Technology
What's Up With That?
27-Jul-09 01:11 PM
There are so many things happening these days in the world of politics, religion and technology that it is becoming increasingly difficult for the part time blogger to keep the bases covered. To that end, I am introducing a segment that I will call "What's Up With That?" that will appear in a recurring format and will attempt to address a handful of issues that bear comment, but perhaps not worthy of a full article. I hope to cover a wider range of topics in a shorter amount of time in this manner. So, here we go:
Windows 7
I have been testing Windows 7 on my Mac Pro desktop for a couple of months now and overall like what I see. It does appear to have a slight speed increase over Vista and other welcome enhancements and tweaks that really should've been included in Vista. But will I upgrade to Windows 7 when it comes out? No way. What's up with Microsoft on their insane pricing policy for their OS anyway? They continue to stick with their confusing assortment of OS packages for people to have to choose from, but there is no significant discount for those (like me) who had purchased Vista to upgrade to 7. I will not spend another $200 on an OS that is not that much different in appearance or functionality from Vista. Where is the $30 upgrade option like Apple is doing for Leopard users to Snow Leopard? I would've gladly gone that route. If Microsoft is hoping for an onslaught of people migrating to Windows 7 I will go ahead and make a prediction right now that it's not going to happen due to their pricing alone.
Iran Diplomacy
The Obama administration is attempting to make diplomatic connections with Iran in a hope to maybe bridge some of the differences between our governments, cultures, and world views. This is something that is long overdue and should be attempted whether you think it will work or not. I certainly have my doubts, but think it is imperative that we try. So, what's up with Secretary of Defense Gates going to Israel this week and appearing on national TV to tell the world that the US will continue to supply Israel with the latest state of the art weaponry and technology to defend itself from attack? Was there ever any question about the US severing it's ally status with Israel? Israel then turns around and says all options are on the table in dealing with Iran. Call me ignorant, but that is a guaranteed move to foil any diplomatic discussions with Iran before they even begin. I am not suggesting we sever our ties with Israel, but at the very least we have to give the appearance of being neutral and willing to engage in meaningful discussions or why bother?
Rate this blog post:
|
Never Lost Again
24-Jun-09 01:41 AM
I've been spending a lot of time over at MSNBC.com lately entrenched in the discussion forums. They have recently added a discussion forum to every single article published and it provides for some really interesting, and time consuming conversations. To the point that I have been neglecting my writing here. Not to worry, it at least has provided me with some new and interesting hot topics of discussion for future posts.
But there will be no political talk today. Instead, I want to talk about a new feature in the recently released iPhone 3.0 OS software called "Find My iPhone". The feature is only available to Mobile Me users (like myself) and it is really slick. This one new feature alone almost makes the $99/year Mobile Me fee worth the price - but of coure you get a lot of other goodies for the $99 as well. Oh, and it's available for both Mac and Windows PC users as well.
Let's say you're out and about town running errands and taking care of business, only to get back home and maybe a few hours later realize that you cannot find your cell phone (in this case your iPhone). You begin a frantic search through your pockets, purse, car, any place you think you might have had it last, and then you realize that it is gone. You pick up a near by telephone and dial your cell phone number and keep your fingers crossed that you will hear the ring of your iPhone so you can audibly pin point it's exact location. Your heart sinks when you never hear the phone ring and you finally realize your phone is lost. Happens all the time and happens to the best of us.
Enter the new feature from Apple called "Find My iPhone". From any computer, Mac or PC, with an internet connection, go to the Mobile Me Site and log into your personal account with your user name and password. Go to the account settings tab, and click on the icon that says "Find My iPhone" and wait for about a minute or less while Apple scans with GPS and WiFi triangulation to find your phone. A street map appears on the screen and shows you the exact location of your phone. This works with all iPhones including the first version phones that did not have GPS functionality built into the phones. But it gets even better.
But there will be no political talk today. Instead, I want to talk about a new feature in the recently released iPhone 3.0 OS software called "Find My iPhone". The feature is only available to Mobile Me users (like myself) and it is really slick. This one new feature alone almost makes the $99/year Mobile Me fee worth the price - but of coure you get a lot of other goodies for the $99 as well. Oh, and it's available for both Mac and Windows PC users as well.
Let's say you're out and about town running errands and taking care of business, only to get back home and maybe a few hours later realize that you cannot find your cell phone (in this case your iPhone). You begin a frantic search through your pockets, purse, car, any place you think you might have had it last, and then you realize that it is gone. You pick up a near by telephone and dial your cell phone number and keep your fingers crossed that you will hear the ring of your iPhone so you can audibly pin point it's exact location. Your heart sinks when you never hear the phone ring and you finally realize your phone is lost. Happens all the time and happens to the best of us.
Enter the new feature from Apple called "Find My iPhone". From any computer, Mac or PC, with an internet connection, go to the Mobile Me Site and log into your personal account with your user name and password. Go to the account settings tab, and click on the icon that says "Find My iPhone" and wait for about a minute or less while Apple scans with GPS and WiFi triangulation to find your phone. A street map appears on the screen and shows you the exact location of your phone. This works with all iPhones including the first version phones that did not have GPS functionality built into the phones. But it gets even better.
You can also send a remote message to your phone and have it play an audible alarm signal for 2 minutes. This alarm works even if the phone is turned off and the ringer has been turned off. As the phone beeps a message of your own choosing will be displayed on the screen so that if anyone finds the phone they will be able to read your message. You can give your name and a contact phone number whereby someone can contact you to make arrangements to return your phone. Your message can say anything you like. If you feel that no one is responding to your message and alarm signals on the phone, you also have the last ditch option to send a remote wipe to the phone and have all of it's data and information wiped out. This is perfect if you think someone may have latched on to your phone and are planning on using it to steal information or make unauthorized phone calls. It is always highly recommended that you set a password lock on your iPhone so that if your phone is lost or stolen that the thief cannot gain access to making phone calls or personal data without your four digit password to unlock the device. The Find My iPhone feature even works with the password lock activated.
This is an awesome feature for an awesome cell phone and provides that extra peace of mind that you still can maintain control of your phone even if you forget and leave it behind somewhere. If you're in the market for a cell phone, check out the iPhone and also consider a monthly subscription to Mobile Me to take advantage of the best insurance policy to protect your mobile investment.
Gates vs Jobs
26-Jul-08 10:14 AM
LET THE BATTLE BEGIN AND MAY THE BEST NERD WIN!!!!
(thanks to AI for this hilarious clip)
Collection of Random Topics
21-Jun-08 09:38 AM
There are many topics worthy of discussion, but not really worthy of a dedicated post by themselves. Some of these topics have been building up in my brain lately, so allow me to release the pressure valve and spew some of them forth herewith. I reserve the right to come back at a later date and embellish any of these topics further as warranted by current events or stupid actions by people who should know better. So, in no particular order of importance or interest:
Gay Marriage Rights
Conservative and religious right leaders in California are chomping at the bit to try and pass a state constitutional amendment this November to nullify the recently acquired rights of gay couples from marrying in the state. They are spreading false information about marriage statistics and trying to convince everyone that by allowing gay couples to marry that the very institution of heteosexual marriage is somehow jeopardized and in danger of being eradicated off the face of the earth. Normally, this topic alone is worth an entire post by itself, but i have neither the energy nor the will to further debate this topic as it is so completely juvenille and senseless that it is exasperating to even try to and expend brain cells to debate it. Other than all of the arguments I have already posted on this blog about this topic, suffice it to say that the misinformation about marriage and the alarmist concerns of the destruction of heterosexual marriage is completely senseless and unwarranted. I stop short of calling it stupid (although it is) but I maintain that nobody but nobody can adequately explain how by allowing a group of people (gays and lesbians) to enjoy the same legal protections of marriage that that is going to jeopardize heterosexual marriage. It is a myth and one without any merit. Next topic.
Apple Goodies - iPhone 3G and Mobile Me
There is a wealth of techno goodies about to shower forth from the techno gods in Cupertino in early July, now only a few short weeks away. You’d have to be living in a hole in the sewers of London not to have already heard this news by now. Twice the features and half the price of the original iPhone, faster speeds, more third party applications, GPS, Microsoft Exchange support for enterprises and business users, and the best user interface ever designed for a mobile device make this a must have techno gadget for the masses. Notwithstanding all the goodness, to keep this journalistically pure, I will point out that there is much concern over the pricing plans with AT&T and who will be eligible for the lower prices. The $199 and $299 prices quoted during the WWDC Keynote address will not be available to everyone, depending upon existing cell phone contracts. This is nothing really new in the industry, but I can see a lot of people being disappointed to find out that they don’t qualify for the lower prices. But, like a good Republican, I know I qualify for the rates so I don’t really care if anybody else does or not. Tough luck.
