Scott Elkin

You may remember WebTrends from 10 years ago when they were just a web log analyzer. They would run reports based on your log files and grind your computer to a halt in the process.

Steadily over the years they increased their costs and we decided to drop them for a stats package that did the exact same thing but for 1/10th the cost.  This was around 2000.

Last week, after making some changes with our current stats provider, I thought about WebTrends and tried to see what new and exciting offerings they had.

If this title sounds familiar, then I know you have a Tivo.  That is because Tivo feels it is necessary to let you know that channels have either been deleted or added every time it happens – which means every day.

Every time I turn on my Tivo, another channel I don’t care about has been moved around.  I am forced to delete the message before continuing on.

Tivo, please allow me to turn off these messages!

Now playing: Radiohead – Weird Fishes/Arpeggi

Tags: line-up change, TiVo

I didn’t know this existed.

With Amazon Subscribe & Save, you can “subscribe” to various items you need on a routine basis – paper towels, laundry soap, diapers.

By doing so, you “save” 15% of the cost, and get free shipping.

They definitely don’t have everything, but if they do, it could seriously save some time.

Now playing: Flight of the Conchords – Robots (Live)

Tags: amazon, save money, shopping

The audio director for the Halo series, Marty O’Donnell, also created the jingle for the commercial, “We are Flinstone Kids…ten million strong and growing.”

Via the Major Nelson podcast.

Now playing: Radiohead – 15 Step

Tags: flinstone kids, Gaming, halo, marty o'donnell, Xbox 360

Last week, on my way to work, I got a “low gas” warning.  My commute to work is almost 43 miles, and I knew I could at least make it that distance without running out of gas. (About 25 more miles)

I had made a mental note to get gas when I left work, but that note must of got thrown away because I didn’t remember until I was in my driveway safely at home.  (43 miles later)

“Ok, I gotta get gas tomorrow”, I told myself.

The next two days I left the house only to get lunches and dinners.  Oops.  (4 miles, approx.)

Here is my quick How-To for my non-technical friends and family so they can blog from Windows.  (This will work for more than just WordPress blogs, but since I am only giving them WordPress…you get the picture.)

1. Click the big green “Download” button here to download Windows Live Writer.
2. Find the link to the program in your start menu and click it to open.
3. Click “Next” once, and on the next screen choose “Another weblog service” and click “Next”.
4. Enter the name of your homepage.  For example, my homepage would be http://scottelkin.com.  Then enter the username and password given to you.

I am watching a programming presentation from the Myspace tech team right now. They are going over their stats and was blown away by the numbers (as of April 2007):

A neighbor was burglarized a few days ago, and although the idea of yet another monthly charge was upsetting to me, I decided to check out what options were available.  I called ADT, Brinks, Metro Guardian, Protection One and Protect America.

I went into this knowing nothing other than a few of the big names, and was very surprised on what I found.

From very early on, most companies wanted to sell me a wireless package.  And since that sounded like the best solution, all my reviews are for each companies wireless package.

Each place I called offered a near identical package:

In the process of evaluating many home security companies, I found Protect America.  They assert themselves as the, “largest authorized installer of GE Home Security”, and on the phone I was told that they were the, “third largest home security company in the US”.

My initial phone call was pretty good.  The woman, Michelle Scully, was to the point, if a little pushy, but seemed very knowledgable about their products and the industry in general.