Border Books Closure

Announcement of the closure of four Border Books that I frequent hit me hard.

I wasn't the least bit surprised that they were in financial crises.

I was surprised by the number of store closures in my area.

Today I visited a Border Books, the last one standing in my area, and it was busy. People were queued in line waiting for the next register.

Teens were perusing the diary and board game selections.

Folks were decked out  in the coffee section sipping Seattle Best  branded coffees, lattes and cappuccinos frantically pecking away on their keyboards.

And here and there I spied a dog-eared book that I knew no one would buy.

So you're wondering if anything was different, right? Well yea, gone were the over stuffed comfy chairs that flanked the entrance.

Gone were the chairs and tables dispersed among the aisles.

Gone were the throngs of teens  spread out and overflowing in the aisles as they shared chairs, talked, texted and giggled over dog-eared books.

I could walk the aisle and browse the magazine  and book sections with ease. I could navigate the store without tripping over someone's backpack.

Shopping at Border Books was a pleasant experience again. I found fewer dog-eared books and a neater, uncluttered, welcoming experience.

Heck, I even took the time to browse the DVD and music sections - I hadn't done this in years. I made my purchases after shopping for 25 minutes and, provided Border Books maintains a neat, clutter-free store, I will return.

Home Computer

Before Black Friday I tweeted if anyone had a must have item they were scouring the BF ads for? Pretty much it was great deals on cellphones or an iPad. Me, I was looking for a new desktop computer, my current one sounded like a jet engine and talking on the phone prompted listener’s to ask if I was running the fan!

In August or September of 2010 I received a new Dell desktop at work and it was so quiet. I couldn’t believe how silent it was and then to return home and hear the jet whirring just made me yearn for a Dell desktop. I really didn’t think Boo would go for it since the jet computer was still kicking away with no problem, but when I mentioned desiring a new desktop Boo said “Man, that thing sounds like we’re at the airport!”

So we checked Costco.com (which seems to have a wider and better selection of computers period) and when Cyber Monday arrived Boo found a Dell with Intel 5 processor (faster processor than Costco.com’s dual core) that matched all the features Costco.com offered and at the same price. Boo ordered it and now that more than two months have passed I have to say I love it!

It’s as quiet as my work computer, blazing fast and its footprint matches the old one. I like the way the ports are configured on the back and it has four USB ports in the front with built-in card readers that include a Compact Flash card, which I still use in a digital audio recorder and digital camera I carry in the trunk in case I need to document an accident. Set up was a breeze and the provided chart made it simple for even a novice to setup.

Dell’s keyboard took some adjusting to as it angles lower to the actual desktop, a level I’m not used to. I’ve tried using wrist rests which seem to accentuate the lower angle without helping. After a month of continued use I couldn’t adjust and opted to use my old Logitech keyboard. I don’t use Dell’s wired mouse either opting for Microsoft’s optical mouse. Aside from the odd keyboard angle everything else has been fine.

I used PC Decrapifier prior to connecting the computer to the Internet. I wanted to uninstall junk software I neither needed or wanted especially McAfee’s anti-virus suite. I use Eset's Nod-32 anti-virus software and have been very happy with it. Nod-32 offers a Smart Security Suite of tools which I feel is overkill and don’t want bogging down my system so I use the basic anti-virus software.

This computer's been great so it's ironic that it has received the least use of all the systems I've owned. Why? Well, the HTC Evo is compact, convenient and with its sharp, legible screen I use it for everything that doesn't require an optical drive!

HTC Evo

I haven't shared how Boo bought me the HTC Evo Android phone back in November 2010. I was totally shocked because it's an expensive phone, we'd been Verizon customers forever and the Evo was on the Sprint network.

Now I'd been wanting this phone for awhile and Boo stressed how we'd need to leave Verizon, which I said I was prepared to do. For me the hindrance was the price of the Evo not so much parting ways with Verizon, I had tired of Verizon's nickel and diming me to death when using a phone's features.

I hadn't anticipated Boo buying the Evo just because and surprising me Thanksgiving weekend! I mean who does that?  I was really surprised and still am!

After owning it for three months now  here's my experience:

I love the Evo.

It is the most complicated and featured phone I've ever owned and it has changed the way I use my cellphone.

I mainly use it for tweeting, monitoring  Tweetdeck (it's always running), sharing photos, logging in to Facebook, reading websites, checking email, reading RSS feeds, texting and interacting with friends in real time.

I rarely talk on the phone because I'm not a talker. I prefer to write so friends / family contact me via email or text. I haven't carried my netbook since receiving the Evo, there's no need.

I've used Google's GPS Navigation on a  trip to Santa Barbara and it did a fantastic job of getting us to our destination. We purposely went off route and it redirected us without getting us lost or adding miles.

The GPS has been very accurate when inputting a destination and seeking directions from the point I am at. It has never steered us wrong or taken us out of the way. Also the estimated mileage has been accurate.

I've installed apps (Tweetdeck, Angry Birds, Magic Gems, Red Laser, Yahoo! Mail, Kindle for Android)  just as I do on a regular computer with no hanging or slowing  the OS. The Android OS has been stable and reliable with many apps updating their software monthly.

If I'm reading feeds in Google Reader or tweets on Tweetdeck and a call does come through, I am alerted by the caller's name flashing across my screen and asking if I want to Answer or Decline the call. I normally keep my phone on vibrate as I don't like being interrupted by ringing or a vanity tune. I think this is a great touch and I never worry about missing a call.

Having been with Verizon's CDM network forever I didn't know it is possible to talk on the phone and surf the web, read email, text, etc. while the phone is engaged! I never knew what I was missing so being able to look up a phone number in my contacts as I speak to someone has been a huge "wow" factor.

The Evo's screen is also very crisp and legible and I do not experience eye strain when reading a Kindle book. I have four books saved and appreciate the convenience of reading one when I have the time which not surprisingly is in waiting rooms.

The screen's 3" X 6" size is perfect for game play again usually when waiting and the Evo's clarity makes it easy to have fun and enjoy Angry Birds or Bejeweled. Oh the sound is very good an added bonus when angry birds are well, being angry!

OTT

I previously shared how buying the Western Digital Live TV Plus and Roku XD Streaming Player 1080p have improved my viewing experience of video podcasts like the Paranormal Report, London Landscape, Tekzilla, Alaska HDTV, 30 Odd Minutes and GeekBeatTV.

I don't think I've mentioned  how instrumental these devices have been in ensuring that I watch these shows sooner than later. It used to be I'd download them to an external hard drive where they'd sit for months.

The podcasts that remained on my iPod weren't being viewed because I didn't like watching a small screen or having to hold the device when viewing. Oh and I can't forget that the sound quality through ear buds isn't so great. I prefer the sound system on my TV.

Now I'm wondering how viewing  shows on these devices affects the podcaster's stats? Since I do not subscribe to these podcasts via iTunes, how does the podcaster quantify the numbers for advertisers?

After experiencing the joy and convenience of viewing video podcasts on the TV, if I had to revert to watching them on the iPod or computer screen I wouldn't bother subscribing again.

My household isn't considering "cutting the cord". We're cable TV subscribers who want to view a show when it airs not after the season's ended and it's released on DVD. I'm not advocating cutting the cord but simply sharing the value the Roku and Western Digital Live TV Plus add.

I am a Netflix subscriber and we do watch both DVDs and stream movies, but for me the OTT devices are a great value for viewing video podcasts. I guarantee that once you try it you won't go back!