Review: iPod to PC transfer

Review: Ipod to PC transfers

Since I got my new laptop, I wanted to backup my iTunes music library onto the hardrive. While examining the options in iTunes, I couldn't figure how to accomplish this. After a quick Google search, I discovered that I'm not blind, you really can't do this. I assume this is a licensing thing, or a piracy prevention-method.

In order to transfer your iPod music library to your PC, you'll need to download an application to handle things. There are evidently many options out there, but a great list can be found on About.com. Some of these programs will require you to purchase a license.

I'm trying an application called iPodRip. This is advertised as providing recovery of playlists and supports song information (including ratings, play count, last played, etc), viewing and copying of playlists. You can download an unrestricted trial copy (1.1mb d/l), and a full license is $14.95 . You'll be allowed 10 uses before activation is required (to the multi-lingual, if you work with them in translating iPodRip, they'll provide you with a license). (iTunes must be installed on your machine already).

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St. Louis Metro Storm Update

Well, just felt like making another update about the storm. It's so odd that we're here in our nice powered home but so many things around us just aren't up and running. You should have seen the run on the one open gas station I passed on the way home. Not too easy to find ice and bottled water around here I've also heard. Some of the cities are making arrangements to have water primarily, but, also some food trucked in and distributed throughout affected neighborhoods. Many locations have instituted curfews.

Thank the Lord that the temperatures are to a more bearable level instead of what they were earlier in the week.
I read on the StLToday website that what had passed through the town where my Mom and Stepdad live wasn't a tornado afterall, just very strong winds. Approx. 50-80% of her town is without power as of the last report this morning. So, I'm still a little worried about my parents as I can't raise them on the landline or mom's cell, but, there are no deaths or serious injuries reported so I will try not to get too upset about the lack of contact. My Grandfather lives a little south of Mom, and even more of his town was damaged, but, again, personal injury reports on the news haven't got me concerned, and I know he's got my Aunts and cousins around. I look forward to when the lines of communication are fully open again though. :)

A spokesperson on the local news from Ameren UE (or electrical services provider in the region) says that the biggest gains in restoring power will be made today and Sunday, but, they likely won't reach 100% of service until Thursday. At last update, we had over 370,000 customers without power, at the height of each storm, it was well over half a million.

We're now currently at the restoration point we had reached after Wednesday's storm before Friday's storms knocked back out those customers and then some. Everyone there has been working long hours fixing things up. I also saw many people out cutting up trees and performing some general cleanup throughout their neighborhoods.

According to news outlets, there isn't a hotel room to be had within at least 60 miles, and all open restaurants are being flooded with patrons eager to have a proper meal. Since we've had power most of the time, we're able to prepare food and everything... ;) but, let me tell you, I'd prefer to eat out right now. Although I will resist the urge, I think, to track down an open restaurant and leave the spot I would have taken up to someone who doesn't have the option of cooking at home, as I do.

While there have been as few as half a dozen deaths in the region due to these storms, there have been many injuries from major to minor, and I'm sure there will continue to be new ones as cleanup continues. Why not take this as a reminder to go out and Donate Some Blood if you are able.

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Never Rains But Pours

Well some of you might have seen on the news or read over the ap-wire that St. Louis has been declared a disaster ( ;) all cultural jests aside from the coasts, please)... the National Guard came in sometime overnight last night to help check on residents without power and to transport them to cooling stations set up all over the area, with plans to set up additional locations (these efforts are also being facilitated by the fire department and area volunteers). If you're in the affected area and you *do* have power, don't get out driving around, because in addition to the stoplights being out, you'll encounter long lines at the few gas/petrol stations still operating. Do call to your local restaurants, some of them have brought in generators to power themselves and it could be a welcome relief from heat and canned goods. Take a walk through your neighborhood (weather permitting) to check on any elderly residents or those living alone to see if they need water, food or cooling down.

