Michael Graves

Ruminations on a toothbrush

November 22, 2025
Michael Graves
Home

The other day, we were coming back from taking Julio to the vet. Stella wanted me to stop at a pharmacy to pick something up. There was a CVS on the route home, so I pulled in. She waited with Julio in the car while went in to pickup what she needed.

Once in the store I found what she wanted quite easily. Then it occurred to me that I needed something myself, but what? Scanning the store I finally remembered that I needed a new toothbrush.

For many years I’ve used the battery operated “Spin Brush” electric toothbrushes. I’ve had a number of these. The heads are replaceable, but the mechanism itself doesn’t last forever.

Tivo is finally done selling DVR hardware

October 18, 2025
Michael Graves
Tivo

“This is the end. My only friend, the end.” – Jim Morrison, The Doors

According to a story in Variety, as of October 1, 2025 Tivo has finally stopped selling their hardware DVRs.

“TiVo no longer manufactures hardware, and our remaining inventory is now depleted, though we will continue to offer support for the products going forward,” the company told Variety.

We still have a Roamio Pro and three Tivo Mini’s hereabouts. We’re had these a good long while. They’re not in use at present, but I’m not planning to get rid of them.

A few months ago I bought a used Tivo Roamio OTA specifically to address receiving our local network affiliates. The OTA models have an antenna connection and do not require a Cable Card.

Further Revisiting the Alto Professional Presenter

October 12, 2025
Michael Graves
Audio

I’ve described my use of the Alto Professional Presenter twice before. My typical use case is straightforward. I need a podium & PA for the regular public meetings of our civic association that are typically held in a nearby church. Given that I abandoned the included gooseneck microphone, it works quite well.

Recently, I’ve used it in a couple of different ways.

What’s up, Doc? I mean, with docks?

September 26, 2025
Michael Graves
Computing

In mid-September we spent a week in Canada visiting with family. This picture is one of the docks at Birchland Cottages, a small resort run by my brother, near Iron Bridge, Ontario. It’s a beautiful spot, with dock for each cottage.

Now, that’s a dock. Note how each boat is tied right to the dock. Secured. That’s as it should be.

A dirty little tale of a Mitsubishi mini-split heat pump

September 8, 2025
Michael Graves
Office Life

I’ve worked from my home office in Houston since May of 2001. Technically, it’s the apartment that’s part of our detached garage. When we bought this place it was equipped with a hefty through-the-wall heat pump that roared like a locomotive. It wasn’t long before that noisy old beast failed.

Since then we’ve had three different ductless mini-split systems installed. And learned a bit about them along the way. Some lessons take some time to really sink in. That makes them worth sharing.

Mobile Data Access: 4G vs 5G

August 28, 2025
Michael Graves
Broadband

I don’t get out much these days. At least not compared to years ago, when I was almost constantly travelling to and from various broadcast facilities. Nonetheless, based upon that past experience, in 2019 when I last ordered a laptop, I opted to get the 4G LTE wireless radio built in. It’s effectively the third person on our Mint Mobile family plan.

Truth is, I don’t use the service very much. But the carrying cost on Mint Mobile is so low that I keep it active. There have been times when we had internet or power outages lasting a few hours. In those cases, 4G embedded in the laptop has been genuinely handy.

Over the past year, I’ve also used it when going to offsite meetings related to my involvement with our local civic association. Such was the case last week. I was attending a meeting of Super Neighborhood 15 at the Historic Fire House on 12th Street. They might have Wi-Fi there. I don’t know. It has never even occurred to me to ask. As is my habit, I just power up and turn on the 4G.