Yahoo RSS feed bling

yahoo_rss
Originally uploaded by webdh.

If you don't use a My Yahoo page, or subscribe to any blogs, this is probably of no interest to you. I recently noticed Yahoo has unveiled a couple new features to their RSS feed module on My Yahoo!

First, they now show an icon next to the feed name. I presume the source needs a favicon.ico file.

Second, they now show a tooltip popup that contains a brief teaser of the posting's body. This must be a special setup at the RSS source page, because some of my blogs don't show this. But if you look at this screenshot, you will see what I'm talking about as I hover over the final link for the Hacking NetFlix blog.

City plows more than just snow

I finally got outside to take some photos of the jerk who plowed my sod next to the curb over the last couple snowfalls. I emailed them to the city hoping they will take action and replace the spots for free in the spring. Here are some pictures: 1, 2, 3.

It pays to be nice

I just got off the phone with OfficeMax, and they agreed to send me a check for $120. This will cover my $70 printer rebate and $50 computer rebate from HP. I was very thankful for this simple solution and now I don't need to wait the dreadful 8-10 weeks for my money back. Thanks OfficeMax for a great customer experience!

Even better news...the new laptop arrived today. So it only took one week to get the new machine, when I expected not to have it until March 3 at the earliest because the unit was on backorder. Now I can use the weekend to get it up and running and give Bonnie our older Sony desktop.

CFM-Resources.com closing shop

I just got an email that the web host I use for WebDH.com is closing shop. I have less than 1 week to keep my site going, doh!

Computer and printer buying headache from OfficeMax

So, I see a good deal on a laptop computer and free printer after rebate from OfficeMax in the Sunday ad, and I'm sold. On Friday, I visit the store in Roseville, and they don't have it in stock, they say try buying online. So later that night, I jump online and put it in my shopping cart. Next, I find the HP 3915 printer, and try putting that in my shopping cart. Nope, they don't let me buy the printer, I see an error message: 21020985 This particular item is not available for delivery in your area. Please choose another item. If you need assistance with your selection, call 800-283-7674. No big deal, I'll just go pick one up at the store in the next couple days. So on Tuesday, I head over to the Brooklyn Center store and buy the printer. Today I find the HP printer rebate info and print the offer. Right in bold print it says: Good only on same day purchases. What! I wasn't able to buy these on the same day, because the online store wouldn't sell me the printer. So I call HP's 800 number, and they tell me nothing can be done, try working with OfficeMax. Ok, I get on the phone with OfficeMax, and they also are reluctant to do anything. I haven't lost my composure yet, and kindly ask to talk to a manager, and they connect me with OfficeMax executive resolution group. The woman there is now trying to help, more to follow...

252 expansion

In a perfect world, Hwy 252 would be 3 lanes in both directions, with bridges replacing the traffic lights. I have no clue if this will ever happen in my lifetime. The good news is I might get 1% closer to that dream, with a new lane added to the 1/2 mile southbound stretch between 73rd and Brookdale Drive! Here's the news story I watched on local cable channel 12 and copied from their website, www.twelve.tv.
Brooklyn Park approved for Highway 252 expansion
There's good news for commuters who travel from Brooklyn Park into downtown Minneapolis. The Minnesota Department of Transportation has approved the city's application to fund an extra lane for southbound Highway 252. MnDOT approved a $540,000 grant for the project. The city would pay roughly $235,000 for the project. The extra lane would run from 73rd Avenue up to Brookdale Drive.

City Engineer Gary Brown says it will ease the bottleneck that happens during every morning rush hour. "Right now, the traffic is so intense," said Brown. "If you're on Brookdale Drive trying to turn south on 252, you probably don't get through the green light because you don't want to block traffic for northbound 252."

The city council must approve the project before it can move forward. If that happens, construction could begin sometime after July 1.

Needed a Seahawks field goal

I needed 3 more points from Seattle in the Super Bowl to win $200 with a final score of 21 - 13 in my company board game, where I had the 1 and 3. All they had to do was try an attempt once they got down near the 35 yard line. They needed two scores to tie, so why not get the field goal first? Even John Madden commentated that they should kick now when they had about a minute left. I guess fate was not on my side, just as it wasn't the year before. Last year I needed a rare safety by New England to give the Patriots 26 points (they finished with 24). To my surprise, it almost happened, as McNabb just got away from a sack in the end zone during the final minute of the game. Then the score would have been 26-21 and I had the 6 and 1 on the board. So this year the final was 21 - 10, and again I was snuffed out of the big prize. Oh well, there's always next year!