Food Safety: (after losing electricity)
Remember, 4-6 hours without power, throw out your refrigerated meats and dairy products, to conserve the temperature don't open doors or quickly as possible.
Frozen foods tend to be good for a couple days if you keep the door shut.
Keeping Cool:
If you've been cooling with a/c and lose power, keep your doors and windows closed for about 6-8 hours, at which point the cool will have dissipated and you'll want to open doors and windows for airflow.

Hopefully this most recent system moving through will mean the end of the triple-digit temperatures.

My sister is alright, but, we're still waiting to hear from Mom after the last round of storms right after lunch today, so I hope everyone is ok... heard a friend in Fairview lost part of his roof, but he and his wife are alright and that's the most important thing.

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The role of FM in delivering the 2012 Olympic Games to London

click link to access entire article (may require free registration)

The role of FM in delivering the 2012 Olympic Games to London (article from UK periodical FMWorld)

The immediate challenge is to build and deliver world-class event and transport facilities that will be able to cope with the influx that the games will bring, as well as securing a legacy for the years after the games have packed up and moved on.
With an estimated £2 million being spent every day between 2007 and 2012 and with more than 6,000 construction staff at its peak, facilities managers will feel the full weight of responsibility for ensuring that everything and everyone is ready when the doors swing open and the Games come to town.

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You might have noticed...

You might have noticed that the name on my profile changed!

Well, that is because I was lucky enough to get married last weekend. I'd like to take us on a little trip back in time...

When we met in person for the first time: AU 2004... look on the lower right-hand corner at the CWC group... Mike and I are the ones goofing off.

What led to our meeting: AU 2001... I went to the AUGI annual meeting and joined up in the exhibit hall right afterwards. When I got back home, I joined the guilds.

When we got engaged: Spring 2005... Lynn broke the news after taking the AUGI board out to dinner and hearing what was up.

Word Spread: wildfire couldn't go faster...

Public Confirmation: Well... a public statement was made to address the rumours flying about on various CADdie websites and email lists, to confirm the engagement, but, to clarify that we were *not* getting hitched at AU. Lynn was kind enough to post a follow up... I'm still curious as to who actually had pictures of us ~nervous~.

The past year has been rather busy for us, and we had to spend our first Valentine's day apart.

But...

Sunday July the 2nd: I joined Mike in California... and we were married in the presence of God and a handful of our augi friends in a gorgeous park by the water.

So, pictures are posted and more pictures are posted, friends have congratulated, and two lives are joined into one.

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Very Valuable Variable: DRAGMODE

from autocad help:

DRAGMODE controls the display of objects being dragged. When Drag mode is on, the image of an object is displayed as you drag it to another position. With some computer configurations, dragging can be time-consuming. Use DRAGMODE to suppress dragging.

0 - Does not display an outline of the object as you drag it
1 - Displays the outline of the object as you drag it only if you enter drag on the command line after selecting the object to drag
2 - Auto; always displays an outline of the object as you drag it

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California is Beautiful

Of course, having spent a great deal of my time here growing up, I already knew that... I just thought I'd rub it in for those who aren't enjoying it right now. ;) Yesterday, the augi first lady (aka the lovely Mrs. Binning) escorted me around to some lovely scenic parks and overlooks. We did a little bit of hiking... and then a little shopping. We also visited the Frank Lloyd Wright building here in Marin County.

Wow. Just Wow. The building is just MASSIVE but, still sort of close and cozy inside. A memorable experience.

My other half is still working right now, so, I'm to keep myself out of trouble for a couple of hours, then we've had scheduled a pairing. And, to my suprise, that doesn't include the picking of any me-shaped fruit. I don't know the name or location of the vineyard, but, I know I'm in good hands, so, no worries.

There were some fireworks here last night in an a park adjacent to our hotel, but, we were having dinner and didn't actually see them.

Hope everyone has a great weekend, and a lovely 4th.

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