Minimage Spills Some Ink

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The news is bad but the presentation is excellent as everyone's favorite tiny magical tableteer tries out Ed Holloway's ink blog plug-in to tell us she will be without her Motion LE1600 for a while. Nice penmanship miniature one. :)

Great advertisement for USPS

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[photo] Yeah, I almost cried too. Thanks to jk for bringing me to tears (almost).

What is Totalitarianism?

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Here's another term the Bush administration has been throwing around. So I looked it up on the Wikipedia and I found this description of totalitarian regimes most interesting.

[Totalitarian regimes maintain themselves in political power by means of secret police, propaganda disseminated through the state-controlled mass media, regulation and restriction of free discussion and criticism, the use of mass surveillance, and widespread use of terror tactics.]

Good thing we don't have some unseen agency dedicated to national security working behind the scenes keeping tabs on us through unconstitutional means. Lucky no one's taking advantage of terror to maintain their power.

Yes! Cracked the Ink Blog ranking!

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Only took another few mentions of the term and my ink blog is currently in the Google Blog Search top matches for that phrase. 'Bout time. Only been doing this for little more than a year.

iTunes rivals set to kill

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AOL announces a new music service. Universal Music will offer ad-supported downloads through SpiralFrog. Toshiba is officially set to manufacture Microsoft's Zune player. Yep, looks like they're all set to kill... each other.

Calling the Fascist kettle black

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Since the Bush administration decided to tack the tag of Fascism on the enemy terrorists, I thought it would be worthwhile to re-acquaint myself with the term. Here's what's on the Wikipedia:

[Fascism is a radical totalitarian political philosophy that combines elements of corporatism, authoritarianism, extreme nationalism, militarism, anti-anarchism, anti-communism and anti-liberalism.]

Are terrorists against anarchy? Do they bow to corporate interests? Doesn't sound much like terrorists to me. Really, who would be against liberalism, eager to enforce obedience to the state, bound to the view that security is the highest priority, and easily swayed by corporate interests? Certainly not terrorists.

Want to add background images to Outlook Calendar

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I've been interested in this feature for a while, but so far no luck on Google. Maybe no one's thought to do it yet or maybe I just need to ask: Does anyone know of a way to add background images to the Outlook calendar?

I look at the month view of the Outlook calendar fairly often and I'm sick of looking at these lame pastel background colors. Does anyone know of an add-in or registry tweak that will allow it to display an image instead? I'd prefer a way to set a different image for each month, but at this point I'm not picky.

Tangled up in Purple

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I love names that are colors. Anyway, I saw this question at new blog Tangled up in Purple. Thought I would add my two cents. [(Ink Blogging) Useful? I'm not sure yet.] <== I am!

Need more Scribbles

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Been a little lax with content lately and if I want to keep pushing this ink blog experiment, that's not good.

Also, I finally built a template I like and I have yet to mod Build 52 to implement the new features I have planned. So much to do and so little impetus.

Sorry for boring you with this. Think of if as an open reminder to myself to get moving.

Asus launches UMPC with purpose

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Starting to understand why I don't see eye-to-eye with most other gadget junkies. AsusTek officially announced their new UMPC the R2H, and initial reactions seem focused on the basic components, processor and memory. My focus, by contrast, went straight to the nonstandard features.

Since the over-hyped beginning, I have not been a fan of the UMPC. This has nothing to do with the form factor, which incorporates several features I had been looking forward to seeing, but rather the lack of direction. The UMPC is a really cool device standard, but no one ever answered the all-important question: What does it do? Asus, I think, has finally given an answer without locking in to a vertical market.

The R2H offers highly desired functionality to business travelers in the form of GPS, fingerprint access and top-end Bluetooth. This offers Joe Business extra assurances against the travel dangers of getting lost and losing sensitive data, as well as compatibility with peripherals he may already have. And the built-in webcam makes this device a portable video conferencing tool. Overall, the R2H looks like an excellent travel tool for business, but also pleasure. After all, who likes getting lost on a vacation? And how great would this be for recording a video diary?

No offense to TabletKiosk or Samsung, but Asus is doing what should have been done from the start: take Microsoft's basic and intentionally directionless design for the UMPC and build from that a device with purpose, while also keeping it wide open for other uses. This, I believe, is what Microsoft intended and kudos to Asus for getting it done. Now, if they would kindly release a larger model with a Wacom digitizer, I could finally get excited about this.

Patty's Watching You

Surge in Ink Blogging

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I regularly check Google's Blog Search for the term "ink blogging" to keep my ear to the ground for any new entrants and developments. Predictably, there are a couple test runs of Ed Holloway's Ink Blog plug-in for Windows Live Writer. No one new taking up the cause, but it's nice to see some activity.

And look at that blog in the top matches in this search! Yep, Scribbles is finally getting some Google-love in the "ink blogging" rankings thanks to your generous hyperlinks (and the fact that I am ink blogging). Wouldn't be there without you.

Now I just need to crack the "ink blog" top matches.

Holloway Strikes Ink Blog Gold

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Ed Holloway has released a new version of his Ink Blog add-in for Windows Live Writer, and it delivers the one feature that is ironically required for every worthwhile ink blog: Text.

Sadly, Google and those other search engines are still limited to searching text. Thus, for an ink blog to be found in the vast Internet, it must conform to Google's limitations and Ed is helping to make that easier than ever.

The new beta of his ink blog plug-in adds text conversion to the mix. Now you naysayers have no footing for your anti-ink blog opinions, and you tableteers have no reason to not dabble in ink blogging, unless Live Writer doesn't like your ftp server, as it does for me, which is why "The Father of Ink Blogging" ironically cannot publish ink from this tool. C'mon Windows Live guys, you're killing me here!

Might change my stance on parades

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I normally hate parades (it's like watching traffic), but this story from New Zealand gives me cause to reconsider. I might also have to visit NZ. (Craig beware.)

[One of twenty-five topless pornstars rides on a motorcycle down Auckland, New Zealand's Queen Street Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2006. Dubbed the 'Boobs on Bikes' parade, it is being used to publicize an erotica show which opens in Auckland later this week. (AP Photo/NZPA,Wayne Drought)]

Video: Finally! A Tablet PC vs. Mac ad!

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No, it's not a real ad, but it's on YouTube and that's pretty close. Link was left by a commenter at Engadget. Here it is:

Tablet PCs are [way] PCs are better than Macs, IMHO...

For example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3ZTCZW_cRw

Posted at 4:07PM on Aug 23rd 2006 by Ben Freedman

Thanks for the link, Ben.

Added the Software Links

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In the right region of the menu area, I've added the long-overdue software links, categorized for your pleasure.

Anyway, the one app I didn't list, which deserves to be at the top is Windows Journal. It's my ink blog composer; all you read here was written in it. However, it's included with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and nowhere else. If you want it, get a Tablet PC.

Teen Titans GO!

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Just heard the FULL Teen Titans theme song on Japan-a-Radio and remembered how kick ass that song is. Fortunately, TitansGo.net has the theme songs available for download. Too cool.

On that topic, I've been hitting supernovafans.com for MP3's of the live performances from Rockstar: Supernova. If you haven't checked the show, you're missing out.

Am I too tough on Verizon?

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Every now and then, I wonder if my bias against Verizon is justified. After all, aside from making it difficult for me to give them money, they've never screwed me personally.

But then, as soon as Congress decides to cut consumers a break and drop a fee on DSL, Verizon steps in and tacks on a new surcharge for damn near the same amount. Quite the coincidence, isn't it? No customers being squeezed there.

Minimalist Template Redesign

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Decided to really scale back with the blog template. Dropped all ink aside from the blog entries. Tightened up the top to keep the new top menu arrangement from pushing down the entries. Still need to add a couple of menus, one for software and another for cats. Also contemplating changing the title to ink. Makes sense, but I kind of like the contrast between the template and the inked entries.

