Update: Starschreck is now using Twitter Tools. Blog posts are now automatically posted to Twitter. Now that’s what I call web synergy.
I’m going to the grocery store again because of Mint.com!
By dan on 06 February 2010 under the internet
I’ve started using Mint.com, the self-proclaimed “best free way to manage your money.”
I’ve always wondered why online banking wasn’t better than it was. All the information seemed to be there, but it never seemed to be organized in any useful way. I concluded that banks weren’t all that concerned with helping customers manage their money.
Mint organizes information not only from each account in a useful and visual way but also from different accounts even if they are from different banks. This transaction data is saved for future reference.
One feature I’ve recently discovered is that Mint keeps track of bank fees like overdrafts and yearly credit card fees. Mint searches other banks and credit cards to see if I could be getting a better deal.
I would now like to take this opportunity to give Mint.com a “good use of technology” award. It’s started to influence the way that I actually spend money. Good job!
First $1 I Made on the Internet
By dan on 28 January 2010 under the internet
I’d like to report that I’ve made my first dollar through the internet and it’s one of the best dollars I’ve made in a while.
It could be because the internet has a certain sweet anonymity to it.
It could be because the dollar came from the Montrose Sinkhole T-Shirt line, an idea I wasn’t sure would pass the trials because it had to be Right.
I know that it was nice to be selling my own idea, rather than someone else’s.
What’s funny is, the money is not even in my physical possession. All I have so far is a balance on a webpage.
Montrose Sinkhole Two Year Anniversary
By dan on 22 January 2010 under story
Today marks the two year anniversary of the Montrose Sinkhole, a time for celebration and contemplation.
Shortly after the street collapse there was good news coverage about the high percentage of chicago streets that were in a similar condition to Montrose Avenue, prior to it’s collapse. I haven’t heard much on this topic from a news standpoint since then.
The dreaded Lincoln Park porch collapse of 2003 brought about significant building inspections and investigation. After doing a bit of research on the aftermath of Montrose Sinkhole, I haven’t been able to find any similar investigations, percentages of improvements, or updated standards. Maybe I’ll email the media…
For pictures, videos, and location information about Montrose Sinkhole visit it’s squidoo lens. Also here is a good Flickr set.
Update: I emailed the Chicago Tribune on this subject, let’s see if they have a response!
Do the people on IMDb know that IMDb exists?
By dan on 17 January 2010 under the internet
The IMDb is a pretty nifty tool. It satisfies that itch when the name of an actor is out of reach. It is also a godsend for people who are good with faces, like myself.
This recently came up in conversation: How do you star in a major motion picture and not have a photo on IMDb?
