Endless Weather Is Scott's Blog

I am way behind on the blogs so I am going to get a bunch in here in a hurry.
Chase logs for my first 5 chases of the year will be up later tonight.

Winter this year was hard and long but some of it was my own doing.   We did some major updates to the code that drives ChaserTV many features we always wanted but did not have time to complete got done.   The website is almost entirely “Batch Driven” which is something I learned from the credit card days.   You want to process a ton of information and keep things stable you do it as a batch.     The new ChaserTV site builds all it’s content in batches every 1-5min depending, thus when someone visits the site the pages are basically stored in memory and don’t need to use other programs to work.   Why?   This helps keep the load off the server during extreme weather outbreaks such as 4/22/10 in the Texas Panhandle and 4/24/10 in MS.    I had a TON of help this time around Andrew Glenn and Henry Devito helped with most of the code and I acted more like a PM and designer.

We also added some new frills such as auotmatic up down, recording, new maps, new chaser pages, Twitter integration and Facebook.    We still have 2 new features we are working on, one of them technically works however is missing one part of the puzzle and the other is a integration with another weather product.   Hopefully we can get all of this done in the next week or so!

Lets make no mistake I have always been a fan of the beloved Tivo.

We purchased our first one on Fathers Day 2001, Chris wanted nothing to do with the thing and thought it was a complete waste of money.

Skip forward almost 10 years, we own 2 of the devices and have owned all the “Series” so far in fact the only reason we left DirecTV was because our Tivo’s were failing and they were not releasing new ones.

We own a Series 3 now, it works like it’s supposed to for the most part however the clunky “Cable Card” integration with Cox records some grey screens for us from time to time.   We have longed for the “On Demand” features that we simply can’t get and we have tried the Cox DVR… it’s not Tivo.

So when Tivo was having a big announcement of a new product we were all ears, the excitement was bigger than ever!   Tivo had announced a COUPLE YEARS AGO that the DirecTV relationship was a alive and a new unit was around the corner.

Well the “Series 3.1″ was announced and it simply is a software upgrade we should have got anyway.   I mean really you have people paying $13.99/mo for these things stuff like the new features should be in software, not a whole new box.    They are introducing a new remote that is cool… works on bluetooth which none of the current models have.

Tivo’s subscriber base at one point consisted of over 50% DirecTV subscribers, considering none of their current units are compatible with the new satellites I doubt that number is there.     Tivo is bleeding customers to cable and other DVR platforms but can’t get the basics.

The new unit also still has no native WiFi support?   Come on my PS3, Wii, ipod heck even my cell phone does WiFi!   They want $90 for a WiFi adapter?  Who wrote this business plan?

My favorite part of the new boxes is the integration with Amazon and Netflix, the features are intended to get you to SPEND MORE MONEY on downloads they most definitely will get a cut of… so why would this not be a simple software upgrade for current owners?    Then again we can do this now, it’s just crappy software that keeps us from doing it.   (IE Purchases, the recording features rock)

There is nothing premier about this product and no reason to buy it.   Tivo is just like a Jeep, when they say it’s a Jeep thing & the core customers are being shafted and will be jumping ship to other options.   They keep supporting this technology like CableCards that only 1/2 way work, don’t natively support tru-2-way (the next standard) and no DirecTV it’s a box that can’t get what most people watch, cable TV.

Needless to say this is the end of Tivo, they announce their new product on Facebook and over 1/2 the comments are asking where the DirecTV Tivo is.

If you own Tivo stock get out, it’s over.   My new DirecTV DVR’s will be installed tomorrow morning.

Well another ChaserCon is in the books and it took me almost a week to write about it.

I have to say my writeup will be rather lame compared to most as I did not see anything but Jon Davies the first day.    Although our booth was VERY successful I highly doubt I will do it again, that’s not why I am there.

Brandon Sullivan, Danny Neal & Adam Lucio came in on the Amtrak on Wednesday night, the plan was to crash at my place so we could have fun on the way out together (Otherwise I was driving alone).  If you don’t know the story they lost Danny’s bag but you can read about that anywhere.

The new Mazda ran great out to Denver, we got decent gas mileage so it’s gonna make a great chase car!     We went out Thursday night and found cabby’s are PAID to take you to crap bars, who would have known?   

