Any guesses as to why I'm going? :) The Seattle event at the Triple Door will draw on the city's thriving indie music scene and core concentration of bloggers, podcasters and technologists who will discuss mobile culture, copyright issues and how art and commerce intersect in podcasting and video podcasts. We'll hear from music executives, getting their take on what podcasting means for the future of indie culture and mass media. We'll address podcast promotions, distribution opportunities and the methods for reaching people who are spread across a million different micro communities. We'll get the participants to create podcasts, setting up studio demonstrations to help people get started. At night, we will get together to record local music, which we will then promote as podcasts. Additionally, the Podcast Hotel operates an online network where any musician from around the world may submit their music, which we then play on KSSX, a podcast station, and sponsor of the Podcast Hotel. The goal is to show indie musicians and others how they can increase their reach by using a simple, democratic technology - podcasts.

Okay, I'm generally not a fan of Google's software (largely because it's resource intensive and sports a poor UI). However, they've released a new beta of the Google toolbar (4.0), adding one feature that's a must-see. I wanted to add gada.be to the toolbar, and found it was amazingly simple to do!

1. Install the latest Google Toolbar (4.0) beta.
2. Go to gada.be in Internet Explorer.
3. Right-click in the Search box.
4. Select “Generate Custom Search” from the menu.
5. Step through the wizard and Voila!

However, I'd recommend you simply add gada.be to the Google Toolbar by clicking directly on this link. To quote Peter Griffin, this is freakin' sweet. Of course, Google is copying the Weather function from every other toolbar out there now, and they're still using an ultra-neon blue highlight color in their menus - but I love what 4.0 is doing so far.

I received an email this evening from a friend who’s visiting Seattle in a few weeks. She wanted to know what I recommended for restaurants in the area. I started to scribble a couple of names, but the effort soon ballooned into a full-blown list. I’m sharing it here for your digestion (pun intended). This way, if anybody else ever asks me for good “local” food, I can just point ‘em here.

For seafood, I’d recommend Salty’s on Alki - great view of downtown seattle and the Sound at night. Great food, too. :) I like their seared ahi, but (then again) that’s pretty much all I get there. Ponzi always seems to enjoy the salmon or white fish. The valet parking is nice.

For fondue, try The Melting Pot. If you’ve never been to a fondue restaurant before, it’s worth trying. Ponzi found out about this place while she was visiting Thailand (!) - so we went there last night and really enjoyed ourselves. Be prepared to stuff yourself silly. This is a “must” for any cheese lover. I’d recommend going as a couple, but not as a double-date - because everybody pretty much shares the same pot of everything.

For sushi, I’d recommend Chinoise on Madison. I personally love sitting at the sushi bar and ordering “Omakase,” which you should be able to do at any sushi bar. That’s when the chef makes whatever he things is good - and you get to experience great flavors that aren’t on the menu. We also like Toyoda, Ototo, I Love Sushi (Bellevue, NOT Seattle), Saitos, Maneki, Rain, and Kozue (Kozui?). I’ve heard “Wasabi” is great, but it sounds overpriced and too trendy.

For dim sum, it’s all about Top Gun. Let me put it to you this way: I’m usually the only gringo in the joint when we go. We’ve tried a few places in Chinatown, but they weren’t as nice. Sunday mornings at Top Gun are a madhouse. Worth doing, even if you’ve never had dim sum before (which is more of a breakfast/brunch meal).

For pho, it all depends on your taste. “What the Pho” in Bellevue is a pretty safe flavor. “Pho Bac” is also good in the International district, I hear. If you’ve never had Pho before, it’s pretty much soup with a lot of noodles and a meat of choice. There’s a lot of pho out there. Try the young coconut juice if you go.

For doughnuts, try Mighty-O Donuts. They make ‘em without hydrogenated oils, so they’re “healhtier” for you. I can’t eat any other donuts in the city, so this is pretty much it for me. If you’re gonna be decadent in the morning, you might as well minimize the artery damage.

For coffee, Zoka beats the hell out of Starbucks. I don’t drink it anymore, but Ponzi would make me drive all the way across town just so she could have something from Zoka - passing a million Starbucks en route. The one in Tangletown (north of the Wallingford district) is across the street from Mighty-O.

For steak, I’ve always had an awesome filet at the Pampas Room (which I believe is downstairs from El Gaucho). I’d probably recommend a chain like Morton’s or Ruth’s Chris, too. The Keg also has a pretty good steak, if you’re into the “down home” atmosphere.

