cozy warmth

What type of sheets do you use on your bed?

I live in the northeast so we have a decent number of chilly days. I like a combination of warmth and fresh air so the windows in my bedroom are almost always open enough to let the fresh air in (even in the winter)!

For years I have used cotton jersey sheets in warm weather and flannel sheets in cold weather but last week I was involved in a conversation that led me in a new direction for the colder seasons. A friend mentioned microfleece sheets. I didn't even know that there was such a thing but I knew I needed to try them. I headed to Amazon and placed an order for Cozy Fleece Microfleece Sheets.

My sheets arrived, leading to a first sleep in microfleece (with cool air leaking into the room from an open window). How awesome!

Have you tried microfleece sheets?

a messy day with happy feet

The snow that started falling late in the day yesterday continued into the early morning hours before changing to rain. Before the switch there was 8.5 inches of snow on the ground. The snow compacted quickly leaving snow-covered surfaces, puddles, and generally messy walking conditions.

Since I have a strong preference for exercise walking outside I try to make sure I have the right layers for all weather. While I wear running shoes whenever possible, sloppy weather sometimes means that is the wrong choice. My first backup is my hiking shoes but on cold wet days like today that's not the right answer either. It was time for new winter shoes!

I've been very happy with my New Balance running shoes. Since I was pretty sure they had a winter walking/running boot I headed to the factory store (in the summer) to see if there were any boots hanging out on the shelves. No boots there...

It was time to turn to the New Balance web site. I ordered a pair of Fresh Foam 1100 Boots, described as "an ultra-modern sneaker boot". I crossed my fingers for a good fit and happy feet, waiting for winter weather to confirm their utility. Today was my sneaker boot maiden voyage, a wet and messy 5-mile (fast) walk. My feet were happy, warm, and dry!

wobble

I've been using a straight-backed chair when I sit at my computer for a long time. A few weeks back I decided I wanted to switch to something that more directly encouraged good posture and sitting with a bit of movement. Instead of a chair, I started looking at stools.

Wobble stools jumped out. I started reading and looking at available products. Most of the stools I found were too tall at the shortest setting; they were designed for use with a standing desk. Then I found the Interstuhl wobble stool. While it's hard to tell from the photo, the base of the stool is rounded and the seat swivels. It can easily be set at any height between 17.25 inches and 24.75 inches, changeable on a whim!

:: from the product description ::

"The unique design of this active sitting chair is both attractive and functional, allowing you to sit still, or swivel and sway to your heart's content. The wobble base is non-marking and grips the floor for stability, while the feather weight and teeny tiny footprint makes the wobble stool easy to stash when you're not using it."

I've been using this interesting stool for a week now, and I'm very happy with it.

You can find this stool on Amazon at up Stool Adjustable Multi-Use Ergonomic Stool.

review :: Peak Design Everyday Sling 5L

When I'm out wandering with my camera I am usually very happy carrying camera and lenses on my back. My current favorite traveling camera bag is the Everyday Backpack 20L by Peak Design. It has room for camera and multiple lenses with additional space for things I want with me, clothing layers, snacks, sunscreen, water, and other odd assorted things too.

Sometimes I'd like to carry a smaller bag.

Out of curiosity I headed to the Peak Design web site to check their product line. The Everyday Sling 5L jumped out at me. The bag has a 5 liter capacity (as opposed to the 15-20 liter capacity of the Everyday Backpack 20L). My camera fits easily with any of my current lenses; depending on the lens attached to the camera I can slide a second lens into the bag as well. It can be carried as a sling or as a waist bag. It is made of the same weatherproof material as the Everyday Backpack so no worries about walking in the rain.

I've had my new bag long enough to test it out on several garden wanders. It's good to have carrying options, and I'm quite happy with the sling's usability.

repaired

I was out with my camera a few weeks ago when it started misbehaving. The shutter button was sticking, sometimes refusing to work and sometimes behaving. When I returned home I called Fujifilm support, thinking (and hoping) there was something I could do to fix the issue. I heard what I expected to hear, that I needed to send the camera in for service.

