Brian's Virtual Lair » Technology and Gadgets

I’m a Mac

brimtlgtr — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 02:41:37 +0000

My current PC is now six years old, and it is really showing its age. It’s been consistently very slow, despite the regular “maintenance” I perform to clean it up after barely using it every third day. I had recently lost files on it, and it even rebooted on me while I was typing. When we moved into a house last summer, the computer was set up in a spare bedroom that we turned into an office. So I wanted something portable that I could use in other parts of the house, such as the living room or basement. With this portability in mind, I researched laptop computers for a few months, waiting for the right moment to buy.

I corresponded with a friend who tried Windows Vista on a new laptop. He was really dissatisfied with its performance, even though he bought a computer that was at least a step up from entry level. My parents also had issues with their Vista desktop. And I had worked out a security issue at work where some of our customers were unable to access our legitimate registration Web site because of an over-cautious security setting in Vista and Internet Explorer 7 (I tried IE 7 at home on Windows XP and was able to access the site). After hearing all of the horror stories about Windows Vista, I decided to go a different route: I bought a Mac.

Why a Mac? There are a number of compelling reasons to stick to a Windows-based machine, including cost and familiarity. Some argue that the cost of a PC is about half of what a Mac costs. Also, I currently use Windows XP at both home and work, and we’re running Office 2007 at my workplace. Some of the familiarity would be gone by migrating to a Mac.

But I would argue that those arguments are not true. When it comes to cost, the Mac Mini is really comparable to most affordable PCs. The MacBook and similarly equipped PC laptops cost about the same, especially when you add software costs. In fact, software costs actually go up when you consider the PC; some software requires annual subscriptions (such as anti-virus software). And software between the two systems is often comparable. Macs, though, also come with iLife, which makes the cost so much more worth it if you use this suite of programs (they’ve worked for me so far).

For familiarity, I would say that some of this is also true. I am a keyboard shortcuts nut. I have become so used to using Ctrl and Alt that I have had a tough time getting used to the Mac shortcuts. But they’re there, and I’m slowly learning to get used to them. And Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac is available and similar to Office 2003 and 2007 for Windows.

And when you take the hassle of dealing with Windows into account, the cost of additional security software that you need to protect your computer (and some of these costs are annual), and the number of times the computer just doesn’t operate properly, the cost of aggravation goes up with a PC. Apple, on the other hand, has a tight chain of production, meaning that it specs and develops components to work with its software. This results in a more reliable and stable system.

Still, the Mac interface differs a lot. Buttons are in another corner of the window. Instead of a start menu, I have a dock. Installing software is different (actually simpler on the Mac). And learning how to use the new trackpad on the MacBook has presented its own challenges. But learning these has actually gone smoothly.

What really sold me, though, was the fact that I could still go to Windows on a Mac. Although I am used to the Windows interface, using a Mac offered me the opportunity to return to the familiar interface that I’ve used for so many years. I still have the option of installing Windows on a Mac via either Boot Camp (which comes with the Mac but requires rebooting out of OS X), VMware Fusion, or Parallels (which allow you to run Windows within OS X). I haven’t made the leap to Windows on the Mac yet.

After using my Mac for a few weeks, I’m totally happy that I made the switch. Getting used to it has not been a major issue, although I am still working out some of the keyboard shortcuts. I’m currently running a trial version of Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac, and tried iWork 09 but haven’t been as impressed (I’ve read good and bad about each, depending on which particular function you’re evaluating); my concern here is the lack of some functionality that I’ve come to appreciate in Word that Pages doesn’t support, and the same is fairly true for Excel vs Pages. I haven’t had a chance to really try Keynote, but PowerPoint seems to work well. I even seem to like using Mail, iCal, and Safari more than Microsoft Outlook; they especially work fast. And iLife is fun, easy to learn and use, and just outright awesome.

I’m a Mac, and I’m happy I made the switch.

