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October 2011

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Ptw Why Does Google Reader waste so much of my Screen?

Ptw Why Does Google Reader waste so much of my Screen?
Yes, I know you can hit "F" and go full screen but then Google reader
still wastes 75% of the right hand side of your screen, plus you then have
no visible controls at all. There has to be a middle ground somewhere? I
have Google Reader iPad apps that waste far far less of the screen than
Google Reader's Desktop View. There have to be some UI people at Google
that have noticed how much this sucks right?

Flickr: Mon 10-31-11 19:11:35 -0400



Sun 10/30/11 7:37pm #

What did I do on my iPad today

I read some more of the Steve Jobs autobiography. I read articles in Flipboard and Google Reader. I watched the Batman Brave and Bold Cartoon from Friday in my Comcast Xfinity App. I watched a few segments from Meet the Press. I read some comic books. I browsed some video "how to" tutorials in an app called VideoJug. I experimented with a vector drawing program: Inkpad. I looked at the weekly ads for most of the major retail stores. I checked out my social networks. I read some magazines (Wizard World, Distro) and more.

It's a very delightful device.

I want to hear your




Sun 10/30/11 11:14am #

Let's go surfing

Are jobs obsolete? - CNN.com
I am afraid to even ask this, but since when is unemployment really a problem? I understand we all want paychecks -- or at least money. We want food, shelter, clothing, and all the things that money buys us. But do we all really want jobs?

We're living in an economy where productivity is no longer the goal, employment is. That's because, on a very fundamental level, we have pretty much everything we need. America is productive enough that it could probably shelter, feed, educate, and even provide health care for its entire population with just a fraction of us actually working.

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, there is enough food produced to provide everyone in the world with 2,720 kilocalories per person per day. And that's even after America disposes of thousands of tons of crop and dairy just to keep market prices high. Meanwhile, American banks overloaded with foreclosed properties are demolishing vacant dwellings Video to get the empty houses off their books.

Our problem is not that we don't have enough stuff -- it's that we don't have enough ways for people to work and prove that they deserve this stuff.


Kurt Vonnegut on the Shapes of Stories



I want to hear your




Sun 10/30/11 11:02am #

Let's Go Surfing

Nintendo Wii U will probably not launch until late 2012
source: DVICE

They should just cancel it now. It already looks dated and by then most of the households that have a Wii will probably have a tablet of some sort anyway.

One-percenter: why I support Occupy
source: Boing Boing

Good post.


Weekly Freebies: 50 Outstanding Free Illustrator Brush Sets
There's a Kirby Krackle Brush set in there that looks useful.



How to sew an iPad or Kindle cover


Men of Action Evolutions: Super Powers Nice side by side comparisons of the Super Powers line and the DC Classics figures.

Real Life Smurf is Cuter Than I’d Imagine
The Smurf is actually the result of a symbiotic relationship between two organisms. We believe that Smurfs put their ‘embryos’ in the button of a developing mushroom. From a distance, Smurfs seem like they are wearing a hat and pants but as you can see this is a fallacy. The fungus provides camouflage and protective epidermal layers for the creature, while the creature provides nutrients and mobility for the spreading of spores.

Smurfs are believed to be a hunter gatherer society. As you can see, this little guy is returning from a successful venture. It is generally difficult to spot a Smurf; they are very apprehensive and cunning. Sadly though, it is rumored that they are hunted for their medicinal properties. It’s hard to determine but it is thought that there are not many colonies of Smurf left.


Learn to code - Codecademy
Interesting site, it teaches Javascript in a very interactive and fun way.

Doctor Who Regenerations (1-10)






I want to hear your



PTW Leki

PTW Leki

Flickr: Sat 10-29-11 20:41:43 -0400



Sat 10/29/11 5:44pm #

Let's go surfing


HELVETICTOC
Helvetica Clock

McDonaldland Specification Manual, 1970s
McDonaldland character turnarounds.



Computer-Generated Articles Are Gaining Traction - NYTimes.com
Sports so simple, computers can write stories automatically about them now.



I want to hear your




Sat 10/29/11 4:46pm #

Basic!

Last night downloaded Basic! app for iPad. It was only 99¢. Nice simple programing app. It has some basic touch functions, and some basic graphic and music handling, as well as file input and output. If you're looking for a simple way to make some simple little programs on your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, it's well worth the small price to install this and toy around with it.

