Track me via GPS!
So i've added a "page" to the blog - it's titled "Track Me" in the list to the right. From that page:
Out of curiosity I've installed InstaMapper's GPSTracker app on my iPhone. Now, whenever I have it running (it has to be "in the foreground", i.e. the only app running) it will update the map below as to where I am. This may never be up to date, but the idea is neat.
A big congratulations to all you stalkers out there!
Brave Saint Saturn RETURNS
Disclaimer: This post for all the FIF fanboys out there; Brave Saint Saturn is a studio side project from members of the Christian ska bad Five Iron Frenzy. They call it astro-rock. I call it awesome.
I'm sure I wasn't the only one out there who figured that they would only ever see 2/3s of the Brave Saint Saturn Trilogy.
Now, 5 1/2 years later...
HOLY CRAP WE WERE WRONG -- part 3 is dated with a september 15th release date!
eee RAM upgrade!
Time for the beloved eee to get her RAM upgrade. I'm hoping to leave compiz on by default after this 
UPDATE: I returned the 2gig stick 
Looks like it (Crucial CT25664AC667) was incompatible with my beloved eee. While it was fine when it was running, it often wouldn't boot at all. A few people onn the newegg reviews have stated that they had the same result Looks like I'll be spending a bit more and getting one that other eee 900 users have had success with.
Kid pictures
The iPhone WordPress app is pretty well done. It's a perfect excuse to post pictures of the kids - the integrated camera functionality is great (though a little slow):
My son loves Firefly
Upon entering the bathroom the other day, I came upon the following sight. Clearly my son wants more Firefly marathons.
Temporary Workspace Photos
With the construction still ongoing at home, I've been forced to move the essentials of my computer workstation/repair area to the (yet unfinished but unoccupied) loft. A couple pics of the delightful geekiness:
WordPress 2.6 Review
Just upgraded to WordPress 2.6, and it is great! I've been using 2.3 for some time now (the latest in the Ubuntu Hardy repos), and I had no idea what I was missing. The UI in particular is improved by leaps and bounds, and I'm excited to try the native iPhone client. Apparently there are widgets now (I'm undoubtedly just catching up with the times), but it's gonna take time for me to warm up to some new-fangaled thing like that.
The upgrade itself was the same painless process it always is: download and unpack the archive, and tell it which database you're using. After a quick (automatic) database upgrade, it's off and running.
Another ubuntu member talks about his iPhone
Came across this post today (I know it's probably a week or two old) from a ubuntu member who talks about the iPhone's strengths as a development platform.
I absolutely agree with him. My full iPhone review is still forthcoming, but suffice it to say Apple has done an amazing job with the device; it is by far the most delightfully hackable subsidized phone around.
Clarifying disclaimer to the Apple fanboys: It (and basically all of their products) is lightyears from being perfect (a small, non-replaceable battery, REALLY!?!?!). They're gonna need a lot more engineers and a larger product line to ever hope to win me over.
Why do we have poor smartphone choices?
It's just no good -- walk into a wireless store today, and you've got a paltry selection of smartphones available. Basically, you're choosing between Windows Mobile, Blackberry, or the hipster-crowd favorite iPhone.
Each of the three platforms has their strengths, but each come with significant drawbacks as well. What I don't understand is why Nokia's N-series is underrepresented. When you look at the feature set of their latest, the N96, it really makes it hard to be be excited about the discount phones currently being offered.
I certainly understand that subsidized phones are not a right, but the situation sucks regardless. I know I can't be alone in the market: people are buying $300 iPhones; why not a $300 N96? Without that subsidy, it just makes it next to impossible for me, and I'm sure for most people as well: there's no way I'd stay married if a $650 unsubsidized phone showed up in the mail.
In perspective, I realize this is the least of the afflictions I will deal with in life, and I'm happy for my faith, family, and food to eat, but it's still lame. And I know I'm never going to hear the end of it when certain people see the phone I chose. *sigh*
