Monthly Archive for August, 2006

To Buy Or Not To Buy

Published on 8/30/2006. 1 Comment

So, as usual, the rumor mill has it that there will be a new iPod out for the Holiday season. Being that I’m needing to purchase a new iPod (really, my old one is on the fritz) I’m trying to decide what to do. I’m very much wanting to go with a black 5G 60GB unit, but don’t want to be outdated too soon. Of course, the interesting thing about that is that I’ve never had the need to do anything with my iPod other than listen to music so why should I worry about a “true” video iPod?

Of course, TubeSock and PodTube allow you to snatch any YouTube content and slap it onto a 5G iPod, but really, is that anything other than a triviality? I mean, usually when I watch video clips, I’m not doing it for my own amusement, I’m usually showing someone else. If figure that might be a bit hard to do with an iPod.

So, the question is, should I buy now and be happy with my purchase or put up with an iPod that won’t hold a charge (even after two battery replacements) in hopes that the new version is as neat-o as everyone thinks it will be? Any advice?

On a side note, I have at least settled on the accessories I’ll need for a 5G iPod, should I decide to purchase one. I will be upgrading to a new set of cans instead earbuds and I’m thinking that the Sennheiser HD280 model will fit the bill. Additionally, a Contour Case Showcase Video will be the chosen unit for protection.

Links:
Sennheiser HD280 Pro Headphones
Contour Cases Showcase Video

Nokia E61

Published on 8/29/2006. 2 Comments

I recently purchased a Nokia E61 to replace my all-too-trendy Palm Treo 650. Anyone who knows me half-well, knows that I have a penchant for doing things differently than others. I simply started seeing too many Treos around and additionally, I just didn’t need the added functionality of a full-blown PDA. What I needed was a phone with advanced calendaring and contact management functions, not a PDA with a phone built in.

I did quite a bit of research and finally decided on the Nokia E61. The phone is a European-market, Quad-band GSM mobile (read: it will work just about anywhere in the populated world) with full Bluetooth implementation and, get this, Wi-Fi. There is no touch screen, navigation is handled with a five-way joystick. It’s a true smartphone based on Symbian’s Series 60 platform. It didn’t take me long to get a few basic apps loaded up (MobiReader for my scriptures was of particular importance). I must say though, that the learning curve has been quite steep. I’m just now really having the time to sit down and use the phone and figure out exactly how to do things.

What did I base my purchasing decision around? A few things. First, Nokia is famous for great reception. The Treo’s reception always seemed sub-standard to me. Second, I liked the keyboard better. The keys are larger and therefore more tactile. They are missing the pronounced “click” that the Treo’s keys had, but I adjusted instantly. I don’t do any mobile e-mail (even though the unit does have a Blackberry Connect client), but I do text a lot. Third, I really didn’t want a touch screen any longer, too much hassle. Mostly though, I liked the phone because most Symbian devices are all supported via iSync natively (contrary to other popular reports). I did need to get a plugin to make this work properly, but it is simply a hack of the N-Series iSync configuration. Native iSync support is expected soon.

I’ve been using the phone for about six weeks now and I really LOVE it. For the most part, it’s a great phone, but I have a few minor complaints: First, contact categories are lost in the syncing process. Second, Symbian apparently has a bug with time-zone usage. This means that sometimes, birthdays span two days. Third, when answering a call with the headset and the keys locked, the keys unlock during the call. This caused quite a few problems for me over the summer as I was carrying the phone in a case in my pocket. That’s about it though.

What I love about the phone is much more. It’s aluminum, it LOOKS great and I get a lot of compliments on it (“No, it’s not a Q!”). It’s slim and disappears into my pocket when I want it to. It also is conveniently lacking an external antenna. Nokia’s ring profiling has always been top-notch. Integrated office applications (MS Compatible for those who are wondering) and oh, did I mention Wi-Fi? It’s tiny on a 320×240 display, but it works well in a pinch. Up to 2GB of flash memory can be installed and the music player seems above-average. I guess I could go on, but I won’t.

Only problem so far is that I’ve dropped the phone and have incurred a minor scratch or two. I plan on ordering a replacement cover so as to eliminate that problem (I know, I’m anal). All in all though, I’m extremely happy to have simplified my mobile phone setup while adding a little flair that, as of yet, I have NOT seen anywhere else here stateside. Rumor has it though that Cingular will be carrying a version of the phone called the E62 which will not be equipped with Wi-Fi or UMTS (not a big deal unless you travel to Asia). Hopefully, that is not the case. I’d hate to have to start looking for another phone.

