Me?

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I have been a huge fan of Apple and the iPhone. I have always had my criticisms of the company. I have also said that I love my iPhone but would love to find another phone to replace it due to the restrictions Apple puts on the iPhone. This latest stunt by Apple may just get me to drop the iPhone and get something (anything) else. GV Mobile is an app I have used since it came out. It is an app that works with Google Voice. Before GV Mobile I used Grand Dialer that did similar things with the old Grand Central before Google turned it into Google Voice. Why then did Apple just decide to pull all apps that work with Google Voice? I paid for this app, now basically it is killed off? Yeah it will still work for a while but if anything in the OS breaks the app it wont work. This is crazy. How is this not big brother that Apple (or AT&T through Apple) just come in and turn off an app? And why, because it mimic’s iPhone features? So what, I choose to use those mimicked features. Thoughts are it is more likely that AT&T doesn’t want to lose revenue by free SMS via these apps. So can someone explain to me how App Stores are better for the consumer if the handset maker and the provider say what can and cannot be put on my phone? I prefer the day when i can find an app, download it and run it on my smart phone. Worked for years with Palm, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile. Now everyone has their own app stores. How is this progress for the consumer?

I was tempted to pre-order an Android powered My Touch with T-Mobile today. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that the My Touch doesn’t offer Wifi Calling (no android phone does yet). Apple / AT&T get your act together or you will lose a good customer, and I bet I am not the only one.

On a related note I was kind of pissed about what I consider similar crazy tactics by Amazon regarding the Kindle. At least Amazon apologized about what they did, and it doesn’t look like they will do it again. Apple you should learn something from Amazon!

UPDATE 7-31-2009: Finally the FCC is doing something. Questioning Apple, AT&T & Google about what is going on.

My New Kindle 2

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Tuesday I got my Amazon Kindle 2. Due to some glitch with Amazon my order that was supposed to arrive Monday didn't show up till Tuesday. They were at least cool about it and gave me a refund for the over night shipping I paid for, and still shipped it over night when they could. That is good customer service. So far I like the new Kindle. The fact that it is thinner is nice. I also like how it feels when holding it. I did notice that text seems a bit lighter on the new Kindle Vs the old one. Apparently that is an issue others have stated when reviewing it. So far it isn't an issue for me.

I was able to move all of my books over to the new device seamlessly. I am not a fan of DRM or the way Amazon locks me into their system but I will give them credit for good customer service and customer experience. So far!