2005 July 04

I'm not sure how it happened, but one of my Computer Power User Magazine articles got micro-Slashdotted. I noticed Scoble responding to it last night, with a list of links that called my clicking finger to action. 'Twas a valiant attempt, but ultimately illustrated my point.
Google Earth is neat, but replete with UI mistakes (you should never, EVER use a print font like Arial in an application); Streets & Trips 2005 has barely evolved since its first incarnation back in 2001; Microsoft Photostory is not half as nifty as something like Picasa; Ventuz looks interesting, but I can't seem to find a price on it; OneNote requires the Tablet PC to shine; ActiveWords actually does have a UI, and it's a blessing that it runs without one; Office Communicator has me worried, as it may be just another bloated offering; Mindjet's MindManager is amazing, but terribly overcomplicated for n00bz. Find me a Comic Life; a 1001. Even MediaMan pales by comparison to Delicious Library.
The problem with saying “wait for Longhorn” is… that's exactly what we're doing!!!

Read more on XP vs. OS X Software…

According to a message I just received, “-214748364% of [my] contacts are using Plaxo.” Plaxo is pretty annoying – but also relatively useful. Annoying, only because I hate installing invasive, bloated software; useful, only because there's no other easy way to keep your contact list up-to-date. Ponzi installed it on her machine and inadvertently sent a note out to all of my contacts (since that Net Folder is currently being shared). I got tired of getting pummeled every other day with Plaxo blasts from friends, so I wound up creating a Plaxo profile on the network – making it infinitely easier to send that information to whoever might request it. I didn't download or install Plaxo, however. There are so many people using it these days, that I find it difficult to enter / share my information through any other proprietary network; it's starting to get rediculous, with the multitude of 'me-too' social networks out there.

Read more on Do You Use Plaxo?…

Friendship! Our final night in SF was spent with friends. Ponzi ducked out early, due largely to the headache generated from spending too much time riding in Marc Canter's Checker (friendly guy, not-so-friendly car). It was almost down to Jake and myself, but I phoned a couple of friends – and in mere minutes, we were joined by the two Technoerotic nerds Niall and Tantek. Before too long, we found ourselves atop the Virgin… building. There was some kind of cupcake cubby up there for sugar addicts in dire need of staring at the Apple logo across the street. Two more friends, Courtney and Kevin joined us before too long, and we all played nicely together. I miss my SF friends, and wish I could've spent more time with 'em. “Friendship is like peeing in your pants. Everyone can see that it's there… but only you can feel the true warmth.” Thank goodness I captured something completely different on this video, eh?

Read more on Always a Friend…