The Touch Tablet

It has been a little while since i've posted to this blog, but I would like to take a moment to expound upon the virtues of Apple.

This is such a great idea. I truly believe that this device will revolutionize the way people use their computers. At first, I was saying to myself that this was something that is quite possibly the worst idea in the world. Upon reflection, however, it is genius.

Reason One: In my profession, I have to watch older computer users struggle with operating their mice and keyboards. One woman actually was poking at the screen with the intent of hoping to open up safari with her finger. Obviously, it didn't work (/sarcasm) but I cannot help but feel that this would be beneficial. A lot of people, especially my generation and younger, take it for granted that we are coordinated enough to use a mouse or type with a keyboard. Older people especially have to work harder to gain this perspective.

Reason Two: Imagine you are a graphic designer, artist, movie maker, etc. Can you imagine the level of creativity that can now be tapped by using your hands to physically create something!? I had a vision of what it would look like in photoshop, and it would be HEAVEN. ABSOLUTE HEAVEN.

Reason Three: I have spoken with a woman that I occasionally work with and she runs a dental practice. All on macs. Which is teh awesome because it is something very rarely encountered in medical professions. To imagine a tablet, like this, utilized much like it is in my doctor's office would be revolutionary. And with programs like MacPractice AND snow leopard that have revolutionized server side interchange...how WONDERFUL...

Reason Four: Many people have complained about watching movies on the go on a screen that is about three inches by two. Personally, I am not bothered by this, but imagine sitting on an airplane from San Francisco to New York and being able to watch your movie on a nine or ten inch screen. It would truly be remarkable AND efficient for business travelers.

Reason Five: looking at it from the geek perspective, it just makes sense. You can use it much the same way you would a mac mini as an entertainment system.

I am not one for speculation, and in fact I almost prefer the attitude of surprise. However I find myself really hoping that this all is true and that someone at Apple thinks like I do - that this tool, no matter how 'unpopular' people think it will be, will actually be a revolutionary device for young and old, business users and graphics professionals. Pretty much everyone.

Until that time, I will suffer (though not markedly) with my almost three year old Macbook. I cannot believe we've come this far, Betsy, but I'm glad I've got a computer like you <3

Epic Fail of the toaster

"Microsoft plans stores 'right next to Apple'"

*headdesk*

Microsoft may have the biggest market share, but it would help if they didn't do stuff like this. I think I could probably waste my breath spouting out crap about how Microsoft products are virus ridden, reusable component stricken death machines. Look at my desktop and how long it lasted - only after putting in almost the cost of my computer just to keep it alive and afloat. No one should spend that much on some stupid piece of junk yard scrap. And to put in stores next to Apple? Seriously that desperate? You should probably considering taking other malls that have NO technology stores instead of trying (and failing) to compete. This alone makes it worse:

Microsoft brought on a 25-year Wal-Mart veteran in February to lead the effort

Read more:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/07/15/financial/f172652D33.DTL#ixzz0LSDyI2sB

Here, have a commercial.

Apple Store Classes

It's not quite a beautiful day outside, but classes are fun.

iPod because i care

Oh! Lovely technological wonder of the techworld, I am please to make your acquaintance.

I had the opportunity to get to the Apple Store (I know, I know...it took me THAT long?) and see the iPod touch in person. Let's just say that it was along the lines of seeing Coldplay in concert - a purely religious experience. I mean, simply looking at it I was salivating. Of course, this wanderlust lasted for all of about two seconds during which period I actually picked it up.

At first I was amused which quickly became severe disgruntlement when I realized that some miscreant with a hole in their head decided to change the language on the iPod...to Russian. The disgruntlement increased when the next one I attempted to pick up was even worse...Tagalog.

*LE SIGH*

Anywho, it is exactly like the iPhone without the added contract obligations with AT&T which means it's even cooler in my opinion. Oh the dreams I am having about it are magical.

But I was disappointed to discover that they remixed the colors and they are LAME. No more orange! It's highly disturbing to think that they changed the colors from ORANGE to a color that looks like someone puked up seaweed onto their shuffle.

All that iPod has to do now is to increase the capacity on this thing and I am IN. I mean considering that my current iPod video capacity is 30GB and I am about to fill it up entirely between movies, shows and any other free junk that I've gotten from iTunes, when I upgrade my iPod I want it to be as big as possible. But I digress.

SFGate had a pretty good review of it yesterday, or at least one that I could identify with.

The Governator Strikes Again!

This time with complete disregard of the wishes of the people...

In my infinite search for something to do that is relatively worthwhile on the web, I stumbled across this article on sfgate:

Schwarzenegger says he will keep vetoing gay marriage bill

Essentially, Governor Schwarzenegger believes that he is overruling the vast majority (i.e. 61% of people in 2000) who voted to outlaw same-sex marriages. What he fails to acknowledge and what is pointed out in the article later on is that:

Geoff Kors, executive director of the gay rights organization Equality California, said Proposition 22 only bars California from recognizing same-sex marriages performed outside California.

