Universal remote controls single device

I went to Target today to find a remote to replace one from our DVD player that went missing this past week. This was after much frustration trying to get my Yamaha receiver remote to recognize codes for the Philips DVD player.

Target had a number of Universal remotes and each was priced based on how many devices it could run.

Run 3 devices – $8
Run 4 devices – $20
Run 5 devices – $25
Run 6 devices – $40+

Target also carried a fancy $100 Harmony remote that had so many buttons I wouldn’t be surprised if it could control my washer, dryer, air conditioner and sprinkler system. It would have been worth the Franklin if it had been able to control my kids.

I couldn’t find one that worked a single device for $3 so I went with a Philips branded model that works three devices. It’s not fancy but the buttons are much larger making it a lot easier to use than the cheap remote that came with the DVD player. It was sealed in that nearly impossible to remove clear plastic crap that requires those strong kitchen scissors I can only use when Kim isn’t looking. Once I finally extracted the remote and installed two batteries, I was ready to program it to work my DVD player.

I figured this should be about a 2 minute process. I was wrong. The instruction booklet that came with the remote was about 16 page in length and included a fold-out section listing the codes for various devices. The instructions said to push a button until a red light turned on. Then, I needed to “quickly” press the desired device (DVD in this case), wait for the remote to blink, enter in the four digit code, press the up or down arrows “many times” and then hit the “Mute” button to program that code.

I read through the instructions a few times and found the list of possible codes, memorizing the first on the list. And then I ran into a problem. I couldn’t find the Mute button. I looked and looked before turning to the front of the manual and looking at the diagram of the remote. I quickly found the mute button right in the middle of the remote labeled with only a capital “M”. Maybe they should have said to press the “M” button instead of the “mute” button.

I tried the first code. Nada. I tried the second code. Nada. And so it went until I came to the last code on the list. I sat there on my couch prepping myself for the drive back to Target to return the remote. Heck, I figured I might as well buy a new DVD player for $50 and call it good.

But I went though the process: Button, light, button, code, arrows, and finally “M”. I stretched my arm in the direction of the DVD player and pressed PLAY with my thumb.

Bingo! It’s alive and working! Now my kids can get back to watching Scooby Doo. I need one of those chains you find at the bank attached to the pens to attach to this remote. I wonder how long this remote will last?

Back to 95

Back in 1995 I managed a retail store in a mall. The pay was dreadfully low, the hours inflexible, and the environment? I mentioned it was in a mall, right? The only redeeming quality of the job was that our store was just down from a small software shop. I don’t recall for certain but it might have been a Software Etc. store. But everyday, I’d stroll through this store and check out the games, utilities and applications they had prominently displayed on the walls. Back then, the software stores were mostly about selling applications like Word Perfect and utilities like Norton and Partition Magic. Near the back you’d find a small section of games. Today, just the opposite is true where the store is all about the games and may or may not have a tiny section of other software like Spyware removal applications.

I recall the day Microsoft shipped Windows 95. There were signs and banners all over the mall. As I arrived early for work to open the store, I noticed a line that snaked through the mall. They were lined up to purchase a copy of Windows 95. Excitement was in the air. I was surprised to see the line was filled with people of all age groups.

Back then it didn’t take an MCSE to figure out which version you should buy because there was only one version. The only choice one had to make was whether to go with the floppy disk or CD-ROM package. I decided to head over to the store on my lunch break to see if it was still possible to purchase the new OS or if they had sold out. I was in luck and bought a copy that included 14 floppy disks.

I went home that evening and began the upgrade from Windows 3.11 inserting each disk into the floppy drive as Windows ordered me to do. It seems like it took about 40 minutes before my computer came alive and booted into Windows 95. It was like magic. No more DOS commands. No more switching between DOS and Windows 3.11. No more calling my uncle for help. For the most part, Windows 95 just worked.