I want to hear your




Sat 10/29/11 12:48pm #

Let's Go Surfing

Repurpose an IKEA Swing Arm Lamp into a Web Cam Boom
source: the How-To Geek

Cool modification for setting up an iPhone or iPod Touch to do alot of document "scanning" or book copying.

Easy Brick Succulent Planters ReadyMade
source: Apartment Therapy - Chicago

Neat outdoor idea.

Cottonelle's Respect the Roll: A Toilet Paper Makeover
source: Apartment Therapy - Chicago

Interesting idea if you have a pedestal sink with no under sink storage perhaps.

Sunny & Small Student Apartment in Ann Arbor House Tour
source: Apartment Therapy - Chicago

Interesting movable pipe table.

Goth Glamour: Decorative Skulls
source: Apartment Therapy - Chicago

That's some pretty cool wallpaper.

Cloud Save Downloads Files Directly to Popular Cloud-based Storage Services
source: the How-To Geek

Interesting Chrome Extension.

Bananas and donuts go great together
source: Boing Boing

The innuendo didn't even occur to me at first, I was struck more by the healthy/unhealthy contrast. Funny tho.

Ball-camera that you toss in the air for a 360° panorama
source: Boing Boing


Pretty neat gadget idea.

The Imperial March Mashup
source: Likecool

Cool video/music mash-up. Shaft + Imperial March = win!


Geek Out Your Office With 5 Meme Inspired Decor
source: Unplggd

Cool idea. Would be worth making.

iModela 3D Milling Machine
source: The Red Ferret Journal - gadgets, cool sites, freeware and tech trivia

Not a 3D printer, but still a little CNC milling machine is pretty cool too.

Siri Alternatives For Android Users
source: Unplggd

I've used vlingo on Android, it's not bad.

YouTube brings HTML5 video to webOS two years too late
source: PreCentral.net

Better late than never I guess.


Green Lando illustration by Joe Quinones (Tumblr) ::...
source: Hey Oscar Wilde!

Protector of Sector 45 I would imagine. Someday I'll need to make a custom action figure of this.


The Punisher Is Coming To TV, With A Tweak Or Two
source: Bleeding Cool

This seems likely to be anything but bad.

The Return Of Strikeforce Morituri
source: Bleeding Cool

Cool.

New Battlestar Galactica Film From Bryan Singer And John Orloff To Co-Exist In TV Shows Universe
source: Bleeding Cool

Something else that seems like a bad idea.

Middleman‘s Les McClaine creates Batman poster-as-comic titled ‘Mayhem At The Manor
source: Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources - Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment

Truly epic Batman drawing.

Fan-made version of The Avengers trailer goes all out
source: Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources - Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment

Epic Fan made no-budget redo of the Avengers Movie Trailer.




The difference between management and leadership
source: Seth\'s Blog

Managers work to get their employees to do what they did yesterday, but a little faster and a little cheaper.

Leaders, on the other hand, know where they'd like to go, but understand that they can't get there without their tribe, without giving those they lead the tools to make something happen.

Managers want authority. Leaders take responsibility.

We need both. But we have to be careful not to confuse them. And it helps to remember that leaders are scarce and thus more valuable.


Coke Can Glass
source: Likecool


Real time
source: Likecool

Ha. So true.

People Mover
source: Likecool

Interesting video set on the People Mover.

Pizza
source: Boing Boing




NYCC Panel - Screen Future: Gaming, Comics and TV Around the World and Five Years From Now
source: Jim Shooter

The Cory Doctorow stuff is really interesting. Also interesting to watch him squirm while he politely sits quietly while the other two speakers talk of things they no not as much as he.

The Assumption Song
source: Boing Boing


ViewSonic rolls out $200 ViewPad 7e Android tablet
source: Engadget

It would be nice to see one of these cheapies with Honeycomb.

HeroClix Expands on the Five Year Mission
source: Action Figure Insider - Best Toy News on the Web!

Heroclix Starship combat.

Get a 7-inch Android tablet for just $90
source: The Red Ferret Journal - gadgets, cool sites, freeware and tech trivia

Cheap.

I want to hear your




Sat 10/29/11 11:31am #

Advice to the 1% from Lemony Snicket
source: Boing Boing

Thirteen Observations made by Lemony Snicket while watching Occupy Wall Street from a Discreet Distance

1. If you work hard, and become successful, it does not necessarily mean you are successful because you worked hard, just as if you are tall with long hair it doesnt mean you would be a midget if you were bald.

