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February 2, 2007

New Web Site!

I'm building a new web site with an altogether different format. I'm using Movable Type software to create a "blog" (a somewhat interactive journal) that will allow readers to post comments about my posts, and to "search" the entire site by month, by category, or by entering one or more words contained in a previous post .

For example, if you're interested in Photography, you can click on "archives," then "photography" and you'll immediately be directed to all the articles I've posted relating to that subject. Or, if you're interested in finding an article posted some time back but can't recall the date or title, simply enter a word or words you think were contained in the text and you'll be directed to a list of posts containing those word(s).

And you'll be able to "subscribe" to the site and/or its readers' comments. Simply download a "news reader" or "news aggregator" (if your browser doesn't already include one), click on the "subscribe" icon on the new site, and you'll be able to open a list of links to any new posts you haven't already read.

Eventually, I hope to integrate the best features of both sites. It may take me some time - I have to learn how to use the new site first - but that's my goal. So jump on over to the new site and have a look around. There's a "contact" link there, so if you have comments, suggestions or need help navigating your way around the new site, just let me know.

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February 2, 2007

Groundhog Day

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - Punxsutawney Phil has spoken, and the news is good. The world's most famous furry forecaster did not see his shadow this morning on Gobbler's Knob, suggesting an early spring. Hooray!

Before you ask, Phil has now seen his shadow 96 times, hasn't seen it 15 times and there are no records for nine years according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. The last time Phil failed to see his shadow was in 1999.

So, what in the heck is Groundhog Day, anyway? Find out here. How's your woodchuck wisdom? Take this quiz and find out. Want to become an official member of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club? Obtain an application, along with a bunch of information, at the Official Site of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Had enough? Me too.

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January 31, 2007

Consumers yawn with release of Vista OS

At long last, Vista is here. But Tuesday's San Francisco launch of Microsoft's new computer operating system, which it hopes will revolutionize the technology world, didn't pack much punch according to Ryan Blitstein in an article today in the Mercury News. The Redmond, Wash., company spent $6 billion developing Windows Vista, plus billions more on Microsoft Office 2007, which officially launched Tuesday. Microsoft's Exchange Server 2007, the software for e-mail and calendars, was released last month. ...

Says Ryan, "So far consumers don't seem that excited about Vista, especially compared with the much-hailed release of Windows 95, when thousands of buyers lined up at stores for a midnight release. ..."

Vista arrives with limited fanfare

"Twelve years ago, Microsoft introduced a new operating system, Windows 95, in a frenzied global marketing blitz that was unlike anything the industry had ever seen," say Jeremy Peters and Thomas Crampton in an article today in the International Herald Tribune's Tech section. "But Tuesday, shortly after midnight, when Microsoft put its latest Windows successor, Vista, on sale, there was considerably less hoopla."

"The lights on the Empire State Building were not changed to hues of Microsoft red, yellow and green. The lines at stores were much shorter. In many ways, the change reflects how much Microsoft's influence in the computer technology marketplace has faded as the fortunes of rivals like Google and Apple have grown. ... "

Bill Gates' Vista Media Blitz

If you've been following Bill Gates' media tour this week (I have, with mild interest) you may have watched him on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night and nearly every other outlet in the last 24 hours. Most bizarre for me has been watching him highlight features of Vista and pretend that Microsoft "innovated" them.

Still on the Vista media blitz, Gates appeared on CNN only to be asked the question of questions: "Were you going after a specific look there, the Mac look?" The following YouTube clip from CNN is entertaining as the host pushes Gates toward admitting his continued inspiration in Cupertino...

As Cult of Mac puts it, "Bill Gates occupies [an] alternative universe where Vista is innovative." Amusing.

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January 30, 2007

Photo Imagery by Noah Kirchner

Noah is Michael and Sisko's son and a budding photographer. Having recently acquired a Nikon D80 shooter and taken up the hobby, he's already showing a natural eye for it. I've selected a few of his images and posted them for your consideration. I'll post more as he makes them available. I think you'll agree he has the makings of a fine photographer. Click here or on the image below to view them all. (11 images)

                                                                                                                                                                                 ©Noah Kirchner. All rights reserved.

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January 29, 2007

Hasta la Vista, Baby

Good Morning Silicone Valley reports that when Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates appears tonight on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart, it won't be to celebrate "Microsoft Spend Your Entire Day Installing Printer Drivers Day," but to plug Windows Vista an hour before its official midnight launch. Seems Microsoft has found wisdom in the words of former "Nightline" anchor Ted Koppel, who once whined, "A lot of television viewers -- more, quite frankly, than I'm comfortable with -- get their news from the Comedy Channel on a program called 'The Daily Show.'"

Quite the PR stunt, no? It will be interesting to see how it plays out. Certainly there's ample room for hijinks; Stewart's had his way with Microsoft before, and John Hodgman (Apple's "I'm a PC" guy) is a correspondent on the show...

In other Windows Vista launch news, The Associated Press reports that NBA star LeBron James is slated to make cameo ads for the product.