Echo Dot Clock

I really like my Echo Dot Clock. I'm thinking of getting another one to replace a clock radio - a radio that never gets used. There is already an Echo Dot there, so I'd be gaining some space back. These things would be even better if they had USB ports to plug in a charging cable. Or, if I'm dreaming big, the top would serve as a wireless charging pad.

The Echo Dot Clock is on-sale for $35.

Apple Watch 3 - $179

So it isn't the best running watch, but I'd love to have some of the other features, so I'm tempted by the $179 Apple Watch Series 3 for daily wear.

$7 for a Digital Antenna for Your TV

If you are thinking about doing some cord cutting, here is a cheap way to test the waters with a $7 digital antenna:

AUKEY TV Antenna, Indoor Digital TV Antenna with Amplifier Signal Booster & 10ft Coaxial Cable, Supports 4K 1080p HDTV
Use code: CKUWWDEL

This site will help you know where the transmitters are in your area, so you can make good decisions about where to mount the antenna.

Darwin

I've been working from home and I have a new friend... a robin that insists on attacking our kitchen windows. He/she may be building a nest somewhere around the house, but he spends a lot of time flying into the windows. I've named him Darwin.

Book Deal: Hyperion

If you are stuck inside and looking for something to do, I recommend picking up Hyperion for only $2.99.

I've written about stuff by Dan Simmons before... here and here.

Cheap Smart Plugs with Energy Monitoring

Deal: $24 for 4 smart plugs with energy monitoring. That's less than $6 per plug!

(You have to add them to your cart to see the discounted price.)

LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Millennium Falcon

For a mere $800, you too can make the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.

BASIC

This brings me back...

Deploy your BASIC code to our 6502 data center in just one tweet. Welcome to 8-bit cloud 😜 pic.twitter.com/ZmB1WIUx4C

— BBC Micro 🦉 bot [v2] (@bbcmicrobot) February 11, 2020

Tom Whitwell's 52 things I learned in 2016: #48

#48:

Intervision, the 70s Soviet answer to the Eurovision Song Contest, was judge by electricity grid voting: “those watching at home had to turn their lights on when they liked a song and off when they didn’t, with data from the electricity network then being used to allocate points.” [Nick Heady] (Fluxx have been working with National Grid on several projects this year)

Failure Modes in Machine Learning

Interesting framework for thinking about out Machine Learning/AI can fail.

Cannonball Run

A new record... tech assisted:

But there was also a built-in Net Radar radar detector, a windshield-mount Escort Max 360 radar detector, an AL Priority laser jammer system and an aircraft collision avoidance system—a bit of gear usually used in airplanes to help them avoid hitting other airplanes.

And:

The car was equipped with brake light and taillight kill switches, and Toman had all of its flashy carbon fiber trim covered with silver vinyl, which he also used to change the appearance of the taillights. At first glance, the AMG looked more like a mid-2000s Honda Accord from the rear, not like a car that would be cruising at 160 mph or faster.

And:

For navigation and further police detection, they ran Waze—a popular traffic-avoiding and hazard-detecting app—on an iPad and an iPhone. For the GPS data they would later need to prove that they’d actually finished in the time they said they did, they ran two dash-mount Garmin GPS units and one of those GPS tags tracked by a third party. They also had a police scanner and a CB radio, each of which had a big whip antenna mounted at the back of the car.

Via Jalopnik

ARRL and groups.io

I had read that the Yahoo Groups service was shutting down... they were a hotbed for ham radio groups. Some of those groups migrated to groups.io. The ARRL is also going to use groups.io for some of their communications.

The ARRL is using https://t.co/e5AqwWGhNu to improve communications with radio hams. https://t.co/YY7jlISjWn

— BobW (@K0NR) October 23, 2019

Echo Dot for $9?

Worth a shot... effectively $9:

Echo Dot (3rd Gen) for $0.99 and 1 month of Amazon Music Unlimited for $7.99 with Auto-renewal -Heather Gray

Leroy Guarantano

Pruitt: we’re going
Cheney: sends in play
O-Line: hustles up
Carvin: shifts side
Morris: licks lips
Trey: grins evilly
Crouch: hands twitch

JG: LEEEEROYYYY JENKINSSSSSS

— Neyland Mafia (@neylandmafia) October 21, 2019

Dolly Parton's America

I'll be listening... Dolly Parton's America.

I've Seen This Episode

I'm sorry but the idea of Star Trek cosplayers walking around a Renaissance Faire like time travelers will always be hilarious and amazing to me. pic.twitter.com/pcNtrJ3QfE

— Hell is Empty (So fill it with Nazis) (@Sleestak) October 11, 2019

Yassin's Falafel House

Last year, Yassin's Falafel House was voted America's nicest place.

Recently someone broke into the restaurant. The following was posted on the door.

We think this should be a very good deal
We all win and the only people lose is the window and doors companies but the has enough business even with out us 😉
No need to break in . pic.twitter.com/Ig1NUsU6mc

— Yassin (@Yassin_Falafel) October 8, 2019

Playing the Long Game

Redoing the deck, so I went to party city and purchased a skeleton. Now in 20 years when the new homeowner needs to redo the deck........ pic.twitter.com/iV2P2LGeO9

— Heisenberg (@mojorisen531) October 2, 2019

Dual Mini Smart Plug

A good deal for places where you need two smart plugs... AUKEY Mini Dual Smart Plug for $12 with code 526DKE54.

Via Kinja Deals

Wouxun KG-UV9P: More Power

The Wouxun KG-UV9P High Powered Dual Band UHF/VHF Amateur Radio is now even more powerful! Wouxun boosted it to 7 watts UHF and 9 watts VHF! https://t.co/6qnZNADYcg #hamradio #hamr @amatradio

— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) September 17, 2019