Monthly Archives: January 2010

Jan 23

Problems with Lacie iamakey USB Flash Drives fixed

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I really like the design of the Lacie iamakey and related USB flash memory sticks that look like actual keys. I was thinking about moving off the consistent performers I issue to employees, faculty and staff from Sandisk. So, I got an 8 gig and 32 gig to test over the last couple of months.

I am constantly moving files between Macs, Windows and Linux workstations and servers, so they really can take a pounding. The Sandisk Cruzer models are really solid once you get rid of the software that comes with them through their uninstallers. Initially, the Lacie iamkey USB drives have given me a lot of problems. I need to format them as FAT32 so I can have read/write on on the operating systems I am hitting.

The crazy thing is when I would copy large amounts of files (say many software installers for Office, Adobe, etc.) they would take the write just fine, but when I brought them to another Mac or Windows machine, the partition/format would not be read. I reformatted many times on the Mac and over the course of a few weeks still have constant issues with all operating systems.

It wasn’t until I did a low-level format of the drive on Windows (not a quick format) did the FAT32 partition stick. I have been using now for a week or so without problems between OS X, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows 2008, CentOS and Ubuntu. Performance is great now.

So, if you are having issues, try a solid low-level format and I think you will have better results. It will take some time. the 32 gig took an hour or two I believe, but you will be happy you did.

Jan 09

Simple Summary Of Getting A Tree with FUF

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Doesn’t get easier than this to get a Friends of the Urban Forest tree in San Francisco. I will be using this as I continue my quest for a planting event in Miraloma Park, SF.

GETTING A TREE WITH FRIENDS OF THE URBAN FOREST

WHAT YOU DO:

  1. Point to a spot on the sidewalk
  2. Signing the document called “Forms of the Urban Forest” and a check for 75 bucks.

WHAT FUF DOES:

  1. Acquire the permits from the city
  2. Perform utilities checks under your sidewalk
  3. Provide you with a list of arborist approved trees in your microclimate
  4. and a chance to meet and talk with our arborist
  5. Mark where the trees will go
  6. Cut the concrete in front of the house
  7. Show up with a team of volunteers and plant your tree
  8. Supply all the stakes, arbor ties, and watering buckets for your tree
  9. Provide 18 months of arborist-led tree care after the planting.
Jan 08

ISTN shutdown

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I shutdown the ISTN group on LinkedIn. There was really no niche that made sense to have it for that didn’t duplicate existing tech professional groups. Moving on!

Jan 01

SF, CA Neighborhood Info @ sf.everyblock.com

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Seems like they are just starting out, but when I wanted to get information about police activity in my neighborhood, I spent some time looking at all different places. Everyblock.com seems to stand out on the way they are trying to aggregate the information and report it. They are pretty much only working with police reports now it seems, but hopefully they can grow into something more.

They are live in some other major cities across the US and seem along the lines of Yelp in the type of value they want to bring. The iPhone app is also a nice addition and actually has a better interface to what I want to see then the website itself, but that is another matter.