Checking iTunes Library.

Recently, I've been having a problem, where upon launching iTunes, I'd have to sit and wait for iTunes to check its library and the process would usually take somewhere in the 5-10 minute range to complete.

After some Googling, I found that the problem is caused by iTunes' Genius Library database.

So, how do you fix the problem? Simply follow these easy steps

1. Navigate to "Macintosh HD > Your Home Folder> Music > iTunes"

2. Locate the file named "iTunes Library Genius.itdb"

3. Highlight the file and either drag it to the trash or push Command + Delete.

Quit iTunes and restart it and hopefully that should fix the problem. It worked for me.

I Hurd You Like Displays

Recently, I've ditched all my computers and whittled it down to just a lone MacBook Pro; and I'm loving it. The fact that I'm never tied to a desk -- when I chose not to be -- is absolutely amazing. I've never had a laptop as a main system, and it was slightly nerve wracking thinking about possible catastrophes that could occur, it truly is wonderful to carry every bit of data I've ever created with me every where I go.

The only thing is I do like to have a desk for those rare moments when it's time for serious business, and I still keep a desk in our bedroom. A desk can make you feel productive and more creative sometimes, and it definitely keeps distractions at bay.

That being said, having a small, 15" laptop on a desk can feel odd, and it certainly doesn't make typing any easier, so I setup my old 20" Apple Cinema Display as a second monitor, a mouse and an Apple Pro Keyboard, and it feels just like a regular desktop.

Well, I do need a better keyboard, like a Matias Tactile Pro 3. It's loud and clicky, which is always nice. It's based on the Apple Extended II keyboard, which is praised as one of the best keyboards ever made. I want one just because Gruber uses one.

Oh, and a nice stand. I hear the mStand is awesome, it certainly looks nice and would solve the problem of matching heights. The only thing is tduper, extra glossy hi-res display. They also run at different color temperatures, thus giving the Cinema Display a more yellow tint.

It's amazing just how far we've come in display technology. My 15" MacBook Pro looks better, has way more screen real estate (the Cinema Display and MBP have the same pixel count, just viewable display size is different) it's brighter, and, in my opinion, is easier on my eyes. I paid $1,000 for the Cinema Display close to six years ago. And, while it shows its age, I still have much love and respect for it.

Mobile blogging

oH EM GEEZ! I IZ BLOGGING FROM IPADZ!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Merry Christmas Eve

Recently, comedian Rickey Gervais wrote a follow-up to an article he
crafted on why he doesn't believe in God.

Below is his response to a question on how he plans to spend Christmas:

"Eating and drinking too much with friends and family. Celebrating
life and remembering those that did, but can no longer.

They are not looking down on me but they live in my mind and heart
more than they ever did probably. Some, I was lucky enough to bump
into on this planet of six billion people. Others shared much of my
genetic material. One selflessly did her best for me all my life.
That’s what mums do though. They do it for no other reason than love.
Not for reward. Not for recognition. They create you. From nothing.
Miracle? They do those every day. No big deal. They are not worshiped.
They would give their life without the promise of heaven. They teach
you everything they know yet they are not declared prophets. And you
only have one."

Wether you believe or not, agree or disagree with his beliefs, I think
his message is so important: Love one another.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Coffee or tea. Which is the right drink for me?

Woke up extremely late, 11:45. Didn't want to get out of bed but my kid insisted on going I. The front and watching TV. Not my ideal way of starting the afternoon.

Lila woke up a few minutes later and asked me to make coffee while she cleaned up. I also made Mac and Cheese at this point. I am in a state of confusion. I feel like I'm wandering through life.

I need something to do, I don't want a hobby. A hobby is just a fancy way of saying "I'm spending money." I want something that will bring in cash. A job. But I'm so lazy and I hate working and I hate people, what am I to do?

I know, I will sit on this stupid recliner, eat and get fat, like world's fattest, fat. Then, maybe, I will get on Maury Povich and I'll get paid to lose weight and some diet and weight loss company will hire me to be their spokesperson.

