Installing the Nest 3rd generation learning thermostat

3rd Generation Nest install.

Buy on Amazon.com (affiliate link)



Note: Photos shot with Samsung #NX1 in AUTO mode. Buy on Amazon.com (affiliate link):



Disclosure: Samsung supplied the Samsung NX1 28.2 MP Wireless SMART Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm f/2.0-2.8 "S" Lens to me on loan to play with and requested a short write-up and/or photos shared with the #NX1 hashtag.

The Boston Globe Doesn't Mention or Link to Online Video

I read this article by Christopher Muther in today's Boston Globe and thought that it was the perfect article to have an accompanying video.

But, there was no mention of a video, or link to a video, in the print version of today's paper. This has been a problem for years. I've written about it here extensively. Back in 2013, I even asked the editor of the Boston Globe, Brian McGrory, if they could mention links to multimedia content in the print version of the newspaper. He told me that they knew that they had to do a better job. They still do.

Here's today's Wednesday Food section.


Screenshot: ePaper version of printed WednesdayFood

When I went on line to search for a video, I couldn't find the Wednesday Food section.


Screenshot: BostonGlobe.com

So I searched. And I found a page with a blank space where a video should have been, We made a "Tasty" recipe. The Boston Globe's Christopher Muther attempts to cook a recipe from a "Tasty" video. Note: Where's the article?

Blank space where the video should have been on iPad.


Screenshot: No Video on iPad

Same on iPhone.


Screenshot: No Video on iPhone

Then I checked the web version, still no video.


Screenshot: No Video

But wait! After a while, it loaded.


Screenshot: With Video

Integrating multimedia pointers into the newspaper seems like it could be added to the print and online versions of the Boston Globe with proper planning.

A simple solution would be to direct readers to an online link that would include the day's multimedia content.

There are probably examples online. ;-)

Note: Updated to reflect no video on iPad or iPhone.

A Last Minute Day Trip to Saratoga Springs, New York

Benjamin Moore Silver Cloud 2129-70

There's now a FASTER and CLEANER way to TEST your INTERNET SPEED.

Fast.com vs. Speedtest.net

We Don't Do Any Business At The Front Door, Thank You

Video: Ring Video Doorbell Front Door Accepted Call, Today 7∶08PM

We live on the third floor. This solicitor came to the door earlier, and I went down to the front door and missed her.

Then I thought, why am I going down to the front door when I can answer it with the new Ring Video Doorbell that I just installed to review?

She came back!

I answered the door with the Ring Video Doorbell.

"We Don't Do Any Business At The Front Door, Thank You"

Success.

Note: That's my standard answer to door to door solicitors.

Buy on Amazon: Ring Wi-Fi Enabled Video Doorbell (Affiliate Link)


#REVIEW

How to Share a Quote from the Facebook Web Browser on iPhone

How to Share a Quote from the Facebook Web Browser on iPhone

When you open up a link from Facebook, it opens up the Facebook browser so you can read the associated story.

Let's say you want to select some text and SHARE the link back over on Facebook.

COPY ISN'T THERE
The only problem is, the after you select the text, you don't get the standard "Copy | Define | Share..." options that you get when you are in the Safari browser.
So how to you share a quote from an article to save back on Facebook.

ONE OPTION: OPEN IN SAFARI
You could open the web page in Safari and then COPY the text, OR you could look down at the bottom of the page, and notice the there is a SHARE QUOTE option.

HOW TO SHARE A QUOTE

Image: Web page open in Facebook Browser

1. SELECT YOUR TEXT
2. Choose SHARE QUOTE

That shares the page you are on, over on Facebook, with the quoted text.

Looks pretty nice.


Image: Facebook Post with Selected text highlighted

Review: Netgear AC750 WiFi Range Extender (EX6100)

UPDATE: See my Review: Installing eero WiFi system with TrueMesh. That solution works better.

I installed this Netgear AC750 WiFi Range Extender (EX6100) and performance improved. I've also got better Wifi connectivity on my front and back porch. Here's my review.

[Video] Carol and Steve: Baking Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins

Above is the video Carol and I made of Baking Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins. We followed the recipe we got from WCVB's Maria Stephanos when she interviewed the original baker. I've modified the order here so that the ingredient list matches the baking steps.

These muffins came out exactly like I remember them. Other recipes might have been on the web before this one, but this is the best Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffin recipe!

Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:

◦ 1/2 cup butter
◦ 1 cup sugar
◦ 2 eggs
◦ 1 teaspoon vanilla

◦ 2 cups flour (unsifted, blend of bread and pastry)
◦ 2 teaspoons baking powder
◦ 1/2 teaspoon salt

◦ 1/2 cup milk

◦ 2 1/2 cups blueberries (1/2 cup mashed, 2 cups floured)

◦ 2 teaspoons sugar (for tops)


On low speed, cream butter with sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time and mix until blended.

Add vanilla.

Sift dry ingredients; add to eggs-and-butter mixture, alternating with milk.

Mash 1/2 cup of berries and stir into mixture by hand.

Flour the remaining 2 cups of whole berries, and stir in by hand.

Grease muffin tins well with butter; grease the top surface of the pans as well. Pile mixture high in each muffin cup, and sprinkle the sugar over tops.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

THE RESULT:

Safetysuit Live at aloft Boston Seaport Hotel ‪#‎aloftlive

Flickr Now Includes Creative Commons License in Embedded Photos

Wow.

I just noticed that Flickr Now Includes Creative Commons License in Embedded Photos.

You can see the Creative Commons License if you hover yh our cursor over the photo.


IMAGE: Creative Commons License in Embedded Flickr Photo

Amazing.

I think we've been asking for this for 10 years.

The Ring Video Doorbell Now Gives You A Live View On Demand

Ring.com just introduced to Live View.

From their email:

You can now see and talk to anyone at your home, on demand. Check in with your family and keep an eye on your home, anytime night or day.


IMAGE: RING APP

To use Live View, simply open the Ring app on your mobile device, select your Video Doorbell and then tap Live View.


IMAGE: Ring Video Doorbell Live View

Live View is currently available to select users with hardwired devices only. Your Live View stream may take a few seconds to load.

Read my post: Ring Video Doorbell Installation

The Negotiation and Leadership Conference at Harvard. April 23, 2016

The Negotiation and Leadership Conference at Harvard. April 22, 2016

Ring Video Doorbell Installation

Update 12/29/16: The Ring Video Doorbell needs a really good WiFi connection for best performance. I just installed and reviewed an eero Wifi System. It helped a lot.

Boston Globe Newspaper Neglects to Link to Online Site Mentioned in Article

In a time when newspapers are trying to figure out how to engage an audience that has largely moved online, The Boston Globe continues to ignore this online audience in the print edition of the newspaper.

Regular readers of this blog know that I've been complaining about this for years. When a newspaper article is written about a website, the Boston Globe usually neglects to mention a link to the website. Readers are left having to use Google to search for the site online.

Over the years, the online version of the newspaper has gotten better, adding hyperlinks to article where required, but the link between the physical newspaper, the Boston Globe website, and the internet at large is still broken.

Here's an example from today, detailing a treasure trove of photo negatives of former mayor of Boston James Michael Curley, which have been put online.

NEWSPAPER

Image: Boston Globe Print article courtesy Boston Globe

The print article says this:

Now, with help from the Boston Public Library, the images, dating from 1934 to 1958, have been digitized and posted online.

Guess I'll have to get out the old Google to find that. ;-)

ONLINE

Image: BostonGlobe.com Online article courtesy Boston Globe

The online version of the article at BostonGlobe.com, does a better job by adding lots of links, include the money link to the archive:

Now, with help from the Boston Public Library, the images, dating from 1934 to 1958, have been digitized and posted online.

DIGITAL COMMONWEALTH SITE

Image: James Michael Curley negatives website screenshot courtesy Digital Commonwealth

Digital Commonwealth.
James Michael Curley photo negative collection.

UPDATE:

Some easy solutions for the Boston Globe print edition to implement.

1. Add a simple link to the website that you are talking about: "...digitized and posted online at http://digitalcommonwealth.org"

2. Add a custom link, that's easy for readers to type: "View online: http://bit.ly/CurleyNegatives"

3. Add a QR code for people to scan with their smartphone:


View online: http://bit.ly/CurleyNegatives

Qatar Airways Comes to Boston

Grand opening party at Aloft and Element Boston Seaport

Night out at the Celtics

SXSW 2016: People, Events, Brands, Beer and Food

SXSW 2016 Photos

INSIDE: Mitt Romney's anti-Trump speech may have entirely backfired

A new poll indicates that Mitt Romney's anti-Trump speech may not have hurt the Republican front-runner, and indeed could have entirely backfired. 31% of GOP voters reported that they are now more likely to vote for Trump after hearing Romney's remarks, while 43% said that it had no impact on their decision. – HILL

The #AskGaryVee Book is Out Now!

