Remember last year's brouhaha (or was it ballyhoo) about the MacBook wireless exploit reported by the Washington Post's Brian Krebs?
Well, David Maynor finally published the details of his original MacBook hack. I have to say, I was always very skeptical of Maynor's whole story, starting with the problems in the original Post story—problems which I still attribute to Kreb's poor reporting, further accerbated by George Ou's babbling. But, Maynor appears to have found a serious problem at the time.
I think the lesson here is how not to report on a security flaw. I also can't help but wonder just exactly what Apple was doing during this time.
Link
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Crash Windows Vista With Two Keystrokes
I caught this one via Fake Steve, a weblog that continues to be interesting and hilarious even after the New York Times exposed the true author.
According to Fake Steve and Information Week Windows Vista has a serious achillies heel: the "E" key. Apparently, holding the Window key and the letter "E" for ten seconds, will totally crash the system.
Nice. I can't wait to get calls from people because family cat managed to make the new Vista machine completely unresponsive by stepping across the keyboard.
According to Fake Steve and Information Week Windows Vista has a serious achillies heel: the "E" key. Apparently, holding the Window key and the letter "E" for ten seconds, will totally crash the system.
Nice. I can't wait to get calls from people because family cat managed to make the new Vista machine completely unresponsive by stepping across the keyboard.
Mark Cuban Effuses on MacBook, Flails English Language
Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, was so frustrated with his experience with Windows Vista that he purchased a MacBook and apparently loves it. Interestingly enough, the self-anointed 'technology maverick' once starred in his very own HP commercial.
Great Mark, now maybe we can do something about this:
Seriously, Mark there's this thing called a comma, try it sometime.
First is that when I close my MacBook without turning it off, it doesn't lose power. It can sit there for hours and then work when I open it up. The 2nd is that it rarely freezes up. Maybe 3 or 4 times in months. Finally, i LOVE the fact that it boots up in 1/1000000000 of the time it takes my PC. It probably will add years to my life .. (ok an exaggeration).
Great Mark, now maybe we can do something about this:
When you get as many emails as I do. Thats a problem. When it also causes the system to freeze, its more than just a problem. My first step was to get a copy of CPU Magazine with Vista tricks. The tricks helped. Everything froze or crashed less often. Significantly less often. But the annoyance factor was beyond belief. I dont run any special applications. I run outlook, Office and firefox. Thats it.
Seriously, Mark there's this thing called a comma, try it sometime.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The iPhone, Buy One Seriously
Everyone has already written everything that could be written about the iPhone, so I'll be quick, it's just really cool. The interface is so fantastic it makes people smile and there are so many thoughtful touches abound that I can't help but be impressed.
Lots of tech pundits will babble endlessly about the lack of 3G, expandable memory, and the lack of a hard keyboard, but quite simply the iPhone rises about these possible flaws with an interface that it's so intuitive as to be nearly magical. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot, but it is very, very good.
Lots of tech pundits will babble endlessly about the lack of 3G, expandable memory, and the lack of a hard keyboard, but quite simply the iPhone rises about these possible flaws with an interface that it's so intuitive as to be nearly magical. Is it perfect? Not by a long shot, but it is very, very good.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Urge Merges
The Washington Post reports that MTV has abandoned it's partnership with Microsoft by taking their Urge service to RealNetworks. The new service, called Rhapsody America, will work with Verizon's V-Cast, as well as Windows and some digital music-players.
MTV has abandoned it's partnership with Microsoft by taking their Urge digital music service to RealNetworks. The new service, called Rhapsody America, will work with Verizon's V-Cast phones, providing mobile distribution in addition the the usual internet offerings of the previous Urge service.
Doomed by Microsoft's disinterest after the introduction of the Zune player, which was incompatible with the "PlaysForSure" framework originally designed by Microsoft, the Urge service had failed to bring in more than a token number of subscribers. This new service hopes to compete against iTunes and the iPhone, but according to Verizon's Chief Marketing Officer, the service is "..not somehow about how we collectively compete with the iPhone. I think that's a very limiting definition."
Instead, the service hopes its larger pool of hardware devices will lead to a competitive advantage. According to Ron Glaser, CEO of RealNetworks, "This is a close collaboration of partners that believes in the idea of openness. Consumers should get to pick what mobile phone they want and get great music on it." However, a quick review of previous attempts, including those by RealNetworks and MTV, to topple Apple's iTunes indicates that this strategy may not bring consumers away from the iTunes ecosystem.