PC World – Mac vs. Windows Laptops

E-mail format etiquette

brimtlgtr — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 00:30:51 +0000

I probably don’t say it enough, but I could live without e-mail and actually get some real work done. I’m a face-to-face type of person who prefers using e-mail mostly to communicate a complex process to many people, although I still feel that in-person meetings are much more effective. With that said, I still use e-mail for many day-to-day operations as well, such as sharing notes and collaborating (don’t get me started on using Web-based technology in the workplace such as blogs and wikis). But if there is one thing that frustrates me to no end, it’s the use of funky backgrounds and goofy text in e-mail messages.

Now don’t get me wrong; I don’t mind customization. I’m all for people showing some level of individuality and creativity in the workplace. But when you get some of these dark backgrounds with dark letters, my eyes leap out of my face and demand that I don’t make them view such hideous and torturous images again.

What prompted me to express this was a recent e-mail in which I had to read blue lettering on top of a brown background with gray cat tracks on it. First, I don’t think the funky background images and script fonts are appropriate in e-mail. Second, I feel it’s wrong if I have to squint just to read what people write. I especially don’t like dark text on top of a dark background.

Moreso, I cannot stand it when people use these funky backgrounds in the workplace. Some people put up tranquil clouds,Â others use some funky plaid pattern. I think I even saw someone’s vacation pictures once. It’s pretty tough to read the message in front of someone’s goofy smile with a picture ofÂ a cruiseship in the background. I find these “cutesy” approaches to e-mailÂ totally unprofessional.

If I had my way, the e-mail software companies would do away with the facny stuff. E-mail is written, andÂ people should treat it as such. If you want to add graphics along the side or bottom, that’s one thing, but please keep it to your personal e-mail. When it comes to reading e-mail at work, remember that curmudgeons like me have to read it.

NY Time article: How to Be a Curmudgeon on the Internet

Redesigning my Web site – 2006

brimtlgtr — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 23:08:10 +0000

I’ve “reloaded” my Web site, as indicated by the subtitle in the header. I’ve adopted WordPress as my primary content management system (CMS) and blogging tool, and have taken out a number of pages and elements. It’s a work in progress, but I’ve dedicated some timeÂ to this project.

As with any project, there is always a list of up-front work that must be done before jumping in and just doing it.Â And implementing the work also requires following a plan of attack (typically called a project plan). Even though this is a personal Web site,Â even I approached this using the project management skills that I developed during my time in my currentÂ position.

I first started by reviewing how I could use WordPress 2 for blogging and as a CMS. I ran it in a special folder within the former site, mostly for blogging.Â The features that I sought included a simple blogging system, a scalableÂ CMS, open standards that are easy to learn,Â flexibility so I could customize the look and feel as I saw fit, and a community of developers that provide plugins and support. I also wanted to get away from using expensive HTML/Web editing software, such as Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia/Adobe Dreamweaver. After evaluating a number of open source systems, I chose WordPress becuase of its simple, PHP-driven architecture. Plus, there is a large community of WordPress users and developers that have contributed their efforts into making it easy to add functionality (in the form of plug-ins and themes). After evaluating it for a few months,Â I’ve decided to adopt WordPress for the new site.

The next step was to determine if I could update the code so it had a similar look and feel to my old site. However,Â other issues arose with my former Web host that necessitated me to moveÂ my domain to a new host. Unfortunately, I didn’t maintain the old pages or the old page format. However, I do have most of the content stored on my computer. Although I had to spend some time migrating the information after putting the new system into production (that is, making it go live), the data were there and available to migrate.

To date, all of the blog and “soapbox” articlesÂ are nowÂ on this site. But some links toÂ previous pages and other Web articlesÂ were no longer available, so I had to indicate that. I also imported some pictures, but I only have a few available (those that are part of the blog posts). Finally, I had to make it all fit into the category structure. That alone took some time, seeing how my site has evolved from updates for a day to writing about specific topics. After reviewing everything that I’ve written over the past six years, I guess my life isn’t that boring afterall.

I’ve also continued making small tweaks to the layout of the site. Unless I decide to reformat the look and feel, I plan on keepingÂ the site’s formatÂ in its current state. There are a number of plugins available for functionality as well, and I will evaluate those if I feel compelled to add them.

