Comments for Our Passion Of Lives http://passionoflife.net Sharing thoughts that remain through time ... Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:08:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 Comment on Franklin Merriam Webster Advanced Dictionary and Thesaurus With Spell Correction by Midpacman http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/comment-page-1/#comment-908 Midpacman Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:08:11 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/#comment-908 It featured 5 lines of info, thus make the font size smaller, <br />not as easy to read as my old one, and the Thesaurus seems not as great. Rating: 4 / 5 It featured 5 lines of info, thus make the font size smaller,

not as easy to read as my old one, and the Thesaurus seems not as great.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> Comment on Franklin Merriam Webster Advanced Dictionary and Thesaurus With Spell Correction by Julio Coloma http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/comment-page-1/#comment-907 Julio Coloma Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:55:28 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/#comment-907 Good for the value, screen could be better, have to press hard on the keys. <br />Overall good. Rating: 3 / 5 Good for the value, screen could be better, have to press hard on the keys.

Overall good.
Rating: 3 / 5

]]> Comment on Franklin Merriam Webster Advanced Dictionary and Thesaurus With Spell Correction by F. D. Bobb http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/comment-page-1/#comment-906 F. D. Bobb Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:03:02 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/#comment-906 This little unit is difficult to use, IMO. There are so many features on it that I will never use - games that difficult to understand, entire reference books that I will never use, etc. <br /> <br />Trying to input my phone number list into this gadget was incredibly difficult! Whew, I'm tellin' ya! I'd carefully punch out the names on the itty-bitty keyboard and then look at the display only to see that a few of the keystroke had not registered. Although the keyboard is QWERTY, there's no way in heck that I can fit my fingers onto the homekeys all at once. <br /> <br />When you punch ORG (which I think stands for Organizer) it takes you to the clock. From there, you can select CLOCK (which confuses me, because you're already there), DATA (which is just your phone book), CALC, CONV (which I will use probably twice in my lifetime) and CURR (which I need more of in order to be in a predicament where I might need to convert currency). <br /> <br />Learn, Exercises, Games that are terribly difficult to navigate and understand, Setup are all available at the touch of fingernail-sized key. <br /> <br />The phone book itself holds a very limited amount of information. It tells you how dreadfully close you are to filling up your memory after each entry. And I can't help but wonder how much more data I might be able to fit into the unit if I had the option of deleting one of the oversized tomes that come built-in. <br /> <br />I looked forward to keeping my appointments and such on this unit. Alas, you cannot. <br /> <br />One thing I did like was the screen size. It's roomy for such a small unit, and I see very small type with no problems at all. I love looking up words on my Franklin, but that's just about all I can do with this thing. <br /> <br />I would have liked to erase some of the features that I would never use and instead utilize that memory for keeping notes and such. <br /> <br />Someone wanna trade me? Heh. <br /> <br />BTW: I have no idea why this unit is priced so highly online. I got mine at Walmart for 12-bucks. I thought it was a mistake and was going to argue my case at the check-out...but it scanned through at 12-clams. With that price alone compared to the prices I've seen online, I should be happy with this gadget. And I am. Sort of. Rating: 1 / 5 This little unit is difficult to use, IMO. There are so many features on it that I will never use – games that difficult to understand, entire reference books that I will never use, etc.

Trying to input my phone number list into this gadget was incredibly difficult! Whew, I’m tellin’ ya! I’d carefully punch out the names on the itty-bitty keyboard and then look at the display only to see that a few of the keystroke had not registered. Although the keyboard is QWERTY, there’s no way in heck that I can fit my fingers onto the homekeys all at once.

When you punch ORG (which I think stands for Organizer) it takes you to the clock. From there, you can select CLOCK (which confuses me, because you’re already there), DATA (which is just your phone book), CALC, CONV (which I will use probably twice in my lifetime) and CURR (which I need more of in order to be in a predicament where I might need to convert currency).