Mobile Me is the replacement of the Dot Mac web service from Apple of which I have been a member for a few years now. While I have generally been pleased with Dot Mac, I am looking forward to the new push email, contacts and calendar capabilities that will be offered by the new service. As billed during the WWDC, this is exchange service for the rest of us. Dot Mac did have a few bugs and quirks in it and I am hoping that this new service will resolve some of those annoying glitches that would creep up from time to time. It is going to be so nice to be able to add calendar events or contacts to my laptop or Mac and then have that automatically sync up to my iPhone. This service also debuts in early July and I am ready for it.
Eletrical Loadbanks and Short Circuits
DId you know that the quasi-technical definition of an eletrical short is when electrical current flows unintentionally and uncontrolled between two conductors? In other words, it is when electricity goes where it’s not supposed to go and the consequential results are usually fried or charred electrical equipment.
An electrical loadbank is a piece of electrical equipment that simulates electrical load generated by equipment when the equipment is not present. It is used for testing such things as uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) and battery back up systems. With a loadbank apparatus you can simulate all different kinds of electrical events for the express purpose of testing out your emergency back up plans to deal with such emergencies.
Now you may wonder what is so important or interesting about this last bit of information and the answer is absolutely nothing. I said this would be a post on random topics and that’s what I just delivered.
Gay Marriage Rights
Conservative and religious right leaders in California are chomping at the bit to try and pass a state constitutional amendment this November to nullify the recently acquired rights of gay couples from marrying in the state. They are spreading false information about marriage statistics and trying to convince everyone that by allowing gay couples to marry that the very institution of heteosexual marriage is somehow jeopardized and in danger of being eradicated off the face of the earth. Normally, this topic alone is worth an entire post by itself, but i have neither the energy nor the will to further debate this topic as it is so completely juvenille and senseless that it is exasperating to even try to and expend brain cells to debate it. Other than all of the arguments I have already posted on this blog about this topic, suffice it to say that the misinformation about marriage and the alarmist concerns of the destruction of heterosexual marriage is completely senseless and unwarranted. I stop short of calling it stupid (although it is) but I maintain that nobody but nobody can adequately explain how by allowing a group of people (gays and lesbians) to enjoy the same legal protections of marriage that that is going to jeopardize heterosexual marriage. It is a myth and one without any merit. Next topic.
Apple Goodies - iPhone 3G and Mobile Me
There is a wealth of techno goodies about to shower forth from the techno gods in Cupertino in early July, now only a few short weeks away. You’d have to be living in a hole in the sewers of London not to have already heard this news by now. Twice the features and half the price of the original iPhone, faster speeds, more third party applications, GPS, Microsoft Exchange support for enterprises and business users, and the best user interface ever designed for a mobile device make this a must have techno gadget for the masses. Notwithstanding all the goodness, to keep this journalistically pure, I will point out that there is much concern over the pricing plans with AT&T and who will be eligible for the lower prices. The $199 and $299 prices quoted during the WWDC Keynote address will not be available to everyone, depending upon existing cell phone contracts. This is nothing really new in the industry, but I can see a lot of people being disappointed to find out that they don’t qualify for the lower prices. But, like a good Republican, I know I qualify for the rates so I don’t really care if anybody else does or not. Tough luck.
Mobile Me is the replacement of the Dot Mac web service from Apple of which I have been a member for a few years now. While I have generally been pleased with Dot Mac, I am looking forward to the new push email, contacts and calendar capabilities that will be offered by the new service. As billed during the WWDC, this is exchange service for the rest of us. Dot Mac did have a few bugs and quirks in it and I am hoping that this new service will resolve some of those annoying glitches that would creep up from time to time. It is going to be so nice to be able to add calendar events or contacts to my laptop or Mac and then have that automatically sync up to my iPhone. This service also debuts in early July and I am ready for it.
Eletrical Loadbanks and Short Circuits
DId you know that the quasi-technical definition of an eletrical short is when electrical current flows unintentionally and uncontrolled between two conductors? In other words, it is when electricity goes where it’s not supposed to go and the consequential results are usually fried or charred electrical equipment.
An electrical loadbank is a piece of electrical equipment that simulates electrical load generated by equipment when the equipment is not present. It is used for testing such things as uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) and battery back up systems. With a loadbank apparatus you can simulate all different kinds of electrical events for the express purpose of testing out your emergency back up plans to deal with such emergencies.
Now you may wonder what is so important or interesting about this last bit of information and the answer is absolutely nothing. I said this would be a post on random topics and that’s what I just delivered.
Macworld 2008 Recap
19-Jan-08 11:56 PM
This past week, Macworld 2008 was held in San Francisco and Steve Jobs once again unveiled some amazing new devices and gadgets to the cheering crowds and Mac faithful everywhere. There was nothing as revolutionary or as exciting as the iPhone with the possible exception of the new Mac Book Air ultra thin laptop. But even that is probably not as revolutionary as what the iPhone has been to the telecommunications industry. Here is a recap of what was revealed:
Time Capsule: A new 802.11n wireless base station that also sports a hard drive built inside. Comes in two flavors; a 500GB or a 1TB version selling for $299 and $499 respectively. This new device allows a home or office with several Mac users to backup their computers wirelessly via Time Machine to a centralized location without wires. This is especially convenient for laptop users who have had to rely on small portable hard drives and cables to back up their hard drives.
iPhone Software Update: There was no mention of a new 3G capable iPhone as some had predicted, but in it's place was an announcement of an upgrade to the iPhone firmware to version 1.1.3 - a free download for all existing iPhone users and a $20 upgrade option for all iTouch iPod users as it added core new features previously unavailable on the iTouch. The new features include the ability for the iPhone to pinpoint your location and mark it with an indicator on a map by using triangulation of cell phone towers. This feature works amazing well and seems very accurate. The more cell phone towers in your vicinity, the more detail your location will be zoomed in on the map. Also included is the ability to rearrange the icons on the iPhone home page, add new homepages (up to 9) and web clips which are snap shots of web pages that retain their shape and zoom scale so that you can go back to it at anytime with just a single press of an icon. Very cool. Some other smaller features including song lyrics being displayed in iPod mode and an upcoming SDK to third party developers so that the iPhone can be further expanded and developed to run more new apps.
Apple TV Update & iTunes Movie Rentals: It was the year of the free software download. Steve announced a completely new software interface for the Apple TV as a free download for existing customers that will feature true 720p video qulaity and 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound. No new equipment to purchase. Also, the price of the Apple TV has been reduced from $299 to $229 for the 40GB model. In addition, iTunes will begin immediately to offer movie rentals which can be viewed on any computer (Mac or PC), hand helds, iPods, or on Apple TV with content provided from all the major film studio in Hollywood. Pricing is similar to all other movie rental services and content can now be purchased with your remote from the living room couch - no computer required.
(Side Note: I found this somewhat ironic because I distincly remember not so many years past that Steve Jobs didn't think that using a computer to watch movies and videos was a very good idea. He has now come full circle on this one and has obviously changed his mind considerably on this subject. It was also interesting just this past week that when asked to comment on the new Amazon Kindle portable electronic book reader, Steve made the bold proclamation that "nobody reads anymore these days". That seems like a bit of a stretch to me - I know I still enjoy reading. I think the Kindle is a very interesting device but needs some additional design work to make it right. I wonder if Steve will change his mind on the book reader like he did on the Apple TV? How far away are we from an iBook or an iReader?)
Macbook Air: And last but certainly not least was the revelation of the world's thinnest laptop computer ever manufactured measuring a mere .16 inches at it's thinnest to a a very modest .76 inches at it's largest measurement and weighing only 3 pounds. The laptop features a full 13.3 inch LED screen with instant on capabilities and brilliant sharp graphics. There is a full sized back lit keyboard and touch pad with intelligent controls. Comes with 2GB of RAM and a 80GB hard drive, the unit does not include an optical disk drive, but can be added as a peripheral if desired. You can also use a built in software feature that allows the Macbook Air to commandeer the optical drive of any nearby Mac or PC to wirelessly install programs from a CD or DVD; and that is totally cool. Priced at $1,799 Apple is obviously not targeting or promoting this device as an econo-book, but rather as an object of total coolness and desire. How cool is it that this laptop can fit inside an envelope? Dang cool.
