Blog Templates For All

Short post, just noting the new blog template designer Google put in place today.

This is a pretty good start.

OS Heaven

So after a previous blog post I had a fully functional Ubuntu install with a running LAMP server I could talk to from Windows.  Recently it was requested I begin filling in the brain pan with iPhone app development however.  So I eliminated a machine, then immediately had a need for another.  All previous iterations of running Mac OSX on a PC were the PowerPC variant, which you could not install the developer tools to.

Thanks to a particular LifeHacker article:

http://lifehacker.com/5583650/run-mac-os-x-in-virtualbox-on-windows

(if you try this, the article neglects to tell you that you have to format your drive with disk utilities for the drive to show up, and also forgets to mention you should check one of the chameleon boot loaders on the install options screen along with the updates)

I was able to get OSX (Intel) working in VirtualBox which just happens to be what I was using for Ubuntu.

Browser testing, iPhone development, LAMP box, all from Windows 7 without rebooting.

Bonus:  VirtualBox machines are pretty dang portable.

Side Note:  Yes I have the license for OSX.  When it comes to operating systems, try to stay clean.  The cost of Mac OSX is a much better deal that what they bend you over the table for on their phones (still an Android lover).

Update 7/19/2010:

Just found this little beauty, update your virtualbox's from a web browser:
http://code.google.com/p/phpvirtualbox/

Droid 2.2 Notes

So before the great VZW locks me down in 2.2 I decided to get off the can and flash a custom rom.  Timing seemed right since Bugless Beast just released his stock 2.2 final source version:

1.  Installed all app updates I could find.

2.  Use the free version of MyBackup to backup apps (be selective, fewer the better imho), call logs, sms logs, etc.
http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.rerware.android.MyBackup

3.  Followed the instructions to get root on my stock 2.1 Update 1 here:
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/05/06/guide-to-rooting-android-2-1-on-a-motorola-droid/

I had problems with Step 1 on one of my PC's, Flash would just error right away.  Tried the netbook and took first try.

I did both Step 1 and Step 2, those that are brave can probably use Step 2 to do a custom rom directly, I wasn't brave and wanted to use Rom Manager.

4.  Use Rom Manager to load bugless beast .3 (Update:  .4):
http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.koushikdutta.rommanager
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/28/release-bugless-beast-v0-3-froyo-frf83/

Just get whatever bugless beast's latest/greatest is, they feel pretty close to stock but have some nice bells/whistles.

5.  Restore select apps/settings using MyBackup.

6.  Install Flash - Just use the .apk here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=686578&page=2

Download it and use Astro File Manager or the like to run it from the SD card, will have to allow "Non-Market" apps.

7.  Configure Chrome to Phone (so far my favorite feature by far):
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/08/tip-use-chrome-to-phone-in-froyo/ 


8.  Redo my launcher screens (hopefully last time, Titanium will back these up next time).

9.  Wifi Tether:
http://code.google.com/p/android-wifi-tether/downloads/list

I could only get this working with both WEP and Access Restrictions turned off, so take it as it is, but it works.

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SKIP THIS:
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And since I wrote this, I will also have to try out this rom instead of Bugless Beast next:
http://www.droid-life.com/2010/06/29/download-new-motorola-droid-froyo-frf84b-leaked/

Update: Scratch that - "I loaded it....and immediately removed it. I was tethering my laptop and it came to a Verizon subscription page to signup for the verizon tethering plan..."
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My Apps: wolfie's Apps on the Droid

That is all.

Laffer Curve

Today on the way into work I fired up Google Listen, my replacement to XM radio with the new phone.  Every day I listen to Dave Ramsey's free one hour podcast which 99% of the time is purely call in advice. So when he has a guest I get kind of giddy and worked up inside.  I don't listen to political shows, right or left, they are way too emotional for my tastes and I don't agree with a lot of points on either side of the fence.  About five years ago I ditched these shows and just started focusing on money talk.  Eventually they cross and blur their lines, but I think this is the one instance where it was educational and introduced me to an amazing concept I never knew was behind a few of the stronger financial eras in American history, the Laffer curve.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laffer_curve

I don't want to go into much detail or debate on the subject.  The topic has been called trickle down economics and drug through the mud a few times, but basically to me it boiled down to balance.  The more you tax, the less there is to collect on, the less you tax the fewer revenues you receive.  Where is the middle ground?, Where are we currently on the curve?, etc.

I would also suggest listening to other episodes of the podcast since this is normally a financial advice show.  We have paid off everything but my Taylors Falls real estate stupid tax (which I did before I listened to him) using his advice.  It isn't much different from the mathematical way of paying off the highest interest item first and snowballing the rest forward, he just sorts the debts by amount owed from small to large and factors in the addictive qualities paying off a debt can have.  It really does get you hooked to paying stuff off and keeps you on the fast track.

Anyways, I will state if you are 100% pro-Obama save your time, this is a middle to right leaning conversation.  I have very left leaning friends that may read this (the advantage of not caring about politics too much) and I don't want this to appear to be a trick.  I think it is good information either way and presented very well but neither of the people talking are fans of the current administration (I maintain my fence sitting attitude).  At the same time they aren't bitching and moaning about the current administration in the conversation either, so if you are only 80% in favor it is still worth a listen.

Podcast Link:
http://www.daveramsey.com/media/audio/podcast/podcast_itunes.xml

Direct Link to 5/26 episode:
http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/a1611.g.akamai.net/f/1611/23422/9h/dramsey.download.akamai.com/23572/audio/mp3/itunes/05262010_the_dave_ramsey_show_itunes.mp3

I promise my next post will be properly nerdy.