This is an easy one. Probably the most trivial idea yet, but I believe it to be something that would have tremendous value to the millions of TV watchers. Let’s say you are browsing around the “dial” watching cable TV. You have at least a hundred channels with cable or satelite these days, and likely half of them are duplicates. They are duplicates because for nearly every channel these days, there is a high definition version of it. Most remotes have a “last” or “previous” button. They should add a HD button. You are browsing around and find a cool show to watch, but you would rather see the HD version of the program, and you don’t want to open up the guide, and then scroll up to the higher range of channels to find out if it’s even there. What a waste of time. Conversely, you are watching an HD sporting event and you frankly like the layout of the nonHD better. Very simply, the button would automatically switch to the HD version of the channel you are watching, or vice versa. If there was no HD or nonHD equivalent, it would simply put up a prompt, “channel not available.” That would be a cool feature.

Many of my supplements have a desiccant bag hanging around in the bottle. This is great for keeping them from sticking together.  Some other things we all have, could use some of that de-humidification, but alas, it would not be convenient, and perhaps even unsightly.

For instance, the screw top container I put sugar in for my coffee could use some desiccant.  I prefer to use light brown sugar and it likes to clump together.  I have the solution, and I will be filing a patent on this one as well.

Instead of using a loose bag, put the desiccant agent into a round wafer shaped container, and on one side attach a peel and stick adhesive.  Take off the top of any container that needs humidity control, and stick the desiccant in a neat, clean and out of the way place that will never contact your goodies.

UPDATE – in the process of patent search I found this idea, circa 2006, Desiccant Bottle Cap – us patent US 6,986,807  As I mentioned at the start of this blog, it is a sharing and learning thing for me, so while I am disappointed to find this already filed, I will always feel validation when I see that others have had patents awarded for something that I genuinely thought of on my own.  My question now is why didn’t this idea reach mainstream?  I can’t say how many pill bottles I have opened, but I don’t recall seeing a desiccant cap in any of them.  This is the most disappointing thing.  I would assume the patent owner tried to make too much money upfront and people were content to use the standard bag-in-a-bottle.  This is a shame.

Anyway, there is always a solution.  🙂
My solution here is a small plastic clip, with an adhesive backing.  This would be an acceptable bypass to the intent of the patent referenced above, because it would not be a container attached to the adhesive, and it would not be limited to desiccant.  Perhaps another patent here, but I’ve got far bigger fish to fry.  (April 17)

The first if a few home improvement posts.  This is advanced level carpentry.

So you want to tile a floor, and you remove whatever you had to find a thin layer of plywood.  Not the 1+1/8″ of wood you typically should have.  Backer boards work great, but the fact is, the thinner the subfloor is, the more it will flex and the more potential problems your tile will have.  So you decide to add a layer of plywood.  If you add plywood and backer board, you could quickly find your floor over an inch or more, higher than it was.  That’s quite a step.  You could put a transition strip between the new floor and the nearby floor but that’s less than ideal and in some cases, completely unacceptable.  Ideally the finished floor height is the same throughout the house.

The solution, as I have found and used in many instances, is to remove the existing plywood and put a strengthening layer of plywood UNDER the base layer.  I use a nice fat 3/4″ cdx and then I can either put the existing ply back down, or if it is damaged or rotten in any way I just replace.

Its easy and fun to do, and its always better to do it right.  First cut a 1+1/2″ strip of the 3/4″ plywood about 5 inches long.  This will be a guide or scribe.  Cut a pair of 2x4s a few inches shorter than every floor joist you have exposed, with the exception of the outer floor joists as they need only one.  One at a time, and using either a buddy or a quick clamp, line them up 3/4″ below the top edge of the joist.  Now ideally you will be using a 2+1/2 deck screws and an impact gun to connect the 2x4s to the joists.  At each screw location hold the scrap piece of plywood you cut above the 2×4 to make sure it is exactly the right space for the plywood.  Get the scrap flush with the joist and screw the 2×4 to the joist.  Do that approximately every foot.

Now crosscut the plywood in strips that will fit between the joists.  (You MUST cut the plywood perpendicular to the grain.  Plywood is substantially stronger when the grain is oriented to run perpendicular to the joists.  These will be strips that are 48″ long by around 14+1/4″ wide.)  Attach the plywood to the 2x4s with 1+5/8 deck screws. 

You now have an additional 3/4″ plywood layer and not only does it not raise the level of your floor at all, it is STRONGER than if you had just laid that same layer of plywood, uncut, over the top of the joists in the standard way.  (This is because the only weak part of the plywood is the span.  With the 2x4s added to your joists, the plywood is only spanning a gap of around 11+1/4″.  This is 3 inches less than the existing joist span, which is around 14+1/4″.  This same benefit is extended to any material above the plywood as well.  In other words and without getting into some advanced math it is MUCH stronger than if you had done things the “standard” way.)

You like something on Facebook because you want to be associated with it.  It is your ego at work.  Millions of people like certain musical artists, and yet often times they have never bought even a single of theirs.  Artists should correct this.  The record industry should correct this.  Here is today’s hand holding.  Either with Facebook’s help or without, artists need to put in badges for their loyal fans.  These would be icons the user could put on their Facebook page that would associate them as a true fan of a particular artist.  Not just a like, which has no real value, this would have a stated value.  The artist could set up the guidelines.  Perhaps you got the word out in your area for the concert that was held, or you purchased every album they released, or you were the first of 10 of your friends to purchase their latest album.  The badge would be based on actual, verifiable data that is valuable to the artist.  The value to the person having the badge would not just be the association, but artists could give badge holders an unlimited variation of benefits, like preferred concert seating, or bootleg singles, for example.