If you are sick of your current computer, or have had it up to your eyeballs with Windows, viruses and spyware, and are just generally pissed off with the entire world and can't wait until there is a new President in power, then may I suggest you make the switch to the happy side of the street where everything is in technicolor and in perpetual bloom. Check out the offerings of the Apple team in Cupertino - I think you will like what you see when you see what you like,
If you want to learn more on any of this cool stuff just announced at Macworld 2008, go to www.apple.com for more details. And no, believe it or not, I do not work for Apple.
Time Magazine's Top Gadget of 2007
12-Dec-07 03:26 PM
#1. Apple iPhone
The iPhone changed the way we think about how mobile media devices should look, feel and perform. The design is exceptional inside and out: It's got a slick glass-and-stainless steel case and an elegant touch screen loaded with eye candy. It's an iPod and a 2-megapixel camera. Images and video clips display vertically or horizontally — they reorient themselves depending on how you hold the thing. When the phone detects a wireless network within range — your own home wi-fi set up or somebody else's — it lets you tap once to connect, and then proceed with your Web surfing, Google mapping, emailing and other activities that can otherwise be painfully slow over AT&T's cellular network — the only one, unfortunately, that carries iPhone calls.
See the entire list of top 50 gadgets for 2007 here.
The Leopard Has Landed
03-Nov-07 09:58 AM
This is a rock solid upgrade to OS X Tiger and so far it is living up to expectations. I pre ordered from Apple and I received my copy by 9AM on October 26 - well ahead of the 6PM launch at the Apple stores. A really great way to stay current on technology without standing in line and fighting the crowds - I will remember to do pre order next time as well.
I will write more in depth on the subject of this great OS later - but suffice this post to say that I have upgraded 7 computers to Leopard as of this writing and every one of them went without a hitch. That is not to say that there aren't a few rough edges on this jewel because there certainly is that - and it will take some updates down the road to get everything smoothed out. But, overall - the new features in this release make this cat one powerful beast to have on your side. The new Time Machine is an awesome backup utility and the power of Quick Look and Cover Flow built right into the Finder are enormously powerful and efficient for work.
If you are considering upgrading - or perhaps even switching from a PC - there is no reason to wait any longer.
My Observations of the iPhone
12-Jul-07 08:10 AM
One week after the popular device went on sale, I was able to finally locate an 8GB model at the Apple Store in Southlake, TX and was able to make the purchase without standing in line or camping out in a tent. I've been using the phone for almost a week now and I have a list of positives and negatives on the device. I can tell you that if you've been on the fence waiting to hear if the device is stable and effective, then I can tell you without any hesitation that "yes" - this device is ready for prime time and works exceptionally well. If the initial out lay of cash doesn't prevent the purchase, then there is absolutely no reason to wait on picking one up today.
To begin with, and this is really why I am an unabashed fan of Apple products, the experience in buying and seting up an Apple device is a very rewarding experience. If you've never purchased an Apple product then I don't suppose you will understand what I mean; but the iPhone proudly continues in the tradition of user friendliness and ease of setup and use. Setting up the iPhone was completely painless and I had no trouble with activating my account on AT&T. Everything was flawless and quick. The system for activating a telephone from your home computer was a revolutionary step that had never been done before, so some of the hiccups that were encounted by a very small percentage of early adopters seem to be ironed out at this point. From opening the box to activating and syncing the device to my Mac, the whole process was complete and I was using my iPhone in 5 minutes. Syncing took a little longer because I have almost 700 songs and over 2,000 photos stored on my phone - and I still have about 1GB of storage left over. It was exactly like setting up an iPod - and for the first time ever, I have all of my contacts and calendar appointments on my phone and it didn't take me an hour trying to make it happen.
The phone has performed flawlessly for me for a week now. The internal speaker is loud and clear, and using my Motorola blue tooth head set has been perfect. Pairing bluetooth devices is almost an automatic process. WiFi operability also works very well with the iPhone instantly recognizing nearby networks and prompting you if you would like to connect to them - very easy and simple. Browsing the internet on Safari while connected to WiFi is generally very fast. When using the EDGE network, performance can be anywhere from slightly slower to unusable - depending on your exact location and sginal strength in the area. While in my home area, the EDGE network is pretty quick and I'm able to surf without any major difficulties - performance will vary.
The iPod functionality is exactly the same and of course watching videos on the device is a real joy and easy on the eyes. But there are a few things that need some attention and I will list them below. I can't say enough good things about the phone. Much of the issues that were raised prior to release of the device are, in my opinion, exagerrated. For example, the keyboard works very well and only takes a few uses to get used to the touch. Whether or not you prefer it to a physical keyboard is purely a matter of personal preference, but the keyboard works very well and I've picked it up very quickly. I can use it much quicker and more accurately than any physical keyboard on a smart phone.
MY LIST OF IMPROVEMENTS:
Not in any particular order.....
1. Better selection of ring tones with the ability to use your own music library
2. Connectivity to iTunes over the internet to purchase songs from the device
3. The ability to create folders on IMAP e-mail accounts from the device
4. More applications so you can edit documents - the phone runs OS X and this would be easy to achieve
5. Move from EDGE to 3G networks
6. Redesign the ear phone jack so that it doesn't require a special adapter
7. Be able to play iTunes games on the iPod function
8. A screen that doesn't show finger prints (if that is even possible)
9. A higher megapixel camera (2 MP is very marginal)
10. And of course, a larger flash memory drive would be ideal
MY LIST OF STELLAR FEATURES THAT ARE AWESOME
Not in any particular order...
1. Battery life - absolutely awesome - the best I've ever seen. Can use the phone all day long and only consume half the battery by end of the day
2. High res screen - bright and beautiful - a real pleasure to look at
3. Great interface design - the functionality of the touch screen and software is flawless and well thought out - intuitive - no directions needed
4. Great sound - best sounding iPod I've heard so far
5. Ease of setup - for e-mail and contacts could not be easier. Nothing in the windows smart phone world comes close - at least not in my experience
6. Revolutionary technology - from the touch screen to the accelerometers that disable the screen automatically when you put the device near your face - the intelligence of the phone is truly inspired and performs exactly as advertised
7. Cool factor - enough said
8. Size and weight - after carrying abound an HP wndows smart phone for 2 years, I feel like I've traded in a phone book for a credit card - a welcome relief
9. Touch controls - being able to navigate websites with a touch of your finger, or zoom in and out of photos and documents by pinching is very cool and easy to perform. I hate styluses and I'm glad to be free of one forever
Bottom Line: Version 2 will surely be an improvement - but for what you get in version 1, there's no reason to wait for tomorrow.
To begin with, and this is really why I am an unabashed fan of Apple products, the experience in buying and seting up an Apple device is a very rewarding experience. If you've never purchased an Apple product then I don't suppose you will understand what I mean; but the iPhone proudly continues in the tradition of user friendliness and ease of setup and use. Setting up the iPhone was completely painless and I had no trouble with activating my account on AT&T. Everything was flawless and quick. The system for activating a telephone from your home computer was a revolutionary step that had never been done before, so some of the hiccups that were encounted by a very small percentage of early adopters seem to be ironed out at this point. From opening the box to activating and syncing the device to my Mac, the whole process was complete and I was using my iPhone in 5 minutes. Syncing took a little longer because I have almost 700 songs and over 2,000 photos stored on my phone - and I still have about 1GB of storage left over. It was exactly like setting up an iPod - and for the first time ever, I have all of my contacts and calendar appointments on my phone and it didn't take me an hour trying to make it happen.
The phone has performed flawlessly for me for a week now. The internal speaker is loud and clear, and using my Motorola blue tooth head set has been perfect. Pairing bluetooth devices is almost an automatic process. WiFi operability also works very well with the iPhone instantly recognizing nearby networks and prompting you if you would like to connect to them - very easy and simple. Browsing the internet on Safari while connected to WiFi is generally very fast. When using the EDGE network, performance can be anywhere from slightly slower to unusable - depending on your exact location and sginal strength in the area. While in my home area, the EDGE network is pretty quick and I'm able to surf without any major difficulties - performance will vary.
