John C. Dvorak, columnist for PC World Magazine offered up a remarkable column today as he sized up the announcement from Microsoft about name the new version of Win OS, Windows Vista, set for release next year. It seems the new fad among IT pundits these days is to trash the new Win OS and pump up the rock solid Mac OS X Tiger. I never thought I would see the day.

Check out these excerpts from his column today:

"As readers know, Microsoft has announced the name of its new operating system, which was followed by a collective yawn from the computing community. Vista? As in 'Hasta la Vista, baby?' That name might be appropriate as a symbolic goodbye since it might be the end of the line for Microsoft's dominance in the OS business. I'm not saying that Microsoft is doomed as a company, but its reign as the OS dominator may end fast if things go the way I see them headed. The new OS is getting zero buzz. Zero. There has been nothing like this since Windows Me. And now the name Vista, along with the new Microsoft Vista logo, has made it worse. Could anything be less exciting?"

"Vista will open the door to what I believe will be a radical change in the computing landscape. The trends are clear. Once the new Mac OS appears next year it will gravitate toward the existing x86 community much more rapidly than anticipated unless Apple does some incredibly dumb things to stop it. Personally I cannot see what they can do or why they'd want to stop it. Right now, and as much as x86 users do not want to admit it, the Mac OS is already better than Windows in its modern look and feel as well as its functionality. I see too many smart people with Mac laptops nowadays... [But] is this what we want? How much more of Steve Jobs can we handle? Do we really want to hear him say 'I told you so?' If it gets some excitement back into desktop computing, yes, we do. I think we can take it."

Read the full story here.

To all those in my extended family still afraid to switch, if this column doesn't change your mind, I give up. Hug your PC and all its viral infections, spyware and bloated, clunky OS. Try not to be offended as I dance my little jig of snobbish vindication. After all, I've been preaching this gospel for 15 years.

This biggest disappointment with Cornerstone 2005 began before the festival when I learned Mae was not on the roster. Without a doubt, The Everglow is one of the best rock albums of 2005. Better yet, it is a full blown concept album complete with a CD storybook, prologue and epilogue. Too cool.


Check out the video for their single, Suspension. Even better, pick up The Everglow from iTunes and set your iPod free.

Part of this blog is a chance for me to play the futurist, however ludicrous that may be to the outside world. So if you've read the previous post about Robert Cringely's take on the Apple Intel news, then this may make a bit more sense, which is why I chose the Quicktime banner below for this entry's graphic.



There has been much made of the recent Wall Street Journal speculation that Apple has an impending announcement about some kind of video iPod up its sleeve. This may or may not be the case. Either way, while the Apple device may be an important piece of this puzzle, WSJ seems to be missing some of the more interesting implications of connecting this speculation with the Intel deal.

To start with, any sort of a video iPod really makes no sense as a potential sea change in the movie industry if you only think about the distribution of existing video. We already have pay-per-view, DVDs for rent or sale, Netflix, and other options. The idea that people would purchase downloads of films already in the video market makes little sense. I don't see a portable video device enticing that many folks.

So what's the big deal? The convergence of HD home theater and a distribution method for first run feature films. What's that you say? You heard me, first run movies in your living room at the same time they are released to the cineplex. Now that I have reflected on that idea for a few days, it's the only thing that makes sense. It's the only thing I'd be willing to pay $9.99 for.

What does this mean? Well, there's good and bad. This would be a very disruptive technological shift for the entertainment business. Run of the mill theaters would fall on hard times. Only movie houses that make big screen movie going into a social event would survive and thrive. As painful as this would be for some business owners, overall I think it would be a good thing. There are already too many less than tolerable theaters in my town. Quality experiences would win out, whether that's in the home or in the local theater.

Intel and Apple would build the gateway technology, DRM and online distribution infrastructure. For Apple, this makes the iTunes Music Store more of a model for this than the iPod. Of course, I can see the incremental steps in this process: selling music videos (which in itself could revitalize an art form that MTV has all but bled dry), TV programs, etc. And a new portable device from Apple is probably in the mix (in the form of a portable DVR like Tivo), but not necessarily playing the same role in this equation that the iPod has played in digital music.

So there's my futurist rant for the moment. Note these recent news reference points for more background.
An Intel venture in digital distribution of first run movies
Apple announces a new research center at Carnegie Mellon to collaborate with Intel

Very interesting indeed.

Okay, I had to share this. I was explaining to Dawni this morning that Lazy Town, a TV show on Nick Jr. and one of my favorite kid's shows, had a theme song similar to the Venga Bus song by the Venga Boys. So I hit the 'net to find her a sample of the song. Not knowing that it is titled, "We Like to Party" and is in the iTunes Music Store, I Googled Venga Bus and stumbled onto this web site. It is a simple home-made .Mac site, but this family music video is quite possibly the best iMovie creation I have ever seen:

The Venga Bus Is Coming


At over 1,000 hits it sure has found itself a wider audience, which is why Google found it so readily. Keep in mind that it is compressed for web. Even so, you can see the hours of editing that had to go into this. I gotta get my camcorder out more. The bar has been raised. Enjoy.

Buy this record.

Seriously, step away from the computer, grab your coat and top hat, and go purchase it right now.

Why are you still here reading this? This recording is essential for anyone who has ever been in love, and gone through hard days of marital discontent (who hasn't). Read a little about how this recording was born from the liner notes on the OTR website.