So in spelling it out for those overpaid folks in positions to handle this business, I’ll say it as simply as I can.

“You CANNOT just connect the artist to the world via the web.  You must first connect the paying, purchasing fan to the artist, and give them the greater access.  This puts additional value back into the music and further justifies the sale.  This is the replacement for the artwork and liner notes of the physical disc of yesterday.  Come on guys.  This is 2012.  The data is there, and you are disregarding it at your own peril.  Wake up.”

Make it happen.

Given yesterday’s post as a basis, the next step is adding a built in cell connection.  This would offer you the ability to connect to your car remotely and see what is going on.  It would also allow you some additional functions.  If the system determined the car was stolen, in an accident or if you the driver were in some distress, it would automatically call the police, and begin uploading location information and camera footage to a cloud based storage at preset intervals.  This beats OnStar in terms of having footage of the villains or footage of any ongoing damage they might be causing.

Other possible functions could include checking in on junior, as he is 30 minutes past curfew, or simply checking in on your car, parked at the airport, whilst you are on vacation in Bermuda.   The service would cost roughly the same as a 4g laptop connect card would cost; around $40 a month, and would be invaluable on those occasions you needed it.

I am not talking about a YouTube thing here.  I’m not talking about making everyday movies to share with others.  I’m talking about a 4 camera system that would simply take constant photos and/or video from your car and save that temporarily on a small storage card on your car, or upload regularly to the cloud using a wifi connection.

If you have ever been in an accident and watched in disbelief as the person at fault described in great detail to the law enforcement agent, how it was your fault, this is the remedy.  If you have ever had a teenager tell you “how the dent happened” and you didn’t believe them, this is the remedy.  If you have ever returned to your parked car to find it damaged, and nary a note of explanation to be found, this is the remedy.  Yes, with this device running constantly, unobtrusively and quietly in the background, simply download the stored recent footage, which could be up to a month, depending on settings, and see for yourself what actually happened.  Send actual pictures or video to the insurance company and prove your side of the story.  Have peace of mind knowing that just because you are walking away from the car, doesn’t mean you will be blind to what goes on with it.

So my son and I got to watch the horrific display this morning of a man brutally beating his wife in the face, in public, to the point of blood.  He was able to witness me attempt to lend assistance, and call 911 and all that bs.  He watched as we waited, and waited, and no police showed up, the loser and his poor wife and child left the area.  I was able to express to him that not only were police typically slow to respond to 911 calls, (if at all), but that there wasn’t much that could be done.  I explained that even if we offered that woman and her child a room in our home, they more than likely would not take it. It’s a sad reality, and one that is worth some thought.

So what is the solution.  Well, it’s multifaceted.  There needs to be following-
1. Availability of assistance to the victims.
2. Protection
3. Punishment / Elimination of real threats to society
4. Fast response
5. Fairness and legitimacy.

That does not exist.  It should, but it just does not.  Between the human trafficking victims and domestic abuse victims, it is astonishing the amount of people who spend their lives as punching bags or worse.  What’s really sad is the fact that many women who have an out, choose not to take it.  That aside, I think it’s our responsibility to make it available to them, regardless.

Well, we now have the internet.  We have a community of hackers, who love to use their skills to protect the innocent and helpless.  We have people, like myself, who would love nothing more than to go all Dexter Morgan on the guy who could treat his wife like a punching bag, right in front of his kid.  By the same token, we have hatred for the woman who could file false charges against a good guy, simply because she wants a better divorce outcome.  Most importantly, we have a citizenry, that may be largely taken in by fast talking politicians and televised nonsense, but one that still would gladly notice domestic violence and look out for it’s victims.

So what is the solution?  The solution is someone setting up local independent networks of all anonymous contributors who are willing to chip in and resist the status quo.  Information and connection would be tiered. At the lowest level, neighbors could simply watch out for each other and make observations.  That information would be passed on anonymously to users who were prepared to lend assistance.  Any service could be included, from legal or financial service to support services like a temporary place to live.  The key is that the orchestrator would be the local hacker.  Largely unaccountable and untraceable by local law enforcement, or more importantly, by those who would seek to gain access to the system and seek out a victim.  The community effort, based largely on actual observances of others, will naturally be more reliable than the current, “legal” system, where a phone call can result in the unjustified ruination of a persons good name.

This doesn’t need to be a completely vigilante organization.  The police could be included by providing them with tips and information. The use of hidden cameras and investigative work, could easily provide solid evidence against culprits.  It’s simply a matter of the coordination and working as a group.  This is something I have covered with many solutions.  The internet community is a tool that needs to be used as much as possible.

So yeah, this is part solution, part rant. The thought that gets me the most was not the striking or blood of that woman today.  It was the despair in her face as she sat and sobbed in the car.  It was the realization that she spends every day of her life under a stress level and a fear I cannot imagine.  We have so many advancements, conveniences and connections.  We need to be using them for real purpose and helping each other.  How can you use your technology to help others?  Forming such a group or developing a product to address it?  Count me in.