The iPod functionality is exactly the same and of course watching videos on the device is a real joy and easy on the eyes. But there are a few things that need some attention and I will list them below. I can't say enough good things about the phone. Much of the issues that were raised prior to release of the device are, in my opinion, exagerrated. For example, the keyboard works very well and only takes a few uses to get used to the touch. Whether or not you prefer it to a physical keyboard is purely a matter of personal preference, but the keyboard works very well and I've picked it up very quickly. I can use it much quicker and more accurately than any physical keyboard on a smart phone.
MY LIST OF IMPROVEMENTS:
Not in any particular order.....
1. Better selection of ring tones with the ability to use your own music library
2. Connectivity to iTunes over the internet to purchase songs from the device
3. The ability to create folders on IMAP e-mail accounts from the device
4. More applications so you can edit documents - the phone runs OS X and this would be easy to achieve
5. Move from EDGE to 3G networks
6. Redesign the ear phone jack so that it doesn't require a special adapter
7. Be able to play iTunes games on the iPod function
8. A screen that doesn't show finger prints (if that is even possible)
9. A higher megapixel camera (2 MP is very marginal)
10. And of course, a larger flash memory drive would be ideal
MY LIST OF STELLAR FEATURES THAT ARE AWESOME
Not in any particular order...
1. Battery life - absolutely awesome - the best I've ever seen. Can use the phone all day long and only consume half the battery by end of the day
2. High res screen - bright and beautiful - a real pleasure to look at
3. Great interface design - the functionality of the touch screen and software is flawless and well thought out - intuitive - no directions needed
4. Great sound - best sounding iPod I've heard so far
5. Ease of setup - for e-mail and contacts could not be easier. Nothing in the windows smart phone world comes close - at least not in my experience
6. Revolutionary technology - from the touch screen to the accelerometers that disable the screen automatically when you put the device near your face - the intelligence of the phone is truly inspired and performs exactly as advertised
7. Cool factor - enough said
8. Size and weight - after carrying abound an HP wndows smart phone for 2 years, I feel like I've traded in a phone book for a credit card - a welcome relief
9. Touch controls - being able to navigate websites with a touch of your finger, or zoom in and out of photos and documents by pinching is very cool and easy to perform. I hate styluses and I'm glad to be free of one forever
Bottom Line: Version 2 will surely be an improvement - but for what you get in version 1, there's no reason to wait for tomorrow.
Hype-steria!! iPhone Arrives!!
29-Jun-07 10:20 AM
Back on January 9, 2007, shortly after the debut of the iPhone by Steve Jobs at Macworld, I made the bold and prophetic prediction that the iPhone would turn out to be a phenomenal success. It would appear that we are now on track for those predicitions to ring true (pardon the pun). As I stated then, and continue to say now, it is really a no-brainer once you take the time to look closely at the device and it's features. I find it somewhat amusing that much of the hype surrounding the iPhone is generated by the nay sayers, those who seem to think that iPhone is destined to fail. I will concede one point, even though the iPhone will be a phenomenal success in terms of launch and initial sales, it is possible that the first version device could suffer from a few problems, namely issues associated with the partnership with AT&T.
It would appear from everything that I have read that both Apple and AT&T have faithfully performed extensive testing of this product before launch. It has been reported that AT&T has spent millions of dollars upgrading their EDGE network for the sole purpose of greater performance for the iPhone launch. Apple has conducted in-the-field testing and based on those results have redesigned the ear piece for greater audio clarity and have changed the face of the phone from a clear plastic screen to optical glass to resist scratching. However, the chief criticism of the iPhone that has the most merit in my opinion is the fact that it is connected to the older EDGE network which is slower than the newer 3G networks or the EV-DO networks offered by Verizon. iPhone makes up for this by offering WiFi support which means it will work great at home, but probably not as good on the road.
We shall soon know just how successful iPhone turns out to be. The reports, articles, and blogs will start rolling in like a river after just a few days of actual use by consumers. I predict much of the ballyhoo about the soft keyboard and battery life issues will in fact turn out to be non-issues. A lot of folks are afraid to jump into the "first-version-waters" of this device and feel that the price is too high. It is expensive from the perspective of initial cash outlay. But, it is actually cheaper than if you were buying a cell phone, an iPod Nano, and a 2 mega pixel digital camera individually; and I think that is the way you have to ultimately look at it. You are buying one device that does three distinct things. Being a Mac user I have full confidence and respect for just about all of Apple's incredible products, but I admit I am a bit concerned about AT&T's involvement and how well they will live up to their end of the partnership - their track record isn't as stellar in my opinion, but I am encouraged by some of the things they have done so far. The ultimate question is, "are you going to get one now or wait? Or just keep your old standby phone that you've grown accustomed to over the years? One thing is for sure, the second version will surely be better and maybe even less expensive; as is the trend with all tech gadgets. As for me....I am definitely going to buy. Sure it makes sense to wait, but being the geek loving gadget freak that I am, I just don't know if I have that kind of willpower.
iPhone Redux
22-Jan-07 07:38 PM
At the risk of being redundant, I am posting a recent review from Andy Ihnakto, who writes technology articles for the Chicago Sun Times, about the up-coming new Apple iPhone. In his review he reveals some interesting information about the new gadget as he has actually been able to use one of the new phones first hand and has talked with the Apple designers and engineers about the phone and it's features. His article is very interesting and I am sticking with my predictions that this new device is going to mark a significant milestone in the world of hand-held digital gadgets. Enjoy...
You could call iPhone perfect
January 18, 2007
BY ANDY IHNATKO
I have used the Apple iPhone. I had a private briefing the day after Steve Jobs' keynote and spent about 45 minutes noodling around with the device.
You may touch the hem of my robe if you wish.
In response to a Beatlemania-scale pile of e-mails, here's what I can tell you so far, based on my hands-on impressions, my talks with Apple and general first-hand sniffing around:
1. The touch-interface works flawlessly, in terms of both technical function and user interface design. Whatever you want to do -- select an album to play, make or take a call, compose and send an e-mail -- your first impulse is almost always the correct one.
This is the simplest phone ever.
And there are no lags, no pauses, no waiting for the slickly animated UI to catch up with you, even when you're scrolling through a stack of album art that's flopping past your finger in 3D: It's liquid. The bad news: It works only with direct, skin contact. You can't wear gloves, and I don't know if you can even put a screen protector on it. On the plus side, the screen is supposed to be more scratch-resistant than an iPod. "So long as you don't have a pocket full of broken glass, it'll be OK in there," I was told.
2. I think the iPhone's virtual keyboard is a huge improvement over the mechanical thumbpads found on the Treo and any other smart phones of its size. The buttons are significantly larger, you don't have to hit them dead-center, you lightly tap them instead of punching them down, and the software is smart enough to know that you meant to type "Tuesday" instead of "Tudsday." After 30 seconds, I was already typing faster with the iPhone than I ever have with any other phone. I suspect that true e-mail demons will need to adapt to the lack of tactile feedback, though.
3. It's the most beautiful freakin' display I've ever seen on a phone or PDA, both in range of color and level of detail. Even microscopic browser text is credibly readable.
4. The apps that were functional at the time of the demo give the satisfying, protein-rich experience of "real" software. The mail client and browser make you feel like you're using a powerful desktop app, not a cell phone that can kind of send e-mail and browse the Web (depending on how you define "e-mail" and "the Web").
5. Apple will keep a very tight rein on software development. I asked point-blank if third parties would be able to write and distribute iPhone apps and was told, point-blank, no. However, it appears that there'll be some third-party opportunities. I'm going to take a guess that iPhone software will be distributed the same way as iPod games: no "unsigned" apps will install, but apps will start appearing on the iTunes Store after successfully passing through a mysterious process of Apple certification -- one that ensures that they meet a certain standard of quality and won't, you know, secretly send your credit-card info to Nigeria.
The lockdown on software is an area of ongoing suspicious interest. I noticed that the iPhone's pre-release browser was missing some plug-ins. I asked if Real and Macromedia et al. would be writing media plug-ins for the iPhone's Web browser, and was told that no, the browser would ship with plug-ins, but Apple would be writing them all in-house. Odd, that.
6. The iPhone runs the same OS as the Macintosh. And not in the way that Windows Mobile is, I suppose, technically, if you want to split hairs about it, classified somewhere in the Microsoft Windows phylum. Nope, everything I've learned (both in official briefings and "you and I never spoke, all right?" sort of discussions) says that it truly does run Leopard, the upcoming 10.5 OS that will be released for the Macintosh late in the spring. Those spiffy UI animations, for instance, come courtesy of Leopard's Core Animation suite.
