Writings, Ramblings, Proclamations & Prognostications http://www.chuckjoiner.com Chuck Joiner's blog Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:10:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Looking For Backpack Recommendations http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2013/04/06/looking-for-backpack-recommendations/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2013/04/06/looking-for-backpack-recommendations/#comments Sat, 06 Apr 2013 18:49:29 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/?p=7668 By my best count, it has been more than 13 years since I adopted my beloved Spire Meta backpack as the best way to tote my tech (and more). Even now, though showing a bit of wear, it is completely intact, with not a broken zipper or popped stitch anywhere. Sure, a few signs of [...]

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]]> By my best count, it has been more than 13 years since I adopted my beloved Spire Meta backpack as the best way to tote my tech (and more). Even now, though showing a bit of wear, it is completely intact, with not a broken zipper or popped stitch anywhere. Sure, a few signs of age and hard wear here and there, but still way more than usable.

However, times and needs change, and I’ve started looking for a new pack, one with more dedicated pockets and some features that I see being added to newer models. Packs can be expensive to buy, and are something you’re going to live with every single day, so a more than average amount of research is in order. Unfortunately, it is all but impossible to see a decent selection anywhere in person, so I’m looking for experiences, recommendations and input.

What I carry
The items that tend to reside permanently in my pack for day-to-day activities include:

  • A 15″ MacBook Pro Retina
  • Power Brick for said MacBook Pro
  • A full-size iPad in a ZooGue Genius case
  • Power brick for said iPad
  • Lumix point-and-shoot camera in a small padded case
  • Battery charger for the Lumix (a small plastic device about the size of a pack of cigarettes)
  • Sync cables and video adapters for all devices
  • Two to three external USB hard drives
  • A Monoprice external battery to act as emergency power supply for iPhone and iPad
  • Earphones
  • Misc. thumb drives
  • Pens
  • Note pad

When I hit the plane or train, add to that:

  • Noise canceling headphones in hard-shell case
  • Light jacket

Appearance
Since the pack goes with me whether I’m going casual or in a suit, it needs to have a professional appearance i.e. no significantly bright colors, minimal hanging straps. Black is always best

General use
I seldom, but occasionally, hang the bag from my left shoulder, so the straps need to be adjustable and well-padded.

Desired features

  • Lots of pockets to keep all those cables and adapters separate
  • Suspension system to keep the laptop and/or iPad from hitting the floor when I put the bag down. (Too many packs pad front and back, but not the bottom, so your hardware can come in for a crash landing.)
  • Glasses pocket that is crush-resistant or crush-proof

These are the bags that I’ve been seriously looking at, but am wide open to suggestions, so don’t hold back.

SwissGear ScanSmart Backpack

Swiss Gear Ibex 17 Inch Backpack

These two bags are very similar, so I need to look at both in person Lots of pockets in these, but the straps seem a little thin, especially for a lengthy trek between airport terminals.

Ogio Renegade RSS Laptop/Tablet Backpack

I saw this bag at CES in Las Vegas and talked to the Ogio folks about it (MacVoices #1314). It meets many of my requirements, but is a little on the expensive side. It is also a little heavy because of all that padding.

STM Jet Medium Laptop Backpack

I’ve had the STM model that is now discontinued for some time and really like it as a secondary, special use pack. Great quality, great durability, but just not enough separate pockets to make it an ideal choice. The Jet strikes me as just a little small for my needs.

What do you think?
If you have thoughts on any of the above or other recommendations, please leave a comment below, drop me an email at chuck-at-macvoices.com or hit me up on Twitter, App.net or Google+. (OK, OK, Facebook if you absolutely must).

Thanks for your help!

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2013/04/06/looking-for-backpack-recommendations/feed/ 2 Managing Your Receipts from Black Friday Shopping Receipts with Scanner Pro by Readdle http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/11/21/managing-your-receipts-from-black-friday-shopping-receipts-with-scanner-pro-by-readdle/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/11/21/managing-your-receipts-from-black-friday-shopping-receipts-with-scanner-pro-by-readdle/#comments Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:49:23 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/?p=7211 So you’re actually going to brave the Thanksgiving Night/Black Friday/Small Business Saturday crowds to take advantage of all those amazing doorbuster sales? If so, you need to be prepared, and your iPhone can help. There are plenty of great web sites and apps to help you make the most of your shopping (my picks for [...]