This is how you write an email promoting your book. Thanks Gary for sending me a copy, good luck with the release.

The #AskGaryVee Book is Out Now!! March 8th, 2016 View email in browser

Today's the day .. first and foremost I want to thank you for bearing with me through my right hook season. Good news, here's the last one. Here's My Top Ten List for the Day 1. Buy the book Today!!!!!!! Closest and most important to me is buying at your local independent book store, you can find the bookstore closest to you here  Buy the Hardcover! Buy the #AskGaryVee Audiobook ... literally it's the best audiobook ever made Buy the Kindle E-book book 2. Give an in-depth review on Instagram 3. Write an honest review of the book on Amazon 4. Review the book on Medium.com with your favorite takeaways 5. Share your favorite quote from the book on Snapchat 6. Buy the book for a friend 7. Get your friend to review the book on Instagram 8. Buy the book for a coworker 9. Post a review on your Facebook page or profile 10. Linkedin? Facebook group? Periscope? What's the platform that you have that will allow the most people to know about it? Ping me or tag me on it BUY THE #ASKGARYVEE BOOK Humbled by any purchase or review #thankYou - @GaryVee

SXSW 2006 Photos

SXSW 2015 Photos

View album on Flickr.

SXSW 2014 Photos

SXSW 2013 Photos

SXSW 2012 Photos

SXSW 2011 Photos

SXSW 2010 Photos

SXSW 2009 Photos

SXSW 2008 Photos

SXSW 2007 Photos

Gary Vaynerchuk #askgaryvee Book Promotion on Instagram

Gary Vaynerchuk #askgaryvee Book Promotion on Instagram as seen on Gary's Facebook wall.

It's interesting to see how Gary Vaynerchuk is using social media to promote his new book. He sent me a review copy and asked that I share on Instagram. I did that.

Thanks @garyvee for the #askgaryvee book. Looking forward to reading it.

A photo posted by Steve Garfield (@stevegarfield) on Mar 4, 2016 at 1:53pm PST

I also shared the photo, from Instagram to Facebook. I linked to Gary, and he put my post on his Facebook page. That's cool.



I also saw him promoting his book on Snapchat. Over there he asked people to take a screenshot of a photo of him and his book that displayed the @askgaryvee hashtag, over on Instagram too. I shared that too.

Helping out @garyvee by sharing #askgaryveebook and this screenshot from snapchat.

A photo posted by Steve Garfield (@stevegarfield) on Mar 4, 2016 at 7:06am PST

I was too quick on the trigger though, and shared the photo just prior to the one Gary really wanted us to share.



That was ok because in the flood of images that got shared, mine stood out as different. ;-)

Instagram is the book promotion vehicle of 2016. It's getting a lot of traction, and the power of it is that you see every post from everyone that you follow.

Buy the book on Amazon.com:

#AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur's Take on Leadership, Social Media, and Self-Awareness (Affiliate Link)

Fox News Was Supporting Marco Rubio?

Fox News will allegedly no longer support Marco Rubio's candidacy following a loss of confidence in him by CEO Roger Ailes. According to inside sources, Ailes was apparently disappointed in Rubio's performance in the race thus far and was also upset to see news about a secret meeting between himself and the candidate in the New York Times. – NYMAG

Romney calls Trump Fraud in 2016, Praised Trump in 2012.

In a speech in Utah, Mitt Romney called Donald Trump "a fraud" making worthless promises. Romney has not yet endorsed a specific Republican candidate, but urged listeners to consider the "serious policy proposals" of Cruz, Rubio and Kasich. Four years ago, Trump endorsed Romney for president, at which time the candidate praised him for creating jobs. – NYT via INSIDE

New YouTube Custom Blurring Feature works on moving people.

Google launches Custom Blurring feature on YouTube; users can draw box around object or person they wish to keep from being seen; YouTube blurs out boxed item, even if it moves in the frame; feature can be found in Blurring Effects tab of enhancements tool. via LAUNCH


Image: Choose automatic or custom


Image: In custom mode, choose what you want to blur, and for how long.

DISCOUNT CODES from OBVIOUSLY SOCIAL.

