Chris

I always forget something. Getting old is great. What’s next, diapers? Anyway, I just wanted to comment on more of the Bush campaign’s great strategery. John Stewart also did some funny bits on this during the recent “Daily Show”. Not watching “The Daily Show”? You should be, its funny.

Homeland Security Czar Tom Ridge announced that Al Queda is planning a major terrorist attack to disrupt the coming elections. This announcement actually included no real information as to the type of attack or the timing of an atttack. Actually, Mr. Ridge basically had no information whatsoever but did say that they were working very hard, gathering intelligence to stop the coming threat. All under the guidance of President Bush. Now i feel much safer.

Call me jaded or paranoid but I can’t help feeling that this announcement had pretty coincidental timing given that on the same day John Kerry and John Edwards made their first public appearance together as running mates. All that the Homeland security announcement was meant to do was to divert our attention from Kerry and focus it on our eminent death. Way to go Tom Ridge.

Are people actually going to fall for this kind of stuff? I hope not. Fear is one of the ways people in charge stay in charge. If you are afraid and thinking about your own safety, you are less likely to think about the crappy job they are doing and the fact that you are only afraid now because the people in charge didn’t do their job in the first place.

Let’s go into this thing with our eyes open at least, shall we? As I am so jaded I will say that I don’t expect the Democratic side to be free of mud-slinging and negativity. It’s just the nature of the system. I do hope they do it with a tad more finesse though. . . Hey, I can dream, can’t I?

Later.

According to an IDC survey, 36% of all software installed worldwide last year was pirated. The number is only 27% in the US. The biggest offender: Eastern Europe. That doesn’t seem right about the U.S. as at least 50% of the people I know pirate software. My sample isn’t very scientific though.

The Los Angeles city council is cracking down on Internet cafés in the wake of several shootings in the San Fernando Valley. The new regulations require cafes with at least five computers to eliminate closed booths, install security cameras and bar minors during school hours to prevent truancy. This actually took place in Northridge. Rival gangs got into it over a spirited game of “Counterstrike”.

I don’t know about you but when some 12 year-old kicks my ass during an online game of “Pandora Tomorrow” or “Medal of Honor’ I get pretty angry too. Although, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t go so far as to actually kill someone. At least I would like to think so.

Google is cracking down on Gmail profiteers. The license agreement was modified last week saying users cannot “sell, trade, resell, or otherwise exploit for any unauthorized commercial purpose or transfer any Gmail account.” That’s too bad because I was going to make a few bucks selling all the extra GMail invites I’ve gotten. Oh well, I can still work on my cure for Cancer.

Lastly, Yahoo announced its fifth straight wildly profitable quarter yesterday, but the stock went down because the company didn’t exceed analysts expectations. The Internet company showed a profit of $112.5 million on $832.3 million in revenue, twice the profits from this time last year. Now if they would only give out 1GB of free mail space with their mail accounts. Then, they would really be cool.

Later.

Small entry today. Just enough to get your attention and give you some clue where my political thoughts lean these days. Hope everyone had a great 4th of July.

Later.

Everyone, listen up and repeat after me “John Kerry and John Edwards, John Kerry and John Edwards, John Kerry and John Edwards, John Kerry and John Edwards . . .” Am I getting through to you?

Ok, now go out and tell everyone you know to get off their asses come this November and vote for . . .wait for it . . . you guessed it: John Kerry and John Edwards. You may have heard that John Kerry picked a running mate. Yes, its John Edwards. Yes, I’m happy about it. And yes, for the first time in several years I feel optimistic about this country’s future.

For more info on John Kerry or John Edwards, click away. You may even want to give them a buck or two. They probably don’t need it as they are both very wealthy with the largest amount of campaign funds in many years. But hey, its the thought that counts.

That’s pretty much all I have to say at this moment except that it didn’t surprise me in the least (or anyone else I suspect) that the Bush campaign instantly attacked John Edwards. I love the fact that they go instantly to the negative. They must have had adds ready for each potential Kerry pick. I bet they thought they were being cleaver or practicing good campaign strategery (as Mr. Bush is fond of saying).

To me, they just look desperate. Desperate and lashing out. I hope that people see through their bullshit and send them packing. Like I said, today I feel optimistic. I feel like things are going to get better. I expect to feel this way for at least a day or maybe two. Then, things will most likely go back in the crapper.

It will be fun while it lasts.

Later.

So, I’m using the new version of OSX, code named “Tiger“. Now, as I am an Apple developer and card-carrying member of the Apple Consultants Network (we don’t really have cards it just sounds cool) I will not be able to say much about it as I am probably not supposed to. Actually, i think I signed an NDA somewhere along the line but I can’t recall when.

