tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327069852024-02-27T23:38:06.656-05:00Tom's WorldI like cars, computers, my family, food...you should find some interesting posts here. Thanks for looking. Tom MisterTomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-59681008088719778272016-04-27T05:56:00.002-05:002016-04-27T05:56:18.516-05:00Abby's artwork merchandiseAbby has multiple designs available on <a href="http://society6.com/misterabigail">Society6.com</a>. If you haven't heard of <a href="http://society6.com/misterabigail">Society6.com</a>, they sell tshirts/pillows/mugs/phone cases/etc. featuring any artwork you choose. If you select one of Abby's designs she receives a portion of the proceeds. Check out her designs at <a href="http://society6.com/misterabigail">http://society6.com/misterabigail</a>.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-60112042929033898452016-04-08T06:10:00.001-05:002016-04-08T06:12:05.891-05:00Building a new houseWe have talked about it for many years - this might finally be it. If we build we will have to sell our current house so I've started collecting pictures and writing descriptions. Take a look at my work in progress here - <a href="http://6110silverbelllane.com">http://6110silverbelllane.com</a>TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-56007952149661006012013-05-31T21:10:00.003-05:002013-05-31T21:10:58.875-05:00For my 40th birthday, I bought my 40th car!I bought a 2013 Toyota Tundra Double Cab 4x4 with the Rock Warrior package. For the first time ever I went with black paint. I've bought many cars in my lifetime but I have been slowing down here recently (only 1 per year since 2009 - see <a href="http://tommister.com/cars.html">Tom's Cars</a>). My new truck is from Mechanicsville Toyota - if you are in the Richmond area I suggest you check them out!
TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-44243296173001118382012-12-23T08:46:00.000-05:002012-12-23T08:50:07.633-05:00Finally a NAS I like<p>It has been a long journey but I have finally found a NAS I like - an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=apple%20time%20capsule&tag=abbysplace0e&index=electronics&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Apple Time Capsule.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=abbysplace0e&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /></p>
<p>It doesn't have many bells and whistles, but it does have the one thing many others I tried have been lacking - speed! As a bonus it is a wifi router too. I stumbled upon this beauty due to my recent Mac/Apple obsession. I've wanted a Mac for a while but been too cheap. After realizing how much I love my iPad and how well it works I figured it was time to spend the bucks and give it a try. I got a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=macbook%20air%2013&tag=abbysplace0e&index=electronics&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Apple MacBook Air 13 inch.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=abbysplace0e&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> What an incredible machine! I have been very happy with it.</p>
<p>The Apple Time Capsule allows me to backup all of my computers to one local spot. As I already mentioned, the performance/speed is great. It also hasn't run nearly as hot as other NAS boxes. It is small and quiet. I can map a drive to it from Windows PCs. So far so good, if anything changes I will let you know. Merry Christmas!
TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-47676775671413632902012-07-09T17:35:00.002-05:002012-07-09T17:36:55.903-05:00Carbonite UpdateI just realized I never posted the resolution to my Carbonite issue. I recall the service being down for about a week but it has been fine since then. Carbonite is just one piece of my OCD backup plan, so I will be OK. I wish they had handled the communication better, but oh well. The service is cheap enough and it works.
