My mission was to bless my dad with the same options to expand his Nook Color’s power as I was enjoying. The bonus was that I was able to offer you, mysilentscream readers, the secrets to my success.

As I finish this week I’m left with a desire to share four truths about completing a project. I’ve been blessed with many good role models, high expectations and caring support, but with that in mind I know that when I take on a challenge I still have to do the work.

I work hard. I can also obsess. Hard work is an advantage, obsession a weakness.

Here are four truths I am trying to hold tightly.

Focus on the goal, but don’t obsess.

Learn what you can to supplement what you don’t know, but don’t obsess.

Double-check details, but don’t obsess.

Move forward, progress toward completion, but don’t obsess.

Finally, if you would like to buy a Nook Color you can buy one here:
Barnes and Noble: New -
Barnes and Noble: Refurbished -

Buy.com [refurbished] -

Amazon -

NOTE: I completed this process using a computer running Windows 7.
My walkthrough requires you to have access to a wireless internet.

Walkthrough:

1. Insert the micro SD card into either an SD card reader or adapter and insert it into your computer.

2.  Download the generic-sdcard-v1.3.img and unzip the file.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000957

3. Download Win32DiskImager and unzip the file.
https://launchpad.net/win32-image-writer/+download

4. Downloaded cm_encore_full-249.zip or the file of your choice from:
http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=encore

5. Download Google Apps & the Android Market.  I used the gapps-gb-20110307-signed.zip file.

http://goo-inside.me/gapps/

6. Open Win 32Disk Imager.  Click on the blue folder icon to choose the img file you downloaded in Step 1.

7. Choose your img file and click the “Save” button.

8. Press the “Write” button.  The image will install to the SD card.  Remove the micro SD card.

9. Assure that your NC is completely shutdown by pressing and holding the power button (on the top left side of the NC).  Press and hold for the “Tablet options” menu to appear.  Choose “Power off.”

10.  Insert the SD card in the SD card slot in the back of the Nook.
– Lift the compartment labeled “Nook”.  The SD slot is hidden under there.
– Beware, the SD card is small and the slot in not very large.
– Insert the SD card writing side up, metal contacts first.
– Double check that it’s inserted correctly, it should spring out.  Spring it back in.

11. Boot up the Nook by pressing and holding the Power button.  Wait for the CM7boot to complete at which time you’ll see the home screen; wait for the spinning blue cyanogen 7 boot screen to finish.

12. Now that you see your Android home page, look on the bottom of your home page; there are three icons in a menu.  From left to right Android Market, Menu, Browser. Press the Menu button.  Look for the Settings program.  Follow this path: Settings > Wireless & networks > Wi-Fi settings. Identify your wireless network.  Enter the password.

13. Shut down the Nook by pressing and holding the power button.  Choose “Power off.”

14. Insert the SD card into the computer again.  Drag and drop (copy) cm_encore_full-249.zip and gapps-gb-20110307-signedzip files to SD card. DO NOT change the file names.

15. Power down Nook by holding the button on the top left of the NC and insert the SD Card.

16. Insert the SD Card. Power on Nook and wait for home page.

17. Program will say install finished “It is safe to power off now” but wait until the screen goes blank.

18. Sign in with your Google account. Click OK.

19. Choose next, identify your location.

20. Select time zone, check automatic then next.

23. Click OK.

28. Click Finish setup.

Now all that remains is to go to the Android Market to gather your favorite Android apps.

My walkthrough is an amalgam of instructions I read in the articles linked below and my own experiences:

http://www.the-ebook-reader.com/nook-color-cm7.html

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000957

http://www.androidtablets.net/forum/nook-color-technical/13156-how-cm7-bootable-sd.html

Thanks for reading, and now back to our tale of woe and Nook.

Since I was unwilling and a bit timid about the possibility of turning my gift into garbage I read extensively about the ways to mod a NC by booting the Android Operating system from an SD memory card.

I loved reading on the NC, but even before I brought it home I knew that I was going to modify it.  Before you think that I’m more techie that I am, I read on the-ebook-reader.com that I could, “simply install (the Android operating system) on a microSD card and run it from there.” 