Things are looking up!

Now, excuse me. I have a date with a bag of Doritos.

Men? Policemen?

Today, as I was watching my kid watch her marathon of Sesame Street on our Apple TV, I developed a sudden headache of epic proportions. I ended up sleeping for about 45-minutes at three different times throughout the day, I also had about twelve Advil and that only made me feel about 40% better.

Today is also the day I remembered that a cheese and tomato sandwich is probably the best sandwich ever.

My head started feeling better after my last nap at around 9:30PM, which is an awful time for a nap seeing as how it’s now five-in-the-morning and I’m watching Blade Runner and writing a blog post. I’ve tried closing my eyes, but it’s like they’re spring loaded and wont stay shut. I’ve tried reading boring things on the interwebs and that usually puts me to sleep, but tonight, not so much.

I suppose the reason I’m not sleepy is because a wild-hair climbed up my butt and decided it would be a good idea to invest in the stock market. I thought it would be real nice to actually have a use for the stocks app on my phone, and the potential income would be a great benefit, but I figured it’s too late to invest in the companies that I give two hoots about. I’ve got about $500 that I could invest, but that would buy one share of Apple, and a couple of shares of Coke. Unfortunately, while having a nice chunk of money in the future would be nice, I need cash now.

After my dreams of being the next Warren Buffet faded away, I decided to turn on Blade Runner. I actually love this movie, but I often forget how much love I have for it. Every time I watch it, I appreciate some little detail, a silent stare or a head tilt and I am reminded at how much of a masterpiece it truly is.

Another interesting thing is the whole “Is Deckard a replicant or not” sub-plot, once you know about it, every word, reaction shot, blank stare, every question becomes a possible hint to the fact that Deckard is as clueless to his own humanity as Rachel is when first being interviewed. Blade Runner brought up the theory of questioning our own humanity seventeen years before The Matrix slowed down its first bullet.

There’s nothing quite like it, and there hasn’t been anything like it since. I cannot think of one movie that comes close to what Blade Runner delivers. 

I’m going to finish re-watching Deckard fight Pris, and I’ll watch Batty beg his father for more life, and maybe then I’ll dream of Electric Sheep.

I might have a problem.

So, I’m bored and I thought I’d list all the Apple gear I own and have owned through the years. Let’s begin.

Computers:

• iBook (Dual USB) - Came with OS X 10.0 and was returned.
• iBook (Late 2001) - Sold
• PowerBook G4 867 MHz - Purchase as an early wedding gift April 2003. Sold.
• Mac Mini - Ordered day it was announced in January 2005. Sold.
• MacBook - White. Purchased July 2006. Sold.
• MacPro - Quad-Core Xeon 2.66 GHz. Sold.
• MacBook Pro (Late 2007) - 15” Glossy Screen, 2.2GHz. Sold.
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2009) - Unibody 13”. Sold.
• iMac (Late 2009) - 27” Core i5. Sold.
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2010) - 15” Glossy Hi-Res, 2.4 GHz. Current machine. 

Displays: 

• 20” Cinema Display - DVI

iPhone:

• iPhone - 4GB
• iPhone 3G - 8GB
• iPhone 3GS - 16GB
• iPhone 4 - 32GB

iPad: 

• iPad 16GB - Wi-Fi only.
• iPad 16GB - 3G + Wi-Fi.

iPod: 

• iPod - Original, Mac-only, 5GB, scroll wheel.
• iPod (Dock Connector) - 10GB
• iPod mini - Pink for the Mrs.
• iPod (Click Wheel) -
• iPod Shuffle - Won during a raffle at CompUSA.
• iPod nano - Original Black.
• iPod nano - Original White.
• iPod (5th Generation)
• iPod nano - Black
• iPod Classic - 80GB
• iPod Shuffle (3rd generation)
• iPod Touch (3rd generation)