2. "Fortune" is a word for having a lot of money and for having a lot of luck, but that does not mean the word has two definitions.

3. Money is like a child—rarely unaccompanied. When it disappears, look to those who were supposed to be keeping an eye on it while you were at the grocery store. You might also look for someone who has a lot of extra children sitting around, with long, suspicious explanations for how they got there.

4. People who say money doesnt matter are like people who say cake doesnt matter--its probably because theyve already had a few slices.

5. There may not be a reason to share your cake. It is, after all, yours. You probably baked it yourself, in an oven of your own construction with ingredients you harvested yourself. It may be possible to keep your entire cake while explaining to any nearby hungry people just how reasonable you are.

6. Nobody wants to fall into a safety net, because it means the structure in which theyve been living is in a state of collapse and they have no choice but to tumble downwards. However, it beats the alternative.

7. Someone feeling wronged is like someone feeling thirsty. Dont tell them they arent. Sit with them and have a drink.

8. Dont ask yourself if something is fair. Ask someone else--a stranger in the street, for example.

9. People gathering in the streets feeling wronged tend to be loud, as it is difficult to make oneself heard on the other side of an impressive edifice.

10. It is not always the job of people shouting outside impressive buildings to solve problems. It is often the job of the people inside, who have paper, pens, desks, and an impressive view.

11. Historically, a story about people inside impressive buildings ignoring or even taunting people standing outside shouting at them turns out to be a story with an unhappy ending.

12. If you have a large crowd shouting outside your building, there might not be room for a safety net if youre the one tumbling down when it collapses.

13. 99 percent is a very large percentage. For instance, easily 99 percent of people want a roof over their heads, food on their tables, and the occasional slice of cake for dessert. Surely an arrangement can be made with that niggling 1 percent who disagree.

I want to hear your




Tue 10/25/11 4:18pm #

Random Non-Sequiters

I've been reading the Walter Isaacson Steve Jobs Biography (on my iPad). I'm at the part in the book where Apple Computer has formed and "Scotty" is now president.

It's a fairly good read so far.

Every now and then the timeline seems to run up a year or down a year unexpectedly, and who is being quoted can occasionally change suddenly, but it's enjoyable so far.

At this point, it reads mostly like an expanded book version of the Pirates of Silicon Valley movie though.

I want to hear your



Ptw Vivitar portable movie projector

Ptw Vivitar portable movie projector
Interesting looking device. I saw at Target. $89.99. I tried to look up
reviews when I got home and as far as the internet is concerned this device
doesnt appear to exist.

Flickr: Tue 10-25-11 11:01:40 -0400


Ptw Leki

Ptw Leki
Blur/focus manipulated with iOS Big Lens app.

Flickr: Thu 10-20-11 20:31:01 -0400



Thu 10/20/11 7:35pm #

Upcoming changes to Reader: a new look, new Google features, and some clean-up
source: Official Google Reader Blog

Here's pretty much their entire post:
In the next week, well be making some highly requested changes to Google Reader. First, were going to introduce a brand new design (like many of Googles other products) that we hope you love. Second, were going to bring Reader and Google+ closer together, so you can share the best of your feeds with just the right circles.

As a result of these changes, we also think it's important to clean things up a bit. Many of Reader's social features will soon be available via Google+, so in a week's time we'll be retiring things like friending, following and shared link blogs inside of Reader.

We think the end result is better than what's available today, and you can sign up for Google+ right now to start prepping Reader-specific circles. We recognize, however, that some of you may feel like the product is no longer for you. That's why we will also be extending Reader's subscription export feature to include the following items. Your data belongs to you, after all, and we want to make sure you can take it with you.

  • Your subscriptions
  • Your shared items
  • Your friends
  • Your likes
  • Your starred items


Like always, the new Google Reader will be a great place to read and share your feeds. And in addition to Google+, you'll still be able to share to almost any service using Send To. We're looking forward to launching the new features very soon.


First its very comforting to read that the "Send To" feature isn't changing. The "Send To" feature is how I pump links from Google Reader into my blog, and it's one of the reasons I occasionally compile some truely massive link blogs.

As to the rest. I've never used Google Readers current friend sharing, so I won't miss those in the slightest. I have mixed thoughts about fully integrating Google Reader into Google+ though. No real reason for those other than I really really love Google Reader, and any change to one of my most favored ways to view the web, causes some concern, even if the changes look benign.

