The Long Awaited Return / Rant On iPad 2 Release

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted on here but with the new gig, I have been extremely busy as on late. So an almost 6 month absence, but I’m over it! Onwards to the newest rant of mine!

Apple has just released the iPad 2 as of March 11, 2011. As with any other damned Apple release, the Apple faithful were standing out in ridiculous lines just to get their hands on Apple’s next offering. Apple stores, Best Buys, Verzion Wireless locations and other locales had lines that made on lookers, such as myself, wondering why people do this. Especially with Apple products! The original iPad came out less than a year ago and Apple has already shipped out a newer model. Apple doesn’t care if the device was one month old, they know that the Apple faithful will drop money on anything that Steve Jobs shows off.

Things like this make me wonder how the Apple faithful have any kind of money whatsoever!

That’s my two cents

Planned Down!

Been a couple of day since last post. This post is just a placeholder until about 10/25/10. Been packing items up to move to new place,plus I fly out to Boston for 2 months for business!

As the Governator would say, "I'll be back!"

IP4 Is Almost Done For

Article Link

It seems that the standard 4 octet of IP addresses (ie 192.168.1.1) is coming to an end. Soon, the new technology will be coming with IP6 addresses, which while have a larger range that can be addressed will cause a bigger headache.

Why the headache you ask? The headache will lie with big businesses that have to translate the IP6 addresses to work with IP4 and vice versa.

So while the IP4 addresses are almost gone, the age of IP6 is dawning upon us and it isn't going to be an easy transition!

Software Patents Are Ridiculous

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/10/patent-troll-takes-over-the-web-can-it-be-stopped.ars


After reading this article, I finally believe that the whole Software Patent system is the most absurd thing known to mankind.

Seriously, companies are being sued because of rollover ads?!? That is just mind boggling. Sure rollover ads are extremely annoying but it does grab the user's attention when the stumble upon the content. For a company to have a 'patent' for something so basic to write in HTML code is beyond me.

This is just proof that the software patent system is one of the most broken systems in the world. This ranks right up there with the RIAA charging $750 per 'stolen' song. Until the governments realize that this system needs to be removed, lawyers will be raking in cash and people who try to invent something new will be sued off the planet because it has been supposedly patented even though it has never been developed or used ever!

Main Operating System

Just trying to get the scope of my visitors and followers:

Operating System of Choice:
-Windows 9x
-Windows XP
-Windows Vista
-Windows 7
-Mac OS X
-Linux (What Distro?)

Apple Attempts To Fight Sexting

http://apple.slashdot.org/story/10/10/13/1615251/Apple-Awarded-Anti-Sexting-Patent

It seems that Apple now has the right to create a text messaging service that can monitor what a person is typing. This is honestly down right crazy. Early this week, Apple submitted an trademark application for "There's an app for that".

If this doesn't make Apple a huge troll I don't know what does!

Windows 7 Phone

I'm going to keep this short and simple:
Do you honestly think that Windows Phone 7 will survive again Android, Blackberry, and even Apple?

If it is like WinMo6, then no.

Your thoughts?

Eggy's Car Fund

This is just to let everyone know that I currently have a vehicle that is disabled. It's a 2005 Chevy Impala that just needs some TLC that I can't afford at the moment. The car needs some tires, brakes, and a battery. I've been trying to get it up and running since May but there has been some problems along the way.

I'm not here to beg for money, but if find it in your heart to help a poor soul out, then by all means please contribute to this cause of mine. Any amount will help get this car up and running again!

Thanks in advance!

iPad!?!

Yesterday, Apple announced a new type of tablet computer that they are calling the iPad. The iPad from initial looks is nothing more than an oversized iPhone/iPod Touch.  After watching Steve Jobs’ keynote speech, I began to realize, “WTF Apple?"

It never amazes me anymore that Apple would do something like this. While I will give Apple credit that netbooks aren’t the best laptops, but they aren’t meant to do everything a normal laptop can. A netbook is for those who want a cheap portable computer that does basic tasks such as internet, email, and office documentation for the most part. A netbook was never meant to replace laptops.

A big thing with Apple’s iPad is its integration with all things iPhone/iPod Touch. The iPad can do everything that the iPod and iPhone can do just on a bigger screen (3G capabilities will come at a later date to the iPad). The other thing that Apple will have to address quickly is the fact that there are no ports for anything except power/expansion cable port (think iPod / iPhone data cable). The iPad has no USB ports, no card reader slots, no disc drive, and no expansion. Yes, Apple has done it again, users can’t upgrade or replace RAM, the battery, or anything else that a normal laptop user can replace. To top it all off, the iPod come with 3 storage options that are all internal. There is a 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB flavor ($499, $599, & $699 respectively). This means that once a user purchases an iPad, they are stuck with the storage space they have. This problem is made worse with the no ports that I mentioned above. The final hurdle I see with the iPad is the fact that it will not multi-task applications unless they are Apple’s applications. This means no fast switching between apps. With Windows, Linux, Unix, and even Mac OSX you can run multiple applications at once without any problems.