Link
MTV has abandoned it's partnership with Microsoft by taking their Urge digital music service to RealNetworks. The new service, called Rhapsody America, will work with Verizon's V-Cast phones, providing mobile distribution in addition the the usual internet offerings of the previous Urge service.
Doomed by Microsoft's disinterest after the introduction of the Zune player, which was incompatible with the "PlaysForSure" framework originally designed by Microsoft, the Urge service had failed to bring in more than a token number of subscribers. This new service hopes to compete against iTunes and the iPhone, but according to Verizon's Chief Marketing Officer, the service is "..not somehow about how we collectively compete with the iPhone. I think that's a very limiting definition."
Instead, the service hopes its larger pool of hardware devices will lead to a competitive advantage. According to Ron Glaser, CEO of RealNetworks, "This is a close collaboration of partners that believes in the idea of openness. Consumers should get to pick what mobile phone they want and get great music on it." However, a quick review of previous attempts, including those by RealNetworks and MTV, to topple Apple's iTunes indicates that this strategy may not bring consumers away from the iTunes ecosystem.
Link
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Things We Carry - Flickr Pool
A great little Flickr pool I've found by way of Daring Fireball. It's amazing how prevalent Moleskine notebooks are.
Here's mine, in case you were interested.
Link.
Here's mine, in case you were interested.
Link.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
HD-DVD and Blu-Ray dependent on console sales.
One of the most notable thing about this C|Net article on HD-DVD and Blu-Ray sales, is just how dependent the formats are on video game consoles. According to the article, Sony's Playstation 3 accounts for 1.4 Million of purchased Blu-Ray players (only 100,000 are set-top boxes) and the XBox accounts for half of the 300,000 HD-DVD players sold. This is a tiny percentage of the 13 Million XBox systems Microsoft expects to sell by June 2007.
This was already well understood that Blu-Ray would be buttressed by the PS3's introduction, however, so far without the PS3 Blu-Ray is just a flash in the pan. Surprisingly, HD-DVD is also hampered by poor sales, and the Microsoft juggernaut appears strangely uncomitted with their own pet format, having waited until late 2006 to introduce a drive for the XBox to play HD-DVD.
So, while C|Net writes: "...but just six months after the first Blu-ray players went on sale, the numbers show that the fight may be nearing its conclusion..." I can't imagine that this fight is over just yet, rather I'd expect a long internecine war of price drops and PR campaigns.
My own advice, keep your standard DVD player.
This was already well understood that Blu-Ray would be buttressed by the PS3's introduction, however, so far without the PS3 Blu-Ray is just a flash in the pan. Surprisingly, HD-DVD is also hampered by poor sales, and the Microsoft juggernaut appears strangely uncomitted with their own pet format, having waited until late 2006 to introduce a drive for the XBox to play HD-DVD.
So, while C|Net writes: "...but just six months after the first Blu-ray players went on sale, the numbers show that the fight may be nearing its conclusion..." I can't imagine that this fight is over just yet, rather I'd expect a long internecine war of price drops and PR campaigns.
My own advice, keep your standard DVD player.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
AT&T Reports iPhone News, Apple Stock Takes Beating
...and I can't figure out why. According to AT&T's first-quarter financial results, there were 146,000 activations of the iPhone in less than two days. From the report:
The iPhone was introduced for sale at 6:00 p.m. on June 29 and AT&T's financial quarter ended on June 30. Of course, the stock market reacted to the news and Apple's stock dropped $8.81, according to the NYTimes.
Is the market simply confused between sales, estimated at nearly 700,000 during the weekend, and activations over a shorter time period and hampered by faltering activation servers?
I guess we'll know on Wednesday when Apple reports its own quarterly earnings. It's the only way to be sure.
Sales of the Apple iPhone have been robust. The June 29 launch allowed for less than two days of sales and activations before the end of the quarter. In that time, AT&T activated 146,000 iPhone subscribers, more than 40 percent of them new subscribers. Sales of the iPhone continue to be strong in July with store traffic above historical levels.
The iPhone was introduced for sale at 6:00 p.m. on June 29 and AT&T's financial quarter ended on June 30. Of course, the stock market reacted to the news and Apple's stock dropped $8.81, according to the NYTimes.
