Chrome OS/CR-48 Initial Review.

My review of the CR-48 Google Notebook

I received my Google OS notebook on Monday December 20 but do to some obligations at work and some family miscommunication I did not actually see it until Tuesday. I have been playing with it for just a few hours and would like to share my initial thoughts with you. 

First I would like to point out,  you must understand this is a Beta unit and will be no where near what the production unit will be. Second being this is the first release of the Chrome OS also there are many improvements that will be made by the beta testers.

I am going to start with hardware then move to software.

So far I am impressed with the unit itself. The battery life, screen, keyboard and mouse are all user friendly, at least to me.  The battery life is the biggest surprise so far. The unit comes with the instructions to just put the battery in and start using the notebook. The battery was half charged when I put it in and I messed around with it for about 2 hours and it was still over a quarter charged. 

The keyboard has taken a little time to get used to since a lot of the buttons (alt/ctrl are there but the F keys are not) I am used to using on a Windows based system are gone. I love using keyboard shortcuts and Google OS has them I just need to get used to the changes. 

I do prefer using a pointer stick mouse over a mouse pad but again this is only a personal preference. The mouse pad that comes with the unit is easy to use and quite large, a plus when you have sausage fingers like I do.

The screen is pleasant surprise. It is not what I have seen on some machines that were meant for media centers or gaming but is very nice. Pictures and video show up crisp and clear.

The on-board video camera takes nice pictures and video, not the highest quality but very good. When I tried to use the microphone, only once so far, there were some issues. My wife said it sounded choppy or as if it was breaking up. I am not sure this is a microphone issue though, internet has been a little slow in the neighborhood lately, some new lines are being installed.

The overall weight of the unit is nice, coming it at just 3.8 pounds.

Now my wish list for changes. I would like to see a cd/dvd drive on board. I hope this happens but with Google moving toward everything in the cloud they may not add it. As addressed earlier I would like to see a pointer stick mouse also. The speakers are adequate but could be better. 

No for the software. Please remember I have been using the unit for less then a day so these are my initial observations.

I have not had time to look at a lot of the items available at the Chrome Web Store but there is quite a bit there. Many of the free apps I tried just direct you to the host's website and you go from there. 

Using Chrome OS is much or almost exactly like using the Chrome browser. As soon as I signed in all of my extension/themes/setting/bookmarks were automatically updated. I have the sync feature enabled on my Dell Windows unit so this may have made it much faster. There is no desktop since you won't be storing anything on the unit. You can download stuff but it goes directly to a download queue that just pops up when select it. There is no "My Computer," "My Documents" or any of the other items you may look for. There is no start menu, no task bar or anything else you would look for. The time/date, WiFi and battery symbol are in the top right corner of the screen. The "control panel" as it is is the wrench you are used to using in the Chrome Browser. I will write new post after I have had time to mess with the Chrome Web Store more. 

No Netflix is huge miss so far for me but I am sure Google and Netflix will have this ready to go before production units hit the web/stores. 

My initial review is very positive. The hardware for a beta unit is impressive and functional. The software is easy to use if you have ever used the Chrome Browser. To grade the unit after such a short time is not fair of me but life isn't fair so here it is. I give the unit a solid B right now. With feedback from beta testers and software improvements I expect this grade to rise rather quickly. 

Familiarity

The saying goes Familiarity Breeds Contempt (Aesop's Fables) but I disagree. The fable is about a fox who is first scared of a lion then after several meetings shows him no concern. This may be true with casual acquaintance's but with people and things you truly care about I don't believe it ever becomes the case. We may not always treat the people we love the way we should but I hope never with contempt. Everyone has a bad day or gets frustrated with family and friends but in the end you always cherish your time together. I think this is because we know it may be over all too soon.

