Amazon Whispersync vs. Apple iCloud

Ready. Fight.

Amazon Whispersync + Silk + Cloud Storage + Amazon Prime

Apple iCloud + iTunes/Documents/Apps/Backups in the Cloud + Photo Stream

What a great time to be a geek (assumes some non-trivial amount of disposable income).

Occupy Herbstreit

Funny, funny stuff at Occupy Herbstreit

Meineke Car Care Bowl is not a living wage!!!!!!!!

Via:

ClayTravisBGID These are outstanding. RT @andrewbrink Occupy Wall Street? Don't forget to Occupy Herbstreit. http://t.co/KUKwTvHuThu, Oct 13 11:20:36 from web

Shade Tree Mechanics

People have often bemoaned the loss of the "shade tree mechanic." Cars have gotten so complex that you cannot complete a repair without specialized diagnostic computers and an electrical engineering degree. Despite   similar challenges, hams are fighting the good fight when it comes to working on modern radios. I've mentioned various mods to the UV-3R, but Ethan, K8GU, has a great repair story about a VX-3R:

"After however many weeks it has been, a package from Yaesu showed up on my doorstep tonight. After repairing a damaged PCB trace (non trivial on something this small), I was able to replace it. The little black speck in the middle of this photograph is the removed component. For my non-US readers, the US 0.01 USD coin (“Penny”) is about 19 mm in diameter."

While the description is good, a picture (from his web site) is worth a thousand words. Boy howdy is that small!

Via AmateurRadio.com

Flea Party (Demands) vs. Tea Party

Flea Party vs. Tea Party « Monster Hunter Nation: For a summary of what is wrong with the world today, hit Larry's link. I cannot believe the demands. Surely these are a joke. For example:

"Demand eleven: Immediate across the board debt forgiveness for all. Debt forgiveness of sovereign debt, commercial loans, home mortgages, home equity loans, credit card debt, student loans and personal loans now! All debt must be stricken from the “Books.” World Bank Loans to all Nations, Bank to Bank Debt and all Bonds and Margin Call Debt in the stock market including all Derivatives or Credit Default Swaps, all 65 trillion dollars of them must also be stricken from the “Books.” And I don’t mean debt that is in default, I mean all debt on the entire planet period."

It makes my brain hurt that anyone can even suggest that. If it weren't for Larry's commentary, I'd be dumber for having read the list of demands.

A $250-$300 'iPad Mini'?

Apple Is Reportedly Working On A $250-$300 'iPad Mini':

"Apple is developing a low-cost iPad, which could appear in early 2012, says Ticonderoga Securities analyst Brian White.

White calls it an "iPad mini," because he thinks it will be priced in the "mid-to-high $200 range." The size of the iPad mini could be exactly the same, White doesn't necessarily think it's smaller"

True or not, it is a smart rumor to leak as it might dampen sales for Kindles, Nooks, and other lower cost tablets. My whole argument that these things aren't competitors goes out the window once they are all priced the same.

Notebook vs. Tablet

If they really mean notebook (not a full laptop), then I'm surprised it isn't higher.

SammyWalrusIV Goldman Sachs: Tablets will cannibalize notebook sales at a rate of 33-35% over the next two years.Fri, Oct 07 17:02:58 from Twitter for iPad

Tactical Hand Signals used in High-end Restaurants

I don't know why it would surprise me that high-end restaurants use hand signals as a tool to take care of customers. Below are samples of the signals used. (Okay, I may have modified one of the images - see if you can guess which one.) Pretty neat.

Via:

ramit Fascinating hand signals used in high-end restaurants. http://t.co/eNzj1n1d Wed, Oct 12 19:29:11 from Timely App

HigherDef TVs

3D TV? No thanks. More resolution? Yes please! | Challengers - CNET News: "1080p HDTV have 1920 by 1080 pixels. Sharp was demonstrating an 85" 8K4K set--that's 7680 by 4320. Toshiba has a 55" glasses-free 3D TV; I wasn't impressed with the 3D, which looked gritty. I did, however, like the fact that it doubles as a 2D super-HD set, with 3840 by 2160 resolution."