My X-T2 headed to Fuji's camera repair center in Edison, NJ two weeks ago. I received an email confirming receipt of the camera and stating that the work was "in process". The next email came a week after the first, stating that the camera was repaired and shipped. I received the repaired and cleaned X-T2 today, heading out immediately to confirm the repair.

Overall I am quite happy with the level of service provided. The camera was still under warranty so there was no charge for the fix. My only complaint is that I would have preferred a faster shipment method (given that the camera was shipped on a Thursday and arrived here on Tuesday). If given a choice I would have been happy to pay for shipping.

My thanks go to Fuji's factory service.

While I was planning to sell my X-T1, it's good that the camera is still in my possession. I used it during the two weeks that the X-T2 was visiting Fuji.

I'm happy that I had a camera to use, and I'm even happier now that my X-T2 is back.

first impressions :: Fuji XF 80mm Macro

I've had my eye on Fujifilm's X Mount Lens Roadmap for a while now. A new macro lens was projected to be available in late 2017; it was a lens that I believed would fit into my photography habits since macro work focused on flowers is a ongoing focus of mine.

When I picked up my Fuji X-T2 at Hunt's Photo and Video last month I asked to be placed on the waiting list for the soon to be released Fuji XF80mmF2.8 Macro lens. The rumored release date was the end of November. At that point I had no idea when I would receive my new lens. I understood from the sales rep that my request for the lens was within the number of lenses that Hunt's had ordered, but he also told me that the manufacturers often didn't ship full (requested) quantities when a new lens or camera was released. I kept my fingers crossed, hoping to be included in an early shipment.

I was delighted to receive a call on November 30th to let me know that my new macro lens had arrived. It was a good afternoon to drive to Hunt's.

I've had the lens for a full week, enough time to know that it is a keeper. I've used it for macro photography and I've used it for landscape shots too. The lens has a fast auto focus system, is weather-sealed (yay!), and has optical image stabilization (excellent for hand-held photos). So far I'm delighted with the image quality.

Here are a few samples of the photos that I've taken with this lens so far.

I'm happy!

upgrade :: Fuji X-T2

It was over two years ago when I jumped into the mirrorless camera world with the purchase of a Fuji X-T1. I held on to my Canon 7D and lenses for a long time, finally selling in September. The cash was put to good use, feeding my desire for an upgrade to my camera.

I've been eyeing the Fuji X-T2 for a while, believing that there were enough changes in the camera body to warrant a purchase. When I saw an instant rebate from Fuji in combination with a photo show at Hunt's Photo & Video in Melrose I decided it was the right time. I picked up an X-T2 at the beginning of November and I've been attached to it ever since.

There were a number of new and changed features that jumped out at me as must haves. First the sensor is 24 megapixels (X-Trans CMOS III). That's a welcome change from the X-T1 with its 16 megapixel sensor. Given that I do sometimes crop photos I prefer to have more megapixels to start. Next, the X-T2 has many more (up to 325) focus points, and a very fast autofocus of 0.06 seconds. One change that I love is the focus stick on the back of the camera; it allows me to quickly move the focus point.

While I usually focus using the viewfinder there are times when the flip screen is the focus point of choice. On the X-T1 it was very usable if shooting landscape mode images but it wasn't as helpful for portrait mode. That's fixed very nicely on the X-T2 with a flip screen that articulates 3 ways, two horizontal and one vertical. Awesome!

There are dual SD card slots with settings for the photographer to designate how they are used.

I'm still exploring the camera; so far I'm very happy.

