Category: computer
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Get Your Kindle’s PID In 10 Seconds
Rather than struggling with a bunch of old command-line scripts to calculate the Personal ID (PID) of your shiny new Amazon Kindle, I’ve released a super-freakin’-easy webapp to do it for you in a matter of seconds. No joke. Simply visit http://kindletools.prestonlee.com, follow the instructions, and be sure to gift me a short novel to…
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Amazon Kindle 2 Review
The Kindle 2 is my first commitment to electronic books and e-ink screen. I silently waited until several generations of eBook readers were on the market–including the Barnes & Noble Nook–before making the decision to commit to Amazon’s Kindle 2. Physical Interface The 6″ e-ink display that looks just like the paper of a novel…
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SEO Is Not A Product
One of my biggest business frustrations in 2009 has centered around Search Engine Optimization (SEO): peoples fundamental misunderstandings of what SEO is, what it theoretically accomplishes, and the large number of shysters scaring businesses into pursuing activities not nearly as important as they are made out to be. Inquires usually go like this.. Preston, My business–ACME…
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Google AdWords Account Access: A Cacophony Of Stupid
If I haven’t blabbed your ear off already, OpenRain has a small business web presence product called the Online Business Platform. It’s a big deal as it’s fairly unique in many different ways. Anyway, the the upper service level options include consulting and advisement on advertising with Google AdWords, which means we generally need access…
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Recovering A Corrupt OpenLDAP Database On OSX Server
Recovering A Corrupt OpenLDAP Database On OSX Server Last night we noticed some services provided by an OSX Leopard Server instance were not working correctly. The iChat, AFP and Web services were not authenticating. In Server Admin.app, the “Overview” tab of the Open Directory service reported… LDAP Server is: Not Running Password Server is: Running…
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iCal Domain Account Errors For New Events
Over the past couple weeks I’ve had issues getting my OSX 10.5 iCal client to continue working properly with our centralized CalDav server. I stopped being able to invite other domain users to my events as well as reserve “locations”, despite all my personal (non-domain) calendars continuing to work properly. I noted these iCal errors…
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MinoHD 720p Digital Camcorder Review
While no one wants to see your entire 180-minute reenactment of Hamlet, it’s nevertheless nice to have a camcorder handy once in a while. Usually I’ll bust out a pocket-sized Canon SD750 when I need a couple minutes of motion capture, but the SD750–as well as most other low-end digital cameras–aren’t fabulous at video, and…
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OpenRain's First Commercial Product In Production
I feel like I’ve come to know you quite well over the last few years. It was a rocky relationship at first, what with you not paying attention to me and hanging out with your friends too much and all. But ever since you started taking better care of yourself and dressing up a bit…
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Preston's Business Razor: A Stakeholder Perspective On Pair Programming
Pair programming is an activity of eXtreme Programming (XP) wherein two developers work in conjunction–often physically seated next to each other with a single keyboard and mouse–to solve the same development tasks as a single mind. Having developer pairs tackle complex tasks can go a long way towards… Increasing personal productivity. Reducing defects. Minimizing misinterpretation…
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My FonWallet Story: Making It All Public
Update: April 26th, 2009. I’ve had a few brief conversations with Todd over telephone and IM, and have offered to cease pursuing both judgments and remove this post from this website provided a prompt, reasonable payment schedule for the personal judgement against Todd. He has committed to proposing me a payment settlement plan by the end of…