Even with all of these ‘features’ and issues, there will be millions of Apple faithful that will purchase the iPad no matter the outcome. They will buy it and then a couple months later be irate because Steve Jobs has announced an upgrade to the device (remember the iPhone launch). Apple is here to stay, but how loyal will their customers be?

It’s Here (Officially)

Yesterday marked the release of Windows 7 to the public. While Windows 7 has been out to OEMs and other major system builders yesterday was the day one could walk into a retail store and pick it up.

After playing with the beta and the RC versions, I was hoping that the final RTM version(Release to Manufacturing) would live up to the hype that the developmental stages did. Much to my surprise it has lived up to the expectations that I was hoping.

The only downside to Windows 7 out of the gate for me was the upgrade install I did to my laptop. It took about 3 hours to complete the upgrade on my laptop which is not ancient at all (Core 2 Duo @ 2.26Ghz, 4GB of RAM, 500GB HDD). While a clean install on my desktop only took about 25 minutes. Other than the Upgrade method, Windows 7 has lived to its hype.

Pretty much all of the features available in the beta and RC have survived and made it to the RTM version. Though one change has been made at the labeling method that Microsoft happened to plan. Business is now once again Professional.

I’ll post more thoughts later, when I’m done going through the inner guts that is Windows 7 Ultimate.

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Windows 7 Is Near!

As most of you know by now, Microsoft is ready to sweep Windows Vista under the carpet just like they did Windows ME. October 22nd marks the retail release of Windows 7 (yes, with all the editions just like Vista...). While I've been playing with the release candidate (RC) for a while, I would like to say that I'm hoping that Windows 7 will be the solution that Windows XP. I'll keep everyone posted breaking news regarding Windows 7!

What’s Going On With the World

This is just going to be a quick rant about some current events that have taken place over the last couple of days.

Rant #1: Disney purchases Marvel

     Why? Why the hell did this one happen? No good can come from Disney owning Marvel comics and the respective characters. I don’t want to see Mickey Mouse and the Incredible Hulk ever in the same scene. How could Marvel be bought for $4 billion? I think that after Iron Man 2 is out in theaters in May, it might be my last Superhero film for the rest of my life!

Rant #2: A.D.V Films is out of business (http://www.advfilms.com/)

     I’ve just heard of this one and it shocked me completely. The current state of the economy is really hitting companies harder than one would have ever imagined. When Geneon went under people thought that the anime industry in the United States wouldn’t survive but it did. Now with another major player in the U.S anime industry down, the road ahead for anime in the U.S looks extremely bleak!

What A Weekend + Update Time

     As many of you have heard in the media recently, 4 big names have passed away recently. Ed McMahon (age), Farrah Fawcett (cancer), Michael Jackson (heart related), & Billy Mays (heart related). The Grim Reaper has taken many this past week with 2 being complete shockers. The one that really shocked me though was Billy Mays as he seemed healthy as an ox. Everyone mentioned may they RIP in peace, and Billy I really wish that you would have taken on Vince because we all know you would have kicked his ass!

On a lighter note, Firefox users, today marks the release of Firefox 3.5. So if you haven’t already make the upgrade today. IE users, switch and make everyone’s life easier!

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It's Alive Again

Back in March, the nation's 2nd largest electronics retailer went under. Everyone though Circuit City was out after the liquidation of all of its merchandise and closed all of there stores. Well Circuit City's website is back up and running again. It seems that Systemax has bought the Circuit City name and has relaunched the said website above on May 19th, but Systemax bought the rights on May 13th for roughly $14 million.

It seems that Systemax is looking to snatch up any failing electronics retailers (such as CompUSA and TigerDirect). If this keeps up, who knows, maybe Fry's will be next on the list if they are starting to strugle.

Let's see how long this lasts after millions of people were outraged by the "low" prices that the original Circuit City had during their original closing. Personally, when CompUSA went under, I continued on with my life with either NewEgg or BestBuy. When CompUSA was bought by Systemax it couldn't convince me to think about where I go to get my electronics. Only time will tell if the consumers trust can be regained! Though something tells me that this may take a while to regain that trust.

Anime Convention Coming Up!

This post is just to inform those who attend these kind of things! Next week (April 3rd to 5th), Tekkoshocon 7 is hitting up the convention center in Pittsburgh. This will probably be my last Tekko for some time, but I will be posting pictures as throughout the convention. So stay here for the madness that is an anime convention.

