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New Printer: Samsung ML-2010

I just installed my Samsung ML-2010 yesterday, which I purchased about 1.5 years ago. My trusty Minolta PagePro 1250W has been running low on toner for the past month and shaking the toner cartridge no longer worked. I guess it’s about time. I mean I have been using it for about 4 years already, since junior year of college, and that was just the starter toner (no refills, no new toner cartridge).

After college, I realized I don’t print much anymore. With PDF printers, I hardly ever need hard copies of anything. I think the majority of things my printer has printed over the last 2 years has been stuff related to rebates.

The Samsung ML-2010 is actually rather nice. It has a 1200 x 600 dpi resolution and can print up to 22ppm (page per minute). It was extremely easy to setup. Just plugged in the existing USB and power cables (didn’t even have to open the new power cable) and my file server detected a new printer. Unfortunately, it didn’t have the drivers available, so I had to download them off Samsung’s site. But after that, sharing it, test print, and printing over network all worked flawlessly.

Speaking of USB cable, it didn’t actually come with one, which I always find very stupid, considering the cost of a USB cable is probably less than $1. Ungsunghero says that retail stores probably pressure the manufacturers into not including the cable or else they won’t sell it or recommend it to potential buyers, since they probably sell USB cables at a 500% markup, maybe even more. But that makes you wonder how DVD players or speaker systems are allowed to come with cables. I mean they don’t come with the best cable available (*cough* PS3 *cough* HDMI *cough*), but they do come with a cable that can at least prove it works. When I buy a printer and take it home, there’s nothing I can do to even test it if I don’t have the cable to connect it to my computer. I mean, if I bought an OEM printer, I can understand it’s just the printer itself and no cables will be provided, but this is a RETAIL printer… Sigh…

Back to the printer. Ungsunghero claims that it’s also very easy to refill toner cartridge. However, I do remember him telling a story about how he was coughing out black smoke.

I would include a picture, but I’m too lazy tonight. That was referring to a picture the printer and not Ungsunghero coughing black smoke. But if you do have a picture of Ungsunghero coughing out black smoke, do send it this way.

I’ve decided to list my old laser printer for sale:
Windows Live Expo
Craigslist

and see if anyone bites.

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Comments

For the longest time, I was thinking… people haven’t been commenting on my blog lately and I was sorta sad. Turns out it was my fault. Whenever WordPress puts a comment into the moderation queue, it sends me an email alerting me that a comment is being held for moderation. However, about 2 months ago, I started getting spam in that email address, so I blocked it in my control panel. Apparently, I forgot to update that WordPress with a new email address to send me the notifications.

So today, when browsing different parts of WordPress, I landed on the comments section and noticed I had 94 comments in my queue (those which passed Akismet). Of course, when rerunning the comments through Akismet again, it drop down to 35. I believe the actual number of comments was around 25 which actually approved.

Therefore, in order to make all comments equal, here are the lists of post which had comments that have been held in comment for way too long (in no particular order):

I’ve been tempted to just like Akismet be the spam filter and not go through the moderation process. However, seeing how 94 comments drop to 25, it still shows Akismet has some work to do.

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Powdered Donuts

So when I was shopping at Safeway today, that box of powdered donuts kept flashing at me telling me to buy it. Of course I succumbed and now I regret the decision. They’re so addictive!!! I’m not talking about the big powdered donuts. I’m talking about the little bite-size powdered sugar baby donuts (or as they called it, donettes). That stuff is like crack! Every time I walk by it, I pop another one in my mouth. They’re so bad for me, yet I always go back for more. Just typing this makes me want to eat another one.

So I was telling Ungsunghero about how addictive they are and he mentions how powdered choco donuts are damn good too. I was like… WO! They make powdered chocolate donuts too!?!?! I’ve been missing out! I was actually contemplating about driving to a 24hr supermarket to see if I can find chocolate powdered donuts. Ungsunghero corrects himself and said he actually meant to say mini chocolate donuts, which I agree are awesome too.

But wow! Why haven’t they made chocolate powder baby donuts! I would so buy that. Just thinking about it makes me drool.

