Video tests
December 22nd, 2008
Tweaking Windows Vista
November 29th, 2008
Remember TweakUI for Windows XP? That beloved power toy of years past? Well someone has come up with an unofficial tweaking tool for Vista (includes 64-bit). It’s just a 380 KB file that doesn’t require an installation. Take a look and get your Vista setup just how you like it.
Pajama Gladiator
November 1st, 2008
While browsing BYU’s website this week I found out about the latest short created by the animation major students, called “Pajama Gladiator“. It won Producers’ Choice Award and Viewers’ Choice Award at the latest “Student Emmy” awards festival. Personally, I think it’s way better than the other winning items. No wonder Ed Catmull, president of Pixar, declared BYU students “the best in the industry” at a press conference on campus in March.
Take a look for yourself… it’s quite good (but a bit scary for really little kids).
Vote Yes on Prop 8 in California
October 29th, 2008
I’m not a California citizen, but I was married there to my wonderful wife, who is from San Diego, California.
I encourage everyone voting in California to vote YES on Prop 8 to protect and define marriage as between a man and a woman. Here are some resourceful videos explaining why Prop 8 should pass, and why marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman.
BIOS fix for the annoying buzzing noise on my ThinkPad T61
October 28th, 2008
I’m really happy that the Lenovo folks have released a BIOS fix to solve a problem that I’ve had with my T61 for the last six months. When the laptop was on battery mode, I would hear a noticeable buzzing coming from the rear-left corner by the fan. I think it was related to the CPU cooling system, because the only solution I could come up with was to disable CPU power management in the BIOS, which would drain the battery life, but keep my sanity by not having to listen to a loud buzz.
The latest BIOS release, 2.24-1.08, released today, solves the problem! Here’s the changelog for all the details. This was the only complaint that I had about my laptop and I’m really pleased that it got fixed.
For those interested, I’ve got the T8300 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, with the NVidia Quadro NVS 140M, 4GB RAM, and running Vista Business 64-bit.
Here’s the thread on NotebookReview.com that I started about the problem and the new BIOS release.
Cheap shots at Romney in South Carolina
December 30th, 2007
Today, FoxNews is reporting on a bogus Christmas card sent to South Carolina Republicans, claiming to be sent from Romney and the Mormon church, citing various passages claiming to point out controversial interpretations of scripture. The postcards were claimed to be “Paid For By The Boston Massachusetts Temple”, which is ridiculous since the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints never send out such cards, especially since the church adamantly stays out of political parties and discussions.
“It is sad and unfortunate that this kind of deception and trickery has been employed,” said Will Holley, Romney’s South Carolina spokesman. “There is absolutely no place for it in American politics.”
South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson said he intends to “contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Elections Fraud Division and other appropriate authorities, provide them the copy of the mail piece delivered to South Carolina Republicans and ask for a thorough investigation into this matter.”
Further on the article says:
Such a mailing isn’t surprising for South Carolina politics, a state known for political mudslinging and backdoor maneuvering.
Those tactics backfire, said Warren Tompkins, a political consultant who ran George Bush’s 2000 campaign in South Carolina and now is Romney’s top consultant in the state. “Anything this outrageous and childish and nonsensical would have a significant fallout on whoever did it and on whose behalf it was done,” Tompkins said.
Personally, I am very offended at this attempt to be sending cards for political purposes on behalf of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Obviously, this kind of action is completely uncalled for and is absolutely false–only targeted to hurt Romney and try to influence the South Carolina primaries on January 19. Hopefully, we’ll see that whoever did this ends up fessing up and taking responsibility for and outlandish act.
Romney tied for first in national WSJ/NBC poll
December 20th, 2007
Wow, for the first time in the campaign, Mitt Romney is tied for first place in a national WSJ/NBC poll, with Rudy Giuliani. Hucakabee comes in at 3rd, McCain, and then Thompson.
This is wonderful news and shows that people are starting to realize the excellent candidate that Mitt really is. Hopefully Mitt can pull of Iowa (he’s nearly tied for first there), and New Hampshire to get the ball rolling.
Go Mitt!
Faith in America by Mitt Romney
December 7th, 2007
Today history was made. This is one of the greatest speeches on the role of religion and faith in America. It is truly a masterful speech that is very moving. And it is really a huge leap in a historical context to have a Mormon give the speech. The initial reviews from pundits and news sources are calling it moving, masterful, and a glimpse of greatness. I encourage you to watch it here and enjoy hearing a true and excellent speech of God’s hand in our country and our obligations to Him.
I personally support Mitt, but regardless of which candidate you support, this is a great way to spend 20 minutes. It is well worth it.
Update on TheFamilyLetter.com
September 18th, 2007
Well, the company, TheFamilyLetter.com, has been up since May 2006 and we’ve had a lot of good luck with it. We’re so pleased with all the customers that have started using our family website product to keep connected with their families. I use our family web sites every day–I don’t know what I’d do without them!
If anyone has questions, comments, or ideas about our family websites let me know at nick@thefamilyletter.com
The Second-best Baseball Outcome
October 8th, 2006
Since my Minnesota Twins are out for the year, the next best thing to have happen would be to see the New York Yankees lose in the first round. My consolation wish came true this afternoon. The Detroit Tigers (who the Twins beat out in the AL Central) won their LDS series today 3-1, by winning at home 8-3 over the overrated Yanks.
Money may get you good players, but money can’t guarantee wins. Good baseball and solid teamwork wins. I love to see the Yanks lose. It’s great!
The best possible scenario would have been to see the Twins beat the Yankees in the LCS, but it seems that the two best teams just couldn’t get it done in the first round. Now I have to ask myself… who do I cheer for if I can’t cheer for the Twins or against the Yanks? :)