tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44277879542932914352024-03-13T11:51:00.500-07:00Think Big.OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-44735332602055304732012-03-14T19:36:00.001-07:002012-03-14T19:56:08.302-07:00WinningHello friends, drag this to your bookmarks, name it whatever you want, contribute to the nerdy and awesome foundation.<br />
<br />
<a href="javascript:(function(){var%20str%20=%20window.location.pathname.split("/");alert('http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/'%20+%20str[3]%20+%20'/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN='%20+%20str[3]);})();" target="_blank">AZ</a>OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-59599451520466331562012-03-11T17:14:00.001-07:002012-03-11T17:14:34.932-07:00The Last of the Kitchen Gadgets Part 1We pretty much have every kitchen gadget possible. I'm serious about cooking, and these represent my investment in eating. If you ask, I would tell you that you'd be well off to do the same.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are a couple of gadgets we don't have yet though, and this is the story about one of them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If I had a post about all the kitchen utensils I think everyone needs, I'd put a link to it here. When I do write that post, I'll update this one.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The two items I don't have but still need are very related. Sous-vide cooker and a vacuum sealer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The sous-vide is for slow cooking things at very specific temperatures. It can make you cooking easier and eating amazing. More on that gadget later. This post is all about the vacuum.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've used a vacuum sealer for some time now, and I have developed a dislike for FoodSaver. They're probably alright for a few people, and they're fairly inexpensive, but I just don't trust them to last. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0044XDA3S/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0044XDA3S%22%3EFoodSaver%20V2244%20Advanced%20Design%20Vacuum%20Sealer,%20Black%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thibig-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0044XDA3S" target="_blank">I have the older version of this one</a>, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. The seal is fine, just the suction that lacks.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My mother in law gave it to me when she <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E42R8O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001E42R8O" target="_blank">bought this one</a>. Works a lot better than mine, all the time in fact. I still think its a bit lacking in umph, and worse, it wastes a lot of the bags. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Which leads me to the other problem with food saver, the bags are fairly expensive, and you can't substitute with other bags. With mine, I can barely get it to work with the FoodSaver brand bags.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've done a bunch of research, and it took a while but I've convinced myself that the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GP81R2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001GP81R2">Weston 65-0201 Pro-2300 Vacuum Sealer, Silver</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=thibig-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001GP81R2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is the way to go. Yes its 4 times the price, but its worth it and here's why:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Its at the level of what I believe is called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosumer" target="_blank">prosumer</a>.</li>
<li>I will be able to seal a whole tuna, one steak at a time, please, please let it happen this year.</li>
<li>The bags are <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GP81OK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001GP81OK" target="_blank">slightly cheaper</a> than the <a href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thibig-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=B001U005B8" target="_blank">FoodSaver bags</a></li>
<li>I think mi kid will inherit this one</li>
<li>It works with the sweet food saver attachments like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005OTXS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005OTXS" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005TN7H/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005TN7H" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005Q4OD/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00005Q4OD" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000CFFS6/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=thibig-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0000CFFS6&adid=164EETWTTWWSDN1B7PZ9&" target="_blank">this</a></li>
<li>Just look at this thing, its a metal power tool, not a plastic toy</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Inqj2SJOL._AA1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Inqj2SJOL._AA1000_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