All of the photos in my blog posted on or after November 6th were taken with the X-T2. I've included a few more samples here.

waves along Jenness Beach


Memorial Bridge, Portsmouth, NH


ocean action at Reid State Park


chrysanthemum at Longwood Gardens


orchids in the greenhouses of Lyman Estate

If you're interested in a review of this camera, check Karen Hutton's article The Fujifilm X-T2: First Impressions & Images.

review :: Peak Design Everyday Backpack 20L

Was it fate that I received an email from SmugMug (the home of my photo galleries) with an offer for 20% off of gear from Peak Design? I had been thinking about my need for a smaller backpack to carry my photo gear and a look at the Peak Design web site told me it might be time.

My (existing) camera pack was still in good shape but it was much larger than I need for my everyday wanders. The old pack has a 37 L capacity; my new bag has a 20 L capacity. That was shocking at first glance, but when I looked at the difference between the size of the dSLR and lenses that I used to carry and the size of my Fuji X-T1 with lenses it's pretty obvious that smaller is more than acceptable.

I used the information on the Peak Design web site as a starting point, then I found a video that a photographer I respect published about the 20L version of the Everyday Backpack. Watching solidified my decision and I ordered the bag.

I've had my Everyday Backpack 20L for a bit over a week now; I've already used it for 4 or 5 photo wanders. The bag is comfortable and has plenty of space to carry camera, lenses, water bottle, extra layers, whatever I need for comfortable wandering.

Camera gear is loaded from either side of the pack and is easily accessible by wearing a single shoulder strap and swinging the bag around. Three included FlexFold Dividers can be configured to provide either two or three slots for camera gear; so far using 2 slots has been enough for camera and extra lenses. With either configuration there is still enough room in the top of the bag to carry extra layers and gear as needed.

The one thing that concerned me was the presence of a waist belt as opposed to a padded hip belt. As it turns out the waist belt works quite well, allowing me to transfer weight from the shoulder straps. So far the lack of padding isn't a problem.

I suspect there will be days when I use my larger bag but I also believe this one will quickly become my "go to" bag.

The Everyday Backpack has a minimalist look while providing needed functionality. I like it!

If you have a need for a bag like this and would like more information, take a look at the Peak Design Everyday Backpack product page and the support video Everyday Backpack Tips, Features, and Functions.

review :: Samsung Gear Fit2

I really liked my Microsoft Band 2 but its battery life didn't like my level of activity. I went through 4 of the trackers over the past year as the battery misbehaved. Microsoft provided replacement bands at no charge, allowing me to continue to use the device. There were rumors that a new version of the band would be announced in October; instead it appears that they have stopped development. Hmm...

I've become accustomed to wearing a fitness tracker, to knowing the distance my feet have covered when I'm walking for exercise, when I'm hiking, or just when I'm out and about. I thought about just carrying my phone and using the MapMyWalk application created by Under Armour, but I prefer to wear a tracker. Sometimes my phone walks with me, sometimes not.

I started looking for a replacement, focusing on trackers that include GPS and that were similar in form factor to the band I had been wearing.

My choice? I am now the owner of a Samsung Gear Fit2.

The length and width of the case pretty much matches my old device. It is a tiny bit thicker but that can pretty much be ignored since the Band 2 had a thick clasp (containing the battery) and the Gear Fit2 does not. It has a soft band which is noticeably more comfortable.

The case crystal is Corning's Gorilla Glass 3. I wanted a scratch-resistant face; Gorilla Glass meets that requirement. The device has an IP68 rating which means it’s water-resistant in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. I don't think I'll test that, but it's good to know it won't be a problem if I'm caught walking in a downpour.

The device pairs with the Samsung Gear and S Health apps on an Android phone.

I'm using the Gear Fit2 to track exercise, overall steps walked, sleep, and heart rate.

I've been using it for two weeks now, and I'm happy!

Gear Fit2 on charger

door, covered

With renovations complete I had one remaining item, adding blinds to the sliding glass door in the living room. The old blinds were not in great shape so I opted to discard them at the start of the renovation. I thought about leaving the door uncovered since there is open land behind my place. No one walks back there except neighbors walking between units so there isn't really a privacy issue.