Is the market simply confused between sales, estimated at nearly 700,000 during the weekend, and activations over a shorter time period and hampered by faltering activation servers?
I guess we'll know on Wednesday when Apple reports its own quarterly earnings. It's the only way to be sure.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
A moment of love for Harry Potter
Well, that last final push is done. The boxes have been split open, the books piled in neat columns and distributed to an excited populace. The last Harry Potter novel, beloved by both adults and kids, has reached it's final path and will end.
For a moment the crowd stilled, moving almost at once, every movement and breath a potential for chaos, every gesture fraught with the sudden possibility that the crowd would turn. It pulsed around the desk like a tide, cutting the world away so that there was just the counter, eight booksellers, and the surging crowd. Then, as one manager stood on that counter, the crowd shivered as she cried out “7 minutes” and for a moment the counter seemed to wallow in the crowd, small waves of people would rush forward with their tickets and bracelets, saying “I'm next.”
We waited until it was close, until we could get within a few seconds of 12:01 to pull the purple sheet away. Touched it, made sure it would break away, we caressed the sheet and the boxes beneath, each one marked so that it was obvious what it was, but beneath the purple sheet, the boxes didn't hold the same potential. But, now that potential was pulsing with the crowd, the air conditioning vents raising the corners.
And, then we counted down, 10...9...8... and the crowd began to cheer, full of the realization that the moment was about to arrive.
The pallet is proudly depleted, ranks of boxes once neatly stacked are now strewn about, the volumes inside are in the hot hands of the crowd. People cheered for a book, people lined up in a huge crowd, in the heat of a bookstore too full with souls, to buy a book. A children's novel about magic, and they were excited, they jumped up and down, they screamed. The girl, who had arrived at 5:00 am that morning, nearly cried. She cheered as she stood up front, and then for a moment her face quivered and tears formed when she saw the bright orange cover. For a novel, we did all this.
Now that the last push is done, the boxes split open, and the books distributed, the last Harry Potter novel is being chewed through by children and adults. Much has been said, either way, about the Harry Potter series and it's ability to induce literacy. Some love the book, anytime kids read is great they say. Others are not so sure, they frown at the notion that a single blockbuster novel is not enough to get kids to read literature, but merely a cultural blip. Ask me tomorrow and I'm sure you'll hear a variation on the second idea, but tonight with the memory of all that excitement, of all those people overjoyed to dig into their favorite story and find its bittersweet endings, I can't help but love Harry Potter a little. I can't help but love Rowling's prose, though it be 'sturdy' and those characters, even as each is destined for the silver screen's own thin lens.
Tonight, I cannot escape the idea that around the country there are thousands breathing in the same world, each turning the page and loving a book.
For a moment the crowd stilled, moving almost at once, every movement and breath a potential for chaos, every gesture fraught with the sudden possibility that the crowd would turn. It pulsed around the desk like a tide, cutting the world away so that there was just the counter, eight booksellers, and the surging crowd. Then, as one manager stood on that counter, the crowd shivered as she cried out “7 minutes” and for a moment the counter seemed to wallow in the crowd, small waves of people would rush forward with their tickets and bracelets, saying “I'm next.”
We waited until it was close, until we could get within a few seconds of 12:01 to pull the purple sheet away. Touched it, made sure it would break away, we caressed the sheet and the boxes beneath, each one marked so that it was obvious what it was, but beneath the purple sheet, the boxes didn't hold the same potential. But, now that potential was pulsing with the crowd, the air conditioning vents raising the corners.
And, then we counted down, 10...9...8... and the crowd began to cheer, full of the realization that the moment was about to arrive.
The pallet is proudly depleted, ranks of boxes once neatly stacked are now strewn about, the volumes inside are in the hot hands of the crowd. People cheered for a book, people lined up in a huge crowd, in the heat of a bookstore too full with souls, to buy a book. A children's novel about magic, and they were excited, they jumped up and down, they screamed. The girl, who had arrived at 5:00 am that morning, nearly cried. She cheered as she stood up front, and then for a moment her face quivered and tears formed when she saw the bright orange cover. For a novel, we did all this.
