Daryl D of Blogcritics (http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/05/23/131907.php) claims "Tablet PC enthusiasts are living in a dream world." Can't argue with that; my Tablet PC experience has been quite dreamy. However, I think he means it in a negative sense since he closes his opinion with "give me plain old paper and a nice pen!" He also enumerates his frustrations with various mobile computers and the advantages of paper. Normally, I'd let it slide, but he called me a "geek" and not in a good way.
However, I can't outright counter him either because paper does indeed have advantages over computers. So I opted to run with his opinion and apply it to typewriters vs. laptops. Turns out it's damn near the same argument. Just swap the names and his logic demonstrates the advantages of typewriters over notebooks. Rather than sully my blog with this expanse of text, I posted it on the GottaBeMobile.com (http://www.gottabemobile.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2987&SID=97c5bdbzb89df2aa8ff447f216ec91ac) forum. Enjoy!
President Carter recently criticized the Bush administration for being "the worst in history" (http://tinyurl.com/2jw445) in foreign policy. The White House shot back, calling him "increasingly irrelevant (http://tinyurl.com/3bd5mc)". Carter back-pedaled and said his comments were "careless (http://tinyurl.com/2p96db)". Clearly so, since the comments were published before his death. Big mistake.
When President Ford accused his former boys Cheney and Ramstad of making a "big mistake" (http://tinyurl.com/ybd9hh) in justifying the Iraq conflict, he specified to Bob Woodward that it not be published until after his death, ensuring he could not retract them or be accused of being any less relevant. Carter "carelessly" did not specify the same condition, so now he's dismissed as "increasingly irrelevant".
So Mr. President, the next time you decide to criticize a sitting President, take a cue from your predecessor and keep those words locked away until you are absolutely irrelevant. As the White House points out, you're getting there, but you're not out of the food chain yet.
Checking my tech news feed this morning, I was surprised to find three seemingly distinct articles on the limitations and drawbacks of some citywide wifi projects. Each has a different title and even different opening paragraphs. similar but different, right? Not quite.
Turns out each of the three were posted by Anick Jesdanun of the AP. It appears they were written by journalists in three different parts of the country, focusing their reports on those locations (California (http://tinyurl.com/2jg7z4), Oregon (http://tinyurl.com/2nu3v9), and Florida (http://tinyurl.com/35ns6y)). Possibly they were meant for distribution in those regions. But there's no such thing as regional distribution on the world wide web, so it looks like one guy pushing the same story in three variations, taking up three spots in my feed list. I expect it for up-to-the-minute news, as reported by different journalists, but not for this hardly urgent report.
So true Jon, so true. For it seems the architect of the Iraq invasion, Paul Wolfowitz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Wolfowitz), is seeking an "exit strategy" (http://tinyurl.com/2pxphn) from his situation at the World Bank, where he arranged for a huge pay increase for his girlfriend. Some have called it "unethical", but c'mon, this is they guy who thought we could invade Iraq and then... nothing. Just throw the troops into battle and... well, that's it. There was no plan for after that. Just be victorious and mock anyone who calls for an "exit strategy". That's some wicked karma for you.
My one share of Apple stock (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2006/09/iphone-rumor-sparks-crazed-commentary.html) plunged in value after Engadget (http://tinyurl.com/2oxrhm) posted an email leaked from Apple that announced the iPhone would be delayed until October. The market corrected itself (http://tinyurl.com/35gkmq) after Apple officially debunked the claim. Still, I was out $5 for an hour. That's like reaching into my pocket and not finding that five-spot I thought I had, but then finding it later in the laundry. It's disconcerting.
On the other hand, at least I didn't sell my share at an artificially lowered price the way a bunch of chumps did. Can't say I feel that bad for you. Fortune favors the bold, not the skittish.
But the White House does have Lute: 3-star General Douglas Lute (http://tinyurl.com/33f5yy) promoted to the position of 'war czar' (a term that looks like it should rhyme but doesn't) where he will manage ("full-time", according to President Bush) our armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Actually, "manage" might not be the right word since he is outranked by the generals on the ground and apparently has little authority at home. Perhaps he is more of a coordinator. Regardless, coordination is important when war is being waged in two regions, and our Commander-in-Chief can't be expected to do the job all by himself, or with the aid of a whole department in charge of defense. But now with Lute on the job, we will have no trouble reaching that ever lowering standard of success in Iraq.
Figures. I was Johnny-on-the-spot when Josh Einstein announced it on the GBM forums (http://tinyurl.com/2jt63y), but it's taken me days to blog about Josh's official announcement that he is continuing development of Tablet Enhancements for Outlook (http://www.einsteintechnologies.com/)! Woo hoo!
Among his top priorities for the next evolution are ribbon interface (giving me a strong reason to upgrade to Outlook 2007), printing (which I will never use), and, best of all, recurring appointments. The only reason I ever revert to the standard Outlook item view is to set recurrence. Josh, if you add this to TEO, I will never open a regular Outlook item on my tablet again... probably.
