A new version (2.3) of America’s Army for OS X was released today, finally bringing Mac users up to speed with the Linux and Windows upgrades that have been out for a while. Can't beat a game that is put out by the US ARMY for FREE in order to drive recruiting efforts. And the game kicks butt to boot!!! Go get you some and start fraggin....HOOYA!
March 2005 Archives
Delta airlines yesterday became the latest US based airline to begin outsourcing its maintenance to another country. That's right folks...the planes you are flying in are being maintained by another country's work-force that is not regulated by the US. How's that make you feel when traveling at 38,000 feet? Delta claims the move will cost as many as 2000 workers their jobs. That's 2000 AMERICAN workers who are highly skilled professionals folks.
Delta isn't the only airline doing this. Delta is joining the ranks of United, Northwest, Alaska Air, and US Airways. Makes you feel warm and fuzzy doesn't it? Last year Delta lost $5 BILLION, and claims that outsourcing its maintenance will save them $240 Million. Does $240 Million sound like a lot in comparison to the $5 Billion they lost? It sure doesn't to me, not when you are talking about uprooting 2000 American families and turning their lives upside down. How about we start trimming the fat with those executive salaries? I bet that topic never comes up in the board room!
Now here is a quote that sums up the intelligence of the management running Delta airlines. Prepare yourself folks, this is a doozie....
"The work in Canada is domestic. Because it's North America, that's part of our domestic operation."
So as Lou Dobbs put it: "A U.S. company exporting work to a foreign country, in this case Canada, saying the work in Canada is domestic. Our quote of the day."
I for one will be cutting up my membership cards to the above mentioned airlines. The day that AMERICAN AIRLINES starts to outsource it's maintenance and other jobs outside of AMERICA is the day I will stop flying commercial airlines entirely. Time to get my pilot ratings current again...that Cirrus SR22 is looking mighty good.
And here I thought I was losing my mind...this explains A LOT! :-) Engadget and CNET have the scoop...
Do you suffer from Attention Deficit Trait?:
Might explain why it took us so long to write this post, but a psychiatrist has coined new condition called ADT, or Attention Deficit Trait, to describe people who weren’t born with ADD but who do find themselves unable to focus or concentrate because of all the ever-present distractions of modern technology (which includes email, the web, and all over our gadgets, natch) overloading our “brain circuitry”. We couldn’t be bothered to read CNET’s entire interview with the Dr. Edward Hallowell (damn IMs kept a-poppin’), but apparently the symptoms include not being as productive as you could be (that’s us!), working ever-longer hours, sleeping and exercising less (ummmm….), and spending less time with your friends (do computers count as friends?). So why isn’t this just regular old ADD? Dr. Hallowell says it’s because he noticed that people suffering from this form of attention deficit would return to normal when they went on vacation and weren’t overstimulated anymore.
Google is quite the search engine folks. Adobe made the mistake of posting the press release for the New Photoshop CS 2 online but in a "hidden" directory. This was supposed to be announced on April 4th. Google just doesn't care. It found it, indexed it and cached it! All you have to do is Google "Adobe Pushes the Boundaries" and you will see the results for yourself. The link to the press release is now dead, but the Google cache file isn't.
Let this be a lesson to all designers out there. If you don't want your stuff indexed, either don't "park" it in a hidden folder, or make sure to include the code in your pages that prevents Google from indexing the page. Sux to be Adobe.....
This has got to be one of the worst logo's in history. What in God's earth possessed this "designer" to come up with this concept? Apparently this has gotten so bad, that the website that had posted an article about the company had to take down the page. There is quite a ruckuss about this over at Fark.com.
If you are a Mac user in a business world dominated by Windows it’s frustrating, although not too surprising, to find that practically every business tool and resource out there is targeted toward Windows users.
If you need a hand in running every aspect of your business on your chosen computing platform, check out Macfriendly.com - SOHO (small office/home office) and internet marketing resource directory created just for Mac users.
Macfriendly is the home of the Mac-Only Directory with over 2200 resources listed in about 20 differennt categories and the Macintizer, a nifty Windows to Mac Conversion Chart which has numerous tips for decoding the Windows-centric speak that you so often come across online and in print. Every resource listed is pre-screened for Mac-friendliness, so you’ll never have to ask “Is that Mac compatible?” again.
Macfriendly is new, but it seems to be off to a solid start. I am looking forward to seeing it grow into a more comprehensive resource for Mac-based business owners. I already submitted a tip of my own and I’d encourage you to do the same!
Been a sloooow week with no updates due to my incapacitation thanks to a nasty flu bug. All is well and posting shall resume NOW! :-)
Here's a new WiFi solution for you Treo 650 owners. Not my cup of tea, but if ya gotta be on WiFi, there aren't many other solutions at this moment...
