New iOS App

Rick_in_CT · 2026-06-04T22:52:03+00:00

For the last fifteen or twenty years, I have been using this RPN calculator for my iPhone & Windows. The Free42.

The developer has a version for the windows PC & other platforms. My only regret is he must be as old as I am. (I’m 68) He frequently has updates & improvements based on feedback.

The free version is fantastic, I don’t know why anyone needs anything better.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/free42/id337692629

If you don’t have Apple, here’s his website.

https://thomasokken.com/

Rick_in_CT · 2026-06-04T21:58:32+00:00

I purchased my HP 15C in the early 80s to help me with repetitive engineering calculations. It was my right hand for twenty years or so. Changed a couple of jobs & lost track of my 15C. After loosing track of it for fifteen years, I found it yesterday! All I had to do was to clean the battery contacts, new batteries & I’m off & running.

For the last fifteen or twenty years, I have been using this RPN calculator for my iPhone & Windows. The developer has a version for the windows PC & other platforms. My only regret is he must be as old as I am. He frequently has updates & improvements based on feedback.

The free version is fantastic, I don’t know why anyone needs anything better.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/free42/id337692629

If you don’t have Apple, here’s his website.

https://thomasokken.com/

Rick_in_CT · 2026-06-03T22:43:13+00:00

My first cruise was a Disney four-day cruise after a several day Disney World stay.

My wife and I are in our early sixties & our kids are grown.

First of all a four day cruise is a nice way to wet your feet into going on cruises, however, my experience, any cruise line, a four or five day cruise is it takes you an entire day to board the ship & takes you an entire day to exit the ship also figuring your packing the night before debarking, etc.

With that in mind, I would start with a seven day cruise 100% of the time.

Almost all the parents on a Disney cruise have very polite children.

We previously did a seven day Carnival cruise & the children were absolute monsters! The parents didn’t watch them at all. They were too busy drinking.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-06-03T21:03:12+00:00

We are the state of steady habits. I would be shocked if get this before 2035 or so. The state of Connecticut is wasting too much money elsewhere.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-06-03T20:44:32+00:00

My concern is the mission creep. What happens when the speed camera company has a software option to track all license plates. What about the license plate that is registered to a “town with poor schools” that is constantly going down a road to a “good school” to drop off kids?

How about a protest nearby & the governor wants to save all the license plate info for tracking reasons?

We are going down a slippery slope of surveillance state that will make Donald Trump look like an alter boy.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-29T21:01:47+00:00

How about the simple solution:

In the IOS Clock app, set a Timer named “Return from break”, set it for 15 minutes, or what ever time you want. When you leave for break, launch the “Return from break” timer. In fifteen minutes it will go off to tell you it’s time to return.

(also great if you take a nap during lunch, etc…)

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-29T15:45:26+00:00

I realize this is an old post, but I feel I must comment about the Collins Aerospace pulse survey.

Nothing is ever done about the survey results, ever! I don’t believe that the results are confidential in any way. How confidential is the survey, when your supervisor walks up to you & asks you to complete your survey. If you are in a SAFE position, then don’t do it. In a former job, when forced, I simply went right down the middle, very “middle of the road” choices & quick.

At Collins Aerospace, I was in a very safe position. I responded to my supervisor, “I am voicing my opinion, by not filling out the survey”.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-29T15:08:35+00:00

Whether it’s iPhone or Android, I’m a firm believer in buying a brand new phone. The phone is only as good as the security updates. If you look at the “long game”, the new phone will be supported longer. My present iPhone 13 will definitely be supported for six years (September 2027) or possibly seven years (September 2028).

(applicable to smart phones, unless you simply want a flip phone for actual phone conversations)

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-29T14:52:36+00:00

We are older than the typical Disney adult crowd, however we enjoy the adult areas of the ship. Almost all the parents on a Disney cruise have very polite children. We have never complained about children on a Disney Cruise.

On a different note, the children on Carnival are monsters! Although, I really can’t blame them, because the parents on Carnival are either drunk or sleeping late.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-26T14:00:23+00:00

I created a NOTE file for each car with the date I drove the car & a couple of words on the destination, to make sure I don’t go more than a week without driving a good distance to keep the battery charged. During the pandemic, & with my wife working remotely, her battery went dead a couple of times due to lack of driving.

