Blogging from my Smartphone July 31, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Blogging, Mobility, Smartphone, Technology.add a comment
For those times when you really need to blog but don’t have a computer, and 140 characters on Twitter just won’t do, you can blog from your mobile device.
I’m blogging this post from my Moto Q, more just to see how it works and what it can do than actualy share information. In fact, I have my MacBook sitting on my lap while I carefully and slowly create this post.
Blogging from my smartphone is not something I’ll do reguarly, but it’s nice to know that I can. Wow! I can’t believe it took this long to type such a short post.
Google Adds CalDAV Support…For those who Really Want It July 31, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Internet, Mac, Technology.Tags: Google, Google Calendar, iCal, Mac, Technology
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If you love iCal on the Mac and always wanted to be able to sync it with your Google Calendar, now you can. 
Just be prepared for a cumbersome set up and some lack of flexibility.
Google is finally offering CalDAV support. CalDAV is a protocal that allows users to publish, share, sync, and subscribe to calendars on the web. You will be able to make changes to your Google Calendar, and those changes will automatically appear on your iCal calendar and vice versa.
Setting up the syncing requires you to create a CalDAV server account for each calendar in Google Calendar. And this creates a problem of not being able to move events among calendars in iCal. Detailed instructions for setting up CalDAV can be found on Google’s web site.
Personally, I’m not sure if I’m ready to make this leap yet. I would like to see an easier process first. But this is a step in right direction, and possibly an indication of future enhancements.
Update on MarsEdit 2.2 July 30, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Blogging, Mac, Technology.Tags: Blogging, Mac, MarsEdit, Reviews, Technology
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Last week, I started using a trial version of MarsEdit 2.2, a blog publishing application that runs on the Mac. So far the trial is working well, but I’m still undecided about whether I’m going to purchase the software for $29.99
Once I got used to things, the software was easy to use. The biggest hurdle was trying not to think of MarsEdit as a word processor. For example, when you link to something in MarsEdit, the HTML code is visible next to the words I’m using for my hyperlink. That’s a little awkward when proofing my post. I keep the preview window as I type, and use it to some extent for proofing, but then I end up having to go back to the editor to make a change.
Adding images is super easy in MarsEdit. I can drag and drop the image file from Finder into the upload window. I simply place my cursor where I want the image to go, and MarsEdit puts it in place – well it’s put the code in place, and you can see the image in the preview window.
I also like that all my posts are locally available and in one convenient location within the application. I can make an edit to a post and then republish the post.
So I’m still up in the air about whether to purchase it. I’ll continue using it during the trial period to get a good feel for it.
A Couple of BlackBerry’s to Challenge an Apple July 29, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Internet, Technology.Tags: ATT, BlackBerry, BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Thunder, iPhone, Technology, Verizon
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I want a friggin’ iPhone. But I don’t want to move to AT&T. I like Verizon’s coverage and their customer service. They’ve been great in the four years or so that I’ve been a customer. Except that they don’t have thefriggin’ iPhone!
However, there may be some hope yet for those of us not wanting to join the AT&T team.
RIM is rolling two pretty good answers to the iPhone, at least from what I’m seeing so far.
The Boy Genius Report has an excellent, in-depth review of the BlackBerry Bold. BGR says that the Bold is due for release to most major US carriers in September, after about a month’s delay. According to BGR:
Every BlackBerry users’ dream lies in the Bold. 3G data, GPS, and Wi-Fi make this a hit. Unless you’re really trying not to be found, there’s a good chance the Bold is going to help you stay connected no matter where you are.
They say it has the best, most crisp screen they’ve ever seen on a mobile device. It’s has an updated browser, that renders most web pages the way they’re supposed be displayed, though not quite like iPhone’s Safari browser, but close.
The BlackBerry Thunder is more iPhone-like. It will feature a touch screen like the iPhone, wi-fi, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and downloadable 
MP3’s over-the-air from Rhapsody. I haven’t seen any in-depth reviews yet. Fudzilla reported today that the Thunder will be released to Verizon on October 8. CrunchGear is advising readers to take Fudzilla’s release-date info with a grain of salt. Apparently, Fudzilla isn’t that reliable.
So I’m getting a BlackBerry of some sort this fall. I’m due for my discounted upgrade on November 30, so there should be plenty of time for these devices to get tested, used, abused, and reviewed before then. And if the reviews aren’t good, I can always go for the reliable BlackBerry Curve, or frozen blackberries from my grocer’s freezer.
I was reading that the BlackBerry can sync with MobileMe (sorry I don’t have the link to that source). Being a MobileMe subscriber, I’ll have to look into that when I get my BlackBerry. But BlackBerry and Google Mobile Apps supposedly play very well together. You can even sync the Google calendar into BlackBerry’s built-in calendar and receive reminders and stuff. Since I’m a Google Apps user, I just might stick with Google.
