Ubuntu a la Mac
Despite the fact that I work with the world’s best operating system (Mac OS X), I can’t help but want to try other operating systems when I have the chance. I’ve played with many a Linux distro in the past, I’ve loaded the unexciting Windows Vista on a couple of Macs, and I enjoy seeing the slow but steady evolution in handheld operating systems such as Windows Mobile.
Ubuntu (some African word for “I am what I am because of who we all are”) is a Linux distro with a difference. The open source group that is working on this distribution wants to make it easy, beautiful, and useful. As such, they have made the installation files fit on a single CD and there are almost 16,000 pieces of software available at no cost. (More after the break…)
Technorati Tags: Linux, Ubuntu
Desperation
You know Microsoft has to be desperate about their MSN Direct Smart Watch technology when they start giving away a $299 watch if you sign up for their service.
Long-time readers of the various predecessors to Movable Beast will remember my articles about the technology. I had one of the first MSN Direct Smart Watches, one made by Abacus (part of Fossil) that just didn’t work worth a damn. In late 2004, I actually spent some time as a Microsoft sales rep pushing this technology at a CompUSA during the holidays. Most potential customers thought it absurd to spend a lot of money on a monthly subscription to get information sent to their watch when they could use a mobile phone to get most of the same information!
Well, you have to hand it to Microsoft for trying. They sent me junk mail the other day saying that they would send me a FREE Suunto n3i MSN Direct Smart Watch ($299 value) if I would sign up for a year of their “Smart Plan Plus”. This tells me two things - they are extremely desperate to get people to sign up for the service, and Suunto has given up on the market and must have sold their stock of watches to Microsoft at pennies on the dollar.
“Melitta ME1MSB Smart Mill & Brew 10-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker” (Melitta)
It is interesting to see that Microsoft is finally starting to listen to feedback and is embedding the technology in appliances like the Melitta Smart Mill & Brew coffeemaker seen above. That makes a lot more sense than selling more expensive watches!
Technorati Tags: MSN Direct
Christmas Gift Idea #7
If there is one Windows machine that can actually give me Windows envy, it’s the Sony VAIO VGN-UX180P UMPC. This is a full-fledged tablet PC that is smaller than some top of the line Windows Mobile Pocket PCs! With a 30GB HD and a half a gig of RAM, this is no toy - it’s a powerful business tool that weighs about a pound and can fit in your hand. Hmmm…I wonder if I can load Ubuntu onto one of these?
Technorati Tags: Laptop, Travel, Vista, WiFi
Christmas Gift Idea #6
I’m so old I remember when my first hard disk drive, a 20 MB serial model that fit under my 512KE “Fat Mac”, was more than I ever thought I’d need!
Well, things have changed. Start throwing a few thousand high-resolutions digital pictures, a bunch of video, and weeks of music onto a computer, and pretty soon you’ve run out of space. What’s the answer? (more after the break)
Technorati Tags: hard disk drive
With 3G Speeds, Who Needs WiFi?
We’ve had an interesting discussion amongst the Mobius folks this morning. Chris Leckness of Mobility Site recently did some speed tests of a Cingular BlackJack while visiting his parents in Birmingham, AL and was able to get 3G data speeds of close to 1 MBPS. Chris took some video that you can watch here:
This brings up the question - when speeds like this become commonplace, why even think about building WiFi into mobile devices? Most of the time you’re going to be out of range of a WiFi hotspot, and 1 MBPS is better than what most ADSL users get! Let’s hear your comments - do you think WiFi is still important?
Technorati Tags: GSM, smartphone, WiFi
Christmas Gift Idea #5
I’ve had GPS receivers for years. I’ve used them as bike computers, telling me how far I’ve traveled and where I am. I’ve used them to pinpoint my location when setting up a telescope. And now I use them for my hobby of geocaching.
One thing that I’d love to have is the ability to easily navigate between two points when I’m in a strange city - something that happens a LOT to me these days! Yeah, there are a lot of navigation systems that are available with the purchase of a new car, but what about those of us who are still in love with our old vehicle?
Christmas Gift Idea #4
Want a state-of-the-art laptop that runs both Mac OS X 10.4.8 and Windows (including Mac OS X 10.3 Vista), but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg?
Once again, Apple has defied critics who’ve said their products are too expensive by coming out with a well-designed, high-end, and low-cost notebook that costs just $1,099 - the MacBook. Sure, you’ll probably want to get the upgrades that make it a true powerhouse (total of $1,299), but that’s still just a mere pittance for a really great laptop with a bright screen and every feature you or your favorite teen would want.
Technorati Tags: Apple, Laptop, Vista
One of the best anti-Zune reviews ever!
