Automation Adventures

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-07

Ronald Bruintjes — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0000

I just became the mayor of Sheetz on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/9bcDd8 #
I'm at Sheetz (N Franklin, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/9bcDd8 #
I'm at Lowe's (350 Peppers Ferry Rd NE, at Arbor Dr, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/8BRigR #
Since Lowe's didn't have energy efficient outdoor bulbs. (@ Home Depot) http://4sq.com/8mObUh #
I'm at Petsmart (165 Shoppers Way, NRV mall, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/6NeZzt #
I'm at Bed Bath Beyond (135 Shoppers Way, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/axWh1g #
Picking up miss Daisy (@ Petsmart) http://4sq.com/6NeZzt #
I'm at NRV mall (Franklin Road, Route 114, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/8mrcwX #
@pamatthe I know how you feel: I can identify about 90% of the items… in reply to pamatthe #
Since Kroger didn't have the right bottle liners. (@ Food lion) http://4sq.com/dm5Kl5 #
Walmart… I can't believe I'm still at Walmart (@ Walmart Supercenter) http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #
I'm at Town & Country – Vet Clinic. http://4sq.com/bxroIE #
I'm at Lowe's (350 Peppers Ferry Rd NE, at Arbor Dr, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/8BRigR #
@andrea_r Prediction: your next snowman will look… interesting… in reply to andrea_r #
I'm at Subway (Salem). http://4sq.com/bQqQzC #
I'm at London Underground (112 North Main Street, Blacksburg). http://4sq.com/4ARopG #
@9000mijl Ik gebruik Twitter Tools van Alex King op mijn Wordpress blog: http://alexking.org/projects/wordpress in reply to 9000mijl #
Da place to be on Saturday night! Party in the produce isle!! (@ Walmart Supercenter) http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-28

Ronald Bruintjes — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:00:00 +0000

@JimSchweitzer jealousy washes over me. How much better is it than ”regular” 3D? in reply to JimSchweitzer #
I'm at Walmart Supercenter (2400 N Franklin, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #
RT @officeformac: Share the love! Retweet @OfficeforMac with #macoffice for another chance to win. One retweet per person. Good luck! #
I'm at Champs (111 N Main St, at W Roanoke St, Blacksburg). http://4sq.com/6ug3QB #
I just unlocked the "Don't Stop Believin'" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/bkRYxB #
Sorry I can't attend this memorial service – would love to! http://tinyurl.com/ykhwyzs – Goodbye IE6, may your son soon follow you… #
I'm at Dynasty Buffet (W Main Street, Walmart, Salem). http://4sq.com/7vCdWz #
The reason I don't use Bing for search: http://tweetphoto.com/12608489 #
I'm at Lowe's (350 Peppers Ferry Rd NE, at Arbor Dr, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/8BRigR #
I'm at Kroger (555 N Franklin St, Wades Ln, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/5wokYZ #
@handshake20 Sorry I couldn't make it – I'll be there next time! in reply to handshake20 #
I'm at BB and T (Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/cJHYYE #
I'm at US Post Office (350 Arbor Drive‎, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/6uY6Vy #
I'm at Member One (Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/aVMgVa #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-21

Ronald Bruintjes — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 11:00:00 +0000

@handshake20 I recently read "What Would Google Do?" by Jeff Jarvis. Applying Google's strategy to different industries. Good book. in reply to handshake20 #
@handshake20 Let me see if it's on Audible. in reply to handshake20 #
Wednesday night darts! (@ London Underground) http://4sq.com/4ARopG #
@AxelNL eh, only 8 or 9 hours by car. Practically around the corner! in reply to AxelNL #
@bartt just switched to dev channel to check out JavaScript disabling, and seeing plugin issues. Glad to hear some are working! in reply to bartt #
@MkIXI Black turtleneck is the differentiator! in reply to MkIXI #
@garycope Gmail worked ok, but had some Youtube issues this morning. in reply to garycope #
@bartt Oops. My bad. Names too similar… in reply to bartt #
I'm at Walmart Supercenter (2400 N Franklin, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #
@MkIXI And how the human mind jumps. I read "Realtor Distortion Field" and thought @NRVliving would find that useful! in reply to MkIXI #
@garycope Still beats curling. Now there's something that doesn't deserve to be called a sport, let alone an Olympic one! in reply to garycope #
I just unlocked the "Explorer" badge on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/a8mpwV #
I'm at Cracker Barrel (30 Hampton Blvd, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/4CTbZL #
@bartt @AxelNL nieuw motto hier is ”Yes we could have”… in reply to bartt #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-14