Learn, Exercises, Games that are terribly difficult to navigate and understand, Setup are all available at the touch of fingernail-sized key.

The phone book itself holds a very limited amount of information. It tells you how dreadfully close you are to filling up your memory after each entry. And I can’t help but wonder how much more data I might be able to fit into the unit if I had the option of deleting one of the oversized tomes that come built-in.

I looked forward to keeping my appointments and such on this unit. Alas, you cannot.

One thing I did like was the screen size. It’s roomy for such a small unit, and I see very small type with no problems at all. I love looking up words on my Franklin, but that’s just about all I can do with this thing.

I would have liked to erase some of the features that I would never use and instead utilize that memory for keeping notes and such.

Someone wanna trade me? Heh.

BTW: I have no idea why this unit is priced so highly online. I got mine at Walmart for 12-bucks. I thought it was a mistake and was going to argue my case at the check-out…but it scanned through at 12-clams. With that price alone compared to the prices I’ve seen online, I should be happy with this gadget. And I am. Sort of.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> Comment on Franklin Merriam Webster Advanced Dictionary and Thesaurus With Spell Correction by Nemanja Milenkovic http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/comment-page-1/#comment-905 Nemanja Milenkovic Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:43:46 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/#comment-905 Product Features <br /> <br /> * Monochrome LCD screen <br /> Offers an easy-to-read display. <br /> * Dictionary and thesaurus <br /> Includes 400,000 definitions and 500,000 synonyms and antonyms. <br /> * Geographical and biographical dictionaries <br /> Provide important information about people and places. <br /> * Grammar, punctuation and style guides <br /> For easy reference to rules and usage. <br /> * 5-language guide <br /> Includes English, Spanish, French, German and Italian for easy translation. <br /> * SAT and user word lists <br /> Make studying easy. <br /> * Organizer <br /> Includes world travel clock, personal databank, calculator and currency/measurement converter. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Product Height <br />1/2" <br /># <br />Product Width <br />4-1/2" <br /># <br />Product Weight <br />8 oz. <br /># <br />Product Depth <br />2-2/3" <br /># <br />Power Supply <br />Battery <br /># <br />LCD Display <br />Monochrome Rating: 1 / 5 Product Features

* Monochrome LCD screen

Offers an easy-to-read display.

* Dictionary and thesaurus

Includes 400,000 definitions and 500,000 synonyms and antonyms.

* Geographical and biographical dictionaries

Provide important information about people and places.

* Grammar, punctuation and style guides

For easy reference to rules and usage.

* 5-language guide

Includes English, Spanish, French, German and Italian for easy translation.

* SAT and user word lists

Make studying easy.

* Organizer

Includes world travel clock, personal databank, calculator and currency/measurement converter.

Product Height

1/2″

#

Product Width

4-1/2″

#

Product Weight

8 oz.