So will it run Mac software? Nope. The iPhone runs OS X, but it's an iPhone, not a Macintosh. And it stands to reason that the OS on the iPhone doesn't include any bits that it doesn't need. And no, the iPhone's Widgets aren't the same as the Mac's Dashboard widgets. But they do use DashCode and other desktop widget tech, so who knows? I'm really hoping that widgets will be more open to third-party developers than apps.
7. The iPhone is still under development and isn't feature-complete. I opened the "Notes" application and found myself tapping impotently at a JPEG of what the app is supposed to look like. And the camera app only had one button. Any complaints about what the iPhone can't do are premature. Remember, it won't ship for six months.
I really, really like what I've seen so far. But true judgment won't come until June.
Andy Ihnatko writes on technical and computer issues for the Sun-Times.
You could call iPhone perfect
January 18, 2007
BY ANDY IHNATKO
I have used the Apple iPhone. I had a private briefing the day after Steve Jobs' keynote and spent about 45 minutes noodling around with the device.
You may touch the hem of my robe if you wish.
In response to a Beatlemania-scale pile of e-mails, here's what I can tell you so far, based on my hands-on impressions, my talks with Apple and general first-hand sniffing around:
1. The touch-interface works flawlessly, in terms of both technical function and user interface design. Whatever you want to do -- select an album to play, make or take a call, compose and send an e-mail -- your first impulse is almost always the correct one.
This is the simplest phone ever.
And there are no lags, no pauses, no waiting for the slickly animated UI to catch up with you, even when you're scrolling through a stack of album art that's flopping past your finger in 3D: It's liquid. The bad news: It works only with direct, skin contact. You can't wear gloves, and I don't know if you can even put a screen protector on it. On the plus side, the screen is supposed to be more scratch-resistant than an iPod. "So long as you don't have a pocket full of broken glass, it'll be OK in there," I was told.
2. I think the iPhone's virtual keyboard is a huge improvement over the mechanical thumbpads found on the Treo and any other smart phones of its size. The buttons are significantly larger, you don't have to hit them dead-center, you lightly tap them instead of punching them down, and the software is smart enough to know that you meant to type "Tuesday" instead of "Tudsday." After 30 seconds, I was already typing faster with the iPhone than I ever have with any other phone. I suspect that true e-mail demons will need to adapt to the lack of tactile feedback, though.
3. It's the most beautiful freakin' display I've ever seen on a phone or PDA, both in range of color and level of detail. Even microscopic browser text is credibly readable.
4. The apps that were functional at the time of the demo give the satisfying, protein-rich experience of "real" software. The mail client and browser make you feel like you're using a powerful desktop app, not a cell phone that can kind of send e-mail and browse the Web (depending on how you define "e-mail" and "the Web").
5. Apple will keep a very tight rein on software development. I asked point-blank if third parties would be able to write and distribute iPhone apps and was told, point-blank, no. However, it appears that there'll be some third-party opportunities. I'm going to take a guess that iPhone software will be distributed the same way as iPod games: no "unsigned" apps will install, but apps will start appearing on the iTunes Store after successfully passing through a mysterious process of Apple certification -- one that ensures that they meet a certain standard of quality and won't, you know, secretly send your credit-card info to Nigeria.
The lockdown on software is an area of ongoing suspicious interest. I noticed that the iPhone's pre-release browser was missing some plug-ins. I asked if Real and Macromedia et al. would be writing media plug-ins for the iPhone's Web browser, and was told that no, the browser would ship with plug-ins, but Apple would be writing them all in-house. Odd, that.
6. The iPhone runs the same OS as the Macintosh. And not in the way that Windows Mobile is, I suppose, technically, if you want to split hairs about it, classified somewhere in the Microsoft Windows phylum. Nope, everything I've learned (both in official briefings and "you and I never spoke, all right?" sort of discussions) says that it truly does run Leopard, the upcoming 10.5 OS that will be released for the Macintosh late in the spring. Those spiffy UI animations, for instance, come courtesy of Leopard's Core Animation suite.
So will it run Mac software? Nope. The iPhone runs OS X, but it's an iPhone, not a Macintosh. And it stands to reason that the OS on the iPhone doesn't include any bits that it doesn't need. And no, the iPhone's Widgets aren't the same as the Mac's Dashboard widgets. But they do use DashCode and other desktop widget tech, so who knows? I'm really hoping that widgets will be more open to third-party developers than apps.
7. The iPhone is still under development and isn't feature-complete. I opened the "Notes" application and found myself tapping impotently at a JPEG of what the app is supposed to look like. And the camera app only had one button. Any complaints about what the iPhone can't do are premature. Remember, it won't ship for six months.
I really, really like what I've seen so far. But true judgment won't come until June.
Andy Ihnatko writes on technical and computer issues for the Sun-Times.
Hold The Phone - Check This Out!!
09-Jan-07 10:58 PM
These babies will be shipping in June 2007 and I predict they will sale quickly. The phone service will be exclusively through Cingular and that makes me very happy since I am on the Cingular network already. According to the specs, these new phones will work seemlessly on both POP3 and IMAP mail servers which includes the ubiquitous MS Exchange servers used by many companies (including mine). The device supposedly will sync contact information with both Macs and PCs and the WiFi capabilities are self discovering and self setting. There appears to be no reason why these phones shouldn't be able to work perfectly with businesses that are "PC only". I've been holding out on a new phone for some time and have been content with my bulky HP Pocket PC device. My order will be in very soon to my IT Department for an iPhone and if they offer up the "sorry, we don't support that because it is an Apple product" line I just may have to buy it myself. I predict I will own one of these and I can pretty much guarantee that one coming true.
The big plus side is that with an iPhone in your pocket, you may seriously consider leaving the laptop at home on your next business trip. That may be a bit premature for this first round of phones, but given the scalability and expandability built into the core design of the phone, and given the fact that it runs on OS X, the next logical step in the process will include the ability to open and run office documents like word processing and spread sheets. Yes, this one looks pretty exciting and just like the iPod changed the way we listen to and purchase music, this one just may change the way we use mobile computing devices forever.
Computer Resolution Table
08-Aug-06 09:56 PM
Find below a quick reference table (borrowed from Wikipedia) for some standard screen resolutions. As LCD displays become more prominent and CRT monitors are retired, it's good to keep abreast of resolution sizes and names. For a complete, in-depth course on resolution definitions as well as a complete break down on the meaning of the acronym designations, click on this link to go directly to the Wikipedia article. I have had to brush up on my understanding of resolutions and I found this information to be quite useful. Now, with the advent of HD television becoming more main stream, it is good for everyone to be familiar with this terminology; or at least to have a quick reference on where to find it.
Common Display Resolutions(edited)
Common Display Resolutions(edited)
The Lines Are Blurring...
07-Apr-06 11:08 PM
This week, Apple announced a new product called "Boot Camp" which is specifically designed for their new intel chip Mac computers. The software allows people, who so choose, to install a full version of Windows XP on to their Mac. The individual must provide their own licensed copy of Windows XP as all Boot Camp does is partition the hard drive and sets up a boot up option at start up so that the user can decide to boot into Windows or into OS X. Apple makes it clear that they do not support Windows, nor do they support Boot Camp per se; it is up to the individual user to download the free software and use at their own risk.
I've been thinking about this for awhile and I'll have to admit, in the end it's probably a smart move on the part of Apple. But, for those of us who have used both operating systems extensively, and who have purchased Macs and are already in the OS X family, the only added value I can see to this move is for those people who have to use Windows applications, or who are still weaning themselves away from Windows. The big advantages are that one no longer has to depend on emulation software such as Virtual PC to do their Window's chores. Since Windows XP will reside as a true OS on the hard drive, it should perform just as good as on any other PC. For those who have to work in a Windows environment, or those who are still using Quicken for Windows (because the Mac version of Quicken still sucks), then this will be an added bonus. Windows will never look so good as running an on elegant Mac computer, and probably will never run any better either.
The drawbacks are of course the obvious virus and other security issues that plague Windows, and will invade any computer (including a Mac). Extra diligence will need to be exercised by those who use Boot Camp in order to protect their hardware from possible attacks and destruction rendered possible through Windows viruses and malware. I will be very anxious to see how performance stacks up on games played in Windows on a Mac - should make for some interesting comparisons, especially on the G5's and top of the line Macs.