Autumn is coming on quickly, this is my favorite season of the year. Seeing an old friend, talking about and going to college football games, seeing that first tree change colors or planning weekend trips with the family are truly special and something I look forward too. How could I have contempt for the things that make me feel something special like nothing else does? I recently saw a video of friends talking/playing with their child. I have not seen these friends in quite awhile, we are separated by a long distance, and just to hear them and their daughter on the video made me smile. I have missed the get together's we have here in the Midwest during football season. The harvest is coming on, high school football takes center stage and kids are back in school excited to show off all there new clothes, bags and supplies. It is by far the best time of year.

I hope I tell those people closest to me how much I care and value their love, support and friendship. I hope even though at times it seems I take these things for granted I truly value them. This post did not take me where I was going with it in my head but I am happy with where it took me. So family and friends thanks for being there, for making familiarity a good thing and for making my life so fulfilling.

New Job?

I interviewed for a different position at work this week. Right now I am in engineering but according to the plant manager, HR manager and my direct manager I need to have supervisory experience to advance. So I applied for an open supervisor position and had three hours worth of interviews on Monday.


Like everything else in life this is both exciting and scary all at the same time. I like the engineering side and doing technical work. Some programming of robots, process improvements and new design work is exciting. Its also exciting when your boss asks you if you are going to apply for the open position though. To me it means he sees something in me and I have a future here so I better get this on my resume. Its scary because if I get the job I would be responsible for vacation request, discipline, time clock issues, overtime staffing and many other tasks. It is a completely different aspect of the job that I have never done before.

My manager told me today that they have one more candidate to interview and should make a decision in the next week. If you are a reader/friend any positive thoughts you could send my way would be appreciated.

Struggles

Struggles, we all have them and deal with them in different ways. We have daily struggles, relationship struggles, family struggles and lifetime struggles. Some are seen on the outside like a physical disability or scar from an accident from days gone by. Some are never seen but by those who truly love us. Others yet we never show to anyone and choose to struggle with on our own. Some people deal with their struggles and become violent or aggressive towards others. Others keep it all bottled up and don't let on to anyone how much they are struggling. Some may choose to deal by letting others learn from their struggles and how they either cope or overcome them. There is no tried and true, one size fits all way to deal or not to deal with your struggles. My personal struggles have been getting me down lately but it is how life is I guess. Just wish there truly were and 'easy' button sometimes.

We all do stupid things, right?

Not sure what I was thinking when I did it but I did it anyway. What was it you ask? I got a tattoo. Now before you go and cuss me out or think less of me know I already have done this to myself. It wasn't a drunken moment with friends or something done on a whim, it is something I have been thinking about for quite some time. I am happy with what I got, all of verse 1 of Psalm 23 and part of verse 4. This is my favorite verse of the Bible and means a great deal to me. I knew it would be permanent so I didn't want to get something I would ashamed to have on my body. I got it in an inconspicuous spot that most people will ever see.

I have heard from friends and family "why would you want to do that?" I just laugh and say it is cheaper then a new truck and way better for me and my family then an affair. I don't know the truthful answer to why I wanted one or went thru with it. I could call it a midlife crisis or just a bad judgement call, I don't know why. All I can say is it is a decision I made and I have to live with. There will be no pictures here sorry, here is what I got though.

Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
23:4 - Yea though I walk through the valley of the of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

Special People, Special Day

I was fortunate enough to spend most of the day Tuesday with some truly special people. Lincoln, NE is hosting the 2010 National Special Olympics. I got up extra early, drove to a parking lot and took a bus to my volunteer location. I get there with not a whole lot going on for the first hour. We set up and received our instructions for the days events. Then the athletes came. You never really see what you take for granted until you witness people who have overcome more then you could imagine.

The first group consisted of two young ladies one with both physical and developmental disabilities and the second young woman with only developmental disabilities. It was amazing to see their attitude in respect to themselves and the other competitor. The first young lady did well on all her lifts but was not boastful. The second  young lady went 0-6 in the event. I could not tell she was upset or angry, she was so excited to be there and competing, she was happy for her fellow competitor even though she was having a bad time of it. She truly defined what it meant to be a good competitor and sportsmanship.