I'm sure it will be a more convenient way to share for many people, and if I was Tumblr or Posterous I'd be watching this development intently as a properly integrated Google+ and Google Reader will likely be a reblogging powerhouse.

I want to hear your



Posterous Post #

Lytro Camera

Very interesting camera. Captures the entire light field and you focus AFTER the picture has been taken. Cost $400, which is more than I feel I can spend on such a thing at the moment. But I'm really hoping to get a chance to play with one or at least play with it's editing software and some sample images soon.

Photo

Sent from my iPad

Mobile Update: Wed 10-19-11 18:29:04 -0400

Ptw Leki has @shatteredhaven work papers under control

Ptw Leki has @shatteredhaven work papers under control
He canz be a paperweight

Flickr: Sun 10-16-11 18:19:38 -0400


Ptw Space Ghost on Batman The Brave and the Bold

Ptw Space Ghost on Batman The Brave and the Bold
Normally I'm not a fan of Batman, the Brave and the Bold, but teaming up this overly 60s interpretation of Batman with Space Ghost was fantastic. Does this mean we can get Space Ghost in the DCU? 'cause that would be awesome.

If you missed the episode you should be able to watch the 10/14 show on Comcast's On Demand or in the Xfinity iPad app Play it now section.

Flickr: Sun 10-16-11 14:49:13 -0400



Sat 10/15/11 3:54pm #

Let's Go Surfing

- IT'S THE 90S!
source: Likecool

Video at the link.

- Obama: Trick the Bridesmaid
source: Boing Boing

This guy takes real video and dubs in new words and adds music that match the existing lip movements. Neat.


- Simulating the universe
source: Boing Boing

Cool video.

- Settlers of Catan accessory to prevent board mishaps
source: Boing Boing

Neat. You have to skip way to the end of the video to see what the guy has built.

- Music video made from old comic images found online
source: Boing Boing

Trippy Video.

- 926/365 - Sunset
source: Jennifer\'s 365 Project

Picture Jennifer took a couple weeks back.

- The Best of Affordable Wire Management Solutions
source: Unplggd

Neat cable wrap.

- Why We Don't Print Photos at Home (Hint: It Costs More)
source: Unplggd

Due to digital photo frames, smartphones, computer hooked to tv, and Tablet, I rarely print at all.

- (Image)
source: In web we trust - web, design & geek stuff

Ha.

- Bistro
source: Likecool

Really weird video short.

- How To Make An eBook
source: Smashing Magazine Feed



- Screen Printing Machine: Print Faux-co!
source: Instructables: exploring - featured


- Practical Origami: instant handles for paper bags
source: Instructables: exploring - featured

Neat.


Neat.

- [NEW] HtmlDocEdit V1.02
source: The Portable Freeware Collection

Nice basic HTML Editor. Sortof like a Wordpad for HTML.

- The Pleasure of the Tweet
source: Big Think

Interesting video.


- Plush Hobbes
source: Super Punch

Nice.

- Hotels
source: xkcd.com

Gaming the system.

- New Hasbro 6″ Marvel Movie & Comic Figures hit store shelves!
source: Action Figure Insider - Best Toy News on the Web!

The Walmarts around me, for the most part have really small toy sections, compared to the larger stores, and never get the exclusive stuff. Sucks.

- 928/365 - Ribbon Is Fun!
source: Jennifer\'s 365 Project

Leki Vs. Ribbon.

- Bye Bye Books: Mourning the Loss of Real Live Books
source: Unplggd

Books aren't going anywhere. Plus I imagine that as digital really takes hold, print on demand will also become common so that those that still want a paper copy of something will be able to create such.

- Desk Alternatives for Small Space Living
source: Unplggd

Neat design, I could see setting the sides up on hinges and then making the top and desk part removeable.


- HARRISON FORDS ANGRY FINGER POINT APPRECIATION
source: Randomness from Rob.


Vlingo Virtual Assistant - Android Market Basic Siri-like commands for Android. Not as good at natural language processing, but there are a lot of things it can do.

- The Machine That Changed the World: The Paperback Computer
source: garry\'s posterous

Old PBS show.


- Stealth kitty lies in wait...
source: Uploads from shatteredhaven


Another fun Leki shot from Jenn's photostream.