Hostess, are you listening? WE WANT CHOCOLATE POWDERED BABY DONUTS!!!

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$25 Costco Cash Card For Signing Up For American Express

So I recently got a packet from American Express trying to get me to sign up friends and family for the American Express TrueEarnings credit card (Costco credit card). At first I didn’t care much for it, but after reading through the details, it seems like a good deal for both me and whoever I’m referring.

I received 4 of these postcards to distribute to friends:
amex trueearnings credit card $25 costco cash card referral

If you sign up, you get a $25 Costco Cash Card after your first purchase and I get a $25 Costco Cash Card for referring you. When I signed up for my Amex card, I didn’t get any type of sign up bonus, so I personally think this is a good deal for those Costco members who haven’t gotten the Costco Amex. You can read my Credit Card Arsenal entry to see why this card is that great and a must have for any Costco member. Some say that it’s not worth getting a Costco membership just to get this credit card, but I’ve always seen it as a bonus that I get for having a Costco membership. I mean, even without this credit card, I’d still have my Costco membership.

Here are the details:

Carry the TrueEarnings Card from Costco and American Express and we’ll give you a $25 Costco Cash Card you can use to pick up something for yourself.

  • You’ll earn 3% cash back for eating out, 2% for traveling, and 1% back everywhere else, including Costco.
  • There’s no annual fee for the Card with your paid Costco memberhsip.
  • There’s no limit to the cash back you can earn.
  • You’ll have the flexibility to pay over time.

Visit americanexpress.com/costcofriend to learn more and sign up today!

UNIQUE ID: 3071220387
EXPIRES ON: October 14, 2007

——————

  • A $25 Costco Cash Card will be awarded within 14 weeks after your first purchase appears on your monthly billing statement. Costco Cash Cards are for first time Cardmembers only. See application for details at americanexpress.com/costcofriend. Applicant understands and agrees that American Express Cardmember who referred him/her may be compensated with a Costco Cash Card if his/her application is approved, and may be able to tell if his/her application is declined or approved.
  • Eligible Purchases earn a rebate of 1, 2, or 3 percent as follows: 3% at restaurants; 2% for travel purchases from airline, lodging, car rental, cruise line, travel agency, and tour operators; and 1% on all other Eligible Purchases. “Eligible Purchases” do NOT include returned purchases, Fees, Finance Charges, Cash Advances, Balance Transfers, purchase of American Express Travelers Cheques, American Express Gift Cheques, and other cash equivalents. Rebates are awarded each February in the form of an in-store coupon redeemable for merchandise or cash at any U.S. Costco Warehouse. To receive the rebate your account must be open and you must present the coupon at Costco prior to the coupon expiration date. Rebates less than $1 will be forfeited. Forfeiture rules for late payment also apply.

J357:0001

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Hamster – Love and Friendship

hamster - love and friendship

Informer: SueOn
Source: Nirvana Musing

I just have to say how awesome this picture is. The hamsters are awfully cute and the situation is very sweet. I’m not sure if it’s photoshopped or not, but it would seem quite difficult to pose hamsters. Maybe the flower was added in later.

The original source notes it as “Friendship and love defined in one photo.” However, I’d like to see it as a different way. At first it may seem like the friend hamster is lowering the hamster holding the flowers, but it could be completely opposite where the friend hamster is pulling the hamster away, or how I like to call it as rescuing a friend from the evil female monster. What true friend would allow a buddy to fall into the claws of the devilish opposite gender.

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Laser Printers and Air Pollution

While chatting with Ungsunghero, he brought up the news about how laser printers are a health risk due the fact they pollute the air. There was a recent report published in Environmental Science & Technology: Particle Emission Characteristics of Office Printers. This story was covered by both Ars Technica and BBC NEWS.

A group was comparing indoor air quality (offices) vs outdoor air quality of urban areas by comparing the amount of tiny particles in the air that can lodge into your lung and cause damage. They noticed there were fewer particles during non-business hours in the office, however once business resumed, the number of particles rapidly increased up to 5x the amount of outdoor particles. Through a process of elimination, they were able to pinpoint the origin of the particles to the laser printer.