Now that the last push is done, the boxes split open, and the books distributed, the last Harry Potter novel is being chewed through by children and adults. Much has been said, either way, about the Harry Potter series and it's ability to induce literacy. Some love the book, anytime kids read is great they say. Others are not so sure, they frown at the notion that a single blockbuster novel is not enough to get kids to read literature, but merely a cultural blip. Ask me tomorrow and I'm sure you'll hear a variation on the second idea, but tonight with the memory of all that excitement, of all those people overjoyed to dig into their favorite story and find its bittersweet endings, I can't help but love Harry Potter a little. I can't help but love Rowling's prose, though it be 'sturdy' and those characters, even as each is destined for the silver screen's own thin lens.
Tonight, I cannot escape the idea that around the country there are thousands breathing in the same world, each turning the page and loving a book.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Hotter Islands
While browsing the BLDGBLOG, I ran into their article about climate change, and more specifically, the "urban heat island effect."
The result of man-made materials tendency to absorb and retain heat, urban heat islands not only cause the local cityscape to remain warmer than the surrounding countryside, but these islands also effect the local weather by causing strong thermal updrafts that, according to New Scientist, generate rain-bearing clouds and thunderstorms.
Tucson, like any city extended by metastatic growth, also experiences the heat island effect. This is what it looks like:
Up towards Oro Valley the air is up to 7 degrees (C) cooler than the University of Arizona near the center of the map. This works out to a difference of 13 degrees (F) if the weather widget is trustworthy.
Also, of note, according to the New Scientist article BLDGBLOG refers to, the heat island effect causes thunderstorms up to 60km downwind. In other words, while Tucson gets hotter because of all the asphalt, concrete, and heat-bleed from air-conditioning, someone in Benson might be getting the rain.
This effect can be easily felt in Tucson by driving down Broadway, as you pass Reid Park, the ambient air temperature rapidly drops.
The result of man-made materials tendency to absorb and retain heat, urban heat islands not only cause the local cityscape to remain warmer than the surrounding countryside, but these islands also effect the local weather by causing strong thermal updrafts that, according to New Scientist, generate rain-bearing clouds and thunderstorms.
Tucson, like any city extended by metastatic growth, also experiences the heat island effect. This is what it looks like:
Up towards Oro Valley the air is up to 7 degrees (C) cooler than the University of Arizona near the center of the map. This works out to a difference of 13 degrees (F) if the weather widget is trustworthy.
Also, of note, according to the New Scientist article BLDGBLOG refers to, the heat island effect causes thunderstorms up to 60km downwind. In other words, while Tucson gets hotter because of all the asphalt, concrete, and heat-bleed from air-conditioning, someone in Benson might be getting the rain.
This effect can be easily felt in Tucson by driving down Broadway, as you pass Reid Park, the ambient air temperature rapidly drops.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Why I Don't Trust Microsoft: Entry No.: 195
Apparently, Microsoft has patented the ridiculously evil "advertising framework" which will use "context data" from the user's own hard-drive to deliver ads. Yes, they want to use your data (including text documents, music, photos, etc.) to sell you stuff. Of course this data will be secure and anonymous. And, of course this will not be another vector for malware. Not to mention the potential for embarrassing spam based on content you'd rather no one knew you had.
Microsoft continues to view users as a source of revenue rather than as customers.
Link
Microsoft continues to view users as a source of revenue rather than as customers.
Link
Macintosh BU is alive!
This is good news, the Microsoft Business Unit (who builds Office for the Macintosh) has announced updates to Microsoft Office for the Mac. This includes updates to RDC as well as file converters for Word and Powerpoint. Oddly, Excel goes unmentioned, but I would assume that a file converter is coming for that program as well. Stay tuned.
Link
Link
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Elliot Bay Bookstore - Seattle, WA
If I could marry a bookstore, I'd buy a ring for the Elliot Bay Bookstore in Seattle. Wood floors, a huge poetry section, a neat little cafe, and lots and lots of books. It's such a cool place, I'm jealous that Tucson doesn't have an equivalent.
I purchased an autographed copy of Anne Fadiman's At Large and At Small: Familiar Essays there and I'll remember to stop there every chance I get.
Trust me. If you love books and you're in the Seattle area, go here and buy something.
I purchased an autographed copy of Anne Fadiman's At Large and At Small: Familiar Essays there and I'll remember to stop there every chance I get.
Trust me. If you love books and you're in the Seattle area, go here and buy something.
Friday, July 06, 2007
On Reviewing the iPhone
Caught by John Gruber over at DaringFireball, another technology columnist has reviewed the iPhone without actually using one!
