googhydr-20, who are you?

I've been researching different ways to make money on the web using arbitrage. I've used credit card arbitrage for a long time (it's how I paid off my 6 years of college debt in 2 years, but that's a story for another day). Credit Card arbitrage is getting harder to do because too many people know about it, and because the prime rate is so low and cards rarely offer free balance transfers anymore, so what you can make per month on it is nominal and not worth my time anymore. So I've started looking for a new slight of hand to make a few extra bucks here and there.

The thing I've read a lot about recently and have been doing some research on is adwords arbitrage using google adwords. In doing some various tests, there seems to be someone out there that is a step ahead of me at every turn. With the big ole internet, I'm pretty used to that. In fact, there are usually thousands ahead of me. Everywhere I turn I keep seeing one particular amazon associate id (googhydr-20, and of also googhydr-21 on amazon.co.uk). This person seems to have tagged every single amazon product and nearly ever possible google search keyword! I'm amazed! I can only guess that this person, whoever they are have managed to amass a large fortune for themselves.

Oddly enough, nobody else has written about this person that I can tell. I googled googhydr and googhydr-20 just to confirm, and all I can find is 3 pages of links where folks have copy/pasted the URL into their blog to talk about a product. They're all random folks too so I don't think they even realize they're giving this person some free press. So it makes me start to wonder... [tinkly music should play here, but I was too lazy to search for some in creative commons] Is this possibly Google's ID? Are they getting amazon referral fees for forwarding traffic to amazon (probably at the tick of 8-10% per amazon transaction)? I tried to figure out what the tracking ID stood for, but the best I can come up with for googhydr is "Google Hider."

In any case, I found this amazing, and since nobody has managed to write about it, I decided it was my time.

More on my forays in arbitrage to come.

Oh, and if you want to help me out. Click on the Amazon spinner below. I picked out a few interesting songs that I'd heard today, and I thought you might like as well. Amazon has an amazing MP3 store now with DRM-Free music (can I hear a wooo hooo?) priced at a great price (.89-.99 per track). And even better, I get 10% commission if I can point people to go there and buy.

Charlotte Plans to spray Foray 48B on the city!

I just submitted the story to digg, but I can't believe that Charlotte is planning on spraying a pesticide all over the city!

Digg Link

Blackberries on the Beach

Just a quick update. I ended up going with a Blackberry Worldphone 8830. Probably one of the biggest deciding factors was that work would pay for it, where I'd be out $600 iPhone. It didn't help that AT&T was dropping 80% of my calls at the time, and my work email was overflowing! It all made perfect sense at the time. Even so, I love the blackberry. It's made my work life much easier. I am a little disappointed that they block 3rd party apps. I had google maps installed on there initially before syncing it up with the blackberry gateway server at work, and it was VERY sweet. About a week after syncing, a policy was pushed down to my blackberry and google maps was wiped off. :( I'm also a little disappointed that Verizon turns off the built in GPS device inside the phone. They want to sell you their own GPS enabled service for $10/mo I guess.

Over labor day, we went to Top Sail Beach. We had quite the blast. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my in-laws couldn't make it, so we ended up inviting some of our friends from the natural living groups we're a part of in town. Did I say we had a blast?!?! I've never made a huge sand sculpture before (only small ones), so it was quite fun having a few folks to help out with a mega sand turtle.



It only took a few minutes for the kids to climb all over it and crush it (we snapped a picture of them all on top). Of course then a few hours later it was just a nice flat piece of sand, thanks to the ocean.



I must admit, I did bring my blackberry on the beach and checked out the headlines while basking in the sun. Ah...

Lots of updates

Well, it's been a while, so I want to do a few quick updates. Since my last post the Abby and I have taken a trip to San Francisco, Yosemite, Oak Island, and recently went camping just outside of Statesville, NC in a town called Hiddenite. I must admit, there wasn't much up there in Hiddenite, but it was quiet. All the rest of the vacations were a blast and were filled with lots of pictures (see my flickr site).