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]]> So you’re actually going to brave the Thanksgiving Night/Black Friday/Small Business Saturday crowds to take advantage of all those amazing doorbuster sales? If so, you need to be prepared, and your iPhone can help.

There are plenty of great web sites and apps to help you make the most of your shopping (my picks for those are the crew over at dealmac and dealnews, who do a great job of tracking things, and then pumping the information to you through their Black Friday App), but what about after the sale? You end up with a trunkload of booty, and you know that at least some of it has to go back. That means, in most cases, having the receipts. But did you stuff them in your pocket or wallet, never to be seen again? Threw them in the bag where they fell out during unloading, or got stuck in the bottom and discarded with the bag?

Scanner Pro by ReaddleYour iPhone to the rescue! Download Scanner Pro by Readdle and turn your iDevice into a very capable, convenient portable scanner. Just snap a photo of the receipt before you tuck it wherever you tuck it, and you have a full record of all your receipts. With support for auto-upload to Dropbox, Evernote, email and more, you will never be stuck with something you ended up not wanting because you lost the receipt.

Scanner Pro by Readdle is available in the iOS App Store for $6.99. Yes, there are cheaper scanner apps out there, but the features and ease of use put Scanner Pro at the head of the pack, whether you’re going to use it as described here, or for more robust mobile scanning operations.

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/11/21/managing-your-receipts-from-black-friday-shopping-receipts-with-scanner-pro-by-readdle/feed/ 0 This week on Twitter for 2012-10-14 http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/10/14/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-10-14/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/10/14/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-10-14/#comments Sun, 14 Oct 2012 08:59:00 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/10/14/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-10-14/ @lexfri As long as a promotion comes after each firing… (Congrats!) #

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  • @lexfri As long as a promotion comes after each firing… :) (Congrats!) #

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/10/14/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-10-14/feed/ 0 This week on Twitter for 2012-10-07 http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/10/07/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-10-07/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/10/07/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-10-07/#comments Sun, 07 Oct 2012 08:59:00 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/10/07/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-10-07/ Wow…do I see an Apex two? And a Director? I still play '75 Apex. The 1-iron is as sweet a club as you'll find…if you hit it right. # @bazcurtis Not at all…excellent matches. Is great when you can cheer your team on, but be happy when the other one wins. # Wow, what a [...]

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  • Wow…do I see an Apex two? And a Director? I still play '75 Apex. The 1-iron is as sweet a club as you'll find…if you hit it right. :) #
  • @bazcurtis Not at all…excellent matches. Is great when you can cheer your team on, but be happy when the other one wins. #
  • Wow, what a terrific tribute to Steve Jobs on the anniversary of his passing. http://t.co/QvZHAOCp #
  • @Pat_Mahon @unknownjim Thanks for the feedback guys. Glad you enjoyed it. We enjoyed making it. #
  • @Gazmaz Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. #

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/10/07/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-10-07/feed/ 0 This week on Twitter for 2012-09-30 http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/30/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-30/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/30/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-30/#comments Sun, 30 Sep 2012 08:59:00 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/30/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-30/ The First Weekend With iPhone 5 on The MacJury w/ @adamengst @KatieFloyd @markfuccio @ChuckLaTournous and @chuckjoiner http://t.co/aIFJRsjO # @ErikBernskiold To help force you to get along with others. # @ErikBernskiold Exactly…you know, to help you prepare for the real world. # @abrooks19 Thanks! Really appreciate it. # Don McAllister Discusses the New ScreenCastsOnline Magazine, SCOtutor [...]

