"Most useful Chrome extensions" written by Tinypliny on estrip.org

Category: i-tech

06/18/11 12:26 - ID#54521

Most useful Chrome extensions

A few weeks into any of my fresh Chrome installs, my extensions and bookmarks start to get out of hand. I just try out most of them and forget to remove them. But a few of them are constants. Some of them can even be called useful. Yeah, apparently, I don't have anything interesting to blog about so I will blog about dull things now.

The 1st extension I install (and this reflects the sad state of my internet usage) is the creatively named OWA Chrome Companion which obsessively checks my work email every few minutes and pops up a wild array of small notifications everywhere if a new message (however spammy and random) comes in - at which point I have a mild anxiety attack and scurry about trying to unsuccessfully ignore the email. It kind of defeats the whole point of the extension.

Oh well... moving on, I hate filling forms and entering passwords repetitively so these two extensions just fill them in for me:

Autocomplete = On
Lazarus Form Recovery:

I guess if someone developed a way to hack these extensions, I could be in serious trouble...

And I hate new windows popping up all the time so this extension makes them behave and forces every single tab and page and popup into ONE window. By the end of the day, I have a million tabs, but still it a fair price to pay for ONE WINDOW!

It's kind of a vicious cycle, so I need this "Tab Glutton" to keep a check on my tabs. (Actually, I end up not managing them at all and sometimes accidentally close everything and re-opening everything again from scratch but let's not talk about it.)

Then of course, there is link grabber

which helps me visualize all content on a page and the content that I am usually interested in (pdfs mainly) at a glance and grab them without having to wade through all the text.

Lastly, Readability Redux makes the web a better place:

I can get rid of most evil and awful ads and poor web designs and can read the content in peace. I just wish there were a spring green or vibrant orange background to the text...

paul writes at 02:16:41 06/20/11 - Comment #63105: The owa one seems interesting but why does it require the following permissions, "This extension can access: Your data on all websites
Your browsing history"

Just because they tell people doesn't make it safer. When you visit the google website explaining the permission it says, "This item can read every page that you visit -- your bank, your web email, your Facebook page, and so on. Often, this kind of item needs to see all pages so that it can perform a limited task such as looking for RSS feeds that you might want to subscribe to." But my question is why for this extension?

tinypliny writes at 09:28:02 06/19/11 - Comment #63071: On second thoughts, looking at the code of that extension on GIT Hub, I am going to create my. How hard can it be? It's just HTML and some style tags.

tinypliny writes at 08:45:17 06/19/11 - Comment #63070: Found it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's called "My home page" :::link:::

I am adding it to the list above because I really would like just what I want on the home page. A clock, some links, history, a todo list and a place for some notes.

tinypliny writes at 05:46:45 06/18/11 - Comment #63066: I want my new tab page to have a todo list and a notes space. I located this cool extension that enabled you to edit the new tab page with HTML and CSS but now I can't find it! So frustrating.

tinypliny writes at 01:07:07 06/18/11 - Comment #63060: No, but I think it's planned for the next release. Quite a few people have requested it. I really like it because it helps me work off-campus without having to constantly reload my email page (with a timed javascript reload thing). I can also quickly skim the email without ever having to open the real page and delete general "to-everyone-in-the-universe-and-beyond-I-want-this-antibody" emails at work.

paul writes at 12:54:58 06/18/11 - Comment #63058: The owa extension is interesting. I used something called davmail that lets Thunderbird read from owa but that seems more convenient. Does it alert about appointments?

Permalink: Most_useful_Chrome_extensions.html
Words: 419
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/19/11 09:26

Category: i-tech

06/15/11 04:29 - ID#54498

It's an error.

And that's all I know.

Strangely, this summarizes my life@work right now.

Permalink: It_s_an_error_.html
Words: 16
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/15/11 04:29

Category: buffalo

06/11/11 07:20 - ID#54478

Citybration balloon ride and cheerio breakfast!

I REALLY want to go on a hot-air balloon ride over downtown buffalo ->

If I can take one of the earliest balloon rides, I then want to dash to the city hall and watch the rest of the balloons and the sunset at the city hall sunset reception!!!