For online dinner reservations, by the way, I’ve been using OpenTable. You don’t need to sign up for an account, and it’s got a great range of tastes for you to choose from if you’re in the mood for something new or different. I found out about it when I was looking to make reservations for a place in Las Vegas. Wonderful free service here.

For slightly “trendy” dining with good flavor and good prices, try the Black Bottle in downtown Seattle. Their potato and cauliflower dish is awesome (and I hate cauliflower), as is their bread with sundried cherries… oh, and the hanger (?) steak is also amazing. I was quite suprised - and judging from the crowd, this is a real winner.

For Italian, Machiaveli’s. It also happens to be across the street from “The Chapel,” which used to be a funeral home - where Bruce Lee lived and (subsequently) had his funeral. How’s that for a little bit of history? There’s also a nice Italian place kitty-corner from the Seattle Public Library, but its name escapes me at the moment.

For Pizza, it really depends where you are. I’ve personally fallen in love with All-Purpose Pizza - “Ked’s Fave,” in particular. It may not be close to where you’re staying, though - and the concierge may be able to recommend something a bit closer that might be just as good. Just avoid Pizza Hut if you can at all help it - or any nationwide chain, for that matter.

For late night dining, try the reuben sandwich at 13 coins. We’ve been there a few times when we were feeling like having comfort food. Decor hasn’t been updated since the late ’50s (or so it seems). If you’re hungry at 3AM, this is pretty much the only game in town I’d recommend without reservation. We’ve been there a few times, but only once “after hours.”

For Ethiopian, get over to Queen Sheba. If you’ve never tried Ethiopian, it’s very spicy (and very tasty). I’d recommend getting the meat and veggie samplers, and you’ll be set for four people. For two, I’d likely choose one over the other.

For casual dining for lunch or dinner, try BluWater in Leschi (not the other one). It’s always filling. Even though we kinda live down the street from it, we don’t go there as often as we could - largely because there are so many other great restaurants in Seattle for us to try. We’ve been here for a year, and probably sampled 1/100th of what’s out there.

For burgers, it’s Dick’s Drive-in. They’re not gonna be gigantic burgers, but for fast food, this is excellent. Try one while you’re here, if you can. Kidd Valley is also pretty good (and Ponzi likes their garlic fries). For Hot Dogs, go to Diggity Dog Hot Dogs - which is near Zoka and Mighty-O.

For Russian, go with My Favorite Piroshki. They’re like sandwiches, with many of them comprised of ground beef and potatoes. If you’ve never had one, they might be worth trying - just to say you had one.

For Greek, you must go to the Mediterranean Kitchen. We found this place on accident and fell in love with it instantly. The baba ganoush is out of this world. Great prices, greasy spoon atmosphere. When we’re doing something in the neighborhood, we always stop by - if only for the baba ganoush. Did I mention that I love their baba ganoush?

For Mexican, we’re happy with any Taco Del Mar. ;) I haven’t heard of many great Mexican restaurants up here in Seattle. Everybody seems to be disappointed. Then again, many of us have never had authentic Mexican - so we’re happy with whatever we find. Again, stay away from chains.

For Chinese, you must go to Bamboo Garden. It’s Chinese cuisine - with no meat. You’d be surprised at how realistic the sweet and sour chicken tastes. We don’t really eat a lot of Chinese, but when we do, this is typically where we go. I’ve also heard that Seven Stars is also unique.

For something unique, try Coastal Kitchen. Every few months, their menu changes to highlight a different culture! Right now, they’re serving Portugese. The Chow Foods restaurant family has always had great food, including the 5 Spot. This would be a great choice if you’re not sure what you want to eat.

For Thai, Thai Ginger or Wild Ginger are pretty good. If you want authentic Thai, I’d recommend Thai Heaven. Ponzi’s really picky when it comes to Thai - because she’s had the real deal. She doesn’t like Racha Thai at all, but I think it’s great.

For a general dining experience, we found McCormick & Schmick’s to be good (and they’re the ones who cater Gnomedex). Some might find it a bit stuffy, and some younger friends of ours said that it seemed to cater to the 60+ crowd, but I would certainly go back if given the opportunity. We had lunch there, but I’d imagine the dinner would be just as nice.