The True Meaning of ‘netbook’

After browsing Slashdot today, I ran across this article http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=09/03/02/1135208. This article points out how a company called Psion had the term ‘netbook’ trademarked in the late ‘90s. Though it seems with the popularity of netbooks (internet notebook computers) thanks to companies like Intel and ASUS, Psion would like to cash in on this now.

After visiting Save the Netbooks, I’ve realized that it seemed the Psion left their trademark dormant  with their discontinued NetBook line. It was until recently that they ‘started’ to sell these NetBooks according to Psion at least. I browsed their website (http://www.psionteklogix.com/) and I could only find these NetBooks on their discontinued products section of the website.

Intel, Dell, HP, ASUS, and other companies didn’t coin the term netbook, but instead tried to market notebooks that were only for the sole use of the internet and email. As it stands, it seems that the term netbook is generic and should be that way as it describes a group of specific notebook computers.

If one even goes to Wikipedia definition of Netbook, one will see what makes a netbook a netbook. As you can see, consumers adopted the term ‘netbook’ as a generic term. Hopeful the courts will see this and Psion will be forced to relinquish their trademark on this because it is obvious that the term netbook is already known by the masses out in the world.

Windows 7 Beta Brief Recap

As with my previous 2 posts, Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) is looking very promising for those who either are still running Windows XP (Home or Professional) or for those who have had no choice other than Windows Vista (any flavor of Vista). Windows 7 has introduced some features that I feel that the user needs to experience 1st hand and is why I didn’t include them in my last 2 posts. Below I have included a link (click the Windows Orb) to a short 3 minute video (1280x800 resolution) I took with HyperCam showing off some of the features that are within Windows 7.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FILE IS 117MB, SO BROADBAND CONNECTIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Questions or comments about anything or about Windows 7, leave them here or at deggert@calucabana.com.

Windows 7 Beta Review Part 2

Yes, I know there has been some time between this post and the last one about Windows 7, but it has been a little busy for me with exams any everything. So, lets just move on to the juicy stuff that is Windows 7 Beta.

Windows 7 takes devices like printers and cameras to a whole new simplified platform of its own. Certain printers and cameras and even other devices. Microsoft is calling this the ‘Device Stage’ and it really does look promising.

From a first glance it doesn’t look like anything special but one you select a device here (if your device is supported for Device Stage) then a you’ll get a must more user friendly set of options. In my case, the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS is not compatible with Device Stage, but my HP Photosmart C5280 is compatible.

Upon looking at this screen, all of your basic options are grouped together for easy access. In my case, printer and scanner options are grouped into their own categories. I can even buy ink through HP (which I wouldn’t to begin with) and if I wanted to I could even buy a warranty through HP right through HP’s link in their Device Stage.

Now every device will vary of course, but after seeing what Device Stage can do things do look very promising. If more devices adapted this feature of Windows 7, then installed addition programs from the manufacturer will no longer be needed which is always nice since you won’t have to use valuable system resources.

Between these 2 posts are only 3 major things that caught my attention right off the bat. There are other features though that I’m sure that others will enjoy. Microsoft has added some mouse gestures that allow you to manipulate other windows on the screen (try shake a window at the top with other windows open to minimize all the windows). Also with Windows 7, I’ve noticed on my HP Pavilion DV5220us, that Windows 7 boots much faster than what Windows Vista Ultimate did on this system and this system is no slouch (Intel Core Duo 1.6GHZ, 2GB of DDR2 667, 250GB Seagate HD…). If Microsoft can make push this out to retailers in this condition (working out the bugs before hand though), then I would like to believe that Microsoft will be right on track again and we won’t have to see any more of those Mac commercials. 

Windows 7 Beta (Build 7000) Part 1

I’ve stated this countless times already, but it is finally time for my thoughts on the current beta of Windows 7 Build 7000.

The first major thing that you’ll see when you start Windows 7 for the 1st time is the new taskbar.

http://calucabana.com/windows7/taskbar.png

As you can see, the taskbar is a mix of Windows Vista (the Start Orb) and a mix of OSX (the dockbar). The default Windows 7 install puts IE 8, Windows Explorer, and WMP as the 1st 3 icons. This new taskbar is a blend of the old Windows taskbar and the Quick Launch that was introduced with IE 4. All related windows are grouped with that application. So multiple Firefox windows will show up as one Firefox icon on the taskbar.

One major change is when one right clicks on an item in the taskbar. Gone is the basic context menu, and is replace with a new feature called the Jumplist.

http://calucabana.com/windows7/jumplist.png

The Jumplist will give your history from IE 8 right at your fingertips and give you common commands for an application if it supports the Jumplist feature.

This is just a little taste of the changes in Windows 7. Stay tuned for the next part of my Windows 7 breakdown.

Motivation Of The Day

Also my thoughts on Windows 7 will be posted later today!