Following my review of the Penguin Pooper, Carlie Fairchild, the publisher over at Linux Journal, started a review contest. The first 20 people submitting video reviews of their geeky gifts get free T-Shirts. But even more than that, the bragging rights that go along with such a contest.
Go quickly!
If you’re willing to watch my latest review below (Here’s a link to all of them to date), please do so. Then I have a couple questions…
Most of the folks reading my blog are intelligent people. Although varying in tech skills, I value everyones thoughts. Regarding the video reviews for Linux Journal:
1) Should I record reviews of things I don’t like? I don’t want to look like a marketing tool, and only review things that I think you should buy, but I also don’t want to waste your time by showing you what not to do.
2) Should I only stick to “cool” things? The review above is about a product that lacks the “holy cow, I want one now” factor for many folks. I think there is a market, but is it wise to review in a video such devices?
3) What’s your opinion on me being harsher than I am if I do dislike a product? In the video above, it’s pretty obvious I’m not a fan, but I didn’t bash the company either. Is the optimism sickening, or lack of ranting refreshing?
Thank you much. For participating in my survey, I’ll give (most) of you next Tuesday off work. If you have to work, my apologies, I did my best.
In some more “pretty cool” stuff in my life, I just got confirmation that I’ll be a guest caller on, The Lab with Leo LaPorte, which I think is on G4 Tech TV. I have a question regarding the things to look for in a wireless microphone (for shooting my Linux Journal videos), and apparently it’s an interesting enough question that they want me to ask it on the show.
Here’s the problem: I’ve never seen the show, and I don’t have satellite TV, so I probably won’t be able to watch it before next week when I’m supposed to call in. So, cross your fingers for me that I won’t look like a moron. I’m going to try to find a way to watch an episode or two before next week, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to swing it. I might just have to wing it. 
I’ve been pretty scarce around here lately, and it’s been because I’ve had both writing and video deadlines. 2 more videos just went live on the Linux Journal website, so please go there and let me know what you think. Check the comments on their site for the second video.
And here’s the direct links for those who can’t see the embedded videos on the Linux Journal site. Watch this first, and then this.
Enjoy!
Maybe not glorious, but hey, you get what you pay for. And this is free. (Click the image below to watch it online)
I’m Linux Journal’s new, “Gadget Guy” — and I do video reviews of products for them. The first video is up, and depending on the feedback they get, I will be a continuous feature on the Linux Journal website. So like, go watch it and stuff. And tell your friends. And neighbors. And people you meet at the grocery store. And tell the Santa at the mall. Email your congressman a link.
Well, at least go watch it. It’s not a dry product review, I promise. Just click on the picture above.
I keep reading reviews about how great OSX 10.5 is, and how much I should praise Steve that I have such an OS. Like in my pre-release review, I’m still less that excited. Here’s a list of 7 things that frustrate me about Leopard:
1) Time machine, it all it’s awesome splendor, is pointless for me. Sure, I could repartition my drive, and make a spot to mirror to — but would it really have been that hard to allow me to just point to a folder? Come on, it doesn’t do anything magical to the second drive (or partition), so why make me reserve a crapload of space? And don’t get me started on the inability to use my Airport-friggen-Extreme hard drive for Time Machine. Guess why I bought that overpriced access point? Yep, the upcoming “amazing” program. Ugh.
2) Mail got all crazy, what with it’s ToDo, Notes, etc. I’ve read that it’s so much faster now, but I haven’t noticed ANY speed increase on my IMAP connection. The one redeeming quality is that I can actually have it permanently accept my self-signed SSL certificate — I was never able to figure that one out in Tiger. But still, I’m not impressed with the redesign, and since I despise HTML mail anyway, Mail seems to be ALL fluff.
3) While I understand the need to ask about opening a new application, that “first run” acceptance window just stinks of Vista. Again, I know it’s a feature, but it just makes me throw up a little in my mouth every time I install a new app.
4) iCal doesn’t sync with my 10.4 machines. I haven’t actually tested this with the retail version, because it borked up my calendars so bad with the pre-release. Does it have to be so tied to the OS that a simple application update couldn’t bring them up to speed?
5) iSync in general is a bit odd. Do I really need my Dock to sync? What if I have different applications? What if I use some things at work, but don’t want to even see the icon at home? It just seems like a weird feature to me, but since this is my review, that’s what matters.
6) Spaces is a feature that I’ve always liked about Linux. I don’t use it very often, but I like that the idea has finally made it to OSX. It’s not easy to figure out how to move applications to other spaces, but it is possible, so I won’t complain too much. It just doesn’t seem as easy as with Gnome or KDE.
7) Here’s the real deal: I don’t see any reason at all to upgrade. I know, that’s harsh, but really — apart from a few more translucent menus and such, Leopard has been a really expensive upgrade that amounts to a new, “theme.” WTF? Why are all the reviewers so amazed and so happy?
This is just a quick post regarding Apple OSX version 10.5, or “Leopard.”
I’m not terribly impressed. No, it’s not out in retail yet, but it’s awful close. Maybe it will grow on me, but now I’m just more annoyed at the changes than I am impressed by them.
I can’t say much more, or Apple might sue me — but stay tuned, I’ll be talking about the newest kitty on the block in the future as well.
I used to think The Boy Who Could Fly was the dumbest, most absurd movie I’d ever seen. It was my lowest common denominator for movie quality. There may have been others that were worse — but that one always sticks in my head. Then, I saw a movie preview that shouldn’t be. It just shouldn’t be. Read on:
Am I reading too much into the Bratz phenomenon? I hope so. I just know I don’t want my daughters to consider aesthetic beauty to be king. My hope is that after seeing the movie, I have to retract my comments here. Hopefully the movie will counter some of the image that plagues the Bratz dolls.
I’m not optimistic.