My Comments

	Author	Comment	In Response To
	Author	Comment	In Response To
Rick Vines rvines@comcast.net 67.166.175.63	Submitted on 2009/07/17 at 9:28pm Cheryl, We come from the same world. Somehow, all these things that are suppose to make our lives easier actually seem to make life more complicated. We “Boomers” are use to doing things with our hands, whether it’s getting dirty under the car, or holding a book in our hands. I like your research project. Maybe our brains process better horizontally rather than vertically! Cheryl, We come from the same world. Somehow, all these things that are suppose to make our lives easier actually seem to make life more complicated. We “Boomers” are use to doing things with our hands, whether it’s getting dirty under the car, or holding a book in our hands. I like your research project. Maybe our brains process better horizontally rather than vertically! rvines@comcast.net Rick Vines 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	A day in the life of Rick Vines and the computer world 3 #
Rick Vines rvines@comcast.net 67.166.175.63	Submitted on 2009/07/17 at 9:22pm You are so right. The younger students have grown up with so much technology that they take it for granted. I wonder how many know that 15 years ago practically noone had a cell phone. I can remember when I first got cable tv, and I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I also think growing up in a computer word creates a generation that is missing so much and their lives are incomplete. As far as I’m concerned, my generation, the Baby Boomers, had it best. When we were young, we had to do everything mannually and on our own. I’m glad I had the opportunity to replace my own spark plugs, do math with a slide rule, and record my music on an old reel to reel tape recorder. Now I can enjoy the new technologies and appreciate how far we’ve come! You are so right. The younger students have grown up with so much technology that they take it for granted. I wonder how many know that 15 years ago practically noone had a cell phone. I can remember when I first got cable tv, and I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I also think growing up in a computer word creates a generation that is missing so much and their lives are incomplete. As far as I’m concerned, my generation, the Baby Boomers, had it best. When we were young, we had to do everything mannually and on our own. I’m glad I had the opportunity to replace my own spark plugs, do math with a slide rule, and record my music on an old reel to reel tape recorder. Now I can enjoy the new technologies and appreciate how far we’ve come! rvines@comcast.net Rick Vines 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	Hello fellow students 2 #
wlwashington wanda.washington@richmond.edu 173.53.71.205	Submitted on 2009/07/16 at 2:37am Rick, I can relate to so much of what you’ve written. I too have spent lots of days moving the sprinklers around in the yard, so I’m extremely happy for my programmable TORO irrigation system. Fortunately, I was an early adopter of technology. As a child, I received my first typewriter (yes, the one with the ribbon, the return carriage and the REAL sticky keys) in the mid-sixties. After that my passion for technology only grew. Therefore, while I miss being able to choke the corroborator on my old Chrysler to get it started, I love the navigation system in my current car! Rick, I can relate to so much of what you’ve written. I too have spent lots of days moving the sprinklers around in the yard, so I’m extremely happy for my programmable TORO irrigation system. Fortunately, I was an early adopter of technology. As a child, I received my first typewriter (yes, the one with the ribbon, the return carriage and the REAL sticky keys) in the mid-sixties. After that my passion for technology only grew. Therefore, while I miss being able to choke the corroborator on my old Chrysler to get it started, I love the navigation system in my current car! wanda.washington@richmond.edu wlwashington 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	A day in the life of Rick Vines and the computer world 3 #
HRManager2b arynhall@yahoo.com 71.63.121.39	Submitted on 2009/07/12 at 11:53pm Rick, I often do the exact same thing with Lowes.com! If I have a particular item that I’m looking for, I will check the website first to see if they even carry it. At that point, I’ll check to see if it is in stock at any of my local stores. To take it a step further, I will then price compare with Home Depot! If Home Depot has the same item listed cheaper on their website (regardless if it is in stock locally or not), I will print off the page from the HD site which lists the price and take it to my local Lowes and they will often times price match. Only once have they turned me down for the price match and it was because the model number didn’t match exactly. It is not just Lowes.com that this method can be used for. Several