I've had no interest in 3D TV. According to the article the HigherDef TVs aren't anywhere near prime time. I think that's okay... I'm not sure the network can keep up.

The Most Hams Ever

Amateur Radio Sees Tremendous Growth in 2011: "As the third quarter of 2011 came to a close, ARRL VEC Manager Maria Somma, AB1FM, began calculating the number of licensed Amateur Radio operators in the US, as well as the number of new licensees. “At the end of September, I saw that the number of hams in the US was high,” she said. “When I started comparing that number with other years, I found that it was an all-time high.” For the first time, there are more than 700,000 radio amateurs in the US."

Buds Top Selling Guns

Interesting list... lots of value guns.

When customers are trying to decide which gun they should buy next, one of the things they often want to know is "what is everybody else buying ?"  Our customer product reviews  are a great resource to see what other people are saying, both good and bad, about their purchases.  However, a few times each year we also try to share our Top Selling reports with all our subscribed email customers.  With nearly 150,000 firearms sold and shipped annually to all 50 states, our BudsGunShop.com Top Selling report provides a unique insight into the current trends in firearm sales nationwide. We do hope you will find this Top Selling report useful when selecting your next gun !  In actual order of most guns sold for 2011: 1.   Mosin-Nagant M91/30 7.62X54R for $109 DELIVERED  2.  New Ruger LCP .380 for $289 DELIVERED 3.  S&W Sigma SW9VE 9mm Black/Stainless for $289 DELIVERED 4.  S&W Sigma SW40VE .40SW Black/Stainless for $289 DELIVERED 5.  Ruger LC9 7+1 9mm Bl 3 dot Adj Sts for $340 DELIVERED   6.  Bushmaster CAR15 223 16 BSH REDD DOT for $699 DELIVERED 7.  Hi-Point 34510 45ACP/P 45ACP 9RD POLYMEER for $177 DELIVERED  8.  Ruger SR9c 9mm Compact Black for $398 DELIVERED 9.  Taurus 24/7-9SSP17 9MM PRO SS for $375 DELIVERED 10. Ruger 22/45 Mark III 22LR 5.5" Blued ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS for $259 DELIVERED 11.  Ruger SR9c 9mm Compact for $398 DELIVERED 12.  Rock Island Armory GI M1911A1 Mil Spec .45 for $380 DELIVERED 13.  Mossberg Tactical 22LR Adjustable Stock 25rd Magazine for $249 DELIVERED 14.  Kahr Arms 7 + 1 Round 9MM w/3.5" Barrel/Polymer/Stainless for $371 DELIVERED 15.  Taurus M1911 45 Stainless W/Gold Highlights for $504 DELIVERED * Prices and availability are subject to change with each inventory update ** Three of our Top Selling models do not appear on the list above as they are no longer available. Also, there are a few models that are currently selling better than many of those listed above.  However, due to only a recent sales history, these models did not make the Top 15 list to date for 2011.  These models include the M10-762 Semi-Auto AK Style Rifl e 7.62x39, the recently discontinued Colt Law Enforcement Carbines, and the Kel-Tec PF9 9mm Gray Frame Blue Slide for only $240 DELIVERED ! For something fun and cheap to shoot, but also very solid in both quality and reliability, our best current values are the New Factory "Blem" Heritage Rough Rider 22LR Revolvers .  We purchased ALL of the Factory blemished guns that Heritage had available earlier this year.  We have not been disappointed, and neither have our customers !  These guns are new, come with a new gun warranty, and we have not received any customer complaints about the condition of any of these guns.  Many customers actually bothered to let us know they could not even find the "blem" upon close inspection !  No matter if it's your first handgun, or you are just adding to your collection...who can't use a NEW .22 revolver at a used gun price ?.....as low as $139 DELIVERED ! We hope you have enjoyed this update and we look forward to answering any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you ! Team Buds