HippoRemote: Remote Control for iPhone/iPod Touch

This looks like a pretty useful application if you have a computer (Mac/Win/Linux) hooked up to your TV and you want to control it remotely with your iPhone or iPod Touch:

HippoRemote — A remote control for your computer

Why I hate doing business on eBay

ARRRGGGHHH!!!! Fie on UPS and idiot eBay buyers!

OK... so I put up some DVDs on eBay for a pretty decent deal, bundled in the shipping price, and someone bought the item. Great.

Pack. Ship. Bye!

Time passes....

Hey, why is this package on my doorstep???

Crap.

UPS tried three times to deliver it, and then sent it back to me.

Thanks, Guys!!!!

Email customer... nothing for several days.

Then... email:

"Hey where's my package? I moved and tried to pick it up..."

Give me a break!!! Who buys something on eBay right before moving?????

So I respond with... it's gonna cost another $XX to ship it out again (duh.).

Response:

"Nevermind...I dont want the movies now since i have to pay extra. How do i get my money back?"

OK... so now, I'm faced with a dilemma. Her move cost me approximately $22 in shipping ($16), eBay ($4), and PayPal ($2) fees.

Unfortunately my inclination was to refund the entire amount, even though it pains me and cost me to do so.

I'd rather have a happy customer than a ding on my eBay rating, but it really torques me and makes me think twice about doing any more eBaying...

Grrrrrr....

Odd IE7 Message

here’s an odd error message I’ve never seen before:



weird, huh?

…it should be said, however, that this was on startup of the browser, and I had instructed it to open the previously opened tabs (my default in firefox, but I don’t know if I’ve ever worried about it in IE since I generally don’t use it), then BLAM!

anyway, I just thought it was kind of funny and wanted to share it, FWIW.

Notepad++: How to Associate Syntax Coloring for a File Extension

For the life of me, I could not figure out how to permanently associate the XML syntax coloring for files with a .config extension in Notepad++.

The help did not help, nor did the FAQs.

At any rate, this is how you do it:

1. Settings Menu --> "Styler Configurator" (which then displays the "Style Configurator" window (note the discrepancy)).
2. Click on "XML" in the Language list on the far left.
3. Notice at the bottom there are two text boxes: Default ext and User ext.
4. Enter config in the User ext text box.
5. Click Save & Close.
6. Open a file with .config extension - file should be automatically highlighted.

Here's a suggestion for Notepad++ developers (since it doesn't seem as if they have UX or Interaction Designers on the team)...

Help the user out by doing one of the following:

• When an unrecognized file is opened ask what kind of file it is, or
  
• When the user clicks on an entry in the Language menu, save it as the default for files with that extension.

Thanks!

iPhone Conspicuously Missing from ASP.NET Mobile Controls Tested Devices

Interestingly, the iPhone is conspicuously missing from ASP.NET Mobile Controls Tested Devices:

ASP.NET Mobile Controls Tested Devices : The Official Microsoft ASP.NET Site

...reminds me of ballmer's comments on the iphone: http://tinyurl.com/ok8qcu

My favorite quote: "now, it may sell very well..."

LOL.

Ultralingua: o meu amigo!

In my recent learning of the Portuguese language, I have found the Ultralingua dictionary to be very helpful!

Ultralingua.com

It has iPhone, Mac and Windows versions and I've found the iPhone and Mac versions to be excellent. Windows, while functional, feels a bit like a red-headed stepchild. However it's still an excellent tool no matter which flavor you download it.

It's not free (it has a free trial), but it is definitely worth the very affordable price tag - especially the iPhone version!!!

Free Wireless at Peet's

Finally! Wireless at Peet's Coffee & Tea and it's FREE!!!

Peet's Coffee & Tea

Looks like they one-upped their main competitor again. Now awesome coffee and free wireless!

Now if we could just get them to also offer non-baked-goods for food.. hmmm...