Feel free to drop a comment if you have a question, or if you just think I'm crazy.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-75561938169833495912012-02-19T07:34:00.000-08:002012-02-19T07:35:39.286-08:00Peer Pressure, of the Apple Persuasion.No, not alcohol, or other illicit substances. This peer pressure comes in the form of electronics.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In another time, when I had more marginal income, and interest in the little guy I might have been an Apple early adopter, and fanboy as much as the rest of my peers. Alas, I wasn't and have been a PC my whole life/career.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not even getting it for me, its for my wife, and yet I still feel like I've sold a part of myself. Yes, I'm buying a Mac. A mac mini to be exact because its the most affordable overpriced option.<br />
<br />
Here's what bugs me about Mac, you purchase the thing from Apple and its $600, but from amazon, its the same thing, but for $570.<br />
<br />
If you get the upgrade to 4gb of ram, it'll cost you $100 from apple, or you can put it in yourself for $42, and that's retail cost for memory. If you were buying the quantity that apple is, it likely cost $10 for that hardware, and $1 to install it. I'm all for profit, but seriously?<br />
<br />
I talked to apple, and their basic mac mini comes with 2gb, in 2 modules, which means if you upgrade your memory, you might as well throw away those two modules. If apple were environmentally friendly, they would let me order my mac mini without the memory for a $50 discount. That will never happen.<br />
<br />
By the way, anyone can install the memory into a mac mini, you don't even need tools.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4432#1" target="_blank">Here's how, straight from the mothership.</a></div>
<div>
<br />
Here is what is necessary, sans monitor.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004YLCLM6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004YLCLM6" target="_blank">Apple Mac Mini MC815LL/A</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DZJQQI/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003DZJQQI" target="_blank">The Memory</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DLDO4U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005DLDO4U" target="_blank">The Obligatory Keyboard</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TLTGM6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002TLTGM6" target="_blank">The Magic Mouse</a></li>
</ul>
</div>OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-18757569700474569972012-02-12T05:17:00.000-08:002012-02-19T07:02:49.169-08:00GT5 SIM Racing Setup for under $400<div style="text-align: left;">
I received GT5 as a gift, a couple seasons ago, and truth be told, most of what you're about to see is also a gift. Thanks Ron and Jo. It was then that I set out to build a racing cockpit for a reasonable amount of dough. With a little ingenuity, and some manual labor, and a few power tools, I'm ready to practice. Practice for what you might ask? You're going to have to continue reading to find out.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's where it starts:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BSA1C6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002BSA1C6">Gran Turismo 5 - PS3</a>, a driving simulator which has been getting better and better each version. This for a while was the only game I owned for a long time, as I don't really have time for other games.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Along with receiving that for a Christmas gift, I also got the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EAORVS/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001EAORVS">Thrustmaster Ferrari F430 Force Feedback Racing Wheel</a>. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51do1LIbgnL.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51do1LIbgnL.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 396px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 500px;" /></a></div>
<div>
Its in my opinion the best value of racing wheels out there. Yes there are better ones like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004J6KRD6/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004J6KRD6">this</a>, and <a href="http://www.engadget.com/tag/@gaming,@peripherals/www.engadget.com/2011/01/21/fanatec-porsche-gt2-wheel-and-clubsport-pedals-review/">this</a>, and maybe they're a lot better, but I'm not going to blow my whole budget on just the wheel and pedals. The Thrustmaster works well with GT5, has decent force feedback, comes with pedals, and a Ferrari logo. Its not designed specifically for the PS3, but you plug it in and it works, no configuration necessary. All the cars I want to drive in GT5 have paddles in real life, and no clutch, so I have no need to row my own, and the third pedal. If you do, I'm sorry to tell you that once all cars <a href="http://www.teslamotors.com/">go electric</a>, you won't find a shifter.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