#

Product Depth

2-2/3″

#

Power Supply

Battery

#

LCD Display

Monochrome
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> Comment on Franklin Merriam Webster Advanced Dictionary and Thesaurus With Spell Correction by E. Ata http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/comment-page-1/#comment-904 E. Ata Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:02:45 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/825/franklin-merriam-webster-advanced-dictionary-and-thesaurus-with-spell-correction/#comment-904 If a company gives you specs for a dictionary/thesaurus/translator with such great detail as "5 language translator", that means these guys had been around such a long time, they know how to write specs, and they take care of every fine detail. If you want a translator for "5 random languages" this is the product for you. If you know what you want, then well look for it elsewhere. Rating: 1 / 5 If a company gives you specs for a dictionary/thesaurus/translator with such great detail as “5 language translator”, that means these guys had been around such a long time, they know how to write specs, and they take care of every fine detail. If you want a translator for “5 random languages” this is the product for you. If you know what you want, then well look for it elsewhere.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> Comment on Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, Fourth Edition by rich graiko http://passionoflife.net/823/teach-yourself-electricity-and-electronics-fourth-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-887 rich graiko Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:59:45 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/823/teach-yourself-electricity-and-electronics-fourth-edition/#comment-887 I'm no electronics pro, and honestly I haven't even finished reading the book yet. But I really like the lay-out and quizzes at the end of each chapter. One of the things that caught my attention was how it started with such basic information. "Chapter one; Atoms", this was a great and logical place to start. Keep your calculator handy though, because by chapter two you're knee deep in, what was for me, pretty advanced calculus. Rating: 4 / 5 I’m no electronics pro, and honestly I haven’t even finished reading the book yet. But I really like the lay-out and quizzes at the end of each chapter. One of the things that caught my attention was how it started with such basic information. “Chapter one; Atoms”, this was a great and logical place to start. Keep your calculator handy though, because by chapter two you’re knee deep in, what was for me, pretty advanced calculus.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> Comment on Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, Fourth Edition by Phil Hutchinson http://passionoflife.net/823/teach-yourself-electricity-and-electronics-fourth-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-886 Phil Hutchinson Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:21:14 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/823/teach-yourself-electricity-and-electronics-fourth-edition/#comment-886 Every great once in a while (not often enough), you're lucky enough to come across the right book at the right time. This is that book for me and probably a ton of other people who are in the same place I am. I am just starting an electronics technician degree program, and this book complements my "Intro to Electronics" course perfectly. It should have been our textbook! :-) Rating: 5 / 5 Every great once in a while (not often enough), you’re lucky enough to come across the right book at the right time. This is that book for me and probably a ton of other people who are in the same place I am. I am just starting an electronics technician degree program, and this book complements my “Intro to Electronics” course perfectly. It should have been our textbook! :-)
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> Comment on Apple iPod touch 8 GB NEWEST MODEL by G. Rosa http://passionoflife.net/824/apple-ipod-touch-8-gb-newest-model/comment-page-1/#comment-892 G. Rosa Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:00:53 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/824/apple-ipod-touch-8-gb-newest-model/#comment-892 Let's be honest: this phone is mostly designed to impress and pick up girls. When it comes to real use, despite the hype about this phone, I found it disappointing. For all the money paid for it and for the mandatory data service (extra $30/month) this phone should do much more than it does. Internet access only goes half way: one cannot download/upload files. 16GB makes it more powerful than my first Pentium computer, yet the phone has less than 1/10 of that computer's capabilities. The operating system and programs are only partially compatible even with Macs. Most annoying however I found its unusual sensitivity to water or even humidity. This phone is mostly to be kept under a glass display in the living room, as it does not easily survive regular use. Things that everyone normally does with a phone - talk in the bathroom, talk in the rain, keep it in your pocket while running soaked with perspiration, go to the sauna, sneeze while on the phone, all these things that I don't have a problem doing with my Nokia - all these are death hazards for this phone. Apple even installed a WATER DAMAGE SENSOR in the phone, something I never heard of in any other electronic device, even its Mac laptops. That clearly shows that Apple knows about this problem but is more concerned about voiding warranties that designing a better phone. A minimal design to make the phone more usable and resistant to water, such as covers for all openings, would have cost less than the fancy water sensor. But maybe they do this on purpose, to make customers buy replacements if the iphone gets ruined by water, who knows? I wouldn't be surprised. Apple is clearly interested more to cover its a..s than to provide for the customer. If you want a dependable phone, don't get the Iphone. If you absolutely must have it, keep it for Saturday night dates, but even then keep it in a plastic bag, God forbid you might spill the wine on it. Rating: 1 / 5 Let’s be honest: this phone is mostly designed to impress and pick up girls. When it comes to real use, despite the hype about this phone, I found it disappointing. For all the money paid for it and for the mandatory data service (extra $30/month) this phone should do much more than it does. Internet access only goes half way: one cannot download/upload files. 16GB makes it more powerful than my first Pentium computer, yet the phone has less than 1/10 of that computer’s capabilities. The operating system and programs are only partially compatible even with Macs. Most annoying however I found its unusual sensitivity to water or even humidity. This phone is mostly to be kept under a glass display in the living room, as it does not easily survive regular use. Things that everyone normally does with a phone – talk in the bathroom, talk in the rain, keep it in your pocket while running soaked with perspiration, go to the sauna, sneeze while on the phone, all these things that I don’t have a problem doing with my Nokia – all these are death hazards for this phone. Apple even installed a WATER DAMAGE SENSOR in the phone, something I never heard of in any other electronic device, even its Mac laptops. That clearly shows that Apple knows about this problem but is more concerned about voiding warranties that designing a better phone. A minimal design to make the phone more usable and resistant to water, such as covers for all openings, would have cost less than the fancy water sensor. But maybe they do this on purpose, to make customers buy replacements if the iphone gets ruined by water, who knows? I wouldn’t be surprised. Apple is clearly interested more to cover its a..s than to provide for the customer. If you want a dependable phone, don’t get the Iphone. If you absolutely must have it, keep it for Saturday night dates, but even then keep it in a plastic bag, God forbid you might spill the wine on it.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> Comment on Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, Fourth Edition by Michael Reiner http://passionoflife.net/823/teach-yourself-electricity-and-electronics-fourth-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-885 Michael Reiner Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:10:42 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/823/teach-yourself-electricity-and-electronics-fourth-edition/#comment-885 I bought this book along with several others to refresh my skills in basic electronics for a job test. Found it ok but the one I bought from HeathKit was far superior for re-learning the material. Best bet to learn basic electronis is to get the HeathKit one. Rating: 3 / 5 I bought this book along with several others to refresh my skills in basic electronics for a job test. Found it ok but the one I bought from HeathKit was far superior for re-learning the material. Best bet to learn basic electronis is to get the HeathKit one.
Rating: 3 / 5

