Chad Things

Just gonna share some geekiness in this blog – short and sweet.

First, how to make your own custom ringtones (tested with several verizon phones)

1. Download Audacity (Windows or Mac) and Lame mp3 codec. This lets you cut a 10 second selection sample from your favorite mp3.
2. Download and install Lame mp3 codec (copy to wherever audacity is).
3. Drag your favorite mp3/wav file to Audacity and make a selection that will be your ringtone. Best if its between 3 and 20 secs.
4. File – Export Selection as MP3. First time it will ask you where Lame mp3 codec is, tell it. Then Give ringtone a name, save to disk.
5. For Verizon – Email it as attachment to <your_10digit_cellphone_number>@vzwpix.com. For example, 4151234567@vzwpix.com
6. Done.

iPhoto – merging multiple iPhoto libraries for free. I couldn’t agree more with this dude.

Google Analytics – been out for about a year, but i just started using it. You basically add some javascript code to the end of every html page you want to track, and google does an amazing job of showing you stats and other useful info. Really. And its great to manage different domains, or setup multiple profiles within a domain. Once again, google is way better than anything else thats ever tried to do this. Sux that i can’t do it on wordpress.com .

Oh, and not a geek thing, but give some love to my friend otto – he needs it and deserves it.

About 2 weeks ago I noticed my bike, a 1993 Honda Nighthawk, was not where i left it on the street. I was not upset, i don’t really ride it that much anymore (not since January before my RTW trip). So i figured i’d get some insurance money and just move on. I filed a police report on Friday the 28th, about a week after i saw it last.

Surprisingly, 10 days after i told SFPD it was missing, they found it. The police actually found my motorcycle. wow. And it was found only a few blocks away from where i left it in upper haight. Apparently whoever stole it was using it and just parking it in the street like he owned it. Smart. I was surprised and asked the cops lots of questions, and they gave me concise answers.

• Who found it? Dunno – anonymous call.
• Will it be investigated further? no.
• Anything else gonna happen? no, its now removed from stolen vehicle list.
• So thats it, i can take it now? yes, just show us your Drivers license and sign this.

Yay! I guess… Actually, i rode it across town to do an errand around 5pm and i was very happy to be on my motorcycle. So I am glad i have it back. Once my bike-friend Tony looks it over and makes sure the thief didn’t do any damage, i’ll be good to go.