other stores like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walmart are great examples of retailers who have websites with online shopping options. I never really stopped to think about how much easier it makes my life to have access to this kind of shopping. Even if the item isn’t available in my local store, I still know that they carry the item and I can order it online! Rick, I often do the exact same thing with Lowes.com! If I have a particular item that I’m looking for, I will check the website first to see if they even carry it. At that point, I’ll check to see if it is in stock at any of my local stores. To take it a step further, I will then price compare with Home Depot! If Home Depot has the same item listed cheaper on their website (regardless if it is in stock locally or not), I will print off the page from the HD site which lists the price and take it to my local Lowes and they will often times price match. Only once have they turned me down for the price match and it was because the model number didn’t match exactly. It is not just Lowes.com that this method can be used for. Several other stores like Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walmart are great examples of retailers who have websites with online shopping options. I never really stopped to think about how much easier it makes my life to have access to this kind of shopping. Even if the item isn’t available in my local store, I still know that they carry the item and I can order it online! arynhall@yahoo.com HRManager2b 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	Lowes.com vs. my favorite Lowes Store 2 #
loly910 laurenv1203@msn.com 71.56.180.223	Submitted on 2009/07/03 at 2:38am Hi Rick, I have to begin by saying; I really admire everything that you have done with your life. Thank you for serving our country. When I was younger, I put a lot of thought into joining the military but unfortunately, I didn’t have the guts to join, I was too scared to leave my family. That’s why I admire and respect all those soldiers overseas who sacrifice their lives for their country and time from their family. I know it probably wasn’t enjoyable all the time, and it was very stressful at times, but a rewarding career with a feeling of doing some good in this world must make it all worth it. You must be very proud of your son, as well as worried, but can you thank your son for me, for having the strength to do what many of us don’t have the guts to do, as well as sacrificing the time he could have spent with his family. I thank you as well for you sacrificing your time with him. I’ll pray he comes back soon. My 19 year old brother is in the process of deciding which branch of the military to join, and I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss him or worry. I too am attempting to finish my degree; I’ve been working on it for too long. It’s time to put my mind to it and finish what I started. Last but not least, congratulations on the engagement. Very rarely do we get a second chance to be with someone after such a long time apart. I hope you have happiness for the rest of your life. Hi Rick, I have to begin by saying; I really admire everything that you have done with your life. Thank you for serving our country. When I was younger, I put a lot of thought into joining the military but unfortunately, I didn’t have the guts to join, I was too scared to leave my family. That’s why I admire and respect all those soldiers overseas who sacrifice their lives for their country and time from their family. I know it probably wasn’t enjoyable all the time, and it was very stressful at times, but a rewarding career with a feeling of doing some good in this world must make it all worth it. You must be very proud of your son, as well as worried, but can you thank your son for me, for having the strength to do what many of us don’t have the guts to do, as well as sacrificing the time he could have spent with his family. I thank you as well for you sacrificing your time with him. I’ll pray he comes back soon. My 19 year old brother is in the process of deciding which branch of the military to join, and I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t miss him or worry. I too am attempting to finish my degree; I’ve been working on it for too long. It’s time to put my mind to it and finish what I started. Last but not least, congratulations on the engagement. Very rarely do we get a second chance to be with someone after such a long time apart. I hope you have happiness for the rest of your life. laurenv1203@msn.com loly910 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	My life in a few words 1 #
