Little Distractions http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com Most recent posts at Little Distractions posterous.com Wed, 09 May 2012 21:46:52 -0700 Figured out what was going on with my dropbox/drive space http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/figured-out-what-was-going-on-with-my-dropbox http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/figured-out-what-was-going-on-with-my-dropbox With the sudden unavailability of free drive space on my netbook, I did a little digging to see what could be done to lasso in some pesky space-waters.  When I ran WinDirStat I was surprised to see that Dropbox accounted for 24.6GB of hard drive space.  This seemed particularly odd, since I only have about 12GB in my whole account.

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So this one took a little digging, but I now understand what the heck was going on.  I hit google and found some answers.

As files are accessed and updated, there is a copy of each iteration kept around for 3 days in case you want to roll back.  This hadn't been an issue previously, but I recently added an Outlook Personal Folders (.pst) file to my dropbox during a move to my new laptop.

The file is about 1GB on its own...and as I dropped files out there, an additional "old" version of the whole file was kept.  At a gig per hit, that's a lot of overhead, if only for 3 days.

Dropbox is smart enough to only push the changed parts of the file...so I didn't notice a bandwidth hit that would come with uploading, say 8GB per day.  Instead, I was uploading a couple MB per day.  Fortunately, you can delete the files in the dropbox cache without concern (though it'll take longer to roll back to a less-than-three-day-old-file if you find the need to).

On a side note, hooray for only replicating the changed blocks!  See former co-workers, block level storage technology is cool and useful! ;)

So I suppose the take-away is to be mindful of keeping files (large ones in particular) in your Dropbox if they're going to be changing regularly.

Yes, Dropbox is still my top file cloud-sync choice (has been for years).  SkyDrive is making progress, and Google Drive has potential, but Dropbox just plain works.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Tue, 08 May 2012 13:31:02 -0700 Wow, apparently my netbook hard drive is a little full http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/wow-apparently-my-netbook-hard-drive-is-a-lit http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/wow-apparently-my-netbook-hard-drive-is-a-lit An expanded dropbox, local skydrive, and google drive ate up a fair bit of space.  Yikes!
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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Sun, 25 Mar 2012 09:28:40 -0700 Is there a conspiracy to ruin Chevy Chase? http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/is-there-a-conspiracy-to-ruin-chevy-chase http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/is-there-a-conspiracy-to-ruin-chevy-chase He's had hits and misses, but to date the laughs outweigh the groans.  I've just read two different articles where Chevy is in demand.  The likelihood of at least one of these being absolute rubbish is pretty high...and the odds of both being awful is much higher than the odds of both being good.
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One article is about him and Dan Aykroid and that they have started a project they can't talk about.  The latter is a bit of a red flag on it's own.  Still, I'm hopeful they can find a recipe for an enjoyable movie.

The other is an appeal from the minds behind ||| who are calling for Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo to reprise their roles as the Griswolds.  Ahhhhhhhhhh run away!!!  Don't tarnish the franchise any further!!

Time will tell, but like I said, I think there might be a conspiracy to ruin Chevy Chase.  Maybe a four leaf clover will bring him some luck.

Media_httpwwwuesjourn_fcrck

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Wed, 14 Mar 2012 05:51:15 -0700 City Creek in SLC opens next week http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/city-creek-in-slc-opens-next-week http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/city-creek-in-slc-opens-next-week

This was a pretty swanky project that we got to watch the progress of while we were in Salt Lake City.  This skyway was what I looked down at from my office each day.  It’ll be cool to check out when we visit (need to get something on the calendar for that too….)

 

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:12:34 -0700 Why didn't I make more rube goldberg machines when I was this kid's age? http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/why-didnt-i-make-more-rube-goldberg-machines http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/why-didnt-i-make-more-rube-goldberg-machines

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Wed, 07 Mar 2012 12:05:53 -0800 The soon-to-be-released iPad http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/the-soon-to-be-released-ipad http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/the-soon-to-be-released-ipad First there was the iPad.  Then iPad2.  Now "The new iPad".  

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Really?  The new iPad?

All things considered it's not really "new" so much as "improved".

Photo via Engadget

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:09:00 -0800 How Soon is "Too Soon?" http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/how-soon-is-too-soon http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/how-soon-is-too-soon
Comic

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:03:37 -0800 New Toy! http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/new-toy http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/new-toy Brought it home tonight!

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See the full gallery on Posterous

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Fri, 24 Feb 2012 13:24:27 -0800 Microsoft ads show alternatives to Google http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/microsoft-ads-show-alternatives-to-google http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/microsoft-ads-show-alternatives-to-google Microsoft means business...they've turned their sights directly on their competitors in their latest online marketing campaigns.  Seriously, they don't make some vague reference to a competitor, they're calling them out!

