Firefox 48

My use of Firefox has dwindled as I became frustrated at the browser freezing up at times.  But I'm taking a new look, thanks to today's launch of Firefox 48, which will slowly introduce multi-processor support (i.e. one tab's misbehavior is isolated), a feature long available in my primary browser, Google Chrome.  Also very important, and also under the covers, is the introduction of some components written in the new Rust programming language, promising great performance without the security issues of C++.  Oh, and some new User Interface (UI) eye candy, which I could care less about.

https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2016/08/02/exciting-improvements-in-firefox-for-desktop-and-android/

Father's

I've been researching my family tree for another blog I'm writing and I've traced the details of my direct Moorman heritage back this far, thanks to the fantastic Thieman Genealogy web site.  Mary Thieman married M. August Moorman (my great-great-great-grandfather) in the early 1800's and had Franz in 1819. M. August, Mary and Franz immigrated to the United States, landing in Ohio, northwest of Dayton, and most of us have stayed around southwest Ohio ever since.  I've often heard that there are a lot of Moorman's in Mercer County, and now I see the connection.

http://thiemangenealogy.com

Franz H. Moorman (great-great-grandfather)

Born: Sep. 15, 1819, Oldenburg, Germany

Died: Jul. 19, 1888, Mercer County, Ohio

Henry John Moorman (great-grandfather)

Born: Sep. 24, 1856, Saint Henry, Mercer County, Ohio

Died Aug. 7, 1938, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio

Leo Albinus Moorman (grandfather)

Born: Mar. 1, 1893, Coldwater, Mercer County, Ohio
Died: Jan. 27, 1961, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio

Earl Joseph Moorman (father)

Born: Sep. 19, 1926, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio

Died: Jul. 25, 1989, Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio

COMPACT BLUMOTION

Our kitchen cabinets installed last year have COMPACT BLUMOTION hinges which slowly and silently pull the door closed after being partially shut. Check these folks out if you have any remodeling projects that involve any type of drawer. They have a lot of very slick, innovative products.

http://www.blum.com/us/en/01/20/10/

East Dayton Meat

It's summertime and that means grilling steaks out on the patio.  I get mine at East Dayton Meat where they sell whole New York steaks (and much more), trim and cut them to my specification (3/4") and vacuum seal them, two per pack, in heavy plastic, which allows them to avoid freezer burn.  Prices vary week to week, but the $4.59 per pound I paid during their last weekly special for a 14.63 pound monster was a great deal.

http://www.eastdaytonmeat.com/

Lynda.com Via Your Library

Lynda.com has series of high-quality lessons on a range of topics. Some examples include:

• Becoming a Songwriter
• Become a Manager
• Become a Graphic Designer
• Become a Java Programmer
• Become a Web Designer

And you can get all of this for free (I love free) if you're a member of the Dayton Metro Library, like I am. It may also be available through your favorite local library.

I'm currently watching the Neo4J series to learn about Graph Databases.  Very well done.

http://www.daytonmetrolibrary.org/

Hiding the Gas Regulator

When houses in my neighborhood were built (circa 1958), the geniuses decided to place the gas regulators near the center of the backyards, right around where third base would be. To top that, a former owner of my house built a brick fireplace right in front of it.  Gas and fire, what an interesting combination.

By the time I moved in, that fireplace was in sad shape, so brick by brick I took it apart, broke up the steel-reinforced concrete pad it was sitting on, and hauled all 3,000 pounds of it to the local dump.  I then moved some sod around to make it horizontal to the house and planted grasses and hostas.  What was an eyesore is now a thing of beauty, and it hides the regulator nicely.

Android Custom Camera Settings

I love using High Dynamic Range (HDR) to take pictures, particularly where there is a combination of bright and low lights, for example, a sunset.  But every time I launched my Camera app I had to select HDR, which is annoying.  Then I ran across the "Save custom camera" option.  Just set all your camera settings the way you want it, then tap that option and give it a name (I called mine "HDR"). Since the Camera app launches to the last setting used, this effectively keeps HDR turned on for me.

This link has setup instructions for my HTC One M8, but is probably very similar to most Android phones.

http://androidwidgetcenter.com/android-tips/save-custom-camera-settings-htc-one-m8/

Internet Speed Test

Google is rolling out its own Internet speed test tool in conjunction with Measurement Lab.  All it takes is the following Google search and clicking the "RUN SPEED TEST" button.  The following result is from my home Internet connection from Charter Spectrum (was Time Warner).

https://www.google.com/search?q=check+my+internet+speed

Mexican Rice

Took a lot of chopping to make this dish, but it was worth the result.  Hot and spicy, it was a great side dish to our Mexican chicken sliders.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/73303/mexican-rice-iii/

Amazon Locker

A little skittish to leave your expensive Amazon order on your front door step?  Maybe want to keep that Christmas present a little more secretive?  If you're lucky enough to have an Amazon Locker, a secure, self-service delivery option, near you, it's your lucky day.  And it comes at no extra cost. That's sort of like free (I love free).

The one pictured below, named Judy, is located at the Speedway gas station across from the Dayton Mall on State Route 741, only one of two in the greater Dayton, Ohio area.  And a mile from work. Sweetness.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_left_v4_sib?ie=UTF8&nodeId=201530900