sylvianr78 nrainey@richmond.edu 141.166.116.199	Submitted on 2009/06/19 at 5:18pm Rick, I thought your blog on online vs. in-store shopping was really interesting to read and fully captured the pros/cons of both shopping experiences. As someone who *definitely* likes to shop, I felt I could relate to a lot of what you were saying regarding both the conveniences AND the drawbacks to both entities. I am a huge music enthusiast and can recall the first time I made a purchase on Amazon.com – it was a CD single of a band that had been very hard for me to find in any local music stores. Of course, this was before the advent (and surging popularity) of iTunes, so for the longest time I felt that if I couldn’t find what I was looking for *in* the store, I was just out of luck in terms of ever acquiring it. The breadth of selecton, variety and accessibility astounded me … It finally hit me that with the Internet, there truly is a “global” market at your fingertips, just waiting for you to dive in and make a purchase. Rick, I thought your blog on online vs. in-store shopping was really interesting to read and fully captured the pros/cons of both shopping experiences. As someone who *definitely* likes to shop, I felt I could relate to a lot of what you were saying regarding both the conveniences AND the drawbacks to both entities. I am a huge music enthusiast and can recall the first time I made a purchase on Amazon.com – it was a CD single of a band that had been very hard for me to find in any local music stores. Of course, this was before the advent (and surging popularity) of iTunes, so for the longest time I felt that if I couldn’t find what I was looking for *in* the store, I was just out of luck in terms of ever acquiring it. The breadth of selecton, variety and accessibility astounded me … It finally hit me that with the Internet, there truly is a “global” market at your fingertips, just waiting for you to dive in and make a purchase. nrainey@richmond.edu sylvianr78 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	Lowes.com vs. my favorite Lowes Store 2 #
catstd cheryl.stdenis@richmond.edu 71.207.139.55	Submitted on 2009/06/17 at 1:56am You sound like a savvy shopper. You learned how to use the website and the store’s options to your advantage. I too am a bargain hunter and nothing thrills me more than purchasing a sale item, with extra discounts, coupons, or other discounts. We all need to stretch every dollar as far as it can go in this economy. Good for you, keep up the bargaining hunting. You sound like a savvy shopper. You learned how to use the website and the store’s options to your advantage. I too am a bargain hunter and nothing thrills me more than purchasing a sale item, with extra discounts, coupons, or other discounts. We all need to stretch every dollar as far as it can go in this economy. Good for you, keep up the bargaining hunting. cheryl.stdenis@richmond.edu catstd 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	Wireless networks near my home 3 #
cams10 crystal_sauls@yahoo.com 71.176.212.47	Submitted on 2009/06/13 at 8:46pm It seems like free wifi is the way to go these days! The businesses that offer free-wifi know what they are doing! They are trying to get people to buy more products, stay longer and bring a friend. Meeting in restaurants to have interviews and discuss business proposals allows you to be less stressed. I know people that do this all the time and they like the ease of not going into an office or a traditional meeting room like they normally would. Now, they can invite their client to a local restaurant with free wifi and offer them some great food all at the same time! Everyone seems to be more relaxed this way! At times, I would only go into restaurants that offered free wifi just to use the internet. After a while, I started looking at the menu and saying to myself: “Hmm. I can eat well here and use the internet and I won’t miss a thing!” Overall, free wifi is convenient for the firms and the customers. It seems like free wifi is the way to go these days! The businesses that offer free-wifi know what they are doing! They are trying to get people to buy more products, stay longer and bring a friend. Meeting in restaurants to have interviews and discuss business proposals allows you to be less stressed. I know people that do this all the time and they like the ease of not going into an office or a traditional meeting room like they normally would. Now, they can invite their client to a local restaurant with free wifi and offer them some great food all at the same time! Everyone seems to be more relaxed this way! At times, I would only go into restaurants that offered free wifi just to use the internet. After a while, I started looking at the menu and saying to myself: “Hmm. I can eat well here and use the internet and I won’t miss a thing!” Overall, free wifi is convenient for the firms and the customers. crystal_sauls@yahoo.com cams10 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	Wireless networks near my home 3 #