After shutting down the bar we had a “After Party” that lasted till around 5am when security shut us down.   Whoever says people are stuck in “Cliques” are not in the right place, CTV, TVN, SS and just people who all love weather were shoved in a hotel room drinking beer and having a great time.

Friday was very slow to rise however I did make it to Baja Fresh for lunch with John Sibley.    I love that place sure wish we could get one in Omaha.  

We got back to the hotel and had a meeting with another streaming service mogul to hopefully set the stage for what I termed a “Drama Free Weekend” then had to set the booth up.    I have done many trade shows in my time, although not a trade show was the best bang for by buck I have ever spent.    About the only hard part was getting our banner on the wall and getting the one we paid extra for placed in the main hall.   Was funny how that worked out, we were the only one LOL.

Had a great time talking with all the chasers about ChaserTV, signed up some new ones and the like.    Later we hung out in the hotel bar and made a early run to bed around 1am.

Saturday morning was our time for TWC interviews.   Friday night we grabbed whoever was in our sights and got them a time to sit down with someone from TWC, they had made a impromptu studio in one of the hospitality suites and shot some shorts for later use.   I was really excited to see all the CTV guys (and gals) get some face time and recognition for what they do.    I had given my time up to someone else because we over booked however I did get in at the end.    Good thing I waited because it took 5min of adjusting things to get the lights off my bald head. 

By then it was lunch time and time for more vendor fun, afterwards we decided to skip the rubber chicken (no offense it’s what I call all catered meals) and headed to Texas de Brazil.   I don’t really have a good way to describe this place but think Ruth Chris with them bringing you as much meat and variety you can handle.  $65 out the door per person with 1 drink but well worth it.    True to fashion we shut down the hotel bar and went back to our room to party, once again lots of people and fun.   Got to break out my “Up Yours” shirt, it was a good night.

Sunday was my only “True” drama induced day as I was warned that video was “Stolen” from my site to use in Chris Novy’s presentation.   I did not get to see it however I was informed ours was the least controversial of the video.   I personally have not met Chris however I don’t see what dragging anyone’s company thru the mud is a good way to make a point, if a PERSON did something wrong they are to blame.  What really bothered me was the heads up he personally gave someone wearing a CTV shirt in an elevator.   He did call us and discuss it afterwards, I understand fair use but that seemed a little unfair.

Rest of Sunday spent getting the booth torn down and in the Mazda for the drive home, left Denver around noonish and had a great drive home till York where the road became 50% black ice.   I drive in a lot of crazy weather but I HATE ICE.  I made it home however it was sad to hear someone else lost their life on that stretch of road later that night.

From a business standpoint ChaserCon could not have been a better success!   From a personal standpoint I had fun, as much as last year however really disapointed I did not make the presentations.

Well things are heating up for the chase season, 8 new CTV members in the past few days and still need to launch our new site.   Stay Tuned!
Photo Credits:  L.B. Laforce and Kendra Reed

Well decided to get modern on the website and did a new theme today, need to get some more content loaded back up and update the old stuff.

Getting ready to head to Denver on Thursday, takin the new “Truck” that has been officially named “Mighty Mazda” Hope to see you all there!

Ok I was definately on the “iWhat!?” group until about a hour ago and I started thinking about this.

The ipad is going to be my chase computer I am almost sure, here is why.

I think people are taking this device in the wrong light… is it a iPhone?
Well no, it’s not a phone at all but the key to remember is it will do everything the iPhone will but take calls and pictures.

Now I know people are really bumming over the AT&T service, oh so am I and I can’t describe the ways however it has wifi and I can easily turn my Sprint aircard into wifi with a cradlepoint router.  (Then again I have already done this)

Lets talk about Radar Apps.
Sure there is no GR3 but there is radarscope … A GREAT product already and Tyler Allison has already been working with the group to add SpotterNetwork integration so I am betting we can expect some other cool toys for us chasers real soon.

If you have not watched the video of this thing it might be time, it does have GPS and so does radarscope, the maps examples I watched showed easily dropping points of interest on a map… something I have alwasys longed for “IE drop a point for great southern view from top of hill”

On my iphone I am always listening to Pandora or Slacker while chasing, assuming it will use radio controls like and iPod (Why would it not) it’s a MP3 player too!

