Wolverine F2D Slide Scanner Review
This is just a quick review of my experience with the Wolverine F2D slide scanner.
I have a zillion slides back in the 1990's that I never look at because well they are slides. So I purchased the Wolverine F2D slide Scanner.
Overall, I am satisfied, but not blown away by the quality. Speed wise I got it down so I could scan about 1 slide in about 10-15 seconds. (includes pulling from carousel, loading, scanning, and placing back in carousel). Then I still needed to offload the images into my computer workflow.
There is something romantic with an old time slide projector, but that is besides the point.
20 Years ago I was in Hong Kong so I scanned about 176 slides.
Here are a couple of images that are scanned. The advantage of digital I could clean up a lot of the exposore etc, but the initial quality of the camera/shot is far less than my standards now.
Example 1: Scanned:
Picture of projection of slide on wall. It looked a lot better on the wall, so this is NOT an apples to apples comparison. In other words I am not sure why I am even showing it but here you go. Lots of artifacts from the projection itself.
On this one I felt it was over exposed on the scan.
Picture taken of slide on wall. Again not a very good example.
Summary:
It will be really nice to digitize my slides, it will take a fair bit of time to go through all of good (and maybe rejects).
What I think I might do is do an experiment of sending my slides away to be processed to be a better comparison before I spend the time scanning them myself.
What are other's people's experience? suggestions?
MOPS (Multi Object/Person Scheduler) My Senior Software Engineering Project (Fall 1990/Spring 1991)
Yep, you guessed it, I am moving my memorable from one storage unit to the next. For the people that know me, I have keep everything. :-)
I had to stop and pause when I ran across my Senior Software Engineering Project at Univeristy of Colorado Boulder. It still ranks up there in one things I am most proud of. A lot of blurry nights with Chuck Sampson, Jem Tu and Nhien Vo as we work on this year long project. Our sponsor Steve Misek was great.
We use Outlook, Gmail, iCal Calendars, etc everyday now on our shiny new computers/smart phones. But please keep in mind this project was done in Fall 1990 / Spring 1991. Having a Personal Computer was a big deal. I find it amazing a lot of the concepts that we tried to do in this project are still relevant today.
Here is a image I found on Wikipedia of a SparcStation, similar to the ones we used back in the day.
Check out the specs. These machines were top of the line and only universities could afford. WOW! Taken from Wikipedia page. Max ram of 160 MB and hard drives of 1.06 GB
The SPARCstation 4 was introduced in 1995 to provide a lower price point than the SPARCstation 5. Although offered with the same 110 MHz microSPARC-II processor as the SPARCstation 5, it only has one SBus expansion slot instead of three, a single 1.05 GB hard drive, and maximum memory capacity of 160 MB instead of 256 MB. Instead of the built-in audio of the SPARCstation 5, the SPARCstation 4 requires an optional module, installed in its own dedicated slot. The system includes a built-in 8-bit pixel-accelerated graphics adapter, and a new lower-cost 17" monitor was introduced as an option. There is no AFX graphics port.[1]
Consider a modern smart phone. 4 GB ram or (4000 MB), 32 GB of storage . So in other words that smart phone has 25 Times more Ram. Wow. And check out the price in 1990 dollars, WOW! $14, 995
ANYWAY back to MOPS
I picked some of the pages from the document to share with you:
Problem:
In an office environment, the task of coordinating peoples' time, conference rooms, overhead projectors and other objects together, has become very time consuming.
Solution:
To Automate the Physical Task of Scheduling with :Solbourne's Multi Object / Person Scheduler (MOPS)
Block diagram
Source Code Table of Contents:
Sample page of the Source Code
In Retrospect:
- Be more realistic about what we want to get done.
- Spend more time on robustness.
Yep, those words still ring true to this day!
Ok, back to sorting through more memorabilia!
1.63 days (or 2349.5 minutes) of riding the lift in 2015-2016
For the last several years I have been tracking the number of ski days and number of vertical descent by tracking which lifts I ride. If you go up you must go down.