bookworm55 lynnalexander@verizon.net 24.75.135.17	Submitted on 2009/06/12 at 5:59pm Hi Rick, It is interesting to read a blog about the same subject I wrote about. It helps to reinforce what I learned. I think you are right about the atmosphere in the locations that offer Wi-Fi. People stay longer and buy more! Great pictures on this blog and your last one! Hi Rick, It is interesting to read a blog about the same subject I wrote about. It helps to reinforce what I learned. I think you are right about the atmosphere in the locations that offer Wi-Fi. People stay longer and buy more! Great pictures on this blog and your last one! lynnalexander@verizon.net bookworm55 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	Wireless networks near my home 3 #
catstd cheryl.stdenis@richmond.edu 71.207.139.55	Submitted on 2009/06/04 at 7:13pm Rick, I feel your pain and agree with your analogy comparing computers to cooking. I would like to take it a step further. Learning to use the computers is more like trying to follow a recipe that says to fold, saute, and baste. In order to complete the recipe I must look in a cookbook what fold, saute, and baste mean. Then read how to do it, and then hope i am doing it right. The end result of the recipe will be the final test. However, with computers there are always several detours, setbacks, and a myriad of extra steps along the way before a task is complete. I remember the days when my car wouldn’t start and in order for it to start I had to stick a pencil in the choke to keep the carburetor open. Am I dating myself? My son lost his keys to his car. They were chip keys, it cost over three hundred dollars to have new replacements made. Oh! The good old days. I also find it harder to learn off the computer screen. Give me old fashioned books, and a piece pf paper any day. I like to feel, highlight, and markup my pages. I can’t do that on a screen. I think it is something in the brain with the upright screen versus the downward position of a book. Maybe I have an idea for a new research study. What do you think? Rick, I feel your pain and agree with your analogy comparing computers to cooking. I would like to take it a step further. Learning to use the computers is more like trying to follow a recipe that says to fold, saute, and baste. In order to complete the recipe I must look in a cookbook what fold, saute, and baste mean. Then read how to do it, and then hope i am doing it right. The end result of the recipe will be the final test. However, with computers there are always several detours, setbacks, and a myriad of extra steps along the way before a task is complete. I remember the days when my car wouldn’t start and in order for it to start I had to stick a pencil in the choke to keep the carburetor open. Am I dating myself? My son lost his keys to his car. They were chip keys, it cost over three hundred dollars to have new replacements made. Oh! The good old days. I also find it harder to learn off the computer screen. Give me old fashioned books, and a piece pf paper any day. I like to feel, highlight, and markup my pages. I can’t do that on a screen. I think it is something in the brain with the upright screen versus the downward position of a book. Maybe I have an idea for a new research study. What do you think? cheryl.stdenis@richmond.edu catstd 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	A day in the life of Rick Vines and the computer world 3 #
bookworm55 lynnalexander@verizon.net 24.75.135.17	Submitted on 2009/06/04 at 4:50pm Hi Rick, I’m right there with you! I really like learning new things and I love the convenience that technology provides, like never having to search for quarters to pay a toll, looking up phone numbers and directions in seconds, and being able to make a call from my car. The funny thing to me is that many of our classmates can never remember a time when these things weren’t possible! I want to learn as much as I can so that when my friends and co-workers start talking about new software, facebook, and blogging I’ll at least know what they are talking about! I have loved being able to take a class online and use blackboard although at first it was very scary to me. I think that’s the key. To keep trying new things and not worry about asking questions until we get it. Hi Rick, I’m right there with you! I really like learning new things and I love the convenience that technology provides, like never having to search for quarters to pay a toll, looking up phone numbers and directions in seconds, and being able to make a call from my car. The funny thing to me is that many of our classmates can never remember a time when these things weren’t possible! I want to learn as much as I can so that when my friends and co-workers start talking about new software, facebook, and blogging I’ll at least know what they are talking about! I have loved being able to take a class online and use blackboard although at first it was very scary to me. I think that’s the key. To keep trying new things and not worry about asking questions until we get it. lynnalexander@verizon.net bookworm55 1 ApproveUnapprove | Spam | Delete | Edit | Quick Edit | Reply	Hello fellow students 2 #

