Archive for the 'Tech' category
“Pseudo” CellarTracker IPhone/IPod Touch App
August 16, 2008 11:59 amI love to access my cellartracker data when at the wine shop. The only problem is that the data connection on my Windows Mobile phone is slow and there is no Wi-Fi for my IPod Touch to connect to.
So, I have been downloading my various lists via Excel, printing them and then taking them along. I don’t like paper and wanted to get my database on my IPod Touch somehow.
I happened to be scrolling through the Apple Apps store and came across this cool little $1.99 application called “CSV Touch”. CSV, hmmmm. I know I can export data to CSV, maybe this app can pull it in and cache it? YES IT CAN. 
So, I purchased the app, went to http://www.cellartracker.com/ow.asp?ExcelDownload to find out how to export to CSV, then realized I can create them on the fly with the following: http://www.cellartracker.com/xlquery.asp?table=List&User=<your_login>&Password=<your_password>!!! Be sure to add on &Format=csv for the proper CSV Export.
So I pointed this app to these custom URLs and BAM, it cached my entire wishlist, tasting notes and other lists. You can select the columns to display so it doesnt get too clogged, when you click on an item, you can see all the data.
Obviously, if you have an IPhone (with v. 2.0 firmware), it will work even better as you can update on the fly without need for a wi-fi hotspot.
Anyway, if you have 2 bucks to burn, download it from the Apple App Store (Search for CSV Touch) and give it a go.
I hope this helps some of you out there who cannot get access to cellartracker while shopping, it will certainly help me!!!
More info about CSV Touch can be found here: http://www.ozymandias.se/Ozymandias/Home.html
Since it is a CSV database, you can use it for anything!
The Netflix Player by Roku – BOUGHT
May 20, 2008 7:54 pmAfter reading one press release today off of Techcrunch and checking out the Roku website, I was sold. What is this thing anyway? Well, if you happen to be a member of Netflix, you may be aware that they offer free streaming movies and TV shows to your PC. That is great if you want to watch TV at your computer. What this little device does is connect to your TV and internet connection (wired or wireless!) and stream that Netflix video to your Television.
The best part, in my opinion, is the price point. Really, can you go wrong for $99 one time charge and no other fees other than your usual Netflix montly fee? Plus, they are offering a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee in case you hate the thing. One could say that this is a response to AppleTV or an AppleTV Killer if you want to go crazy. Could that be true? That is yet to be proved.
So, I placed my order around 10am ET this morning and got my order confirmation 15 minutes later. Total charge to my credit card was $109.98. It was $99.99 plus $9.99 standard shipping. There is a 2 day shipping for $19.99.
What’s great about it?
- Small footprint, includes remote control
- Supports ethernet, wireless (802.11b/g, WPA, WPA2 and WEP)
- Integration with the Netflix website. According to their website, “Use the Netflix website to browse a growing library of over 10,000 instant movies and TV episodes. Add as many as you like to your Netflix Instant Queue, and add more whenever you want.”
- Autoupdates its firmware/software over the internet
What could be the downside?
- Doesnt support HD
- There is a limited library of streaming media from Netflix. They cite 10,000 movies and shows available. This is roughly 10% of their entire library and the streaming choices are mostly older movies and lack new releases. This is a problem but hopefully will get better as time goes on
- You need a fast connection. I hope that wireless will be fine as I don’t want to run cat-5 to the TV.
To learn more check out their website
http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer
For the Gizmodo review which includes plenty of screenshots and pictures
http://gizmodo.com/389698/first-netflix-streaming-box-review-100-and-unlimited-downloads
Whats next? Well, I guess I will sit around and wait for it to show up. Once I get my hands on it I will give a proper review. Stay tuned for more!
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