Elwoodights Life

My thoughts on the Chrome OS

2010-12-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

Some History.

I was raised in a household that used Windows machines. When I was 16 I owned my first Mac, a Powermac G4, I have yet to look back, however due to the nature of my surroundings I spend a lot more time in Windows land than I ever would like to. So to summarize. I know my way backwards and forwards in Windows, and Mac. But I love the Apple, and Mac experience.

I recently transitioned from a Blackberry Storm to the Android Incredible. So I have already been falling in love with the Google syncs my entire life, Dropbox.com / box.net to move files back and forth from phone to computer and to other users way of life. So this transition on a laptop was nothing if not and amplification of this experience.

One more thing before I go crazy, full discretion, I have never been in a situation where someone has given me a free laptop and said, "Hey, we are giving you an experience that, at this point, only about 65,000 people are able to have so we want to know how it goes," So while I am very giddy I am going to try and keep this fair.

The setup.

Its quick. Its easy. It makes sense. They give you enough explanation that you understand things are going to be different, heres why, and here is how. All in all it was about 5 minutes to read through the getting started instructions and get my account setup and I was browsing and installing web apps.

Standard Operation.

It became pretty obvious to me that there were some gaps in my normal usage and my new usage. I had someone bring me some music that they needed me to cut, when I grabbed my Macbook Pro, they looked at me with a puzzled look on their face and asked, "Didn't you just get a new computer? Why don't you use that?" So word to the wise, you are going to have to change the way you approach things, and somethings you are just not going to be able to do, for now. I want to emphasis this. For now. No one really knows what the future brings. A lot of the complaints I am hearing are about what it can't do yet. But keep thinking, that doesn't matter. Thats the whole point of this right? lets get some of these things out there and see how people want to use them and see what we can do to make sure they can do it, and enjoy it.

I am a bit puzzled because I expected something to happen when I plugged in a usb thumb drive. When nothing happened I thought to myself, maybe they would handle an SD card better, seeing as its built into the side. Again, the same experience, nothing. Both of those things I am looking forward to as things I am going to be able to fully utilize in the future.

Here is where it started to hurt. I had some work that I needed to get done prior to a presentation that I was going to give Friday morning. I thought to myself, what I great opportunity to see what this thing can really do. I opened up the computer and to my surprise Google docs didn't want to load. I get it, It was online, now its not, it is confused. Nope. It would not open at all without being connected to the internet long enough to open. OK so that is a small issue, but wait. It's not. Lets say this is your work between work computer. The biggest thing I want to do on this computer is work on docs, and now all of the sudden I need a taste of internet every time I accidentally close the window. I understand that this laptop is going to be crippled with out the internet, but I think it should try and be one step above useless.

As long as I am in a location where I can get either wifi or a good 3g connection. The experience is slick. I was able to complete a history final online while waiting for my wife to coach a dance competition. This experience really hit it home for me that. If a browser is what you need then you are going to completely forget that this computer is not your normal computer. I can forgive it's limitations for now, because they are still working on things. Speaking of working on things, here are some things I would like them to fix.

Give me an option of how I use the computer. If I am Suzie down the street who doesn't know how to check if my computer is plugged in, don't give me a file system. If I know how to run iTunes, and log in to Facebook, give me a simplified file system. If I think that I can handle a full on file system, Please!, give it to me, I know I can switch to developer mode, and I am going to, probably about the time I finish this post. But Please, I have an 8gb SD card that is just sitting here. Let me throw some music on it, so that I can download podcasts to it or music to it and use my crippled laptop and listen to something at the same time if I am away from the net.

Another thing that you guys have to fix is the track pad. I don't know if it is a hardware thing or a software thing, It seems to me like a little bit of both, but come on. I don't mind using a usb mouse if i m playing a game or using Photoshop, but for the love all that is holy. If I am cursing at my track pad while trying to write a post about how much I like your new OS, It may just hurt your situation.

Overall.

A good start, with a lot of room for improvement. But Google, you have told me to be patient so I will be. Let's just hope you get to the level, we are all hoping you are capable of getting to.

The Built in 3g is nice, but it also has me asking myself how many times a month am I going to pay for internet.

Web apps are not where they need to be. But we have all seen this before. Remember the original fart apps for the iPhone. Wow.

