The Windows 8 Developer Preview is a pre-beta version of Windows 8 for developers.

Windows Metro Style Apps Developer Downloads

Windows 8 Developer Preview downloads The Windows 8 Developer Preview is a pre-beta version of Windows 8 for developers. These downloads include prerelease software that may change without notice. The software is provided as is, and you bear the risk of using it. It may not be stable, operate correctly or work the way the final version of the software will. It should not be used in a production environment. The features and functionality in the prerelease software may not appear in the final version. Some product features and functionality may require advanced or additional hardware, or installation of other software. Note: You can't uninstall the Windows 8 Developer Preview. To go back to your previous operating system, you must reinstall it from restore or installation media.

SolidWorks Tutorial page for reference.

SolidWorks Tutorials – Videos, guides, lessons and project files I SolidWorks
SourceForge.net: Free-CAD

I am looking at a possible job opening that needs SolidWorks knowledgebase.  I will review all of these tutorials and then possibly download a Free/Open Source version of 3D CAD - Free-CAD.

Create your own Google Chrome Web App - usually a link to a web page

Tutorial: Getting Started - Chrome Web Store - Google Code
How To Create Your Own Chrome Web Apps | VikiTech.com

Using the two pages up above, I created a Google Chrome app to link to my blog here.  It is pretty simple, just follow the instructions.  Here are some things that I overlooked and might make it easier for you.  You will need to name the JSON file "manifest.json" using your notepad editor.  Also create a new folder in the beginning.

Here is the end result -  Download My Google Chrome App Drag the saved file over Chrome to Install.

Below is the code I used for my "manifest.json".

---

{
"name": "Jeff W Thomas Blog",
"description": "Connect with Jeff W Thomas, business analyst, political junkie, gamer, and most importantly family man!",
"version": "1.0",
"icons": {
"128": "128.png"
},
"app": {
"urls": [
"http://jeffwthomas.blogspot.com"
],
"launch": {
"web_url": "http://jeffwthomas.blogspot.com"
}
},
"permissions": [
"unlimitedStorage",
"notifications"
]
}

Free Fax Services from your PC

Today, I had to send some paperwork in via fax.  I don't have a landline at home or a fax machine.  I have Google Voice, Google Mail and a lot of other services offered by Google.  There doesn't seem to be at this moment a Google fax service linked with Google Voice.  I however did find these two services.

FaxZero
http://www.gotfreefax.com/

Today, I used FaxZero and had no issues in sending the document.  There are limitations with the free service, but for sending free short faxes it worked great.

Appendicitis - The Removal of the Useless

Last Wednesday after dinner I had a good dinner and had some bloating afterwords.  My digestive track was boisterous letting me know that it was working and I thought nothing of it.  Thursday came around and I had the most uncomfortable bloating and pain in my stomach.  I took some Gas-Ex and Ibuprofen to get rid of it.  That didn't help at all. 

Friday came and I was watching the girls all by myself in the morning.  I was in immense pain and apparently had a 101 degree fever as well.  I was out of it.  I knew that I needed to get some rest and get the girls over to grandma's house.  As I was showering, I felt that my stomach pain was concentrated on my right side.  Which was odd cause the day before it was my entire stomach.  So after the shower, I got online and Dr. Googled myself.  I knew then that something was wrong with my appendix.

I got the girls ready and myself; we were heading to grandma's.  Right as I was doing that my wife came home.  I looked at her and said, "I think I have appendicitis!"  We got in the van and went straight to grandma's.  She was telling me all about her hair appointment.  We went straight to InstaCare.  The doctor there told me he was 80% sure that I had appendicitis and would be in surgery in about 5-7 hours.  He told me to go to the hospital emergency to have a CT Scan done.

We left InstaCare and drove straight to the emergency room.  I had my vitals taken and withing 30 minutes had some morphine pumped into my IV.  It sure does make you feel better.  As the emergency doctor looked at me, he wondered it was Appendicitis or my Gall Bladder.  A CT Scan would confirm either way. 

I learned something about myself after the CT Scan.  I have a horse-shoe shaped kidney.  Also, it was confirmed that I had Appendicitis and was going into surgery in a few hours.

1913 was when I was rolled into the Operating Room.  The next thing I remembered is I woke up in recovery, then woke up again in my room.  I was exhausted and slept for awhile.

Today, as I write this, I am still recovering and will be back to "normal" next week or so. 

Don't reduce all stomach pain to food poisoning or an upset stomach.  It is much better to catch it before your appendix bursts.  Instead of a overnight procedure, it takes a week to take care of.

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

• Appendicitis Symptoms and Causes
• How can one tell if their appendix has burst?
• What are the symptoms of appendicitis?
• Chest pain following gall bladder surgery?

Looking for work

Yesterday was my last day at Ceridian working as a contractor through Kelly IT.  I was a Documentation Analyst on the EDI (electronic data interchange) team.  I am off to new adventures looking for opportunities.  This morning I updated my LinkedIn profile and at the beginning of the year I updated my resume.  Hopefully something soon comes of it.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwthomas
Resume: http://tiny.cc/jeffthomas

I have had ups and downs the last 18 months in looking for work.  I worked at Convergys for 5 years and didn't see that position ending, but it did.  Last year was rough on me and I found work at JC Video Systems, a leader in the golf technology industry, and also work with Ceridian, a health care and HR operation.

_____________________________________________
From: Thomas, Jeff
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 2:08 PM
To: jeff.wthomas@gmail.com
Subject: Signing off - JeffWThomas

Greetings –

As many of you know, my contract with Ceridian ends today, hopefully there is an extension!  I have enjoyed working here and having the chance to work with you.

As I move on, I would like to update my references.  If you would like, please list your contact information including phone number, email, and any other means to contact you. 

You can keep in touch with my by email jeff.wthomas@gmail.com or call me at my cell (801) 558-2966.  Also below, I have listed my LinkedIn and Twitter information.

I wish you and Ceridian success in your future endeavors.

Best regards,

Jeff

Email: jeff.wthomas@gmail.com

Cell: (801) 558-2966

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jeffwthomas

Twitter: twitter.com/jeffwthomas