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NASCAR's TrackPass PitCommand
June 14, 2007 | | TrackBacks

Yeah buddy.. technology has hit NASCAR big time.. granted the NASCAR TrackPass PitCommand service really isn't a new development but over the past couple of recent years I've become a bigger fan of the sport and have just recently signed up to the PitCommand service ($10/month) to now get in-depth realtime details about any driver that makes the race even more interesting.

The PitCommand application is a java web-based applet which is pretty well designed and presented. I'm glad I thought it was decent because I just found out that it was an Emmy-award winning application, apparently the first time an award has been given to a sports-based website. You can easily tell that this application has taken advantage of Metcalfe's law by connecting the cars to provide real-time feedback and therefore supplying data that can now be aggregated to provide information in informative and compelling ways. What I meant to say in that prior sentence is that now instead of just seeing Jeff Gordon picking up speed at the end of a race to win it, you can actually track his performance and car's metrics in detail to get a better understanding of how he pulled that win off. You are probably thinking that sure it can now show how he's stomping on the accelerator / brake pedals and what his lap times have been, but nothing could provide you insight to the driver.. well you can also elect to listen to your favorite drivers team radio broadcast so you can hear the driver hoot n holler as he's going along.. and thats the best you can expect.

The PitCommand application is a great implementation of technology to suppliment the TV broadcast of a race. You get the visual experience from the regular TV but now with PitCommand you can track how a given car is doing, listen in on the radio chatter between the driver and his team and see a great deal of additional metrics which gives you a better understanding of what's going on.

I've really enjoyed this PitCommand service, this is definitely something I'm going to keep subscribed, its great to see a sport being taken to another level of depth by technology to keep its fans engaged and more in-tuned with their favorite driver(s).

Google Checkout
June 4, 2007 | | Comments (1) | TrackBacks

Wow, that was way too easy and could get me in some major trouble in the future. What am I babbling about? Google Checkout of course. One of Google's newest service stores all of your payment information in one place and allows one to checkout in any participating online store without having to register there. I decided to spend my $10 signup bonus before it expired and after adding my items to the shopping cart at Aeropostale and clicking Checkout, it gave me the option to enter my account information for Aeropostale or choosing Google Checkout. I chose Google Checkout and then was prompted for my Google password. After that, all I had to do was confirm the purchase and within about 2 seconds received 2 confirmation emails that the purchase was complete. No address to fill in, no new password to remember, no typing in credit card pin numbers, AGAIN. It was incredibly easy. I'm not a huge online shopper but wow, even doing it once convinced me to use this whenever possible. See, that's what I love about Google, it makes my life EASIER! So go Checkout Google Checkout!

EatBetterAmerica.com
May 9, 2007 | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks

Here are some a couple of links to give you an overview of health-related issues we're facing:

  • Adults still harbor childish anti-veggie attitudes - Washington Post

  • America's Obesity Crisis - TIME Magazine

    Certain fad/radical diets (i.e Atkins) have become so popular but are all about low-carb consumption, resulting in heavy protein and fatty meals which by themselves is obviously just not right. There has to be a balance, and EatBetterAmerica.com provides some insight to the balanced approach. As people approach different stages of their lives, one must realize that new conditions need to be realized and prior habits need to be curbed/changed to continue keeping themselves healthy. I myself am guilty of thinking my body is still a 20-something year old machine *drats*.

    EatBetterAmerica.com is extremely interactive (it is Flash based) and therefore they've intelligently taken into account the multiple ways to constantly provide readers with information. When pages are loading, bubbles with inspirational / funny / educational quotes pop up.. my favorite so far was 'It's ok to constantly crave knowledge. Brownies not so much!'

    EatBetterAmerica.com is a site that I would highly recommend even if you arent interested in the standard pamphlet type information all the other 'eat better' sites provide.. here's why EatBetterAmerica.com is different:

  • Interactive Tests - quickly assess your health and what can be done to correct yourself
  • Community - one can ask questions to experts, and even find people in your geographic region whom might share your same health goals whom you can meet up with.
  • Food - Tons of healthy recipies divvied up by what your intentions are (i.e. diabetic-friendly, weight management, vitality and Heart Health)
  • Fitness - Interactive quiz which takes in your preferences and provides a valuable alternative set of activity/exercise ideas one can do. Since i sit at a desk from 9-5 I picked up the idea of parking farther from my office to get in a healthy walk.

    EatBetterAmerica.com at one point (probably still do) even provided little blue rubber rings which you could wear at all times to visually provide you a reminder to 'Eat Better' which is inscribed on the inside of the ring. These little helpful supporting reminders are what many people need to just nudge them into getting a healthy side of veggies instead of something deep-fried.

    Sign up! Get the newsletter, your health needs to be a priority and this site is great at being a quick go-to site for ideas and support.

    • BeWiseAboutBeauty.org
    March 28, 2007 | | TrackBacks

    Bewiseaboutbeauty.org is a site designed to give information about plastic and cosmetic surgery to those considering surgery and dispel popular myths associated with each. Upon entering Bewiseaboutbeauty.org, the site is streamlined and appealing. The navigation is simple and straightforward, making it easy and clear to figure out what is located where. Information on the site includes general information about types of surgeries, a quiz to determine if a candidate is qualified for surgery, myth/fact list, current news and statistics related to surgery and also help on finding a surgeon. The information is presented in a concise, easy to understand format and I actually did learn some things while visiting the site. I found the information on each specific surgery a little generic. If I were really considering a breast lift or augmentation (that is not a confession), they mention different techniques but don't get into much detail about what they are. Another site or more information would be required to actually understand the details of each technique and becoming well-informed before making a visit to the doctor. Overall the site was appealing, concise, easy to navigate and informational. I would doubt it would be a site I would revisit often but serves more of a one-time brochure to introduce you to the world of surgery. That being the case, it does an excellent job with its purpose.

    Gmail
    March 8, 2007 | | Comments (2) | TrackBacks

    I got my hotmail email account with everyone else back in the 90s and only in the past 3 years or so moved over to Gmail, Google's email service. I'm not sure how much good stuff I can say about this.

  • 2.8 GB of storage. For those that don't know, that's a lot. In fact, I have barely scratched the surface on my account. No more complaints from friends that they can't send me messages because my account is full.
  • Ability to search your email including options like "From: Melissa Subject: cell number"
  • Conversation style viewing of messages. In other words, if you and another person exchange emails back and forth 15 times, it only shows once on your screen, not 15 times.
  • Ability to automatically store messages from certain people to certain folders (called labels)
  • Google Talk IM service is built into the webmail screen and it emails the person the message if they are no longer online
  • Ability to start typing email addresses or contact names and it automatically pops up matches and you just have to hit your enter key for it to fill it all in.
  • Automatically stores message as drafts if it takes you to long to think of what you're typing
  • Gmail notifier is a tool that is displayed in your taskbar and lights up when it recognizes new emails. No more checking emails 800 times a day.
  • And my favorite new feature is Gmail is now a POP3 service and I can check up to 5 other accounts within one login AND when I compose a message, I can pick which from address I want to send the email with. LOVE. IT.

    • There are more features which I haven't even tapped into like Gmail mobile and Gmail for your domain. The good news is the product is constantly changing and it's not just fluff of making the screen look prettier, it is genuine user friendly features that make email a fast, reliable and sometimes even fun service. And as of this month, registration does not require an invitation from anyone, so have at it!

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