Sadly, I’m relying on a Motorola Q to hold me over until November.
So the AT&T subs have their iPhones and MobileMe. We non-AT&T’ers can have BlackBerries and Google Apps. And we’ll all be happy…I hope. I still want an iPhone.
Peace be with you PC and Mac July 28, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Blogging, Internet, Mac, Technology, Windows.Tags: Computers, Mac, Technology, Windows
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If you want to start a heated conversation, mention politics, religion, sports…or operating systems. It’s interesting how users can be so passionate about using a particular computer. I first took notice of the OS debates in the 1980s when techies of the day debated the merits of the Commodore-64, TRS80, or the Apple IIc. And I’ve noticed it again now that Apple has resuscitated itself from near-death in the 1990s. With the popularity of Linux growing in some communities, the debate over which operating system is “best” is bound to get even more vocal.
But arguing which operating system is the “best” operating system is, of course, a debate that can be won by neither side. The choice of operating is a personal choice, especially if you’re the one buying the computer. So someone trying to tell me that OS 1 is better than OS 2 has no validity. It’s along the same lines as trying to tell someone their religious views are wrong, because their views differ from yours. End the end, religion is about trying to achieve heaven/paradise/eternal peace/whatever. In computing systems, it’s about getting the job done.
I use a MacBook as my home computer, and I absolutely love it. For a long time, I was an Apple hater, and I’m not sure why – not understanding the unknown, I guess. But I’ve been using Windows since version 3.1. In fact, I fiddled around with Windows 2.0 in the early 90s, which was mainly a menu driven system. Windows was beginning to get old to me, and Macs were getting popular again with their slick desktop.
I use Windows XP at work, and it has been rock-solid. I rarely need to reboot, and it’s fast and responsive. It does exactly what I need it to do. I poke fun at Windows and Microsoft now, because it’s easy; they’ve brought a lot of it on themselves.
So I found it refreshing when I ran across this post last week. Joseph G at the Comtempary Man has always been a Windows guy. He was discussing computers with a friend recently, and they were talking about technology on TV, Star Trek in particular. They were noticing:
The thing that made the computers on the show seem so amazing and futuristic wasn’t their complexity, it was the simplicity with which they could be used. You never saw Worf or Spock installing drivers, dealing with a blue screen of death, or have the computer tell them that it couldn’t raise shields cause it needs to install a critical update.
Joseph says while he’s not a convert to Macs, he has a new respect for Macs, because of their simplicity and ease of use. I hate to get sappy here, but it’s always a good idea to try to see someone else’s point of view, even if it’s different than yours. This is true wheter we’re talk about politics, religion, sports, or computers. The world would be a happier place if we respected each other’s opinions.
I’m on Twitter – For Now – And why you should Care July 28, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Blogging, Internet, Technology.Tags: Blogging, Communications, Internet, Twitter
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Well, you probably shoudn’t care. I’m nobody. But I plan to use Twitter to supplement this blog. So if you land here once in a while, you might find my tweets interesting, or not. You can find me at here.
Everywhere I turn nowadays, I’m hearing about Twitter, both good and bad. One reason I think Twitter is popular is because people like people-watching. Twitter is – or can be – an electronic form of people-watching.
So I’m going to give it a try for a while and see what all the buzz is about. It may just be a passing fad for me, or I’m find it’s really cool.
I’d like to hear your thoughts on Twitter. Do you use it, and why/why not?
MobileMe: The Reviews are in and they’re not Good July 25, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Mac, News, Technology, Windows.Tags: Apple, Microsoft, MobileMe, Technology
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In case you’ve been off the grid for a couple weeks, you haven’t heard that Apple’s MobileMe service is getting hammered in the press and in the blogosphere. Bloggers like myself to journalists and reviewers like normally-Apple-friendly Walt Mossberg of the Wall Street Journal are giving the service bad reviews left and right. Walt’s summation is “MobileMe is far to flawed to be reliable.”
There are problems with the MobileMe web site, which is still slow for some users. And Apple’s push technology isn’t exactly push, it’s more like sync, and users are waiting sometimes several minutes for calendar items and email to push from the MobileMe to the devices or vice-versa.
Even great companies with great products slip up once in a while. I’m not really surprised to see these problems, because the .Mac service was kind of a “second thought” to Apple. I’m not sure where they got tripped up withMobileMe : maybe they thought everything would work, maybe they didn’t think as many people would be wanting to use the service. I don’t know, I’m just speculating.
Ah! Conspiracy theory alert! Perpahs Apple botched the whole MobileMe launch on purpose, so they could show consumers that they can fix their problems, and be a stronger contrast to Microsoft’s perceived inability to fix things, i.e., Vista.