---
Born
(Bergquist/Detweiler)

I was born to laugh
I learned to laugh through my tears
I was born to love
I'm gonna learn to love without fear

Pour me a glass of wine
Talk deep into the night
Who knows what we'll find

Intuition, deja vu
The Holy Ghost haunting you
Whatever you got
I don't mind

Put your elbows on the table
I'll listen long as I am able
There's nowhere I'd rather be

Secret fears, the supernatural
Thank God for this new laughter
Thank God the joke's on me

We've seen the landfill rainbow
We've seen the junkyard of love
Baby it's no place for you and me

I was born to laugh
I learned to laugh through my tears
I was born to love
I'm gonna learn to love without fear
---

This album is the definitive statement of a real marriage. And quite unexpectedly, many of these songs speak volumes when seen from the perspective of a fragile and fallible love relationship with God.

So get up off of your backside and go buy this record. This fine couple deserves your patronage.


Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler of Over The Rhine

After more than a year of starting and stopping my recording project, we finally finished song 1, "Sing Your Love." With the able and excellent talents of R. Matt Patrick, we put the finishing vocals down last night and mixed it into shape.

Dawnshelle kicks on the BGVs, if I do say so myself (I'm so proud), and it's good to hear my old Magnetic North band mates in action again via the recording. Maybe I can entice them to play live again.

Download the MP3 and listen for yourself: My iDisk
Email me for the secure password: Todd Wold

Woven Hand at Cornerstone 2005

Enjoy a new batch of pictures and watch for more in the coming days. Posted now are pictures from the live performances. Some are blurry, but you get the idea.

One of the highlights was Woven Hand on the Gallery Stage at midnight. Also notable were Lovedrug, The Lonely Hearts, OTR, John Davis, MuteMath, the Voilet Burning and The Choir. Much anticipated, but disappointing were Anberlin and Copeland. They'll still remain in my major rotation for the time being. Good music--just poor live performances in my book.

Visit the new photo page
Email me for the secure password: Todd Wold

Well, it's been about a month since Steve Jobs announced the switch at the WWDC. For those not deep inside the cult of Mac, this may seem really trivial. But for those of us for whom Apple is the corporate embodiment of a minor deity, this is a major shift.

This has opened a flood of new rumor generation concerning what Apple has in store for the future (besides much faster Macs). Wait and see. It's gonna be fascinating ride. For some of the more interesting guesses, check out this column from Robert Cingely. He may be nuts, but what if he's not? Mind-blowing implications.

I, Cringley: "Going for broke" June 9, 2005
And check these latest editions out (and get the I, Cringley RSS feed while your at it):
I, Cringley: "More Shoes" July 14, 2005
I, Cringley: "When Elephants Dance" July 21, 2005

iTunes 4.9 just launched with new podcasting support. I've been in the midst of pushing this professionally for about two months--see if my company (to remain nameless) can make use of this rapidly expanding medium. I've already signed up for a few, and will be making a note of them in this blog for those that would like to see what kind of junk I fill my iPod with (beside a ton of music). To do this for yourself, upgrade to iTunes 4.9 ASAP. Apple has really done a nice job with this right off the bat--and the future is wide open.

Download iTunes 4.9
And check out these podcasts right away:
Cedar Ridge Community Church/Brian McLaren
Woodland Hills (not yet podcast via XML, but you can download sermons dating back to 1993)

All you in serious teaching, preaching, talking ministry, get on board. This is the future! I hope to be catching those Doug Glynn podcasts real soon.

I need a shot of Lovedrug, one of five performances of note at this year's Cornerstone Festival. Another great Militia group band (like their cohorts, Copeland).


Lovedrug (neckties and sport coats are back, people)
Their own site: Lovedrug

We are in the midst of re-evaluating our home church decision, made last year in the wake of our adventure in church planting. And this is a hard thing. While others in our circle are having some specific issues with the church, we have been dealing more with a general sense that (insert church name here) may not be the place for us. The whole modernist, mega-church model is being embraced rather than seeking an authentic, home-grown fellowship (not that this has anything to do with church size). Would this church be a safe place for an agnostic or liberal to engage someone in conversations about Jesus? Would I feel good about inviting someone from my office (unchurched) to come visit? Increasingly the answer to those questions is no. It's difficult to explain just why that is. D and T are still in process on this--we're not going to make a snap judgment. And then, where would we go or what would we do if we moved on? Another tough question.

In any case, here is an article that is worth a read--especially the quote it includes toward the end. It is now a part of our conversation on this important issue of community and kingdom life.

Should I Stay or Should I Go, from Relevant magazine.

I'm home with E boy today, trying to figure this kid out. Dawnshelle is on her way to Adventureland in IA to meet up with Grandma and E girl. They will be back tomorrow. E boy is pretty active, and was up at 6:30 today before D left. My slumber was cut woefully short. Pray for me.

As for this Blog, it is my first entry. I am beta testing Rapidweaver. I like it so far, so we will see. For now this Blog is a beta. I'm so 2004, but since everyone else seems to have one, why not me? I think it will be good for me as a writing tool--not too concerned about who reads it, if anyone.

Immediately I owe this Blog a couple of updates: The Cornerstone post fest report: 5 sessions with Brian McLaren and the breakout bands/shows of the festival. So more to come. For a primer, check these links:
Cornerstone
Brian McLaren