As the day moved along the groups got larger and the lifters had their different types of disabilities but the sportsmanship level never changed. There was a T.V. set up in the staging area where the athletes could watch each other compete. Not once was a bad or negative word spoken about another competitor. They would cheer, yell support, congratulate each other when the came off stage and console each other when another athlete was sad about not making their lift.

If you ever get the chance to spend the day volunteering with some of these truly special individuals take it. It will give you a perspective everyday life will not and may even teach you something about yourself. I know it did for me.

Anyone remember my diet?

Some of you, or the one of you who reads this (thank you by the way), may remember that I am on a diet and trying to get into some shape other then round. Things were going great, down 22 pounds, walking almost everyday, throwing in some bike riding and even a little weight lifting at work (very seldom). Then I hit the dreaded plateau, the weight stop dropping off and I actually gained back a pound. I was not discouraged though, I can do this, I can keep up with this and reach my goal. That was three weeks ago and I have gained back another half pound even while continuing the workouts.


I am starting to get discouraged a little now. I keep telling myself "the plateau won't last long, keep at it!" I do feel better, some say I look better and my jeans are a little looser but darn it when will I start losing some weight again?

Happy Fourth of July.

Happy Fourth of July everyone, I hope you get to spend this day with all those most special to you.

While to many this day means fireworks, BBQ's, picnics and adult beverages to me it means much more. I think back to what the Founding Fathers (and Mothers) must have had to endure. Knowing that by sending The Declaration of Independence they were committing treason. They basically said we are willing to put our lives on the line for what we believe in. I think back even further to the pilgrim's who came over for many reason and landed on Plymouth Rock. They were willing to put their lives on the line going to a new continent not knowing what they were going to find, how they were going to survive and what life was going to be like. Never forget how 150-160 years later as the Bill of Rights was being written they remembered them. Pilgrim's came over to get away from the religious Tierney of the King of England. They wanted to practice religion as they saw fit or not practice at all. It was something that so many of us cannot even fathom because of how much we know about the world today. The fact that the Founding Fathers had the wisdom to put this into the Bill of Rights shows how much this was ingrained in their/our society.

So this weekend while you are celebrating and doing all the modern day stuff take a moment and remember those who put their lives on-the-line for things we often take for granted. Remember the Pilgrim's leaving their homes and everything they had and were willing to start new. Remember those who were willing to fight for the right to practice religion, represent themselves in government and so many other things. These strong people did this so you can drink that beer, BBQ the burger and vote for representation in how our country is led. They did it so you can practice religion as you see fit or not at all. They did it so we could all be free.

Ten years?

Ten years used to seem like such a long time to me. I thought who am I going to be, what am I going to do, how will life have changed? Maybe it's because I am getting older or maybe it is because of life experience but ten years doesn't seem like that long of time anymore. After having my first daughter 10 years ago yesterday I cannot believe how fast the time flies by. It seems like she was just this little girl who needed my wife and I for everything. She needed us to feed her, bath her, help her get dressed and care for her every need.

Now she has grown and became more independent. She doesn't need us like she used to, well she does but just in different ways. She needs us when she has a rough day at school when the other kids have been mean. She needs us when she is stressed about homework. She needs us to take her back and forth from dance class and horse riding lessons. She needs us to teach her about God and how to treat others. We still have so many things to teach her and things she still needs. These are all great things to be needed for but its not at all like when she was little. She is only 10 but I see the young lady she is turning into already. She is so smart and mature, she makes me proud all the time. Soon she will be a teenager and I will be reflecting back on her 10th birthday and thinking "wouldn't it be nice if she needed me like she did then?"

