Archive for the 'Code / Computers' Category



OLPC 2 - A multi-touch beauty?

Published on May 20, 2008

OLPC 2 First Look is pretty sweet.

As an owner of the iPhone I do not recommend using a touch-screen for typing. Our bodies need the tactile feedback. There is no argument that a touch screen keyboard is better from a tech perspective, I do not feel it is better from a physical one.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the whole “keyboard can expand to fit the size of your hands” concept. And certainly typing on a screen is better than not being able to type and being forced to use a pointer or mouse. But at the end of the day, we should not be forced to compromise. Let’s first lay out what we want
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iPhone OS Development

Published on March 11, 2008

I could not agree more with the folks over at ipodhacks.com. With the release of the new iPhone SDK and the low barrier to entry ($99 fee and you must own a Mac), I think we are on the cusp of a major shift in computing.

Exciting times indeed!


Not a good way to prepare for a test

Published on March 3, 2008

Not a good way to prepare for a test

I have been an Apple Nut since 1984 when I first used a Mac in school. I am a bit obsessed with the company and the goings on of all things Apple. Hell, for my 40th birthday I slept out in front of the San Francisco Apple store for two nights just so I could be first in line at the Grand Opening.

I have never thought of Apple as central to any of my businesses. While I have been making money as an Apple consultant since 1990, it has always been a side business of mine. I formalized the relationship with Apple a few years ago by becoming an Apple Authorized Business
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To Kindle or Not To Kindle

Published on November 19, 2007

Kindle
Newsweek Review

I don’t see it. $400 is a bit steep and the thing is ugly. I do not get the whole “colorless” thing. Why not make the thing a portable hard drive to facilitate the transfer of files? Why make this a wireless-only thing? What advantage does that give? And what is up with being a gatekeeper for which blogs I read?

I hate to say it, but this is the the type of device that could only be conceived of up in Washington. It reeks of Microsoft proprietary “we rule this space” thinking. Why not make a device that conforms to Open Standard where everyone can play?

Does Amazon really think they can invent something
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Quicktime is fine… but MPlayer is better

Published on November 15, 2007

When you want to watch a movie on your computer, many people turn to Apple’s free Quicktime Player. When that does not work, try MPlayer or VLC.


BitTorrent Primer

Published on October 26, 2007

1) Grab and install a BitTorrent client

I like Azureus.

2) Find a file online and download it

My two favorite trackers are:
Aradi Tracker (Sign up for a free account - well worth it!)
The Pirate Bay (The biggest)

3) Double click on the downloaded file (.torrent)

The file, called a torrent, you get off the trackers is going to be small as it is just a link to the actual file you want. All you need to do is double click on the torrent file (or drag it into Azureus). Azureus will then go out onto the internet and grab the real file you are looking for.

4) Create a usable file

Many of the larger files (movies in particular) are
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Happy Birthday iPod

Published on October 23, 2007

The iPod is 6 years old today. Congratulations Apple. You have changed the world!


Should Apple Encourage iPhone Hacks?

Published on October 12, 2007

Daringfireball - The point isn’t that you shouldn’t hack, or that you don’t have the right to do whatever you want with something you own. The point is that if you hack, you’re on your own. You can’t do unsupported things and expect to be supported for them just because you think these actions should be supported. It’s that simple.

Bluehoreshoes write:

re: The point isn’t that you shouldn’t hack, or that you don’t have the right to do whatever you want with something you own.

No. The point is that a company that takes an actively hostile stance towards you hacking something you own deserves criticism.

You never cease to amaze.

Apple is not Erector Sets.

Why should
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Which Calendar Should I Use?

Published on October 8, 2007

Google Calendar

Everyone loves Google. They have the best and the brightest writing their code and it shows. Unfortunately, they need to be all things to all people so their presentation is not quite as “beautiful” as Apple or 37 Signals… but it works. And it works well!

I often recommend folks start with Google and see how far they can take you.

Pros
Free!!!
Industry Standard (everyone loves Google)
Integrates with all Google products
Authorized users can subscribe
Authorized users can edit events
Authorized users can share their calendars
Excellent notifications

Cons
NOT private (Google reads your info)
NOT secure (Google can share your info if requested by law enforcement)

—-

mac.com

Apple makes a lovely calendaring solution. It is integrated into the operating system so anyone
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Give 1 Get 1

Published on October 3, 2007

One Laptop Per Child

Our mission is to provide a means for learning, self-expression and exploration to the nearly two billion children of the developing world with little or no access to education. While children are by nature eager for knowledge, many countries have insufficient resources to devote to education—sometimes less than $20 a year per child. Imagine the potential that could be unlocked by giving every child in the world the tools they need to learn, no matter who they are, no matter where they live, no matter how little they may have.

Starting November 12, One Laptop Per Child will be offering a Give 1 Get 1 Program for a brief window of time. For $399, you
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