Tim Carroll over at Palm Infocenter has written a 10-point (yes, hackneyed is the world you're thinking of) comparison of the iPhone and the Palm Treo. And, yes I expect a completely unbiased review of the Treo's abilities from Palm Infocenter. After giving the Treo a 6 to 5 victory over the iPhone (yes, there are 11-points), he later admits this in the comments:
When did this kind of hackery become acceptable? New rule: if you're going to review a device (or anything frankly) you actually have to engage it in some way. I know, I know, it takes time, but that's what readers deserve. Not this obvious click-fodder.
Link.
Hat-tip to Daring Fireball
Tim Carroll over at Palm Infocenter has written a 10-point (yes, hackneyed is the world you're thinking of) comparison of the iPhone and the Palm Treo. And, yes I expect a completely unbiased review of the Treo's abilities from Palm Infocenter. After giving the Treo a 6 to 5 victory over the iPhone (yes, there are 11-points), he later admits this in the comments:
Actually won't even have a chance to play with one for at least a year, if the usual time to market in Oz is any indication. But I don't think that any of the points I've made would change if I got to play with one; I base my criticisms not just on Apple's own promotional materials and video guided tour, but the dozens of iPhone reviews and hundreds of comments from new users over the net. And just plain common sense too.Well now, I've actually handled an iPhone but not the latest Treo, but I think according to Palm's promotional materials the iPhone is way better. I mean, it's just plain common sense. Now, someone pay me.
When did this kind of hackery become acceptable? New rule: if you're going to review a device (or anything frankly) you actually have to engage it in some way. I know, I know, it takes time, but that's what readers deserve. Not this obvious click-fodder.
Link.
Hat-tip to Daring Fireball
The iPhone is a Platform, Just Not Yet
Ethan Kaplan over at blackrimglasses has started iphonehints and he has posted a great little response to all those "but the iPhone doesn't have..." articles.
He writes:
"Its important to think of the iPhone not as a cell phone, Internet device or iPod, but more as a general purpose computer who's software and operating system enable it to function as all three. Without any software, what the iPhone consists of is:
"Apple's 1.0 product release strategy is quite simple: get it perfect with as many features to get a feel for use, then expand from there. If you were around for OSX 10.1, Final Cut 1.0, iPhoto 1.0, Aperture 1.0, etc. Each was barely usable, and got a feel for a market without over-extending the engineering behind it. Apple has focus with software development, in a top-down pyramid structure. Get the core perfect, extend from there."
I can't help but agree with the guy, the iPhone is a platform for Apple, akin to the iPod but with a much greater degree of flexibility because of the inclusion of OSX. Hasn't anyone noticed that the Apple TV was, within a week of its introduction, hacked to extend its capabilities? And, does anyone think the iPhone will be any different?
The iPhone is a platform.
Link
EDIT: Apparently, Uncle Walt (better known as the Wall Street Journal's tech columnist Walter Mossberg) has been told that Apple will include Flash on a future iPhone update. Link
He writes:
"Its important to think of the iPhone not as a cell phone, Internet device or iPod, but more as a general purpose computer who's software and operating system enable it to function as all three. Without any software, what the iPhone consists of is:
- A 600-700mhz computer
- Dedicated 3d graphics processor
- Cellular modem
- Wi-Fi network adapter
- Accelerometer
- Ambient light sensor
- Proximity sensors
- Multi-touch haptic touch screen display
- Audio input and output
- High speed data support (USB 2.0)
- Bluetooth communication adapter
"Apple's 1.0 product release strategy is quite simple: get it perfect with as many features to get a feel for use, then expand from there. If you were around for OSX 10.1, Final Cut 1.0, iPhoto 1.0, Aperture 1.0, etc. Each was barely usable, and got a feel for a market without over-extending the engineering behind it. Apple has focus with software development, in a top-down pyramid structure. Get the core perfect, extend from there."
I can't help but agree with the guy, the iPhone is a platform for Apple, akin to the iPod but with a much greater degree of flexibility because of the inclusion of OSX. Hasn't anyone noticed that the Apple TV was, within a week of its introduction, hacked to extend its capabilities? And, does anyone think the iPhone will be any different?
The iPhone is a platform.