Of course not all laser printers are equal and after a thorough test of 60 laser printers, they’ve broken them down into 4 categories: non-emitter, low level emitter, middle level emitter, high level emitter

They’ve deterimined that the particles that the laser printer shoots out are actually tiny particles of toner or toner related material. The study also found out new toner cartridges tend to emit more particles and the amount of printed on the page also made a difference. Printing an image which covered more area of the paper released more particles into the air.

Anyway, why did I bring this story up? I took the following image when I got my tower fan, but I thought I’d recycle it here.
laser printer next to air filter

My laser printer is situated right next to my air filter, out of pure coincidence. It was probably due to the fact it was the only place where there was a spot big enough for it. I wonder if the HEPA filter is good enough to capture the particles…

My laser printer is generally off since I don’t print that much and even on idle, laser printer pulls in quite a bit of electricity.

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Pull Up Bar

So I’ve been meaning for a long time to pick up a pull up bar. I’ve enjoyed doing pull ups, but there really wasn’t anything around that would be able to hold my weight while I did the pull ups.

I decided to pick up something at Amazon.com: GoFit Chin-Up Bar. For $15 (+ free shipping since I have Prime), it sounded like a decent deal. Reviews of the item are pretty good too.

I got the Pull Up bar today and installed it over the corridor that connects my kitchen to my dining room:
pull up barpull up bar

At first I had not planned to used the brackets, which you screw onto the wall to keep the bar from slipping. However, after reading this review:

Like all of the other people here, I bought this bar and it has performed magnificently. $15 is ridiculously cheap for the high build quality of this item, but **BEWARE**.

******* DO NOT USE THIS ITEM WITHOUT THE BRACKETS ******, no matter how strong you think it is.

I am approximately 165lbs teenager and was using the bar sporadically throughout the day just for fun. Again, I hung this WITHOUT the brackets, which I learned to regret.
One time when I was pulling myself up, the bar fell broke off and fell, leading me to land party on my back and neck.

I immediately got back up like nothing happened, but the next day my back and neck are experiencing shrieking pain.

The use of brackets is not only recommended, but required. It takes only a few minutes!!

I decided it was in my best interest to install the brackets before using. It sounded painful to have the bar slip while doing pull ups.

After installing, I was excited to try it out. However, I was shocked to find myself even struggling to do 1. I was able to do 5 easily just a few years ago. Guess I’ll be practicing more on it. Chin ups on the other hand, I was able to do 3 easily. Must be the push ups I’ve been doing and it’s been strengthening my biceps.

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VoiceStick – Maximum of 3 Rings

For the longest time, I always wondered why my parents never left me a message on my answering machine. See, I have this VoiceStick VoIP account. Unlimited incoming calls for free. Plus the fact it gives me a 626 area code, means my parents can call me via their regular phone without paying any long distance.

I mean, my parents have always left my voicemail when they called my cell and I’m unavailable to answer it.

So the other day, I decided to try calling the number, just to test out the answering machine to make sure it’s working properly. After 3 rings, I get disconnected and hear the following message: “Nobody’s available to take your call at the moment. Goodbye.” VoiceStick does have its own voicemail system, where it even emails you when you get a voicemail, but I didn’t really care too much about messages left on this number (since it’s only my parents who have it. *whistles*), so I disabled that. I had set my answering machine to pick up on the 4th ring, but since it never got past the 3rd, that’s why the answering machine never picked up.

Anyway, I logged into VoiceStick’s account management system to see if there’s a way to increase the number of rings or the duration of hold before redirecting to voicemail/disconnecting the caller, but was unable to find any setting like that. I decided to email them to see what I can do about it:

Hi,

I was wondering if you could tell me if there’s a way to increase the number of rings for my VoiceStick number before going to voicemail/ending the call.

It currently rings 3 times and then plays the automated message telling that no one is available to answer the phone.

I was wondering if I could increase that to 4 or 5 and if it’s possible, how to do it?

Thank you.

Here was their reply, short and to the point:

No there is no way to change that at this time.

Harper Evans
Voicestick CustomerCare

I wonder if paid accounts are actually able to tweak this setting, because 3 rings is just not long enough. I mean sometimes back at home, it takes 5 rings before anyone picks up the phone.

