Archive for August, 2009
Spokane graphic designer
Posted by Eric Bandholz in Ramblings on August 17, 2009
I wanted to do a shameless plug reminder that I am available for hire as a freelance graphic designer or marketer in the Spokane, WA area. I have a strong business understanding with a background with a commercial printing company. I encourage you to browse this website and learn a little about me as well as view my portfolio. My designs tend to gravitate toward clean simple lines and shapes. I am a big fan of negative space which makes your content all that more important to the viewer. Follow the links below to learn more about me.
My trip to the Columbia River Gorge
Posted by Eric Bandholz in Ramblings on August 13, 2009
This week I went down to The Dalles for a night of car camping. It was my first time visiting the Columbia River Gorge and it’s absolutely beautiful. Apparently, they have added a series of dams to the river so the river seems as wide as a lake and continues that way for miles. We took a little scenic drive into Hood River and drove around the Fruit Loop as well as got a better view of Mt. Hood. Unfortunately, there were clouds covering the peak so I could not see all of it in it’s beauty.
I just wanted to share a few photo’s from my journey so follow the break to see them.
Crazy phone taxes
Posted by Eric Bandholz in Ramblings on August 9, 2009
Does anyone else think that 25% for taxes and “fees” is a bit too high? I think it is time to search for different alternatives. This reminds me of the 16% taxes I had to pay in North Carolina to rent my U-Haul trailer. It was about $80 in taxes for our $500 dollar rental. A normal 5% sales tax would have only been $25. In this tough economy it feels like the tax burden is becoming a little too heavy.
Homebrew on the Palm Pre
Posted by Eric Bandholz in Ramblings on August 5, 2009
Well, I am just getting into the Palm Pre homebrew scene because it seems so easy. I figured I would document my actions in case anyone is having any kind of concerns of getting into it. Here is a quick run down to get you started in the scene.
First thing: Go to www.precentral.net and create an account.
Step 1 – Click HERE and download the WebOS Quick Install file.
Step 2 - Double click on file and be sure to download WebOSDoctor. This will take a while (at least for me it did)
Step 3 - While file is downloading type “upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart” into your Pre. It will then bring up an application icon to turn on developer mode. Turn on developer mode.
Step 4 - After WebOSDoctor is finished downloading, open up WebOS Quick Install file again.
Step 5 - Plug your Pre into the computer and select “Just Charge.”
Step 6 - In the Quick Install program I selected to show the developer icon, that way it’s easier to turn on and off. (it must be on to work with Quick Install)
Step 7 - Download Filecoaster which allows you to install apps without a computer. You can use this as your first app install. update: this app is now essentially the “Homebrew App Catalog”
Step 8 - Add this bookmark to your list of websites: http://m.precentral.net/mobile-homebrew
Step 9 - Go to the above website and download apps and have fun. To copy click on the link until it is highlighted yellow. Then put a finger on your gesture area (next to your button) and wait until the button lights up. As the button is lit, press “c” to copy and “v” to paste.
I hope you enjoyed it and feel comfortable getting into homebrew, as it is very easy. For screenshots follow the jump. This process is currently pretty easy for a “homebrew” scene in my opinion. But the future is bright as there will be a new version of filecoaster which simplifies the install of homebrew applications. They will be seemlessly integrating into PreCentral’s homebrew database. Nice! 
Update: A day after I write this they update filecoaster. If you have not gotten into the scene yet, there is no excuse not to!
Building furniture in SketchUp
Posted by Eric Bandholz in Ramblings on August 2, 2009
For our move from Charlotte to Spokane we decided to eliminate a lot of our furniture that we deemed was not a “favorite.” So we arrive out west with no kitchen table, tv stand, or bookshelves. We went furniture shopping at Dania Furniture this past week and saw some very cool stuff and stuff we would like to buy, but not in our current price range. My sister-in-law had just had custom cabinets put in their house and I figured it might be worth reaching out to someone locally to build a piece of furniture.
I found a contact from Craigslist and scheduled a time to meet on Monday but he asked for me to get some images of what we like. With not a lot on our plates in Spokane I had time to play around in Google SketchUp and build the “ideal” furniture. I have been playing around with the colors and fabrics and ultimately those will all change when the final design but I wanted to throw up the concept I was working on. It has sliding panels that normally are made of glass, but I thought it would look cool to have a fabric panel which you can update easily for a completely different look down the road. Anyways, less rambling and follow the jump for the photos.