Where once the two operating systems were divided by chips and software, the two are now going to live side by side on the same machine. Apple has provided this product to fulfill the requests of many customers who have pined for the ability to run Windows on their Macs. The best advantage I can see is the consolidation it offers. But, the real beauty of this offering is that now people (and there are still many who have doubts) can compare the two operating systems side by side, in the same environment, and they can see just how the two systems stack up. This is a welcome comparison for Apple, and an embarrasement for Microsoft. As the lines blur between the two computing entities, my guess is that the Mac owner will still spend the majority of their time in the elegance and sophistication of OS X, and will only venture over into the clunky and dangerous world of Windows when they are forced to. I wonder if they will update the software to work with Vista, if and when it is ever released to the public. LOL. Here is another interesting article on this subject you can find at this link. Now, go ahead - and switch to the best computing system available on the planet with the comfort of knowing that you can still get grimy, greasy, and dirt under your nails in WIndows if you just absolutely have to.
I've been thinking about this for awhile and I'll have to admit, in the end it's probably a smart move on the part of Apple. But, for those of us who have used both operating systems extensively, and who have purchased Macs and are already in the OS X family, the only added value I can see to this move is for those people who have to use Windows applications, or who are still weaning themselves away from Windows. The big advantages are that one no longer has to depend on emulation software such as Virtual PC to do their Window's chores. Since Windows XP will reside as a true OS on the hard drive, it should perform just as good as on any other PC. For those who have to work in a Windows environment, or those who are still using Quicken for Windows (because the Mac version of Quicken still sucks), then this will be an added bonus. Windows will never look so good as running an on elegant Mac computer, and probably will never run any better either.
The drawbacks are of course the obvious virus and other security issues that plague Windows, and will invade any computer (including a Mac). Extra diligence will need to be exercised by those who use Boot Camp in order to protect their hardware from possible attacks and destruction rendered possible through Windows viruses and malware. I will be very anxious to see how performance stacks up on games played in Windows on a Mac - should make for some interesting comparisons, especially on the G5's and top of the line Macs.
Where once the two operating systems were divided by chips and software, the two are now going to live side by side on the same machine. Apple has provided this product to fulfill the requests of many customers who have pined for the ability to run Windows on their Macs. The best advantage I can see is the consolidation it offers. But, the real beauty of this offering is that now people (and there are still many who have doubts) can compare the two operating systems side by side, in the same environment, and they can see just how the two systems stack up. This is a welcome comparison for Apple, and an embarrasement for Microsoft. As the lines blur between the two computing entities, my guess is that the Mac owner will still spend the majority of their time in the elegance and sophistication of OS X, and will only venture over into the clunky and dangerous world of Windows when they are forced to. I wonder if they will update the software to work with Vista, if and when it is ever released to the public. LOL. Here is another interesting article on this subject you can find at this link. Now, go ahead - and switch to the best computing system available on the planet with the comfort of knowing that you can still get grimy, greasy, and dirt under your nails in WIndows if you just absolutely have to.
Vista Fall Out
22-Mar-06 09:29 PM
The articles and murmuring surrounding Microsoft's announcement of the continued delay of Windows Vista until 2007, are flying faster than pancakes and greasy strips of bacon off the griddle at the local IHOP. In what is surely a most embarrassing situation for Microsoft, speculation among tech writers and bloggers runs rampant as to the real reasons why the OS has been delayed yet again. More on that in a moment. For now, I would like to focus your attention on two very interesting articles that came out today discussing some key points.
Daniel Lyons with Forbes magazine notes the following: "The new version of Microsoft Windows, called Vista, has slipped again. It was originally going to ship in 2003. Then 2005. Then 2006. Now in early 2007. I'm not surprised, having seen a demo of Microsoft's new programs at an "event" for tech buyers in New York last week. The new programs are phenomenally complex, with scores of buttons and pull-down menus and myriad connections among various applications. A Microsoft VP zipped through a demo, moving information from Outlook to Powerpoint to Groove to some kind of social networking program that lets you see how your colleagues and your colleagues' colleagues rate various Web sites. Meanwhile, 500 tech buyers sat there in the dark, their eyes glazing over from the sheer mind-numbing pointlessness of most of this stuff. The audience laughed out loud when the Microsoft guy showed off a kludgey system that lets you fetch Outlook e-mail messages using voice commands from a cell phone." Read the full article here.
And, in an Associated Press article the following is pointed out: "Microsoft Corp.'s delay in releasing the consumer version of its new Windows operating system is a blow to companies that make and sell computers, but perhaps good news for others in the electronics industry....Apple Computer Inc., which is expected to offer new computers carrying its updated operating system in time for the holidays, has the potential to be one of the biggest winners if it can use the opportunity to persuade Windows users to switch allegiances, analysts say....Apple may have an unprecedented opportunity if, as some suspect, it introduces in time an entertainment-centric Mac that can do such tasks as recording live television.... An Apple spokesman declined to comment." Read the full article here.
Two thoughts in closing. Why is Microsoft delaying Vista release? Is it bugs, unresolvable security problems OR is it possible that they are secretly introducing WinFS into the operating system as a surprise? More than likely not and more than likely because of security issues and functionality problems, but what a story that would make if it were the latter. Vista, even before it is released, is a major disappointment because of the single fact that it is still based on the age old, archaic file system of it's ancestors. Vista needs WinFS to be a truly relevant and important OS innovation.
And finally, when Apple declines to make a comment on something, that usually means something is cooking in Cupertino. Mac rumors are already circulating that Apple will this fall release the next version of it's OS X operating system to coincide with Vista. I wonder if they'll now wait until early 2007? Who knows. My wish is that more people will take off their horse blinders and stop marching in the Windows world trench and look about them. The alternatives that are available TODAY are better than what they are waiting for in 2007. Spoken like a true Mac fanatic, I know.
Daniel Lyons with Forbes magazine notes the following: "The new version of Microsoft Windows, called Vista, has slipped again. It was originally going to ship in 2003. Then 2005. Then 2006. Now in early 2007. I'm not surprised, having seen a demo of Microsoft's new programs at an "event" for tech buyers in New York last week. The new programs are phenomenally complex, with scores of buttons and pull-down menus and myriad connections among various applications. A Microsoft VP zipped through a demo, moving information from Outlook to Powerpoint to Groove to some kind of social networking program that lets you see how your colleagues and your colleagues' colleagues rate various Web sites. Meanwhile, 500 tech buyers sat there in the dark, their eyes glazing over from the sheer mind-numbing pointlessness of most of this stuff. The audience laughed out loud when the Microsoft guy showed off a kludgey system that lets you fetch Outlook e-mail messages using voice commands from a cell phone." Read the full article here.
And, in an Associated Press article the following is pointed out: "Microsoft Corp.'s delay in releasing the consumer version of its new Windows operating system is a blow to companies that make and sell computers, but perhaps good news for others in the electronics industry....Apple Computer Inc., which is expected to offer new computers carrying its updated operating system in time for the holidays, has the potential to be one of the biggest winners if it can use the opportunity to persuade Windows users to switch allegiances, analysts say....Apple may have an unprecedented opportunity if, as some suspect, it introduces in time an entertainment-centric Mac that can do such tasks as recording live television.... An Apple spokesman declined to comment." Read the full article here.
Two thoughts in closing. Why is Microsoft delaying Vista release? Is it bugs, unresolvable security problems OR is it possible that they are secretly introducing WinFS into the operating system as a surprise? More than likely not and more than likely because of security issues and functionality problems, but what a story that would make if it were the latter. Vista, even before it is released, is a major disappointment because of the single fact that it is still based on the age old, archaic file system of it's ancestors. Vista needs WinFS to be a truly relevant and important OS innovation.
And finally, when Apple declines to make a comment on something, that usually means something is cooking in Cupertino. Mac rumors are already circulating that Apple will this fall release the next version of it's OS X operating system to coincide with Vista. I wonder if they'll now wait until early 2007? Who knows. My wish is that more people will take off their horse blinders and stop marching in the Windows world trench and look about them. The alternatives that are available TODAY are better than what they are waiting for in 2007. Spoken like a true Mac fanatic, I know.
