Apple iPad vs. iPad 2 size comparison WITH cover

There are a lot of articles about the new iPad 2 from Apple. Rather than bore you with the same information and my opinion, here are some photos of the size difference between the two versions WITH the Apple cover.

Side-by-side:
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Thickness comparison:
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Upright position:
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Typing position:
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Mobile dating site coming soon – Seconds to Love

I’ve been working hard on a new project, secondstolove.com. Coming soon to iOS (iPhone & iPad) and Android. Sign up now to be the first on the invite list!

mobile-dating-for-singles-seconds-to-love

5 Tips to keep your car running great – Preventative Maintenance

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As a proactive person who likes to take care of my things, I’ve always wanted to know how to really care for my cars. Recently I started doing all the servicing and repairs on our Mercedes and have learned quite a few things along the way. After tons of research and hands on experience, here are my top 5 recommendations to keep your car running great for years to come.

  1. Get your oil analyzed
    Your engine doesn’t always give you feedback when things aren’t right. Before you go in for (or do) your oil change, send a sample to Blackstone Labs. For only $25, they will have a lab tech analyze your oil and alert you to the condition of your engine and find potential problems areas. Fixes are generally much cheaper when detected early. They will also help you to figure out the best oil change intervals for you and your car.

  2. Use synthetic oil
    There is a lot of debate about synthetic vs. conventional oil. Many say synthetic oil isn’t necessary when a car is properly maintained. While that is true, many have hectic schedules that lead to the occasional extended oil change interval. Synthetic oil is a great insurance policy and it’s not really that expensive when you consider the cost of engine repairs. Also, the engines that have used synthetic always look better when you open them up – no sludge, etc. I prefer Mobil 1, but make sure it meets the requirements for your car.

  3. Get an OBD II Scanner
    Cars don’t always display a Check Engine Light (CEL) when a few problems have occured. Again, early detection can help you to diagnose problems early when they are inexpensive. Just purchase an OBD II scanner and plug it into your car. It will let you know what (if any) engine related errors have occurred. If you don’t want to spend the money, most auto parts stores will do it for you for free. I like this Actron scanner I purchased from Amazon.com.
    ODB II Scanner
  4. Use top tier gas
    All gas is the same, right? No, not all gas has the same detergent additives. These detergents are important to keep many modern engines free of deposits. Google around for issues people have experienced. Many problems have been reported with poor gas and Mercedes, Porsche, and Audi, to name a few. Just check Top Tier Gasoline to find a top tier gas retailer.
  5. Use Chevron Techron Concentrated Fuel System Cleaner every 3,000 miles
    Even when you use good gas, mistakes happen and stations end up with bad gas. Perhaps a little diesel ends up in the gas tank or some water in the tank. German fuel injectors are around $200 a piece and many newer engines have 2 per cylinder. So for a German V8, you might be talking $200 x 8 x 2. Techron is great stuff and can help clean up your fuel system and keep it running trouble free.

A little preventative care will keep your car running great for years and many miles to come. Happy driving!

Marfa, Texas – Prada Marfa, Chinati Foundation, and Donald Judd

A couple of months ago, I made the journey to Marfa in the high desert of West Texas. If you’re a minimalist, you must make the trip. The landscape is breathtaking and there is so much amazing art to be seen.

As I do with most art and architecture, I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Prada Marfa

Ballroom Marfa and Downtown Marfa

Chinati Foundation

Apple Warranty and Genius Bar Appointments – Not all are treated equal

Where you purchase your Apple products determines your level of service. Yes, it might be the same iMac, iPod, iPad, or MacBook Air made in the same factory, but dependent upon where you purchased the device, you’ll get different care.

Having personally purchased Apple products from MacMall, MacConnection, Amazon, and direct through Apple, I always assumed my care would be the same. If it’s an Apple product and if it’s under warranty, why wouldn’t it be covered? Well, it is covered, but not in the same way. Say you purchased an iMac from Apple and it has a problem early on. Since you purchased it directly from Apple, they will often offer to give you a brand new machine. Purchase it from a 3rd party, and they will likely only repair it. The only exception is if the product is a new product for Apple. If so, their engineers might want to see the defect and will do an exchange for a brand new machine, even if originally purchased from a 3rd party.

All of this was recently explained to me at the Austin Domain Apple store. So if you’re the type of person that doesn’t like your very new equipment to be repaired and would rather have it factory fresh, you should consider purchasing directly through Apple.