- A whole TV show about the Adjustment Bureau and their magical fedoras? [Syfy]
source: io9

I liked this movie. If done right, it could make a nice TV show too.


- Facebooks iPad App Finally Arrives [PICS]
source: Mashable!

Works good.

- Root Cases launches wood iPad 2 duo, ditches the plastic for $79
source: Engadget

Bulky, but nice looking case.

- Engadget Distro is ready for download!
source: Engadget

I really like this Weekly Engadget iPad magazine: Distro. I like the navigation format they are using too. Scroll down to get deeper into a story, scroll left and right to move between different stories. Simple and elegant navigation.


- DC, General Mills team to bring Justice League to cereal boxes
source: Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources - Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment

Comics are here


- VIDEO: Geoff Johns Explains Rebirth On The Green Lantern DVD And Blu-Ray
source: Bleeding Cool

Geoff Johns gets into fanboy minutia on how they contrived bringing Hal Jordan back as a hero after he had been turned into a villain and killed. Of course just last month they "rebooted" the whole DC Universe and noone really knows what has or hasn't happened in continuity anymore, and really it's pretty much time for fans of Marvel and DC to give up on the concept of continuity anyway isn't?


- The Last Original Art Of Kevin Maguire?
source: Bleeding Cool

Interesting side effect of creating comics digitally only, there is no original art to sell.


- Grant Morrisons Wonder Woman Series Planned For 2012 “Or Thereabouts”
source: Bleeding Cool

See, DC just relaunched Wonder Woman one month ago with a new take on the character and origin, and already there is another take on her in the works. *sigh*

- Lenovo IdeaPad A1 Priced Higher, Reaches $229
source: Tablet News

Amazon is having a killer effect on price-points for Tablets it would seem. Still, 2.3 Gingerbread basically means this is a large screen'd phone and not a tablet proper. Although for many uses I'm sure this would work just fine for people.

- Small-Space Organization Idea: Frame a Pegboard
source: Unplggd

Wouldn't be my choice of frame, but the idea isn't bad.

- $5.40 - Remembering Steve Jobs Protective Plastic Back Case for iPhone 4 (#7)
source: DealExtreme New Arrivals

Hmmm... Steve Jobs Memorial Word iPhone Case with Steve Job's face made of words, largest word: Android. Um, yeah the Chinese Case Builders nailed that one :)

- PONS HUOTs Futuristic Bubbly Offices
source: Office Snapshots

Really Cool Office. I like these desks that are "built into floors".

I want to hear your




Sat 10/15/11 12:42pm #

Let's Go Surfing

- Google Plus Users Can Now Share Their Circles
source: ReadWriteWeb

I'd have to have circles first. Like Google+, but it's still not a happening scene for me yet.

- Maximum Portability, Minimum Size and Price: NetBooks
source: Unplggd

Since I've gotten the Tablet, I pretty much stopped using my netbook. I did get a Bluetooth keyboard though, so you could argue that I've in some ways turned my tablet into a netbook.
If I had a need to work in Adobe Creative Suite more on the go, I suppose I would still have a notebook/netbook need, but at the moment, for those times in between my home desktop and my work desktop, the iPad seems to take care of most of what I need.


- Is the Era of Music Video Games Really Over?
source: Mashable!

So are Music Video Games dead? Do you still play them?

- Food AND comics: Superheroes are delicious
source: Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources - Covering Comic Book News and Entertainment

Nice.

- Thunder(LOL)Cats
source: Boing Boing



- Table 7
source: Neatorama

Interesting Short. Kindof Twilight-zonish....


- Daffy Duck Doesn't Need a Dungeon Master
source: Neatorama

Daffy + D&D + 70s Metal


- Gutters: Issue #195 - Daniel Leister - Catwoman Commentary
source: The Gutters

Click above to see the comic. DC probably isn't too far off from this at this point, sadly.

- Amazon Kindle Fire Gets Priced at $199 and Specced, Officially Announced (Video)
source: Tablet News

Amazon does a great job selling the experiences here and lets the technology fade into the background. Nicely done.


- Kathryn Loves: Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward
source: Snippet & Ink

Paul Newman was who the 1960s Hal Jordan Green Lantern was modeled after. Some great candid photos at the link.

- Kids Create Bellagio-style Water Show in Pool
source: Likecool

Nicely done.