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I do also backup to an external drive at home and I have an external drive that I keep offsite too. I update them about once per week (not my entire computer, just pictures/documents/etc.). I really don't want to lose all my family pictures.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-37532151517697556042011-11-21T19:14:00.000-05:002011-11-21T19:14:23.765-05:00CarboniteI've been using Carbonite for 2 or 3 months. It had been going well, but on Friday November 18 the service became unavailable. A few hours later I got an email from Carbonite explaining the outage. Since then, nothing. I am now a very disappointed customer. It was nice that they notified me of a problem, but now 3 days with no update? What if my computer crashed and I needed a critical file? What if a new file became corrupted before it was backed up? I'm certainly not getting the service I paid for.<br />
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Here's the email they sent Friday, 11/18 6:20 PM:<br />
Dear Thomas,<br />
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During a routine maintenance check today, Carbonite identified a technical issue that required us to temporarily take a small number of our customers’ backups offline. Please be aware that while we troubleshoot this, you will not be able to access, add new or update existing files to your backup. Your backup is safe and will be accessible again shortly.<br />
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We will send you another email to let you know this issue is resolved.<br />
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Thanks for your patience.<br />
<br />
The Carbonite TeamTomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-2327063817392986512011-11-13T18:58:00.000-05:002011-11-13T18:58:45.931-05:00I have been busier than ever...As my kids get older and my responsibilities at work grow I have been busier than ever. I did manage to update my personal website a bit today (<a href="http://www.tommister.com">TomMister.com</a>). I've long dreamed of taking the time to make it a nicer site with more content but I just have not made the time to do it. Maybe next year when I get to build my Jeep Wrangler a bit more I will document my work on my website.<br />
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As the holidays approach, please click through this link for any purchase you are making at Amazon:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=abbysplace0e&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957">Amazon.com</a><img src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=abbysplace0e&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-22003021150298920272011-03-18T07:15:00.000-05:002011-03-18T07:15:00.860-05:00Mozilla Plugin CheckI have been meaning to post about this for a while. This is a great site - <a href="http://www.mozilla.com/plugincheck/">Mozilla Plugin Check</a>. It's a one stop place to make sure all of your browser plugins are up to date. You don't even need to use FireFox, it works with Internet Explorer and Chrome too.<br />
<br />
Out of date plugins pose a security rick to your computer. Many of the old versions of Flash, Acrobat Reader, Java, QuickTime etc. have security holes that are being exploited on the Internet.<br />
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Do yourself a favor, bookmark the Mozilla Plugin Check page and be sure to visit it regularly. Plugins are updated on a regular basis.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-58341634861700140542010-10-17T17:06:00.001-05:002010-10-17T18:31:16.926-05:00No more slow NASI've been complaining for a while that my NAS was running slow. I now know why it seemed that way - it had to do with Windows 7 Homegroups. Check out this article from Windows Secrets - <a href="http://windowssecrets.com/2010/10/14/01-Simple-change-in-settings-pumps-up-Win7-networks">http://windowssecrets.com/2010/10/14/01-Simple-change-in-settings-pumps-up-Win7-networks</a><br />
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Now my NAS (a Maxtor CentralAxis) is still not a super performer, but at least it's response time is much better now from my Windows 7 desktop.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-30672091040010458702010-07-30T09:48:00.001-05:002010-07-30T09:55:30.382-05:00First post in 2010...in July...so sadI just realized I have not posted anything in 2010. Am I really that boring? Do I have nothing to say? Usually I can talk about cars but there has not been much action in that area lately. I did sell the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I bought last year, and have picked up a 2010 Toyota Corolla S. 0% financing and free maintenance were too tempting to the chronic car buyer in me (evidence <a href="http://www.tommister.com/cars.html" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
<br />
We just set a record for the most days over 100 degrees for the year, and July is not over yet. It was a cold snowy winter and now it has been a hot dry summer here in <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=23111&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Mechanicsville,+Hanover,+Virginia+23111&z=11" target="_blank">Mechanicsville, VA</a>.<br />