I've also been thinking more and more about learning a stringed instrument. I really wanted to learn the banjo, but they're just so big. I found that you can play some cool stuff on ukulele's so I bought a cheap chinese one off ebay for just under US$30 shipped (Mahalo brand). Abby loves it! I also found a very cool program for windows to help me tune it called AP Tuner. There are a ton of free lessons on the web and a ukulele podcast too! Tiny Tim, look out!


I've also been watching a neat wine podcast called winelibrary tv. It's pretty cool and there is also a social networking site it links into called cork'd. I'm in there as ZhunZi of course. :) Friend me up.

I also tracked down an old graduate school buddy of mine (Jerome Leveque) who managed to slip off and get married while I wasn't watching.

Anyway, more news to come...

Daniel

Future of cell phones

I've been thinking a bit recently about the future of cell phones and the new functionality they will take on besides just placing telephone calls. One thing that has really caught my attention is their use as a GPS/Navigation device. Two phones (the Apple iPhone and the Samsung u740) recently have really made me start to think on the possibilities.

What if cell phones had the ability to send a beacon. Imagine if you will, you're at a party and you want to explain to a friend how to get there. You just send them a MMS message with your GPS coordinates, and their phone accepts them and navigates you to the location, whether you're 100 kilometers or 10 meters away. Or imagine if while on the phone with someone, both of you could be moving in a direction towards each other and meet halfway with the help of your cells? What about a 3-way calling situation? I think the next few years are going to bring about some exciting innovation in the cellular space. I'm looking forward to it.

For now, my Nokia 6820 is still holding out. I hope to have something new by this summer. I'm holding out to see if the iPhone is all that it promises to be.


== UPDATE 9/21/2007 ==
After much frustration with dropped calls on AT&T recently, I decided not to risk 600 bones on an iPhone locked on an AT&T network. In a way I'm glad I didn't, 2 months later they reduced the price by $200. I ended up getting a Blackberry 8830 Worldphone on Verizon. I'm very happy with it. Ironically, while watching InDigital Episode 25 I saw where Helio released my idea on their phones before I ever posted that blog entry. I swear I had never heard of it, but I'm glad to know that there are companies out there thinking of these great mashups. Helio calls it Buddy Beacon.

Wow! My account is still active.

I haven't posted here in over a year! Wow. It's amazing my account is still even active! In any case, lots has happened with me, and my online presence.

#1) Google bought blogger.com - totally cool
#2) Textamerica started charging for moblogs - this stinks. But it has forced me to give Flickr (now a Yahoo property) a try now. I actually like Flickr much better other than the learning curve is still there. Check out my new image blog at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zhunzi
#3) Abby is now 2 years old (see flickr site), my myth tv I gave up on and it's packed away in a box (we moved in 2006). I'm not certain what I want to do with it yet.
#4) Finally - Apple has announced their iPhone and it's amazing looking. Other than the $500 price point holding them back from the mass markets, I think this phone is going to be a big hit!

Anyway, I will try to post more frequently than once every 1.5 years.

- ZhunZi

MythTV Update: Just Images

I finally posted a few images of the hardware work on my textamerica account. As you can see, my daughter Abigail was actively involved.

MythTV Update 3: Remote Works

After much battling, I finally got my remote control to work. It seems the PVR-250 Model 980 comes with the same remote as the PVR-350. If you look underneath the batteries, you'll see the model number is A415-HPG.

I followed the instructions in this thread, and was able to get it up and running. HURRAY!