To test it out, I put the pedals on the floor and strapped it to a table, and I was off, and it was awful. Pedals were all over the floor and the table wasn't nearly the correct height. Off to the depot!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not going to get into many details about the first attempt at a cockpit/chassis, as it was eventually scrapped. Here's what the final product looked like:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm-jkTqjTGiz-JtcHWrG4iXNN2bECj0tYpWeeVGgxog6U63ho_r6KtvWshG1daKTMEgHZ1ctFc3KiOjAadI_nODFxIuzZHm4TpNhflkclHP4p65w6o0YNx0lHPXZ88HNEm3v-y9rWp-I/s1600/wooden+chassis.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708245661311011186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm-jkTqjTGiz-JtcHWrG4iXNN2bECj0tYpWeeVGgxog6U63ho_r6KtvWshG1daKTMEgHZ1ctFc3KiOjAadI_nODFxIuzZHm4TpNhflkclHP4p65w6o0YNx0lHPXZ88HNEm3v-y9rWp-I/s320/wooden+chassis.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 246px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Plywood, 2x3, about $20 worth of hardware, and ~2.5 hours, mostly sizing. It worked great, weighed a ton, looked terrible, and only cost me about $75. The seat cost me $30 from a local boneyard, and came from a late 80's Acura. Unfortunately the seat got moldy from hanging in a basement so I had to toss it, and too much moving around and this thing would eventually be destroyed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Fast forward a year, another christmas, and another gift, this time in the form of a <a href="http://www.bobearlracing.com/">Bob Earl MKII Virtual Racing Chassis</a>. Sweet.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The chassis itself, sans seat, and shifter holder, is a very reasonable $175. The seat is pricey, but I knew that I was going to get my own and modify it to fit the chassis. Time to go get a seat. Another trip to the bone yard, and I've got a drivers seat out of something, not sure what, but it looks cool, and only cost me $75. Odd, its a very sporty seat, but has no power movement, which means it was from a cheap version of a sporty car.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First step was to remove some of the unnecessary parts from the seat, like the adjustment mechanism, and the seat belt clip. This was a fair amount of work, required drilling out a couple of rivets on the sliders, and drilling out three rivets on each side of the frame of the seat base to remove all the parts that get in the way of the bolts. It took one of these:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XO6LzdTYgMc/TzfOQkDeNNI/AAAAAAAABCE/AuLf-0Z8ZcM/s400/IMG_20120211_200226.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XO6LzdTYgMc/TzfOQkDeNNI/AAAAAAAABCE/AuLf-0Z8ZcM/s400/IMG_20120211_200226.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>...a metal bit, and some elbow grease.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Once all that was complete I matched the chair up to the chassis, and found I would need to get some extra hardware to mount it. If you do this yourself, you're going to need to wing this step, and its likely your seat is going to match up differently.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I had to buy a couple of M8x1.25 bolts that were 40mm in length because my bolt holes were further away from the chassis holes in the back. In the front of the seat, I had to get a couple of self tapping bolts because the holes in the seat were no where near the holes in the chassis. A trip to the depot, and $4 later, seat is now attached to the chassis.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xSpQ6cC5acM/TzfOOZRS6lI/AAAAAAAABBc/cZzaD4pZssQ/s400/IMG_20120211_174935.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xSpQ6cC5acM/TzfOOZRS6lI/AAAAAAAABBc/cZzaD4pZssQ/s400/IMG_20120211_174935.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 316px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Make a few adjustments, and mark where the pedals should go..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nInwscjDXdY/TzfOOjmv81I/AAAAAAAABBk/gsaPAMrwE-8/s400/IMG_20120211_195243_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nInwscjDXdY/TzfOOjmv81I/AAAAAAAABBk/gsaPAMrwE-8/s400/IMG_20120211_195243_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
Make a template for drilling holes..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Nn4xkpBEmLg/TzfOPMGFaVI/AAAAAAAABBs/7CoHbTq5B7M/s400/IMG_20120211_195304.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Nn4xkpBEmLg/TzfOPMGFaVI/AAAAAAAABBs/7CoHbTq5B7M/s400/IMG_20120211_195304.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 258px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
