Protecting the new iPhone

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A common observation upon first holding the new iPhone is how nice it feels in the hand. The next is usually: “It would be easy to drop” …or something like that. The glass front and back makes it look fragile. And it might be, although I’m inclined to doubt that. Nevertheless, I have one of the little bumper guards on the way.

But I didn’t want to take a chance on breaking the new baby before the bumper arrives so I headed out to Best Buy where I purchased the cheapest case I could find. It’s  stiff, clear plastic that appears to be made of the very same plastic your grandmother used to cover the sofa.

And it’s a pretty nice case. Feels good in the hand. Easy to remove. Looks like it would protect the phone without getting in the way. But just a little too much like a cheap condom. The iPhone “feels” good and that is just as important as making calls (or babies).

Box ’em up and scan ’em

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I shudder to think of the hours I’ve spent scanning photos. In the early days, I scanned one image at a time and was so clueless I scanned at very low resolution. A lot of those poor scans are still on line, but I just don’t have the time (or will) to re-scan.

So I sent about 120 prints off to ScanCafe. I believe the prints wind up somewhere in India where they are “scanned by hand.” Costs 29 cents an image. About $40 by the time I was done. I could not have scanned and cleaned them for that price.

When they’re done they send you a link to a web page where you can review and pick the images you want (or don’t). They they send you a DVD.

I’ll probably try another service, just to compare. Watch this space.

Google Voice now for everyone

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Google Voice was “invitation only” for a long time but now they’ve opened it up so I’m going to start using the number I’ve had for a while. Only way I’m going to get the hang of it. Video above runs about 90 sec. The link in the sidebar will probably take you to my voice-mail, at least until I learn the ropes.

Image above is the Google Voice in-box. Google Voice does a fair job of transcribing the voice mail message (close enough). I can also play the message, of course.

I also received an email that had pretty much the same thing. You can also set it up for a text alert.

Google voice does a lot more but I’m not going to try to explain it until I have a better grasp. And the video at the top of this post really has all you need.

While I might not wan to give out my mobile number to everyone, I can safely give out my Google Voice number (573-200-6776) and rely on Google to help me manage it all. For example, I can have Barb’s calls come straight to my iPhone… while sending calls from her sister right into voice-mail.

New Predator Mission in MO

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News release from office of  Congressman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.):

“A new mission will bring 280 military and civilian personnel to Whiteman Air Force Base. The new MQ-1 Remote Split Operation squadron and ground control station at Whiteman Air Force Base, from which pilots will control MQ-1 Predator drone aircraft, is expected to be operational by February 2011.”

Here’s some wikipedia info on the MQ-1 Predator. I assume this means the men and women at Whiteman AFB will have their hands on the joy sticks controlling the birds (which cost 4.5 million dollars each) around the world.

Movies: Jumping with no ‘chute

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I assume there is already a list of movies in which someone jumps from a plane without a parachute, but I was unable to find one. If you do, please post a link in comments. Until then, perhaps you can help me compile.

  • Point Break – Keanu Reeves jumps out to arrest PatrickSwayze in free fall
  • Eraser – Arnold Schwarzenegger throws ‘chute out of the plane and jumps after it. (Not sure about this one)
  • Drop Zone – Wesley Snipes drops out of a trap door in an airplane with no parachute. (Ben Krech)

And it seems like one of the James Bond movies did this stunt but I can’t recall which one. And I’m pretty sure there are others. Go!