A Geek’s Toy … For Anyone! The Nokia N800

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This past Christmas I bought myself a new toy, the Nokia N800 (a handheld internet tablet pc). When you consider the fact that both of my boys purchased an iPod Touch, here at the Hoegs … we’re in the middle of a handheld war!

I’ve created a short screencast which demonstrates many of the features found upon the Nokia N800. However, here are a few of the reasons I chose the Nokia over the iPod Touch:

  • Open Source Platform and Software
  • Bluetooth and Wifi Enabled
  • Embedded Microphone (Skype anyone?)

The practical result of these three facts is that the capability of my Nokia N800’s is constantly expanding as developers create new software for a platform which is not locked down (i.e. like Apple). The fact that is was cheaper than the iTouch did not hurt either (about $220 U.S.). The screensize for both handhelds is similar, with the Nokia’s display being just a tough larger. However, even though I can listen to MP3’s on my Nokia, if your goal is listen to lots of music, the iTouch may be a better choice.

My thanks to Santtu Lakkala and his MH Screenshot Application. Without this open source tool which I easily installed to my Nokia, I could not have created my demo.

Update on Feb. 29th. Did you find this screencast useful?. If the answer is "yes", link to my latest Nokia N810 screencast … Spot Takes a Walk (a dog, her master and GPS)!

Here are a few other Nokia N800 sites:

and once again …

Nokia0

IceBreaking in the Duluth Harbor

Northern Life

The weather in Minnesota will head south this week (i.e. very cold … – 10 to -30 F at night). This causes problems in Lake Superior and the Duluth harbor. Mother nature says it’s time to end another shipping season, but the Duluth icebreaker U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder says otherwise. Take some time and watch this YouTube video of an icebreaker at work up in the frozen Northland!

Duluth_2

The Search for the Perfect Engineering College … The Home Stretch

College Search

I’ve been remiss in not updating this section of my blog. It’s been fun posting about a parent’s perspective on my son’s search for the perfect engineering college. However, more importantly, has my advice found within these web pages worked for Erik? Here are our results to date:

So what does this all mean. If one applies early (Erik’s applications were all in by Labor Day), Midwestern schools tend to give quick acceptance decisions. Thus, as a family (not just Erik!) we’ve been thrilled that by early October he already had three acceptances, and some very nice academic scholarship offers. The two East Coast schools should be giving us some idea of Erik’s status in the near future. Olin is different from all the other schools. If one makes it to the next level, candidates for admission are invited to campus for an evaluation weekend.

Regardless, the process has been successful.

12 Days of Christmas … With a Twist!

Northern Life

January 6th will be the 12th day of Christmas. Take 3 minutes and 29 seconds to watch this awesome video of the Indiana University Men’s Capella Singers. What starts as the 12 Days of Christmas becomes much more!

Personally, I am dumbfounded with what they accomplish. Their performance just keeps building and getting better as they progress through "their" song! The concentration level required of these young men is amazing.

Happy New Year!

Loppets for LingYun

China
  • Question: What happens when you take a 51 year old man who has not entered a Nordic ski race for 30 years, and combine that fact with a desire to rebuild a dorm in southern China?
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  • Answer: You have Loppets for LingYun’s Kids.  (What’s a Loppet? Watch the video and learn!

Please watch this short video (4 minutes in duration) and learn about the Northstar Nerd (i.e. me!) and my quest to help the kids of LingYun. The answer really involves Southern China, Wikipedia, technical conferences, Grandma’s Marathon, and now loppets!

If your family budget allows, send your pledge via email to Rich Hoeg, at rhoeg@comcast.net. Thank you! Donations are tax deductible in the U.S.A.

Learn more about my entire effort with the China Tomorrow Education Foundation via this link. (also read about my Legos for LingYun effort)
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Vasaloppet