Now all I had to do was figure out how to get my computer on the internet…

Keeping Cool

Last weekend after several days with temperatures in the mid 80’s, Kim announced that she wasn’t going through another summer without a portable air conditioner. I did a little research online and happened to mention to my carpool partner that I was looking for a smaller unit that would cool my upstairs living room. He’d been looking for the same thing and had found one at Costco he was considering.

So we made a trip to Costco to see what they had. Right as we walked in the door, even in front of the high margin LCD/Plasma TVs sat several pallets full of the Sharp P10MC portable AC. I decided it looked as good as any so we brought it home.

I’m surprised at how quiet it is and how well it cools off our upstairs. It’s certainly not a replacement for a central AC system but this unit will easily cool 400 sq/ft or so without a problem. We place it in our upstairs living room and then place fans to push the cooler air down to the bedrooms. It works quite well.

NewEgg has several Sharp models including ours, but you can find them at Costco for $469.

Be a Slacker

How do you listen to music at work? I don’t like to leave my iPod out all day so what I usually do is bring a DVD or Flash stick full of mp3s to listen to. I still do this but I’ve found another way to listen to music at work (or home) that I really enjoy.

I’ve been using a service called Slacker. I like the number the variety of stations and especially the classic rock channel. I like Slacker quite a bit better than those stations found on iTunes.

Give it a try and see what you think. If you setup an account you can create your own stations based on music you already listen to.

My Top 5 Car Reviews on YouTube

I probably watch more car reviews on YouTube than anything else. I especially enjoy Top Gear which I’ve not been able to find in the US. Here are five of my favorite car reviews.

5. Ferrari Enzo – Great review of a car owned by Pink Floyd’s, Nick Mason. The comparison of the book was a bit lame but the car is fantastic.

4. Porsche Carerra GT – I don’t think there is a better looking car on the planet. If I could have any car, this would be it.

3. Bugatti Veyron – The fastest product car in the world. 16 Cylinder, 4 turbochargers, special key and 1001 HP rocket this beast to 253 MPH.

2. BMW M3 vs. Audi S4 – I love watching the guy drive the Audi while listening to Sade’s “Smooth Operator” while the M3 is swerving back and forth behind him.

1. BMW M3 CSL – The Isle of Man, no radio, no AC, cardboard trunk. The BMW I’d want more than any other and my favorite review.

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Painful Payment

Whenever I visit a Starbucks their employees are doing one of three things:

1. Taking my order
2. Making my order
3. Cleaning

I’ve gone into a Starbucks and ordered a hot chocolate and granola bar. One person takes my order and money. Another person grabs the granola bar and another person starts making the hot chocolate.

Starbucks employees act like they are happy I decided to do business with them. They are friendly and efficient. When I was in a store a few weeks back, I sat at a table and noticed the three employees behind the counter weren’t hanging out, but were cleaning the counter and the bakery display. Another employee was sweeping away debris just outside the door.

Contrast this with a grocery store I visited last week. As I approached the check stand, I noticed only two were open yet each line was quite long. Just glancing around I noticed two employees swinging keys around while chatting and another three guys stocking shelves. The impression I was given was that my business isn’t very important. It’s especially frustrating when a business makes it difficult or time consuming to give them my money in exchange for a product or service.

Auto service departments are notorious for this. They make their best customers (those willing to spend more money servicing their vehicle at the dealer) stand in a line to sign papers. Then, once they have gone through that audition, they go stand in yet another line to pay.

Many websites are just as bad. I can think of several examples of finding the product I want to buy, but getting so frustrated with the registration or check out process that I gave up and moved on. Amazon is one of the few that gets this right.

No wonder I do more business with Amazon and Starbucks than their competitors.

My Top 9 Favorite Flash Games

Need a game or two to keep you from falling asleep on that conference call? Look no further than my top 9 favorite Flash games.

1. Line Rider – Create a path for the tiny guy on the sled without killing him. Some people have way too much time on their hands and have created some insane tracks.

2. Tire Toss – So easy, so simple that even your kids can play along.

3. Bubble Bees – I’ve played this game for years and I’m still entranced by the cool music. Try to catch more than one bee with a single bubble for big points and more time. You can get away with playing this game at work since it just sounds like you’re listening to a relaxing song when in reality you’re saving the world from bees that fly in a straight line.