Even knowing that no one is standing at the door looking in, sitting in the living room with the lights on when it is dark outside drove my decision to add the option of a covered door.

I knew I wanted vertical blinds, and I knew I wanted something simple that would not draw attention away from the photos that live on the walls. I started by looking at sample books from two blind manufacturers at Home Depot, finding nothing that met my needs. That seemed odd to me since I was looking for simple and white. Hmm... I continued my search online.

I chose blinds from Stoneside Blinds & Shades. The company has sales offices across the country with a manufacturing facility in Denver. Abby, one of their design consultants, brought samples to my house. I selected at blind that has a pattern to it where the pattern is embossed but entirely white. Abby measured the door but before the blinds were ordered the installer, Andrew, came and measured again. Just over three weeks after measurement, Andrew returned to install the blinds.

During the installation we discovered that the door wasn't quite straight. With the blind mounting hardware completely level the look to my eyes (and Andrew's too) showed the blind as sloping a little bit to the right. It took several adjustments before the lines looked right to me. Before declaring the installation complete Andrew took the time to patch the holes from the initial tries.

The blinds are exactly what I needed to finish the renovation.

I'm happy!

product review :: new SmugMug gallery header

Yesterday a change was rolled out to all SmugMug sites allowing the use of a cover image at the top of galleries using specified layouts. Most of the galleries on my site use the Collage Landscape style, one of the styles including this new change.

My first view of the change was accompanied by shock. There were two changes implemented, a change in format for the breadcrumb wherever it is used, and the addition of a cover image for specified galley styles. By default in existing galleries, the cover image was off. The breadcrumb change was universal though; for my purposes it needed a little tweaking.

The breadcrumb is the line starting with an icon representing home followed by the names of folders and the gallery that is being displayed. The change to the breadcrumb involved breaking it into two lines with the folder structure shown on the first line and the gallery title shown larger and on a second line. The default gallery title size and the size of the slideshow and buy buttons was too large for my taste, drawing my eyes to the header instead of the photos. A bit of CSS was needed and available to change the size.

My next step was to enable the cover image in some galleries. I was quite surprised that with the cover image enabled the original size of the title wasn't as glaring. Even so, I prefer a slightly smaller size so I left the size-changing CSS in place. That was even more important to me since folders and journal-style galleries don't support use of the cover image - I needed a consistent size that made me happy in both types of displays.

Some photos aren't suited to be cover images since too much pattern obscures the text from the gallery description; others are perfect. With the right cover image there is a bit of polish added to the display.

I like it!

To see a gallery that uses a cover image, click to the gallery Long Hill :: 2016.

product review :: FITT Gear Running Belt

When I'm out wandering with my camera my phone is usually tucked into my camera bag but when I'm walking for exercise that's often not the case. I always wear my RoadID which provides easy access to emergency contacts and insurance information but sometimes having a phone handy feels like a good idea. Recently I looked for something that would allow me to easily carry my phone (without noticing that it was there, no bouncing in a pocket!).

I found the FITT Gear Running Belt on Amazon. It has a slim profile with one pocket large enough for a cell phone and a second smaller pocket suitable for keys, credit cards, and perhaps a bit of cash. When it arrived I pulled it out of the shipping envelope, saw it's very narrow profile, and figured the phone wouldn't fit. Luckily my quick impression was incorrect; the phone fits with room to spare.

The belt is adjustable from 24 to 48 inches. It was comfortable to wear and quite stable. As I moved the (loaded) belt stayed in place.

I haven't had wet weather for a water resistance test yet but I did hold it under running water with the water hitting both the fabric and the zipper. After my quick water test I unzipped it to find a completely dry interior.

If you're looking to carry your phone easily when you're exercising or just going about your everyday activities I highly recommend this product.

photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Update on 10/7/2017: the FITT Gear running belt that I have has disappeared from Amazon but it appears that this product is a match.

product review :: OrganizeMyDrawer.com

The silverware drawer in my kitchen is a bit odd in that it has a divider that slides, halving the available vertical space. That means that the organizer that holds the silverware is only about 1.5 inches tall. The organizer was cracked in places; it needed to be replaced. I looked for a replacement - either a direct replacement of the single piece unit, or separate containers that fit together. Everything I found was too deep.

I put my need for a replacement silverware organizer in the back of my mind. Every so often I'd look around to see what I could find.

What luck! A recent web search sent me to OrganizeMyDrawer.com, a company that constructs custom-made organizers of clear acrylic materials. I measured the old organizer, I measured the available space in the drawer, and then I measured again (since there are no refunds for mis-measured orders). I placed my order on Sunday. My organizer was constructed and shipped on Monday, and it arrived here today.

I'm very happy both with the service and with the quality of the product. It's awesome!

first impressions :: Microsoft Band 2

I've been wearing a Microsoft Band since the formal release of the product earlier this year. I like the tracking ability it provides, following both activity and sleep.

I was happy with the band other than the difficulty I was having getting the charging cable to connect and be recognized. Unfortunately it connected on the underside of the band, the part that was exposed to sweat from exercise.

A few weeks ago I saw the announcement of the new Microsoft Band 2 with a release date of October 30, 2015. I looked at the product information and saw enough to know I wanted to upgrade. I placed an order on the Microsoft web site and sat back to wait.

Friday was October 30th, the day that the new Band 2 was officially available. My new band shipped directly from China with a delivery date planned for the 30th. The box was adorned with this warning:

It arrived Friday morning and was promptly plugged in to charge. As soon as it was powered on it went through the set-up process. The connection to my old band was removed from my phone and the new Band 2 was set up to use.

The look and feel has changed from a flat front with batteries on the side of the band making the band feel a bit clunky to a curved front with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 coated OLED touchscreen. The sides of the band no longer house the battery; they are made of a soft material. The charging point has moved to the inside of the outer clasp, a piece of the device that is not touched by skin and sweat. The charger snaps in place with a very tight connection.

The original Band was fairly comfortable to wear but the feel of the new band and the resulting comfort is much better. I believe the Gorilla Glass face will wear much better than the face of the old band.

I had my old band set to show the time and day when it wasn't in a band function. The options with the old band was to show the time or to leave the display blank. I'm using it as a watch as well as a fitness device so I chose to show the time. There is a new option on the new band for the time, "rotate on". That means that the display is blank when I am not actively using it; rotating my wrist wakes it up to show the time.

For the most part the functions match those on the previous version of the band. There is the addition of "floors" tracking which tracks the elevation change. My floors count for the day is currently 29. Hmm... I hiked at a park this morning and then did a fast walk this afternoon. There were a few hills, but the equivalent of 29 floors? That feels a bit off. That's OK though, it's the distance that I'm really interested in and based on my knowledge of the routes near home the distance and steps logged still appear reasonable.

So far I'm quite happy with the upgrade.

first impressions :: Fuji X-T1

I've been toying with the idea of buying a mirrorless camera for a while. Over the last month that thought became a constant companion.

I'm very happy with my Canon 7D but there are times when I'd like to wander with something smaller. At one point I used a point and shoot camera as that small wandering around camera but as time went by I was less happy with that solution. Over the last couple of years I stopped even thinking about using a P&S camera (other than my phone!). A small form factor camera that allowed me the control I have on my dSLR was moving forward as a must have; continuing development of mirrorless cameras made them much more interesting to me.

Sometimes I feel like I make purchase decisions in a snap. That's not the case since a lot of thought over days (or weeks) usually comes before the purchase. That was true of my recent decision.

Last week I ordered a Fuji X-T1 with two lenses, a walking around 18-135mm and a 60mm macro lens to help feed my need for flower photos. The camera and the 18-135 lens are weather resistant, sealed against dust and water and designed to work in temperatures down to -10C. That's a plus; I can continue wandering in wet and cold weather.