Ronald Bruintjes — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 11:00:00 +0000

@NRVLiving I'd say take it as a hint and stop shoveling. I feel like someone is trying to tell you something. in reply to NRVLiving #
Mocha time (@ Sheetz) http://4sq.com/9bcDd8 #
I'm at Walmart Supercenter (2400 N Franklin, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #
It was interesting to see The Who perform the half-time show with Brian Johnson (ACDC) as lead singer… waiting for Simon Cowell comments. #
@somebunnyslove pacifier. Welcome to the South… in reply to somebunnyslove #
At doctor's office wearing one of those face masks. Feel like Michael Jackson. #
I'm at London Underground w/ @somebunnyslove. http://4sq.com/4ARopG #
I'm at Walmart Supercenter (2400 N Franklin, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #
@journeyguy Stop the presses! In identical news, I don't think our yard has been without snow since December 18. That's almost 2 months! in reply to journeyguy #
RT @roanoketimes: General Assembly update: House and Senate both pass legislation to suspend AEP power rate increase // http://bit.ly/d9zicF #
@codydavenport That's our neighbor to a T (no pun intended) in reply to codydavenport #
@journeyguy Oh dear. And here I was thinking (hoping?) he was inside those 36 hours… in reply to journeyguy #
I'm at Dynasty Buffet (W Main Street, Walmart, Salem). http://4sq.com/7vCdWz #
@bartt @flxbrkl. Ik denk dat ik weet wie dat is! Welkom! in reply to bartt #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-07

Ronald Bruintjes — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 11:00:00 +0000

@mkixi same here in Cburg. Sometime during the wee hours they scraped our neighborhood. Somewhat. in reply to mkixi #
@somebunnyslove It looks like one of the cops is writing the pilot a ticket…? Speeding…? in reply to somebunnyslove #
@codydavenport Did the shirtless weekend end, or are you going for a new record…? in reply to codydavenport #
Oops, forgot to check in. (@ Petsmart) http://4sq.com/6NeZzt #
I just became the mayor of Petsmart on @foursquare! http://4sq.com/6NeZzt #
I'm at Walmart Supercenter (2400 N Franklin, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #
@queenofpith It's a wave! in reply to queenofpith #
Ah, tweetoff! RT @handshake20: Yes. And where's your RT?! RT @NRVLiving @handshake20 really? A retweet of a retweet of your own tweet? #
@bartt Good luck! in reply to bartt #
@handshake20 I didn't click the links Ann (I'm a big wuss). Good luck with the surgery! in reply to handshake20 #
LOL RT @MkIXI: New Ski Warnings: http://is.gd/7GVf9 So true. #
Looks like we got 2-3" so far in Christiansburg, with snow still falling. #swvasnow #
@cometoroanoke I would love planting a tree right now, beats shoveling the driveway. in reply to cometoroanoke #
@andrea_r one major browser not conforming – wow, one name immediately comes to mind! in reply to andrea_r #
View of downtown Christiansburg. #swvasnow http://tweetphoto.com/10497246 #
One more of the patio (I guess I should have stored the furniture) #swvasnow http://tweetphoto.com/10498461 #
Kids are warned by police not to play in snow because of plowing. Parents inform police this area is last to be plowed. #swvasnow #orly? #
@garycope Watch out for the maze! in reply to garycope #
Roads scraped: part of Highview, part of 2nd and 3rd, and Main st of course. I guess we're not going anywhere today… #
@somebunnyslove You made it out? No longer snowed in? in reply to somebunnyslove #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-31