Cutie Pie you are growing up much to fast for my liking. I am sorry I have not been there as much as I would've liked to be. I am sorry for all the things I miss because of work and sleep. Please know I am doing these things for you, your sister and your mother. I would so much like to be more of you life. Just know you and your sister are everything to me. Even if I don't always show it like I should or say the things I should, you are!

I love you Cutie Pie.

Happiness is?

How many of you can say you're truly happy? Could you change one, two or ten things in your life that would make your life happier? Do you live life with regrets or thinking about what should have been or never was? Do you look for happiness in places, people and things rather then inside yourself? What is your definition of happiness, is it something inside of you that you control or something you have no control over?

Recently I have been struggling with my happiness and I am not sure why. I have a beautiful wife who loves me very much and I love her. I have two wonderful daughters that are pure joy to me that I love more then I can say. I have my family, friends who love me, my health and a good job. These are many things a lot of people don't have today. So with all my blessings why am I still struggling to find happiness? I feel something is missing but I just don't know what it is.

I believe happiness is what you make it and something you have to find. It is not necessarily something inside of you but a culmination of many different factors. Some of these are internal, things that you have control over, while others are outside factors. You can chose how you look at life, you can chose how you are going to respond to different situations and no one has the ability to hurt your feelings unless you let them. These things are within our control. You cannot control how long your family will live, how long you will maintain friendships, how long you will be employed or what people say and do.

I need to work on the balance of internal and external factors and do what I can to be happy. I need to work on how I control my own attitude and try not to let those outside of my control affect me. Work with what you have, don't try and change too much and be alright with life's little lessons.


Be happy my friends.

Father's Day

Father's Day is a day to celebrate dad and all he does for his kids but I don't feel I deserve it.

I love my daughters more then anything and everything they are. I look forward to what they are going to grow to be. I am so proud of who they are even at their young ages. I love them very, very much and only want the best for them.

I have not been the best dad, I know this. I don't spend the time with them that they need. I don't always show love and affection the way I should. I am tired and cranky most of the time due to my work schedule and working towards my degree. I often put them after the things that should be put after them. I do what I do so they can have the things they need and want. I really try to be a good dad but I feel like I have failed them on so many levels. I truly know I am not the best dad.

Doing what I do allows for my wife to be a stay at home mom, a confidant and a friend to them. I often miss many important activities but she is able to make it to all of them. In some ways this makes me feel good but also a little sad. I see the relationship she has with them and wish I could have that also. I am not jealous and know why things are the way they are. I know I am missing so much of their younger years and know I will never it get it back though.

I will keep telling myself I am doing what I am doing for them and my wife. I will keep praying to God that they will someday see I worked this schedule and worked for my college diploma not out of selfishness for me but for them. I hope one day they will love me for who I am and what I did and not just because I am their dad.

I would like to say happy Father's Day to my own dad. You are here for me whenever needed. You have given me so much, taught me so much and gone without so much. When mom died when I was 8 you became the only provider. Doing two jobs instead of one was not easy but you did well. I love you dad.

Angel Bug's riding lesson

Cutie Pie rides a horse

I've really got to work on the song I sing.

How many people are singing the song that is making their life happy? My song is bringing me down and I need to work on it.

When is Church no longer a church?

Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas is a church filled with people who don't truly understand the Bible or Gods teachings. It is a church filled with hate mongers and intolerant people who breed more hate and  intolerance. Several people say this is child abuse, while not quite sure about that  it is something other than love.

My questions is why does the public still consider this group of people to be a church? Why don't we do what we have done to other groups and call them what they are, a Cult?

While they are afforded free speech under the Constitution of the United States of America their rhetoric is nothing but hate filled ignorance. They have already deemed every single one of us as going to hell for supporting God, our families, our friends and our country. I don't want to get into a name calling battle with these folks but it is time to call them what they are. In my opinion this is no longer a church but a cult hiding behind the name of God like so many others.

Read the story below and make up you own mind.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/raised-hate-kids-westboro-baptist-church/story?id=10809348

Why do we make the same mistakes over and over?