One of the stats I also track is the amount of minutes I actually are ON the lift. This year it was down as well, at 2349.3 minutes or 1.63 days!
But this year I did make my 50 days goal of at least one run
, but fell well short of my 500,000 feet goal.
Here is a Pie chart of the lifts I rode.
Overall it was a weird year snow wise, amazing snow in late December but no snow in mid February to mid March.
I probably say this every year, but next year I will take it to next level (what ever that is).
Cheers! it was fun.
If you are interested in knowing how I do this, comment below.
ps. Other data
Dropbox Pro
So I have been a Dropbox user since 2009. It is just plain simple.
This year I now have two laptops (one mac, one pc) that I am experimenting sharing my lightroom catalog and photos between the two. At least for this year 2016, anyway. This required me to upgrade to Dropbox Pro.
My top 7 reasons why I love Dropbox.
1) Super simple.
2) It just works.
3) Integration with several apps that I use
4) On all devices and platforms (Mac, PC, Linux, Android, IOS, ....)
5) My friends and family use it, so it makes sharing files between us extremely simple.
6) Access to files in the cloud.
7) Yet another backup of files
If you are considering signing, here is a referal link https://db.tt/pJuQd9z
Android N (my Saturday night excitement)
After a previous big Friday afternoon/night, I thought I would take it easy this Saturday evening. So I made dinner and watch This Week in Google. The big announcement in Google land was the surprise release of Android N.
One of the reasons with I got my Nexus 6P so I would have more access to latest and greatest Android releases. There are lots of warnings that this is a Preview/Developer version (not ready for prime time) and NOT to install in on your primary phone. But this warning made me want to install it more!
Since I can't get seem to get a stupid SIM card in my hands (Thank you Verizon, NOT, subject for a different post), I am still using my Samsung Note 3 as my primary phone, so what the heck, lets do this ...
For those that don't know the history of Android naming here is a list of Android Code names from Wikipedia
| Code name | Version number | Initial release date | API level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | September 23, 2008 | 1 | |
| 1.1 | February 9, 2009 | 2 | |
| Cupcake | 1.5 | April 27, 2009 | 3 |
| Donut | 1.6 | September 15, 2009 | 4 |
| Eclair | 2.0–2.1 | October 26, 2009 | 5–7 |
| Froyo | 2.2–2.2.3 | May 20, 2010 | 8 |
| Gingerbread | 2.3–2.3.7 | December 6, 2010 | 9–10 |
| Honeycomb[a] | 3.0–3.2.6 | February 22, 2011 | 11–13 |
| Ice Cream Sandwich | 4.0–4.0.4 | October 18, 2011 | 14–15 |
| Jelly Bean | 4.1–4.3.1 | July 9, 2012 | 16–18 |
| KitKat | 4.4–4.4.4, 4.4W–4.4W.2 | October 31, 2013 | 19–20 |
| Lollipop | 5.0–5.1.1 | November 12, 2014 | 21–22 |
| Marshmallow | 6.0–6.0.1 | October 5, 2015 | 23 |
The current "Dessert Name" for Android N has not been decided yet. A hint might be in the following quote from google official blog.
So, the burning question that’s on everyone’s mind: what will the N release be named? We’re nut tellin’ you yet.
My guess is Nutella. This a Commercial name but so was KitKat :-)
Anyway, I was fully expecting to have to restore to factory settings and go back to Marshmallow, but so far it has been very solid. Yay. Marshmallow was new to me, so N is even newer. But I am liking it. The split screen feature I am still trying to figure out a use case for.
I will try and update this post with future thoughts.
Mailing letter to myself
For a reasons I will explain later, I needed to send a letter via Postal Mail to myself.
So with envelop addressed, I was just going to send it empty. Then it got me thinking....
If I got a letter "from myself", what would I want it to say?
I quickly wrote down (without over thinking it) a note to myself.
Dear Michael,
Hi, just a quick note to tell you to Focus, Be Wise, Smile, Enjoy Life!
Love, Me !
It was a good exercise. What would you write???
Top 25 Beaches in the World (according to Trip Advisor), I have visited 3 of them and very close to 1 more.
