All Narfed Up photography and words by Bryan Villarin

When I saw Rooze’s Desktop, I was pretty stoked about how much this could help in making sure I’m as productive as I can possibly be. I fired up Palm Desktop, took a screenshot, cropped the extraneous stuff, and set it as a wallpaper on my desktop as well. Sweet!

The only problem lies is the lack of Tasks displayed from Palm Desktop - they don’t show up on the monthly calendar. I could have tasks dated, but I wouldn’t know it unless I pulled out my PDA or opened Palm Desktop.

Putting folders for things to do on that day is good - text files would work as well. Jot a few quick notes down, save, and put into the day you want to review it. Since I’m into concerts, I could also put a link to the Ticketmaster page where I’d purchase the tickets into a few days before the event.

Oh yeah, it might be wise to install something that’ll restore your icons’ location if you change resolutions. Although I haven’t tried it yet, Icon Restore should do the trick. (Golf clap: Lifehacker)

My mom keeps asking me if I want a video iPod. She’s already given me so much, I hate asking her for a Christmas gift on top of that. Anyway, Lifehacker posted a Metafilter roundup today, one in particular linking to a thread of some good Palm apps and tricks. Wow, TCPMP looks awesome! (more…)

I added a status page and reordered the navigation links [on your right] to be in alphabetical order - I was tired of numbering them manually.

I think I’ll have some signatures downloaded onto my iPod in their own playlist. Perhaps a short, long, and extended version of my musical tastes from iTunes will be nice? Thanks iTunes Signature Maker! (Golf clap: Lifehacker)

Can anyone point to a matrix comparing BitTorrent client software comparisons? µTorrent is getting some raves, but what about ZipTorrent? That one hasn’t been dugg yet. If something is better out there, then I certainly wouldn’t want to just put up with ZipTorrent (not that there’s anything wrong with it). Update: Aren’t I the smart one? There’s a BitTorrent comparison on Wikipedia!

BTSeasonPass makes it it really easy to see when your favorite shows get updated, without the clunky RSS interface in some of the BitTorrent programs out there. It’s also more intuitive because instead of slightly encryptic “S05E08“, it’ll say “Season 5 Episode 8“. Definitely awesome. (See also “The Poor Man’s Tivo“)

Golf clap: LifeHacker

I’m stoked! I ordered the USB card reader yesterday, it shipped yesterday, and I got it today. Why couldn’t that happen before? Anyway, I’ll be looking for some portable programs now. I’ll be looking through Google, but if you know any offhand that you can’t live without, I’d love to hear about it! (I have 2×256MB SD sticks.)

9:40am: I just reordered the USB SD card reader from Newegg. This time, I went with FedEx. Hopefully they ship today, and I receive it tomorrow or Friday (at the latest). I need to get my photos off my cameraphone, plus I’d like to try some programs from that memory card as a USB drive.

I talked about Newegg over here, but I think it’s worth mentioning again. (Back? Good!)

Today, UPS attempted to deliver my package again. My complaint is that their InfoNotice slip stated that they would try again after 5:00pm today. When I got home, I checked online to find that they came at 3:46pm.

Having called UPS, I have to ask Newegg to call UPS to give me permission to pickup my package that I’ve already paid for. Shouldn’t I be able to change the delivery address to have them hold it for pickup? C’mon, what do I need to do to be heard? Hello?

Oh yeah, did I mention that I’m not going to go through UPS anymore? I find that terrible service. Tell me one thing, do another. Good grief.

Update 12/6/2005 11:30pm: I missed the final attempt to deliver. Called the 1-800 number, verified that I’d pick it up in the morning from the distribution center, and went on my way for the evening. I got home a couple hours ago only to find out that it’s been returned to sender. What? I’m ticked. I finally got through to a human, and he left a message (or something) at that distribution center about my package, and they should be calling in the morning before 10am. My package better not be going back to Newegg. It’s not like I’m refusing the package. I’ve called after every attempt.

Update 12/7/2005 8:36am: I called the 1-800, despite the promise last night that someone should call me before 10am. (They still have an hour and a half before I get enraged.) The website says the package is in transit, but it’s in Cerritos now - that’s why I called. But, the customer rep says it’s being returned to the shipper. So ridiculous! I found this ranting thread about UPS at Broadband forums, and I think I’ll be going with FedEx from now on. Good job, UPS. Terrible service. No, I’m not exaggerating - I’d say this is thoroughly documented, wouldn’t you? Anyways, I sent an email to Newegg last night…whoa, wait a minute - that was two days ago! I haven’t even got a reply yet! They definitely need a phone call now.

Update 12/7/2005 8:58am: I called Newegg and spoke to Mark. Basically, he suggested not to do it through UPS because of what happened, and to just use FedEx because they could leave it at my doorstep. I’d get credited for that order in 3-5 business days (argh), so I need to reorder again. Great. I’m upset at Newegg now because they didn’t reply to my email. For businesses in general, you need to get back to your customers in 24 hours, at least that you received the email and will be getting in touch soon.

So for now, I’m over this. Lesson: Don’t use UPS unless you’re a business, or if someone’s going to be home at all times.

Do you have any insight? Please leave a comment!

The more places I go to that have free WiFi, the more I feel compelled to carry my laptop around with me in my backpack (which I take with me everywhere). I hate carrying two bags, and I love my Jansport backpack, so what’s a good laptop sleeve? Shinza ZeroShock sleeves look nice - yeah? What’d fit my Dell Inspiron 1100? (Man, I still haven’t bought that hard drive.)