Line up the template and drill. Unfortounately the only place I could put the pedals causes the bolt hole to be off the edge of the chassis a little. I thought it would still work, and it probably would have, but the pedal holes for the bolts didn't seem to be tapped correctly, and I don't have a tap set, so I forced one in on one side, and velcro-ed the other with the volcro that came with the chassis.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-htoODPkq9M8/TzfOPx0oiGI/AAAAAAAABB0/2QI0fhXHk64/s400/IMG_20120211_195552.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-htoODPkq9M8/TzfOPx0oiGI/AAAAAAAABB0/2QI0fhXHk64/s400/IMG_20120211_195552.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qEQjZBEmHss/TzfOQOcqiDI/AAAAAAAABB8/AvNbFkRsrVw/s400/IMG_20120211_200211.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qEQjZBEmHss/TzfOQOcqiDI/AAAAAAAABB8/AvNbFkRsrVw/s400/IMG_20120211_200211.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Using the hardware that came with the chassis:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3I0XHmuItZA/TzfVe4vtKrI/AAAAAAAABCg/rn7BbOzpLfA/s400/IMG_20120211_201255.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3I0XHmuItZA/TzfVe4vtKrI/AAAAAAAABCg/rn7BbOzpLfA/s400/IMG_20120211_201255.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 388px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
Pedals attached..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1W8ZavO2Pek/TzfVgfWDc7I/AAAAAAAABC4/nwqrrEXu4yI/s400/IMG_20120211_203402.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1W8ZavO2Pek/TzfVgfWDc7I/AAAAAAAABC4/nwqrrEXu4yI/s400/IMG_20120211_203402.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 386px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is the velcro jobbie..</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbm5vfQFlDs/TzfWn-v8CsI/AAAAAAAABD8/S6zwEo2FMiQ/s400/IMG_20120211_203406.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jbm5vfQFlDs/TzfWn-v8CsI/AAAAAAAABD8/S6zwEo2FMiQ/s400/IMG_20120211_203406.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
Next, create a template for the wheel, drill the holes, and mount using the same hardware.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bCGRxRjQjN8/TzfVefC0KtI/AAAAAAAABCQ/Ex7bSJkcx4U/s400/IMG_20120211_201227_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bCGRxRjQjN8/TzfVefC0KtI/AAAAAAAABCQ/Ex7bSJkcx4U/s400/IMG_20120211_201227_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 338px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PdH8BtqcaBU/TzfVelTm6VI/AAAAAAAABCY/AO2YJEFW1SY/s400/IMG_20120211_201239_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PdH8BtqcaBU/TzfVelTm6VI/AAAAAAAABCY/AO2YJEFW1SY/s400/IMG_20120211_201239_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 271px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iuMXxOS_0c8/TzfVfZmhlnI/AAAAAAAABCo/gAkpHHRBY7U/s400/IMG_20120211_201603.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-iuMXxOS_0c8/TzfVfZmhlnI/AAAAAAAABCo/gAkpHHRBY7U/s400/IMG_20120211_201603.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n6DrRYXI2Nw/TzfVfp_Q5zI/AAAAAAAABCw/4e3xl_CAo-o/s400/IMG_20120211_201606_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n6DrRYXI2Nw/TzfVfp_Q5zI/AAAAAAAABCw/4e3xl_CAo-o/s400/IMG_20120211_201606_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 366px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>I also used the clamp that came with the wheel for good measure.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now that everything was starting to come together, I started the process of loading GT5 onto the PS3 for faster game play. That took the better part of 45 minutes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ba3SNDaxEC0/TzfWZfmuk5I/AAAAAAAABDE/5qI7aBbMrnk/s400/IMG_20120211_203817.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ba3SNDaxEC0/TzfWZfmuk5I/AAAAAAAABDE/5qI7aBbMrnk/s400/IMG_20120211_203817.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 370px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
For the foot rest, I trimmed out part of the foam so it fit better with the pedals in place.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fh4AxiMjJNo/TzfWciijFjI/AAAAAAAABDM/a2ZLm1YwHl0/s400/IMG_20120211_203822.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fh4AxiMjJNo/TzfWciijFjI/AAAAAAAABDM/a2ZLm1YwHl0/s400/IMG_20120211_203822.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eirBrBJIV5c/TzfWczIKBZI/AAAAAAAABDU/t5XOM-nxu3s/s400/IMG_20120211_204217_2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eirBrBJIV5c/TzfWczIKBZI/AAAAAAAABDU/t5XOM-nxu3s/s400/IMG_20120211_204217_2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
Ta da! Finished product!</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<br />
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rQBFPM32I8A/TzfWewYjwwI/AAAAAAAABDk/la8grn0MQNo/s400/IMG_20120211_210216.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rQBFPM32I8A/TzfWewYjwwI/AAAAAAAABDk/la8grn0MQNo/s400/IMG_20120211_210216.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 315px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tQVo9qAzfdU/TzfWdURTo2I/AAAAAAAABDc/__kTc9pz5mU/s400/IMG_20120211_210154_1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tQVo9qAzfdU/TzfWdURTo2I/AAAAAAAABDc/__kTc9pz5mU/s400/IMG_20120211_210154_1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>..and from the back..still loading.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-28fKWAZ438Y/TzfWf1hze5I/AAAAAAAABDs/RxZBfnrcWR8/s400/IMG_20120211_210229.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-28fKWAZ438Y/TzfWf1hze5I/AAAAAAAABDs/RxZBfnrcWR8/s400/IMG_20120211_210229.