Trip Advisor produced a list of what its users thought was the Top 25 Beaches in the World.
I thought it would be fun to create a google map of them all. Try expanding out the map by clicking on the [ ] in upper right and interact with it.
yes, yes I know that when Google map is zoomed out the pins are misplaced, (the earth is round?)
I have been to 3 of them ones noted in BOLD (with year visited). Obviously, I need to get my Beach on.
- Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
- Praia do Sancho, Brazil
- Playa Paraiso Beach, Cuba
- Anse Lazio, Seychelles
- Cayo De Agua, Venezuela
- Flamenco Beach, Puerto Rico (September 2015)
- Platja de Ses Illetes, Spain
- Ngapali Beach, Myanmar
- West Bay Beach, Honduras
- Nacpan Beach, Philippines
- Maho Bay, Saint John
- Whitehaven Beach, Australia (1995?)
- Sharm El Loly, Egypt
- Elafonissos Beach, Greece
- Manuel Antonio Beach, Costa Rica (1997)
- The Baths, Virgin Gorda
- Camps Bay Beach, South Africa
- Praia da Marinha, Portugal
- Kata Noi Beach, Thailand
- Clearwater Beach, USA
- Playa Paraiso, Mexico ( I was close to this beach but was not exactly there in 2012)
- Agonda Beach, India
- Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda
- Tumon Beach, Guam
- Praia de Santa Maria, Cape Verde
How I use Abreva as a Preventive for Cold Sores
First off I am NOT a doctor and I sure don't play one on TV, yet I wanted to share with the world some thoughts on Abreva. Please consult your doctor for real advice!
Oh the dreaded Cold Sore, I will speculate I have spent 25% of my life either having or healing from Cold Sores. They flat out suck!
Abreva is well known to help shorten the cycle and I have had some success with this, but using it proactively is what I want to talk about.
So what is a cold sore?
From https://www.abreva.com/about-cold-sores/
Most cold sore sufferers aren’t exactly sure when they first encountered HSV-1. This is because the HSV-1 infection is usually contracted early in childhood and may not result in a visible cold sore outbreak. The virus will stay “asleep” until the secondary infection.During a cold sore outbreak, which often occurs after you have experienced one of the cold sore triggers, the virus “wakes up” and infects the skin cells in or around your lip or mouth, eventually becoming a visible and contagious sore. By using Abreva® cream at the first tingle,* you can help shorten the healing time of your cold sore cycle.
On mayoclinic.org site they list the following triggers:
- Viral infection or fever
- Hormonal changes, such as those related to menstruation
- Stress
- Fatigue
- Exposure to sunlight and wind
- Changes in the immune system
With the exception of Hormonal changes, it seems like:
- One of the above triggers, I am likely to get a cold sore about 10% of the time.
- With 2 of the triggers, the chances are closer to 50%.
- With 3 of the triggers, then changes jump up to 90%.
- With 4 of the triggers, it is almost guarantee I will get one or multiple sores. Ugh!
Yet, I have been trying an experiment the last 9 months. If I have been exposed to one or more triggers, I will apply Abreva to ALL areas of the lips. With this approach I have NOT had a severe outbreak once since. A couple of times I have had very small outbreaks, but that is when I didn't apply soon enough after my triggers.
Lets take a concrete example. I went to Puerto Rico and spent a lot time in the sun. (Trigger #1). Travel is stressful (Trigger #2). Travel is also tiring (Trigger #3). Each day of the trip and afterwards, I would apply. I don't think I have ever returned from a trip and not got a Cold Sore. So, yay!
Abreva is not cheap! So, I don't apply it all the time. Yet this strategy has definitely improved my quality of life and hopefully someone may get some benefit from it.
Little Debbie's Chocolate Chip Cakes (under the Blue Light)
For people that know me, I love my chocolate!
If I had to pick one chocolate "item" of my dreams, it might be Little Debbie's "Chocolate Chip Cakes". Yep, I have tried most (if not all) of Little Debbie's products, and I don't really care for most of them with the exception of new "Cookies and Cream".