/etc/lirc/lircd.conf

 #
 # this config file was automatically generated
 # using lirc-0.7.0(any) on Sun Nov 28 20:25:09 2004
 #
 # contributed by
 #
 # brand:   Hauppauge 350
 # Created: G.J. Werler (The Netherlands)
 # Project: Mythtv Fedora Pundit-R www.mythtvportal.com
 # Date:    2004/11/28
 # model no. of remote control: Hauppauge A415-HPG
 # devices being controlled by this remote: PVR-350
 #
 
 begin remote
 
   name  Hauppauge_350
   bits           13
   flags RC5|CONST_LENGTH
   eps            30
   aeps          100
 
   one           969   811
   zero          969   811
   plead        1097
   gap          114605
   toggle_bit      2
 
 
       begin codes
          Go                       0x00000000000017BB
           Power                    0x00000000000017BD
          TV                       0x000000000000179C
           Videos                   0x0000000000001798
           Music                    0x0000000000001799
           Pictures                 0x000000000000179A
           Guide                    0x000000000000179B
           Radio                    0x000000000000178C
          Up                       0x0000000000001794
          Left                     0x0000000000001796
           Right                    0x0000000000001797
          Down                     0x0000000000001795
          OK                       0x00000000000017A5
           Back/Exit                0x000000000000179F
           Menu/i                   0x000000000000178D
          Vol+                     0x0000000000001790
          Vol-                     0x0000000000001791
           Prev.Ch                  0x0000000000001792
          Mute                     0x000000000000178F
          Ch+                      0x00000000000017A0
          Ch-                      0x00000000000017A1
           Record                   0x00000000000017B7
          Stop                     0x00000000000017B6
           Rewind                   0x00000000000017B2
          Play                     0x00000000000017B5
           Forward                  0x00000000000017B4
           Replay/SkipBackward      0x00000000000017A4
           Pause                    0x00000000000017B0
           SkipForward              0x000000000000179E
 
          1                        0x0000000000001781
          2                        0x0000000000001782
          3                        0x0000000000001783
          4                        0x0000000000001784
          5                        0x0000000000001785
          6                        0x0000000000001786
          7                        0x0000000000001787
          8                        0x0000000000001788
          9                        0x0000000000001789
           Asterix                  0x000000000000178A
          0                        0x0000000000001780
          #                        0x000000000000178E
          Red                      0x000000000000178B
           Green                    0x00000000000017AE
           Yellow                   0x00000000000017B8
          Blue                     0x00000000000017A9
       end codes
 
 end remote

/home/mythtv/.mythtv/lircrc

 # lircrc.example.HauppaugeSilver-nativelirc
 # 2005-01-27, Russell Salerno
 # mailto:rsalern5@optonline.net
 # Save this file in ~/.mythtv/lircrc
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = Off
     config = Esc
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = Go
 # Swap the PiP windows
     config = N
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 1
     config = 1
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 2
     config = 2
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 3
     config = 3
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 4
     config = 4
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 5
     config = 5
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 6
     config = 6
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 7
     config = 7
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 8
     config = 8
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 9
     config = 9
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = Back/Exit
     config = Esc
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = 0
     config = 0
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = menu/i
     config = M
 end
 
 # Below are keys used with the Hauppauge Silver remote
 
 begin
    prog = mythtv
 # This is the Red key
 # We'll use it for "Delete"
    button = Red
    config = D
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mythtv
 # This is the Green key
 # We'll use it for "Information"
    button = Green
    config = I
 end
 
 begin
   prog = mythtv
 # This is the Blue key
 # Use it for the sleep timer
   button = Blue
   config = F8
 end
 
 begin
   prog = mythtv
 # This is the Yellow key
 # adjust video
   button = Yellow
   config = F
 end
 
 
 # Note the "repeat =" strings in the volume and channel.
 # This means that if you hold down the key, every nth instance will be
 # passed.  This depends on your system, so you may want to increase or
 # decrease this and see what happens.  repeat = 1 is probably too
 # fast.
 