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/30/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-30/feed/ 0 This week on Twitter for 2012-09-23 http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/23/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-23/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/23/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-23/#comments Sun, 23 Sep 2012 08:59:00 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/23/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-23/ Hmmm….MBP Retina has stopped accepting mouse clicks from trackpad or external mouse. Any ideas? # @sarahfriedland good ideas but no go. # <ding dong> Who's that at the door? It isn't Secretariat. # @tmasteve Good guess! # Yes, it is here. http://t.co/HN2pREXE # @bazcurtis I was only using a bumper, so will be interested to [...]

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  • Hmmm….MBP Retina has stopped accepting mouse clicks from trackpad or external mouse. Any ideas? #
  • @sarahfriedland good ideas but no go. #
  • <ding dong> Who's that at the door? It isn't Secretariat. #
  • @tmasteve Good guess! #
  • Yes, it is here. http://t.co/HN2pREXE #
  • @bazcurtis I was only using a bumper, so will be interested to see what cases might tempt me. #
  • @bazcurtis Thanks…fine, just a lot stacked up in the last week. Getting back into the normal routine. #
  • Easiest iPhone set-up yet; no problem transferring service, everything synced right into place. #

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/23/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-23/feed/ 0 This week on Twitter for 2012-09-16 http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/16/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-16/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/16/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-16/#comments Sun, 16 Sep 2012 08:59:00 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/16/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-16/ @johnfbraun That is SO cool! Give 'em my congrats and a big hug! # @donmcallister No problems whatsoever, in my experience. Essential! # MacRoundtable #116 iPhone 5 – Analysis is up with @KatieFloyd, @podfeet and @chuckjoiner http://t.co/CreWKb8x # The Two Critical Differences Between AT&T and Verizon for the iPhone 5 http://t.co/LRfR4H4Z # Store down via [...]

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  • @johnfbraun That is SO cool! Give 'em my congrats and a big hug! #
  • @donmcallister No problems whatsoever, in my experience. Essential! #
  • MacRoundtable #116 iPhone 5 – Analysis is up with @KatieFloyd, @podfeet and @chuckjoiner http://t.co/CreWKb8x #
  • The Two Critical Differences Between AT&T and Verizon for the iPhone 5 http://t.co/LRfR4H4Z #
  • Store down via web, but Apple Store app seems to be working, though won't let me designate store to pick-up. #
  • Processing…processing… #
  • Success! Now, what was I doing before this? Oh yeah… #

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/16/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-16/feed/ 0 The Two Critical Differences Between AT&T and Verizon for the iPhone 5 http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/13/the-two-critical-differences-between-att-and-verizon-for-the-iphone-5/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/13/the-two-critical-differences-between-att-and-verizon-for-the-iphone-5/#comments Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:59:27 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/?p=3709 If you are setting your alarm to order an iPhone 5 and are like me, with no subsidized upgrade, you may be trying to decide between AT&T and Verizon. You need to determine what the phone will actually cost you, depending whether you are in contract or not, and what your options are. To help [...]

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]]> If you are setting your alarm to order an iPhone 5 and are like me, with no subsidized upgrade, you may be trying to decide between AT&T and Verizon.

You need to determine what the phone will actually cost you, depending whether you are in contract or not, and what your options are. To help you do so, Apple has a page for you on their web site that covers AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.

There are two big functional differences between AT&T and Verizon, at least for the moment.

First, the ability to talk and surf simultaneously. If you regularly use earphones or an Bluetooth earpiece, and have been on AT&T, you know how useful this can be. Don’t overlook it in your zeal to change carriers.

Second, the fact that, as of now, Verizon will support FaceTime video over cellular on any plan; AT&T will only allow this if you have one of their new Mobile Share plans.

There is a third consideration that may apply if you are a long-time AT&T customer: If you have an unlimited data plan, you can keep that plan when you order your new phone if you stay with AT&T. While AT&T has said they will throttle bandwidth beyond 5 GB, at least you would still have the unlimited plan albeit a little slower.

It seems that neither carrier has many vocal fans, so this may be like choosing the frying pan or the fire, but there are three differences that need to be considered.

