A Random Pattern

Everyone else is doing it, I figured I’ll throw my hat in the ring too. Of course, I don’t have much to add other than what I think is obvious. If you want the low-down on rumors, sites like TUAW writeup will fill you up.

So here’s the skinny: This is a developer conference. Yes, Apple may role out some new hardware. Everyone wants them to, but no one’s got any real idea whether they will or won’t. What we do know is that the main focus here is on Developers, and on the next version of OS X.

Here’s my predictions – they fall in line with one of my favorite bloggers, John Gruber from Daring Fireball:
-Leopard out soon, probably before Window’s Vista.
-Improved Spotlight and Metadata features (thanks Ars for making me dream!)
-New eye candy, major graphics cleanup.
-Next step for resolution independence?
-New Mac Pro. Yes, I think they’ll probably introduce it. No, I don’t have any good reason for thinking so, other than aggregate opinion (which is a really bad indicator, historically).

Thanks to someone’s quick camera, we know Apple’s expecting to wow us with the next version of OS X. And that, my friends, can only be good for computer users everywhere.

My wife’s grandma regularly enters all kinds of contests and sweepstakes. Recently she won a brand-spankin-new 60 GB iPod. It’s a generation newer than mine (about 1 year), so it’s half the size and plays video.

I helped Sara’s dad rip his CD collection onto our Mac, since they’re still running an old HP with Win 98 (gah!). Once his iPod was set up, we gave it a test run in my Hi-Fi.

Sweeeeet!

 

Don’t worry, I’m aiming for a Nano sometime soon so I can run with it. Grandma won’t be joining me.

arc90 labs released this cool bit of javascript. You may have noticed me trying it out – I’m still trying to get it right, but seeing how often I segue into little sidenotes I could probably use something like this.

Quick link: Check out our new granite (Tan-Brown) countertops, just installed.

Now if we can just get the sink hooked up….

Ok, not really old. But Google has just announced some exciting new features being rolled out to Google Talk users. This follows nicely on my last few posts.

IM and collaborative technologies are important to me, because I’m a “tele-worker” – that is, I live and work a few states away from my old office.

Now, if they’d just get a nice “whiteboard” going…

Finally! Google Maps offers a new feature – they’ll save addresses you search for, and you can even label them. The first one I’ll be putting in is “home” – the address I use as a starting point for 90% of my direction searches!

One of the most common requests we’ve received is for the ability to store a list of personal addresses on Google Maps — and now you can.

Oh, and for all you people still using Mapquest: Please, STOP! Try Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, anything but Mapquest!!! You have NO IDEA what you’re missing! (If you’ve tried the others, and went back to Mapquest, comment or email me – I’d really like to know why.)

Jupiter Research called my attention to this little iPod news bit:

Well, the final holdouts are on board with Ford, GM and Mazda offering iPod integration for their cars.

I’m glad to hear this, as I was appalled to discover Ford’s new Fusion didn’t even have an option (!!!!) for a stereo with iPod available plugin. Not only that, but they offer no option to downgrade to cassette tape either. That means it’s CDs, radio, or FM-adapter for me, and my 9000 tunes stay locked in my iPod for now….

The implications for satellite radio and ‘old’ radio are certainly interesting. Do you still listen to regular radio? Do you think it’s going away, or staying around? Why?

A few quick links for you puzzle freaks out there: These articles are all pretty much about the same thing. The NY Times article is best, but requires registration (hence the other links).

This is an impressively large and comprehensive exhibit on mechanical puzzles of all types, including one that is impossible.
Slocum puzzle exhibit opens next week

IU’s Lilly Library will acquire world’s largest collection of …

Portraits of, and by, the artists

NY Times article on Puzzle Exibit (reg required – or BugMeNot extension for Firefox )

Just a quick note:  Posts have been light because installing Ubuntu didn’t go off quite as easily as I had hoped, and wound up taking a lot of time over the last few days.  This is mainly because either a) I’ve got a hardware problem, or b) I’ve got a corrupt Windows installation, or c) most likely a combination of both.

Anyways, Ubuntu’s successfully installed (after a Grub error 18, followed by repartitioning, followed by a Grub error 21, followed by a little tweak of the BIOS).  Along the way I made some mistakes, the computer randomly restarted and/or partioner crashed several times, and I learned that Ubuntu-ers can be very helpful in IRC, but probably only for a couple questions or for interesting questions that they have experience with.

Now I’ve got several fun things ahead, but the main thing is I’m thrilled at how powerful desktop linux is, how much is out there, and how much more control I have than on Windows.  Other than being free and open, it’s pretty much the same as Windows – some problems, some need more knowledge or troubleshooting than others, everything else just works…most of the time.

Expect more detailed articles about Ubuntu and life in general once I catch up on some Work work, and some Home work (like getting plumbing hooked up, now that we have countertops and a sink again!)

I know I’m overdue on some more posts. They’ll be along shortly, but here’s a few reasons for my delay.

1) trying out new WordPress software. Conclusion so far: Awesome! Check out my new blog home, probably will end up permanently migrating though I will post several updates here when that happens.

2) Installed Ubuntu, which was also Awesome! However, had a few hiccups due to the PC I was using being very old, and somewhat broken. Everything is good now, however.

3) Finally got countertops installed, so we have an almost normal kitchen. (Pictures coming soon). Now just need to hook up sink and water, get a dishwasher, microwave, and put refrigerator in place….

4) Catching up on a sudden major load of work. This will keep me behind schedule for another week or so, probably. I’ll try to get posts up every day or two, though.

Lots to do still, but I should be back on track as far as regular posting. Thanks for stopping by. If you’re looking for puzzle posts, I’ve got a few coming your way very shortly.