Vista 8x
21-Feb-06 11:35 PM
Now of course, Microsoft has since pulled the plug on the website and they will not confirm that there really will be eight different flavors of Vista, but for arguments sake, let's just suppose that they do. What a nightmare. I thought it was bad enough when there were two different versions of Windows XP. There was the Home version and the Pro version. I don't know how much time I actually spent in the store reading the two boxes trying to figure out the difference between the two and ultimately deciding that there wasn't that much difference other than the price and so I went with the Home version because it was cheaper. Boy, was that a mistake. I later found out that Home was a stripped down version of Pro and was lacking many of the integral parts and pieces needed to run a solid and healthy home network system. Later on, after realizing I needed Pro instead of Home, I upgraded to Pro without reformatting my hard drive and then discovered that I still didn't get all of the added benefits of Pro. In order to make a Windows OS upgrade work properly you must wipe out all of your apps and data, reformat the hard drive and then install the OS clean. Performing a reinstall on top of Home, Pro will not install over some of the components embedded in the Home version and you are still left with an incomplete and unstable OS.
Now, Microsoft is touting the introduction of the ultimate Windows OS the latter half of 2006 with the release of Vista. And guess what!? It's going to be 8x more fun and exciting than just a single OS release because now you will have 8 different OS systems to marvel at and decide which one is just right for you. Unbelievable!! The mind reels as I can see people now juggling through eight different boxes in their local computer store trying to figure out which one they should buy; asking the same questions over and over to the harried salesmen at CompUSA until their heads are ready to explode; doing Google searches on the internet and going to Microsoft's website in search of a comparison matrix that will help decipher for them which flavor they should buy; lost hours of productivity and happiness when they then realize they bought the wrong one and that they should've bought Vista Ultimate version 5, and not Vista Simple version 3!! And, since Microsoft hasn't bothered to redesign and provide a different file system in Vista (WinFS), all of you lucky Windows users who need to change versions can once again look forward to reformatting your hard drives, wiping out your data, and starting all over on a fresh install. Joy.
My advice is to skip it and go with Mac OS X. But, if for some reason you can't do that and would rather endure the pain and suffering that is Windows, then I suggest you be sure and buy the top of the line, most expensive version they make. Otherwise you are going to find out after it's too late that some important element you need in the OS has been stripped out and you are out of luck because you decided to go with the cheaper version. Hey, Microsoft: how about developing a good OS that works with a redesigned file system that doesn't require reformatting the hard drive every 6 months and then sell only one version to your customer. You want to offer a version for home users and businesses then offer an individual OS version and a Server version like Apple does. Simple enough. But, eight? You guys are nuts.
It's All About Mac
11-Jan-06 08:39 PM
Christmas came about three weeks late for Mac fans and aficianodos this week as Steve Jobs unveiled some sweet new Apple products during his Keynote speech at the 2006 Macworld convention in San Francisco. The biggest news to break from the event was the revelation that Apple is about 6 months ahead of schedule and have released this week their first intel based iMac computers and new MacBook Pro laptop computers, both featuring the new Core Duo Intel processor. Rarely does a company under promise and over deliver on their products, but that's exactly what Jobs and company have done with regard to the major shift to the new Intel processors. In light of this new product release, there are some questions that need answers, namely:
1. How will Apple insure that hackers and other gear heads will not be able to devise a way to run Mac OS X on non Mac computers? Certainly this must be of prime importance to Apple since they are primarily a computer manufacturer.
2. Apples move away from the IBM and Motorala chip to the Intel brand is bittersweet initially. The new iMac and the new Mac Powerbook powered with the Intel chips are already advertised as being 3 to 4 times faster than their G5 and G4 predecessors. So much for the previous arguments by Apple that the Power PC was faster than Intel. The big question here is, how will the new Macs compare in speed with PC Windows machines now that the processor playing field has been somewhat leveled?
3. Will the new Mac computers be capable of installing Microsoft Windows as a secondary OS?
4. Will the move to the Intel chipset increase Apple's market share in PC sales? As of the end of 2005 Apple just surpassed the 4% market share benchmark.
All of these questions and more will probably be answered in the not too distant future. Being a former PC Windows man myself, I have always felt that the Intel chipset ran faster than the Power PC chips. It was rather obvious when running dual platform applications such as ArchiCAD which ran on both Windows and Mac OS X. So, there is no real surprise for me to see the touting of the speed increase with the Intel chip. The one area that I hope will become more obvious to others, especially those who are still firmly entrenched in the Windows world of operating systems, is that the Mac OS X operating system offers a much more stable, elegant, and dependable operating experience than Windows. Of course, this is a matter of personal opinion and not everyone agrees. But if it weren't true, then why is Microsoft modeling it's newest Vista OS to look and feel so much like OS X? It will be interesting to see how the comparisons between the Mac and the PC pan out in the coming months. Will Vista really offer anything new and groundbreaking, or will it merely be catching up to an OS that has already been on the market for almost a year now? And remember, the primary reason that there are more Windows PCs in the market place today than Macs is for the very same reason that there are more Chevy's on the road than Lexus - they are cheaper. That's not a slam; it's purely economics.
1. How will Apple insure that hackers and other gear heads will not be able to devise a way to run Mac OS X on non Mac computers? Certainly this must be of prime importance to Apple since they are primarily a computer manufacturer.
2. Apples move away from the IBM and Motorala chip to the Intel brand is bittersweet initially. The new iMac and the new Mac Powerbook powered with the Intel chips are already advertised as being 3 to 4 times faster than their G5 and G4 predecessors. So much for the previous arguments by Apple that the Power PC was faster than Intel. The big question here is, how will the new Macs compare in speed with PC Windows machines now that the processor playing field has been somewhat leveled?
3. Will the new Mac computers be capable of installing Microsoft Windows as a secondary OS?
4. Will the move to the Intel chipset increase Apple's market share in PC sales? As of the end of 2005 Apple just surpassed the 4% market share benchmark.
All of these questions and more will probably be answered in the not too distant future. Being a former PC Windows man myself, I have always felt that the Intel chipset ran faster than the Power PC chips. It was rather obvious when running dual platform applications such as ArchiCAD which ran on both Windows and Mac OS X. So, there is no real surprise for me to see the touting of the speed increase with the Intel chip. The one area that I hope will become more obvious to others, especially those who are still firmly entrenched in the Windows world of operating systems, is that the Mac OS X operating system offers a much more stable, elegant, and dependable operating experience than Windows. Of course, this is a matter of personal opinion and not everyone agrees. But if it weren't true, then why is Microsoft modeling it's newest Vista OS to look and feel so much like OS X? It will be interesting to see how the comparisons between the Mac and the PC pan out in the coming months. Will Vista really offer anything new and groundbreaking, or will it merely be catching up to an OS that has already been on the market for almost a year now? And remember, the primary reason that there are more Windows PCs in the market place today than Macs is for the very same reason that there are more Chevy's on the road than Lexus - they are cheaper. That's not a slam; it's purely economics.
Reading, Writing, and Surfing? You bet!
18-Aug-05 10:44 PM
It's a sure sign of the times when you read about a school forgoing student text books in lieu of laptop computers. I just read a very interesting story about such a high school in Vail, Arizona that has issued Apple iBooks to the entire student body instead of text books. Read the entire story here. I find this to be interesting to see such a progressive school district following such a technological friendly policy with it's curriculum. As pointed out in the article, there are many reasons why going digital for students simply offer abilities that aren't available with traditional paper textbooks. I should also note that this high school still maintains a traditional library so this is not an experiement to do away with all books and print media. Instead of viewing the computer as a simple tool for a student to use for traditional homework assignments, the school has gone several steps further and has also developed what appears to be a cohesive network of digital assignments and tools available to the student that not only opens the immense referential world of the internet for research, but also assists the school for checking on unscrupulous student activities such as plagarism and copying other student's work; or as we used to call it, "cheating".
I applaud this school for it's innovative approach to education and also for using a Mac instead of a Windows machine. (Hey, you could see that one coming couldn't ya?) I hope this will serve as a model for other school districts to follow for I believe that if America is to maintain it's edge in technology and science, it should be utilizing more innovative and progressive methods for education. Clearly, as the article points out, kids spending time on video games and PC games alone isn't enough. They need to learn the core skills of using production software like Word, Excel, and others; as well as learning how to properly do a Google search on the internet for reference materials. We seem to be in a period now where some school districts are moving in the wrong direction on education, especially as it relates to science education. This of course is the subject of another post and one that I will be writing about in the very near future.