Resolution on the screen is 1024×768, the same resolutions most with “Value Laptops” already have, so the screen is smaller at 9.7in however webpages will display just fine on this device… looking at forecast models and orbs will not be an issue, and you can simply touch it!  No trying to find the mouse pointer you just touch the darn thing!

Lets talk about space, the chase partner always gets screwed by the Laptop mount or having the laptop and 1000 wires in the seat… not anymore, this thing has a killer battery or will simply charge from a ipod connector to that stereo!

So I ask… what will the ipad NOT do?
Well I’m still gonna need a laptop to edit video in the field thats a given, but I already don’t do that on my chase setup.

And the streaming…
Well I already have a work around for that where I won’t need a computer to stream in the vehicle anymore  so I don’t NEED a laptop! (More on that coming from ChaserTV)

So will I have a ipad on the plains this year, DAMN SKIPPY!  It will more than likely be the only thing you find in my front seat next to my DSLR.   I can’t wait till I am sitting on a convergence cap bust with my ipad and not leaning in someones window, if I want to show someone something interesting I will hand them my tablet.   Yes this thing is going to be cool!

And about the cost?   I was going to buy a iPod touch anyway since I got rid of my iPhone, so I am looking at an extra $200 and I will use this thing all the time.   Much more valuable than a netbook IMHO.

So before you dismiss the ipad think about it not as a phone but as a easy to use computer that does Facebook, Twitter or the new ChaserTV app and is designed to be used with your finger.   This will be a GREAT device for chasers!

Each year around the holidays I get a bunch of questions about TV’s, Laptops and cables so I figured I would make a cool little guide to help you save some money this holiday season.

The #1 profit maker for the stores on an LCD or Plasma TV purchase is in the cables and the bracket to hang it on the wall. Here at work we use a wholesale website to pick up this stuff at drastic savings over places like Best Buy.

If you are looking for a bracket to hang that new TV Best Buy will have THIS BRACKET for $119.99
I would reccomend THIS BRACKET in it’s place from a company called Monoprice, it’s just $24.22
They are both the EXACT SAME BRACKET.

The other item your new HDTV will need is a HDMI cable, these come in many sizes.
This is one cable where getting something “Best” is not going to make your picture better, since this communication between your DVD or the cablebox is digital there is no “Loss” if you loose a lesser cable. Digital communication either gets there or it don’t, there is no signal loss in a cable this short.

If you are buying a HDTV this season make sure you have one or two of these on hand, you WILL need it.

Best Buy will sell you THIS HDMI CABLE for $69.99
Our friends at Monoprice will sell you THIS HDMI CABLE for $4.09… oh and it’s 2ft longer too!

Hopefully these tips will help you save a little $$$ this season while you pick up that new HDTV!

Scott

To start THIS IS NOT MINE, Dean Gill from Switzerland shot this awesome footage of the infamous tornado on 6/5/09.    I wanted to share this with everyone who reads my blog.   On one hand I wish I was this close, I saw him pass Brandon Ivy so I assume Andy Gabrielson was right there too based on a conversation with Andy… on the other hand I pity whatever rental company rented them that car!
Congrats on that AMAZING bag!

As many of you know I have been anxiously waiting the release of the Sprint HTC Hero “Google Andriod” phone, this being the first of it’s kind to work in the US outside of T-Mobile.

I was able to aquire my new phone last Friday by talking real nice to someone at the Sprint store (they did not come out officially till Sunday) and had the weekend to play with it.  And it did take all weekend to get it set just the way I wanted it!

This is a cool phone.

I can’t say it’s BETTER than the iPhone, that would be a lie.   I loved my iPhone but I hated the network and the email integration was not there, just seemed like a afterthought on the phone.

I am happy to say the Android is living up to the hype, I have found apps that do everything my iPhone/Blackberry did if not better.   The email leaves a tad bit to be desired but works OK, I don’t understand why the GMail app will only allow 1 GMail account when on the Blackberry it will allow multiple but oh well.

The onscreen keyboard is not that hard to use being that I had gotten use to the one on the iPhone, it’s really only usable in landscape mode but that’s ok with me.    I was able to get it acting as much like my BB as I needed, no notifications of new email other than to blink the light and to make noise when I get a txt or IM.