Ronald Bruintjes — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0000

@bartt congrats! Diana turning 2 today. It's going so fast. in reply to bartt #
@Hees chances are the deadline for that is 2020. I mean, we just switched to digital TV for chrissake! in reply to Hees #
Getting milk during snow flurries – embarrassing coincidence (@ Kroger) http://4sq.com/5wokYZ #
Yes. He does parties,RT @stbain: Google engineer has best job title in history (yeah, this is real). http://post.ly/KZZv (via @mike_elgan) #
Unlimited at 30MB: RT @garycope: Photo: Hey Walmart/StraightTalk.com, this is false advertising. Not that other.. http://tinyurl.com/yaqaol5 #
Hmm, #apple store is still open… I guess that will change in 20 minutes… #
Speculation on why Dylan is playing at #Apple event: "The times they are a-changing"? #
#apple announces #iPad #
http://tinyurl.com/ycuwj2y picture of #iPad (thanks to Engadget) #
Oh, look: they managed to put John Mayer in the presentation:http://tinyurl.com/y9a6gmy #apple (thanks to gdgt.com) #
NYT app on #iPad – I bet you, New York Times will stop publishing a news _paper_ within the next 5 years. #
Apple Store is still up. I think this means we won't see the iPad for sale today or any time in the next few weeks… #
Ah sh*t… 3G on #iPad provided by… AT&T. Verizon, where are you??? #
And the #iPad is going to cost… $499 #
@bartt Oohhh… nice one! It does mean lugging around another device, but also saves you the extra $150 or so for the 3G on the #iPad in reply to bartt #
@bartt Thanks for the tip – I just saw it for the BlackBerry for $29. in reply to bartt #
I feel some kind of distortion field… gotta have an iPad! Now! (Wonder where that feeling is coming from…?) #
@neboyce I'll get a little nervous when they start selling them with wings though. in reply to neboyce #
I'm at Champs (111 N Main St, at W Roanoke St, Blacksburg). http://4sq.com/6ug3QB #
I'm at Aweful Arthur's Blacksburg w/ @somebunnyslove. http://4sq.com/bqAqQD #
@NRVLiving LOL! That's hilarious! At least the Hokie bird scored! in reply to NRVLiving #
I'm at Dynasty Buffet (W Main Street, Walmart, Salem). http://4sq.com/7vCdWz #
No snowplows yet on 1st, 2nd or for that matter Main St in Cburg. No point in shoveling driveway if we can't go anywhere anyway. #
@somebunnyslove @garycope Not necessarily in that order… in reply to somebunnyslove #
@NRVLiving @garycope Gary's right! They're everywhere! In other news, cabin fever can set on as early as after one day. in reply to NRVLiving #
Cburg Main Street looks scraped, but none of the side streets. Please, help out the people with prissy Dobermanns that don't pee in snow! #