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The best thing I can say about having to download all the updates and wait for the game to install is that it gave me plenty of time to clean up.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The wrapup:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Total Cost: $399</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Materials</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EAORVS/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001EAORVS" style="font-weight: normal;">Thrustmaster Ferrari F430 Force Feedback Racing Wheel</a> </b>$135</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bobearlracing.com/">Bob Earl MKII Virtual Racing Chassis</a> $175</li>
<li>Seat From Junk Yard $75</li>
<li>(2) Standard bolts, (2) self tapping bolts $4</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TH7GUU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001TH7GUU">1 USB Extension cord (no repeater needed) $10</a>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Full Setup</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VUO6LU/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003VUO6LU">320 GB PS3 Console</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00465W7EC/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00465W7EC">1080p ViewSonic Pro 8200 Projector</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SL4ADA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thibig-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004SL4ADA">Yamaha 5.1 surround sound reciever and speakers </a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Notes</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Would have been nice if thrustmaster had provided the bolts with their product. Bob Earl provided bolts, but I think they were meant for the seat, lucky for me they fit anyway. </li>
<li>Also would have been nice if thrustmaster had provided what size bolt, then I wouldn't have had to bring it to the hardware store the first time.</li>
<li>Bob Earl makes a great product for a great price. Though I wish there was a less expensive option versus the $200 seat. I'm not actually racing, I don't need an actual racing seat.</li>
<li>Would be nice if there were more bolt patterns on the chassis and if it extended a bit more to the right.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
Finally what am I practicing for....<a href="http://www.exoticdriving.com/drives/ferrari-458-italia">THIS</a>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway where I've already booked a trip in June to drive the 458 Italia, 6 laps around a road track. Paddle shifters, 562 hp, pure automotive artwork.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is a videos of the driving action. Enjoy.</div>
<div>
<br />
<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/T5NpDtN-SyA?version=3&feature=player_detailpage">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/T5NpDtN-SyA?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-69149977454504441162012-01-07T07:05:00.000-08:002012-01-07T18:19:37.028-08:00Nordstrom...you just don't get it.Taxes, no body likes them, unless you're on the receiving end, but there are certain expectations when it comes to taxes that I believe should be followed. Nordstrom's, the high end department store on the other hand thinks they're exempt from such things as "accurate tax calculation".<div><br /></div><div>Read on to hear my story...</div><div><br /></div><div>I want to purchase something, I research it, determine how much it costs and make the decision to buy it or not. Shopping, I'm pretty sure that's the definition of it.</div><div><br /></div><div>While shopping online at Nordstrom, was purchasing a NorthFace jacket and shipping it to MA. Simple enough, no tax on clothing in MA, right? Wrong, according to Nordstrom. </div><div><br /></div><div>I live in NH, changed my shipping preference, and blam, no tax. Placed my order and sent Nordstrom customer service an email, asking why they wanted to charge me tax to ship to MA...here is thier response:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; ">"I am sorry for any confusion regarding our online tax. Our website quotes an estimated tax based on the shipping address. The actual tax charged to your credit card will reflect the applicable state and local sales taxes, and will be calculated when your order is shipped. Once your order is processed for shipping, the tax will be adjusted to the correct amount. If no sales tax is applicable for your merchandise, the tax will be removed from your order."