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/13/the-two-critical-differences-between-att-and-verizon-for-the-iphone-5/feed/ 5 This week on Twitter for 2012-09-09 http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/09/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-09/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/09/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-09/#comments Sun, 09 Sep 2012 08:59:00 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/09/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-09/ @straczynski @tmasteve Uh oh… # New Mac Roundtable podcast is up, with @bbusschots @podfeet @donmcallister! and @chuckjoiner http://t.co/6UX2PFXx # @markfuccio Kind of hard to have positive response when one doesn't how what it costs or when one can get one. # @markfuccio Let's see..Elop did it for Lumia 920…Balmer did it for Surface…trend? # @markfuccio [...]

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  • @straczynski @tmasteve Uh oh… #
  • New Mac Roundtable podcast is up, with @bbusschots @podfeet @donmcallister! and @chuckjoiner http://t.co/6UX2PFXx #
  • @markfuccio Kind of hard to have positive response when one doesn't how what it costs or when one can get one. #
  • @markfuccio Let's see..Elop did it for Lumia 920…Balmer did it for Surface…trend? #
  • @markfuccio Because time is running out? Perhaps. Just seems to be such key information to leave out…unless you're afraid of the reaction. #
  • Jim Dalrymple On The Samsung Verdict, The Lumia Launch, iPhone Mania and Quantum Leaps, on MacVoicesTV http://t.co/BIDPZZ4Z #
  • Any reason to believe you could *not* put your own PDFs on a Kindle Paperwhite? #
  • Oops..found it. Never mind. You can email your own documents to a Kindle Paperwhite 3G. #
  • @timothygregoire Wanted to be sure there was a way to get them on. #
  • @BarryP13 Oh I know…did what I could manually. Still not sure what happened, but didn't want to lose the discussion. Sorry about that. #
  • @thurfjell @jdalrymple I'm thinking that you have some interesting father-daughter talks coming your way. :) #
  • @ClaytonMorris Might be that they come out same day, but won't be on stage. #

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]]> http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/09/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-09/feed/ 0 This week on Twitter for 2012-09-02 http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/02/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-02/ http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/02/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-02/#comments Sun, 02 Sep 2012 08:59:00 +0000 Chuck Joiner http://www.chuckjoiner.com/2012/09/02/this-week-on-twitter-for-2012-09-02/ The MacJury analyzes the Apple v. Samsung verdict, with @markfuccio, @macosken, and @MikeTRose http://t.co/3VQTI0Nh # @abrooks19 @macosken @markfuccio @miketrose Thanks…will probably revisit once appeals have settled in. # @BodyofBreen Why do you continue to torture yourself? # @BodyofBreen Cost/benefit analysis, my friend. If it continues to works for you, I'll send a box of Band-Aids. [...]

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  • The MacJury analyzes the Apple v. Samsung verdict, with @markfuccio, @macosken, and @MikeTRose http://t.co/3VQTI0Nh #
  • @abrooks19 @macosken @markfuccio @miketrose Thanks…will probably revisit once appeals have settled in. #
  • @BodyofBreen Why do you continue to torture yourself? #
  • @BodyofBreen Cost/benefit analysis, my friend. If it continues to works for you, I'll send a box of Band-Aids. :) #
  • @BodyofBreen For something as essential as email, that's a little scary. #
  • @markfuccio Thanks..will check it out! #
  • Thursday: Drobo Pro refused to start; Monday: New Drobo Pro arrived; Tuesday: all is good, no data loss. @drobo Support FTW! Thanks guys… #
  • Ted Landau Dives Into The Library Folder and Likes The Samsung Verdict, on MacNotables http://t.co/UroQWL6u #
  • @tomdar2 Yep! Forgot that because we were talking about using iCloud in a bit of a different fashion. Thanks for pointing it out! #
  • @jgamet Sounds like Disk Warrior for something that extreme #
  • @jgamet Yikes! Drastic measures! #
  • @markfuccio @macosken @miketrose Not sure if that's desperation, avoidance or what. Will be interesting to see how it is received. #
  • What I'm missing most about #ADN is the lack of Mac news sites, to mirror the "newsfeed" aspect of my Twitter stream. (hint, hint, hint) #

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