At this point I have to give Google an A for effort and and B- for follow through. Lets see what the next 3 - 6 months are going to bring us

IMG00107.jpg

2009-04-23T09:47:00.001-07:00

Trial #2

2009-04-22T12:52:00.000-07:00

Trial #2

Trial for scheduled post #1

2009-04-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

trial post #1

FWD:

2008-12-15T14:12:00.001-08:00

Just replaced the keyboard on my macbook. it was like breaking in to fort knox

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Let me know what you think

2008-10-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

If read this E-mail, then I urge you to just consider the following, think what you will but I guarantee it is no more 'far fetched' than the E-mail you originally received. All of the statements added to this message can be found by reading Rev 13 and the 1st Amendment of the Bill Of Rights

How long is the beast allowed to have authority in Revelations?
Revelations Chapter 13 tells us it is 42 months, and you know what that is.
Almost a four-year term of a Presidency.

This first point is somewhat true, BUT, only when put in the correct context. 42 months is 3.5 years. A stretch at best but I will give you this one.

All I can say is 'Lord, Have mercy on us!'

This next part I am going to break down so that it is easier to understand.

According to The Book of Revelations the anti-Christ is: So far so good this much is true.

The anti-Christ will be a man, Also true, so far so good.

in his 40's, Not true, nowhere in Rev 13 does it say anything about this.

of MUSLIM descent, Same goes for this point. Not anywhere in the chapter.

who will deceive the nations with persuasive language, Good this part is somewhat true, but again twisting of words.

and have a MASSIVE Christ-like appeal.... Nowhere in the chapter does it say anything even remotely close to Christ-like. On the other hand it does use the words beast and fierce, describing the beast as having seven heads and numerous horns.

the prophecy says that people will flock to him and he will promise false hope and world peace, and when he is in power, will destroy everything.. This part is a summary of things said

This section is all opinion so I have no thoughts either way until...

Do we recognize this description??

I STRONGLY URGE each one of you to post this as many times as you can! Each opportunity that you have to send it to a friend or media outlet..do it! I refuse to take a chance on this unknown candidate who came out of nowhere.

From: Dr. John Tisdale

HERE.

Dear Friends,

As I was listening to a news program last night, I watched in horror as Barack Obama made the statement with pride. . ..'we are no longer a Christian nation; we are now a nation of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, . . ' As with so many other statements I've heard him (and his wife) make, I never thought I'd see the day that I'd hear something like that from a presidential candidate in this nation. To think our forefathers fought and died for the right for our nation to be a Christian nation--and to have this man say with pride that we are no longer that. How far this nation has come from what our founding fathers intended it to be.

Again this is mostly opinion but I would just like to point out a few basic things. First of all the comment of religion in the nation, followed by,”To think that our forefathers fought and died for the right for our nation to be a Christian nation.” I would point you to the Bill Of Rights 1st Amendment which goes as follows :

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

This, as a matter of fact is what our forefathers fought for. Not a Christian nation, but a free nation.

I would like to leave you with a final thought regardless of what political party you vote with, or what religion you claim to be. Remember to be skeptical of any message that creates the feeling of hate. Be weary of messages that are heavy handed, do your own research rather than letting someone put the “facts” in front of you. Have your opinion be your own based on researched facts not text in an e-mail. Or a sound byte on a news cast. No one should fault you for having an informed, personal opinion. As long as it is that Informed and your own opinion.

If you made it this far I want to say thanks for your time.

Joshua Buchanan

On The Go

2008-09-03T13:10:00.001-07:00

my very first legitimate os i have ever owned. dont expect it to become a habit though

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On The Go

2008-09-02T18:20:00.001-07:00

and the finished product. mmm my house smells wonderful and i love it

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On The Go

2008-09-02T17:48:00.001-07:00

here is the current progress. rice cooking and veggies steaming cooking chicken and beef on the stove

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On The Go

2008-09-02T14:55:00.001-07:00

i would be the guy on the left. the guy on the right was one of my best men at my wedding

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Throw Sh*t in a pan Trial 3

2008-08-29T07:52:00.001-07:00

So 2 successful attempts later, the wife was sick of things on top of rice so we met half way. I still used rice just in a different way. This recipe is a little bit more extreme than the last two but I think the end result is well worth the work, and mess.

Requirements:

3 Large chicken breasts
2 cups of rice
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 packet South Western Marinade
14 small tortillas
10 oz of cheese
1 can of enchilada sauce (mild)

Rice Cooker
Large Frying Pan (or a deep medium sized pot)
Stove
Oven (preheated to 375)
George Foreman (not required that is just how I prefer to cook my chicken)
9 " x 13 " pan

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Start by cooking the rice 2 cups of rice to 2 1/2 cups of water

Heat frying pan and put both cans of cream of mushroom soup into pan

Mix in the South Western Marinade

Add 2 packets full of water to the pan ( about 2/3 cup of water)

Continue to stir until the the Marinade is completely dissolved, and the sauce is consistent

Let the sauce simmer

Cook the 3 large chicken breasts, cut into 1x1 pieces

Mix the chicken pieces into the sauce

Let simmer for 5 minutes

Add the finished rice to the sauce and stir until the rice is completely covered in the sauce

Now this part is a little crazy but just stay with me on this

Place some of the filling into the 8 of the small tortillas and place in pan with the opening facing up, but without wrapping closed

Then put an even layer of the filling on top of the 1st layer of tortillas

Add a light layer of cheese to the top of the filling

Place 6 tortillas flat on top of the filling place the remainder of the filling on top of the tortillas and then the rest of the cheese on top of that.