4. Falling Sand – The Zen of Flash games. I can’t explain this game, but it’s so addicting. My kids have played this for hours. If you check out one game on the list, make it this one.

5. Fancy Pant Adventures – If you liked Sonic or Mario you’ll probably like this modern interpretation of the platformer. Fantastic design!

6. Samorost – A very cool Flash adventure game with a great story and music. Try the sequel once you finish the first one.

7. Zombo – Chances are, your coworkers will not understand the brilliance of this site. Once they find out you do, they will stop inviting you to meetings.

8. Stripgenerator – When a friend does something really dumb, come here and create a comic about it.

9. iSketch – Consider this similar to a game of online Pictionary but without creepy uncle who considers the game a matter of life or death.

Tunebite strips iTunes songs of DRM

I bought a song from the iTunes store this afternoon which means I can only play it on my iPod or on my PC using iTunes. But what if I want to play it using my player of choice, Q-Player? Because Apple refuses to license their format to anyone, I can’t do this easily. My reasons for wanting to do this are many but the most important one for me that music sounds so much better using Q-Player with iZoTope Ozone DSP plug-in. Give it a try and be prepared to be blown away at how much better your music sounds.

I have a friend who burn his iTunes music to CD and then rips that CD back into mp3 format. But Tunebite makes the process much easier than that. Once you have Tunebite installed, it will ask you where it can find the LAME encoder (lame_enc.dll) which you can Google for. Once you’ve done that you just fire up Tunebite and point it towards your protected music. It encodes in real time which can take some time, but worth it it you want to listen to your music on your terms.

Like most mp3 converter programs, Tunebite is pretty ugly (I do love the huge, red GO button) from a UI perspective. But it works which is what matters most.

A simple process made complicated by technology

Every so often Fortune Magazine or Business Week will run an article about jobs that are being phased out due to technological advances. As I read through the list I wonder to myself if my job will show up on the list one day.

But if this past week is any indication, I don’t have much to worry about as computers are still a huge pain in the butt to use for many tasks.

Take the performance review process. Years ago when I needed to give a review I would print out a template and write the review. After meeting with the employee, I’d make three copies and give one to the employee, file one away and send one to HR.

Over time, the review template was put into Microsoft Word and I’d type out the review instead of writing it. Small changes were made but the process stayed essentially the same.

Fast forward to last week as I try to get a head start on writing a half dozen reviews. I assumed the process had been streamlined even more, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Here’s the steps I’ve gone through over the past week in order to gain access to our company’s HR application where I must start the review process:

1. Wait for company to enable my email
2. Wait for company to grant access to intranet
3. Wait for company to grant access to HR application
4. Download Citrix stuff along with a bunch of other stuff
5. Do a web chat with support to get the stuff I downloaded working properly
6. When that doesn’t work, make a few phone calls to see why things still aren’t working
7. After 2 weeks, still no access to area where I can start writing the reviews….

Even once I have access to all the areas I need to write the review I wonder how easy it will be to write, update and print out. This is an example of a process that technology has made much more complicated than it needs to be. I long for the days of the simple review process.

This is just one example of how technology can complicate our lives. A similar thing happened a while back when I tried to order checks online from my credit union. What used to take 5 minutes over the phone turned out to take nearly an hour of frustration.

That’s why I am so loyal to products that take the hassle out of life. A few of these devices are my iPod Video, Nikon D40, and Treo 650.

Mess Patch Available for Windows Live Messenger 8.5 Beta

Grab the Mess Patch and customize Windows Live Messenger 8.5 beta the way you want to instead allowing Microsoft bombard you with ads and links to their other products and services. The best feature of the Mess Patch is that it will remove those ads found at the bottom of the main window. Messenger looks a lot better when all the ads have been stripped away.

–Download Mess Patch here

Here’s what my main panel looks like once the Patch has been applied: