2006 January 03

I'm sure IE7 will be fantastic when it's ready for public consumption, but in being “stuck” with Windows Vista for the time being, I'm also “stuck” with a beta copy of Microsoft's next browser. I'm running into far too many page rendering issues with the IE7 beta – coupled with the general window and tab shortcomings, I just found myself downloading and installing Firefox 1.5 on my laptop. Damn, it's faster – visibly faster. I feel so dirty. Are you happy, Asa?

Read more on I Installed Firefox…

If you've emailed me in the past day or so, I likely haven't responded to you. I'm working from a laptop on the road, and my workload is not as easy to manage remotely as it is on my home machine (with VNC or not). Even if you have already emailed me, or are in the process of emailing me, you won't (and likely don't) read this blog. However, I'm saying it here – just in case. Unless something is on fire, I probably can't get to it anytime soon. I'm always at chris@pirillo.com, but you could also call my personal toll-free number at 1.888.472.0604. I'll be watching the newly formed CES Wiki and CESCamp discussion list for group communications – and will be in the Microsoft Pavilion broadcasting live on both Thursday and Friday afternoons from 1:00pm – 2:30pm. Stop by and say hello if you can. Other than meeting at these times, we'll just have to leave it to fate. That and, no – you can't have the extra key to my room (which smells like fart).

Read more on Finding Me at CES…

I don't gamble, and the big event doesn't begin for a couple of days. Parties are only at night, so what's a geek supposed to do in Vegas if he's already been up and down the strip a few times in earlier years? I suppose I could take in a show, but that's just not fun unless someone else is with me. We've got a full year ahead of us (with a trip to Iowa in March, Gnomedex likely coming in June, and our wedding in November), but one of these days Ponzi and I should schedule a Vegas vacation and take in all the Cirque du Soleil shows in one fell swoop. I'm never in Vegas for anything other than business it seems, since I can't stand the smell of smoke or Elvis impersonators (or the smell of Elvis impersonators). They say that whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what about those of us who are far less mischeivous? Oh, I know – I'll find an all-night buffet and eat my way to 700 pounds! I hear the chocolate in Vegas has no calories. Anybody else around? I gotta get a good steak before I leave.

Read more on Lost in Vegas…

I did something fairly stupid: installed Windows Vista build 5270 on my laptop before leaving for Vegas this week. Yeah, I'm heading down there early this time around – keynoting a conference this afternoon (or earlier, depending on when I'm able to get online to post this entry). I should've followed my gut instinct and uninstalled this beta after trying it for a few minutes. There should be some kind of broadband access at the hotel, but I won't be able to use my Bluetooth modem until I reinstall Windows XP. If you're coming to CES, I hope to run into you at some point. We're broadcasting live from the Microsoft pavilion on both Thursday and Friday at 1pm – either tune in or swing by if you can! I'll even let you futz with this beta build if you ask nicely (or if you care). Oh crap! I left my extra battery at home. This is going to be a long week, although the journey hasn't yet begun.

Read more on Vista Las Vegas…