Moving on From Live Spaces

I have been using Windows Spaces for almost a year now and have been waiting patiently for several feature improvements.. Most notably

1. Ability for anonymous users to leave comments
2. Better statistics reporting
3. Greater degree of support from Non IE browsers

Today, I decided that it is time to move on to a better service. After lots of searching, I finally landed on “WordPress”. I thought I would have a hard time exporting my posts from spaces(live.com).. but this website has very good information on porting blogs out of Live Spaces.

1. Go into your Spaces account – General settings and change the default date format to mm/dd/yy like so:

2. Download the ‘live-space-mover’ application. This contains the python file that emits XML for our import process

3. Download Python 2.6.2 Windows installer. Accept the default settings and install Python on your computer. The python interpreter is required to execute .py files. It installed to C:\Python26 on my computer. This directory location is important!

4. Download the ‘BeautifulSoup’ python parser. This is a library that is invoked from live-space-mover to actually go to the spaces site and download blogs (the XML file just contains hyperlinks). I used version 3.0.6 and it worked perfectly!

5. Now, Move the BeautifulSoup file and the ‘Line-Space-Mover.py’ file into the C:\Python26 folder like so:

6. Open a command window (start->run->cmd) and navigate to C:\Python26. Then, type in the following command:

python live-space-mover.py -s http://yourid.spaces.live.com/

If the process ran correctly, you will get a ‘success’ message and an XML file will be created in the directory C:\Python26. (If there was an error message regarding the date/time format, please make sure you executed Step 1 correctly.

7. Once you have the XML file, you are ready to have WordPress import your Spaces blogs. Create an account at WordPress.com

8. After logging in to to your account, in the dashboard, click on Tools->Import

9. Click on ‘WordPress’. Then Click on the ‘Browse’ button and point to the newly created XML file (from step6)

10. Click on ‘Upload file and Import’ button.. All your blog postings will be transferred over!

If you are looking for an awesome client to help manage your blogs, look no further.. download Windows Live Writer. It is capable of interacting with various blogging services and WordPress is one of them. Happy blogging!

Mortgage Refinancing

Technorati Tags: Refinance,mortgage

So, I did a lot of math to figure out if

refinancing my current mortgage could help me. Here are some of my parameters: I took out a mortgage for 180,800 in Aug 2007 at 6% from ProvidentFunding. As of April 2009, the balance on my account is 172,000 (quite a blood sucker.. only 8000 down after 22 months!)

Owing to the drop in interest rates during the last couple of months, PF started a ‘streamlined refinance’ system in a  bid to provide an easier way for existing customers to refinance with them (as a ‘customer retention’ mechanism). The process is simple..sign on to their secure web site, click on the ‘refinance’ link, answer a few ‘finance related’ questions. That’s it! They don’t require any paperwork, or Appraisal or Escrow fees.. very sweet! They do charge an ‘administrative fee’ of 1099.. but I’m not complaining!

Of course whether or not you should refinance is a personal choice depending on how long you intend to stay in the house, your current financial status, interest rate offered etc..

After filling in the ref application, I was offered a rate of 4.875% on a 20 year fixed mortgage with closing costs in the vicinity of $3500 – Yes.. the refinance does keep me in debt for 2 years longer longer than the original loan.. But I don’t intend on holding on to it that long.

After a lot of searching, I settled on the following two mortgage calculators based on their simplicity and clarity of results:

1. http://www.calculators4mortgages.com/mortgage-calculator/refinance
   This web site succinctly displays the savings accrued due to refinance
2. http://www.statefarm.com/apps/mortgage-calculators/Calc_Amort_Prepay.asp?PageId=Prepay
   This web site gives the savings in total mortgage costs due to prepayment in the mortgage

Is it Worth It?

This is the first question that comes to mind. The main point to understand with mortgage refinance is that it pays off in the long run. Because of the closing costs involved, there is never an immediate gain (they can be quite steep depending on the principal you borrow, taxes, points, origination, fees etc..). I started off my analysis by seeing what throwing 3500$ at the mortgage would achieve..  So in a span of 20 yrs, it would save me 6700K… not bad..

The next screenshot shows the effect of doing the refinance and bringing down the rate to 4.875:

  

Ok.. A bottom line saving of 172 bucks every single month and clearly a greater savings over the span of 20 yrs after the refinance when compared to the down payment of 3500. Yay!

The Kicker!

I am quite comfortable with my current payments.. so what if I refinance, get the lower rate and continue to make my current payments? Here’s a snapshot of what that will do to the mortgage:

Excellent! So not only do I get to save 21K overall, I can also own my home by May 2025! We have a clear plan

Why not do a 10 or 15 yr mortgage you ask? Flexibility.. If I feel cash-constrained at any time, I can pull back on my payments and not worry about defaulting on my payments.

Twitter – I just dont get it!

Seriously.. what the devil is Twitter? For the life of me, I do not understand what all the fuss is about! And now, Google thinks it is a valuable service?

Just to straddle my curiosity, I went over to the website of Twitter and read some random strangers ‘Twits’.. Asinine is the first word that comes to mind! Other words – Unimportant, Spam, Vain, Narcissistic, Inarticulate.

The website infact proclaims on the ‘jobs’ link – “We believe we are changing the world”. Sure you are.. but is it for the better?

The whole concept of ‘social websites’ – blogging, myspace, Orkut etc is to provide an outlet for folks to express their individuality and creativity. Some even say blogging is cathartic.

Twitter posts on the other hand are restricted to 140 characters (micro blogging) and that pretty much makes it a collection of keywords (wait.. maybe I just understood why Google is interested in it!). It is essentially a dumbed down version of blogging. Nothing meaningful and/or thought provoking can be posted in 140 characters (a Haiku poem maybe!).