For fusion, try Seastar restaurant for lunch or dinner. Try the deviled eggs - topped with Tobiko! This is over in Bellevue again, but I get a kick out of the lamps - which remind me of the miracle of birth. You have to see it to really understand what I mean. Anyway, Seastar is a good choice for a good meal - alebeit a little overpriced, IMHO.

I kid you not…

The LifeGem is a certified, high-quality diamond created from the carbon of your loved one as a memorial to their unique life. The LifeGem diamond provides a way to embrace your loved one's memory day by day. The LifeGem is the most unique and timeless memorial available for creating a testimony to their unique life. Your LifeGem memorial will offer comfort and support when and where you need it, and provide a lasting memory that endures just as a diamond does. Forever.

Dude, this is the plan for me. It won't be cheap, but I'd just as soon be an heirloom than a rotting corpse six feet under. Creepy, but pretty. Pretty, but creepy. Seriously.

Hey all you would-be (or existing) Vonage customers out there: read your license agreements. No, seriously - this is a company that'll screw you just as hard as a traditional telephone (or any wireless) carrier will. We had a second line added to our account a couple of months back, and we're not really making use of it at this point. So, I called up to tell 'em we didn't want it any more - and they told me there'd be a $39 deactivation fee. Yes, Vonage wants to charge me $39 to disconnect a virtual line. Ya know, $39 for a single mouse-click or keystroke? I have to wait until February 8th until the fee can be waived (after a full year of Vonage service). Man, I wish I didn't have integrity - I'd be a billionare by now.

Yeah, look at the title for this page: Download details: Podcasts: How Microsoft  IT Implements Encryption Using SQL Server 2005. Not exactly a subject that would interest most users, but it's certainly… proving that Microsoft isn't afraid to use the word in a sentence (or on a Web page, for that matter). And just in case they change their mind, here's the screen shot.

The ala carte iPod Video store is getting worse, not better. If you watch only one TV show per week (and you don't already have a cable subscription), I'm sure their efforts are a godsend. However, if you're like me, and already have three DVRs in your house to record all the shows you want to watch, this lack-of-subscription thing is an absolute nightmare.
Someone at Apple is telling me that I have to re-pay for shows I'm already paying for and (possibly) recording elsewhere, legally? Bullshit. Why should I pay $2 for a single episiode of a show? Why?! Why can't I just have a subscription like I do for all my other programming - including my Netflix account, which often goes unused (while money still funnels into their pockets). Just so I can watch it on an iPod. The Apple iTunes Video page lies to everybody… “Looks like fun.” No, it looks like you're going to nickel and dime us to death for low-quality (bitrate) content.
Imagine what'll happen when you have 20 shows you want to watch at $2 apiece. No, seriously. I could rattle off 20 shows right NOW that I enjoy watching on a regular basis. Let's do the math: 20 x $2 = $40. That's not $40 a month, mind you - it's $40 a week, knowing that most seasons have 10+ shows (so, I could spend >$20 to consume a season in low-quality with nothing physical to show for it - and each program having a very low replay factor). Will I pay $40 a month to gain access to *ALL* the stuff I normally get on my digital cable subscription (in a portable, subscribable format)? Yes. Will I pay $40 a week to watch *SOME* of the stuff I normally get on my cable subscription? Hell no, bozo.
They *HAVE* to make it affordable for those of us who enjoy more than one piece of produced content. BitTorrent has it all over the iPod, man - higher quality media, no DRM, etc. Talk about a mashup that needs to happen?! Someone needs to take uTorrent and build a video encoding layer to it that'll automatically take the downloaded videos and transcode them into MP4 (though not H.264 yet, as the PSP doesn't support it) suitable for our selected portable devices.
I'm thoroughly disappointed that I can't take my Napster subscription with me on my PSP or iPod. Instead, companies want me to spend even MORE money for LESS freedom - and to complicate my life even more than it was before. The sad thing is, many folks walk into it blindly thinking it… “looks like fun.” Bullshit. It's all Bullshit, and Apple's leading the bullshit charge (albeit with style).

The Windows desktop experience we live with daily is a source of many sleepless nights for Chris Pirillo. He’s a sort of consumer experience ombudsman, advocating something more consistent than the Luna theme from Windows XP. At CES 2006 Jenny Lam, part of the core experience team for Windows Vista, talked with Chris about the AERO desktop experience, the design of the latest fonts and interface in Windows Vista. This isn’t your typical rah-rah Microsoft message, with Jenny admitting she was once a Mac user and joined the design team at Microsoft in hopes of making an impact. I couldn’t find the AERO team blog at the time of this posting, but there’s good stuff that spans the gap between Microsoft Office and the Windows Experience in Jensen Harris: An Office User Interface Blog.

