Let's take some of the friction out of our lives
There are a myriad sources of friction in our daily lives. It is always a relief to come across a product or service that does what you want it to do and does it without grief. Come here to discover products that will reduce the friction in your life (or to warn you about those with high friction factors). Articles will be updated periodically when I have new information to add.
Featured Posts

Cruising the Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas
Especially for First Time Cruisers Friction Factor = LOW FRICTION Value = HIGHLY RECOMMENDED This article last updated: December 10, 2012 First Time Cruise Experience We are ocean front beach cottage people. Until recently we hadn’t even considered a cruise. The opportunity to write about a first time experience and [...]

The Carolinian Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach
Friction Factor = LOW FRICTION Value = RECOMMENDED (800) 624-8969 2506 N Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 http://www.oceanaresorts.com/hotels/carolinian Discovery The Best Western Plus Carolinian Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach raises expectations for Best Western hotel experiences. If you read my article on what you need to know about [...]

North Myrtle Beach in the Fall
Location: The SeaSide Resort in North Myrtle Beach Friction Factor = CORRECTABLE FRICTION Value = RECOMMENDATION PENDING NEEDED FIX 800-433-5710 2301 South Ocean Boulevard North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 Discovery When we were at North Myrtle Beach this past spring we were walking along the beach and saw [...]

On Taxes: how much do you think I deserve to keep?
What Taxes Am I Willing to Pay? Friction Factor = HIGH FRICTION Action = CITIZEN AWARENESS AND SHINING LIGHT INTO THE DARK An Important Question Needs to be Redirected September 13, 2011 at a Republican presidential candidates debate, 17-year-old Tyler Hinsley asked, “out of every dollar that I earn, how [...]

An Ultraportable Laptop Projector
Product: Optoma PK301 Pico Projector and Da-Lite Pico Portable Projection Screen Friction Factor = MODERATE FRICTION Value = ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE The Need I want a laptop projector for on-the-road presentations. My requirements: ultraportable—ideally fitting in my laptop carrying case battery power with a few hours’ battery life [...]

Finally: A Solution for Patient Care Coordination
MedTegra.com’s ReferralSafe™ coordinates patient care accurately and efficiently Friction Factor = LOW FRICTION Value = STRONGLY RECOMMENDED MedTegra ReferralSafes This article describes MedTegra’s ReferralSafes. You will learn how ReferralSafes are used by healthcare providers and facilities to manage referrals, collaborate in a secure, accessible setting, and effectively transition care. This [...]

Relaxing on the North Shore – Turtle Bay Resort
Location: Turtle Bay Resort Friction Factor = LOW FRICTION Value = HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 57-091 Kamehameha Highway Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii 96731 Reservations: 866.827.5321 Fond Memories I first have a confession, but I hope you’ll keep reading in spite of it… On my last visit here it was still the Turtle [...]

Business Cards Quality Exceeds Expectations
Company: Overnightprints.com Friction Factor = MIXED Value = RECOMMENDED The Need High quality business cards at a good price, convenient to order. A Good Solution When I needed business cards I did a Google search and found a gazillion choices. I zeroed in on Overnightprints.com and placed an order [...]

Relaxing in the Florida Keys
Location: Ocean Pointe Suites in Tavernier, Florida Friction Factor = HIGH FRICTION Value = NOT RECOMMENDED website (305) 853.3000 500 Burton Drive, Tavernier MM 92.5, Florida 33070 visited April 2012 Loved the area, disappointed in the hotel Before heading out on our Royal Caribbean cruise on the Oasis [...]

Best Western Hotels – often a good value
Reviews (updated February 16, 2013): Friction factor = low (good) moderate high (bad) Florida, Fort Lauderdale Best Western Plus Cruise Port South Carolina, Myrtle Beach Best Western Plus Carolinian Beach Resort South Carolina, Myrtle Beach Best Western Grand Strand Inn & Suites South Carolina, North Myrtle Beach Best Western Ocean Sands Beach Resort [...]
About Cloudstepper
My use of "Cloudstepper" began decades ago as I was involved in hot air ballooning, sky diving, and other feet-off-the-ground activities. I even have Cherokee blood to add to its legitimacy (smile). But my nom de plume took on a new meaning as I became involved in early cloud-based application development BTW (before the Web). An electrical engineer, my career spans work on Atlas-Centaur rockets, a government intelligence agency, and a lot of effort in the development of cloud-based collaboration services.