Live OneCare Not Recommended on Vista February 7, 2007
Posted by Tim in Apple, Computers, Humor, Mac vs PC, Macintosh, Microsoft, Science & Technology, Stupidity, Technology, Vista, Windows, iTunes.add a comment
In an surprising turn of events, the Vista version of Microsoft’s own antivirus solution, “Live OneCare,” has failed to meet Virus Bulletin’s VB100 certification. This follows closely on the heels of Apple recommending that iTunes users not upgrade to Vista due to incompatibilities.
Strangely, neither Apple nor Microsoft officials could be reached for comment. (This is most likely because it was nearly midnight when I wrote this, but also had to do with me not trying to reach anyone at those companies for a comment.) Reportedly though, laughter could be heard from near Cupertino. (more…)
Five Rules of Bluetooth Headset Usage January 26, 2007
Posted by Tim in Bluetooth, Fashion, Geeks, Humor, PPC-6700, Science & Technology, Stupidity, Technology.5 comments
“Picard to Enterprise… prepare to beam two aboard!”
Bluetooth headsets. They are extremely cool technology, and most of the time*, they work well, even for non-technical users.** It’s a bit “Star Trek-y.” Unfortunately, they are approaching iPods as the latest form of “technology masquerading as a fashion accessory.” (more…)
iPhone & PPC-6700: Part 2 January 19, 2007
Posted by Tim in Communication, Computers, Knowledge Workers, Mac vs PC, PPC-6700, Science & Technology, Technology, Windows, email, iPhone, smartphone.14 comments
Recently, I did a bit of a feature comparison between the recently announced iPhone (from Apple) and the PPC-6700 (my version from Sprint, but manufactured by Audiovox). The iPhone runs a version of OS-X and the 6700 runs Windows Mobile 5.0, so they are both running variations of the most popular desktop operating systems. They both have touch screens.
However, that’s where the similarities end. Here, I’m going to recap some of the complaints that I’ve seen related to the iPhone, point out some things that are seriously wrong with the 6700, and then compare the lists. (more…)
NASA Changing to GAS-A? January 17, 2007
Posted by Tim in Celebrities, Flatulence, Fun, Humor, Religion, Philosophy, and Science, Science & Technology.add a comment
Does the Farting Preacher know about this new development?
Substance and Style: Strange Bedfellows? January 17, 2007
Posted by Tim in Communication, Computers, Knowledge Workers, Language, Mac vs PC, Macintosh, Management, Science & Technology, Technical Writing, Technology, Windows, Writing.add a comment
Oddly enough, those of us who are highly technology centered frequently forget that most of the rest of the world is not. As a result, the truly geeky among us probably don’t use HTML e-mail, use plain text instead of a fancy font when building a to-do list, and probably don’t worry a bit about how our PC looks. The rest of the world, however, seems to want technology to be visually appealing and esthetically pleasing.
Mercedes is famous for describing its cars with the slogan: “Form follows function.” However, anyone who’s looked at any Mercedes for more than a moment would realize that these cars embody a certain style as well. Does this minimalist approach extend elsewhere? Is it ridiculous to expect style and substance to co-exist, or does the very presence of style suggest that there is no substance? (more…)
Moral Relativism, Absolute Truth, and Pi December 11, 2006
Posted by Tim in Morality, Parenting/Children, Pi, Religion, Religion, Philosophy, and Science, Science & Technology, absolute truth, moral relativism.10 comments
It’s been a long time coming, and I suppose I should have stated this clearly earlier. I have a confession to make. I don’t know the exact value of Pi.
Oh, sure. I know an “approximate” value: 3.1415926535. I know that from memory. But I have to confess that I don’t know the exact value. (more…)
3 Strategies for Getting (Almost) No Spam December 7, 2006
Posted by Tim in Computers, Digital Identity, IT Security, Science & Technology, Spam, Technology, email.3 comments
I have several close friends and co-workers who are fighting an apparently hopeless battle against unwanted e-mail, typically referred to as “spam.” In sharp contrast, I get virtually no spam at all.
Why the huge difference? Why are my co-workers and friends swimming in the stuff, and I go through the day relatively spam-free? Here are the three things that I do. What differentiates me from my co-workers and friends, is that they do only one or two of these things. The key is to do all three. (more…)
Blinded by the Lights August 27, 2006
Posted by Tim in Science & Technology, Technology, color blindness.5 comments
Color blindness sucks.
Let me rephrase. Being “red-green pastel color-blind,” along with roughly 10% of the male population, in a world where color vision is assumed, really sucks.
To elaborate further, what really sucks is that so many of the components of everyday life in the United States demand usable color vision. It’s not just a matter of convenience, it’s a matter of safety. (more…)
Questions of Faith August 15, 2006
Posted by Tim in Astronomy, Education, Family, Learning, Love, Morality, Parenting/Children, Politics, Race and Prejudice, Religion, Religion, Philosophy, and Science, Science & Technology, Stupidity.8 comments
Silly Adult, Cartoons Aren’t Just for Kids! August 8, 2006
Posted by Tim in Cartoons/Animation/Video, Education, Family, Fun, Humor, Learning, Parenting/Children, Science & Technology, Stupidity.9 comments
Those who think of “adult cartoons” as Anime, pornographic cartoons, and so on, have no clue what they’re missing. In the early 90′s, Steven Spielberg produced several cartoons that took chidren’s programming into some fairly zany areas. My favorite was “Pinky and The Brain.”
Any number of people have posted raves about this cartoon, which was ostensibly for kids, so I won’t add more verbiage than is absolutely necessary. In my opinion, this cartoon, possibly even more than the old Bugs Bunny cartoons, wrote at multiple levels.
For example, where else would you find a scene in which stealing a submarine would be hindered by the steering wheel having “The Club” on it, but it’s referred to as “the Sub Club”? In that same episode, the right-hand-turns-only route describes a Nautilus shape, which The Brain correctly identifies as being representative of “the Golden Mean.” In this episode alone (titled “Das Mouse,” a clear reference to the movie “Das Boot”), there are pages of movie spoofs, accurate science lingo, and pop culture references.
If you were unlucky enough to miss “Pinky and The Brain” when it originally aired, you can pick up the DVD and enjoy those laughs all over. However, this is one DVD that the kids may swipe, so keep it under lock and key.