DISCOUNT CODES from OBVIOUSLY SOCIAL. Vinebox WINEBETTER $10 off any purchase Try The World CULTURE20 $20 off any subscription EBOOST ACADIA15 15% off POW Berry-Melon Fizz Natural workout supplement Ringly TANGERINE15 15% off any smart ring Freehand Chicago OBVIOUSFREEHAND 15% off best available room rate

Sosa Basics JMAINE15 15% off Everyday Driving Gloves FabFitFun  DRESSME $10 off your first box Organic Gemini SUPERFOOD 20% off healthy drinks and snacks The New York Times $1/week digital subscription for college students Santa Clara Bacon & Beer Festival CRAFT 20% off tickets

34 Ways to Get The Most From a Conference by Andy Crestodina

Andy Crestodina does a great job of compiling 34 Ways to Get The Most From a Conference:

The difference between a good and bad event is partly up to you, the attendee. Two people can go to the same conference and have a completely different experience. Some people are just better at maximizing the value.

This is a guide to squeezing all the value you can out of your next conference. The tips here are based on our experience attending 100+ conferences, trade shows, expos and networking events over the last 15 years.

Plus, I'm in it!

Steve and Carol at Northeast Craft Beer Fest

Northeast Craft Beer Fest

BROOKLYN Movie Trailer (Saoirse Ronan - 2015)

'American Idol' 2016: Top 14 Contestants Revealed! My Top 4.

'American Idol' 2016: Top 14 Contestants Revealed!

Here are my TOP 4 pics.

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Season 2 Teaser – Netflix [HD]

Note: Photos shot with Samsung #NX1 in AUTO mode.Buy on Amazon.com (affiliate link):Disclosure:Samsung supplied the Samsung NX1 28.2 MP Wireless SMART Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm f/2.0-2.8 "S" Lens to me on loan to play with and requested a short write-up and/or photos shared with the #NX1 hashtag.

[Video] “The Art of the Deal” starring Johnny Depp as Donald Trump.

Funny or Die released an hour-long film version of “The Art of the Deal” starring Johnny Depp as Donald Trump. 

The film - shot and edited in secrecy - was directed by Adam McKay of “Anchorman” and “The Big Short,” and also stars Ron Howard, Michaela Watkins, Alfred Molina, Patton Oswalt and Kristen Schaal and is shot to look as if it was made in the 1980s. – FOD

via INSIDE

The Death of Juicing via @inside

Super Bowl ads, New Hampshire updates and MORE are in today’s #InsideDailyBrief. Get the latest news here! http://bit.ly/20k6ENT

This was my favorite item:

Amanda Chantal Bacon founded the Los Angeles boutique juicery Moon Juice, which serves “cold-pressed, 100% organic juice and nut milk” in two locations around the city.

 

Bacon described for Elle.com her daily food routine and it’s intensely obscure, full of odd, unrecognizable ingredients. Things like silver needle and calendula tea, reishi, ho shou wu and activated cashews.

 

Here’s some of our favorite responses from around the Web:

 

Jarrett Sleeper added up the cost of Amanda’s grocery trip to buy all of her foodstuffs and it comes to over $1,200. The Frisky did the math and figured it at about $710 a day.

 

Julieanne Smolinski posted this note-perfect parody on Medium. Sample: “Dinner was a bouquet of tulips with my husband. We flash-boiled those in a marble cylinder full of rose quartz schmaltz and iron filings salvaged from the deck of the sunken French battleship Richelieu."

 

The Everywhereist attempted to recreate Bacon’s typical menu with the food she already had in her house.

 

New York Magazine said the article marks the “death of juicing."

 

Racked LA, however, jumped to Bacon’s defense, accusing the rest of the Web of “health-shaming” her. 

My American Idol Top 4

Grease: LIVE set the bar for live tv broadcasts integrating social media

Image: Kevin Estrada/Fox

Grease: Live was the best of the recent live broadcasts. Comparing this one to those others, they were snoozefests.

What worked here for me:

1. Integration of a live audience. Helped the show come alive.

2. Self-awareness of being a live show in 2016, not 1956. Instead of re-creating the stage play, we got nods to the movie and current pop culture. The behind the scenes opening with Jesse J and a selfie was inspired.

3. Social media integration. Facebook Live just overtook Twitter as the way to follow social media, during a live broadcast. I started following the hashtag on Twitter, then a lower thirds graphic directed me to Facebook to watch live during the breaks. Watching the show on TiVo made this easier, being able to pause the live broadcast. Facebook Live video showing behind the scenes and Mario Lopez talking with us was groundbreaking. 

Facebook still needs to work on the sports stadium live tv watching interface. I don't know why they didn't integrate that for this.

Future live shows like this now have a new standard to live up to.