Eric Mack On-Line

IBM Verse is a new-fashioned email/social/collaboration/analytics tool that's being touted as the answer to the world's problems with information overwhelm. Although their marketing is slick, I've seen little that suggests that Verse is built to enable personal productivity and knowledge work.

Read more on my business blog, Notes on Productivity.

This evening, the planets Jupiter and Venus briefly aligned to form (nearly upside down) two eyes and a frowning mouth in the southwest night sky. If you missed it, you can see it again in May 2013. Meanwhile, here's a picture from my back deck. (Click on picture to view larger image.)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. - Psalm 19:1

Learn more: Wired Science: Planets Align in a Frown

I see that Michael Sampson's set up an email hotline so that you can send him your best reasons why I should buy a new Mac. He's probably offering a reward or something; I don't know the details.

Send your comments and suggestions to:

     i-love-macs-and-so-should-eric@michaelsampson.net

I actually almost bought a Mac the other day when Bruce Elgort called me to tell me that Apple announced a new 24" Mac. I misunderstood and thought he was talking about a 24" laptop. Wishful thinking.  I'll continue to wish for an Ultra wide-screen Tablet PC.

I need a few minutes time with someone expert in RRAS & VMWARE. Specifically, I need someone to walk me through Microsoft Routing & Remote Access Services to create a 1:1 NAT rule between a public facing IP and VMWARE virtual adapters.

Use the "contact" button above to reach me. Thanks.

OK, Michael, we've been verbally jousting long enough. For your next visit to California I'm planning a different kind of adventure. Rather than hang out in the digital sandbox doing geek stuff, I think we'll do something else for fun but you'll need to bring your own suit ...  



I don't want you to exceed the weight or size restrictions for international flights or have any trouble with airport security, Michael. Just pack your suit and leave your sword and lance at home. We'll pick up some weapons locally.

Continue Reading "Don't forget to pack your suit, Michael" »

One of the hobbies that I have enjoyed for many years is operating an Internet weather camera for our local community. This WeatherCam, located in Pine Mountain Club, California, is sponsored by ICA.COM, and provides real-time weather information and images of our mountain community. This site also contains links to time-lapse movies and other related links of interest.

PMC/Apache Saddle WeatherCam

We're on our way to LEGOLand, in Carlsbad, California.  On the way, we decided to stop by the Sherline Factory to take tour of their facilities.  

It was a fascinating visit to the company that makes the Sherline equipment (above) that I use in my CNC lab.

For many years, one of my hobbies has been robotics.  This led to my interest and fascination with Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Machining - the process by which you can take a concept from design to finished part - all by computer.  Last year, I purchased a Sherline Mill and Lathe, along with a Grifftek CNC conversion.  I have started to document my learning process and that the best way to help me learn, would be to document and share my experiences with others.

Today, I launched Eric Mack's hobby CNC web site, which I hope will accomplish this purpose.