Little Miss Sunshine

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Okay, in order to better balance the bad movie blog entries with good movie blog entries, let me give you some good advice (for a change), go see Little Miss Sunshine. It's a brilliant dark comedy (no oxymorons there), easily the best of the year. Some of the clever humor is silly. Some of the absurdity is genius. Interwoven into the comedic plot is a touching family story. It's a "you gotta laugh to keep from crying" adventure. Definitely worth the eight bucks.

Message from Samuel L. Jackson

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My good friend Sam Jackson called to remind me to see SNAKES ON A PLANE! today. Then he followed it up with an email with a link to the message.

Okay Sam, I get it. I'm going to go see your movie today. What's it about? Oh yeah... SNAKES ON A PLANE!

Site Redesign Sketch

Whipped Up a New Blog Template

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Ripping off Borrowing some modern design elements I've noticed lately, I did a slight redesign of the template in preparation for the big changes to come.

Moving the link menus to the top frees up horizontal space without expanding the width beyond Tablet PC landscape or UMPC standard resolution. This is useful since I started storing my ink images on my own site and generate HTML in Build 52. Why? Because it totally bypasses Blogger's 400 pixel image limit. Now I can post any size I want, although I'll keep it in the 600 pixel width range.

You'll also notice a new menu item called "CateGoogles". I'll elaborate more later, but basically it's a cheap way to add a form of categorization.

Ink Add-in for Windows Live Writer

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Sorry, this isn't written using the new Ink Blog add-in from Ed Holloway. I did install it and it did a fine job of adding ink directly to my Windows Live Writer entry. Unfortunately, Writer still isn't connecting to my ftp site. Very noteworthy effort though. Look forward to seeing where you take it Ed and I hope the ftp issue gets fixed so I can give it a full test drive.
Shoutback to GottaBeMobile.com

Inconvenience Terror

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Maybe I'm missing something but I'm not quite getting this ban on airline passengers carrying liquids into airports. I mean, people smuggle illegal substances on to airplanes all the time, and it's not in their baggage. What security measures do we have against terrorists sneaking explosives in their gullets? Anyone scanning for breast implants loaded with nitro instead of saline?

I know what you're thinking: Who the hell would put explosives in their bodies? Suicide bombers, that's who! Are these ideas crazy? So what? Since when are suicidal terrorists sane?

Yes, the new security certainly inconveniences them, but I never heard anyone trumpet "We must inconvenience terror." Must be a dozen ways around this liquid ban, though I can only name three. How many can you think of?

Not Digging Windows Live Writer

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I know it's just a test beta, but I have a sneaking suspicion Windows Live Writer won't come through for me (unless it gets built-in inking).

First and foremost, it's not connecting to my ftp site. Sounds like a fixable issue, but my ftp site also does not work with FrontPage. Pretty safe bet the guys at Windows Live didn't build their ftp system from scratch.

Second, where's the TIP? Works in the HTML text editing mode, but not the WYSIWYG mode. Again, probably fixable, but why doesn't a Windows Live program developed for Windows have full TIP support? Works fine with ritePen though. C'mon Windows Live guys, a little embarrassing, isn't it?

Update! Windows Live Writer Ink!

I typically don't like beta testing, but how can I resist the chance to test an ink blogging app?

Disclosure: It doesn't like my FTP site; I had to upload the image myself. Also, where's the TIP?
Update: TIP works in HTML layout but not web layout. Pasting title in web layout did not work. My FTP site doesn't work with Frontpage, so I'm guessing that's where the problem lies. Guess it's back to the beta avoidance policy for me.

Easy Ink Blogging (if you don't publish)

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Loren almost had some great news on the Ink Blogging front with the release of Windows Live Writer. It's basically a blogging tool, but Loren discovered you can paste ink into it and it will convert to an image. Only problem, as Loren learned later: it doesn't upload the ink image. Not good.

All is not lost, however. The app is still in beta, so this functionality (or lack of) may be implemented. Further, plug-ins are allowed so someone, maybe Loren, can make it work. Perhaps we could even see direct inking and text conversion. Lot of potential here. Let's hope it becomes actual.

Update! Aaron Hall informs us that Loren didn't have the upload set (although one would assume this would be on by default). He's got the proof up at his blog. Big ups to Warner at GottaBeMobile for getting the word out.

Drag-down menus a bust

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Spent a couple hours last night designing changes for the blog template. Although I still like the idea, drag-down menus are turning out to be a cross-browser hassle. Thought dragging down menus with the cursor would make a good interactive pen feature, but it's more trouble than it's probably worth. Going to stick with drop down HTML menus that work.

Nice to be outside again

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Enjoying my lunch outside again after a miserably hot humid few weeks. Got a cool dry breeze today in the shade. Just right for an ink blogging lunch.

ritePen is Rite on!

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Got my copy of ritePen today, in exchange for a small handwriting sample. [see my sample] Haven't had much time to tool with it, but already I feel like a total chump for not getting it sooner.

ritePen should be pre-installed on every Tablet PC. It makes the Windows Tablet Input Panel look like absolute garbage. True, the TIP is still useful for keyboard entry and activating voice input, but the "write anywhere" power of ritePen is incredibly liberating. And it's enabled for every app, unlike the TIP which needs specifically written support.

Just to show you how good it is, I'm going to write the rest of this post in text, using ritePen without correcting the translation. Here we go...
Okay, I got a little too excited about ritePen. It wouldn't write in Journal, probably due to the fact that it's an ink-enabled app. I'm writing this in Notepad and aside from the fact that I'm unaccustomed to using its ritePen is working like a champ. So far, only one error in conversion ("its ritePen" should be "it, ritePen"). I did make a couple of Corrections when I tried to scratch out a word. (I'm geared mentally for ink.) Otherwise, a brilliant display of text conversion.

GottaBeMe at GottaBeMobile

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I sat down (ironically) for an audio InkShow with Warner Crocker, Center of the Tabletscape, for GottaBeMobile.com. If you're here from there, welcome! If you haven't downloaded the show, get it before the price doubles.

The odds work against Build 52

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To tie the link layers to the ink images, Build 52 assigns each image an id generated randomly using a value between 0 and 1000. I mistakenly assumed this meant the odds of duplication were about one in a million. Actually, it's one in a thousand and one, which is still pretty slim, but I beat the odds this week with two images sporting the same ID tag.

Has no effect on the individual entries, but when they were both on the index page, the links grouped up on one image. Fortunately, this post knocks one off the index nor will they be grouped in the same archive page.

I am now adjusting Build 52 to use the current point in time as the numeric value.

Updated! I wasn't even done writing this when I saw that Warner posted the audio InkShow I recorded with him, which prompted me to fix the error, which would have disappeared with this post.

Do we need an iPod Killer?

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With all the premature speculation (dare I say "e-speculation") about the possibility of Zune being an iPod killer, I have to wonder: Why do we need an iPod killer?

If you want a portable media player, but not an iPod, there are plenty of options, so it's not a matter of lack of choice. Some people complain about iTunes DRM locking them in to one device. This is true for video (at least for now), but iTunes audio files can be burned to CD to be played on any CD player. The CD can even be ripped to MP3 or other format. The only issue with that is possible loss of quality, but that's not a DRM or iTunes-only issue. Furthermore, you can dodge the issue entirely by buying music on CD, as most people still do. Oh, but that's less convenient isn't it?

So if there are so many choices out there, why does the iPod still dominate? One word: simplicity. My mother-in-law, a certified non-techie, can buy iTunes songs, load them on her Shuffle and burn CDs, and I only needed to show her once. That's not a system to be killed; it's a killer system. If Zune's as easy, great. But I don't see how it could be any easier.