Links:
Nokia E61 Product Page
E61 iSync Plugin

It’s Finally Over

Published on 8/23/2006. 1 Comment

Well, I’m done. I can finally return to some sort of life and return to updating my websites again. Here is my journal entry from the other day:

So, I drug my family out to Minneapolis this summer so that I could pursue a summer sales opportunity. As I write this, I’m on my way home from Minneapolis on NorthWest Airlines flight 1971. I arose early this morning and got to the airport early. Never have I been so happy to get up at quarter to four.

The summer has been fairly successful. I completed 59 sales (I only had three cancels) and in all made about three times what I would have if I had stayed home. Not bad for a few months of work. The job was undoubtedly hard. There’s no arguing that. Really, there’s no sense in it. I believe that it takes a very specific kind of person to do door-to-door sales. No doubt, I had a hard time and no doubt it was one of the most difficult things that I’ve ever done, but still, I can’t complain. I learned a lot of valuable things.

I finally learned the value and power of silence. There are certain times in life when it is necessary to just sit quietly. It’s not an easy thing to do for me, but I understand now how I can better use it.

I learned that I am not a pushy person. My hardest obstacle was putting people in an uncomfortable position, but unfortunately, that is what the job called for.

Most importantly, I learned how to rely upon the Lord. This summer was less about money and more about me learning how to humble myself and accept the fact that I simply cannot do everything by myself.

I really don’t have much else to say. I missed my kids a lot. So much happened while I was gone at work and I feel as if I’ve missed the last sixteen weeks of my kids’ lives; not something I’m happy about. Minneapolis is not somewhere that I’d ever like to live. Frankly, there’s not much about the place that I could say I liked. Of course, I got to see the city in a way that most other people never experience and that is likely why people who visit say they’d like to live there, but why I feel that I never could do so.

So, I’m on my way to Las Vegas where I will meet up with John and then drive to California tomorrow. I can’t wait to finally get to relax, without the pressure of having to put the press on all day long. Good riddance.

I’m now in California and have enjoyed my time here so far. I spent the day at the beach yesterday with Milaena and we had a GREAT time. She’s so much fun. Today, we’re having a lazy morning, but we’re again headed to the beach for some fun in the sun.

We’ve been having great times together as a family and, drama aside, it’s good to be back with everyone.

With The Intel Transition Complete…

Published on 8/23/2006. 0 Comments

…I’m happy to say that I’m glad Apple did it. All technical reasons aside, I’m glad for just one thing: the fact that I no longer have to explain PPC vs x86 processor speeds to my soon-to-be switchers. I know that this is horrible of me, but I was really sick of trying to justify the PPC’s slower clock speeds.

Of course, I’d really like to upgrade to a new MacBook Pro, but I’m enamored with my 12″ PowerBook’s form-factor. Yes, I know I could go with a MacBook to get a similar size, BUT the MacBook’s are lacking an onboard video card, which I have a big problem with. Could I spend the money and max it out at 2GB of RAM? Sure, but that’s not the point. The point is, I have always disliked onboard video controllers and Apple’s (Intel’s rather) are no exception. I also prefer the aluminum enclosure to the plastic because it gives the machine a much more solid feel.

That said, I’m glad it’s all done with, but I still find myself wondering what happened to the “Mac.” I know that the iPod is the “gateway” to Apple’s products (iPod, iLife, iTunes, etc.) and that Apple is likely keeping the iMac moniker because of it’s relationship with the iPod, but for the sake of conformity, I think it should be renamed. Will people really avoid an Apple computer because it’s not prefaced with an “i?” Not likely.

I Know It’s Hokey Of Me…

Published on 8/17/2006. 0 Comments

…and most anyone who knows me is aware of my abhorrence of hokey Intarnetweb crap, but I have to say that this video is simply amazing. I mean honestly, this is truly inspiring and this evening it left me with a yearning become the best father I can to my children. Two days left…

I’m not particularly a fan of the music, but given the emotional content of the video, it’s bearable. You should probably read the story before you watch the video. It was enough to get me all misty today.

(Found via Digg)