And, if I wanted to return to using the NC in it’s original state I could take the Micro SD card out of the back of the NC. “This requires no hacks, roots, or anything like that.”

With a level of fear and curiosity I read articles that led me to XD Developers, “a huge community of Windows Mobile and Android experts”, and the AndroidTablet.net forums, where “owners and enthusiasts to learn, discuss, and share knowledge.”

I need two things to continue.  A blank micro SD card and the necessary software to install the Android OS on the card.

I bought a pair of SanDisk 8GB MicroSDHC Memory Cards with adapters from Buy.com.

In order to turn the NC into a multidimensional Android tablet I also had to download four files.

I downloaded:

A.  Size-agnostic SD Card image and CM7 installer for SD Cards.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1000957

B.  I needed Win32DiskImager to install the CM7 system
https://launchpad.net/win32-image-writer/+download

C.  I needed a Nook Color CM7.  I downloaded cm_encore_full-249.zip successfully.  
Almost every day there are improvements made to the CM7.  
I would choose any of the options on the following page today.

http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=encore

D.  Google Apps & the  Android Market
http://android.d3xt3r01.tk/cyanogen/gapps/gapps-gb-20110307-signed.zip

Tomorrow in Nook to Android Tablet my Procedure I’ll explain my installation.

Amy read on her Kindle outside in the backyard all Spring, Summer and Fall while enjoying the garden without any inconvenient glare.

A couple years ago I found a great deal on an Android phone.  I thought I would like it’s touch-screen.  I liked a touch-screen even more than I thought I would.  Frankly, I’m not certain I can easily ever have a phone without a touch screen again.

Yes, I Was Jealous

Like Amy I like to read.  As jealous as I was over Amy’s Kindle I wondered if I would be willing to sacrifice  a non-glare screen and great battery life for a touch screen.

I read extensively and found people were passionate about how much they loved their e-readers.  I assumed I could not go wrong whichever I chose.  I also knew that whatever I chose would probably be outdated within a year or two.

For Father’s Day my family bought me a wonderful ebook reader, Barnes and Noble’s Nook Color.

But, I Was Curious

I loved it, but even before I brought it home I had determined that I was going to modify it.  Before you think that I’m more techie that I am, I had been reading about people who had “rooted” their Nook and modified it to permanently become an Android Tablet.

Since I was unwilling and a bit timid about the possibility of turning my gift into garbage I read extensively about the ways to mod a Nook Color [NC] by booting the Android Operating system from an SD memory card.

I was hoping for the following benefits since I had already been reading Kindle books and Nook books using apps on my phone and computers:
- Read my Barnes and Noble Nook books on my NC using a Nook Android app.
- Read my Kindle books on my NC using a Kindle Android app.
- I also wanted to surf the web, listen to music, watch videos and play games.

Tomorrow I’ll explain what I read in Nook to Android Tablet my Preparation.

Last Saturday I read that a Nevada state law was approved which will allow people to own and operate driverless cars. A driverless car is a vehicle equipped with an autopilot system, which is capable of driving from one point to another without input from a human operator.

The proposed advantages include:
* to avoid accidents
* increase safety by eliminating driver error.
* increasing roadway capacity by reducing the distances between cars
* reduce congestion by efficiently controlling the flow of traffic
* relieving vehicle occupants from driving and navigating chores, so allowing them to concentrate on other tasks like talking on the phone or texting or to rest during their journeys.

You might have see them in Knight Ridder, I Robot & Batman. Now they will be on the streets of Nevada.

For the last few decades millions of dollars have been poured into aviation research.

In Europe millions were spent developing Concord – a commercial aircraft that could fly faster than the speed of sound.

In the USA a huge team of scientists and engineers developed the space shuttle. Another team developed the stealth bomber that is specially designed to be invisible to radar systems.

But did you know there’s a flying machine that incorporates such amazing technology, that is advanced way beyond anything they have developed with all those megabrains and megabucks.

This machine can take off and land sideways on a vertical surface. In terms of maneuverability there’s nothing to touch it.

