Bump!

Recently found out about a free contact exchange app from Bump Technologies called, appropriately enough, Bump. According to their website “Bump makes swapping contact information as simple as bumping two phones together.” The video looks like magic. Sweet, iPhone magic.

I had to see this thing is action so a co-worker and I both installed Bump to test it out. Once you install the app, you enter your contact info and you’re ready to find someone to Bump. When you’re in a Bumping mood, you choose what info to share (phone, email, photo, address, or all of the above) and then Bump away.

I didn’t think the iPhone had anything that would detect another phone so I couldn’t see how physically bumping hands actually mattered. Instead, we tried doing a simultaneous jan-ken-po shake to get the party started. Woo! It worked!

Said “yes” to transfer info and voila, it was done in a couple of seconds. We both already had each other’s contact info and Bump was smart enough to update/append the transferred info to the existing records. Still seems like magic.

The app description says that Bump requires location info, or for both devices to be connected to the same wi-fi access point. It’s probably using a combination of proximity and timing to associate the two parties of the transfer. I’d love to see what happens if you had a room of people all shake at the same time. iPhone mixer anyone?

One last comment: Information is exchanged via wi-fi or 3G connection so I’m guessing data is traveling to Bump Technologies’ servers. They could be building a massive database of names and contact information. Make sure you read their privacy statement. Caveat bumper!

Twitter’s amazing auto-closing support ticket

Just this morning there was a discussion on Twitter revolving around Lee Cataluna’s article Rotten service is becoming rampant. I wondered if Twitter could somehow be used to fix the state of customer service and at @thestuffguy’s suggestion, decided to promote a hashtag #custserv to call attention to good and bad customer service. I didn’t expect to use it this soon and want to make clear that the events of this post happened AFTER the hashtag started.

Before I go any further, let me say that I love Twitter. I live on Twitter. I think Twitter is amazing. I wasn’t sure about writing this post initially, something about “biting the hand that feeds you”… But the story has such a “Hanh?!” factor that I had to share, if for no other reason than to share some baffled amazement.

Two days ago I contacted Twitter for assistance deleting an account I had tried to delete but somehow managed to get suspended instead.

Yesterday I got an email back from Twitter:

Friendly reminder: your request ‘I was getting ready to dele…’ is pending and awaits your feedback. The latest comment to your ticket was:
(The text of my original ticket)

Huh? I figured it was an automated acknowledgement since it didn’t say anything other than my request. No follow up questions, no instructions.

Today I got another email from Twitter:

This is an e-mail to inform you that your request ‘I was getting ready to dele…’ is now closed because we did not receive feedback about your issue. The latest comment to your ticket was:
(You guessed it: My original ticket!)

Wha?! My ticket was closed because I only submitted a ticket? What else do they expect?

I’ve sent them a follow up, and I’ll let you know what happens next.

Hogging out

Hungry after a long workout this past weekend, I remembered reading an article in the Honolulu Advertiser about a couple of barbeque places that opened up recently. One of them, Hog Island BBQ, was nearby in Kaimuki so we decided to give it a go.

Hog Island BBQ

First off, Hog Island BBQ is pretty hard to find. If you remember A Taste of New York deli, HIBBQ is on the parking lot side of the building it used to be in. The pay parking lot is pretty retarded for that complex so we parked on the street and almost missed it. Fortunately we had just seen a BBQ marathon on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives so we were motivated. iPhone, Google and Google Maps to the rescue! (“The blue dot and the pin are overlapping! It’s gotta be around here somewhere!”)

Service was friendly and quick. The menu is straight forward featuring 4 sandwiches, 4 entrée plates, and 4 sides (nice symmetry!). There’s no menu board – offerings are printed take-out flyers (see here for the online version)

We ordered the Beef Brisket and the Pulled Pork plates, both with Chef’s Scalloped Potatoes and Pitmaster’s Baked Beans. The brisket is pictured below… I think… they looked pretty similar.

Beef Brisket plate

Keeping in mind I’m no barbeque expert, I’d say overall the food was fairly good but not exactly ZOMG! FTW! to-die-for good. The pulled pork was tender and had good flavor, but I’m such a sucker when it comes to pork that was almost a gimme.

The beef brisket was a little less satisfying. It more like well-done chunks of steak (which isn’t necessary a bad thing) without any particular seasoning that I could detect. I don’t think the brisket could’ve stood on it’s own without the barbeque sauce served on the side. That being said, the homemade sauce was good, bumping up the flavor and making the dish much better.

I suppose I was expecting more, especially after reading the Advertiser review. However, it’s very likely that my palate has become accustomed to the heavily seasoned local style plate lunch fare, and the meat may actually have been barbeque perfection. What do I know about authentic BBQ?

The portions were generous and both eGeekette and I have leftovers for lunch this week. We probably could have taken the option for two meats on a single combo plate for an extra $1 and been just fine.

All in all, while some things could be better I think Hog Island BBQ is a nice addition to the culinary scene. It’s good to have options. Give Hog Island BBQ a try for yourself and let me know what you think.

Fast is relative

I was chatting with a former co-worker and fellow triathlete the other day. At one point he said something to the effect of “since my kid was born, I’ve gotten so slow. I can barely run a ten minute mile anymore.” While I commiserated with him, inwardly it was hard to feel too badly about it.On my best day ever, I may be able to run a 10 minute mile, and certainly not for very far.

Way at the other end of the spectrum from me, I know some folks that can run a half-marathon at a blazing 6 minute pace. I came close to that speed once, but it was while doing 100 meter sprint intervals (think only the straight part of a track). It felt like when I used to jump off of the swings when it was apexing – I was just trying to move my legs fast enough to avoid falling on my face. It felt horrible and probably looked even worse.

My pace hasn’t changed much in the past 5 years so my plan for this season is to improve my base strength and fitness through a combination of running, weights and pilates. After that, part two is to add speedwork so that by the time Honolulu Marathon comes along I’ll be able to run a consistent 10 minute mile.

Without looking like I just jumped off of a swing.

Watch this space for updates on my quest for “speed”. (Hey, it’ll be fast for me!)