Top all of the off with the can of enchilada sauce

Place the pan uncovered on the middle rack of the oven for 15 minutes (more or less upon personal preference, my wife is just not a fan of crunchy edges)

That is about it.

Throw Sh*t in a pan Trial 2

2008-08-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

So after a pretty successful 1st trial I pushed forward to a second try. Having purchased a 20lb bag of rice for the 1st experiment I had plenty to go around.

Requirements:

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 packet of Alfredo sauce
3 cups of rice
3/4 cup of milk
2 tbsp of butter
3 boneless chicken breasts

Rice Cooker
Medium Frying Pan
Stove
George Foreman ( not required that is just how I prefer to cook my chicken)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start by getting the rice cooker going

Next heat the frying pan, and place the can of cream of chicken soup in the pan

Add 3/4 can of water to the pan. (note: that is a can of water not cup)

Add 2 tbsp of butter, and 3/4 cup of milk .

Stir all of that until butter is melted

Add the packet of Alfredo seasoning

Stir until the seasoning is dissolved and let simmer, continue to stir until needed

Cook 3 chicken breasts and then cut into 1x1 pieces

Mix the cut up chicken int0 the Alfredo sauce

let simmer 5-8 minutes

DONE

Put the rice of a plate, and the sauce on the rice

I am sorry there are not pictures, thought did not cross my mind until later.

All comments welcome

Throw Sh*t in a pan Trial 1

2008-08-29T07:16:00.000-07:00

So i am not the kind of guy who cooks, at all, lets make that clear right now. That said I have decided I am going to give it a try. My first three Attempts have been some what successful and so I thought I might just throw the recipes up here and let who ever wants to give it a try the opportunity to do so.

Trial 1 - "Rice with something on top"

So this little number came about while I was wandering through the grocery store thinking to myself man I want some rice.

Requirements :

1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 packet of fajita seasoning
3 large boneless chicken breasts
3 cups of rice

Rice Cooker
Medium Sized Frying Pan
Stove
George Foreman ( not required that is just how I prefer to cook my chicken)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Start by making the rice. 3 cups of rice to 3 1/2 cups of water.

While the rice is cooking Start heating the frying pan.

Put the can of cream of chicken soup in the frying pan with 3/4 can of water. (note: that says CAN not cup)

While stirring mix in the packet of fajita seasoning.

Continue to stir until the seasoning is completely mixed throughout the mixture.

Let simmer but continue to stir as needed

Cook the 3 chicken breasts fully.

Cut the chicken into small 1X1 sized pieces (not required i just like small pieces through out)

Mix in the Chicken pieces into the sauce, stir, and let simmer for another 5-8 minutes

That is it.

Put the rice on a plate, and the sauce on the rice.

More to come let me know what you think

On The Go

2008-07-21T20:26:00.001-07:00

So i am in line for batman wondering if i am confused or if this guy is

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On The Go

2008-07-17T17:09:00.001-07:00

razor blade plus finger = not a good idea

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On The Go

2008-07-12T20:16:00.001-07:00

Holy crap not in tremonton anymore

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On The Go

2008-07-08T00:32:00.001-07:00

son on my bike

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just a lil thing

2008-04-23T23:47:00.000-07:00

trying out the email to blog function. if this works well you may just end up seeing alot more of me.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required. Visit www.apple.com/quicktime/download to download the free player or upgrade your existing QuickTime� Player. Note: During the download process when asked to choose an installation type (Minimum, Recommended or Custom), select Minimum for faster download.

Life sure is funny that way

2008-03-26T23:50:00.000-07:00

Have you ever found yourself complaining about something thats seems, at the time, to be so important. Only to look back at how ridiculous your 1st world problem really is? I often find myself complaining about the state of my yard, car or job. I usually go off on a half hour trip through Pityville and then go about my day. This sound familiar to any of you?
The really sad thing about me complaining about things in life is that when I stop and make a list of what I have needed, or to be completely honest, really wanted that I did not come about getting one way or another. The list of things is short. Yet somehow I find a way to complain. It is amazing to me.
Everytime the clouds open up, and i become aware of my foolishness I swear that I will do better, and I usually do for a day or two and then i fall right back into my old habits. What a bother.