Lowes.com vs. my favorite Lowes Store

Like most any other man, I love my big box hardware store. The Home Depot Store and Lowes are probably two of the most popular stores in my neighborhood, the Short Pump area. Lowes is by far my favorite, mainly because of service and product availability.  Lowes also has a very user friendly website, www.lowes.com, and I have also visited that many times during the past several years.  Both the store and the websites have advantages over using the other, and they both compliment each other in this competitive economy.

When visiting my local Lowes I have the ability to buy something that I need right now.  They have sales associates that are on hand that can help with product selection and information. I can actually see whatever it is that I am thinking of buying, checking and comparing sizes, brands, weights, and colors. Some products, such as paint (because of mixing), can only be purchased in the store.  Sometimes what I want is on sale in the store, and if an item is slightly used or is an open box, I can get a great price. Assuming they have the item in stock, I can drive there in, pick it up, go through check out, and be home in less than an hour. I have the option to  pay using cash, check, or credit card. And, if I discover that what I bought doesn’t work or for whatever reason I need to return it, I can doe it quickly and usually without any hassle.

Lowes website has it’s own advantages for online shopping and product viewing. Obviously the biggest advantage that online shopping at Lowes.com is that I don’t have to leave home, get dressed, take the time driving in traffic, or fighting the crowds on busy shopping days.  It is much quicker and I can also check online to see if the item I desire is in stock at the store.  If the store is out of stock, or if the item is a special order, I can order it right then and there.  Lowes.com is very user friendly and the website is easy to navigate. Often they have additional items that are not available at my Short Pump store, and quite often they run specials and sales with reduced prices that are different from store prices. And, as an added bonus, there is a great rebate section that offers manufacturers’ as well as Lowes rebates.

Personally, I often find myself combining the online shopping experience with a store visit.  Recently, I purchased a Whirlpool washer and dryer from Lowes. First, I went online to Lowes.com and viewed all the various models until I made my choice. I then checked the link for the local Short Pump store and verified that they had them in stock. Finally, I checked the rebate section and found that not only did Whirlpool have a $300 rebate for the purchase, but also Lowes had an additional $75 rebate for delivery! This turned out to be quite a deal. Lowes has done a great job of providing excellent customer service with both their website and their store.

Wireless networks near my home

Starbucks first store

It seems like everywhere I go, businesses are offering “free wifi” as a service to their regular customers as well as to attract new business. I almost always start my day with a visit to my local Starbucks coffee shop. Several years ago they began offering free wireless internet service to anyone visiting they store. Usually I’m in a hurry when I go in to get my morning coffee, but I almost always see someone there working their laptop, either surfing the web or checking email. But I have also noticed a growing clientele of customers having one-on-one business meetings over coffee and laptops. Several times recently while standing in line or preparing my purchase, I noticed what appeared to be a job interview going on. I know I shouldn’t listen in on private conversations, but one man (the applicant) was showing the interviewer something on the internet. On another occasion, a realtor was showing listings to a buyer.  Of course, they were doing this over coffee and breakfast food, which I’m sure delighted the Starbucks manager.

Next door to my local Starbucks is my local McDonalds.  Not to be outdone, they also are now offering the free wifi service to their customers.  While many of their customers are in a hurry, I have noticed that some are bringing their laptops in while dining.  These customers who are taking advantage of the  free internet are staying longer and are probably consuming more also. Most that I have observed seem to be solitary visitors.

I assume that by providing the free wireless internet service, these businesses in food service are encouraging customers to return again and thereby increase their sales.  The atmosphere at both locations appears to be more relaxed, inviting people to slow down and stay longer. I have found myself on two separate occasions visiting Starbucks specifically because I wanted to use their wifi; once when my home system (Comcast) was down, and the second time just for a change of scenery when I got tired of doing school work at home.  Free internet access is a low close accessory that can increase sales for any business.