I recently made a new friend, I let this friend close to me and I got hurt again. Why do I make the mistake of letting people in? Why haven't I learned from long ago that it does no good? People are good by nature but there is always going to be pain. It seems better to me that we just make casual acquaintance friends and not let people close. Why must people share with you and let you into their lives and just walk away? Life to me seems like it would be better if you just keep things to yourself.

I've lost people who meant more to me then I could ever imagine.  My most difficult loss is my mom. My mom died when I was 8 from cancer. She was sick for a long time and I never really got to know her because of it. I know she loved me and I her and that is enough but it is still a loss that hurts.

It may not sound like it could happen to an 8 year old but I shut down after this, really and truly. In my life I can say I have only let 5-6 people get to know the real me. This includes my wife, who I love more then I can say and show, and five friends. I lost one of these friends shortly after my marriage. He was my best man and I really don't know what happened but there is just nothing there anymore. I recently lost the last person I let close. She is just a friend, nothing more, we shared many interests and made each other laugh.

When I lost this friend, which was mostly my doing, I only made matters worse. I tried to keep up the contact when I should have given space. I tried too hard. I hope she knows how much I care for her and our friendship. I know it is probably too late to get that back. I would like to quote someone very close to her and these are some very wise words. Where she used men I would insert women but you get the idea.

"You will meet many men in this life and fall in love... legitimate love, sometimes you meet them after you are married... and you will fall in love with them deeply... you just cant act on all of them"

So I am really going to try and learn from this latest life lesson. I am not going to let others close and keep people at arms length. I don't blame this on my friend at all, this is a lesson I should have learned many years ago. I am blessed and happy to have my wife to share with and my other three close friends, I am fortunate to have this many.

Memorial Day. Please remember why.

 

MEMORIAL DAY

 

 

Keep it moving, please, even if you've seen it before. It is the  VETERAN,  not the preacher,  who has given us freedom of religion.  It is the VETERAN,  not the reporter,   who has given us freedom of the press. It is the VETERAN,  not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.     It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.       It is the VETERAN,  not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.    It is the VETERAN,  not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.     It is the VETERAN who salutes the Flag,      It is the VETERANwho serves under the Flag,   ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

To all those women and men who never came home.

Can we stop the bickering?

This weekend when we remember those who gave/give so much for our way of life, the freedoms of religion and freedoms from religion, the political representation and the security we have in this country I hope we can try and be more tolerant of each other. Let's all try and be more peaceful and cordial to one another. I like a good debate but there is no reason we can't be civil when we do.

On many forums people are debating religion, politics and many other issues that seem to drive a wedge in our society. If we could all look at our neighbor and see they just have different beliefs from us but are not all that different maybe we could get some stuff done. Actually listen to your worst opponent and see if they are really so different or just say it different than you do. Understand the freedoms of this country allow for them, and you, to have these opinions. Men and women are created equal; laws, misinformation and misunderstandings make it otherwise.

So whether you are Republican or Democrat, whether you believe in God or not, whether you feel your morals come from inside you or from teachings of a certain religion or you think people are born good or evil please remember those who have defended this country and given us the right to do so.

"There's not one known thing in God's Great Universe that won't take the path of least resistance save an argumentative man."

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend. Please remember all those men and women who have served this country and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while doing so. These brave men and women have done so much that we could never comprehend and deserve more respect then they get. So if you know someone who is a serving, non-active or retired veteran buy them a coke, shake their hand or just say hi and thank you.

Working an odd schedule is difficult.

Anyone who has ever worked a non-traditional schedule knows how difficult they can be. Not only on family and friends but on your body as a whole. I work a schedule that is even less then traditional. Three and a half days on and three and a half days off. The thing is my schedule moves around, it is not the same days every week.

