Original Blog Thoughts, the End is Near, and other Navel Gazing curiosities
Warner Crocker (http://wickedstageact2.typepad.com/life_on_the_wicked_stage_/2008/03/original-blog-t.html) is commenting on another example of blogger arrogance, this time the bemoaning of the lack of original thought (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2006/11/sss-who-is-sumocat-part-2.html) in the web networking community. A previous example was the chatter over a Bloggers Code of Conduct (http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/04/draft_bloggers_1.html), which I satirized with my own (vastly superior) Ink Bloggers Code of Conduct (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2007/04/ink-bloggers-code-of-conduct.html). This time I am simply reusing the exact same title as Warner's entry. I would also like to restate from a previous entry (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2006/10/i-echo-that-sentiment.html) that I prefer not to "re-blog" unless I have something different to add. No point in thinking outside the box when there's so much unused space inside it. Reduce, reuse, recycle. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
I received a comment (http://www.haloscan.com/comments/sumocat/695826938493043793/) from a Comcast (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comcast) representative offering to help sort out my difficulties with a refund (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2007/09/dear-comcast-go-f-yourself.html) lost in their bureaucratic abyss. Technically, it's an offer not a challenge, but really, when is dealing with Comcast ever not challenging?
Anyway, I just emailed (mailto:frank_eliason@cable.comcast.com) Fred (that's his name) the ticket number of our complaint, I mean, issue resolution entry. I would send more, but I don't trust that you're not a scammer. If you do work for Comcast, the ticket should suffice. If it's not enough, what good does that ticket do us?
There's your challenge, Fred. Find our money and get it to us using only the ticket number. I expect you to fail, so please don't worry about disappointing us. Good luck. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Sorry guys, turns out that money that showed up in our bank was not our Comcast refund (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2008/03/dear-comcast-please-unf-yourself.html) after all. Just an unexpected bonus in a coincidentally similar dollar amount. Naturally this means Comcast can go re-f--- yourself. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
It only took six months, but we finally got our refund from Comcast (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comcast) for the money we paid toward our old account after we moved. A brief recap: we moved last year, which meant Comcast gave us a new account totally unconnected to our old account and we were none the wiser since they kept cashing our checks without applying the funds. So in appreciation of the money they have returned to us, I withdraw my previous snipe (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2007/09/dear-comcast-go-f-yourself.html) and hope Comcast will get unf---ed. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
InkSeine's Floating Tool Ring (http://research.microsoft.com/InkSeine/), which has become my main screen capture tool (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2008/02/inkseines-floating-tool-ring-rocks.html), is also adding to my list of reasons (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2008/03/windows-vista-finally-tempting-me.html) to upgrade to Windows Vista (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista). Apparently it's a good place to perform Pen Flicks (http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/ee4eb1e6-b3ff-4627-9da7-9676f3a28c621033.mspx) when working in an inking application.
Pen Flicks are a way to execute set commands in Vista. A downward stroke could trigger a down scroll, cut, or whatever you have it set to do. Ironically, this doesn't work so well in inking applications. A downward stroke in the inking area draws a downward stroke; it won't register as a flick. But it will if you do it over the FTR.
In addition to the use in inking apps, I see this as being useful in web surfing too. In Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/), I use Grab&Drag (http://grabanddrag.mozdev.org/) to flick the page around and All-in-One Gestures (https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=12) to execute web surfing commands (back, forward, new tab, etc.). The former would conflict with Pen Flicks and the latter cannot access OS-level commands, like copy and paste. Pen Flicks on the FTR would resolve this.
Of course, I'm not running Vista so this is just speculation on my part, but the possibility is revving up my interest to try it out for myself. Shout-outs to GBM (http://www.gottabemobile.com/Combine+The+InkSeine+Tool+Ring+With+Pen+Flicks+On+Tablet+PCs.aspx) and Ken Hinckley (http://community.research.microsoft.com/blogs/alpineinker/archive/2008/03/27/flick-that-tool-ring.aspx) for sharing the news. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Why I hate patent trolls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll)
"I call shotgun!" "What do you mean you call shotgun?" "I - call - shot - gun." "But you're not even going." "Yes, but someone else will go and they'll want to sit in the front, so I am calling it." "And then what?" "When they sit down, I will point out I already called it and make them move." "But you're not going. You don't even want to use the seat." "Doesn't matter. I called it, so anyone who wants the seat can either move or... " "Or what?" "Or work out an arrangement to license use of the seat." "But it's not your seat. You don't even own the car. You just came up with the idea of calling the seat first, and the only reason you called it is because you know someone else will sit there. I don't think you even know where we're going." "Doesn't matter. I called it." "Dick." [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
I guess I need to move the Macbook Air (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacBook_Air) from undecided status (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2008/01/macbook-air-next-imac-or-next-cube.html) to the want list. My wife wandered into the Apple Store (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Store_(retail)) the other day (without me) and fell in love with that "Airbook". What's interesting to me is her non-geek perspective on it.