My next steps are to continue migrating information from the previous site to this one. I also have a number of pages that can be added. Reworking and rewriting these will take some time. However, now that I have comments open, I am willing to listen to others’ suggestions. Just remember, though, that I am not a programmer; adding content is one thing, but adding functionality will take me some time (thank the developers for plugins). The end goal is to continue making this site a useful one as well as a means for me to keep my family and friends in the loop.

New Windows Internet Explorer 7

brimtlgtr — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 03:58:58 +0000

I usually try to promote the underdog as much as possible, especially when it comes to those that always seem to get squashed by the big corporate machine. So it’s no surprise that I was a big fan of Mozilla Firefox for a while. Its cleaner look, tabbed browsing, and increased security made it a worthwhile adversary to Microsoft Internet Explorer 6. But with the introduction of Windows Internet Explorer 7, I’m having second thoughts about knocking Microsoft. After using it for a couple of days, I’m really impressed.

First of all, I’m a big fan of tabbed browsing. IE 7 not only offers tabbed browsing, but offers it in an intuitive way. Instead of downloading a special plug-in to make windows open in separate tabs instead of windows, IE gives you the option, and it actually works. It even offers a thumbnail/mosaic view of all of your open pages. And there is a special blank tab that allows you to open a new tab, in addition to using CTRL+T.

Second, I’ve always had issues with Firefox running slow on my PC. When I run IE 7 on my PC, it opens right away, and it responds immediately. Also, it usually takes less time for a Web page to load within the browser. However, that is supposed to change with Firefox 2.0.

Third, I really like the clean interface. In fact, it looks a little more exciting, and I like the attempt to make it a little more minimalistic. The file menu disappears, even though you can make it return, but most of the commonly used buttons appear on the toolbar. Even the streamlined look of the tabs makes it look more attractive.

I really like the new look of IE 7. However, I would like to spend more time checking out Firefox 2.0, which was released today. In the meantime, I will continue using both and seeing which one better meets my needs.

FireFox 2.0 scheduled for release

brimtlgtr — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:25:48 +0000

Mozilla Firefox has been a major contender against Microsoft’s Internet Explorer since it released version 1.0 almost two years ago. Now Mozilla is preparing to introduce Firefox 2.0 tomorrow. I was a big fan until about a year ago when I noticed problems with its speed and usability. I am still a big fan of tabbed browsing and really like a lot of the features, especially with stronger security than Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer. But I may have a hard time adopting the new version if the fixes are not resolved.

However, with Windows Internet Explorer also releasing a new version of its browser (now available) with tabbed browsing and beefed-up security, it may retain its share or possibly regain some fans in the browser market.

PC World article: Firefox 2.0 Scheduled For Release on Tuesday

Wikipedia article: FireFox

Spread Firefox Web site

Windows Internet Explorer 7

Apple iPod turns 5

brimtlgtr — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:04:14 +0000

Apple’s iPod has been on the market for the past five years, and there doesn’t seem to be any slow down in its staying power. That’s significant, seeing how it not only was a pioneer, but also remains the leader in the market. I think this has to do with Apple’s ability to realize what customers want and makes efforts to deliver.
I remember purchasing my first iPod just three years ago. Back then, you had three choices: 10 GB, 20 GB, or 40 GB. The screen had one color, and it only came in white. Since then, new features were added; screens are now in color, larger ones can play video, anything with a screen can show pictures, and they come as small as a binder clip. In the past five years, the iPod has evolved significantly.

The significance of the iPod is not based only on the device, but also on the business model that Steve Jobs (CEO, Apple Computers) and Apple developed. Apple developed iTunes, the first on-line music store with industry buy-in. It developed a device that commands a high price when others are available at lower prices. The iPod is a very simple device to use and has an intuitive interface. And making iTunes available for Windows opened availability to a greather market. Although not the first on the market, it was certainly a pioneer in making the mp3 player more portable and easier to use.

So, happy birthday iPod!

Newsweek on-line interview with Steve Jobs: Good for the Soul

ABC News/PC World Analysis: iPod at 5 is Still the Top Dog

My cell phone is so oldâ€¦

brimtlgtr — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 01:27:34 +0000

Since moving to Madison over five years ago, I have been a US Cellular subscriber. I’ve been fairly happy with the service over the years, and its customer service had been really outstanding, until recently. My last contract ended in May 2005, and I held off on buying a new phone because I was happy with my very basic phone.

