Posted by Peter Eskow on 7/27/2013 at 11:27 AM under Technology
I've had my Microsoft Surface for about 5 months now and, while I am very satisfied with my purchase, there were still a few grips that prevented me from seeing its true potential. Most of them have been ironed out, so I'm going to be posting a number of tips and tricks I discovered that may save you from some of the same frustrations and aggravations I went through.
First up:
Type Cover keyboard randomly stops working
Every once in a while I will be typing away on my Type Cover keyboard and it suddenly stops working. Usually, detaching it and clicking it back in will correct the problem. However, on rare occasions, it stops working completely. When it does happen, the common thread seems to indicate it is usually after detaching the power, putting it to sleep, then waking it back up again a short time later. Attaching and reattaching the cover doesn't work, and neither does restarting the unit. However, I discovered that if it happens, and I plug in the unit so it is charging, then shut down completely (you must go to Charms Bar > Settings > Power > ShutDown), then the keyboard will be back to normal when I start back up again.
This ONLY works when the unit is being charged. If the unit isn't plugged in, the keyboard will not work after starting back up again. Certainly not ideal if I'm on a plane or at a conference without access to a power outlet! But it happens so rarely that I am not too worried about it.
I wouldn't classify that as a "fix" since the root cause isn't address - it's just a work-around - but it's nice to know that, on the rare occasions it does happen, I know how to quickly get it back up and running again.
Be sure to check out the collection of all my Surface tips. And stay tuned for a comprehensive review of my Surface Pro after six months of use as my primary computer.
Have any other useful tips? Let me know!
Cheers!
Peter
Posted by Peter Eskow on 7/14/2013 at 9:19 AM under Travel
Just uploaded to YouTube the last of the videos from the Egypt leg of my African Adventure.
First up is a clip of the call to prayer in Luxor, Egypt.
Next is a tour of the Temple of Karnak, also in Luxor.
Finally, the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo. Amazing!
Next up: My Safari Adventures as well as a clip of the beaches of Zanzibar.
Posted by Peter Eskow on 7/5/2013 at 8:48 PM under Travel
I finally found the short video clip Kobb took of me while I was "surfing" in Sayulita, Mexico. I never said I was an expert!
I also put together the first two videos from my trip to Africa. These are the two "danger" clips from Cairo, Egypt. First is an elevator in our hotel that had no door:
Next is the tail end of a rather harrowing taxi ride from the Pyramids back to our hotel in Central Cairo.
Stay tuned - I'm editing the rest of the clips from that trip and hope to post them all up over the next week or so.
Posted by Peter Eskow on 6/20/2013 at 8:19 PM under Libations
This week, I had the pleasure of attending a "Heart and Soil" event at the James Beard House in New York City. The event featured chef Michael Carrino from Pig & Prince Restaurant & Gastrolounge in Montclair NJ, and wine maker (and rock star extraordinaire - from bands Tool, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle) Maynard James Keenan. Having never been to such an event before, I must say I was a bit unsure of what to expect. Never the less, I had a great time.
The venue was located in a narrow building down on 12th street. James Beard, the foundation's namesake, was an accomplished chef who lived there until his death in 1985. The foundation took over the building and turned it into a cooking school and foodie destination.
The food ran the gamut from "Lamb Heart Tartar with Dehydrated Strawberries and Caciocavallo Crisps" as one of many appetizer, to "Pancetta-Wrapped Escolar Cannelloni with Foie Gras, Watermelon Radishes, and 35-Year-Old Balsamic" as one part of the main course. Dessert was a "Blueberry Bombolone with Salted Pistachio Butter and Lime Gelato." Every single bite was delicious. The variety and flavor of the dishes certainly put my cooking skills to shame!
Download a scan of the menu.
Some of the main courses (sorry - no shots of the appetizers):
And the wines, each of which was better than the last:
And, to top it off, a couple photos of the man himself, Maynard James Keenan:
Very nice, down-to-earth gentleman. I was even able to shake his hand.
-Peter
Posted by Peter Eskow on 6/15/2013 at 7:05 AM under Travel
Finally had a chance to sit down and go through all the videos from my Germany trip. Ended up with two short movies comprised of four separate clips. Keep an eye out on my YouTube channel - I'll be posting more videos in the coming weeks.
The first movie was a showcase of the fireworks spectacular we saw on NYE as the clock struck midnight. The most interesting part is that while it looks quite professionally put together, it was really just a bunch of random people lighting off fireworks in the street.
The second movie was a short clip of a duck pond I stumbled upon in Sanssouci Palace Park. Very peaceful!
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