Moving!

This blog is "moving" so to speak. I am not renewing the custom domain (www.thetravtest.com). If you have it bookmarked, please update bookmarks to point to www.thetravtest.blogspot.com. I don't update this site enough to justify paying for the custom domain - even if it is only $10/year! Thanks for visiting and I will continue posting irregularly when I feel like it. ;)

P.S. I hate SodaStream. I am not going to do a full write up right now, but it sucks. Also, I got a Hoover Windtunnel T Series vacuum (even though Ashley loves her Dyson) and it rocks. Again not doing a full write up, but it's great and only $89!

Neato XV-11 Update

I need to update my original review of the Neato XV-11. A firmware update was recently released. That's not the problem. Actually, it's really cool to have a vacuum that even has firmware! The problem, however, is that the program that you can download to install the new firmware requires Windows. That's absolute shit. So if you're a Mac user like me, you're screwed.

• Original grade: A+
• New grade: C. It'd be an A+ again if they release a Mac version.

Dyson DC41 Animal Ball Vacuum

The following is a guest post by Ashley:

A few days ago we purchase a Dyson DC41 Animal Ball vacuum. Living in an apartment complex with old carpeting and a dog who is shedding like crazy with it being Spring, we decided to run some tests just to see how much of a difference the vacuum actually makes. We sectioned off the living room and in the first section we used our old cheapo vacuum, the next section we used the Dyson, and in the third section we used no vacuum at all. Looking at the comparisons, you could see the difference the Dyson made. It actually pulls the carpet fibers back upright so the carpet is not matted down, not too mention the color difference. The feel of the carpet the Dyson was used on was different, too. It felt clean on bare feet, unlike the other two sections that still felt dirty. We emptied the Dyson bin and then ran the Dyson back over the carpeting that we used the cheapo on to see how much was missed. After doing so, the Dyson bin was filled 1/3 the way full of dirt and debris the cheapo had not picked up.

This vacuum is amazing! We cleaned the cealings, all the corners and edges of the rooms and hallways, and it even picks stuff up off the linoleum floors. The vacuum glides across the floor with ease, is SUPER light, and the lip is so flat it fits under all the furniture including the couches! We have used the vacuum every day since we purchased it and it's worth EVERY penny it cost us. I have not a bad thing to say about the Dyson other than it's so powerful we have lost a retraction cord from the blinds cleaning the windows (but even with that it was so easy to remove). They really did think of everything!

Dyson DC41 Animal Ball Vacuum passes The Trav Test with A+.

•Category: Products
•Location: Stores
•Cost: $599
•Ease of use:
 Easy
•The Trav Test grade: A+

Microsoft

I've said before that I'm a major Apple fan so you'd probably expect me to hate Microsoft off the bat. Well, that's partially true. I do hate their hardware (PCs, Zune, etc), but think their software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc) is quite good. In fact, I haven't used Apple's word processor since it was ClarisWorks! With that said, I have a bone to pick with Microsoft.


I own the Microsoft Office 2011 Mac Student version. I got it when I was a student. No longer a student, I now need access to Outlook, which is not part of the Student version. To use it, I need to purchase a product key, but It's impossible to purchase a product key for just Outlook. This is ridiculous! In order to use Outlook (which Microsoft already installed on my MacBook Pro!), I'd have to re-buy ALL of Office 2011. So I'd have to pay TWICE for 3/4 of the applications in order to pay ONCE for 1/4 of them! That is absolute bullshit and I refuse to do so.


This is why people refer to them at Micro$oft and pirate their products like crazy!

Microsoft fails The Trav Test with D-. 


• Category: Products
• Location: Computer
• Cost: Too damn much!
• Ease of use:
 Easy
• The Trav Test grade: D-

Happy Darwin Day (Observed)!

Yesterday was the 203rd birthday of Charles Darwin. Let's celebrate today by honoring science!

darwinday.org

Charles Darwin passes The Trav Test with ∞A+. 


• Category: People
• Location: Everywhere!
• Cost: Free!
• Ease of use: Easy!
 
• The Trav Test grade: ∞ (Infinite) A+!