It can take off with such astounding acceleration, and has such a sophisticated early warning system, that if it senses an enemy attack while on the ground it can take off and be out of range within in a fraction of a second. I managed to get a picture of one these things to show you. Would you like to see it?

You saw them today, FLIES

Did all that technology – way beyond anything our science has developed, come into being by accident – random processes triggered by a big bang?

It’s a crazy idea, and yet that’s what many people believe. But surely anybody with an ounce of sense, and an open mind, should be able to see that the amazing technology found in nature is clear evidence of the God who designed and created everything.

“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge!
How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory.
All glory to him forever! Amen.” ~~ Romans 11:33-36

Evernote Web Clipper – While creating curriculum or planning ahead for an unwritten article or an as-yet unplanned message I save nuggets I read online with Evernote.  Evernote Web Clipper let me copy and save the article I want.

Extended Copy Menu – My apologies to the author of Extended Copy Menu, but I really only use it for the “Copy As Plain Text” option, but I love it.

For example, if I found one of your brilliant insights I just highlight it, “Copy As Plain Text”, and save it without all the annoying formating, photos and advertisements which clutter and surround your wisdom.   Different than Evernote Web Clipper I use this for a sentence or two or a paragraph of text.

Forecastfox – A quick glance at the bottom of my browser and I see a quick 3-day forecast.  It reminds me to dress for the weather, and sometimes it reminds me to make sure I get away from the computer and enjoy the outdoors.

NoScript – It allows JavaScript, Java and other executable content to run only when I want them to run.  It prevents unwanted prevents exploitation of security vulnerabilities.  It’s a bit paranoid, but I like the control and safety it helps assure.

RoboForm – Some of you only use one or two passwords, not me.  I use Roboform to keep track of my passwords on PCs.  I primarily use free programs, but like Roboform so much it’s one of the few programs I am willing to spend money on.

As I mentioned yesterday, technically 1 Password and Roboform are both toolbars but I think of them as extensions of my browser’s productivity.

Note – Use a Mac?  I love 1Password!

WOT [Web of Trust] – As a researcher I often follow the trail or wade into uncharted waters.  WOT [Web of Trust] warns me to avoid unsafe web sites.

Xmarks – I use several computers, a couple OSs & even run apps from flash drives.  I love having my Bookmarks available to me wherever I go.

Happier surfing!

Extensions

1-Click YouTube Video Downloader – I like to save & play my favorite videos on my computer.

1 Password – Some of you only use one or two passwords, not me. I use 1Password to keep track of them on Macs. I primarily use free programs, but like 1 Password so much it’s one of the few programs I am willing to spend money on. Use a Windows computer? See RoboForm.  Technically 1 Password and Roboform are both toolbars but I think of them as extensions of my browser’s productivity.  So there!

Adblock Plus – I hate being annoyed — and offended – by all those ads and banners the long web page load times. Adblock Plus helps get rid of them. I’m always amazed when I work on someone’s computer who does not have an adblocker how much more trash they see than I do.

Auto Copy – My apologies to the author of Auto Copy, but I really only use it for the “Copy As Plain Text” option, but I love it. If I found one of your brilliant insights I just highlight it, “Copy As Plain Text”, and save it without all the annoying formating, photos and advertisements which clutter and surround your wisdom.

AutoPager – Ever get tired of constantly clicking a link on a page to read a whole article online? AutoPager automatically loads the next page for you. Note – It works great on some sites [google.com] and it’s annoying on others [biblegateway.com], but you can change your settings.

DownThemAll! – Ever wanted to download all the articles on a web site but wish that you could grab them all at one time? DownThemAll! does it in a flash.
For instance, I was reading Tom Peters’ and wanted some more.
I went to his Free Stuff page and found several interesting articles.
Rather than “save as” several times
I: Firefox –> Tools –> DownThemAll! Tools –> DownThemAll! –>
I set where I want them saved, for example: Save Files in: Documents/Leadership/Tom Peters
Filters: I checked no boxes
Fast filtering: pdf
Scroll down and yup, 28 articles, in pdf format, are green checked ready to download into the folder I chose.
Hit start and I’m all set!