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Maybe I will have something interesting to post soon.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-4447860122171437462009-12-13T08:59:00.006-05:002009-12-13T09:12:14.951-05:00NostalgiaI was missing the 70's the other day. I don't remember much of them since I was born in the early 70's but I guess what I really miss are simpler times. As a child I really enjoyed the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=Great%20Brain&tag=abbysplace0e&index=books&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Great Brain</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=abbysplace0e&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />books by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UTF8&keywords=John%20D.%20Fitzgerald&tag=abbysplace0e&index=books&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">John D. Fitzgerald</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=abbysplace0e&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />(he grew up in the late 1800's in Utah). <br /><br />Anyway, when I was searching to feed my 70's fix I fould this site --> <a href="http://wesclark.com/am/">http://wesclark.com/am/</a>. It's a great story about growing up in Burbank, California in the 60's and 70's by Wes Clark. Maybe it will inspire me to write about my childhood?TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-55635837296309465162009-12-01T19:18:00.004-05:002009-12-01T19:22:13.952-05:00Land's End order tracking does not work in FirefoxIt is so irritating when companies don't test their websites/don't care if they do not work. I get emails from Land's End when an order has shipped. They have links to a page where you enter your order number and click track, which directs you to a UPS webpage. In Firefox I always get an error "UPS could not locate the shipment details". For kicks I tried it in IE 8 tonight and it works! How annoying.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-76782919813840800212009-11-21T07:18:00.001-05:002009-11-21T07:24:04.735-05:00Amazon.com Black Friday dealsDon't forget to check out the black Friday specials at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http://www.amazon.com/&tag=abbysplace0e&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325">Amazon.com</a><br><br /><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=abbysplace0e&o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=blackfriday&banner=046HD55X7YJPCZ6ZR602&f=ifr" width="300" height="250" scrolling="no" border="0" marginwidth="0" style="border:none;" frameborder="0"></iframe>TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-55565243220202409432009-11-12T21:05:00.003-05:002009-11-12T21:07:04.453-05:00iTunes JavascriptsOh boy, I am excited about this! I found some JavaScript files to help cleanup iTunes mess since Apple refuses to help. I used two of the scripts to find songs without artwork and also to find my missing songs. Check it out here --> <a href="http://ottodestruct.com/blog/2005/itunes-javascripts/">http://ottodestruct.com/blog/2005/itunes-javascripts/</a>TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-2703664889513654572009-11-09T08:40:00.000-05:002009-11-09T08:41:43.882-05:00Hot off the press from Amazon.com - JeansI just got this notice from Amazon:<br>We've just launched a new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=2210867011&tag=abbysplace0e">Denim Shop</a> with free shipping and free returns on jeans. You can find an impressive lineup of premium denim brands such as 7 for All Mankind, Lucky Brand, Joe's Jeans, plus all-American classics such as Levi's. It's everything you love about jeans, now right here at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=2210867011&tag=abbysplace0e">Amazon.com</a>.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-41763883462154189112009-10-08T11:06:00.002-05:002009-10-08T11:07:34.138-05:00Halloween time at Amazon.com<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=abbysplace0e&o=1&p=26&l=ur1&category=halloween&banner=01T26JP1801XTMRZPM02&f=ifr" width="468" height="60" scrolling="no" border="0" marginwidth="0" style="border:none;" frameborder="0"></iframe>TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-81130633621563762962009-10-07T18:29:00.001-05:002009-10-07T18:31:52.700-05:00Amazon Wish ListsHot off the press from Amazon.com: Amazon Wish Lists just turned 10, and we're celebrating with 10 weeks of sweepstakes with prizes we think you'll love. Just create, add to, or share a Wish List, and you'll be invited to enter! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/?&node=2223317011&tag=abbysplace0e">Click here for more details.</a>TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-10914809457555898572009-09-27T16:08:00.002-05:002009-09-27T16:11:58.839-05:00Good Chinese FoodI recently had really good Chinese food on the west end of Richmond and wanted to write about it here so that others would know and so that I don't forget.