Blippy Home Page

I cam across Blippy through Louis Gray's feed. I hit the site hoping to find out more about its services/approach. I noticed that in addition to pulling my iTune and Amazon purchases, it can also pull my Visa and MasterCard purchases! Which led me to my next thought... How does it pull my credit card purchases? I would like to learn more about it before I sign up.

Unfortunately, there is not such option or page to provide further information.

Which led me to think... what's the point of having your own web-site when your potential Users couldn't even get additional information out of the service(s) that you provide.

in reference to: http://blippy.com/# (view on Google Sidewiki)

Selling Cars vs. Selling College Degree

Students, depending on your major, are supposed to go to college to learn more about loans, finance, math, & etc. Yet, they are forced to commit to a loan even before they start college.

Meanwhile, colleges are 'advertising' to students that a college degree will help them succeed in life/career, but never mention when/how/who/where realistically. And if you exhibit any sign of financial hardship, what will be the first thing the recruiter offer? Loans!

Granted that these Loans are more 'reasonable/legit/low-rate' loans, they are still loans. The more I think about it, the more I feel that college recruiting is another (false?) advertising scheme targeted at 'kids!'

What is the difference between Colleges and Car Dealerships? Ultimately, they want you to be their customer. Even if both of them are offering your 'legitimate' loan options, it is still YOUR loan, and not theirs.

And if the car didn't 'perform/behave' to your liking in a few years, just like your college degree, it's your problem. Not theirs.

in reference to: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/14/student-loan-defaults-1-i_n_390821.html# (view on Google Sidewiki)

If I had to, I could go without my television for a month

because I don't have time to watch it these days anyway!

Sony GPS-CS3KA - Unbox

I ordered my Sony GPS-CS3KA about a month ago and it’s been on back-order ever since.  I few days ago, I received an email telling me that the item has been shipped.  I have to assume that I must be the few very first people who will receive this device, and therefore, I want to document my un-boxing event!

First up, the packaging…

The box has a fold out design that allows more area to talk/explain on what this device does.

 

Zooming into the Quick Start Guide inside the ‘fold-out’ of the box…

 

Here’s what the back of the box looks like….

 

It is interesting to see that the Device itself is made in China, yet the CD-Rom is actually made in Japan.  Wouldn’t it makes more financial sense to have the entire thing made, and packaged, in China?

Here are what inside the box.  Some manuals, warranty cards, special offer on accessories, an USB cable, a see-through plastic pouch (looks water-proof), and the device itself.

 

 

Here’s a close-up shot of the plastic pouch to store the GPS device.

 

Here’s what the whole thing looks like if you choose to put the GPS unit inside the pouch.  Although it is a bit ugly, I believe I will certainly be using this pouch so that I can belt-clip it to my camcorder or camera.

 

 

 

Here are a few shots of the battery compartment.  There is also a slot for the memory stick too.  (Looks like I will have to go into detail of what that memory slot is used for.

 

 

 

I’m going to charged up my battery tonight and take this to photo-shoot the religious event that I will be attending tomorrow.  I’ll provide further update on the software and the entire process of linking GPS data with pictures on separate devices. 

If you have anything that you want me to check/photograph, please leave me a comment below.

How NYC New Year’s Eve Countdown Compares to the World

I celebrated New Year’s Eve countdown at home, with my lovely wife sitting next to me (and baby’s sleeping), watching “Dick Clark New Year’s Eve Countdown with Ryan what’s-his-name” in HD.  It was just a so-so event, and I still don’t buy that there were 1 million people in Times Square last night.  Patches of emptied area were clearly visible during the show, even right before countdown.  I don’t understand why the officials had the need to fabricate numbers, but I guess the U.S. need such a ‘count’ to re-establish themselves around the world on newspaper/web on New Year’s Day.  The countdown-Ball-dropping event is beginning to look pathetic.  Come on, wake up!  Look around the world to see what others are doing to ring in the New Year!

• Australia has been impressive in the past years, being one of the first to hit the new year mark.
• Hong Kong’s fireworks show that circled around the IFC is just fantastic!  (I’m still looking for some ‘official’ video of the fireworks show.)
• Taipei 101’s fireworks is another impressive display
• London’s exhibition is also a World Class act

These are some of the countries around the world that really took advantage of their iconic structures, spent some money, and celebrated the new year.  Instead spending all that money on a gigantic crystal/LED ball, I think NYC needs to start thinking out of the box soon!

Happy New Year!

So far…

• I’ve watched just a bit of the Rose Bowl Parade, in HD
• I’ve just fed my Son’s first mean of 2009.  Which led to…
• I’ve just changed my first poopy diaper of 2009.  Thanks, Son!
• I’ve just brewed/drank my first cup of coffee of 2009, and had a ‘Cha Siu Bun’
• And of course, I’ve just made my first blog post!

I wish you all a Happy New Year!