However, I recently received a letter from US Cellular stating that my phone may not have GPS capability for enhanced 911 service (E911), and that I would need to upgrade my phone now or pay a substantial monthly fee, by order of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). After looking at the phone and plan choices online, I realized that I was not very happy with the options. One phone sales representative from US Cellular informed me that he thought the “substantial charge” could be around $20, but he was unsure (this was the person that answered when you call the 800 number on the letter). Other sales representatives (one through the US Cellular call center, the other at the local US Cellular store) told me that they had no information about how much the FCC would charge.

When I asked how long I had before I would need to pay this fee, the first representative told me that I had 10 days from receiving the letter to get the better price on the phone. The other two sales representatives did not know when the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) would start charging for this.

Being the astute analyst that I am, I decided to call the FCC. I stated that I received a letter from my phone provider, and the operator immediately asked if it was from US Cellular. I learned that the Wireless Bureau was investigating.

I then checked with the Wisconsin Division of Trade and Consumer Protection (TCP). They informed me that they would look into this. In the meantime, I started looking at other cell plans and phones. Within a week, this issue had come to a close with TCPâ€™s investigation (the press release below has more information), but I chose to move on to a different service.

Although I had been impressed overall with US Cellular’s customer service over the past five years, I chose to switch carriers for a number of reasons: I was unimpressed with the US Cellular phones, I would need to switch to nationwide coverage if I travel out of my home area (other companies do not charge roaming fees anywhere in the US anymore), and availability of service across the nation is more complete with at least two of the other providers. A separate incident in which a US Cellular telephone representative called me to upgrade my plan and my phone in January also raised a red flag for me.

I switched to Verizon Wireless. Since making the switch, Iâ€™ve been happy with the service. I havenâ€™t had any problems with coverage since, and most people havenâ€™t had any problems hearing me. I was given 15 days to try the service, but it looks like Iâ€™ll remain with it for the next two years (longer if the service is still as good as or better than today). I also bought a camera phone, which I never expected to purchase (itâ€™s a useful just-in-case feature), so I also use the e-mail feature. And if I have to travel for an emergency, I donâ€™t need to worry about roaming charges. Overall, Iâ€™m very happy with my new service and phone.

NBC15 article: Cell Phone GPS Deadline

DATCP press release: U.S. Cellular “Regrets Confusion”

brianshah.us no longer active

brimtlgtr — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 01:06:36 +0000

As of this evening, brianshah.us is no longer active. This change was made to avoid posting my personal information in the “WhoIs” database, which becomes available for public use on January 25, 2006. So, my new Web address will be brianshah.net. I apologize for any inconvenience.

New domain address: brianshah.net

brimtlgtr — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 01:02:42 +0000

I recently received information regarding my Web domain and learned that the National Telecommunications and Information Agency was going to make public the information attached to .us domains. The last thing I really want is to be inundated with companies trying to sell me services that I really donâ€™t want. So I decided to purchase a .net domain. For the next month or so, I will continue to have both in production, but the .us domain will be replaced by the .net. I will spend the next month reviewing my site and cleaning up any references to the new address.

Since Iâ€™m in the process of making these changes, I also plan on testing a dynamic blog. This may require another site redesign.

In the meantime, if youâ€™ve already bookmarked my site, please change it to brianshah.net.

To learn more about .us domains, please read the following article. Iâ€™ll admit that it is a little extreme, but its basic point is evident.

Americans Deserve Privacy Web site

Call for Help returns

brimtlgtr — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 23:50:48 +0000

I had pretty much given up on G4TV (which bought out TechTV) a few months ago, but I still continue to receive newsletters from the network once in a while. So I was surprised when I received an e-mail stating that Call for Help was back on the air in the US. I’m excited because Leo Laporte is a great and very knowledgeable host. He has the skill of explaining technology in layman’s terms. Welcome back Leo and decent tech television!

G4TV Call for Help