Who wants to do this with me? It's on Friday, June 24th, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. (e:matthew)? :-)

And OoooooH! Downtown-Buffalo made authentic Cheerio Breakfast on Sunday! Wooohoo! June 26, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Erie Canal Central Wharf.

heidi writes at 04:33:24 06/24/11 - Comment #63174: I'll quit whining. See ya inna few. (e:puddlediving) is coming too.

tinypliny writes at 04:05:58 06/24/11 - Comment #63168: There will be other balloon rides you know... And besides the weather isn't that great for floating over downtown. Once we go up we could be stuck up there for quite a while before the petrol store gives out.

heidi writes at 03:47:24 06/24/11 - Comment #63167: I should be studying! Massive waves of guilt washing over me.

tinypliny writes at 03:39:16 06/24/11 - Comment #63166: doing that much? What shouldn't you be doing? I am confused... Am I missing something here?

heidi writes at 03:31:49 06/24/11 - Comment #63165: and really i shouldn't be doing that much.

heidi writes at 03:31:27 06/24/11 - Comment #63164: I'm only in for the balloon, so no balloon = no heidi.

tinypliny writes at 03:20:16 06/24/11 - Comment #63162: Or here is the rain plan. If it is raining we are going because we surely don't want to miss out on celebrating our city like they did at the Pan American exposition in 1901. But we will go to the Sunset Reception at the City Hall instead?

tinypliny writes at 03:10:38 06/24/11 - Comment #63161: How about we are going with raincoats etc. but if it's thunderstorming or raining kangaroos, I am not about to throw my life away by getting into a balloon. Your option....

tinypliny writes at 03:08:47 06/24/11 - Comment #63160: Tweet from the citybration balloon ride organizers: Unfortunately, we don't have anything planned as a backup...but let's see how the day evolves. We'll keep everyone posted!

heidi writes at 03:01:21 06/24/11 - Comment #63159: Okay, someone has to make the call before 4:25 when I leave my house. Are we going? is the event on?

tinypliny writes at 11:57:37 06/24/11 - Comment #63155: Update on the planned 4:45 (e:strip) trip to the balloon land: If it is thunderstorming, I don't want to be electrocuted. Besides, there will then be no sunset to speak of.

AAARRGRGH. I swear someone is always waiting and watching to spoil whatever little fun I plan!!!!!!

tinypliny writes at 08:27:52 06/24/11 - Comment #63141: If it rains at 6PM like it is now (8:26AM), I think the Balloon will need extraordinary powers to even launch... or be an airplane in disguise. Besides, might not be the wisest of moves to go up in a balloon in a thunderstorm.

heidi writes at 10:53:47 06/23/11 - Comment #63139: :-(

tinypliny writes at 07:29:03 06/23/11 - Comment #63138: The forecast is so crappy for tomorrow 6PM = 80% chance of precipitation. I hope they are wrong like they always are!

heidi writes at 01:21:29 06/23/11 - Comment #63137: I'm in! 4:45 @the 24!

tinypliny writes at 12:42:40 06/18/11 - Comment #63048: VERY exciting!! Who else is coming for the grand (e:strip) balloon adventure!! (e:Paul), could you put this on the front page as an invitation! :)

metalpeter writes at 12:17:52 06/18/11 - Comment #63041: using this a possible excuse for a day off I need one.... Yes it screws everyone else at work but hey there are a couple people who need to do more anyways..... So for now 4:45PM at the 24 sounds great.....

paul writes at 10:48:28 06/17/11 - Comment #63034: Sounds like a plan

tinypliny writes at 08:03:57 06/17/11 - Comment #63032: Or maybe 4:45. I want to be on the first balloon and then make a dash for the city hall.

tinypliny writes at 08:00:08 06/17/11 - Comment #63031: Oooh -let's meet up at the 24 at 5:00 then, we can walk to the theatre station from there (~5:20), take the train to the skyway (~5:40). The balloon rides start 6:00 PM.

paul writes at 07:15:37 06/17/11 - Comment #63028: I am all about it.

metalpeter writes at 04:49:55 06/15/11 - Comment #62993: I forgot to say I want to go as well......

heidi writes at 12:52:10 06/15/11 - Comment #62989: I wanna go on the hot air balloon. Let's do it!

tinypliny writes at 09:23:53 06/11/11 - Comment #62943: OMG. I also want to go on the Queen City Ferry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :::link:::

tinypliny writes at 09:15:35 06/11/11 - Comment #62941: I am seldom much higher than any of the parapets. Maybe that is why I always feel safe. lol

tinypliny writes at 09:11:46 06/11/11 - Comment #62940: I have been up there a couple times actually. I am not really scared of heights at all... Updated the post with times. We should totally make it so that (e:strip)pers populate a complete balloon ride. HEE HEE.

metalpeter writes at 08:48:42 06/11/11 - Comment #62939: The Friday event doesn't list a time....
Making it an (e:strip) event would be cool.....
That being said I have a thing with heights.... Sometimes they freak me out a bit and sometimes they don't... Top of city hall is high and amazing if you haven't been up there it makes me wish I had one of those big cameras with the big zooms like at least 7x and 13x or even a 26x would be great think I'm thinking of those ashton camera ads....

tinypliny writes at 08:26:49 06/11/11 - Comment #62936: Don't you want to come with me, (e:metalpeter)???!! We will make this an (e:strip) evening out! :)

metalpeter writes at 07:54:48 06/11/11 - Comment #62931: That is an event you need to be all "Japanese tourist" for yes the views would be great and that is what you should focus on with your eyes (assuming your tall enough to see over the basket Ha...Kidding) but then as you look over take pictures as well....

