in transition

It is just a matter of time before most applications move in this direction. Online office applications like Google Docs, and 280slides.com (which I just stumbled upon), will provide everything you need to get the job done. Microsoft will have to change it's strategy and provide their software online as well. But how will they compete with free services like these? Maybe by providing premium access to the more robust features for those that pay? 

Talk about fanatics.

With Warner Brothers making their recent decision to support Blue Ray, I've made up my mind to go neutral and not support either format. I received in email today that Netflix just decided to jump on the BR ban wagon too. Who are they to tell me what to buy!! It is a matter of principle for me. I don't even want to get into an argument about which format is better. What strikes me yellow is that some corporation is making the decision for me, and not the consumers. Who are they to decide what we like? What happened to laws of supply and demand? So, I'm sticking to DVD's. 

It has been a while since I last posted. This time of year you can't help but reflect on the past, and plan for tomorrow. I wish everyone a terrific holiday season, but more importantly a great new year. Let next year bring us all happiness and good health! 

I listen to a lot of podcasts. I try to stay informed with the internet trends and learn about what's hot, and what is not. And Lately, Social Networking has become the hot topic. These Social Networking sites are setup up to provide users a  place to connect with new people, or stay connected to old friends. Trying to figure out which Social Networking site to log onto has become an daunting task. For example, for the uninitiated, "Myspace.com" is out, "Facebook.com" is in. "Twitter.com" is losing ground, "Pownce.com" is Powncing in. According to the tech gurus,  most agree that "MySpace.com" is over-run with too many pop-ups and distractions. I was never really into it to begin with, so no loss no foul. Myspace.com was devoted to teenagers and youngsters as a way for them to self express. Facebook, which has been around just as long as Myspace.com, but with less notoriety, was devoted to college students. In fact, until recently, you couldn't even open an account unless you had a college email address. Pownce, Twitter, and a slue of others are all variations of these social networking sites. Some with a new approach to the idea of staying connected , but all have similarities: a place to share ideas, share photos, upload audio, and videos... Hey, doesn't Vox do all that?

So why bother, you might ask. Frankly, I am asking myself that exact question. Most of my friends are oblivious to these sites, and could care less, so who would I be networking with? I've tried Facebook, but I can't seem to connect with any of my old school buddies. Maybe I'm the one missing the point? 

I'm in Irvine today and I just can't win. I decided I didn't want to wake up at 4 in the morning, and spend my whole day feeling like crap. Especially on a Monday, so I decided to fly out the night before. Well, what have you, my flight gets delayed! So instead of having a early night, I end up getting to Irvine late!!! I just can't win.

I thought I was the gadget freak. This guys does some serious surfing. Of course it helps to be a board member of Apple! You know he got those for free!!

Al Gore the Techie