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Microsoft Health Screening Results

So there’s this yearly health screening thing that Microsoft holds where they take some blood and some skin samples and some tears. I was just kidding about the tears and skin samples. Anyway, they measure your blood pressure, your cholesterol and all the other mumbo jumbo. My numbers have always been pretty nice, just that my body fat % and BMI (body mass index) is a bit high.

Last years result were:
Blood Pressure: 114 / 79 (desirable: 120 and below / 80 and below)
Total Cholesterol: 162 (desirable: less than 200)
HDL Cholesterol: 54 (desirable: 40+)
LDL Cholesterol: 97 (desirable: Less than 100)
Triglycerides: 54 (desirable: Less than 150)
Glucose: 94 (desirable 60 – 110)
Body Fat %: 24.4% (desirable: 8% – 19%)
BMI: 26.6 (desirable: 18.5 – 24.9)

I was recommended to do cardiovascular exercise 5-6 days/week for 30 minutes to lower my Body Fat % and BMI. That was one of the reason I got the exercise bike.

This years results are pretty much the same. I did lose about 10lbs along the way, but that didn’t really help lower my Body Fat % or BMI much.

This years result are:
Blood Pressure: 120 / 80 (desirable: 120 and below / 80 and below)
Total Cholesterol: 134 (desirable: less than 200)
HDL Cholesterol: 50 (desirable: 40+)
LDL Cholesterol: 72 (desirable: Less than 100)
Triglycerides: 60 (desirable: Less than 150)
Glucose: 86 (desirable 60 – 110)
Body Fat %: 24.3% (desirable: 8% – 19%)
BMI: 25.5 (desirable: 18.5 – 24.9)

At first I was shocked when I saw how close to the borderline my blood pressure was, but then I look at last year results and there were only up a tiny bit. I also attribute any errors to the fact that the lady taking my blood pressure made me laugh while the numbers were dropping.

My total cholesterol took a big drop, lowering both good and bad cholesterol. Not too sure if that’s a good thing, but I’m still within the desirables. So that’s good, right?

I have no idea about the triglycerides or glucose as those numbers moved around a bit, but not much.

Both my BMI and Body Fat % dropped, but by so tiny of an amount. Haha. I’m debating if it’s worth it to continue exercising. ;p Interestingly enough, last year I told them I was 5′ 6″ and this year I told them I was 5′ 5″. I noticed if I punch in 5′ 6″ and 153lbs into the BMI calculator, that puts me at 24.7, just within the desirable. I think I’m really 5′ 5″ (tried measuring myself yesterday with a tape measure), but I’ve given both numbers out as my official height (license shows 5′ 6″). If you want to find out your BMI, you can use the BMI Calculator at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. BMI’s in my opinion are never that accurate as they use your height to estimate your volume. Xyon says the most accurate way to measure BMI is to have to strip naked and step into a pool of water and see who much the water level rises.

All in all, I’m happy with my results and the numbers say I’m pretty healthy. Rob (our project’s Lead PM) walked out as I was going in and asked how much damage I was expecting. You see, I bring in snacks and food every week, ranging from candy to cookies, from dried mangos to beef jerky. People drop by my office to get food every now and then and I don’t exactly bring in the healthiest food. Rob drops by every now and then for a slim jim or cookie. He said the damage my snacks caused wasn’t too bad. Derek on the other hand… he’s afraid to come to my office now.

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New Music

My favorite list of my music has just been updated. This list is basically the songs that repeat over and over whenever I’m at my computer.

Foo Fighters – Tired of You (Music Video – Live)
I first heard this song on I Think I Love My Wife. The movie was okay, not that great/funny in my opinion. I mean, I can’t really see Chris Rock doing a serious flick, which this attempts to somewhat become. However, it had a pretty awesome soundtrack. One of the songs they played was Foo Fighters – Tired of You and the chorus “I won’t go getting tired of you” just got stuck in my head, probably because grammatically it sounds incorrect (and may even be). However, it’s a neat song and I really like the melody.

Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson & D.O.E. – The Way I Are (Music Video)
I first heard this on the radio and really thought I hated the song. The way he sang “The Way I Are” grammatically incorrectly really bothered me at first. I mean, after the first time I heard the song, I believe all 5 or 6 people who called in and said dump it. One of the radio stations I listen to (WiLD 98.7) has this program call Bump it or Dump it. Anyway, as more and more radio stations started playing the song, I really liked the beat and the grammatically incorrect lyrics didn’t bother me as much anymore.

Linkin Park – What I’ve Done (Music Video)
I’ve always been a fan of Linkin Park, though I will agree that many of their songs sound too alike. This new song I first heard on the Transformers trailer and then again on The 11th Hour trailer. I have to admit, the song sounds good. Once again, it’s the tune/melody I like. I don’t think I know any other parts of the lyrics besides “What I’ve Done”, and that I only know because I had to find the song.

Sean Kingston – Beautiful Girls (Music Video)
Again, another song I heard on the radio. I have to apologize to Sean Kingston as when I first heard him on the radio, I imagined him to be a very skinny African American. He has a very distinct voice and I don’t know why I thought he was a skinny guy, but I was really shocked to find out how heroic portly (borrowed from Hjo3) he was. The song has a very distinct melody to it and at first I thought he was singing: “You’re way to beautiful girl”, which sounded odd to me. But as I said, the melody was what was neat about the song.

Kanye West – Stronger (Music Video)
Another song I heard on the radio. This song actually got me really pumped as every time Kanye West said “Stronger”, I’d yell “Stronger” (in my car) too! The background sound was really neat and I didn’t realize it was Daft Punk until RayAlome showed me the music video and told me the background music was Daft Punk. The song being played in the background is actually Daft Punk – Harder Better Faster Stronger.

I had totally forgotten about Daft Punk until now. I really liked Daft Punk’s music back in the day (high school and college). My favorites include One More Time and Around The World. They had a series of music videos done completely in anime style which I really enjoyed. What was interesting when I was reading the Daft Punk wikipedia entry was that there’s really no pictures of their faces. I quote:

Their outward personae have also changed over time. During their Homework years, the duo would usually wear masks to hide their appearance. When not wearing disguises, they occasionally preferred to be replaced by animation (as they appeared in The Work of Director Michel Gondry DVD) or have their faces digitally obscured for press kits. Very few photos of the duo’s faces exist, including a blurry one found in the Homework liner notes.

…

During a video interview shot in Japan, Daft Punk stated that they adorned their robot masks to easily merge the characteristics of humans and machines. However, Bangalter later admitted that the costumes were initially the result of shyness. “But then it became exciting from the audiences’ point of view. It’s the idea of being an average guy with some kind of superpower.” When asked on whether the duo expressed themselves differently within the robotic suits, Bangalter stated “No, we don’t need to. It’s not about having inhibitions. It’s more like an advanced version of glam, where it’s definitely not you.” With the release of Human After All, the musical duo’s outfits became slightly less complicated, consisting of simplified versions of the Discovery head gear and dark leather jumpsuits. The latter were designed by Hedi Slimane.

During the filming and promotion of Daft Punk’s Electroma, the duo went to great lengths to avoid showing their faces. As reported on October 2006, the band went as far as to wear black cloth over their heads during a televised interview. In November 2006, Daft Punk stated on Australia’s Triple J radio station that they prefer avoiding interviews rather than disguising themselves during them. It is believed that the mystery of their identity and the elaborate nature of their disguises has added to their international popularity.

Shop Boyz – Party Like a Rock Star (Music Video)
Yet another one from the radio. Nothing interesting to say about this one besides it sounds pretty good. I don’t generally like rap, but this song has a pretty good melody.

Plain White T’s – Hey There Delilah (Music Video)
The final one in my list, which I also first heard on the radio. Turns out this song is 2 years old, first released in 2005. When I first heard this music, I thought the song was really sweet and as more and more radio stations started playing it over and over, I started digging it. The hosts (mostly female) kept on saying how sweet the song was.

Lesson of the blog entry: Make your song have grammatically incorrect sentences and I may just add it to my favorites list.