Portable Scanner for iPad

bgibson135

This is a holding place for the idea to research a portable scanner for my iPad. Brookstone has the iConnect Scanner for the iPad. I thought about buying one when they first became available, but got sidetracked. I just went back to read the reviews recently and am glad I didn’t buy the first generation of this scanner. However, I get the impression that a second generation iConnect will be coming out maybe as early as November 2012.

The idea of having a compact, portable scanner that easily connects to your iPad (even by Bluetooth) is enticing. Student could feed through handwritten notes during class and push them via email to their WordPress site(s). You can always take pictures of whiteboard notes and push them the same way, but sometimes there is a need to have handwritten notes, drawings, etc. and a simple hand scanner would be great.

Logitech Z515 Wireless Speaker

bgibson135

I bought a small Logitech Z515 Wireless (Bluetooth) speaker a few months ago. I’ve got it in the office today, and have it hooked up to my PC.

One thought would be to take it with you and have a class outside. If you can figure out how to use your mobile device (iPad / Android phone, etc.) as a microphone, then you could put your wireless speaker at the “back of the class” and that would make it possible for your many students spread out under trees, etc. to hear what you are saying… not just those up front. I guess you could use this indoors for the same reason. Place the portable speaker at the back of the class to help students there hear as well as those at the front of the class.

ADDENDUM:  How disappointing!  I tried various apps, both for iPad and my Android phone and none of them worked, or worked along with pushing the audio via Bluetooth to the wireless speaker.

It would be nice to be able to use your iPad to view notes while giving a lecture and using it’s microphone to push audio out to (one or more) a wireless speaker (via Bluetooth).

Hisense 46″ LED Change Channel Static Problem Fixes!?!

bgibson135

Changing channels can make a loud static sound that can be corrected by switching on "Auto Volume Control".

The crackling sound isn’t the TV. It’s your digital source – like your cable or dish. You need to change the settings from Dolby 5.1 to PCM. When you do, the crackling sound will go away.

07/20/2012

The first thing you want to check is the audio setting in the cable box. Make sure the audio is disabled. Secondly, check the audio settings on the TV. Select menu, then audio, select SPDIF TYPE, then chooses PCM. If this does not correct the problem please contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer is aware of this problem. They have created a firmware update to correct the problem. Please call customer service at 1-888-935-8880

Blackeyed Peas Hummus

bgibson135

A couple of days ago, I bought a can of Hanover Blackeye Peas (I think it is “eyed” and not “eye”.) to test as a hummus substitute for Garbanzo beans. Not quite the same texture as Garbanzo beans, but a little mealy if not cooked thoroughly. I ground them up and added garlic, chopped onion, coriander and a handful of Italian parsley. It ground to a more smooth paste than the Garbanzos would have. The coriander gave the paste an interesting flavor.

[NOTE 12/05/24]:  As I re-read this short posting, I recalled that recently I made some regular hummus (Garbanzo beans), and I also made some Black Bean Hummus.  I liked the flavor of both, but I had added some Spicy Chili Crisp to the black bean version and this gave it an exceptionally different flavor.  It wasn’t too hot, but just enough heat and flavor to be a pleasant alternative.  And, I put both of them in a single plastic container to take down for Thanksgiving dinner.  *Recall I like re-using the Hillshire Farms plastic containers, with red lids, from their deli meat selections.  The two colors of hummus were striking in the tub.

[end NOTE]