When I read the news that an ink-enabled version of Microsoft Math is on the way (news courtesy of GottaBeMobile.com (http://tinyurl.com/39gfb6)), I was pretty excited. I use my tablet as a whiteboard when tutoring math, and the idea of enhancing the experience is very appealing. But then I dug deeper and found this in the press release:
Let me stop you right there, Microsoft. First, not all tutors are hired, so clearly you're trying to undercut those of us who get paid. If I wasn't worth every dime I get paid, I might be worried. But instead, I'm a little pissed.
Second, I don't care that your software can read my handwriting; you can't design a math app that's remotely similar to me. A machine can't teach the zen of mathematics or convey the way the skills grow upon and network with one another. It can't tell stories about how math lessons train the mind for the kind of logical thinking that is fundamental for a prosperous life.
Third, you're pushing this thing contrary to my standard argument that calculators can't teach you how to think. Yeah, I know it does more than calculate, but to the kids this app just looks like a smarter calculator that actually can do some of the thinking for them. That's twice you've tried to undercut me.
All that said, I certainly can't stay mad at an ink-enabled app that reinforces my claims that the pen is a vital tool for learning and practicing mathematics. Bravo to Microsoft for delivering what appears to be a fantastic application. I look forward to giving it a spin.
But if you guys keep pushing that "hired tutor" replacement angle, I will go John Henry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Henry_(folklore)) on MS Math 3.0, except I will mess up that number nerd and my heart won't explode. (Stroke doesn't count; that's genetic.)
Aside from not wanting people to bother me at home, I have no problem with Mormons. They seem as enlightened as any other sect of Christian faith. But has anyone else noticed that Mormon and Presidential candidate Mitt Romney (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney) comes across as a smooth as silk speaker, except for that odd phrase that shows he's trying too hard?
Earlier, he had that gaffe when describing himself as a "life-long" hunter. He corrected by pointing out he shoots small game, "varmints, if you will" (http://tinyurl.com/3cpx66). Jon Stewart correctly pointed out that "if you will" is not a phrase that sounds natural when paired with "varmints".
Now, when questioned about the former Mormon practice of taking multiple wives, Romney points out it is long abandoned, though necessary at one time for survival, which is fine, except he adds: "I can't imagine anything more awful than polygamy." (http://tinyurl.com/yqyw3t)
Really, Romney? Polygamy is the most awful thing you can imagine? Admittedly. I've never met your wife, so maybe your idea of multiple wives is substantially worse than mine. Still, I don't think my wife would appreciate me sharing the thought that more than one of her is the most awful thing I can imagine. Off the top of my head, I can think of a few things more awful than polygamy, and one would think a Christian could name at least one thing. C'mon Romney, two wives or nailed to a cross to die: which is more awful?
But seriously Mitt, you were doing fine until that point. Learn when to shut up and stop trying so hard.
Lawyers Fetman and Garland raised a billboard with the tagline: Life's Short. Get a Divorce. (http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/373627,CST-NWS-divorce07.article) Surprisingly, people weren't happy about it and found a way to take it down. More shocking, the lawyers aren't happy about that, arguing it was taken down without due process. And here's the clincher from Felman, "We own that art. I feel violated." (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070509/ap_on_fe_st/divorce_billboard_4) See, it's art! I am appalled that the uncultured barbarians of that backwater hicktown known as, uh... oh, Chicago, could not appreciate this fine piece of creative expression. You guys need to expand your minds. Open some theatres and museums. Maybe even build a park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Campus_Chicago) that can be home to multiple museums. Whatever you do, you can't keep pulling down fine works of art from your landscape.
A small number of Americans are displeased that the legislators in Iraq are still planning to take a two month recess (http://tinyurl.com/2haluc) while U.S. troops are "surging" in to quell the violence so that a political solution to the conflict can be reached. I don't see the big deal.
Per the White House "plan", a political solution cannot be reached until the violence is suppressed. Once the military secures the nation, then the politicians can do their job. So why fret over a two mouth recess between now and then?
Remember, the army extended tours (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2007/04/pentagon-prepares-for-more-years-of-war.html) to 15 months in order to ensure 12 month breaks between tours, so they are planning to be there awhile. The President himself claimed success will take months (assuming he meant "dozens of months", I agree). So why fret over a two month recess, when even a two year recess would end before the surge sees results? Besides, with the Sunni legislators threatening to leave permanently (http://tinyurl.com/ysxjpj), the time-out might do them good.
William at the Student Tablet PC (http://studenttabletpc.com/2007/05/laptops_considered_educationally_empty.html) linked to a story on the New York Times in which laptops in public schools were deemed "educationally empty". Everyone's entitled to their own interpretation of the data. I find it interesting, however, that their leading example of a laptop slacker is also an example of someone who could build a career in the fields of network security or technical writing (or as a tech writer for a network security firm). If the goal is smarter kids, I don't much see the problem with them outsmarting us.
