A technology and personal blog.
Boxee Review Part 2
Feb 20th
Its been over a year since I wrote a review about Boxee here is the link. I originally only wanted to use boxee for Hulu, and kind of gave it up over the summer since I started using the Hulu Desktop App. However I signed up for Netflix and MediaPortal has a plugin, but its not the best interface, so I thought I would try boxee out again. They just released a new beta several days ago, Perfect! I am very surprised on how much it have evolved over a year.
At this current time, I would save boxee is the best media center app I have ever used, even if it doesn’t included a TV backend ( unfortunately that isn’t boxees goal). Overall it does a great job playing media back, but I would say the apps really stick out here and they are the deal breaker. I am going to post screenshots and talk about them throughout this post.
Homescreen
My Photos
My Music
My Movies – Sorry I did have any
TV Show Library ( Online from ABC,NBC,HULU,SyFY, etc.)
My TV Shows will show any files TV shows you have locally or ones you have queued up to watch.
File Browser
My Apps – There are some very handy apps here.
My App Library – I recognized what most of the first 20-30 apps where, once you started looking at the full list there are alot of hand crafted ones toward the bottom.
Netflix has a great interface and it works great too.
Pandora – at your remote fingertips.
Last.fm – List to your favorite music
Youtube – Search for that funny video or just browse.
Twixiee – Twitter for Boxee
Clicker – Clicker is an odd application. I am not sure if 100% understand it, but it seemed like an extension to the TV show Library. There was more TV shows available on Clicker that were not available on TV shows Library, I recommend checking it out!
Quick Menu – when you back out several times will come to the quick menu, a few settings on top, the main row, and your shortcut row.
The feed page, from your social boxee feed.
Settings – Typical Settings page
Credits – Give credit where credit is due, and boxee gets the credits here!
Well when you finally put down your remote and are done with Boxee here is the exit box. You can exit, logout, or suspend the PC.
Overall boxee has greatly improved from a year ago. Its a high sophisticated media player that works well at the 10 foot interface. This makes me interested in the Boxee Box. I will continue using boxee for netflix for the time being, and who knows, I might be able to write another review in another year.
Boxee is available for Windows (7,Vista,XP) Mac, Ubuntu, and AppleTV. I am testing boxee on Vista and XP. There is also a ipod touch/iphone Boxee Remote.
Photo Gallery
MediaPortal Guide in the works
Feb 11th
I am working on putting together a guide to using MediaPortal.
http://akschaefer.com/mediacenter/mediaportal/
Cocoa Beach – Day Five
Feb 6th
Our last day in Florida we decided to drive to see the ocean, it was to cold to swim, but still a must see!!!
I took a video to remember it 
Schaefer’s Love Florida
Family Photo on the Beach
Kids playing in the sand, having to much fun.
Goodbye Cocoa Beach 
Downtown Disney – Day Four
Feb 6th
Here are a few pictures from Downtown Disney, by the time we took photos of World Disney, it was dark.
Me being a Disney Character.
Legos!!!!
Legos!!!!
Legos!!!!
Animal Kingdom – Day Four
Feb 6th
We were going to go to Hollywood Studios, but opted to visit Animal Kingdom. It was perfect for ending the trip, we seen Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and many more Disney Animal Characters.
Then we watched the Lion King Show, they put on an awesome show. We ate lunch at the Rainforest Café, it was good food, but a little on the expensive side, not sure if it was worth the price.
Then we traveled to Africa, and Abigail and I were able to go on an African safari ride.
Here is a coke ad in another language.
Then I went and rode the Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. We finished our last ride on the Dinosaur ride, which was a little bumpy and gave Abigail a good scare. Then it was time for the Parade.
Magic Kingdom – Day Three
Feb 6th
Wow, another long day. This morning we made it to Magic Kingdom, the busiest park. Started off the trip visiting Bella and her Storytime.
Then we moved on and checked out Wiinie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Aerial.
While waiting for the parade to start, we had a little fun.
Here is a video of the parade, first up was the Volunteer parade.
Here is the actual parade, which had all the major characters.
Cinderellas Castle.
Then we checked out the Princess and the Frog, her Prince was even there. We stopped in Toontown and Abigail was able to see a few more princess’s. Mickey’s and Minnie’s house were also in toontown.
Here is the train that took us around the park, it was starting to get dark.
By the time we ate supper it was time for the grand finale.
Video for fireworks coming soon.
Epcot – Day Two
Feb 6th
It was raining the next morning, but since we got up late, and didn’t get to Epcot until around 12, we missed all the rain at the theme park. I am glad we came in the off season, but it still was busy. We started off riding in the spaceship earth ride, it was a great way to start the day. They had a Segway training area, were you were able to ride a Segway.
Picture of me starting my Segway training.
Picture after I was done, successful, I didnt crash.
Picture of Kayla Finishing too!
I went on the GM Test Track ride. I would consider the test track the “dad” ride, because at the end there was a bunch of mothers waiting. We visited the Finding Nemo ride, and a few others, then we went the other side of the park, focused on World Attractions. There was so much to see, it would take a full week to look at everything. We finished the evening off watching the fireworks show.
The famous Spaceship Earth from Epcot!
Eiffel tower!
This was the fireworks from the Epcot theme park. Quality inst that great, camera doesn’t do well at night.
Part 1
Part 2
Getting to Flordia – Day One
Feb 6th
Wow what a trip, it first stated off in Des Moines, with a 2 hour delay on our plane from Des Moines to Sanford (Orlando). First time flying with the kids, it went very well. When we arrived in Florida it was a wonderful 60+ degrees. I am pretty sure its my first time seeing palm trees. We made a drive from Sanford to Kissimmee starting at 12am. First time driving in Florida and I have to pay 3.75 in toll fees. After checking into the motel at 1am, and making a 1:30am McDonald’s run for my hungry family, I think we made it to bed around 2:30am. That concludes day 1.
Rough Riders Hockey
Jan 22nd
Went to the Rough Riders hockey game tonight, they played the Sioux Falls Stampede. Couldn’t ask for a better game, Rough Riders dominated them, there was also a fight, just pure Awesome!!! The final score was 10-1, we left early when the score was 9-0(the kids were ready for bed). Just a great night with the family.
2DoList
Jan 7th
I searched the internet for a simple to do list. There was alot of online ones, which are great but I was looking for an application I could run locally, and would minimize to the system tray. I coded one up in C#, I can post the code if anyone is actually interested. Anyway its small simple app, enjoy.