Trying to find an appropriate word for being underground, under the groundhog, I reached out to my browser.

“My browser”?

Yes, I love the dictionary.com search engine. If you’re using Firefox I hope you have the dictionary.com search engine, if you’re not and want to here’s how to get it:
left drop-down arrow
Manage Search Engines
Get more search engines takes me to: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/browse/type:4/cat:all?sort=name
Click here or just cut and paste: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/9227
Add to Firefox

Frustrated, I asked many people who visited my home what cell service they used and then I examined their phone and their “signal bars”. Wisely, we chose T-Mobile. We have had no problems with the our cell service nor with their customer service.
Everyone I talked to loves their iPhone. On the other hand Mashable readers seemed fond of the Google Android phones.

So while I was intrigued by the iPhone, as a T-Mobile user I could not legally use an iPhone. Therefore when I suddenly found my cell’s screen cracked I headed to my local T-Mobile store wondering what options I had.

There I found Jim, Terrance and Zach to be accessible. They seemed to give me helpful help and the kind of honest service I would give my own customers.

I had been using a hand-me-down Shadow that predictably had freeze problems. I chose, after much deliberation, to purchase a white T-Mobile myTouch 3G.

While I am certain that I will never fully utilize all of its features, thus far I really like this phone. My biggest concern was the complete absence of a real keyboard. I am adjusting to how I strike the keys, but i would have had to make adjustments if I had chosen a Blackberry.

I look forward to enjoying this new 3G speed and the versatility of the Android OS and the apps. This far I am very impressed!

And, finally technorati.com, here: XPS3BW5XMVC5
I’m official!

reQall

I’ve used reQall to leave myself voice mails.  reQall converts my voice mails into text.  reQall Standard is the free service. “It lets you organize tasks, ideas and important notes in one place and have reminders delivered at the right time.”

Shape Collage Online

I’ve used Shape Collage on my Mac for a while.  It’s a cute and clever web app that takes my photos and creates a, yes, collage out of them.

Here’s one I made of some pix of my son Josh.

Think Free

Think Free is my favorite online Office software web app.  Save as documents, spreadsheets, presentations or html anytime from anywhere online, for FREE!

Tinyurl

Tired of copying and pasting long links for your friends and family?  Tinyurl is a great web app, which creates a short, simple, “permanent” URLs.  Just copy and paste your long urls, press a button and there you have it, a Tinyurl!

Compare the following two urls which both point to my most recent blog:

http://mysilentscream.com/web-apps-you-want-to-know-about-pt-2-of-3

http://tinyurl.com/yap2roj

Need another example of how nice this web app works?  How about a Google image search of Chicago Cubs’ icon Ernie Banks.  Compare the following two urls:

http://images.google.com/images?q=Chicago%20Cubs%20Ernie%20Banks&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

http://tinyurl.com/yf7amps

Which would you rather copy and paste to your client, buddy or grandmother who yearns to revisit the memories of the ’69 Cubs?

Google Translate

I love this site!  Some online translators are sketchy.  This one is quick and easy.  Never a substitute for Jim Nagle’s World Languages, nonetheless, Google translate offers a quick translation.  Want to include a happy birthday greeting in a message?

English to French – bon anniversaire!

English to Italian – buon compleanno

English to Welsh – pen-blwydd hapus

It’s a capable and quick translating web app.

Vixy

Vixy convert a Flash Video / FLV file into a format you prefer — avi, mov, 3GP, mp4, mp3.

You Send It

Want to send your friend a large file?  When I want to send someone a file larger than his or her email account will allow. You Send It has been a free, convenient and reliable option.  I upload it and You Send It sends my recipient an email with a convenient link to the file I would like them to receive.  Al they have to do is sign up — a simple task — and download the file to their computer.

Zamzar

Vixy converts video files into the format you prefer; files up to 100MB.

Web 2.0 is cutting edge. Productivity mavens and mavericks surround the cloud. These apps will increase your productivity, explore your creativity and help you have a bit of fun too.