9 Inches of Pleasure: My Dell Mini 9

 

Dell Mini picture borrowed from www.dell.com

After a wait that seemed like forever, my Dell Mini 9 arrived and I am enjoying all 9 incredible inches.  Here are a great few things about my Dell Mini 9:

 

Affordable:  They start at $250 and I need to say no more.

Size: Alright, so the screen is really 8.9 inches, but the overall computer is 9 inches wide.  It is perfect to throw in a briefcase, backpack, purse (claims a co-worker) and take anywhere.  I cannot wait to take this on my next trip; It is will be so much easier get through airport security and pack among my other travel necessities.

If you are concerned about the keyboard size, I have already gotten use to the smaller keys.  It is a little weird at first, but as many others have commented, you will become acclimated to the smaller keyboard in no time.  

Weight:  The Mini is a little over 2 pounds, which is a great change from my other Dell laptop which weighs well over 8 pounds (Sometimes it feels like a million pounds!). 

Speed:  I am currently using my Mini for web surfing, document editing, and blog posting and other basic functions and I could not be happier with the speed.  If you are a graphic design artist, you already know that this is not the computer for you. 

If you need a laptop to have with you at all times, then the Dell Mini is the perfect second laptop for you.  I would also suggest that the Dell Mini series is also a perfect first computer for kids.   I would highly suggest that they make a rugged version. 

Read more about the Dell Mini options at www.dell.com.

Laughter Still Best Medicine for Families & Wounded Troops

Picture from Florian Villa, where families and troops can visit to renew and recharge.

CONTACT 
Scott Wahlen
Deborah Bernstein
Florian Villa on Gift Hill
Saint John, United States Virgin Islands
(617) 429-6182
info@florianvilla.com
http://www.tinyurl.com/florian-event

BOSTON: LAUGHTER IS STILL THE BEST MEDICINE FOR FAMILIES AND TROOPS
Boston couple organizes a comedy show to raise funds to send wounded troops and families of fallen firefighters to the Florian Villa on St. John, US Virgin Islands in order to heal and recharge.

March 9, 2009 (Boston, MA) – Patty Ross and Johnny Pizzi will headline a March 29^th comedy event at the Florian Hall in Dorchester, MA to raise funds to support families of fallen firefighters and wounded troops.  Boston’s talk show personality and author Michele McPhee will also make a guest appearance during the show.

“We expect an incredible turnout and we know that Patty Ross and Johnny Pizzi will keep everyone slapping their knees for a great cause,” states Deborah Bernstein and Scott Wahlen.  Deborah Bernstein, a yoga instructor, and her fiancé, Scott Wahlen, a captain with the Boston Fire Department and former U.S. Marine, are organizing the March 29^th event.

Bernstein and Wahlen provide weeklong, all-inclusive respites to families of fallen firefighters and returning wounded veterans at their exclusive Florian Villa on Saint John Island in the US Virgin Islands.  Current residents of Boston, these two philanthropists provide yoga therapy and routinely collaborate with other organizations, such as Soldiers Undertaking Disabled Scuba (SUDS), to provide a well-rounded and supportive environment for the visiting families and veterans.

2009 SUDS Trip, Florian Villa

Seven veterans just returned from the Florian Villa two weeks ago.  The veterans were working with the SUDS program and finishing their requirements for their SCUBA certifications.   Check out the pictures from the trip.

Tickets to the March 29^th comedy show can be purchased at www.tinyurl.com/florian-event.  If you cannot make the event, contributions to the Florian Villa fund can also processed on the website listed above.

The Florian Villa was named after Saint Florian who is the patron saint of firefighters and their families. For additional information about the Florian Villa, visit http://www.FlorianVilla.com or http://florianyoga.blogspot.com or call (617) 429-6182.

XOHM Me, Baby!

I have two things I cannot live without: my iPhone and my XOHM internet connection. 

XOHM is Baltimore’s WiMAX wireless technology that provides residents with a significantly faster internet signal both at home and on the go.  XOHM, a combined effort of Sprint Nextel and Clearwire, has several advantages:

• Faster downloads and uploads
• Portability
• Easy set-up
• Great customer service
• More affordable than a cable modem

Shortly after XOHM arrived in Baltimore this past October, I did my normal research and decided XOHM was not for me.  I remember reading some bad press about coverage and the pricing, but a recent conversation over lunch with NPR’s Mario Armstrong prompted me to take another look at XOHM.  Mario, thank you for helping me to see the light.  My XOHM service is incredible.

A Few Notes About My Experience Thus Far:
Set-up took a little bit of time, but after everything was adjusted, I have experienced seamless service.  The XOHM system automatically connected to my current router and the half dozen wireless devices in my house were connected to a faster connect.

Due to the two package that I purchased, there was a little problem with the second device.  When I called customer service, they got right on the problem and solved it in no time.  A representative even called the following day to ensure that everything was still working properly.

Here are a few other reviews:
PCMag, CNET, Business Exchange

If you live in Baltimore, then I highly suggest that you ditch your DSL line and get XOHM.  If you do not live in Baltimore, be on the lookout for XOHM in your city.

Dyalogues: A New Way to Blog

www.dyalogues.com

This blog is one of an estimated 60 million blogs in the blogosphere.  Occassionally, I get a comment or two, but for the most part, I say my piece and it is over.  Well, this all might change thanks to Dyalogues, www.dyalogues.com and blogging could become a more robust two-way discussion.   

Dyalogues, a two-way blogging exchange about a particular topic, is still in beta mode, but is already seeing a high level of activity.  Recent topics have included the octamom, immigration laws, every technology topic known, and everything in between.  After a very brief review, it can be readily seen that the contributors are passionate about their subject matters and are fairly well versed.

If debating a controversial topic is not your thing, then you might choose to spar back and forth in the review section.  Again, the topic of reviews can focus on just about anything, but there are a lot of movie reviews and it looks like the site wants to encourage technology focused reviews.  I think there is something valuable about reading the pro and con side of new technology, new products, etc..

I recently joined the Dyalogues blogging family and I have to admit that I enjoy sparring with another blogger.  Take a look: http://www.dyalogues.com/profile/mjr-iii

The Big Bad Wolf Is Going To Get You!

The Big Bad Wolf Awaits You! 410-444-6422

 After several weeks of hearing about the Big Bad Wolf House of Barbeque, www.bigbadwolfbarbeque.com, I finally made a visit, and I am hooked.  I promise that after one visit, you will be hooked also.

Located at 5713 Harford Road in Baltimore, MD, this cute restaurant looks like it was made from the famed bricks of the Yellow Brick Road.   Open Monday through Saturday, you can expect great service from the moment you arrive, but you should not expect to dine in.  The shop only has four stools and is not really conducive to dining patrons.

The extensive menu with 8 different sauce choices and daily specials is sure to have something for everyone.  I had the Kansas City Sweet, Kansas City Spicy, and Carolina Vinegar varieties and loved them all.  After you choose your sauce you can choose whether you would like pork ribs, beef, ribs, or chicken.  I have heard that the pulled pork is also deal.  

Outside view of Big Bad Wolf Barbeque

Big Bad Wolf also has great prices. 

 

 

 

Check out what the City Paper has to say: http://www.citypaper.com/eat/place.asp?id=4475

Read the The Baltimore Sun review: http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/63714,0,1084973.venue