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: -webkit-auto; "><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left; ">I am confused, apparently. </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left; ">This violates one of my basic principles of shopping, how much is it going to cost. Apparently, Nordstrom doesn't feel the need to tell you that. I asked them, fairly nicely, please fix your tax calculator so I can make my decision at the time of purchase, and not be required to "check up" on you later to make sure you got it right. Response number 2:</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="text-align: left; ">"</span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); ">Currently, our systems work to fulfill your order from any </span><span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Nordstrom</span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "> location which may include any </span><span class="il" style="background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; ">Nordstrom</span><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "> store, or any one of our warehouses. This allows us to provide a better selection to you online. Our systems also search to send you the merchandise that is also closest to you, to reduce the time you would wait to receive your item in the mail. At this time not only does each state have it's own tax regulations but there are also interstate regulations. Since we don't know where your order will be shipping from at the time your order is placed, we cannot guarantee your tax percentage at that time."</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); "><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Taxes are hard. Waaaaaaaa. What do you think I am, a major retailer, with an accounting department? Oh wait.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ever run into this with any other online retailer? I haven't. We all know that buying things online takes time to ship, if we want it faster we'll pay for the faster shipping, calculating tax and determining your inventory is your problem, not the customers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Not everyone is going to be as up in arms about this as I am, obviously. A better response, like we're sorry, we'll fix it would have at least made me think they cared. Alas, they don't, and now I'm just going to shop at <a href="http://www.bluefly.com/">Bluefly</a>.</div>OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-30981817874065539872010-11-14T20:43:00.000-08:002010-11-14T20:46:29.245-08:00Sharepoint Development TrainingI'm back at CED Solutions in Atlanta to finish up what I began back in March. After looking around for other places to attend the same course, due to the relationship CED has with hotels, the location in atlanta, and the included test, the best value for education was still CED Solutions.OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-3605353591639086162010-11-14T20:39:00.000-08:002010-11-14T20:43:17.766-08:00Sharepoint Installation and Administration TrainingBack in March 2010 my company decided to begin down the path of sharepoint. In my hunt for training locations, I found CED solutions. Their timing was right, and their price included travel and the exams (not for all courses). It turned out to be a great training center, and I really liked the instructor.OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-24688562616406018442007-05-22T22:54:00.000-07:002007-05-22T22:55:52.310-07:00Portland, OR part Duce<p class="MsoNormal">It’s difficult not to like this city. There’s a lot of good, and inherently, there’s also a lot of bad. I wonder, is it just a case of the grass being greener, or is this city a little better?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In any case, the landscape is definitely greener.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I could tolerate the pain in the ass parking. While it does cause some inconvenience, the street isn’t so bad, and the monthly rates might be tolerable if you make as much as I plan to. No salt though, which means those four wheeled holes to throw money into will last longer than <st1:place st="on">New England</st1:place> cars.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Problem is, the ocean is two plus hours away. That’s a little rough. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I could live half way, but that would make going to all the fancy places difficult, and there really isn’t much in between here and the ocean. Now that I’m thinking about it, it would be a lot like where I live now. It’s an hour or so away from the ocean and an hour or so away from waterfalls, mountains, and miles of uncharted territory.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So maybe it’s not that much better…or is it….</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It was nice out today, and every time I passed a group of alternative youth, the potent smell of ganja made its way into my nostrils. Everyone tells me how great it is, and being so close to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>, I think I believe them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You could find the same groups in other cities, but no where near as many, and if you’re near where I’m from, I’m probably in that group.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Does that make it better, in my opinion, yes. Does that make it worth moving here, in my opinion, no. Herb will come and herb will go but the rain is here to stay.