]]> Comment on Teach Yourself Electricity and Electronics, Fourth Edition by Mordy http://passionoflife.net/823/teach-yourself-electricity-and-electronics-fourth-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-884 Mordy Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:28:20 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/823/teach-yourself-electricity-and-electronics-fourth-edition/#comment-884 This book has the seeds to become a fantastic book, right now it's above average. I would have given it 3 stars but there is just so much information you can learn from this book. <br /> <br />The real problem is there is a lot that is over-explained for the purposes of teaching oneself and lots of it is disorganized, he needs some pedagogy in his work and to think like a total clueless person - how would you take someone that knows absolutely zip and build and relate the beginning concepts step by step, for your students to build a framework? <br /> <br />In the real world our ancestors did not start with electron theory or physics theory, they went from generalizations to theory. This is keenly forgotten by explaining theory first, instead of going from generalizations and then explaining theory. Humans learn in the former way first, not the latter, theory is for after you've had your "folksy" understanding of electronics. This idea of theory first is a bit preposterous considering how we actually learn in the real world. I hope he takes my criticism not as a slight against his book (which is good), but to improve his communication, organization and teaching of electronics. <br /> <br />It's great as a reference and to teach yourself, but you'll find yourself going to the Web using google and wikipedia will bring you to a better understanding (in combination with the book) by finding other publically available books / articles, written by people who understand how the process of learning works. <br /> <br />I think Stan has excellent writing skills, if not a bit pedantic and academic. This is why I think he should Wiki-Book is book and open it up to other teachers/experts/novices in the field, Wikipedia is so great because errors in expression, and repeting sentences get culled and deleted by many minds. <br /> <br />He should check out Metaphors we live by, by George Lakoff, and do some research into cognitive linguistics to help his pedagogy / communication and teaching skills. <br /> <br />Doing a monolithic work by yourself is hard work, hence I suggest Stan that you open it up for others to edit, organize, and help make THE resource for beginners for the next edition. <br /> <br />Thanks for your hard work! Rating: 4 / 5 This book has the seeds to become a fantastic book, right now it’s above average. I would have given it 3 stars but there is just so much information you can learn from this book.