My order was placed on Wednesday and the camera was in my hands early on Thursday. That gave me time to start to familiarize myself with the camera before two weekend days full of camera play.

My first before-shooting task was to update the firmware in the camera. I was especially interested in the new Zone and Wide/Tracking modes in the updated auto focus system. I thought I was following the instructions of the firmware update page but somehow the page I was on neglected to point out the very important step of holding the DISP/BACK button while turning the camera on. That missing point led to my first contact with the Fuji support line. After waiting on hold for less than 5 minutes I had a good conversation with a support specialist. My question on how to update the camera's firmware was quickly answered; as it turned out I needed to update the firmware in one of the lenses as well. I picked up some good tips on the camera and was sent a link to a frequently updated web page that links to the firmware updates for Fuji's interchangeable camera bodies and lenses.

For readers who own Fuji cameras and need to update the firmware in camera or lens, click here to access the firmware update page.

For access to Fuji's support center, click here.

The camera is beautifully designed, small, comfortable to hold and use.

It will take a bit of use for the controls to become second nature although my weekend wanders have left me much more comfortable with the camera. It will also take some experimenting to understand all of the options hidden in this small camera.

I love the eye sensor mode for the viewfinder. If I hold the camera away from my eyes the tilting LCD panel shows the image I am about to take along with the camera settings. When I place my eye close to the electronic view finder (EVF) the LCD goes blank and the image is shown in the EVF. It's magic!

It is possible to only show the image in the EVF but I like the flexibility of easily using either the EVF or the LCD. Given the tilting nature of the LCD I can see it being very useful to capture an image from different heights, with the camera held low or high.

The one negative I've noticed is that the battery indicator needs some tuning. I'm not surprised that the battery life isn't extensive given the electronic nature of the camera but I am surprised that the indicator shows as fully charged and then flips into a red almost depleted indicator with little warning. I always carry extra charged batteries but it would be nice to have a little warning.

My task for Friday was to become explore the camera, to start to accustom my fingers to making adjustments, to discover things that I'll need to know about later. I also spent some time skimming through the manual, downloading a PDF version that is much easier to read than the tiny print paper edition that came with the camera.

Over the next two days I went on multiple camera outings. I started at the Stevens-Coolidge Place where I played in the gardens, using both lenses to capture color. Later in the day I headed to the Cochran Wildlife Sanctuary to walk in the woods. On Sunday my camera destination was the New Hampshire coast for a glimpse of the ocean. The three different environments allowed me to see the behavior of the camera under different conditions and with very different targets.

Here are a few photos to show what the camera (and I) can accomplish together.

I'm very happy.

More photos from weekend wanders with my X-T1 are scattered through a few galleries, all tagged with the keyword "fuji xt1 1st look". To see the first photos from my new camera, click here.

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After initial play I realized that I really needed a wide angle lens as well. A Fufifilm XF10-24 joined my lenses for this camera, giving me a reasonable kit for traveling (and wandering near home too).

upgrade :: Windows 10

Today was the official release date for Windows 10. Instead of waiting for the automated downloads that I had requested I decided to reach out, grab the upgrade tool, and update both my Surface 3 and my "big" computer. Elapsed time was probably about 2 hours between downloading, installing, and configuring. The entire process was easy, pretty much running itself.

Next step? It's time to re-familiarize myself with my computers!

I've used (and like) the new Edge browser, I've wandered through the menus and tiles to find the things I use often, so far everything looks good. I plan to spend some time with the Surface with and without the keyboard attached since that automatically changes the operation of the device. I think that makes sense - with the keyboard it acts more like a laptop, without the keyboard it behaves like a tablet.

It's an interesting change.

product review :: Lenstag

I recently discovered Lenstag, a free service that protects camera gear and images. I registered my camera and lenses, using my cell phone to take photos of the serial numbers (which is one of the methods of completing the registration of your gear). As noted on the site, it took a few days for my gear to be marked as verified.