Enfora's Wi-Fi Sled for the Treo 650:
It’ll swipe all semblance of pocketability from your phone, but Enfora is making good on its promise to do what palmOne has so far refused to do and is coming out with a version of its Wi-Fi Sled that’s compatible with the Treo 650 (they announced one for the Treo 600 back in January). Ships with its own battery, so you won’t drain your 650 while you’re rocking the WiFi, but the resulting add-on is so huge that you have to really, really need to have WiFi to justify carrying it around. We’ll either wait for palmOne to cave and release some drivers for their SD WiFi card or for Shadowmite to perfect his hackery.
[Via Palm247]
Not sure if am quite ready to sell my F-150 for this Herman Munster looking ride, but I will most certainly be looking at GM much harder for my next vehicle! Ford and other manufacturers better get on the bandwagon quick! 2 things my next vehicle WILL have are satellite radio and an interface for my iPod. Miss either one, and you are out of the running in my book. I am just not into the custom radio thing anymore and don't have the time, money or inclination to deal with after-market radios and junk. I want it ALL straight from the factory with a warranty...
Chevy HHR (among others) to be iPod-ready:
iPod users will find it easier to take their favorite tunes on the road thanks to a new family of radios that will debut on the Chevy HHR and other GM vehicles starting later this year. The new radios will include an auxiliary channel and front mounted auxiliary input jack, so that an iPod or other audio source can be easily plugged in and played through the vehicle audio system.
Radios featuring the new auxiliary input jack will debut starting in late spring. They will be standard equipment on 2006 models of the Chevy HHR, Impala and Monte Carlo; Saturn VUE and ION; Pontiac Solstice; Buick Lucerne; and Cadillac DTS. The radios will be fitted to other new GM models over the next several years.
This has got to be the best 404 error page I have ever seen. Now why the hell didn't I think of doing this? It's like that whole pet rock idea...check it out...
SimCam: Film and Digital Camera Simulator:
For all of you photography freaks (myself included), this is a GREAT tool to use as a refresher, or to sharpen up those long lost manual skills. The Simcam is a digital camera simulator that can simulate everything from shutter speed, aperture, film speed and camera shake. Check out the site and play with this tool, you will dig it!!!
Great article from Business 2.0. Pay attention CEO's and VC's...the Mac community is alive and well and lookin for a huge comeback. Lock us out now, and we won't forget it...
Startups Are Missing the Mac Opportunity:
Business 2.0: "The startup buzz is back in the Valley. Entrepreneurs are at work again, dreaming up new ideas and new ways of doing old things. And even as they put their neurons through a grueling test, they are still hanging on to conventional notions of platforms and market share."
Thanks to the Scobelizer for tipping us off to this one!
What happens if you fall asleep while playing Halo 2:
This has to be the funniest Halo 2 video I've ever seen. Nick Whittome pointed me to this. It's of a guy who fell asleep during a Halo 2 game and the folks playing with him have a little fun.
AIM TOS Updated: Looks like iChat is Safe Again:
For previous coverage of this issue, see here and here. AOL updated the wording of their AIM Terms of Service today to eliminate the particularly horribly phrased and potentially abused statements: ”You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the Content or to be compensated for any such uses.”
The new TOS (which by the way is still dated Feb. 5, 2004) removes any discussion of AOL owning your private chat conversations, while clarifying that content posted to any public forum may be used by AOL in any way they see fit: ”Once you submit or post Content to any public area on an AIM Product, AOL does not need to give you any further right to inspect or approve uses of such Content or to compensate you for any such uses. AOL owns all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating Content posted to public areas of AIM Products.”
Much better. Now, please excuse me, while I go set up my new Jabber account to work with Adium...
A new and unique Apple Logic Pro related portal is born Not just kibitzing, but file sharing for all members. Members may share following kinds of files: Logic Icons Logic Channel Strips
[[ Visit http://www.macmegasite.com for full article ]]
New Microsoft Tool Helps Outlook 2001 Users Migrate to Entourage 2004:
Microsoft released Monday a new import tool for helping Outlook 2001 for Mac users transition to Entourage 2004.
The new PST Import Tool allows PST files from Microsoft Outlook 2001 for Mac to be brought in to Microsoft Entourage 2004.
Microsoft notes that "Administrators who are deploying the PST Import Tool in their companies will want to review the error messages and troubleshooting information in the PST Import Tool Help in order to assist users. The PST Import Tool Help is available after the PST Import Tool is downloaded."
The 1.4MB download is available in seven languages and requires Entourage 2005 version 11.1.0 (Service Pack 1).
So how many of you out there use AOL's AIM service (ie. iChat)? You may want to think twice about what you are writing or sending through iChat from here on out. According to the latest AOL Terms of Service:
"Although you or the owner of the Content retain ownership of all right, title and interest in Content that you post to any AIM Product, AOL owns all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this Content. In addition, by posting Content on an AIM Product, you grant AOL, its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, agents and licensees the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote this Content in any medium. You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the Content or to be compensated for any such uses."