The real problem is there is a lot that is over-explained for the purposes of teaching oneself and lots of it is disorganized, he needs some pedagogy in his work and to think like a total clueless person – how would you take someone that knows absolutely zip and build and relate the beginning concepts step by step, for your students to build a framework?

In the real world our ancestors did not start with electron theory or physics theory, they went from generalizations to theory. This is keenly forgotten by explaining theory first, instead of going from generalizations and then explaining theory. Humans learn in the former way first, not the latter, theory is for after you’ve had your “folksy” understanding of electronics. This idea of theory first is a bit preposterous considering how we actually learn in the real world. I hope he takes my criticism not as a slight against his book (which is good), but to improve his communication, organization and teaching of electronics.

It’s great as a reference and to teach yourself, but you’ll find yourself going to the Web using google and wikipedia will bring you to a better understanding (in combination with the book) by finding other publically available books / articles, written by people who understand how the process of learning works.

I think Stan has excellent writing skills, if not a bit pedantic and academic. This is why I think he should Wiki-Book is book and open it up to other teachers/experts/novices in the field, Wikipedia is so great because errors in expression, and repeting sentences get culled and deleted by many minds.

He should check out Metaphors we live by, by George Lakoff, and do some research into cognitive linguistics to help his pedagogy / communication and teaching skills.

Doing a monolithic work by yourself is hard work, hence I suggest Stan that you open it up for others to edit, organize, and help make THE resource for beginners for the next edition.

Thanks for your hard work!
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> Comment on Apple iPod touch 8 GB NEWEST MODEL by Richard Fleming http://passionoflife.net/824/apple-ipod-touch-8-gb-newest-model/comment-page-1/#comment-891 Richard Fleming Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:51:11 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/824/apple-ipod-touch-8-gb-newest-model/#comment-891 Very dissapointed in the money i LOST upgrading. Theirs nothing new to it compared to the older models, that I can tell. I wish they made it with a camera or something, but since they didnt, ive gotten a very bad deal towards this, maybe its time to change to another MP3........... Rating: 1 / 5 Very dissapointed in the money i LOST upgrading. Theirs nothing new to it compared to the older models, that I can tell. I wish they made it with a camera or something, but since they didnt, ive gotten a very bad deal towards this, maybe its time to change to another MP3………..
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> Comment on Apple iPod touch 8 GB NEWEST MODEL by Cb http://passionoflife.net/824/apple-ipod-touch-8-gb-newest-model/comment-page-1/#comment-890 Cb Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:18:21 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/824/apple-ipod-touch-8-gb-newest-model/#comment-890 no Flash media player. <br />Skype sounded terrible. <br />Itunes did some mean things to me like erasing my stuff from pod. <br />take Apple to Court sue them. Rating: 1 / 5 no Flash media player.

Skype sounded terrible.

Itunes did some mean things to me like erasing my stuff from pod.

take Apple to Court sue them.
Rating: 1 / 5

]]> Comment on Apple iPod touch 8 GB NEWEST MODEL by Anton Tobias http://passionoflife.net/824/apple-ipod-touch-8-gb-newest-model/comment-page-1/#comment-889 Anton Tobias Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:08:14 +0000 http://passionoflife.net/824/apple-ipod-touch-8-gb-newest-model/#comment-889 Looks like consumers wanting a camera equipped iTouch will have to wait another year at least, seems like Apple thinks it's more important to supply all the kiddies with this feature by placing it in the Nano. Sigh..................... Rating: 1 / 5 Looks like consumers wanting a camera equipped iTouch will have to wait another year at least, seems like Apple thinks it’s more important to supply all the kiddies with this feature by placing it in the Nano. Sigh…………………
Rating: 1 / 5

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