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MacBook Pro!

Wow! I received a MacBook Pro from the office yesterday and it’s absolutely amazing. After using a Powerbook for so long the overall responsiveness of the systems is a quantum leap! Apps I was used to just having to wait on, just work. I can’t detect any issues with Rosetta and actually in my case Entourage is running like it was just installed for the first time instead of continuing to read my store of Gigabytes of email. NetNewsWire is humming and browsing through Camino, Safari and Firefox (had to try them all) is super quick!

My two issues are I know I no longer can get power on an Airplane with my iGo (yet) and I can’t use my card reader for SD or CF Cards — so back to USB and Bluetooth for those.

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I’m Back

I’ve recently had the opportunity to take a few weeks from the office and it’s been an amazing mental experience. My first week was a family vacation – noted in the previous post – and as part of this trip I did a complete disconnect – no phone and no email. I had my phone with me and “damn you” T-Mobile, the two times I turned it on, I received a call within a few minutes! Week two was a business trip to Dublin Ireland for a leadership and management training which was a great experience. I work for in a major world wide agency and actually on a globally managed piece of business, but I had not yet had the opportunity to really understand what else was going on within the companies around me – at least from people who don’t also work on my account.

The most interesting thing I’ve taken away from the time is a sense of perspective and the relative importance of matters at hand. A simple difference in where I am today, vs. even a few months back.

When I took some time back in January, I remained connected and it only took until Tuesday for the calls to start. Once engaged, my vacation became more of a remote working environment. I worked far less than normal, and actually found the deluge of email to be crushing. I had hundreds of unread email and was never able to catch up reading them all – in many ways I really did not want to try and deal with it all, but still I felt the pressure.

During this last round of time out of the office, it finally occurred to me that it’s not only impossible to read eery single email, it’s not required. There are currently 314 unread emails in my archived inbox (5522 total still to be filed) and 133 unread messages in my online inbox (677 total waiting for action, filing or delete). This might freak a few people out – actually it does still make me uncomfortable, but there’s little I can do to prevent the daily deluge. What I can do is manage my time, focus and deal with prioritized pieces on various projects that require my attention. If it’s really that important people follow-up. Otherwise, it’s a search away when you are looking for something.

I am committed to working smarter, maintaining a perspective on the job at hand and most importantly sharing this with the people with whom I work. We’ve spent a great deal of time this past year (my time off corresponded nicely with my 1 year anniversary) running and reacting, rather than being able to stop, focus and plan.

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Almost there

Just a few hours at the office…. I am already there.

Punta Cana

I am set to check out completely for the first time in a long time. I’ve worked the past year through most weekends and holidays and am ready for a complete shutdown. I think my brain and body seriously need to recharge.

Punta Cana

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From the interesting rumors department

Numbers 2,6,11 and 17 are of particular interest…

This would be a massively significant update and would blow the doors off of Vista. We can certainly hope…

Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Apple precludes me from revealing proprietary detail, but because most, if not all, of this is posted elsewhere and is commonly available, I have no problems with confirming the following. Still, please don’t quote me.

1. Leopard supports OS 9.x, as is done with Tiger, but OS 8 and earlier will not be officially supported. Legacy apps may still work, but Apple just won’t support them.

2. During the Leopard install, you are given the option to create specific partitioning to accommodate M$ Vista and Linux. Reformatting your HD is not required. Depending on your processor and RAM, all OS’s can run simultaneously & independently. A (minimum) 150 GB HD is required (250 GB is recommended), and 2 GB RAM (minimum) should you wish to run more than one OS. Dual processors are required for optimum performance, though this may change in 10.5.1 or 10.5.2.

3. DiskWarrior (in lieu of TechTool) will be bundled with 10.5 if one chooses Apple Care or extends their current Apple Care contract. I don’t know the pricing or specific details, though Apple Care for older machines will increase significantly with the machine’s age. Machines over 6 years old (from date of mfgr.) are not eligible.

4. Safari will include editable Helpers. Safari Tabs can be assigned colors. Safari will be about 37% faster (YMMV). The default for Safari bookmarks will now be alphabetical by folder. Safari will include configurable parental controls (for those who want configured parents). Safari will now import Firefox and Camino bookmarks. Also, there are 12 new Safari “skins”.