I should point out that while my wife has an iPod and I started using iTunes in 2000, back when my workstation was a cherry red iMac, I myself don't own or use an iPod.
[You: Sumocat, WTF? No phone, no iPod? What kind of gadget freak are you? Seriously, WTF?]

Maybe the fact I don't own a 'Pod is why I don't understand the demand for an iPod killer. Is it simply because the iPod dominates 70-80% of the market? If so, why look for an alternative from a company that dominates 90% of the OS market? Doesn't sound like a great trade-off to me.

"I don't want people calling me."

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I'm only on day two of breaking that rule and already I got a wrong number call.... in the library. Only a matter of time before I start routing all calls straight to voice maiI.

Working Assets Wireless

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As I just mentioned, I've decided to get a mobile phone. Despite my long standing "I don't want people calling me" rule, we've decided to make the jump for a few reasons.

First, Verizon decided to stop sending us bills and my wife is tired of fighting to get them. Thus, we're dropping our home phone and going mobile only. Here's a hint Verizon: If you want customers to pay your bill, send it to them.

Second, my PC card slot is still broken, which knocks out my wireless mobile Internet and emergency phone capability. Fortunately, my contract will be up soon and my new phone will have web browsing and unlimited data.

Third, and perhaps most pivotally, our long distance provider, Working Assets, recently expanded to offering mobile phone service. It goes without saying that we're using their service but I should explain why. Top reason: they gave us a pint of Ben & Jerry's each month the first year we signed with them. You can't buy loyalty but you can earn it with ice cream.

What's nearly as important as free ice cream though is Working Assets' commitment to various causes. They devote part of our payment to various non-profit groups and to lobby the government for changes. Other phone service providers also lobby for change, but they don't offer transparency. For all I know, Verizon's backing the fight against Net Neutrality. By contrast, Working Assets supports Net Neutrality and regardless of what I think of the other causes they support, at least I know what they are.

Bottom Line: Verizon sucks. I need mobile web access. Working Assets supports Net Neutrality. That adds up to a mobile phone for Sumocat, which BTW is an LG 225 - no charge.

Getting a Mobile Phone

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Sumocat: I'm getting a mobile phone!
You: You mean a new one?
Sumocat: No, I'm getting one.
You: What about your old phone? Sumocat: We're dropping it and going strictly mobile.
You: No, what about your old mobile phone?
Sumocat: Never had one before.
You: [insert silence here]
Break the silence here --> Sumocat's Scribbles: Working Assets Wireless

W does something good for a change

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There's an old saying in Tennessee, uh actually in Texas, but they probably say it in Tennessee too: even a broken clock is right twice a day. Apparently that time came for President Bush when he declared the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands a national monument, surpassing the protection it received when President Clinton declared it a reserve. Good job Mr. President. Now how about that Alaskan wildlife reserve?

A few steps closer to giant robot battles

Scribblers to pack 92 whrs?

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Read a review of the Electrovaya Scribbler SC-3100 over at the Pen Computing Magazine web site. Despite the reviewer's apparent inexperience with Tablet PCs, it is a fine and thorough review, through nothing I hadn't read before EXCEPT for the mention of a 92 Whr battery pack that's the same size as the standard 75 whr battery. I had been concerned that EV might lose its edge in the face of all the extended battery options out there, but 92 Whrs with no added size and likely negligible added weight beats any heavy protruding battery combo. But maybe we should wait until EV starts offering this battery before getting too excited.

Finally! A reward for handwriting!

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The guys at EverNote are giving copies of EverNote Plus and ritePen 2.5 in exchange for writing samples, which is great for me since I'm producing handwritten samples all the time... Wait a tick... Sheet of paper? Son of a...
Via Mobility Today by way of GottaBemobile

Mindmap: Blog Redesign

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Been contemplating mods to Build 52 and thought I'd tinker with the blog design too. Maybe add categories (despite the fact that Blogger lacks this option). Perhaps type some handwritten essays on the weekends (typed and handwritten?). Drag-down menus might be fun too (no, not drop-down). Confused? Wait 'til you see the mindmap.