How to make your own "SmackBook"

The video that just showed up today displayed a modified Desktop Manager with AMSTracker to use the sudden motion sensor to toggle desktop switching. Here's the code used, and how to modify it yourself.

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Hold your spit cups high, we have arrived as a World Class City...

Sponsored by a NC Grocery Chain Food Lion and featuring MC Hammer and Quiet Riot, Charlotte has really pulled out all the stops for Memorial Day weekend.

The family friendly NASCAR event, Speedstreet 600, is the kickoff party for the CocaCola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. It took me an extra 25 minutes to get into work uptown but it is welcome revenue for the city, not to mention a Smoked Turkey Leg wrapped in foil. I am not a big NASCAR fan. I see the appeal but find it too expensive to attend, but if Hammer is going to be showing up then maybe I should rethink things...

They are also debuting the movie Cars at Lowes Motor Speedway. The size of the screens are incredible to accomodate the audience there at the track. This also brings a few of the movie's stars like Owen Wilson and Bonnie Hunt to the Queen City.

In a related story, just this morning I heard on NPR where 15 year old driver Marc Davis sponsored by the Joe Gibbs Racing (Go Redskins!) is a poised to be a star in the world of racing. The young black driver is part of the Drive for Diversity program for NASCAR, which is in its second year. The high-schooler moved with his father, Harry Davis, former power boat racer, from Maryland to NC to pursue his passion. Maybe we should thank NASCAR Dads for bringing the sport into the mainstream and ultimately making it more accessible to all.

Long Weekend

John Earl Allen with Hat
Originally uploaded by phalston

Up early on Saturday, I went to see my Grandaddy in Henderson, NC. Pictured here at his 90th birthday party from a couple months ago.

He is recovering from a stroke but is rapidly improving. He was actually doing physical therapy exercises while in bed and in his wheelchair as I was talking to him. His spirits are strengthening along with his body. I love this man with all my heart and believe sincerely that he would do all he could for his family and friends.


My second stop was in Durham with my friend Charlotte for lunch. I did not get to ride in Charlotte's new TSX because she has not bought it yet. Lost the title to her old car and had to send a way for it... Maybe next time.

Stop number three kept me in Durham to use my computer expertise to assist Richard Brown. Yes, Richard Brown of The Richard Brown Radio Show. My seemingly-limitless computer knowledge was not enough. I still could not establish connectivity to the Internet with his desktop. Other machines work using the DSL Modem. The additional NIC in the desktop had been added and still would not connect. He took the machine to work and it would not connect to that network either. I am stumped but really want to get to the bottom of it. I accidentally stole a Sharpie from him but gave him a Knoppix Boot CD . He also turned me on to the comics fan site - zcultfm.com. Now I will get no work done...


Stop Four. Disc Golf with Fahim. His first time out and he did darn well. We stayed local and got to test out the Navi on the BMW to find the course. I am always amazed at the demographic for Disc Golf. I mistakenly assume I will just see college age guys exclusively. Ahead of us was group of 30-something good ol' boys with cigarettes and beer, slinging discs, and taking bets on each hole. Behind us were two couples of men and women, so my limited thinking on who would be interested in playing the sport my wife calls: "Frisbee for Losers with No Friends"

Headed home after...I miss the Hill but it is home no longer.

Is this the future of the Video iPod?

With all the patent buzz surrounding Apple, is this the technology we are likely to see on an iPod or MacBook Pro?

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