iNomis

This free wireless antenna booster solved a marginal reception problem I was having with using my iPod Touch on our new deck. It’s called the “Ez-12 Parabolic Reflector Template”. Print it out, affix it to some card stock, or a Wheat Thins box in my case. Add some foil, cut, bend and slip over your WiFi antenna. Easy to make and use. Particularly helpful if your wireless sits at one end of your house and you need asymmetrical coverage.

admin Economizing

I’m considering getting two of the new 2009 Wilderness Systems Tarpon kayaks. Didn’t have a good idea of the relative size as most pictures tend to set them all to the same length. I made a composite picture and resized them to the same scale as best I could. I thought others may find this picture of the relative size of the new tarpon kayaks useful too.

Wilderness Systems Tarpon Info
Full Size Picture

admin Kayak Kayak

Amazon is excited to introduce Amazon Kindle 2, the next generation wireless reading device. With a sleek and thin design that makes Kindle 2 as thin as a typical magazine and lighter than a paperpack, the new Kindle has seven times more storage and now holds over 1,500 books. It has a longer battery life and faster page turns. An advanced display provides even crisper images and clearer text for an improved book-like reading experience. And Kindle 2 even reads to you, with “Read to Me”, our new Text to Speech feature.

With Kindle 2 we kept everything readers love about the original Kindle—the convenience of reading what you want, when you want it, the immediacy of getting a book wirelessly delivered in less than 60 seconds, and Kindle’s ability to “disappear” in your hands so you can get lost in the author’s words. We’re also excited to announce that the Kindle Store has over 230,000 ebooks available.

Kindle 2 is available for pre-order starting today for $359 and will ship later this month . We also have a wide variety of Kindle accessories available, including new covers from Cole Haan, Patagonia, and Belkin and more.

New Features & Enhancements

Slim & Lightweight: Just over 1/3 inch and 10.2 ounces
Books in under 60 seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required

Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for crisp images and text; even reads well in bright sunlight

Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging

More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books

Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns

Read-to-Me: Text-to-Speech feature means Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud.

No Wireless Bills: No monthly wireless bills, data plans, or commitments. Amazon pays for Kindle’s wireless connectivity so you won’t see a monthly wireless bill.

Large Selection: Over 230,000 books, plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines and blogs available

Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise

admin Uncategorized Amazon

I just ordered a full set of 205/50ZR16 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 tires for my MINI Cooper S from Tirerack. The stock size is 195/55/16 but many use this size. I’m happy enough with the current wheels and these tires were on sale for $50 each with a $50 rebate on a set of 4. Can’t beat that for performance tires. Just need to wear the last rubber from my current tires now.

admin Economizing, MINI Cooper MINI

Our Haier 18 bottle wine cooler just recently blew its fuses again. That’s twice in 2 years. It blows the 5amp 250v fuse on the 12v side of the power supply. First time it blew one of the two units and we wondered by it was not cooling well for a couple of months until the 2nd one blew and the whole unit stopped. This time it blew both close enough together that we only noticed it stopped completely. Instead of replacing again with a 5A 250v glass tube fuse that is soldered in place, I’m going to use a breaker or fuse socket to make things easier the next time. Some reports online that these units draw more than 5A.

Update: I replaced the 5amp glass fuses with socketed 5amp automotive ATC style fuses. One fan was a bit loud so I put the 5amp fuse with it.

admin Uncategorized