Kudos to the creators though.. they actually made this trivial concept a runaway hit!

Remote control code for Sony KDL-40S4100

I had a hard time programming my new LCD TV (Sony KDL-40S4100) that comes with remote type RM-YD025. The Sony esupport website was of no use.

After trying tonnes of codes out there on the internet, I finally found one that works!

The code that works is : 1100

Password Management (U3)

I recently purchased a U3 usb drive (Sandisk U3 cruzer micro). Other than the fact that it is windows only, I am quite happy with it (I tried it on Ubuntu 9.04.. Absolutely nothing happens!.. no mount, no LED light.. nothing..bummer). The drive comes with a password management program called ‘SignupShield’.. Unfortunately, this is a trial program and imposes restrictions (limited number of passwords, reduced functionality etc) after its trial period… Another weird thing about it is that it ‘phones home’ upon startup.

Here is an excellent description of free/opensource password managers:
http://www.purdue.edu/securepurdue/pswdManager.cfm

I finally settled with PasswordSafe. Very convenient and works as expected.

Update 08/02/09

I changed my default password manager to KeePass V 2.08.. (The export/import process was a little tideous.. but totally worth it!) I prefer it to passwordsafe for the following reasons:

1. Very slick user interface.. Much more polished than passwordsafe and allows icons to be assigned to groups and items. The UI is very customizable as well (Fonts, columns, views etc)
2. Awesome global auto-type feature. If Keepass is running on the system, it creates a global hook (Ctrl+Alt+A) in Windows. If you type in this key combination in a window that is identified in the keepass database (by title), it automatically types in the username and password!
3. Multi-user support
4. Ability to sync to a keepass database on a shared/network drive
5. Excellent import/export options

Wallpaper

Here is my desktop setup.

I found the wallpaper (1920*1200) on flickr (the wallpaper name is "Paradise beach").

Here is a direct link to the full res wallpaper

 

My New Monitor (Acer X241W/X241Wsd)

Finally decided to purchase a big screen LCD to go with my new computer. My computer (Gateway GT5628) came with the NVIDIA GEForce 8500 GT (256MB) graphics card.. Here are some specs. of my monitor:

 

Device Color: Silver and Black
Interfaces: 15-pin D-Sub & DVI Interfaces
Viewable Size: 24" Viewable size
Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Pixel Pitch: 0.270mm Pixel Pitch
Response Time: 5ms response time
Brightness: 400 cd/m2 image brightness
Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 contrast ratio
Maximum Viewing Angles Horizontal / Vertical:
160° horizontal / 160° vertical viewing angles
Color Support: 16.7 million color support
DB15 VGA Inputs: (1)
DVI Inputs: (1)
Weight: 17.4 lbs.
Power Supply: Integrated power supply
Power Consumption: Operational/Standby 89 Watts/1.3 Watts

The monitor is pretty huge and was really easy to setup (Vista home premium). I have it connected via the DVI port (Acer supplied a Dual link DVI-D cable along with the unit). There are some fixed/dead pixels on the edges (about 2-3 on each side.. but they do not hamper the display in any way (I purchased the unit online.. and it is too much of a hassle to return/exchange). The fixed pixels only show up on a black background (BTW, I have tried all the "suggested" solutions including software, pressure etc.. nothing works!)

 

The factory settings for brightness and contrast were WAY too high.. I set it to a more comfortable level (20 contrast, 20 brightness). I have read too many online discussions talking about the "type" of TFT (TN) that this screen is built with.. I dont find any problems whatsoever with the viewing angles for everyday use.

 

Other vista settings: I changed the font to 120 DPI. This reduces eye strain substantially. The pictures, videos and text are very clear.

 

Additional information:

 

This site has a great deal of information regarding LCD screens: http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y

Check your monitor panel type: http://www.flatpanels.dk/panels.php

Turns out X241Wsd uses the TN panel

 

X241Wsd (the model that I have) does not appear on the Energy-star list of compliant monitors. The model X241We however IS energy star compliant:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductDetail&pd_id=1068393&pgw_code=MO&pd_code=MON&resultsPerPage=10&sortParameter=brand_name&startnum=1&letter=A&pat_P285=21%2C1000

 

 

Using Windows Live

I decided to use windows live exclusively. Loaded all my documents into SkyDrive.. So far, I am loving it! Also, the ability to link other accounts is a nice touch.

Why Geeks and Nerds Are Worth It

Check out this link! If you have a nerd gene, you will definitely appreciate it!
http://sfbayarea.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/66795671.html

Why Nokia 6102 Rules

Today, I replaced my motorola V551 with a Nokia 6102. All in all, a wise decision I must say..Things that rule about the 6102:

1. Excellent signal strength- I mean extraordinary.. it never drops calls and pretty much has all the bars all the time where I live (Gainesville, Florida)!!

2. Address book search – The V551 sadly does not have this feature

3. store multiple numbers for a contact AND have it show as a SINGLE LINE in the address book.

4. LONG battery life – Goes on and on like the energizer bunny!

5. I love the way the 6102 fits in my hands – The motorola razr lost out in this area. The razr is just too slim and flimsy for its own good.

6. Free software to sync to your desktop available at nokia.com (the V551 requires software to be purchased)

7. The 6102 allows you to access memory as required – you can select if you want to access the sim card or phone memory or both.

8. 2 color lcd screens – definitely a good thing to have

9. Software responds much faster than the V551

10. Have I mentioned excellent signal strength?

So, if you are looking for a good phone that gets the job done, look no further.. get the Nokia 6102. I read that the latest version of this phone (released in Jan 2006 in Europe) comes with bluetooth inbuilt. Go crazy!