The wifi leaves a lot to be desired, it would not join my home “B+G+N” network until I disabled the N, and then still it will not work on the second floor, we have been unable to get it to join the office network either.

Reception… My 2 spots where my Blackberry Tour was not working are working fine on the Android so the CDMA radio seems to be fine.    There has been some grumbles in the forums about the “with Google” and “Blank” backs on the phones, mine is Blank.   I show Rev.0 so hopefully this will get fixed in a software update.

Speaking of the software update, I hope Sprint don’t drag their heels on software updates like they did on the Blackberries, there is already a point upgrade for this phone that T-Mobile released day 1.   Hopefully Sprint will follow suit.

So in the end I give the HTC Hero from Sprint a BUY, with Sprint’s plans you can’t beat this thing over a iPhone.
Sprint’s Everything $69 plan for 450min can’t be touched by AT&T, and it includes real “Navigation” for free.   No not that Google maps stuff, TomTom worthy NAV with turn by turn directions and real time traffic updates.   Plus you get unlimited mobile to mobile on ANY network and the largest cellular network in the US.

This phone has a ton of potential and unlike most phones where when you buy it it’s what you have for the next 2 years I see many “upgrades” coming for this handset.

You can get the Sprint HTC Hero just about anywhere for $179 after a $100 MIR or if you prefer the Samsung Momnent will be releasing Nov 1st with a physical keyboard and more horses under the hood for the same price.

I am without a doubt a “fair weather fan” of pro sports.

I have many things going on in my life and I tend not to follow pro sports too much, too many games, too much to follow…

But talk about an amazing pair of nights for my 2 “Favorite” sports teams from my VERY loose affiliation with the state of Minnesota as a kid.

Congrats to both the Vikings and The Twins on a great two nights of sports!

I can’t say I will find the time to follow the Twins all next season but I am going to give the NFL a shot for the rest of the season!

Ok so as everyone knows I am anxiously awaiting this darn HTC Hero Android Phone from Sprint.
This has taken much planing on my part to be rid of my Tour (at decent price) and living with the Curve until the Hero arrived.

So I had my battle plan, sold the Tour and was Pre-Order #1 at my Best Buy to arrive on Oct 11.
I figured that I was cool with a MSRP of $429 (Sold the Tour I paid $200 @ $325 so this was ok) SWEET

Well there was a rumor Best Buy will be offering the Hero to Reward Zone members on Oct 9th so BONUS!
Best Buy has yet to send any notification of this to anyone, most their associates included…
I went to my Best Buy today and was told this is not true, and since I had not got a call not to expect my Android on Sunday.

Obviously I was a little hot so I went to another Best Buy…
Here the girl was really nice, pulled up their intranet and found all the documentation, yes the phone will be there on Friday for Reward Zone members, and has a MSRP of $599.99

$599.99!   WTF?

So I pointed out the phone was clearly a MSRP of $429.99 as referenced on the Sprint site however she informed me they will not price match it, it’s just too low.

Now what bothers me most about this whole deal is Sprint/Best Buy are launching this new phone with little or no fanfare, the only people clamoring for it are geeks like me who have all this rumor on the internet.   It’s not working.

Guys get your ducks in a row!   More rumors flying today the MSRP is $429.99 – $100 MIR (even without a contract) to make it $329.     Others say the $329 – MIR - Contract = $79.

So anyway I guess I will throw a complete hissy fit in Best Buy on Friday and try and get my phone for the MSRP of $429.99 using my pre-order, thats all I want.

If I don’t get my way I will just wait till everyone else has the damn thing starting next week.

What really don’t make any sense is they have found a way to kill all the benefit of the pre-sale, nobody knows about it and those who do can’t take advantage of it because they early adopted another phone in the last 2 years.

Why have a pre-sale and a pre-release of a phone, don’t promote it and then add almost $200 to the MSRP?
I want the phone but for $200 I can wait till Monday.

Who knows there is yet ANOTHER rumor you can get it on the Sprint website starting Oct 8th, so if thats correct you can order it at 11PM Central on the 7th, overnight it into your hands Friday morning anyway.

We will see….