5. The Dock will be much different. One new feature is that as icons are added, they will automatically migrate/expand around the screen as needed (or, you can reduce the size of the icons as presently done). Also, multiple docks are an option as is the amount of “bounce” desired in those dock apps launching or needing your attention. There is an accompanying bounce sound, a boing-boing sort of thing.

6. Hooks are built-in to support an Apple PDA, but I can say no more.

7. All Metadata will be editable.

8. You can have 3 ‘Finder’ windows open simultaneously, much like having 3 displays, all running different applications or OS’s. If networked, any 3 computers can be displayed. Depending on the function/application, you can even Drag & Drop between displays. Password or Admin. privileges are required. (see #2 above).

9. Widgets can run on any or all of your open windows, similar to the way Stickies can be placed anywhere.

10. Terminal has balloons that will appear with alerts/warning notes should you wish to do something that you will (later) wish you hadn’t.

11. Mail, Address Book, iCal, iSight, and iChat will become one integrated application, much like Entourage (but better). Included is a customizable Auto Responder and voice activated dialing via numbers or Address Book names. You will be able to automatically send email & initiate iSight meetings, etc. that are linked/pegged to specific calendar events. This feature is called AutoPilot (see #6 above).

12. Voice recognition/security has returned as an option (see #6 above). Note: Use with caution. I am still not certain this will make the final release (it’s still a bit buggy); perhaps delayed until 10.5.1.

13. An across the board speed increase of 35 – 40%. YMMV.

14. Font, Printer, and User Preference (.plist) repair routines are built-in and are schedulable.

15. Sherlock has been eliminated (use Widgets instead).

16. When Repairing Permissions, the “We are using special permissions…” will no longer be displayed. Finally!

17. Airport (Extreme only) will notify you via the airport icon flashing in the menu bar if your signal is being hijacked or used by anyone other than you authorized.

18. Startups, Restarts, & User Switching will be exactly as the User left the machine; open apps, window positions, network connections, etc. will all be reestablished.

19. Bundled with Leopard is a small app called “TrashBack”, a program to recover deleted files. Of course, the sooner one uses it after trashing the better.

20. Numerous (other) bug fixes, including a totally rewritten Spotlight.
Leopard will be previewed in June at the WWDC and released in early November

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Know your tools

I was just catching up on some email with Chappelle Show on in the background and caught a Wyclef Jean performance I had actually seen previously and really liked. He sings an acoustic version of President, which is a heavily political song as the name implies.

If I was president / I’d be elected Friday / Assassinated on Saturday / Buried on Sunday / Get the truth back on Monday

Wanting to snag a copy, my first instinct was to hit iTunes. There’s an EP there, but not with the version I wanted. (I actually just went back and picked up the Reggae version for .99) Next stop Google… even with an advanced search, I could not find the track in a form I wanted. I did find a low-res live acoustic version (MP3) from a John Kerry rally, but the quality was actually pretty bad. Then I thought about You Tube! Search on Wyclef and voilá! The exact clip I had just seen was there… though only in flash. A quick stop to Keepvid.com with a paste from Youtube and I was able to download an FLV of the show. FLV is not really the most ideal format, but one more stop to iSquint and a few minutes of conversion and my song in video format was waiting in iTunes ready to sync.

While this seems complicated, it’s actually not bad and really did not take very long once I realized where to look for the file.

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Boot Camp is just the beginning

I believe that the name Boot Camp is a significant double entendre which references both the boot sequence of a computer (the dual boot) and also the beginning of something much more considerable — not unlike the boot camp attended by members of the armed forces. I don’t actually think or hope there’s much related between Apple and the military… Though you might look at this as training for the battle ahead.

Running Windows and Mac applications on the same machine has many benefits. I don’t think I really need to spell it all out, but just for kicks imagine you are one of the following – A recent iPod purchaser on a Windows Machine loving Apple, but not sure you’d be comfortable in Mac OS; A Gamer; a Corporate user; a casual consumer looking to upgrade your computing style.

While Dual-Booting allows for a pretty conservative approach to checking things out (separate real machines), the real path to seemless integration of multiple OSs comes through Virtualization. This is something that has been mainly used on the server side of life, but is very seriously making a move on the desktop. As Intel rolls Conroe out this fall, and Apple rolls out 10.5 virtualization will very likely reach a consumer mass market.

While Virtualization is very complicated, imagine NOT having to reboot your system to run Windows or switch to Mac OS, but rather simply clicking an app and having it run. The way virtualization has worked in the past has enabled a special window to open (if you’ve ever used VirtualPC) which then runs the new OS. Apple actually has some interesting related experience which many early users of OSX are quite familiar in Classic.

