Category Archives: Cool Stuff

New Toy…

Posted on July 5, 2010 by Stefan Dembowski| Leave a comment

Ok, some people would say the HTC Incredible is not a Toy, but I feel I’m being honest by calling it that. In my case: I can do without it, but just felt like getting one. This post is NOT a review, there are plenty of reviews out there; this is just my personal impression of the phone.

For me, the attraction was using it as a Phone as well as the free apps that you can get for it. Being an Android phone, you can get some impressive Google apps such as Google Maps (and Navigation!), Google Voice, and my personal favorite Google Skymap.

Skymap is very cool as I’ve been interested in Astronomy since my father 1st got a telescope when I was in grade school.

More after the break. Continue reading →

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different, Personal

OK, time for an update.

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Stefan Dembowski| Leave a comment

Well,  We had a baby girl in February.

She’s adorable, healthy and keeps us on our toes full time! My advice to any couple thinking of having a baby: Do it.

  • My wife and I are getting a lot less sleep (getting better)
  • We have absolutely no free time
  • My work is affected a bit
  • My hobbies are now non existent (Photography?!?)
  • We don’t see any of our friends socially anymore.
  • You won’t believe how much we spend in Diapers and formula!

Sounds just awful, right? It’s not.

Seriously, being a parent is worth all this effort/cost and more.  We’re really lucky to have our daughter and we know it. I could go on and on with all the things I learn from our daughter daily but I can summarize it simply: My wife and daughter are what I look forward to everyday.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Bulletproof” by La Roux from the “La Roux” Album on the radio.

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Kids, Personal

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Wow, it's been a while…

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Stefan Dembowski| 2 Comments

speedtest.net resultsLot of things going on.
Minor:
We are now using Verizon FIOS (see speedtest results). After having one issue or another with TWC every week, it just got too tiring. When VZ called me up and  I priced out FIOS for TV, Phone and Internet, It’s just cheaper for me and my wife. On top of that, we get faster Internet, all HD channels we want, and the DVR works better. So, for now, we’re happy with Verizon FIOS. Since it is a NEW Fiber optic line coming into the house, I hope this eliminates all the issues I had with the original Copper line.

I have NOT been able to do many Photo Walk abouts in the last 6 months but I have joined a Camera Club at work. It’s fun and I have a chance to meet and network with new people. The Club covers events for work and is a lot of fun.

Major:
My Wife and I are expecting a Baby. Needless to say, we are happy to add to our Family! ;)

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different, Personal

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My first Greasemonkey Script

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Stefan Dembowski| 4 Comments

flickr_logo_gammaIt’s been years since I did any Javascript programing, but I had a simple problem and decided to dive into it.

Like many of the little programs I write, I had a “problem” and wanted to solve it. I wanted a convenient link on the photo page to cut and paste the short URL of FLickr Images.  Look at this URL for a nice photo my wife took:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/s_d/3665619548/

As a URL goes, not too bad, but suppose you wanted to insert the link in
Twitter or Facebook? It’s a little verbose.  Wouldn’t this be better?

http://flic.kr/p/6zVfZ3

Yep, I think so too and so does Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/services/api/misc.urls.html#short
http://www.flickr.com/groups/api/discuss/72157616713786392/
This thread showed how to do it: http://www.flickr.com/groups/api/discuss/72157616713786392/

The FlickrBase58 function in the script was written entirely by ‘Xenocryst @ Antares Scorpii’
http://www.flickr.com/people/antares/

Other than reformating, taken verbatim from link here
http://www.flickr.com/groups/api/discuss/72157616713786392/72157620673064673/

The Original way *I* wrote it was to retrieve the HTML, Parse it for
<link rev=”canonical” type=”text/html” href=”http://flic.kr/p/6zVfZ3″ >

And use that link. While fun to write, that’s the wrong way to do it so I rewrote it to use the function written by ‘Xenocryst @ Antares Scorpii’ .  When installed on Firefox running the Greasemonkey extension, it will insert a link on the page on the right side just under “Flag your photo” that says:

The Flic.kr link is: http://flic.kr/p/6zVfZ3

This will allow you to right click the URL, copy it and paste into Twitter or Facebook.

Here is the script.

NOTE: I’m pretty certain it’s harmless, but use at your own risk. It’s hardly great programming and I’m sure someone else would have done it too, if not better.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Paralyzer ” by Finger Eleven from the “Them VS. You VS. Me” Album.

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Posted in Cool Stuff, In Development

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Firefox 3.5rc2 and "Flickr Comment Tools"

Posted on June 21, 2009 by Stefan Dembowski| 1 Comment

“Flickr Comment Tools” is a great Greasemonkey script that I use everyday but under Firefox 3.5, it would not insert emoticons. Finally fixed it, It was a simple change that was driving me nuts… As I posted here:

view photostream S.D. Pro User says:

Got it.