<br /><br />Chung Hing<br />3053 Lauderdale Dr (near Short Pump Mall)<br />Richmond, VA <br />phone 804-360-2708<br /><br />I had a lunch special. They give a lot of food for $4.99. I had soup, my entree (beef with broccoli) and fried rice. The lunch special have many options. If you are in the area and hungry give Chung Hing a try!TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-47512171922776124672009-09-13T19:54:00.002-05:002009-09-13T20:01:53.151-05:00C# 2008 for ProgrammersI recently checked out this book from my local library: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0137144156?ie=UTF8&tag=abbysplace0e&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0137144156">C# 2008 for Programmers (3rd Edition)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=abbysplace0e&l=as2&o=1&a=0137144156" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /><br />It is written by by Paul J. Deitel and Harvey M. Deitel. I found it to be very useful as a reference guide. I had some tasks that I wanted to try in C# and this book helped me figure out how to do them. It covers the latest topics (as of .NET 3.5) and all of the standard .NET stuff as well.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-34394555968720481732009-08-29T12:20:00.004-05:002009-08-29T12:25:49.604-05:00The College SolutionI heard an interview with the author of this book on the radio today --> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0132365707?ie=UTF8&tag=abbysplace0e&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0132365707">The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=abbysplace0e&l=as2&o=1&a=0132365707" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /><br /><br />I have not read the book but the author (Lynn O'Shaughnessy) had some good points about helping your child pick a college. There was also some interesting information about comparing the costs of different schools. So far it has good reviews at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0132365707?ie=UTF8&tag=abbysplace0e&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0132365707">Amazon.com</a>.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-72037706939440276592009-08-10T08:24:00.005-05:002009-08-10T08:33:56.557-05:00Busch Gardens WilliamsburgI was sad to hear that Busch Gardens is closing the Big Bad Wolf. It is a great ride, a classic 80's roller coaster. Growing up in the Williamsburg area I got to ride it a lot in my teen years.<br /><br />Since I still live reasonably close, I bought annual passes for my family so that two of my kids can enjoy "traveling at the speed of fright." My youngest is still too young. We were there yesterday and had a blast despite the blazing heat. Even without the Big Bad Wolf it is a great park.<br />------<br />From the Busch Gardens website:<br />On July 24, Busch Gardens announced that after 25 years traveling at the speed of fright, The Big Bad Wolf will take its last trip through Busch Gardens’ Bavarian village Sept. 7. <a href="http://www.buschgardens.com/bgw2/Explore/Rides.aspx?id=489">http://www.buschgardens.com/bgw2/Explore/Rides.aspx?id=489</a>TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-91760633900544224062009-08-04T19:21:00.000-05:002009-08-04T19:22:22.190-05:00Mac OS X Snow Leopard available at AmazonStarting now, Mac OS X Snow Leopard is available for preorder exclusively at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000410511&tag=abbysplace0e">Amazon.com</a>. Current Mac OS 10.5 Leopard users are eligible to upgrade to Snow Leopard at the very low price of $29.<br /><br />Snow Leopard is a truly exciting addition to the Mac OS X line, with half the footprint of previous versions, great new features in Expose & Stacks, quicker Time Machine backup, and faster wireless network interaction. It’s the world’s most advanced operating system, finely tuned. Mac OS X Snow Leopard is releasing in September 2009.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-38237483178121583662009-06-26T07:40:00.004-05:002009-08-05T18:50:59.728-05:00Windows 7Be sure to visit the Windows 7 resource center at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=1286119011&tag=abbysplace0e">amazon.com</a>. If you preorder Windows 7 you get 50% off. This is a limited time offer from Microsoft through select resellers. Click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=1286119011&tag=abbysplace0e">here</a> now.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-36048404827165733202009-04-19T08:52:00.005-05:002009-08-05T18:51:19.283-05:00New Jeep!I bought a new to me Jeep this week, mainly to use for commuting but Jeeps are always fun to work on too. It is a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo V8 4x4. The color is Taupe. It's in good condition as far as I can tell. Here is a picture: <img src="http://www.tommister.com/images/1999JeepGC.jpg">TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32706985.post-5521554539081465112009-04-04T01:27:00.002-05:002009-04-04T01:29:46.668-05:00Radiator BarnThis week I had to put a new radiator on my Jeep Wrangler. The old one had started leaking. I found a great price at <a href="http://www.radiatorbarn.com">http://www.radiatorbarn.com</a>. They also shipped my order on the next business day, with free shipping! If you need a radiator for you vehicle I recommend that you check them out.TomMisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12225358288638521531noreply@blogger.com0