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The public market almost makes it worth it, the FANTASTIC seafood almost makes it worth it, the restaurants, the people, the music, the atmosphere, almost makes it worth it. I can find those things else where, and its my window….I..I..I can’t stand the rain. A jazz tune, before it was violated.</p>More on the food note a little later....<br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p>OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-30851127522994504032007-05-16T15:45:00.000-07:002007-05-16T16:59:12.765-07:00Angry Hippie CentralSo you want to know what I think about Portland, OR. Its a neat little city, that is run buy hippies.<br /><br />I'm quite liberal, but this is going a little far. They really don't want you to enjoy driving a car here. The roads are small and unmaintained, the parking is terrible, almost everything is one way, and they tax the CRAP out of gas, I mean something fierce, $0.50 more per gallon. Being a person whom adores his four wheeled friends, this is almost unacceptable.<br /><br />Then you have the bikers, the angry, hippie, bikers (bicycle). Who don't like anyone who drives a car, even hybrid drivers. Every year they protest. Trying to bring awareness to those who drive cars, that they want to share the road to. How do they protest you might ask? They line up, and bike down a four lane highway, blocking traffic for miles, causing police to work overtime, and seriously annoying the crap out of those people who they are trying to win over. Thats one way to attempt to accomplish a goal I guess.<br /><br />Its like Cali, but no where near as friendly. On top of that there is a plethora of bums, who aren't cool ones like you could find in San Fran, they just ask you for cigarettes and sleep on the street.<br /><br />On the other hand, the public transportation is quite nice and free in spots, something I've never seen before. Its is quick, and electric, making it almost silent.<br /><br />There are also tons of coffee shops, really good ones too. Just today, I was having a cup of very good Kenyan AA and a bagel across the street from my hotel. Low and behold, they put on one of my favorite Aphex Twin albums. Good start to a day in my opinion.<br /><br />I still have some salmon fishing to do as well as much more city to explore. If you're lucky, I'll have time to add some more of my findings on this very different city.<br /><br />By the way, Oregon has only two syllables, and they will correct you if you if you call it O-Ra-Gon.OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-76950209906684793832007-05-03T19:20:00.000-07:002007-05-03T19:34:33.044-07:00Trying Desperately To Get Some Interweb Attention.I'm anti a large amount of things. I prefer to say anti, because I don't just not like these things, I try to convince people of how terrible these thing really are. For example, television.<br /><br />I will use as an example, American Idol. Forgive me if this bugs you, but I will be continually repeating American Idol throught this post, to make a point. I am anti American Idol because every radio and news show feels the need to talk about American Idol like American Idol is the only thing going on in this world. American Idol this and American Idol that, who got voted off and how close they are to being voted off, and who's going to be the next American Idol, blah blah blah.<br /><br />Maybe I can get some publicity off American Idol as well. American Idol. American Idol.<br /><br />It might happen, who knows. Some poor innocent web traveler might be searching for American Idol, and just happen to come across my blog post on American Idol. Only because I do things like mention that I'm a Howard Stern fan, and play of a little off that publicity too.<br /><br />I was moved when Howard Stern was undermining the American Idol voting process by using his listerners to keep Sanji or whoever on American Idol. I thought Howard Stern really despised American Idol as much as I do despise American Idol and all other reality TV. Once Sanji got voted off American Idol, and Howard Stern continued to talk about American Idol, I was less impressed.<br /><br />American Idol.American Idol.American Idol.American Idol.American Idol.American Idol.<br /><br />If I wanted to hear about who the next pop junk for the masses star was going to be, I would be watching American Idol, now wouldn't I.<br /><br />There will be other rants about my anti-televisionism. Although this one focuses only on American Idol.<br /><br />Thank you for reading. Especially American Idol fans.OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4427787954293291435.post-80177471092768999572007-05-03T15:17:00.000-07:002007-05-03T15:21:04.531-07:00The First PostI have an opinion on almost everything. Some people like that in a person, some people don't.<br /><br />I started this blog to express my opinions, but more so that I don't forget them.<br /><br />Worcester is in a good location. I can't say its the best place to live being a country bumpkin at heart, but its not a bad place to begin a life of your own.<br /><br />If you live in the area and want to go fishing, let me know.OneDominohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03076428595872962704noreply@blogger.com0