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-24

Ronald Bruintjes — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0000

@garycope thanks for the heads-up! I guess I'll do groceries tonight or tomorrow.Or are they expecting snow flurries…? in reply to garycope #
I'm at Walmart Supercenter (2400 N Franklin, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #
@NRVLiving A couple of good signs may help. Only problem then would be our unfamiliarity with obeying signs… in reply to NRVLiving #
Fingers crossed! RT @MarsPhoenix: Odyssey to start listening for an unlikely beep from @MarsPhoenix. First pass today at 6:38pm EST #
@NRVLiving Go for it! in reply to NRVLiving #
@NRVLiving Jeremy Jalapeno? in reply to NRVLiving #
@neboyce If I tab through the enabled widgets, can't I select the button without actually activating it…? in reply to neboyce #
@somebunnyslove Hold that thought and remind me next time you're in the LUG. in reply to somebunnyslove #
Slowly losing mind while trying to set up security on SQL databases. The rabbit hole goes deep: SQLserver login, DB users, DB roles, hahaha #
@NRVLiving 2nd best eh? Remember, there wouldn't be a number 1 if there wasn't a number 2! in reply to NRVLiving #
Uh-oh… RT @MarsPhoenix No signal from @MarsPhoenix after 11 listening passes. Odyssey will be all ears during 19 more passes this week. #
I'm at London Underground w/ @somebunnyslove. http://4sq.com/4ARopG #
I'm at Walmart Supercenter (2400 N Franklin, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/7w0I78 #
@handshake20 That's horrible! The whole interview was very emotional, especially when he's asked how he feels about being number 2… in reply to handshake20 #
I'm at Bellacino's #
@handshake20 Just… Not quite Number One… in reply to handshake20 #
@somebunnyslove Check the local ordonnance, you may be able to call them ”criminals” in reply to somebunnyslove #

Firefox 3.6 release today!

Ronald Bruintjes — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:36:35 +0000

Today is the official release of Firefox 3.6, at 9:30AM Pacific Time (12:30PM Eastern). There are some early bird links available around the web, amongst which the Kabatology blog.

If you’d rather wait for the official release, don’t just twiddle your thumbs: watch this 2 minute video about the new features in 3.6:

iPod with Sad iPod Icon fixed by Google and Digg!

Ronald Bruintjes — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:31:24 +0000

Last Saturday my iPod froze up. After applying the reset (Hold on, Hold off, press and hold Menu and Select at the same time), the screen displayed the Sad iPod Icon. Fearing my podcast and audio book listening days were not over but put on indefinite hiatus, I drove home and entered the URL the iPod displayed: http://www.apple.com/support/ipod.

The results there were less than encouraging: try and reconnect your iPod to the computer (sorry, problem didn’t occur while connecting to the computer), or send it in for repairs. Well, we’re talking an almost 4 year old iPod here, so any repairs would probably cost more than the iPod is worth (heck the shipping cost is probably more than it’s worth…!). So I decided to use Google to see if anyone had an alternative solution.

This leads me to a Digg article, that pointed to an article “How To Fix an Ipod with the Sad iPod Icon” on Spilling Coffee. The basic solution boils down to:

Put something on your desk (a stack of paper works great) to prevent your desk from getting damaged (don’t worry about the iPod)
Grab the iPod firmly, with the connector pointing down
Slam it on the stack of papers on your desk

The idea is that the hard disk connector can come lose enough not to make connection anymore, but still be attached enough that a good bang will snap it back into place.

So with a heavy heart and closed eyes I banged my iPod on the desk and performed another reset. Lo and behold, the menu appeared! And faster than it had done on previous resets!! Thanks Tom Coffee!

Warning: banging your iPod on your desk may cause damage to desk, iPod, or anything else in the vicinity. It worked for me, but it may not work for you. Banging your iPod is a serious form of Apple fan-dom…

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-01-17

Ronald Bruintjes — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0000

RT @aycangulez: Software hovers around the line between barely works and almost works. http://bit.ly/KHGi2 #
@JimSchweitzer I'm with you! New phone has micro USB, but old headset has mini. So, do I buy new headset or hold phone to head while driving in reply to JimSchweitzer #
I'm at Kroger (555 N Franklin St, Wades Ln, Christiansburg). http://4sq.com/5wokYZ #
@somebunnyslove Were they done with the winter doubles already? in reply to somebunnyslove #
@somebunnyslove Not bad! But where's your third dart? in reply to somebunnyslove #
Google crisis response Haiti: http://tinyurl.com/ye8rj3e. Pledges $1 million. Long list of organizations to donate to, news, maps and info #
@somebunnyslove I see it now! Damn that dart is barely hanging in there! in reply to somebunnyslove #
I'm at Red Robin #