Starbucks photo courtesy of  http://www.starbucks.com 

McDonalds photo courtesy  of http://www.mcdonalds.com

The Tom Tom GPS navigation system

 

In the past decade, the popularity of personal GPS navigation systems has exploded worldwide. Originally designed for military usage, the satellite global positioning system, originally called NAVSTAR, was developed beginning in 1972.

GPS satillites in orbit at 5,000 miles

 After years of research and development, a system of 24 orbiting satellites completed this project  http://www.rand.org.  In 1983, President Ronald Reagan opened access to this system to the general public.  Since that time numerous industries and corporations have utilized GPS and brought new systems into the marketplace.

The Tom Tom Company, founded in 1991, specializes in car navigation devices, incuding portable navigation and in-dash systems.  The device consists of both hardware with a computer inside, and software applications. An internal Linux system insures that the hardware runs properly.  It is the hardware that actually starts the GPS and navigation program.  The software is stored on either a hard disc or a card SD which can be inserted.  The computer has a boot loader which accesses map data from the disc or card. This information is then transfered via the RAM memory (64MB) which in turn starts the software www.tomtom.com .  As the program runs, only the part of the map that you will actually need is loaded and viewed.  The GPS module then receives the signal for the satellite and translates it into map coordinates in order to pinpoint the exact location (usually within 50 feet) of your device.  These signals are continuously being transmitted by all of the GPS satellites, and the GPS module inside the Tom Tom picks up the signal from the closest four satellites.

 

The Tom Tom portable navigation systems are priced from around $300 to around $500, depending on which features you select.  Map updates can be received automatically through your PC with the free update software included with the device, so there are no additional charges for updates.

A day in the life of Rick Vines and the computer world

I must confess as a 60-year-old the computer world is very foreign and complex to me. I grew up in a world of typewriters, slide rules, and cars that I could work on with a set of wrenches.  Now, computers seem to be everywhere I turn, even when I can’t see them. I started my day by programming the lawn irrigation system, controlled of course by a small computer. Now, this is something I can love, because it sure beats the old system of moving the sprinklers around by hand!

Then, I got into my car (2008 Nissan) and turned the key.  I remember being told that this key has a computer chip embedded so that the car won’t start if the key is damaged or counterfeit.  Everything in my car is now run by the vehicle’s internal computer.  Gone are the days that I could lift up the hood and beat on a few things until it started.  Now, maintenance that used to be simple, say changing spark plugs, must be performed by a trained and qualified technician (we used to call them mechanics).  This certainly has added to the expense of car ownership.

I arrived at work and picked up my assignments.  I make numerous deliveries as a process server, and I had to print out the daily workload.  Several addresses were unknown, so I went on line and looked up directions on map quest.  This is another wonderful and time saving invention. 

During my daily rounds, at several locations information needed to be looked up by the various companies I visited on (you guessed it) their computer. I traveled the toll road twice, and paid my toll automatically with my EZ Pass, without having to stop and dig for change!  I love this computer world!

When I finally got home, I went to check my email, and discovered my ever frustrating Comcast wireless system was not working.  I am very close to switching to Verizon Fios.  I took my laptop and hooked it up to the Ethernet connection, which is like changing channels on the TV without a remote control.  Finally, I started working on my class assignments.  So far, I am finding this class to be very challenging, to say the least.  Some of the stuff is like trying to cook from a recipe when you don’t know the difference from a teaspoon and a tablespoon.

As a late bloomer, I have found the computer world to be both fascinating, wonderful, confusing, and maddening; all at the same time.  I don’t like not being in control, and when computers aren’t working properly or when I’m trying to do something and not understanding , it’s incredibly frustrating.  But, like my old cars, when everything is running okay, they can make life so much easier and efficient. There’s no turning back the clocks now.

Hello fellow students

Welcome friends and visitors to my first blogging experience!