Mac Conversion Update

Chuck Zimmerman

AppleHere’s a little “move to Mac” update. After a week or so of using my new Macbook Pro I’m starting to feel comfortable with it. I can’t say that I’ve mastered it quite like my PC but then what’s a week compared to my whole computer life so far?

With only a few exceptions I’ve found the Mac to run faster and all of the setups and installations have been easier and more intuitive. I did download Adobe Photoshop Elements for Mac though since the one thing that iPhoto doesn’t do is optimize a photo for the web as small as I’d like. When you load as many photos to a server as I do that becomes an issue. I’m also thinking about putting Windows on the Mac so I can use Adobe Audition to edit audio with. Garage Band is fine but it doesn’t convert audio types and maybe I just haven’t mastered it yet so I’m thinking about this option.

I’m using Microsoft Office for Mac so when it comes to documents I’ve got PowerPoint, Excel and Word and for email I’m using Entourage which runs very much like Outlook.

One of the interesting things that I like is how easy it is to connect to a wireless internet connection. I’ve done this in two locations now and the Mac Airport card just finds the right local signal and boom, I’m on. Very simple and easy.

I pulled all my Outlook email data over with the use of a very simple little program called O2M. If you decide to make this move you have to have that.

I haven’t had the computer lock up on me which is something that I had happen periodically with my PC. So, I guess you could say I’m a happy camper so far.

Uncategorized

Happy Biodiesel Day To You

Chuck Zimmerman

Rudolph DieselAs if you needed a reason to celebrate today it’s National Biodiesel Day. It is also the birthday of Rudolph Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine.

His early engines in the late 1800’s ran on peanut oil, and in 1912, he said “the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today, but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time.”

NBB logo The National Biodiesel Board points out the increased demand for biodiesel today as the fruition of Diesel’s vision:


* In 2006, biodiesel production reached 225 million gallons – nearly three times the 75 million gallons produced just one year earlier. There are 105 plants operating today, each one adding sorely needed fuel refining capacity in America.
* 62% of U.S. consumers are willing to pay more per gallon for biodiesel than regular fuel, with most consumers willing to pay 1 to 10 cents more.
* More than four-in-five consumers continue to support a tax incentive that would make biodiesel cost approximately the same as regular diesel.
* While only 3% of consumers surveyed own a diesel vehicle today, 61% say they would consider buying a diesel car because of the benefits of biodiesel.

Biodiesel

40 Year Old Ding Dongs

Chuck Zimmerman

Hostess Ding DongsIt’s hard to believe Ding Dongs are 40 years old. If I wasn’t just about to cook supper I’d be tempted to go get a box right now.

Ding Dongs — named for chiming bells used in vintage Hostess television commercials — are ringing 40 sweet years as one of America’s all time favorite snack cakes. Just one bite of the iconic chocolate cake enrobed with chocolate icing and Hostess’ signature rich creamy filling leaves little doubt as to the source of Ding Dongs’ enduring appeal.

Some Ding Dong facts:

  • Ding Dongs were launched on March 18, 1967.
  • Over the years, Ding Dongs have had brushes with Hollywood fame, with reports indicating that chocolate lover and singing sensation Kelly Clarkson is a fan of Ding Dongs as well as the lead character in TNT’s award-winning crime drama, The Closer.
  • Hostess must have known that you’ll feel like royalty when you bite into a Ding Dong — when Ding Dongs were first introduced, they were actually called King Dongs.
  • In the Northeast, Ding Dongs were originally known as Big Wheels.

Food

Future Agriblogger & Farm Podcaster

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast-111 - AgJ and an iPodLast week I got to speak to the AGJ Capstone class at the University of Missouri. We talked about blogging and podcasting and some ways they might think of using these new communication channels when they get out in the real world.

Afterward I interviewed Jessica Pollard who’s a senior at Mizzou and interested in public relations. She says that she definitely sees an application for what we talked about in her future. In this week’s program I also have my interview with Edith Gaffner, the Grandma with an iPod courtesy of New Holland.

You can download and listen to the ZimmCast here: Listen To ZimmCastZimmCast 111 (14 min MP3)

Or listen to this week’s ZimmCast right now:

zimmcast111-3-19-07.mp3

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar. You can also subscribe in iTunes.

Audio, Podcasts, University

My News Feed Subscriptions

Chuck Zimmerman

NetNewsWireI’ve been asked more than a few times what news feeds I subscribe to. I actually change them periodically although some of them have remained the same for quite a while now. One way to share your news subscriptions is with an OPML file.

Since I moved to a Mac I’m now using NewsGators’s NetNewsWire which syncs with the online version. This way I have my news feeds on my hard drive or I can check them from any computer.