Link
EDIT: Apparently, Uncle Walt (better known as the Wall Street Journal's tech columnist Walter Mossberg) has been told that Apple will include Flash on a future iPhone update. Link
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
iPhone's Opening Weekend
Simply put, the iPhone is a blockbuster selling approximately 700,000 units in three days, a number which took the Motorola Razr in its first month. Hype is obviously important, but as the reviews continue to roll in it seems, it seems that Apple has done more than create a frenzy, they've created a fantastic device.
Unfortunately, I'll have to wait to purchase mine, but after a few minutes at a packed Apple Store fiddling with the sleek iPhone, I'm more than ready to get one. And note, this is a coup for AT&T who just attained 700,000 new subscribers.
Link.
Unfortunately, I'll have to wait to purchase mine, but after a few minutes at a packed Apple Store fiddling with the sleek iPhone, I'm more than ready to get one. And note, this is a coup for AT&T who just attained 700,000 new subscribers.
Link.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
A Quote on Literature - Jean Paul Satre
The creative act is only an incomplete and abstract moment in the production of a work. If the author existed alone he would be able to write as much as he liked; the work as object would never see the light of day and he would either have to put down his pen or despair. But the operation of writing implies that of reading as its dialectical correlative and these two connected acts necessitate two distinct agents. It is the joint effort of author and reader which brings upon the scene that concrete and imaginary object which is the work of the mind. There is no art except for and by others.
— Jean Paul Satre, What is Literature?
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Wii Takes Nintendo to Number One Spot
Back in November I wrote: "Nintendo's strategy with the Wii, focusing on game-play rather than graphics and simplicity rather than owning the home entertainment sphere, may make the company ultimately more successful than either of their competitors."
And apparently, I should have bet on it by buying Nintendo stock as sales show that the Wii is outselling both its competitors and thrusting Nintendo do a market-cap above Sony. From the Bloomberg article: "Nintendo sold 338,000 Wii players in the U.S., the world's largest video-game market, in May, compared with 81,600 PlayStation 3 units, according to data compiled by NPD Group Inc. Microsoft Corp. sold 154,900 of its Xbox 360 machines."
Nintendo and Apple are peas in a pod, they create a cool experience over an over-stuffed data sheet of capabilities and options.
Link to article, with a hat tip to 37signals.
And apparently, I should have bet on it by buying Nintendo stock as sales show that the Wii is outselling both its competitors and thrusting Nintendo do a market-cap above Sony. From the Bloomberg article: "Nintendo sold 338,000 Wii players in the U.S., the world's largest video-game market, in May, compared with 81,600 PlayStation 3 units, according to data compiled by NPD Group Inc. Microsoft Corp. sold 154,900 of its Xbox 360 machines."
Nintendo and Apple are peas in a pod, they create a cool experience over an over-stuffed data sheet of capabilities and options.
Link to article, with a hat tip to 37signals.
The Bangkok Film Festival has apparently caved into pressure from the Iranian Farabi Foundation and withdrawn the animated fil m Persepolis from its showing. Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Marjane Satrapi Persepolis apparently presented an "...unrealistic face of the achievements and results of the glorious Islamic Revolution in some of its parts" according to the Foundation.
Note, the comment by festival director Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya: "It's a good film, but there are other considerations." I wonder what those considerations were?
The Farabi Foundation has also demanded that Cannes also refuse to show Persepolis, but fortunately that request has been refused.
Persepolis is a fantastic graphic novel based on author Satrapi's life in the early days of the Iranian revolution. The stark illustrations frame a description of a childhood formed by war and cultural upheaval.
Amazon link for Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
. Remember, I get a shiny penny if you buy something from Amazon through these links.
Note, the comment by festival director Chattan Kunjara na Ayudhya: "It's a good film, but there are other considerations." I wonder what those considerations were?
The Farabi Foundation has also demanded that Cannes also refuse to show Persepolis, but fortunately that request has been refused.
Persepolis is a fantastic graphic novel based on author Satrapi's life in the early days of the Iranian revolution. The stark illustrations frame a description of a childhood formed by war and cultural upheaval.
Amazon link for Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
. Remember, I get a shiny penny if you buy something from Amazon through these links.
On Ratatoiulle and Brad Bird.
Slate.com has a fantastic article about Brad Bird, director of Pixar'sRatatouille. Take the time to view the slide-show which includes short clips of Bird's work, including the overlooked Iron Giant as well as his work on the Simpsons.