Why do you ask do I love them so much? Just look at the goodness here:
- It first starts with the little chocolate chips on top. The best part, when (and for certain they will) some of these amazing chips will fall off. I will find them later (sometimes days), and it will bring back memories of oh such sweet dreams.
- The white frosting coating that doesn't try to be anything but pure sugar, but gives form to my hands.
- Ok next is moist chocolate cake that never crumbles.
- Finally at the very center yet again more white frosting. How can it get any better than this????
Yet, for some (most) this "cake" looks like a bunch of chemicals and sugar mixed together. True...but for me it gives me such guilty pleasure. I know it is so bad for me, but most things I enjoy there is not much nutrition value in them. (with the notable exception of Blueberries)
The good news (I guess) is they don't carry Little Debbies here in Telluride. So.... in order to fulfil my fix I have to drive 1.5 hours to pick me up a box of yummy. Sometimes nice people will bring me a box. Yay! They don't last long, sometimes I will eat the WHOLE box on the way home. Then I am sad. But sometimes, I hide them from me and when I "discover" them, then I am happy.
Wow, after writing this I might need to check in to LDCCA (Little Debbie Chocolate Chip Anonymous)
ps.
Why the Blue Light? That is a good question It was the lighting that was on over the kitchen at the time. Not sure WHY I did not change it. Oh well. Adds a bit of color to the post.
Sophia (Nexus 6p) meet World, World meet Sophia
Sophia (my name for my new Nexus 6p phone) is a pure Android (Marshmallow) experience.
I did (and still do) like my two year old Samsung Note 3, but something about all the bloatware on kind of bothered me. Also it was getting a bit beat up, surprised that it lasted as long as it did. Many of great photos were taken on it.
I have only had it for less than 24 hours, so this review is probably a bit rushed, but here is my experience with it:
Screen and Size:
Official:
A 5.7-inch, high-resolution WQHD AMOLED display
Translation:
WOW! It is gorgeous! It is about the same size as my Note 3, so no surprises there.
Camera:
Official:
The powerful camera was built to capture your world in true-to-life detail. Larger 1.55 µm pixels absorb more light¹ in even the dimmest conditions to make your photos brighter.
Translation:
The few photos I have taken look really good. Very excited to run it through it paces!
Took quick photo at the library (where I am writing this post)
Fingerprint Reader:
Official:
Your Nexus is quicker to access and more secure with a fingerprint sensor placed on the back to complement the way you naturally hold your phone. Unlock your phone and compatible apps with just one touch.
Translation:
This is something I was always curious about but really was not High on my list of requirements. Boy was I wrong about that. I LOVE it. It plays sooooooo nice with LastPass. Never again will I not have a phone with a Fingerprint reader (or equivalent)
Android Pay:
Official:
With Android Pay, you can start leaving your wallet behind as anyone with a compatible devices can pay for things with a simple tap via the NFC contactless payment system. Here's a guide to all the phones, places, and banks that support Android Pay.
Translation:
I will admit, this was a driving force for getting a new phone. The Note 3 was not able to do Android Pay.
I had my first Android Pay experience to buy a nice chocolate bar. :-)
Performance and Power:
Official:
With the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 810 v2.1 processor, performance is fast, yet gentle on the 3,450 mAh battery, so it can last all day long.² If you do get low, charging is quick with the USB Type-C plug. It's reversible, so there’s no more guessing which way is up.
Translation:
Always with a shinny new gadget it is FAST. This one is no exception.
One of my biggest complaints is NO wireless charging. I am missing it already!. :-( However, the USB-C charge went from 0 to 100% in what seemed less than an hour. WOW!
Sim Card:
Official:
The Nexus 6p takes a Nano-Sim card.
Translation:
My Note 3 is not a nano-sim card so I had work with Verizon Support. Typically you just go into the store, but being 1.5 hours away (Montrose), I decided to have one shipped to me.
The chat with the Verizon representative was very pleasant (and dare I say fun)
Summary:
So far in my 24 hours, I really like my new device. Stay tuned for updates!