Lenstag is a security blanket for my camera gear. It won't prevent theft but it does identify the gear as mine; in the event that it is stolen it gives me a way to flag it. I know, flagging gear as stolen doesn't mean it will be recovered but I suspect that the more people use this service the more protection will be provided.

According to the Lenstag web site the gear rental companies BorrowLenses and LensRentals both register their gear with Lenstag. That feels like a pretty solid recommendation to me.

product review :: Surface 3

I usually don't replace my electronic gear this quickly but a trade-in offer from Microsoft led me to replace my traveling computer now, just a year and a half after it jumped into my hands. Microsoft was offering $150 for an "in good shape" Surface 2 (during the month of May 2015) to be used in the purchase of a Surface 3. I submitted the online form and printed a shipping label early in May, shipping the Surface 2 back after I returned from my wanders in Acadia. After all I needed a traveling computer that weekend!

The pre-paid shipping label covered ground shipping to Microsoft's exchange partner. I dropped the package at a FedEx office late in the day on Wednesday, missing the last shipment of the day. It shipped on Thursday and was received at its destination the following Tuesday. By mid-day on Wednesday I had the code I needed to activate the $150 rebate. I immediately placed my order; upgrading from the free ground shipping that was offered to a more immediate shipping method. My new Surface 3 was in my hands by Friday afternoon.

What drove me to replace my Surface 2 with a Surface 3?

I was still happy with the Surface 2, but the switch to full Windows for the Surface 3 made me think. The Surface 2 runs Windows RT 8.1 which I understand may have a slight upgrade in the future (without an upgrade path to Windows 10). The Surface 3 comes loaded with Windows 8.1 and it is eligible for an upgrade to Windows 10 when the operating system is available later this year.

Because the Surface 3 runs full Windows, any Windows applications can be installed. I wasn't missing much with the Surface 2 although I'll admit to wanting access to browsers like Chrome and Firefox. Neither Mozilla or Google chose to make their browsers available in the Windows store; that meant neither could be installed on the Surface 2. The first additional applications I installed on my new Surface 3 were those two browsers.

I already had an Arc Touch Mouse that I bought for the Surface 2. It's a Bluetooth device that is supported by the Surface 3 as well; all I needed to do was to pair the device with my new computer.

In addition to the operating system change there are only a couple of things that jumped out at me when I started playing with my new Surface 3. First is the form factor of the device.

Surface 2 dimensions: 10.81” x 6.79” x 0.35”, weight: 1.49 pounds
Surface 3 dimensions: 10.52” x 7.36” x 0.34”, weight: 1.37 pounds

The change is noticeable since the Surface 2 mimicked the form factor of a mobile phone while the Surface 3 mimics a more typical laptop. This change meant that the Type Keyboard from the Surface 2 does not fit a Surface 3 (and of course the keyboard was part of the trade-in value). As it turns out the new keyboard has improved from the old, attaching more securely and improving the usability of the keyboard when holding the device on your lap.

The next change is the placement of the capacitive windows button on the device. When holding the device in landscape mode (wider side in horizontal position), the Windows button on the Surface 3 is on the right. It was on the bottom on the Surface 2.

I would say that both of these are minimal changes; noticeable at first, but neither interferes with comfortable operation of the device.

I'm happy.

on my wrist

Hey! What's that on my wrist?

At some point last year I started looking at fitness bands thinking it would be a good way to track my everyday movements and potentially a good motivator to do more. The bands typically pair with phones; I stopped looking when I found that for my Windows Phone I needed version 8.1 - and Verizon hadn't yet pushed that update. I didn't forget about the bands when my phone upgrade was completed in late December but I also didn't actively start looking again.

Early this year one of my colleagues stopped by to show me his Microsoft Band. Sold! The features looked right to me, including tracking of heart rate, calories, steps, the ability to track runs (for me that means walks), bike rides, other exercise as well. It can also be used to monitor sleep, a truly essential function. The Band also adds the magic of Cortana and notification of emails, texts, and phone calls. Oh! That looks good.