First, she likes that it has few ports. It's not a compromise for her. She hates cables and stuff hanging from a computer. To her, port minimalism is a positive feature.
She also likes the size of it, confirming my belief that it shouldn't be any smaller. The light and thin design make it plenty portable for her, but the keyboard and screen were wide enough to use comfortably. She also loves the big trackpad.
Of course, the Air is still too expensive for us to get anytime, uh, probably ever. So it will likely remain on the want list without moving up to the "get" list. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Normally I nosh on political news like Pringles, tasty but light. But with the Democratic Presidential nomination coming down to the wire, the news and opinions have been more like pork rinds boiled in lard and smothered in cheese. Ugh.
The irony is, I wouldn't be terribly upset with any of the leading candidates. I think McCain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain) is too far past his prime to be President, but his experience and accomplishments are respectable. Aside from hating her pathetic campaign (riding on name-recognition alone), I'm okay with Hillary (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton). My favorite is Obama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama), but I'm not going cry if he doesn't make it.
Compared to the past two elections, when I loved Gore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Gore) and hated Bush (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush) (still do for both), I'm fairly ambivalent this time, which may be why this fierce political season is feeling so heavy for me.
And regardless of who's President in '09, that person will be stuck with the cesspool of war, debt, and failure left behind by the current administration. Why would anyone even want that mess? Winning the election almost seems more like a punishment than a reward. Oh well. Better one of them than me. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
My tablet's battery has been steadily declining the past several weeks. Still holds a charge, but barely an hour's worth, So I decided to replace it.
Bought my new battery on eBay (http://tinyurl.com/2342y3) (of course). It's a compatible, not a Toshiba branded replacement (http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/adet.to?seg=HHO&poid=322636). Not as beefy (4400 mAh vs. 5200 mAh of the current generation replacement), but it was about half the cost. I figure if I need more juice, I could get another for backup, and I'm keeping the original battery in my pack for that purpose.
I had considered getting the slice expansion battery (http://www.toshibadirect.com/td/b2c/adet.to?coid=-26627&poid=321977), but the cheapest I can find it is $100 and it actually offers lower capacity (4000 mAh) than a replacement. A fat external battery would be a better deal for uninterrupted power if I ever need it (especially if it can also act as an AC adapter). [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Despite my recent (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2008/03/is-safari-best-of-both-worlds.html)postings (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2008/03/its-called-apple-software-update.html) about Safari (http://www.apple.com/safari/), my web browser of choice remains Firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/), largely because of extensions that make it extremely pen-friendly (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2006/03/make-firefox-pen-friendly.html). Thus, I had been reluctant to try test versions of the browser since the extensions usually aren't immediately updated for them. Key phrase: "had been" -- No more need to wait thanks to PortableApps (http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable/test) and a hack I read on Lifehacker (http://lifehacker.com/355973/make-your-extensions-work-with-the-firefox-3-beta).
Portabletpps offers applications that can be run from a flash drive (I'm using a SD card). Among the offerings are Firefox and its new beta release (http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable/test). I'd already installed a previous version of FF3, so I updated it via its built-in updater. That lets me try beta 4 without installing it on my computer and possibly messing with my current version.
To this, I've applied a settings tweak (http://lifehacker.com/355973/make-your-extensions-work-with-the-firefox-3-beta) I read on Lifehacker that disables the version check on extensions. Normally, extensions that haven't been updated for a particular version of Firefox cannot be installed, which makes it difficult to use beta versions as I would normally use Firefox. Obviously, installing untested extensions can lead to buggy behavior. But remember, I'm running it from a flash memory card, so I'm safe from serious damage.
With those conditions in mind, I'm pleased to report that FF3 b4 is running fairly well from my SD card (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secure_Digital_card) with the pen friendly extensions of All-in-one Gestures (https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php?id=12) and Grab & Drag (http://grabanddrag.mozdev.org/) installed. As previously reported (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2007/12/floating-tip-in-firefox-3-beta.html), the floating TIP works without GeckoTIP (http://geckotip.mozdev.org/). It did crash on me once for no apparent reason. Also, it launches quickly but then hangs for a minute, ballooning in memory usage before subsiding and returning to normal function. I suspect my unorthodox setup has something to do with that.
Anyway, I won't be installing FF3 directly on my computer just yet, but it's nice to see things are working. I look forward to the gold edition hopefully with updates for my two critical extensions. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