I applaud this school for it's innovative approach to education and also for using a Mac instead of a Windows machine. (Hey, you could see that one coming couldn't ya?) I hope this will serve as a model for other school districts to follow for I believe that if America is to maintain it's edge in technology and science, it should be utilizing more innovative and progressive methods for education. Clearly, as the article points out, kids spending time on video games and PC games alone isn't enough. They need to learn the core skills of using production software like Word, Excel, and others; as well as learning how to properly do a Google search on the internet for reference materials. We seem to be in a period now where some school districts are moving in the wrong direction on education, especially as it relates to science education. This of course is the subject of another post and one that I will be writing about in the very near future.
Vista Defined
09-Aug-05 12:56 AM
Over the past couple of weeks I've read two different articles talking about the next release of Microsoft's Windows operating system named Vista. The more I read about it the less and less impressed I become. It's almost as if Microsoft is leaking out bits of information in small increments through various sources here and there, but the message, when viewed as a whole, is "don't expect much". MSNBC, which is owned in part by Microsoft, has released the most current article if you wish to read it yourself.
Not only has the OS seen significant delays and setbacks from it's original release dates, but now I've just read that the one main feature that Microsoft first dubbed for the new OS has indeed been scrapped out of the final version; a new file system. At one point, I had read that Microsoft had also scrapped the new search technology similar to the Spotlight technology found in Apple OS X Tiger; but now it is apparantley back in the mix. If these types of articles continue, we will ultimately conclude that we will have no clue what features are in the package until it is finally released in Q4 2006.
Security enhancements and some graphical improvements seem to be the major features now being touted. What is amazing is that all articles I've read thus far come right out and say that there are major similarities between Vista and OS X Tiger. In fact, when you read the item by item feature set, Vista doesn't really have anything that doesn't already exist in Tiger. The one exception being some of the security enhancements that will run off a specialized chip in your computer. Tiger doesn't have this feature and hopefully, never will. It is interesting because in the past Microsoft has made great efforts to say that it is not copying Apple products (all though it is pretty well known that they have done so repeatedly). Now they seem to be just owning up to the fact that Vista is just their version of Tiger for a PC.
While the name Vista is certainly a throw back to the idea of what is afforded from a "window", the actual definition of "vista" goes on to say: "a pleasing view, especially one seen through a long, narrow opening." I wonder if Microsoft, in picking the name Vista, is somehow acknowledging that this product, while pleasing to look at graphically, still has some restrictions on it that limits it to a more narrow field of view than what they had originally planned? We probably won't know until it is finally released. I'll have to find out from my brother because as of this writing, I have no intentions of purchasing it. I'm as happy as can be with my Mac and my Tiger OS. It's been out since April 2005 and It is the real deal and apparantley the one that Microsoft is trying to copy. One thing we all know for sure, the original is always better than the copy.
Not only has the OS seen significant delays and setbacks from it's original release dates, but now I've just read that the one main feature that Microsoft first dubbed for the new OS has indeed been scrapped out of the final version; a new file system. At one point, I had read that Microsoft had also scrapped the new search technology similar to the Spotlight technology found in Apple OS X Tiger; but now it is apparantley back in the mix. If these types of articles continue, we will ultimately conclude that we will have no clue what features are in the package until it is finally released in Q4 2006.
Security enhancements and some graphical improvements seem to be the major features now being touted. What is amazing is that all articles I've read thus far come right out and say that there are major similarities between Vista and OS X Tiger. In fact, when you read the item by item feature set, Vista doesn't really have anything that doesn't already exist in Tiger. The one exception being some of the security enhancements that will run off a specialized chip in your computer. Tiger doesn't have this feature and hopefully, never will. It is interesting because in the past Microsoft has made great efforts to say that it is not copying Apple products (all though it is pretty well known that they have done so repeatedly). Now they seem to be just owning up to the fact that Vista is just their version of Tiger for a PC.
While the name Vista is certainly a throw back to the idea of what is afforded from a "window", the actual definition of "vista" goes on to say: "a pleasing view, especially one seen through a long, narrow opening." I wonder if Microsoft, in picking the name Vista, is somehow acknowledging that this product, while pleasing to look at graphically, still has some restrictions on it that limits it to a more narrow field of view than what they had originally planned? We probably won't know until it is finally released. I'll have to find out from my brother because as of this writing, I have no intentions of purchasing it. I'm as happy as can be with my Mac and my Tiger OS. It's been out since April 2005 and It is the real deal and apparantley the one that Microsoft is trying to copy. One thing we all know for sure, the original is always better than the copy.
Here it comes to save the day...
02-Aug-05 11:58 PM
Apple introduces today a product that was long overdue: the multi button mouse for Macs. Dubbed "Mighty Mouse" for new innovative technology Apple is famous for, the overall design of the new mouse maintains the same overall look and feel of the original one button mouse Apple has produced originally.
However, there are some amazing new differences with this new device. Essentially, you get the equivalent of a four button mouse with the same design of a single button device with a top shell design. This new baby utilizes touch sensitive technology that allows you to scroll up or down, left or right without lifting a finger. It also features two side buttons that are force sensitive so that when squeezed allow you to bring up expose or dashboard. The buttons are completely programmable in OS X Tiger, so the choice is up to you. And, while you can use this mouse on a PC running Windows, you won't be able to use the advance programming features available on Macs running Tiger.
Apple has been designing their OS X operating system for quite some time now to utilize the functionality of a multi button pointing device, so it is good to see that they now offer such a device without having to purchase a third party product to utilize those features. I wonder if they'll make a wireless version as well; my guess is that they will. I'll be looking forward to trying one of these out soon and I'll let you know if the mouse is really mighty or just mini.
However, there are some amazing new differences with this new device. Essentially, you get the equivalent of a four button mouse with the same design of a single button device with a top shell design. This new baby utilizes touch sensitive technology that allows you to scroll up or down, left or right without lifting a finger. It also features two side buttons that are force sensitive so that when squeezed allow you to bring up expose or dashboard. The buttons are completely programmable in OS X Tiger, so the choice is up to you. And, while you can use this mouse on a PC running Windows, you won't be able to use the advance programming features available on Macs running Tiger.
Apple has been designing their OS X operating system for quite some time now to utilize the functionality of a multi button pointing device, so it is good to see that they now offer such a device without having to purchase a third party product to utilize those features. I wonder if they'll make a wireless version as well; my guess is that they will. I'll be looking forward to trying one of these out soon and I'll let you know if the mouse is really mighty or just mini.
Microsoft Erases Apple (they think)
27-Jul-05 10:48 PM
I read the following article on MSNBC, Did Microsoft wipe Apple off the map?, with much amusement. Click on the link to read the article. In short, Microsoft's new satellite mapping technology known as the "Virtual Earth website" has some old out of date satellite images in it's database that are not reliable or current. Folks have discovered that when using Microsoft's website, the location for Apple Computers sprawling campus in Cupertino, CA, shows instead a grainy picture of an empty parking lot with a single warehouse. As pointed out in the article on MSNBC, the irony and humor of such a blunder on Microsoft's part is a bit of a Freudian-slip on many levels. To me, the funniest part of it is how Microsoft continues to prove to the world time and time again that they do not produce good, solid products. In this case, I doubt very seriously that Microsoft purposely tried to use an older satellite map specific for Apple's location; it was probably just a fluke. And let's face it; Microsoft has many flukes in many of it's products. It's a bit of a specialty for them I think. The fact remains, that current up-to-date satellite imagery is available for the area and is featured on Google's satellite mapping website accurately. Microsoft claims that they just need to buy new photos, but you would think they would've done that before launching the service. Granted, satellite imagery changes on a daily basis and it is never truly current. Still, I suspect Microsoft instead of fixing the problem themselves, will instead probably just acquire Google and use their software and then the problem is solved. But I digress. The good news is that Apple is alive and well and is clearly on the map in everyone's world (except Microsoft's I guess). In a somewhat related article, I also read that Microsoft has today released on a very limited basis, the first beta copy of the new Windows operating system now revealed as Vista. The scaled back version is being sent to developers and programmers for testing and comments. It will be interesting to see what Microsoft finally produces in their new operating system for the 97% of the world who still blindly uses whatever Redmond gives them. I'm proud to now be in the select 3% (and growing) area of the market that has evolved to a better, more innovative and reliable system: Mac OS X. Sorry Microsoft, you'll have to do better than using old outdated information in your products to make Apple go away. In fact, Apple is gaining on you because of that very issue. What do you think?