Anyway, I will say that there are some very interesting features which were discussed at the latest developer event that now that I have a chance to use them, have proved interesting but not, sorry to say, overwhelming.

Maybe in future revisions there will be more in the way of the proverbial “bells and whistles”. Right now, there are a few and a few more with potential. So, will “Tiger” live up to the hype and more importantly, be worth another $129.00 to upgrade? Good question. I don’t have a firm answer on that one yet.

If I had to answer right now, gun to my head, I would say probably not, for the “average user”. As Panther has developed and been updated it has proven to be very good and stable to work with. It also has many more features than the “average user” will probably need. Right now, I don’t know that “Tiger” will provide anything more substantial to warrant the upgrade. Unless you have a G5 or are planning on getting one by the time “Tiger” is shipped.

If you are, the speed increase from a more finely-tuned OS optimized for the G5 will be something that many people want. For me, I will get the software from Apple and so will be upgrading. However, I won’t have to fork over the dough for it so it is easier for me to want to upgrade. Time will tell for the rest of Apple’s user base.

Anyway, just wanted to say that I was having fun trying out “Tiger”. More on this new breed of cat as I am able. Until then.

Later.

Ok, I know I said this before but I have been thinking about it a lot this 4th of July weekend. If you care about this country at all, you should take your friends and family to see “Spider Man 2”. . . . Ok, no, not really. It is a cool Summer movie but what I really want you to see is the big controversial film known as “Fahrenheit 9/11”.

I know I said it before but as the days have worn on I realized that this film is very important to see regardless of your politics. Even if you don’t agree with the views expressed or dislike Michael Moore or his tactics (and many people do) it is still a very interesting and compelling film that points out many facts that I don’t think people are aware of.

It also makes President Bush kind of look like an ass but I suppose that was inevitable given Michael Moore’s dislike for him. Is the movie perfect? No. Is it heavy-handed and overly emotional in many cases? You bet. Is it a balanced look at President Bush and his activities? Nope.

Does any of that really matter? No, not really. All in all it still manages to be interesting, preachy, emotional and entertaining all at the same time. Sure, there were a few things I didn’t like about it or that I would have done differently if I were the filmmaker. That happens to me all the time.

However, it is still provoking discussion and debate among everyone I know who has seen it even after several days or longer in some cases. To me, that’s a good thing. Can you say that about “Spider Man 2”? Probably not.

So, to recap, go see the movie. As I said, you might not agree with it or you might not even like it at all. Either way, whatever your reaction, it will make you think. And we could all use a little more thinking now and then, especially in an election year. You can check out more on Michael Moore here.

Oh, and John Kerry is supposed to announce a running mate tomorrow. Any bets on who it will be? Edwards, Gephardt, Steve Jobs? Maybe Al Gore or Bill Clinton? I don’t know but I kinda hope it turns out to be John Edwards. He seems like the right man for the job and for him, its a good move toward being President himself some day.

Keep on thinking and questioning. Don’t take things at face value. There are people out in the world who do not have your best interests at heart. Some of them are running this country. So, don’t be afraid to ask “why?”

It’s one of the main things the people who fought and died to form this country thought was important. I wonder what they would say if they were alive today? What George Washington or Thomas Jefferson or Ben Franklin would think. Now that would make for an interesting episode of Larry King Live.

One last thing. I really love my new desk chair. If you have the means, I definitely suggest getting an Aeron chair by Herman Miller. I know, it sounds extravagant but it has definitely improved my back in just a few days. So to me, that’s worth it.

Besides, it has a 12 year warranty so I won’t have to get another desk chair for 12 years. That seems like a pretty good deal to me. And it looks cool too and comes in black. What more could A guy who spends a great deal of time in front of a computer at a desk want?

Later.

Ok, I know I said this before but I have been thinking about it a lot this 4th of July weekend. If you care about this country at all, you should take your friends and family to see “Spider Man 2”. . . . Ok, no, not really. It is a cool Summer movie but what I really want you to see is the big controversial film known as “Fahrenheit 9/11”.

I know I said it before but as the days have worn on I realized that this film is very important to see regardless of your politics. Even if you don’t agree with the views expressed or dislike Michael Moore or his tactics (and many people do) it is still a very interesting and compelling film that points out many facts that I don’t think people are aware of.

It also makes President Bush kind of look like an ass but I suppose that was inevitable given Michael Moore’s dislike for him. Is the movie perfect? No. Is it heavy-handed and overly emotional in many cases? You bet. Is it a balanced look at President Bush and his activities? Nope.