Now I’m just being ridiculous.
But here is, indeed, an opportunity for Apple to show the world that they can fix a problem with one of their products or services. I expect to see Apple in the coming weeks or months to put some real effort into fixing these problems with MobileMe. Because if they don’t put in some effort, and it they don’t tell the world about it, then MobileMe will face the same images problems that Vista has faced.
The Joy of Updating Windows July 25, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Blogging, Technology, Windows.Tags: IT, Technology, Windows Updates
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I hate Windows Update Day. That’s the day I set aside, usually a Friday morning, to apply Windows updates and patches to my servers. And no, I don’t test the updates prior to installing. Maybe the fellas with the big data centers have the time and resources to test ‘em before putting ‘em into the production environment. Anyway, I usually set aside a Friday morning, and since I get to the office 7am, I only affect a handful users when I apply patches and do the inevitable reboot. Boy, I wish Microsoft would figure out a way for us admins to install updates without having to reboot servers. Again, maybe the big boys can have maintenance windows, but I’ve got to steal a few minutes whenever I can.
Most Update Days go smoothly. What worries me the most is a server not coming back from its reboot properly. This morning was one of those. I installed the updates on my Exchange 2003 server, rebooted it, and then tried to open Outlook. Outlook wouldn’t open. Uh oh! I make a quick dash to the server room (it’s right across the hall). The Exchange services didn’t start. Exchange going down is my biggest fear, because on two separate occasions in my tenure with this company, I’ve stayed to the wee hours of the morning restoring Exchange. So I don’t like when Exchange services don’t start after a reboot. I manually restarted the services, but still couldn’t open Outlook. I had to reboot Exchange again. I’ve seen that before and it really irritates me when updates make me reboot the server twice. Exchange is one of the, if not the, most important servers we have. Even when Exchange hiccups during the day, we get a least one call about it to help desk. We didn’t get a call today, but a user stopped by my desk to say she couldn’t get into Outlook.
So nothing like starting the day with a little stress; it’s even better at getting me going than a Venti dark roast from Starbucks. Quite honestly, I drug my butt into work this morning, but I’m awake now! Things should be good from here on out, though: I got the updates applied, the servers are coming off a fresh reboot, and I just got invited to happy hour after work. Happy Friday, everyone!
Thinking about Blogging July 24, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Blogging, Random Thoughts, Technology.Tags: Blogging, Technology
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So I’m just sitting here tonight thinking about blogging in general. I’ve had a blast over the last month since I launched my blog. I love to see how many visitors I’m getting, and it’s nice to know that people are reading what I’m writing.
I was reading a post at Robert Scoble’s blog earlier, which was the inspiration for this post. He was “ranting” (his word) about the state of tech blogs these days. He wishes for the days when blogging was more about sharing ideas, than about driving traffic or focussing on the hot item of the day. Check it out; it’s long but a good read.
I’m not going to do a “why I blog” post. I do want to say, though, that all of us has a need to express ourselves in one form or another. I choose to write, and to write about my daily experiences as an IT dude. Whether anyone really finds my ramblings about obnoxious sales people, or my attempt at humorous writing entertaining or interesting, I’m not sure. I try to entertain and inform, and I have some posts that are attempt to do neither, but are things I need to say.
I also enjoy reading other people’s blogs. I enjoy their opinion on a topic that also interests me, even if that person’s opinion differs from mine. I comment occasionally on posts that I find particularly interesting. I prefer to get “news” via blogs. The bulk of my “news” comes from the daily Reuters headline emails I receive, the Wall Street Journal, and blogs. I get most of my news from bloggers, both large and small.
I’m glad I discovered the world of blogging, both as a reader and a writer. I’m considering branching out to other areas of communication, like Twitter or the social sites. There’s so much to say and so many forums in which to say it. Thanks for reading.
MarsEdit 2.2: Blog Publishing for the Mac July 23, 2008
Posted by AlisterComputeron in Blogging, Mac, News, Technology.Tags: Blogging, Mac, MarsEdit, Publishing, Software
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I’m using a trial version of a blogging tool called MarsEdit 2.2. I found a review of MarsEdit it at TUAW.
Basically it lets you write posts in a dedicated application, using “the power of your Mac to provide an amazing blog editing experience,” according to their web site.
TUAW says that the new version 2.2 adds support for AtomPub, customizable image markup to align images in a certain way, and is “significantly” faster than previous versions.
So if you’re frustrated with the editor at your blog host’s web site, or just want a more feature-rich text editor, this might be an alternative for you. It’s only available for Mac, though. You can download a 30-day trial and then buy it for $29.99.