 begin
   prog = mythtv
   button = vol-
   repeat = 3
   config = F10
 end
 
 begin
   prog = mythtv
   button = vol+
   repeat = 3
   config = F11
 end
 
 begin
   prog = mythtv
   button = Ch+
   config = Up
 end
 
 begin
   prog = mythtv
   button = Ch-
   repeat = 3
   config = Down
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = Up
 # This is the "up" on the central diamond
     repeat = 3
     config = Up
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = Down
 # This is the "down" on the central diamond
     repeat = 3
     config = Down
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
 #    button = Vol-
     button = Left
 # This is the "left" on the central diamond
     repeat = 3
     config = Left
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
 #    button = Vol+
     button = Right
 # This is the "right" on the central diamond
     repeat = 3
     config = Right
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
 # Middle button on the diamond
     button = Ok
     config = Return
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = Mute
     config = F9
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mythtv
 # Change focus for PiP (to change channel in the other window)
    button = Blank
    config = B
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mythtv
 # Toggle PiP on/off
    button = Full
    config = V
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = Rew
     config = Left
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = Play
     config = P
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = FFW
     config = Right
 end
 
 begin
   prog = mythtv
   button = Record
   config = R
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mythtv
 # Teletext
    button = Stop
    config = T
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mythtv
     button = pause
     config = P
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mythtv
    button = Replay
 # Use for backwards commercial skip
     config = Q
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mythtv
    button = Skip
 # Use for forward commercial skip
     config = Z
 end
 
 #MPlayer
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = Off
    config = quit
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = MENU
    config = osd
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = Rew
    config = seek -10
    repeat = 1
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = FFW
    config = seek +10
    repeat = 1
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = Replay
    config = seek -60
    repeat = 1
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = Skip
    config = seek +60
    repeat = 1
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mplayer
     button = Pause
     config = pause
 end
 
 begin
     prog = mplayer
     button = Play
     config = pause
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = BACK
    config = quit
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = VOL+
    config = volume +1
    repeat = 1
 end
 
 begin
    prog = mplayer
    button = VOL-
    config = volume -1
    repeat = 1
 end
 
 begin
    prog=mplayer
    button=Mute
    config=mute
 end

MythTV Update 2

Forgot about all my paranoia about the model 980 card, the thing works out of the box with the newest release of KnoppMyth. It was a piece of cake. I've got it up and running and recording TV now with the standard install. Now it's tweak time! :)

MythTV Update 1

Well, I think I have all the components now to get this thing working. I found an article on how to get myth working with the model 980 card here:

http://www.byopvr.com/Sections+index-req-viewarticle-artid-13-page-1.html

I ended up and went over budget a little bit because I chose a more expensive case than I really needed. I really liked the small form factor case, and it was worth going ~$100 over budget. The AOpen EZ18 case with built in motherboard is awesome. It's got an nVidia MX onboard video that can support 2 (count them, 2) monitors, and 1 S-Video out. It also has built in firewire, and a nice little flip down fronts that obscure an optical drive that's color doesn't match.

AOpen EZ18 [$159.99 after $20 mail-in rebate @ NewEgg.com]
AMD Athlon XP 2600+ [$77.99 @ NewEgg.com]
Corsair 512mb PC3200 RAM [$39.50 @ NewEgg.com]
Maxtor 200gb HD [$69.99 w/free shipping @ Outpost.com]
Hauppauge PVR-250 Model 980 Video Capture/Tuner Card [$125.99 w/free shipping @ Buy.com]

I managed to time a few of my purchases just right to get some great deals. My advice is just watch for deals. Two days after my PVR-250 arrived, buy.com had a dual tuner hauppauge for just $5 more than I paid. I was a bit dismayed, but oh well. I think I hit some great deals on the AOpen box & the hard drive. I'll eventually replace the 250 with a dual tuner, especially if I can find a deal like buy.com had last week. The downfall of going with the SFF case is that it only has 1 PCI slot. So my second tuner either has to be on 1 card, or I have to go with a firewire device.

In order to install KnoppMyth, I had to borrow my DVD drive from my other desktop. I'll eventually put a DVD Burner in this case, but again, waiting on the right deal.

Total cost so far: $520.35*

* - I could have saved about $15 by not splurging on 2-day shipping and expedited handling on my newegg order. I was on vacation when I ordered it and I wanted to get it ASAP so I could tinker.