You try to do right by your wife and kids, family and friends while trying to do right by yourself. Sleep is probably the hardest thing to come by and when you do it is never good. People don't realize how many noises are made during the day for those who sleep then. As a person who works nights I don't expect people to change or even be sympathetic, I just wish they could understand. People want you to come to their events but don't always realize that 3:00 p.m. for you is the same as 3:00 a.m. for them. People will schedule meetings at 5:15 p.m. trying to accommodate me but don't realize that that would be like me scheduling a meeting for them at 5:15 a.m.

 In the end no one wins, the kids get grouchy dad, mom has to parent alone more then she should have too and I miss sleep and feel bad for being a jerk all the time. 

HTC Incredible is, well incredible!

After an extra day of waiting due to the floods in Tennessee my HTC Incredible came via FedEx late Thursday afternoon. First I would like to say my prayers go out to those affected by the floods. Second I would like to say I am ashamed that I was a little upset that I had to wait an extra day. What those poor folks are going thru is nothing compared to me waiting for said phone.

I woke up and my oldest daughter knowing how I was anticipating the arrival hid it from me. She left notes all around the house; in the mail pile, on the kitchen table, on the T.V., in the refrigerator and on the couch telling me where to go to find it. The last one was very cryptic and made me think far longer then it should have. Remember I had just woken up so was still a bit groggy but I just couldn't figure out the last clue. Finally my dense brain got around what she was saying and I knew where she had hidden it.Out witted by an almost 10 year old, I am both proud (of her) and ashamed (of myself). -MORE-

"Holly Bat Ca-ca Batman, can you say mid-life crisis at 38?"

So I hear you all saying "what the heck is Huskerheavy talking about?" Well to be honest I am probably not talking or thinking clearly. I want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. To do so I need to get to my goal weight. I made a deal with my wife that if I do I can jump out of said plane. It has always intrigued me how it would feel to just fall. No net, no mat, just me falling thru the air.

So this is a win/win for me and win/lose for her. When I win I will be at my goal weight and get to jump out of an airplane. When I get to my goal weight she will have a husband who is healthier and jumping out of a perfectly good plane.  Send me your prayers and wish me luck friends, on both.

Amazed by God's wonder everyday.

Road my bike to school today and am just so amazed by God's wonders and the beautiful things he gives us. Whether it be the sun, birds singing or kids playing tag after school. To think this all happened out of happen stance I just can't fathom that. Saw my wife and youngest daughter in the back yard planting some flowers. The wonder in my little one's eye's just makes me realize how blessed I am and how God has given me so much to be thankful for.

Every day people still amaze me, today it was in a good way.

So I was driving home after buying some groceries to donate to the local shelter for their dinner tonight and this girl was stuck at the bottom of a hill. I stopped to see what I could do to help and she said she was out of gas. I tried pushing her up the hill but just couldn't do it. Luckily some other good guys stopped and helped. We were able to get the car out of the road and into the gas station. It really is nice to see people do good things for others!

Motorola Razr died, time for the HTC Incredible.

Well my old Motorola Razr finally died this week. So I went to the local Verizon store to see what is our there. I know what I wanted but wasn't sure if I was going to get it. Well I did and here is my new toy.

Very excited to see what this phone can do with it's 1Ghz processor and all the other features. I will keep you updated on it.

My Girls.

Yeah, not so good at the video editing yet. Here is the song she really wanted posted.

Cutie Pie at her spring recital

Weight loss is the sucky suck.

I have been trying very hard as of late to lose some weight. With all the snow we received here this winter it was tough to get outside and do much.  I am happy to report that I am down 20 pounds (don't weigh myself everyday) since January. I am not going to tell you how much I started at, too embarrassed for that. I am starting to feel better and my clothes are fitting me better.

If I ever get to my goal weight I may be brave enough to post before and after pictures then. Just not going to post before pictures now. 

Anyone want to join in and tell about there exercise plan and how it is working? Let me know how its going and we keep each other motivated. 

Been in a Phil Collins kinda mood lately. This Love This Heart