So if you’re interested, here’s where you can find my OPML file. Let me know if you want to suggest any feeds that I should be subscribing to.

Uncategorized

Leon The Milkman Still Blogging

Chuck Zimmerman

Leon The MilkmanMy buddy Leon The Milkman has re-designed his blog.

He’s the African Milk Man who’s been blogging away about his business with lots of passion.

His new design lets you change the background with a variety of images like the one here in this post.

His blog is a great example of how you can toot your own horn and reach people around the world.

Dairy, International

Serving Green Today

Chuck Zimmerman

Green LobsterHappy St. Patrick’s Day. Proving that you don’t have to eat corned beef and cabbage today (which is cooking in my kitchen) the folks at Lobster Gram have a very unusual dinner choice for you.

It’s their “Green with Envy” special.

Be the envy of every seafood lover with this tantalizing dinner! Emerald green 8-10 oz. North Australian lobster tails, Premium Crab Cakes, and Shrimp and Corn Chowder will satisfy your taste buds as well as your stomach.

In either case I suggest having with a nice cold Irish Cream Ale.

Food

Florida Needs Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

Florida Needs EthanolEPIC has a new web domain for people in Florida to learn more about the benefits of ethanol. You can find it at Florida Needs Ethanol. The launch was timed today to coincide with the 12 Hours of Sebring American Le Mans Series race. The cars in this series will be running on a blend of 10% ethanol this year. To help promote the new website they’re conducting an aerial advertising campain.

The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) has taken to the skies as part of a multifaceted effort to open the Sunshine State to ethanol-enriched fuels. The Omaha-based consumer marketing arm of the ethanol industry has launched an aerial advertising campaign throughout the state with the message, “Florida Needs Ethanol,” and directing consumers to their website www.floridaneedsethanol.com.

The website provides useful information about the performance and environmental benefits of the renewable fuel, as well as ways in which consumers can join the movement to make ethanol more widely available in the state. “Florida has one of the nation’s fastest growing populations,” said Reece Nanfito, the senior director of marketing for EPIC. “The demand for fuel will obviously continue to grow in the state, so it is critical that Floridians have the opportunity to make a choice at the pump for a more stable, environmentally-friendly energy future.”

Ethanol

American Heritage Farm Museum

Chuck Zimmerman

American Heritage Farm MuseumWhile I visited Edith Gaffner earlier this week to deliver her iPod I spoke to her husband about the American Farm Heritage Museum which is a project they support.

At the American Farm Heritage Museum, we believe in working together to keep the past alive. By preserving tractors and holding our annual Heritage Days program, we are able to show a younger generation what life was like for us, for our parents, and for our parent’s parents. We believe there is a great deal to be said for the generations of farmers who worked the land year after year. Our museum is a tribute to their hard work.

A couple of events planned there this year include their Heritage Days festival July 27-29 and the Second Annual Outhouse Festival & Auction on October 13. Plan to go if you need a new outhouse. The museum is located 45 miles east of St. Louis on I-70, exit 45.

Ag Groups

It’s Time For The Pfizer Pfeud

Chuck Zimmerman

Pfizer PfeudThe Pfizer Pfeud sounds like a family affair. However, it’s really a battle of wits with a $10,000 prize to the winning team. Pictured left to right are Dr. Gary Neubauer, Pfizer Animal Health, Dr. Bill Thatcher, University of Florida, Dennis E. VonRoekel, Dan Maynard, Will Szoszorek and Lorin Berge

It was a battle of East versus West during the Pfizer Pfeud game-show-style educational competition at the Western Dairy Management Conference held recently in Reno. Sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, two teams of five dairy producers and veterinarians put their Dairy Wellness Plan knowledge to the test. The winning team earned the right to direct a combined $10,000 in university scholarship contributions to the schools of their choice.

“This is the first time the conference has included an event with scholarship dollars associated,” said John Smith, event co-chairman from Kansas State University and captain of the West team. “The event was a lot of fun, there were a lot of spectators enjoying the action, and ultimately, the activity benefits students who will lead the dairy industry in the future.”

When the competition ended, the East team posted the winning score. Team members included:

Team Captain: Bill Thatcher, D.V.M., Gainesville, Fla., contributing to the University of Florida Department of Animal Science; Will Szoszorek, Green Valley, Wisc., playing for the University of Wisconsin – Platteville; Dennis E. VonRoekel, Baldwin, Wisc., supporting Iowa State University; Lorin Berge, Valders, Wisc., contributing her winnings to the University of Wisconsin – Madison;
and Dan Maynard, Chazy, N.Y., directing his winnings to the University of Vermont.

Agribusiness