Aren't kids the greatest

2008-03-17T22:47:00.001-07:00

So, about a day and a half ago my original xbox took a turn for the worst. This being a major problem because it is what i use to watch dvd's on my big screen. Well i figured i wasn't out anything by tearing into it to see if i could solve the problem, low and behold this is what i found. Aren't kids the greatest. On a happier note, it is in full swing now and i have to say i feel pretty good about myself.

some recomendations i might offer

2008-01-31T14:19:00.000-08:00

I have been mixing things up in my life lately. I am a self proclaimed music fan but I usually stick to the rougher, harder, and faster rock. That said here are some recommendations I would offer to anyone in the same boat looking to mix things up.

1. Surfacing by McLachlan, Sarah

2. Not Too Late by Norah Jones

3. Exodus by Bob Marley

4. Woods of Chaos by Rob Costlow - Solo Piano

5. Picture This by Jim Brickman

After looking at this list if you are confused. I am sorry.

A little side note, My music range is EXTREME. From 'The mormon tabernacle choir' to 'Marilyn Manson' to 'Saul Williams' to 'Johann Sebastian Bach' so if you have any recommendations for me hit up via email @ gmail.com or IM @ elwoodight@hotmail.com.

somewhere along the line

2008-01-27T12:13:00.000-08:00

have you ever woken up and wondered how you got where you are. I don't mean in "I had way to much to drink" way. I guess the best way to explain what I am trying to say is to talk about myself. I used to be a certain kind of person. A person with certain values, certain ideas, and certain core feelings about the world. Well the other day i woke up to find that I am not the person that i thought I was. Or maybe a better way to put it is like this. If the me from 5 years ago ran into the me now he wouldn't bother kicking my ass because he wouldn't recognize me well enough to know that he should. Does this happen to everyone when they grow up or was i just weak..

so very frustrating

2007-12-30T15:06:00.000-08:00

so i am very frustrated with things lately ever since i got my voyager i have had consistant problems with verizon. they somehow managed to charge me for going 150 minutes over my plan. the funny thing about that is that i used 425 minutes and i have a 700 minute plan. so after an hour on thw phone they took it off but my account wont reflect the changes until the next bill comes out. this is how things have been consistantly since adding my voyager. don't get me wrong i love the phone. bu i did a *228 and now my calander is broken, as in wont work at all and all of the entries i put in are gone. but i have to wait at least a week before they will have a phone in stock. grr it is frustrating. watch out for verizon. the one credit i can offer them is that they have been really good about getting even with me bill credit wise.

Death

2007-12-16T03:34:00.000-08:00

death

the bitch that breathes over my shoulder

questioning my every move

could this be it

the end of everything

no

just a thought

just death whispering sweet nothings into my ear

my brief thoughts on the lg voyager

2007-11-28T08:07:00.000-08:00

just in case anyone was wondering a absolutely love the lg voyager. I almost feel like the reviwers are not giving it its due justice

Anything for attention

2007-11-01T00:04:00.000-07:00

To start this off I want to set you up mentally for how I see things, hopefully it will help get the overall point across. I am pretty sure one of the largest problems with society today is that they CRAVE attention. I understand, look i am posting this out to the WORLD, why well because I have been thinking about it for about a week and i feel like i need to express my feelings. But also because I want to have a 'conversation' about it. lastly because I think my thoughts are important. Ok so that last part might be a little narcissistic, but it sets up how i think most people think about themselves. Now more to the point. I have found two things that i see on a regular basis that strike me as interesting. I feel that they are some how connected. But I can not quite solidify in words what i feel is connecting them. I am approached by two groups of people. The first is the group that throws headphones on and zone out any and every other thing in their world. The second is a group of people that no matter the situation is doing ANY thing to get people to look at them, listen to them, and interact with them. The thing that I can't quite figure out it that there is an overlap between the two groups. These people put their headphones on to eliminate themselves from the world and then take the headphones off and force themselves with all their might into the world that they have so desperately tried to avoid only moments before. These are just thoughts, to get them out and maybe get some feedback. Not to come to an end all be all decision about the motives. thanks

Things a have been seeing

2007-10-31T23:38:00.000-07:00

As you all know the world is an interesting place. I have been debating how to handle the thoughts i have been having about the things i have been seeing, not in a serious way, more like getting it out there, and out of my head. I hope that it will help me make sense of things and maybe help me keep track of things. if you would like to join me for the journey feel free, if you have something to say, say it. "We all have a story to tell, this is mine."

2006-05-15T09:46:00.000-07:00