Classic just ran. You could choose to have it start on boot or on demand and when you clicked a Classic (OS9) application, it just worked. Running Windows (or Linux) this way is clearly more complicated, but I don’t think it’s impossible and actually if the goal is to make it easy for things to operate – Apple could certainly make the process transparent better than most.

There are definitely some interesting things brewing and I can’t wait to see how it all actually works out. If Apple succeeds in enabling a virtual windows system within OS X, there would be ZERO obstacles to choosing Apple – with the one exception being cost, but then you’d be getting the most superior hardware design along with the most advanced operating system — not too unlike today, but with even more capabilities.

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SurfRabbit

SurfRabbit is a pretty slick browser add-on for Safari, NetNewsWire and Shiira (all webKit) which works in a similar way to Greasemonkey does. You can create and share hacks to sites that enable them to work better for you. I’ve just installed it and find that it seems to work as expected without issue.

I really like being able to clean up pages like News.com full articles which I tend to read many times a day. There are about 20 page tweaks currently in the system, though I suspect many more will follow.

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Why, Entourage?

Dear Entourage –

Why do you think I want to keep a meeting scheduled when I cancel all the invitations? You are making me take two steps to kill something when a simple one-step would suffice.

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“even a moron”

Gotta love Apple’s attitude toward the ridiculous lawsuit from Apple Corps, The Beatles record label.

Giving opening arguments on Thursday, lawyers for Apple Computer asserted the company’s right to distribute music through its iTunes music store, rejecting claims by The Beatles’ Apple Corps Ltd. that doing so violated a 1991 trademark agreement.

According to the Associated Press, Apple lawyer Anthony Grabiner said the “distribution of digital entertainment content” was permitted under the agreement, in which the two companies promised not to interfere with the other’s business.

Grabiner said “even a moron in a hurry” could distinguish between the computer company’s online music business and a record label like Apple Corps.

“Data transmission is within our field of use. That’s what [the agreement] says and it is inescapable,” he said.

In his own opening arguments on Wednesday, Apple Corps’ lawyer Geoffrey Vos said Apple Computer’s music distribution business “was flatly contradictory to the provisions of the agreement.”

Vos argued that while Apple Computer is perfectly entitled to produce programs like iTunes, it should stay out of the music business if it uses the logo, a cartoonish apple with a neat bite out of its side, the AP reported. [AppleInsider]

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Networked DVR

When I first read the headline I got very excited, but then I realized this is not what I was hoping for…

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Cable operator Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC.N) said on Monday it plans to introduce a video recording service as early as this year that aims to replace the living room digital video recorder.Digital video recorders made by such companies as Cisco Systems Inc.’s (CSCO.O) Scientific-Atlanta and TiVo Inc. (TIVO.O) allow subscribers to pause and rewind live television programs and store programs on hard drives included on their home set-top boxes. The Cablevision service, by contrast, will allow customers to store programs on servers located at Cablevision’s facilities. Cablevision said the move is designed to cut the cost of installing and fixing digital video recorders, which are prone to malfunction.It will operate over existing cable systems through customers’ current digital set top boxes. Though the company said it had not yet priced the service, it expects cost-savings to be passed on to customers. [New York Times]

I sincerely hope that Cable companies decide this is the low-end version of the DVR service and continue to offer / allow a more high end recording capability. My experience with cable DVRs has been quite good. What I would love is for a shared recording space so I can easily browse programs recorded centrally (or simply from a second box) in a different room. This technology already exists and Scientific Atlanta offers a version of the box I already use (8300HD) which enables multi-room functionality. My home has all the connective lines needed – just coax – to make this happen.

Additionally, with “recording” done on the external network, you essentially just offer an enhanced on-demand service which is fine for some instances, but defeats any hope of portability other than streaming. The EyeTV 200 I’ve recently added enables me to auto-export to iPod format which enables my content to be synced with a docked iPod – or streamed through iTunes on any other computer. If I had systems running Front Row, I’d be able to stream quite easily on my home network.

I know I am not in the majority of consumers nor do I view technology through the mass market filter, but I can’t imagine people want less from their content services and providers…

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D-Link DGL-4100: Au Revoir, Bonjour?

For the life of me I cannot figure out why Bonjour no longer works on my network. I can connect directly through an IP to any machine on my network, use ARD or VNC as needed, but things like iTunes sharing are dead.