The Microsoft Band is designed to be used with a phone although some functionality is supported by using a USB connection to a computer. It supports use of Windows Phone 8.1, Android, or IPhone operating systems.

The bands were first released in October, apparently in very short supply. After looking, placing himself on a waiting list at the Microsoft Store, waiting, David received his band. I went through essentially the same process, getting mine just before Microsoft made them generally available at 3 retail outlets in addition to their own stores.

When not using the functions of the band I have it set to show the current time, day, and date. This shows against a black background. When the power button is pressed the background changes to the color I selected (purple for now!) and the current time is shown along with indicators with the current values for heartbeat, steps taken, distance traveled, and calories. The values other than heartbeat are automatically reset at midnight so you are always seeing the current day.

More details can also be seen by swiping sideways and clicking on a tile representing the activity.

Even without selecting an activity to monitor the band records steps taken and calories expended.

I've had my Microsoft Band for less than a week and I've used it to track walks and to track sleep.

Both the run and bike functions allow the selected use of GPS to map the route taken. There are warnings on the web site that GPS uses a lot of power (and I've seen that to be true). Even without using GPS the distance and speed to tracked. With GPS those numbers may be somewhat more accurate and the generated workout statistics include a map of where I've been.

When walking the band vibrates each time I have completed another mile. I was surprised at that during my first walk but I quickly came to expect that feedback.

The band synchs automatically with my phone. If I am impatient I can open the app on my phone and start the synchronization process. Once it is done I can see the results of my activity on my phone.

... or on the dashboard of microsofthealth.com when I am logged in:

What fascinates me even more is the ability to track my sleep. I already knew that I really need to target an earlier during the week bedtime but that absolutely slapped me in the face when I looked at my sleep time on a weekday morning and found that I had less than 5 hours of sleep. Yikes!

The dark purple longer lines represent restful sleep while the lighter purple shorter lines show light sleep. The red lines are awake times. Hmm... I think I need to figure out how to have more restful sleep.

The image above is a screen shot taken from my phone; there is additional information below that can be seen by scrolling on the phone. The full set of information can also be seen at https://dashboard.microsofthealth.com when I am logged on to my Microsoft account. A screen shot from that application is shown below.

I love the ability to see how far and how fast I have walked or biked, the ability to see my total steps for the day, to see my heart rate, and to watch the quality of my sleep. I think this is going to be a very good training tool.

The ability to see incoming texts, emails, and calls with a quick glimpse at my wrist is an interesting addition.

So far, I'm pleased with my new device

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If you've decided to follow me and get your own band, you might be interested in the (free) eBook Microsoft Band Field Guide by Paul Thurrott (as linked from this page).

no robocalls

Both my home phone and cell phone are on the National Do Not Call Registry but there are still some calls that get through. Reporting the problem callers is something that I try to do, even if the only information I have is the problem phone number. I'm not sure how helpful that is.

I was delighted to read the article Free service helps block out hated robocalls in today's Boston Globe. As soon as I finished reading I ran to my computer to pull up the Nomorobo site. The service is available for Verizon FIOS Digital Voice; I immediately signed up and verified that the service is now active on my phone. Now I just need to wait and see if it works... my fingers are crossed!

The service isn't currently available on Verizon Wireless. Almost all of these annoying calls have been coming in on my FIOS line so I suspect the service I currently have activated will stop most (if not all) of these calls. I plan to keep an eye out for availability on Verizon Wireless as well, maybe someday it will be available.

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Update on 22 February:
Since I signed up for this service I've been able to watch as robocalls are picked up automatically. Sometimes I'll be sitting next to a phone that displays the incoming phone number. When I see a number I don't recognize I wait for a second ring. That ring doesn't sound; instead I see the phone as active for a short period of time. The call is intercepted and gone. Awesome!