• Icon Chassis Modified For Water Cooling
• Silverstone 600Watt Modular Power Supply
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional
• Asus A8N-SLI Premium
• AMD Athlon64 4800+ Dual Core
• Icon Watercooling Kit (AMD)
• Corsair Twin X 2048MB 3500LL Pro 2X1024
• ATI X1900XT Crossfire 512MB Master
• Raid 0 - Requires 2 Identical Drives
• WD1500ADFD Raptor 150GB 10000RPM 16MB
• WD1500ADFD Raptor 150GB 10000RPM 16MB
• Seagate ST3400832AS 400GB 7200 RPM SATA
• Plextor 740A 16x DVD+-RW Dual Layer
• Creative Labs X-Fi Platinum
• FA404 Int. USB2.0 Flash Media/Floppy
• Windowed Side Panel - Icon Case
• Cold Cathode - Blue

Okay, general registration is now open to the public. I announced it to past Gnomedexers a week ago and have since sold 1/3 of the main hall. We'll have overflow rooms open again, but the conference officially sells out in about 200 more seats. See you soon!

I hate Qwest - they screwed me over one too many times. Months ago, I looked at all the possible options out there and opted to go for Vonage (after all, name recognition goes a long way). I'm beginning to think I need to start looking for another “local” line provider.
My Linksys RT31P2 router went haywire the other day, and no matter what I tried, I couldn't reset it. I got online immediately with Linksys live tech support, and we walked through it together - just to be sure. He told me that I'd have to go to Vonage and request a replacement. So I did:

I came home today, and the router's power light was flashing incessantly. Immediately, I got on with Linksys tech support and we ran through the troubleshooting options. However, it seems the adapter/router has been rendered non-functional. It is not covered by Linksys, and they told me to come back to you since you sent it to us in the first place. We can't use our Vonage service without this very important piece of hardware, so please get back to us with due speed. :)

A day later, I received an email message with specific instructions - steps which I had already run through repeatedly. I responded with answers to their questions, including the MAC address of the router (I even inserted spaces between every two digits). One question really threw me off “6. If you are unable to log into the router page please let us know what is the ip address of the computer.” Ignoring the fact that they didn't capitalize IP, I answered:

The IP address of what? My computer? Do you mean my regular ol' Internet connection? I'm not certain why that has any bearing on the matter. I need a replacement unit ASAP.

What I received in response made me laugh out loud. The first sentence in the second message from Vonage support was: “Thank you for contacting Customer Care We understand that the power LES is flashing.” Yes, it's my Claypool port that's fried. They again asked me to step through the Linksys hard reset options. It didn't work, so I had to answer another set of questions, including having to enter my MAC address again. That's akin to calling up a service, entering an account number by keypad, then being asked by the CSR what my account number is again. Bah. I gave 'em what they wanted, and they immediately responded:

From your previous mail we have confirmed that your Vonage device has gone bad. Since your Vonage device is out of warranty period we wont be able to give a replacement for the device.

Well, JESUS F'ING CHRIST. Why didn't they tell me my router was out of the warranty period up front? Why wasn't this information somewhere on their Web site, in an easily accessible place? They want me to pay $99 to get another RT31P2 through them… but I'm wondering if I should just drop the service altogether at this point.

I'm stirring up a hornet's nest. My question: which community of commenters is worse?

When Ponzi asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I wasn't sure what to tell her. I've got just about everything I could possibly want for my PC. Still, I started to browse peripherals - even though I was hard pressed to find anything I really needed or wanted. That's when I remembered the CardScan machine - a microscanner that was designed to streamline the indexing of business card information. You place a card on the tray, the scanner sucks it in, and a second later you've got their information OCR'ed on your screen (almost perfect for people with OCD). By and large, this has proven to be an amazing gift - and one that'd I'd heartily recommend to anybody who has a million business cards sitting in a drawer somewhere. I only wish the software would allow me to select what information I need to interpret, otherwise I have to edit the recognized text; the solution is about 80% perfect, but compared to what I was doing before - this is a godsend. Seriously, my guess is that you want a CardScan unit (whether you know it or not). I got the CardScan Executive 700 Business Card Scanner - which includes the CardScan.net service (yet another amazing product). Dude. Seriously. Check it out.