I’m off for a couple of days, visiting a supplier. Here are a few things of note that I wanted to pass along to you…

• Regular readers will remember that I recently gave away an extra Patagonia Atom to one of our subscribers.  Maria T. was the winner, and she has graciously written a brief review of that bag – it’ll appear on the site next week
• Several of you asked about a MacBook Air vs. iPad comparison. Geez, I’ll go to any lengths for my readers – my 11.6″ MBAir is on its way to me. It’ll be a while before I post about it, however, as I’ll need to sort through it for a few weeks, but I can’t wait for it to arrive
• Posted to the Forum yesterday – British Airways and Chase have re-launched the 100,000 mile bonus. Click on the link in the last sentence to see the post. This is a great way to go to Europe for virtually nothing (Note: BA does levy a fuel surcharge). As BA is a One World member, however, you can use your BA on other OW airlines, which include American, Iberia, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and others.

Have a great weekend!

First, let me make clear:  99.999% of my readers are sensible, wonderful, generous people.

The other .001%?  Utterly, hopelessly crazy, or, and I’m being charitable here, seriously confused.

Submitted for your consideration, a random sampling of just a few of the bizarre emails or post comments I’ve received during the last year:

Dear Practical Hacks,

I am looking for that hopsack jacket in 38S.  Also, can you ship to Guam?

I realize there are a few ads on the site, but do you seriously think I’m running a clothing store?

Hey, you suck.  The iPad sucks, your blog sucks, you can’t write wort shit, and did I mention, you suck!

Bob

Bob, thanks for writing; perhaps I could interest you in a hopsack blazer…

2 oz z2pro friend in that bottle is practically Mitad of that bottle not much for a car, if so then would be more economical without the ZFX or am I wrong?

Hey, and I’m just guessing here, but I think you may be wrong.

Are you still “hacking italy”?

No, but I do have a nasty cough.  Why you ask?

Kevin:  I would like to write an article for Partical Hacks…

Well, I’m not sure how well you can write, but your attention to detail is nothing short of stunning!

I’m used to carrying a Lands End Square Rigger and like the pockets for pens, etc.  They don’t make it anymore.

Do you have anything comparable?

Also, an outlet in SE Virginia?

I don’t have an outlet in SE Virginia, but if you’re ever in Guam, I’ve got a 38S hopsack blazer you might be interested in.

connolly,

Do you want more people to see your web site?  We can help.  Email us today for a complimentary site consultation.

I didn’t want additional readers, but the personal approach you’ve taken has swayed me!  I’ll be calling for that consultation soon!!

This post really sucks!

Bob, is that you??

.

Sometimes things go horribly awry with a blog, and the blogger is the last to know.  Several days ago a reader named Kristin emailed me to let me know she was having trouble downloading the “90 Day Action Plan” I’ve recommended for job seekers going to a second interview.

As I don’t make a habit of downloading the files from the FREE Downloads page (after all, I already have them!), I had NO idea anything was wrong.  I tried downloading the file, and it didn’t work.  Naturally, I uploaded the file to my server again, and then tried downloading it.  Uh, no dice.  “This isn’t good,” I thought.  (I have always been quick.)

A long story short:  things were irretrievably FUBAR.  Investigating a bit further, I discovered that the plugin I was using for a download manager was no longer supported.

A couple hours’ work later, we have a new FREE Downloads page.  All the files are there, and they all can be downloaded quickly and easily.  The page has a new look, which frankly has plusses and minuses.  The old Download page offered a brief snippet about each file, which I thought was handy.  The new page has a more streamlined look, with the most popular files highlighted at its top:

When you click on a file, you’re then treated to a brief description and a nifty Download button:

Anyway, all seems to be working.  I’ll end with a simple request:  if you see something that doesn’t work properly or you otherwise encounter issues with the site, please let me know.  There’s a link to a Contact form at the top of this page, and I’d deeply appreciate your help in letting me know when things go sideways with the site.

A week ago I announced that the reader who submitted the best safety/security tip for travelers would win a Mini Messenger Bag from boutique bag maker Tucker & Bloom.

In all there were 30 entries from both regular commenters & subscribers, as well as several new commenters.

As the week progressed, I frankly didn’t pay much attention to the tips themselves, wanting to wait until Sunday evening to review them.  All in all, it’s a great collection of thoughts and tips, and I definitely will need to pull them together in a post along with a few other ideas of my own.

As for the winning tip, I was hoping for one which would be universally applicable, whether you’re a backpacker, solo traveler, or traveling with kids, and I was looking for something novel or at least a tip I hadn’t heard or read about in the past.

Reader Mark is our winner, and here’s his tip:

It appears as though our long, bleak winter may finally be near its end.  It was about 55* today, and the forecast for tomorrow calls for a high of around 65*.   This is good news.  The not so good news, if you’re a follower of this blog, is that I’ll soon be transitioning into my good weather/summer posting schedule.

Although I tried to post with some frequency last year during the not-quite-so-horrible-months, this year I intend to post only once or twice a week.  Honestly, I’m too swamped at work and a bit fried around the edges to do everything I need (and want) to do during the good weather months AND post once per day.

I’ll continue to share smaller items of interest via the Forum, but as far as blog posts are concerned, it’ll likely be one longer post per week plus a roundup.

I’m no less committed to Practical Hacks than I’ve been in the past, but it’s very difficult to juggle my varying professional and personal responsibilities, particularly when the decent weather comes.  I’ll have a chance to finally run outside again, and of course as many of you know, I’m an avid golfer and play a few times per week, weather permitting.

One thing I don’t especially care for is cluttering up the site with throwaway or “retread” posts, and that is frankly a temptation when the things I have to do outnumber the hours I have available.  Rather than do that, I’m going to opt for one longer piece or review each week, plus one shorter piece.  Quality trumps quantity in my book; I hope you feel the same way.

And so, I hope you’ll hang in with me as we make this change.

Thanks for being here and reading this; I deeply appreciate your support.

Kevin

3.17.10