Permalink: Citybration_balloon_ride_and_cheerio_breakfast_.html
Words: 110
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/11/11 09:14

Category: science

06/10/11 07:51 - ID#54468

Wash your produce well!!

A mass scale epidemiological investigation into the German e.coli outbreak spread over the past few weeks FINALLY identified organically grown bean sprouts as the source of the offending e.coli strain. People who ate these sprouts were nine times as likely to develop bloody diarrhoea when compared with people who didn't. From:

After wild allegations against the whole Spanish salad produce industry, the unmasking of the organically grown sprouts as the culprits comes as a bit of a eye-opener about the health risks of organic farming. Are we really sure that the human and animal refuse used as fertilizers in organic farms do not leave behind cysts and eggs of sundry virulent bacteria and parasites? Do we always make sure that we wash our produce well before eating it raw?

In the past, I have been guilty of trusting apparently fresh-looking greens and produce too much and eating them after a cursory wash. However it pays by the spadefuls to remember that cysts/eggs are hardy and can survive mild non-abrasive washing. It is up to us to make sure that our food sources are not contaminated.. and even if they are, that we do the utmost that we can to prevent superficial parasitic and bacterial cysts and eggs from entering our system.

Permalink: Wash_your_produce_well_.html
Words: 221
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/10/11 07:53

Category: eating in

06/09/11 07:45 - ID#54461

Raw Applesauce as butter substitute

Do you think raw applesauce as in
1. Chop apples
2. Blend it like hell.

Will work as well as regular applesauce as a substitute for butter? I have successfully used store-bought applesauce almost completely as a butter substitute but I don't feel like buying those small sealed applesauce plastic cups. And I don't want to take all the time to make "authentic' boiled-in-a-saucepan applesauce.

What do you think? Has anyone tried just using raw applemash as a butter substitute?

EDIT:
The Original Recipe of the Speculoos for 6 biscuits contains:
8 oz Unbleached All-purpose Flour
5 oz Sugar Dark Brown
5 oz Butter
4 tbsp whole milk
1 tsp Baking Soda
2/5 tsp Cinnamon Ground
2/5 tsp Nutmeg, Ground
2/5 tsp Cloves, Ground
2/5 tsp Ginger, Ground
2/5 tsp Ground Black Pepper

with these crazy Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 speculoos
Amount per Serving
Calories..................324
Calories from Fat.....168.8
% Daily Value for a 2000 calorie diet
Total Fat..................18.76g (28%)
Saturated Fat...........11.93g (59%)
Cholesterol...............51.46mg (17%)
Sodium..................180.47mg (7%)
Total Carbohydrate...36.22g (12%)
Dietary Fiber..............0.18g (0%)
Sugars....................20.51g

Protein......................2.37g (4%)

Estimated Percent of Calories from:
Fat====52%
Carbs==44%
Protein==2%

That would be like eating 118% saturated fat in ONE biscuit.

Alternative ingredients to the Belgian Speculoos
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 large egg

tinypliny writes at 07:39:54 06/11/11 - Comment #62926: KEWL! I am totally going to try out and post the results!

theecarey writes at 06:25:07 06/11/11 - Comment #62925: As an oil or butter substitute, applesauce or any fruit puree (pumpkin works really well) is best for muffins, cakes and breads such as banana, zucchini, pumpkin, etc. I have never noticed it alter the taste or texture when making those items.
For biscuits, if looking for a flaky texture, then cold butter is key, but it should otherwise work, albeit they may be more dense than expected.

heidi writes at 01:23:38 06/10/11 - Comment #62909: Authentic applesauce is a delight. I like it chunky with lots of cinnamon. My mom sometimes makes it with those little cinnamon heart candies.

heidi writes at 01:22:33 06/10/11 - Comment #62908: Oh, no, that would not work. You would lose all the yummy and the dough would be a weird texture/consistency.

paul writes at 09:48:08 06/10/11 - Comment #62905: I agree its good in something sweet and moist muffins but definitely not on things like mac and cheese.

libertad writes at 08:04:04 06/10/11 - Comment #62904: I have used applesauce in baking as a substitute for butter for a wholewheat banana bread recipe and I thought it was good. I don't think I would try it in that biscuit recipe though.

