USB Charger in Duplex

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More and more of our “gadgets” are dependent on USB connections for charging devices.  (This is an update to a previous post on the U-Socket.  Since then I’ve found a couple of other better known suppliers with different solutions to this need.)  Cooper Wiring Devices has developed a USB charger within a duplex that can be installed in homes or commercial facilities.  (Shown at right)  The device has dual USB charging ports rated  at 2.1A.  The device is UL listed.  It replaces a standard duplex.

Pass & Seymour has their own version, but in their version, you lose one electrical outlet.  You can see their version here.

Veterans Day ’12

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Picture borrowed from Bugles Across America

Take a moment this Veteran’s Day to consider the sacrifices made by Veterans and their families.  Some have paid the ultimate price and sacrificed their lives.  Some are still sacrificing their lives in missions around the world.  Please consider if there is something you can do to show your appreciation.

Locally, I have told you about Veterans Theraputic Art Center and their mission to reintegrate veterans into our community.

Nationally, I am impressed with Bugles Across America and their mission to provide a live bugle player to play taps when a veteran is laid to rest.

Internationally, I am pleased to see the work of the USO to bring a piece of home to our soldiers serving overseas.

These are just a few good groups out there.  I’m sure you have your own favorites.  Consider doing something today to make a difference through the group of your choosing… or directly if the opportunity is available to you.

Easterday Construction continued to participate in Red Shirt Fridays this summer to show our support for the troops.  We will be looking for other ways to continue our support in the coming years.

Election Day ’12

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For those of you that know me, you probably know that I have not been chanting “Four More Years!” this fall.  That doesn’t mean that I’m thrilled with nor buy into everything the other side says either.  I tend to agree with William Weld who said, “I believe the government should stay out of your wallet and out of your bedroom.” which I’ve heard paraphrased as “I wish the Democrats would stay out of my wallet and the Republicans would stay out of my bedroom!”  Whatever the outcome, I will just be glad to have it over.  The negative campaigning has taken its toll and I’m concerned that whoever wins will claim a mandate, but in reality not be able to do anything.  Normally I’m somewhat in favor of gridlock going by the theory that if they can’t do anything, they also can’t do any harm.  In this case though, I feel the uncertainty of the last few years has contributed to the economic malaise.  If you’re informed voter, get out and vote.  If you’re not?  Stay home!

In other election day events, the Senior Expo is going on at the Lifeplex.  Marshall County Community Foundation (MCCF) will be there in a booth with the United Way.  Since I’m now a board member, I want to promote their cause.  They will be talking about The John Marshall Legacy Society.

John Marshall was the 4th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the namesake for Marshall County.  Here’s an excerpt taken from the MCCF John Marshall Legacy Society flyer:

John Marshall (1775 – 1835) is considered by many as one of the greatest jurists that ever served on the Supreme Court of the United States of America. His tenure as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (1801 – 1835) produced some of the most important decisions that have become fundamentals of U.S. law and shaped our country’s way of life. Truly, Chief Justice Marshall was a man who accomplished much during his life and, by his actions, left a positive legacy that has affected many generations beyond his mortal years. In recognition of his life’s work, Marshall County, Indiana was named in his honor on February 7, 1835.

If you’re out and about after voting, stop by and see Jennifer, Jayne and Amanda. 

ColorSnap Follow-up

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When I talked about ColorSnap from Sherwin Williams here a few weeks ago, I said I would try it and let you know what I thought.  I’ve been doing WAY more painting than I would like to this summer, working on a house renovation.  I’ve been mainly using Sherwin Williams paint.

I decided that this would be a good test on the ColorSnap App which I have on my Droid Razr Maxx.  The app has you take a picture and you are able to touch the screen in the picture area in order to select the color within the picture you would like to match.  (Just a side note, the camera on my Razr is good enough that I use it pretty much exclusively for job site photos and most of the pictures that have appeared in this blog over the last four months.)

ColorSnap Image
Note the flash Hot Spot at the left

You would think I could take a picture of a wall painted with a Sherwin Williams paint and be able to get a match, right?  No such luck.  First, it was difficult to get a picture that was representative.  Anyone that has taken a flash picture knows you get the “hot spot” of the flash and everything else fades out from there.  Where in that picture do you poke with your finger to get the color?  Second, the app brought up just one color.  I had no way of relating that.  Maybe the actual color was only one shade different.  With all the variations in the Sherwin Williams color fan, not including the variations that come from the selection of finish, I have trouble discerning the match at times when I put the color chip against the wall.

I tried a couple of times on several walls and was unsuccessful.  I could also get different colors depending on how I took the picture or where I poked the picture with my finger.  I will say that this application has a lot of potential.  I will also say that it’s not there yet.