The Google is most visibly  in the crosshairs.  Google Docs is under the most fire, targeting both consumers (first video) and organizations (second video) touting Office Web Apps as the answer.

I'm a big fan of the office web apps.  The functionality meets probably 90% of what users actually need, and they play nice with the desktop versions.  They're right in their videos....Google Docs falls short here.  They also have some side-by-side comparisons they link to (here's the one for Excel)

They also have a funny email that humanizes the way Google targets ads by monitoring keywords in your email.  

Fun videos, but they need more focus on how someone would actually make the switch.  I understand "sign up" (or sign in) but that's only the first step.  Give more.

The direct offense tactics carry over into other competitive spaces for MS as well.  One example near and dear to my heart is Dynamics CRM Online as the right choice over Salesforce.com.  Not as flashy, but good stuff nonetheless.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:05:22 -0800 Had a lot of fun looking at various (and some really old) computer restart screens. http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/had-a-lot-of-fun-looking-at-various-and-some http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/had-a-lot-of-fun-looking-at-various-and-some The site starts you off with a page where you click a fake restart button (choosing from a dozen or so), then the website mimics the restart.  Below is a screenshot part way through the reboot into Windows 1.01.

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Fun :)

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:52:42 -0800 Star Wars Crowdsource Feature Length Film http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/star-wars-crowdsource-feature-length-film http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/star-wars-crowdsource-feature-length-film

I've only watched ten minutes so far, but if you haven't seen this, it's worth a look see.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:25:32 -0800 While doing some competitive research, I stumbled across this video. http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/while-doing-some-competitive-research-i-stumb http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/while-doing-some-competitive-research-i-stumb I was expecting a Schrute-esque snarky comment, but sadly it never came.  Watch a little bit and I think you'll understand.

The camera cuts, monologue pacing, camera jostle, and focus style definitely pay homage to The Office, right?

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:56:55 -0800 Well....shoot http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/wellshoot http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/wellshoot So no dice for checking out CloudOn tonight....

Come On!!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:15:26 -0800 Gotta check this out after work... http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/gotta-check-this-out-after-work http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/gotta-check-this-out-after-work
CloudOn Brings Microsoft Office to Your iPad, Complete with Cloud Storage

iPad: CloudOn brings a fully-loaded version of Microsoft Office to the iPad, so you can edit documents on-the-go using all of Office's features, and store your documents right in your Dropbox.

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The idea of being able to work with excel files from the cloud on my ipad (with full functionality) is a big wishlist item.  Numbers is fun, but doesn't cut it.

[via lifehacker.com]

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:08:05 -0800 Ooh boy... Prometheus Trailer! http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/ooh-boy-prometheus-trailer http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/ooh-boy-prometheus-trailer

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:03:00 -0800 Ghoulies Doppleganger http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/ghoulies-doppleganger http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/ghoulies-doppleganger
I just finished watching Ghoulies.  If you haven't seen it, there are a couple of scenes worth watching (okay...one, a hilarious breakdancing scene) and if you have seen it, you probably knew what you were getting yourself into.

The opening scene treats us to, among other things, an actor I recognized. 
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Naturally, I thought it was Roy in Blade Runner (Rutger Hauer):
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But something didn't sit right about that.  I racked my brain for the whole movie, and finally, during this scene, it hit me!!
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That's Murdoc from MacGyver (Michael Des Barres)!!
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Oh, and for anyone who wants to watch the break dancing scene without watching the whole movie...enjoy!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:44:00 -0800 Raiders of the Lost Ark 30th Anniversary http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/raiders-of-the-lost-ark-30th-anniversary http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/raiders-of-the-lost-ark-30th-anniversary

I popped in Raiders just last weekend when I was feeling a little Indy.  This morning I found this video (Indyanimation via How-To-Geek, Neatorama) and it took me back to my stop motion animation endeavors.  Great use of the movie soundtrack---and a wonderful one-person production.

Enjoy!!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:13:52 -0800 The Carlson School, with a bit of holiday cheer http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/the-carlson-school-with-a-bit-of-holiday-chee http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/the-carlson-school-with-a-bit-of-holiday-chee http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/holiday11/

Great production work on the video.

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Sat, 26 Nov 2011 07:05:09 -0800 Fun video http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/fun-video http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/fun-video

I did a lot of stop motion animation when I was younger, so this made me feel a bit nostalgic.

Enjoy!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:14:54 -0800 Happy thanksgiving! http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/happy-thanksgiving http://posterous.matthewcanderson.com/happy-thanksgiving The changes to posterous have kept me from posting much here...but that shouldn't keep me from wishing all of you a happy holiday!

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]]> http://posterous.com/images/profile/missing-user-75.png http://posterous.com/users/4SycOEyOVeV3 Matthew C. Anderson Matthew C Anderson Matthew C. Anderson