Software Nerd Goes Hard

Result works but isn’t pretty

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Arlo Captures Critter

At least on video.

I bought the basic wires-free version of Arlo as an experiment in DIY home security and am trying it in parallel with our traditional system. The first task we gave Arlo was to identify the critter who ransacks Mary& More...

Alexa: The End of a Great Relationship

“Alexa, you’re disappointing me,” I said.

“I’m not sure about that,” replied Alexa, my Amazon Echo.

I once described the device gushingly as a “wonderful listener”. I had great plans to make her the hub of More...

Don’t Believe the Experts

A frightening study

We know from recent experience that political experts don’t have a very good track record but we’d all like to think that a doctor’s opinion is a fact. This scary old story is from Michael Lewis’ new book More...

Droning into Retirement

When I had my first job after college I saved every penny not spent on dates for flying lessons. Eventually I got my private pilot's license and even an instrument rating. But I haven't been an active pilot in years.

So it's only appropriate that I got myself a drone as a reti More...

Advice to Entrepreneurs from What Would Google Do

My friend and sometimes colleague Hardeep asked:

"… the lists of details for each of those features keep getting longer and longer. If I ignore all the features I want, I will be nowhere close to where my com More...

Thanksgiving Poem

Over the river and thru the wood,

To grandmother's house we go.

The GPS knows the way

To guide us today,

Even if traffic is slow, oh.

Over the river and thru the wood,

We're always in the know.

My new Da More...

Bad Connectivity

The only serious drag on an otherwise great vacation is the ten pound bag with computer, batteries, adapter etc. that I'm lugging around on my back. The other day we walked the literal length and breadth of Venice with it. There is no straight footpath through Venice; it's a long way to anywhere More...

e-Sitting in Nerdville

We never did see Baby Jack during our early morning stint of e-sitting.

Son-in-law Hugh had to catch the 6AM flight from Burlington to get to a conference (been there, done that). He, Kate, and Jack stayed a More...

Friendly Hackin at Nerdville

Daughter Kate, son-in-law Hugh, and first grandchild Jack have moved back to the US. Enroute to their new lives, they're staying with us in Vermont. Only problem is that they got to our house before we did.

Should have been no problem: the lock is electronic; Kate had the code for both it More...