Does any of that really matter? No, not really. All in all it still manages to be interesting, preachy, emotional and entertaining all at the same time. Sure, there were a few things I didn’t like about it or that I would have done differently if I were the filmmaker. That happens to me all the time.

However, it is still provoking discussion and debate among everyone I know who has seen it even after several days or longer in some cases. To me, that’s a good thing. Can you say that about “Spider Man 2”? Probably not.

So, to recap, go see the movie. As I said, you might not agree with it or you might not even like it at all. Either way, whatever your reaction, it will make you think. And we could all use a little more thinking now and then, especially in an election year. You can check out more on Michael Moore here.

Oh, and John Kerry is supposed to announce a running mate tomorrow. Any bets on who it will be? Edwards, Gephardt, Steve Jobs? Maybe Al Gore or Bill Clinton? I don’t know but I kinda hope it turns out to be John Edwards. He seems like the right man for the job and for him, its a good move toward being President himself some day.

Keep on thinking and questioning. Don’t take things at face value. There are people out in the world who do not have your best interests at heart. Some of them are running this country. So, don’t be afraid to ask “why?”

It’s one of the main things the people who fought and died to form this country thought was important. I wonder what they would say if they were alive today? What George Washington or Thomas Jefferson or Ben Franklin would think. Now that would make for an interesting episode of Larry King Live.

One last thing. I really love my new desk chair. If you have the means, I definitely suggest getting an Aeron chair by Herman Miller. I know, it sounds extravagant but it has definitely improved my back in just a few days. So to me, that’s worth it.

Besides, it has a 12 year warranty so I won’t have to get another desk chair for 12 years. That seems like a pretty good deal to me. And it looks cool too and comes in black. What more could A guy who spends a great deal of time in front of a computer at a desk want?

Later.

Hello all. Just wanted to say happy July. It’s almost the 4th of July and you know what that means? Beer and BBQ. Sounds like fun, right? Well, it will be.

Let’s try to put all of our problems and differences aside and try to remember that we still live in the best country in the world. It’s just a little messed up right now. Come November, I hope we will be back on track with a new leader and a new vision for the future.

Let’s hope so. Oh, you should all go see Michael Moore’s movie Fahrenheit 9/11. It doesn’t matter if you are a Bush supporter or not, its still a very interesting film and raises quite a few questions and sheds light on some interesting issues. So go see it first, then make up your mind. Let’s hear it for free speech, eh?

Ok, enough politics. Have some beer and a burger and relax this weekend. You’ve earned it. We can get back to dealing with all the bullshit next week. It will still be there, right where you left it. Believe me.

Later.

So, the good folks over at Apple Computer released some new stuff the other day. Not the gigantic announcements that some were hoping like 3Ghz G5 computers or anything like that. The new things that were announced are still darn cool but not so earth-shattering.

I’m sure that’s why they decided not to broadcast the Developer Keynote speech live this time. Not that I would watch a developer keynote speech live. What do you think I am, a geek? Ok, so maybe I watched one or two. So what?

Anyway, Steve Jobs announced the next version of Apple’s Mac OSX code name “Tiger”. It has many improvements and new features that seem pretty cool. Not the least of which is the new iChat or TChat as I call it. This app will allow three people to video conference at the same time and up to ten people audio chat at the same time. That’s cool. Go to the link above to check out the rest of the new features of Tiger.

Also announced were new displays in three sizes. 20″, 23″ and a massive 30″. Shiny new displays made out of the same shiny aluminum as the G5 and the recent powerbooks. Better yet, they are bigger and badder than the previous versions. As a proud owner of the 20″ Cinema display all I can say is they make great monitors and I can’t wait to be able to afford a 30″ one. Very nice but again, not earth-shattering.

It makes me wonder if the days of the jaw-dropping innovation are gone. It seems like the great leaps forward are fewer and farther in between. Or, maybe Apple is working on something even bigger and is about to spring it on us. Really, they are just the guys (and girls) to do it.

I still have my fingers crossed for an Apple iPhone which combines a cell phone, pda and camera, syncs with my Mac perfectly and runs a scaled down version of OSX called OSX mobile or something. I also think it would be fantastic if Apple purchased TiVo and put their development might behind it to make something even more fantastic.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Tivo and have said that to anyone who will listen. I just think that a partnership between Apple and Tivo would yield an even more extraordinary device that this gadget-lover would snap up in an instant. I’m sure I would not be the only one.

Time will tell. If anyone from Apple is listening, get on it before Microsoft buys Tivo or something and turns it into another version of Replay TV or some other crap. You guys are smart and make great stuff, even if it sometimes frustrates me. It’s still the best computing platform out there. The future could be interesting. At least it probably won’t be boring.

Later.