Translation: Anything you send via iChat can be used by AOL. How you like dem Apple's? I am no attorney, but it seems like everyone else is interpreting this the same way. If this IS indeed the case, it might be a good time to start voicing your opinion VERY loudly to AOL and letting Apple know about it wouldn't hurt either. If the right industry giants place enough pressure on AOL, I am quite sure they will change their policy.
You should already be aware of the fact that sending ANYTHING via AIM is NOT secure and can be intercepted pretty easily. Not only that, but AIM conversations can be archived at the click of a button. So be careful what you say and send via iChat!!!
You aren't going to see THIS using a PC!!! :-)
This may be the best Mac mini auto install ever. Matt Turner has installed the Mac mini into his 2001 VW GTI and all we can say is "WOW!".
Macworld Expo attendance rises from 2004:
IDG World Expo on Wednesday offered attendance figures (available for download as a PDF file) for January's Macworld Conference&Expo in San Francisco, Calif. Today's information shows that total attendance for the event rose more than 11 percent from 2004, from 32,409 attendees to 35,989.
Here is a great site for any of you with an iPod. You can take any text file and turn it into an eBook with a few clicks. Check it out:
Free ebooks (electronic texts) for download
Don't have any ebooks in plain text format at your computer? Nevermind. Just browse through Project Gutenberg's online library of free books (download uncompressed books in Plain text format (iso-8859-1 encoding preferred)).
You know, I don't like to normally post things that don't have any relevance to the site, but this is so friggin unbelievable that it deserves all the press it can get. This guy has got to be the most incredible MORON I have seen yet. Although it doesn't surprise me, it is still jaw-dropping to hear about the stupidity of athletes in general. We are used to seeing the dirtballs at UM here in Miami getting arrested for stupid stuff, but man, this guy actually MADE IT to the NFL!!! Absolutely AMAZING.....and these are the people getting paid millions instead of our military, public service personnel and teachers. I am still shaking my head at this one.....thanks for the scoop Engadet!
Arizona Cardinals running back swipes laptop:
So the day after getting signed to the Arizona Cardinals, running back Larry Lee Ned decided that the way to really, really party would be to swipe somebody’s Dell laptop after going through a security checkpoint at the airport in Phoenix (the laptop’s owner was still being screened). The cops ended up arresting him in possession of the laptop in a men’s room in Terminal 4, and the next day the Cards announced they were dropping him from the team. Wait a second, you just got signed to the Arizona Cardinals and you decide it’s a good idea to jeopardize your NFL career by stealing a laptop? Wait another second, you jeopardized your NFL career to steal a Dell?
For those of you who haven't seen it yet, the site for the May 1st Reboot is up and now taking applications. As some of you know, I run a new media / web hosting company: Hypermedia Productions, Inc. This will be our first year officially participating in the Reboot. We are about half way through the infrastructure upgrade on our hosting division. The new upgrades are going to kick some serious butt. Now it's time to tackle the design end of the house. Then we get to tie it all together and if we did it right, it should all work in a quite tight fashion. Our goal - to have it all rockin just in time for the Reboot. Will we make it? Tune in to find out...
If you are unfamiliar with the May 1st Reboot, check it out and see what all the fuss is about: http://www.may1reboot.com
Let the countdown begin...
This dude has WAY too much time on his hands! But I must say, it is total geek sheik and has a cool factor of 8.
Apple Powermac LED Clock Hack:
Those punched holes in the front of the Apple G5 Powermac's aluminum case just happen to be the perfect size to hold standard-issue LEDs. Swedish hacker Anders Lundberg built his own LED clock that fits right in the bottom, and I think it's sort of swell.
Can you think how rad it would be if the entire front panel was one giant LED array? (Thanks, Hammond!)
Project Page [PaulAnders]
So yesterday I posted news about hard drives and referred to that new IBM drive in the PowerBook. Today I see this post which is by far the coolest thing I have seen being done with this new technology. Check it out!
Repurposing the Powerbook Motion Sensor:
This isn't something new for you to buy (sorry), but it's so cool I had to share. Amit Singh patched into the six-axis motion sensor in the new Apple Powerbooks—originally designed to measure quick movements, like drops, and park the hard drive to prevent damage—and wrote a program that rotates the windows based on the orientation of the laptop to the ground. But that's not all it can do. Singh offers these examples:
1. Panning across large maps (consider Google Maps: you slightly tilt the PowerBook backwards to go North, tilt it slightly to the left to go East, and so on)
2. Vertical and horizontal scrolling in general, say, in a web browser
3. Input for games (for example, a flight simulator)
It's enough to make a man lie to himself that he needs a shiny new Powerbook. (Thanks, trunc();!)
The PowerBook Sudden Motion Sensor [KernelThread]
Wicked cool. About time we got this much storage for a laptop. BUT, the magic questions: 1) Will IBM match this with their drop-kick resistant drives? 2) What is the MTBF on the Fujitsu vs. the IBM? Anyone with a clue....chime in!
Fujitsu debuts 120GB disk drive for notebooks:
Fujitsu has begun initial production of a 120GB mobile 2.5-inch hard-disk drive for notebooks, accor...