Andy Ihnatko is an amazing writer - most of you probably read or remember his writing for MacWorld magazine or his many books.
Well, Andy had the misfortune as a reviewer/writer for the Chicago Sun-Times to try a Zune. His review is here:
http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/147048,CST-FIN-Andy23.article
I won’t say any more. He’s said it all.
Technorati Tags: Zune
Christmas Gift Idea #3
Would you or someone you love want the power of a digital SLR camera without the price or complexity? If so, the Canon PowerShot Pro S3 IS is just the gift! I’ve personally owned one of these cameras since June and I love it. It takes great 6MP pictures, it’s lightweight, it has loads of features, and you can even add a teleextender to it to increase the lens focal length.
“Canon PowerShot Pro Series S3 IS 6MP with 12x Image Stabilized Zoom” (Canon)
What’s really impressive is that this camera, which features image stabilization, a huge display, an autofocus lens, aperture and shutter priority modes, and a bunch of pre-programmed special modes, sells for about $400! Drop in a 4GB SD card and you have a camera that not only takes great pictures, but can act as a high-end digital camcorder as well.
Technorati Tags: Digital Cameras
The Daily Rant - November 25 Edition
<rant on>
And the award for most inane advertising slogan of the year for 2006 goes to Microsoft for “Welcome to the Social“.
WTF?
With a slogan like that, Microsoft probably just lost the market for Zunes for anyone over the age of about 22, with the exception of extreme stoners and people with mild to severe brain damage. The slogan means NOTHING. Hopefully they didn’t pay someone to think up this slogan…
<rant off>
Technorati Tags: Zune
Christmas Gift Idea #2
Whoever said “Good things come in small packages” was probably talking about this year’s hot iPod - the second-generation iPod shuffle. What’s not to like about a device that is tiny, has a clip on the back so you can attach it to clothing or accessories, has a full GB of space, and costs only $79. Hell, even my wife is excited about the new shuffle, and she doesn’t get interested in any gadgets! Click the image below (a side view of shuffle, much larger than actual size) to get more information or purchase one!
Technorati Tags: iPod
Christmas Gift Idea #1
As in year’s past, I’m going to try to post one Christmas Gift idea a day on Movable Beast so you can think of gifts to buy your loved ones or friends - or ASK for these gifts!
The gift idea of the day is the Sling Media Slingbox Pro! The top of the line, second-generation Slingbox now has many more input types and still does a phenomenal job of moving your favorite TV shows from your cable input to any PC or supported wireless device. Yep, think about being overseas on vacation or work, yet still being able to follow your favorite football team. Commuting to work but want to watch the news? Stream it to your smartphone.
That picture at the top of the page was taken at Mobius Boston 2006, where Sling Media provided the group with info about this wonderful product the day before it was released. You can get more information or buy one by clicking the link below.
Sling Media Slingbox PRO ( SB200-100 )
Technorati Tags: palm, Slingbox, smartphone, Travel, Windows Mobile
The Great Sell-Off
It’s rough being a techno-geek. Every once in a while, I need to just go through the piles of hardware and sell off some goodies so I can get more. The mounds of electronics are getting a bit deep right now so I’m thinking of haunting eBay with my presence to get rid of some stuff.
Technorati Tags: BlackBerry, GSM, headset, iPod, RIM, smartphone, Windows Mobile
Press Release: It’s Thanksgiving at Astraware!
THE MIDLANDS, UK - November 22nd, 2006 - It’s Thanksgiving and Astraware would like you invite you to join our table and gobble up some great games this Holiday Season! Whether you’re travelling to see family, having a get-together at home, or simply recovering from turkey overload, we have some special offers on games that the whole family can enjoy!
We’re offering 3 simple, fun games for under $10 each from Wednesday 22nd to Monday 27th November 2006. To take advantage of these special prices, just join Club Astraware (or login if you’re already a member). It’s free to join, only takes a couple of minutes, and you’ll get 2500 points, worth $2.50, just for joining.
Just visit the Astraware website at http://www.astraware.com from 22nd November to see what’s on offer.
Technorati Tags: palm, smartphone, Windows Mobile, Games
Free WiFi
Last week I spent 4 days in Sacramento, California teaching a requirements class. As you probably recall from an earlier posting, I had some irritating problems with WiFi at the hotel for a couple of days. One thing I did find as I was leaving California’s Capitol City on Friday night is that they have free WiFi available in the airport concourses and terminal!
Sacramento joins another west coast city, Portland, Oregon, as a city that “gets it” by being friendly to business travelers who need widespread and free access to the Internet.
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Joy of Tech!
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MacLevelTen