You could get applesauce in a jar if you don't like plastic cups.

jbeatty writes at 05:59:44 06/10/11 - Comment #62903: I don't know about an applesauce substitute for butter in that recipe. Your dough might be a sloppy consistency. I would bite the bullet and add the delicious calorie content. I think the butter component in baked goods is the second most important flavor after sugar!

tinypliny writes at 11:05:33 06/09/11 - Comment #62897: Ah, sorry. Tons of missing information here. As usual, I am trying to make my favourite type of biscuits - speculoos!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :::link:::

uncutsaniflush writes at 10:38:14 06/09/11 - Comment #62895: I've tasted apples and I've tasted butter. I'm not sure that one can be substituted for the other without people noticing the substitution.

Perhaps I should ask exactly what stuffs you want to substitute apple mash for butter in.

I don't think that using apple mash in mac and cheese (kraft dinner for all you canucks) instead of butter would work. And I certainly don't think that one could make a good ghee with apple mash. But it might make a wonderful apple sauce.

But that's just me. Your mileage may vary.

More seriously, I'm not a food scientist but some recipes need the fat content of butter (or its analogues) to work.

Permalink: Raw_Applesauce_as_butter_substitute.html
Words: 217
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/10/11 02:44

Category: i-tech

06/09/11 12:05 - ID#54457

What do IE tab extensions for Chrome do?

This is a question for (e:Paul). I wanted to view the full version of the RPCI Microsoft OWA email client in Chrome but it simply wouldn't allow me. I found these IE extensions for chrome:

1. IE Tab Classic:

2. Chrome IE Tab Multi:

The questions is how do these extensions manage to load the fully featured OWA while native Chrome cannot? Is using these extensions as risky as using IE? How are these extensions working?

Permalink: What_do_IE_tab_extensions_for_Chrome_do_.html
Words: 89
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/09/11 12:07

Category: i-tech

06/09/11 08:14 - ID#54456

Guitar Google Doodle

Google doodles keep outdoing themselves all the time and today is the peak of overachieving. They have a FULLY functional guitar with a recording feature as their logo honouring Les Paul, a guitarist and an innovator in music.

Go ahead! Play it! And I can't believe someone (Zack Bernardin) created this masterpiece with a mouse... or a keyboard sequence!

I couldn't create a coherent tune even if I tried!

From:

Permalink: Guitar_Google_Doodle.html
Words: 84
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/09/11 08:19

Category: the odes

06/08/11 11:29 - ID#54453

In love

with this desktop background:

I found it through colr.org and then through flickr but alas I can't locate the original page again. I usually change back to my solid black in around 3 days but this desktop feels so much more awesome than any I have ever had. The greens are so perfect and the yellow is just so happy!

EDIT: Located the original, after some crooked-logic searching:

Permalink: In_love.html
Words: 79
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/10/11 10:08

Category: eating in

06/07/11 05:49 - ID#54442

Calcium! Calcium!

The best way to beat cramps is by increasing calcium intake. I know that yogurt is the BEST way to get calcium in my diet but I keep forgetting to eat yogurt and end up with the most vicious of cramps.

I can get 80% calcium in one little 8oz serving of Yogurt! I am going to burn this figure into my teeny brain. So the next time I am making excuses about there not being an ideal calcium source, I can come here and see plain facts staring me in face.

Plain low fat Yogurt
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 8 oz (227g)

Calories.......................150
Calories from Fat.......30

Amount Per Serving and/or % Daily Value for a 2000 calorie diet

Total Fat........................3 g (5%)
Saturated Fat.................2 g (10%)
Trans Fat.......................0 g
Cholesterol...................20 mg (7%)
Sodium.......................190 mg (8%)
Potassium...................560 mg (16%)
Total Carbohydrate........17 g (6%)
Dietary Fiber...................0 g (0%)
Sugars.........................17 g
Protein.........................11 g (22%)
Vitamin A.....................20%
Vitamin C......................6%
Calcium........................40%
Iron...............................0%
Vitamin D......................35%
Riboflavin......................20%
Vitamin B12..................15%
Phosphorus..................20%

Permalink: Calcium_Calcium_.html
Words: 153
Location: Buffalo, NY
Last Modified: 06/07/11 05:57

Category: opinion

06/05/11 12:10 - ID#54426

Neutral Samaritan?

If you hear a massive sound of possibly an automobile accident a few blocks away from your home, do you

a) ignore it and hope no one is injured
b) go out with phone in hand ready to call 911.
c) ignore if it is in the small hours of the night/morning but go out and investigate if it is earlier.

What do you do? I often hear terrible sounds from my flat. Sometimes I have gone out with phone in hand and found nothing and sometimes I have ignored them and felt terribly guilt-wracked when I have heard fire-trucks a whole 15 minutes after.

What do you all do?