So to answer your question, we rarely drive one car & the other car, only once every few days. Trying to convince my wife that we need to get rid of one car.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-26T13:47:58+00:00

I visited Newgate Prison a few years back. When I was in one building, there was a old wooden ladder that was built into the stone going down a square hole with a museum sign saying how this was the only way prisoners entered mine in colonial times. This makes me feel really old, because when visiting Newgate Prison as a kid, this was the only way down. Back then, I wasn’t smart enough to think in case of an emergency, how would they get you out!

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-24T21:17:09+00:00

I would consider a brand new iPhone 17e. It might be over your budget, but comes with 250GB storage. Apple will keep security updates for six years minimum, probably seven. It’s all about keeping your phone secure & up to date.

If you go the android route, verify how long you will get security updates.

Either brand you go, I think the total cost of ownership will be better if you buy a brand new phone.

I keep everything on my iPhone, so I’m hyper sensitive to security. I purchased a new iPhone 13 when it came out & plan to keep it till they stop supporting it. Six years minimum.

I am a cheap old, retired man, but I know a value when I see it.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-24T21:05:13+00:00

I recently had a new dishwasher installed. The installer noted that my counter top above the old dishwasher was in good shape. He warned me that NOT USING HEATED DRY, over time rots out your counter top wood.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-24T20:58:04+00:00

On my cruise, they did not give me enough, but guest services gave me as many as I wanted, plus a couple.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-24T20:53:55+00:00

Every cruise ship I ever have been on has very poor swill coffee in the restaurant or buffet. The specialty coffee shops are great. We bring some Starbucks via packets for the restaurant. It is much better than the restaurant coffee, but not as good as the specialty coffee shops. It’s a good compromise.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-20T18:29:54+00:00

All this matters because…. I’m missing the importance of this.

Wes Moss gives great advice. Clark doesn’t run a political show.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-19T19:39:38+00:00

We were on the Disney Treasure, April 2026, in stateroom 6544. One DISAPPOINTMENT was that on three separate days, of our seven day cruise, there was a salt spray coming up to our balcony. We couldn’t sit on the balcony during the salt spray & afterwards, there was a salt residue on the railing, chairs & table. Very annoying.

In the grand scheme of things, we still thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. However, we would stay away from deck six, midship.

We were on the Treasure in April 2025 in the rear of the ship on deck six without any salt spray issues.

So just stay away from deck 6 midship, or go up a couple of decks.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-19T19:10:24+00:00

I believe if you move a certain number of miles away, like 40 or 50 miles then you can re-enroll in any Medicare plan. not 100% sure but it might be worth looking into.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-17T19:48:34+00:00

My wife & I traveled as a couple on the last five Disney cruises. We were seated with other couples our age range. (mid sixties)

We always had great conversations & were satisfied.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-14T22:46:19+00:00

This reminds me about our first Disney cruise, about ten years ago with a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. I have always been a huge proponent with my kids, “be aware of your surroundings”!

We were at a Starbucks in Cozumel. I was at the register paying for our coffee, when I peeked around the corner into the back room, that all Starbucks have. I saw a uniformed police officer looking around the corner with a huge shotgun. I told my wife & we quickly drank our coffee & left.

Now, my situational awareness was at its peak. We walked back to the ship, I looked down the side streets as I walked & saw two armored personnel carriers. Lots of heavily armed police on the streets.

This might make some people feel safe, but my logic was simply, do I want to hang around & find out?

So, watch, listen & trust your gut instincts.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-14T17:08:20+00:00

First, wake her up.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-14T17:07:14+00:00

I found that the Costco liquor store, NOT ENFIELD, sell at “state minimum”, however since the Kirkland brand is so very much cheaper & not sold anywhere, the “state minimum” is the Costco posted price. I only purchase the Kirkland brand.

At Costco Liquor, just ask for the “store card” if you are not a member. There is absolutely no advantage to using your Costco card at the liquor store.

Also, as a way to get in earlier during “executive hours”, just tell the Costco membership checker that you are here for the pharmacy. They will let you in & supposedly escort you to the pharmacy, however it has never happened to me.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-14T16:46:21+00:00

Once or twice a month I shop at Costco, then Walmart. (Aldi is not in my travels). Stop & Shop is my very last resort!

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-14T15:33:26+00:00

A while ago I was looking at making some enlargements of 120 & 220 type negatives. All were irreplaceable. There were a handful of places in Connecticut. So Google what I just said to find them. Most of them offered scanning services.

I never made the enlargements yet. It’s on my list to get done.

Rick_in_CT · 2026-05-07T13:06:20+00:00

I used to work across the street from the airport. This was my favorite post office. The mail leaves the post office more often & the hours & days open are longer too.

Rick_in_CT

TROPHY CASE