Speed Reading

I'm a pretty slow reader and was interested in an article in Wired UK magazine.  Check out www.spreeder.com  I've already pasted in some article about A View from the Bridge which Sam is studiying for English at the moment.  Seems to have worked!  I set it at 600 words per minute.  Going to try it with some technical documents next week and will update my review.

2000 Miles of Running with Nike+

I've used Nike+ since it was launched and nearly reached 2,000 miles training with the kit.  I run with Brooks Addiction shoes so need a way of holding the Nike Sensor.  I use and recommend Marware Sportsuit Sensor + Case for Nike + iPod Sport Kit.  This is around £7.  Shows no sign of wear so good value.

After buying the kit Nike + iPod Sport Kit  I needed a new sensor after about a year.  There is no way of replacing the battery - I had to buy a complete new set, but you can now buy just the Sensor.


I've also tried the latest Garmin and will post a review soon and my conclusions.

Dell Mini 9 (910) with 3G on o2

All the UK Dell Mini netbooks are tied to vodafone - and mostly available only through Vodafone deals.  PC World have it on offer for £259 http://tinyurl.com/cmyexm to take away, no contract and no mention of vodafone until you get the box. 

I couldn't get an answer on if it was SIM locked to vodafone - I wanted to use o2 so had to chance it!

The machine comes with Vodafone connect on it which wouldnt recognise the o2 sim card. Interestingly the SMS application did and showed previous text messages.  Finally I found some software on the Dell site to use instead of the vodafone software!  Its a generic dell connection manager. 

So - to use any SIM in your Dell netbook with 3g from PC World (at least):

1. Download Dell Wireless 3G Software and install.
2. Uninstall Vodafone Connect (Control Panel, Add/Remove Software)
3. Insert o2 (or other) SIM card

Automatically connects!


 Specification from PC World:

    * Intel Atom N270Processor - Energy efficient
    * Operating System - Windows(R) XP Home
    * Memory & storage - 1GB Memory & 8GB FlashHD
    * Portable - 8.9" Widescreen Display
    * Connectivity - Built in mobile broadband
    * Wireless Enabled
    * Built in speakers
    * Built in bluetooth and webcam
    * (1.6GHz, 533MHz FSB, 512MB cache)

Out of Office

If you've just got back from leave and got an inbox of 100s of e-mails you should use this one next time;

I'm out the office until ..
The server has not stored your email. This means you will now need to resend it on my return if it needs my attention.
Your e-mail has not been forwarded.

Regards
Mark

Then set a rule up to archive/delete everything whilst you're away. Of course you may get lots of incoming mail on your return but 8/10 will have been sorted and wont require your attention.

Nike Plus sports kit battery life

My first iPod Sports kit sensor battery ran out recently. The Official Apple FAQ says 1000 hours. Mine went at about 950 miles, so at my current rate of about 20 miles a week average I'm going to need a new kit every year... Its like a subscription payment to Apple now then. Still, theres no better gadget for runners.

From the Official Apple FAQ:

Is the sensor battery replaceable? How long does it last?

No. The sensor’s battery has a life of over 1000 active hours. The sensor sends a low battery signal when there is around 2 weeks of life remaining (based on usage
pattern), indicating that the sensor needs to be replaced.

Most Nike + iPod runners and walkers can just drop the sensor in their Nike+ shoes and forget about it. When inactive, the sensor enters stand-by mode to save battery
life.

West End Runners 8

Completed the West End Runners 8 mile race this weekend. Got 58.30mins as my official time. Was aiming for an hour as my best so good result.

Running Top 5 Things

1. Shoes. Get to a good running shop and have a 10 minute analysis of your running gait to get the right type of running shoe. Take some old shoes if you have any with you. It'll be the best 10 minutes you give up for your running.

2. Nike+. Get Addicted as they advert says. You'll need the iPod to go with it but it records all your runs and gives you instant feedback.

3. Nike+ sensor holder. Lets you use the Nike+ gadget on any shoe. I run in Brookes.

4. Sun Glasses. Stops Sun, Wind, Rain.

5. Skins. The long sleeve top keeps you cool when its hot and warm when its cool. How good is that? Lots of scientific research to show it helps you run better (breathing, posture) and recover faster.