Change this:

ifrm.contentDocument.execCommand('inserthtml',false,'<a title="Smilies" style="background:white !important;" href="http://www.ts0.com/flickrcommenttools/"><img align="absmiddle" style="vertical-align:middle;" src="'+this.url+'" border="0"></a>');

to:

ifrm.contentDocument.execCommand('inserthtml',false,'<a title="Smilies" style="background:white !important;" href="http://www.ts0.com/flickrcommenttools/"><img align="absmiddle" style="vertical-align:middle;" src="'+this.src+'" border="0"></a>');

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different

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Quick and overdue Update

Posted on May 23, 2009 by Stefan Dembowski| Leave a comment

Dell XPS 630

Ok, It’s been quite a while since I updated my blog, so here is a rundown:

  • I’ve been working on my little backyard garden every weekend since it’s been warm enough. As a result, the lawn looks good, the vegetable garden is growing and our flower beds are weed free and has cedar mulch.  The Iris that our neighbor, Mrs. Chiu, gave us is really taking off. She planted that Iris in every house she owned, but finally moved to an apartment so she gave it to us. I have to call her son to let them know that it continues to grow (30-40 years!). It’s hard work, but it’s enjoyable as WE benefit from it.
  • Related, I striped apart our Weber Genesis BBQ cleaned it, replaced the gas line (old quick connect is not used anymore), and we are good to go. That grill is a hand me down from over 10 years ago. The good thing about Weber grills: it will last forever if you keep it clean. I can’t wait for our small July 4th BBQ.
  • We have so much Mint and Sage that we’re giving it away (Luckily our neighbor likes Sage). Since we have so much mint, we’ve learned to make an occasional mojito too.
  • Thanks to Janny, I’m finally learning how to cook. I’m starting with simple meals like Tilapia fish marinated with coconut curry and collard greens. I also can safely cook chicken and pork chops too. Anyone that knows me, knows what an accomplishment this is. Having a good Zojirushi rice cooker also helps.
  • Our home computer had a very persistent computer virus. The virus scaner (Two!) would ID the files but could not clean it as their was a persistent lock on them. As my brother suggested, I downloaded Ubuntu, burned a boot CD, booted up in LINUX and removed the infected files.  That was so easy that it was a bit ridiculous. Booting up in LINUX completely disables the threat.
  • After using our PC since 2000/2001, we decided now was a good time. So, Janny and I got a Dell XPS 630 and pretty much optioned it out (8gb RAM, 1TB RAID 0, Intel® Core 2 Q8300 (4MB,2.5GHz, 1333FSB), 24 inch Flat screen monitor, etc. ). To put it mildly, I’m really looking forward to getting it.

In summary, life is pretty good.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different, Personal

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HGUC Hi Nu Gundam

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Stefan Dembowski| Leave a comment

hi-nu-hgucSaw this on Ngee Khiong’s site (great site); It’s the HGUC version of the Hi Nu Gundam. Prior to making the HGUC Nu Gundam and Sazabi, I would not have gotten this, but  I’m really impressed by the level of detail and flexibility of the recent HGUC line by Bandai.

When it comes out, I’ll probably just walk down to Image Anime on 30th street and just get it.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Hobby

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Gunpla model making tip

Posted on March 22, 2009 by Stefan Dembowski| Leave a comment

One of the more annoying things about assembling Gundam Models (in this case a MG Kämpfer) is getting the gun to stay in it’s hands.

The hands are meant to look cool, not hold the gun properly. I finally came upon a simple solution: DAP BLUESTIK Reusable Adhesive Putty.  It’s the sticky clay like stuff that used to be used in place of thumbtacks.  Unlike glue, it is not permanent but holds pretty well.

I used just a bit about the size of the tip of a pen and the gun stays where I put it. It only cost me a couple of dollars and makes life a lot easier.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“I Hate This Part” by the Pussycat Dolls from the “Doll Domination” Album.

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different, Hobby

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Battlestar Galactica Series Finale

Posted on March 21, 2009 by Stefan Dembowski| Leave a comment

Battlestar Galactica Season 4 Promo shotAll good things must come to end and Battlestar Galactica had it’s series finale last night.

I find I have mixed feelings about the final episode, which I will discuss after the break.

I really liked the show but agree with the decision to end it. The best stories have a beginning and an end and while I have some issues with the ending, Battlestar Galactica had a decent ending.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

Continue reading →

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Posted in Cool Stuff, Different, TV

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Currently painting a plastic model. I’m only doing selected high lights, but I have to be carefull not to put too much on at one time. Rule of thumb: if you think you’re close to putting on too much paint, … Continue reading →

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Posted on March 14, 2009 by Stefan Dembowski