Initially I thought this was going to be a wired to wireless issue, but I tried connected a powerbook directly to the router and saw no change either. There’s clearly a block somewhere but I can’t find it. D-Link of course said to contact Apple… I’ve searched around on message boards, but so far have come up empty. This is not critical, but seriously missing and something I’d really like to restore. Hopefully someone will catch this via Google…

As noted below… I’ve fixed this issue with a new cable. I’ve actually turned off the ports I had toyed with and it’s still working. Old ethernet cable trashed.

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Elgato Updates EyeTV (2.1) – now with HDTV on a Core Duo

Thanks to the enhanced processing capabilities of the Intel Core Duo, you can now record and playback HDTV directly on a Mac mini, iMac or MacBook Pro! An all digital EyeTV 500 is starting to sound quite nice…

This version expands support for full-resolution playback of HDTV to Macs with Intel Core Duo processors — a feature previously reserved for owners of high-end dual Power Mac G5 computers. The full 720p and 1080i HDTV experience is now available on portable and consumer desktop Macs such as the MacBook Pro and the new iMac, as well as the Mac mini with Core Duo processors. [Elgato Systems]

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Intense Broadband, but only after clearing up my user error

I recently decided I wanted to pay more for my home broadband access and added this to my Cablevision bill a few weeks ago. Up until last night I was having an issue with the service as it seemed that I was not able to get anywhere near the speed (30MB / 2MB) I should be getting – let alone the regular tier of service which offers 15MB dl.

And then it occurred to me… My router is pretty old as I’ve been a cable broadband user since from the moment it was offered about 6 years ago when I lived in NYC. My Linksys router is only not 10/100 as I thought… instead it’s only capable of 10MB which is slower than the incoming stream. A quick test with a direct ethernet connection to my laptop from the cable modem revealed I was seriously self-capping. I am still not getting 30MB downloads, but it is pushing past 15 on some quick speed tests.

Problem solved with a quick one-click over at Amazon, I’ll be getting a new D-Link DGL-4100 Broadband Gaming Router, 4-Port Gigabit Switch which as the names implies will enable Gigabit access on my home network (wiring pending) and a much faster routing of incoming packets. From what I read about the router, it’s also incredibly friendly for configurations of specific applications so you can prioritize (or limit) certain types of applications. It’s clearly targeted at gamers with settings designed to optimize online gaming, but similar settings will enable me to do quite a few tricks including built-in support for DynDns and VPN so I can securely connect remotely to my home machines and help my wife or simply stream some music … and possibly video back out.

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iTune Multipass

I love this new feature! Today I ordered a pass to the Daily Show based how damn easy it is. The pricing is excellent and you get 16 shows for a considerable discount – thanks Apple and Viacom for getting how it should work.

The service is essentially paid podcasting. You pick what you want and it downloads as shows are available. Tonight I caught up the weeks episodes while commuting home and expect that tomorrow I will find tonight’s episode (which I’ve missed) auto-synched on my iPod. This could not be easier.

What’s next is obvious to me. HD or some significant boost towards at least 480p content so it’s closer to standard def TV until bandwidth can be dealt with for true HDTV on-demand / subscription services. Apple btw, is not calling this a subscription (more like a bulk buy) since the way subscription services work today is more akin to a rental and you own what iTunes delivers…

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ITMS – Instant Fullfillment

One of the killer features of the iTunes Music Store is the immediate gratification and instant fulfillment of your purchase. I just grabbed the latest Matisyahu entitled Youth and I love that while it’s actually downloading, I can begin listening.

Currently Jamming to Fire of Heaven / Altar of Earth from the album “Youth” by Matisyahu

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VW on You Tube and beyond

OK I’ll bite. I received a video link from an “anonymous” friend on You Tube… (just learned it was from my dad and You Tube did not carry forward his name or email) Seems based on the other videos posted by user lowblackdub that this is a viral move by VW and one I really like. I’ve been checking out the new GTI commercials on TV and like them quite a bit, though this one takes a completely different perspective and does not include the “bad influence” creature I’ve been seeing. VW has really done a great job using the web for a different spin from TV which is great to see. They’ve clearly planned differently for the different channels… The main VW site has a nice extension of this video with the sub-site for the GTI MK V…

It features Peter Stormare, the Nihilist from The Big Lebowski among other Coen Brother’s films like Fargo.

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