By the way, it's rat-a-TOO-ee so if you hear me call it rat-a-TOOL-ee you will know something only a handful of disgruntled French people know: I cannot speak French.
At a bakery in Chamonix, I once managed the first syllable of bonjour before the very pretty and sweet girl behind the counter interrupted me and quickly said: "It's okay. I speak English."
One syllable.
By the way, it's rat-a-TOO-ee so if you hear me call it rat-a-TOOL-ee you will know something only a handful of disgruntled French people know: I cannot speak French.
At a bakery in Chamonix, I once managed the first syllable of bonjour before the very pretty and sweet girl behind the counter interrupted me and quickly said: "It's okay. I speak English."
One syllable.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Manga Hobos?
Yes. Manga hobos, otherwise described as, from the Flickr forum, Manga Hobos, Manga Lumps, Notaku, and (using the proper Japanese term) Tachiyomi.
What is a Tachiyomi? According to prizmcluster, the term means "stand reading" and refers to the tradition of Japanese merchants who allowed customers to stand and read the magazines.
Being currently employed as a book monger myself, I can agree the average tachiyomi is annoying as hell: they crowd the aisle and litter the store with piles of manga they are unable to return to its rightful spot.
Link
What is a Tachiyomi? According to prizmcluster, the term means "stand reading" and refers to the tradition of Japanese merchants who allowed customers to stand and read the magazines.
Being currently employed as a book monger myself, I can agree the average tachiyomi is annoying as hell: they crowd the aisle and litter the store with piles of manga they are unable to return to its rightful spot.
Link
Saturday, March 31, 2007
MacBook Pro
It's easy to gush about brand-new technology. It comes well-packaged and prestine and for a moment I'm struck by the ingenuity and the shear marketing of such beautiful objects. And, the MacBook Pro is such a beautiful object.
Out of the box it's a sleek slab of metal, a sharp monolith-like object of painted aluminium that fits in the hands easily. And then there's the Mac OS X chime when you touch the silver power button.
One of the things I love about Apple is the little touches, the magnetic catches on the lid, the iSight nestled in the upper LCD bezel, the light on the MagSafe Power Connector which glows orange when it's charging. The lighted keyboard is a joy to behold as well.
Beyond the looks and the overall design, this laptop is wicked fast, quiet, and doesn't seem especially hot. The weight and size are similar to my old Powerbook, however the MacBook Pro's hinge design means it's shorter than my previous machine.
Frankly, I like this machine so much I'm afraid I'll turn into Golem, start yammering about "my precious, my precious" and scampering off into a cave just so I can enjoy the illuminated keyboard.
So, thanks to everyone who was nice enough to give out Apple Gift Cards (or checks) so that I could enjoy such a cool machine. And thanks to Mom and Dad, who were kind enough to cover the difference. Thanks again guys.
Out of the box it's a sleek slab of metal, a sharp monolith-like object of painted aluminium that fits in the hands easily. And then there's the Mac OS X chime when you touch the silver power button.
One of the things I love about Apple is the little touches, the magnetic catches on the lid, the iSight nestled in the upper LCD bezel, the light on the MagSafe Power Connector which glows orange when it's charging. The lighted keyboard is a joy to behold as well.
Beyond the looks and the overall design, this laptop is wicked fast, quiet, and doesn't seem especially hot. The weight and size are similar to my old Powerbook, however the MacBook Pro's hinge design means it's shorter than my previous machine.
Frankly, I like this machine so much I'm afraid I'll turn into Golem, start yammering about "my precious, my precious" and scampering off into a cave just so I can enjoy the illuminated keyboard.
So, thanks to everyone who was nice enough to give out Apple Gift Cards (or checks) so that I could enjoy such a cool machine. And thanks to Mom and Dad, who were kind enough to cover the difference. Thanks again guys.
Friday, March 23, 2007
30!
Yes, I'm now 30 years old.
The good thing is, I'm either 26 or 35 depending on whom one asks.
There's not much else to be said about being 30, except there's things I'd really like to get done, and some things I'm glad I've already accomplished.
The best thing was the people who came out to my birthday party, thanks guys.
The good thing is, I'm either 26 or 35 depending on whom one asks.
There's not much else to be said about being 30, except there's things I'd really like to get done, and some things I'm glad I've already accomplished.
The best thing was the people who came out to my birthday party, thanks guys.
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