One would think that if the majority now, meaning 2007, did not wish for this kind of legislative act to be passed then the California Senate would not keep forcing this act to be presented to the Governor. Considering that the Senate operates (or at least is supposed to operate) to appease the people of their relative constituency. However, this is not how the governor has been in the past, especially with his legislation on education and welare reform. To put it mildly, he doesn't want to "risk upsetting the majority" by overruling their proposition.

While my stance on gay marriage is peppered with a mix of my own personal experience on the subject through numerous gay/lesbian/transgendered couples and that of my parent's 50's generation ideals, I think it's safe to say that it should be left up to the people's choice.

Think of it this way: North America (specifically the United States) has the highest rate of divorce in the United States. This figure is specifically in between heterosexual couples which more often than not include children. I say why not allow homosexual couples the opportunity to help improve the statistics of us heterosexuals that ruin our relationships because were are so emotionally stunted by our mother's brother's second sister's cousin's father who screwed us up when were were younger so that we could never coexist with another human being. (If you can understand who in the hell that is on the family tree then you need counseling).

I say repeal that proposition if it is creating so much of a road block and sign the act. If the constituents really do not want it there, then some right-wing conservative pansy the majority will vote it out. End of story.

In the meantime, we are freaking CALIFORNIANS that are in the stone age of passing revolutionary legislation meanwhile Massachusetts of all places has bypassed us and become an honorary left coast affiliate. FOR SHAME, people. FOR SHAME.

Portable Television

It all started with this article on BBCNews.com.

Technology has become advanced in recent years, what with the advent of blueberry/blackberry devices and bluetooth (I ask what is the significance with the naming of these objects as colors?). Especially with apple products. For instance, the new iPhone coming out as well as Apple TV (it should be noted that when connected to an unsecured appleshare network one can access the delights of apple TV and iTunes from an unsuspecting hosts – duly noted and implemented) allow users to access their favorite programs and internet locales. One would think that the television has become obsolete.

Instead, it has been reformed into a smaller, easily manipulated member of society. Users are now able to view their favorite programs away from their home LCD screen. It’s quite a phenomena.

And the possibilities are endless.

In connection with the previous article, I saw this one as well. This type of media can mean a new age to civil disobedience. Imagine being able to hack into these hand held television devices and show footage of rallies and sit ins.

Well, unfortunately, it has already been done before (at least with internet streaming) however broadcasting these ‘interventions’ would create pandemonium. It would be much like the rally we learned about in class that included cell phone users congregating on a national day of rest outside of the government buildings, protesting the regime in place and, the next day in national elections, unseating the figures in power.

This advancement in technology could only be beneficial for the sharing of information amongst friends to a cause, as well as informing others outside of this realm of things that are taking place.

The First Amendment in Media

To think that this movement has been completely under my nose and I did not even know about it or really realize that i had been a part of it since its relative inception...

The dust-up underscores both the power and the danger of what has come to be known as the Web 2.0 movement, a loosely defined group of Internet sites that foster online social networks and rely heavily on purely democratic principles to promote everything from news stories to music to photographs.

SFgate.com, May 3rd 2007: User revolt at Digg.com shows risks of Web 2.0"

It's amazing how much freedom is monitored and taken for granted. Thinking for one moment that you can get away with anything in our 'democracy-oriented' society can end you up in federal prison.

This article brings up the ethical use of free information (open source, I suppose, is the easiest thing to call it) sites such as livejournal, blogger, YouTube, Flickr and Wikipedia that allow users to essentially run their own web space. It creates a communal atmosphere on the one hand that is positive and constructive in promoting awareness and, in some respects, non-violent ends to means that would normally be rather histrionic in real life. Yet these websites are, in fact, almost worse that having your own website because now the government and organizations such as the movie and music industries are targeting them in an attempt to bring more money and power into their possession.

Think Napster, but the difference being that these open-source websites make it so that EVERYONE can participate. Spy and ad-ware free.

Personally, I think that perhaps the age of the music and movie industry are coming to close. Adobe and Apple (amongst other software providers) are making it easier and easier for people (including students!) to have access to professional software, whether it be iMovie HD or Final Cut Pro. iTunes and Myspace now make it easier for bands to post music and sell it (iTunes for a nominal fee, mind you) and garageband enables regular users to freely voice their opinions (gotta love the First Amendment, yeah?). There is no limit to the production of free media, except for the restrictions placed upon us by these industries that are losing their steam, especially with the decline in quality of films and music in the past few years.

I say let it burn.