I want to hear your



Posterous Post #

Article: Ubuntu 11.10 'Oneiric Ocelot' now available to download

Interesting video. Almost makes me want to play with Ubuntu again.


Ubuntu 11.10 'Oneiric Ocelot' now available to download
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/13/ubuntu-11-10-oneiric-ocelot-now-available-to-download/

(Sent from Flipboard)

Flipboardcover

Sent from my iPad

Mobile Update: Thu 10-13-11 16:32:43 -0400

PTW Leki and Peppy taking a break

PTW Leki and Peppy taking a break

Flickr: Wed 10-12-11 21:54:05 -0400


Ptw Haircut

Ptw Haircut

Flickr: Mon 10-10-11 14:27:54 -0400



Sun 10/09/11 9:59pm #

Beware the Batman



In 2013 there will be a new 3D animated Batman Series, Beware the Batman. So far we've just seen the the promo image above. That narrow Batman face just strikes me as odd though. And then it hit me. Nightwing in the Animated series has a very narrow face also.

Katana is an odd choice as a partner too.

Narrow face, ninja trained sideckick, "Batman and Robin" comic series villains in the top. Is Beware the Batman, "Batman and Robin" with Dick as Batman and Katana taking the Damian role?

Might be interesting if it is.

I want to hear your




Sun 10/09/11 8:06pm #

From Magical to Mundane

People don't talk about their TVs much. People don't alk about their Desktops or Laptop's much (except maybe around an OS upgrade). Phones and tablets have a bit more buzz at the moment, but how far away are we from those becoming appliances?

There are so many apps now, do you spend much time trying to find one to do what you want? Or is it, search, install and away you go?

Is Facebook mostly a glorified address book and instant messager now? Soon to replace the blogging needs of the masses, in it's timeline?

Once technology become everyday, and familiar can it stay magical?

I want to hear your




Sat 10/08/11 11:16pm #

Barnes & Noble pulls DC Comics from shelves over Kindle kerfuffle, risks Martian Manhunter's wrath
source: Engadget

Interesting. B&N in reaction to DC Comics making 100 Graphic Novels Digitaly exclusive to the Kindle has pulled the physical copies of those books from it's shelves. (Including books like: Dark knight Returns and Watchman". More interesting than that though is this quote from a B&N executive:

"To sell and promote the physical book in our store showrooms and not have the e-book available for sale would undermine our promise to Barnes & Noble customers to make available any book, anywhere, anytime."
Notice that he doesn't call the Brick and Mortar locations: "our bookstores" he calls them: "our store showrooms". If that's considered phrasing, that's very interesting. I don't think I've ever thought of a Barnes and Noble as a Showroom, I've always thought of them as bookstores, if B&N is now considering them showrooms instead of bookstores, that is a very interesting paradigm shift indeed.

I want to hear your




Sat 10/08/11 10:52pm #

I saw this quote a day or two ago. I've been pondering it.
Civilization Advances By Extending The Number Of Important Operations One Can Do Without Thinking About Them

What do you have to think about? what do you not have to think about?

I want to hear your




Sat 10/08/11 6:11pm #

Random Non-Sequiters

Social networking and businesses. Businesses want you to like them, follow them, be their friends. It's a very weird pursuit.

It's not new. At the dawn of TV, shows were sponsored by this or that product, entertainers were given money to put on a circus in hopes that during an intermission people would take a moment and listen to the product or companies pitch, and then of course, they'd go back to the show.

Now it's Facebook. Like BrandX on Facebook, you'll be able to keep up with all the exciting BrandX happenings, and you might even get a coupon.

Last year, earlier in the year? When was it exactly? Groupon was a huge thing. I kept seeing the retweets in my twitter stream, almost daily about this deal or that. I see very few Groupon retweets any more. Was it a flash in the pan with the sorts of people I follow? Are people still watching everyday for their Groupon coupons and just not retweeting the deals they see? I dunno.

What does liking a brand in social media mean? If I say I like the iPad, does that mean anything to anyone? Surely people see the commercials. There's even a picture of an iPad on my loaf of Wonder Bread right now. (Non-Sequiter) so it must be a big deal right? What does my liking it have to do with anything? Apple has a store in the mall, it's very nice, they have lots of iPads out to play with. They have iPads that they set next to other products that are used to explain how the other products work. Those stores really are better than TV. Whenever you hear about a new Apple product, you don't much need to pay attention to any more advertising, you just need to make a mental note to look at the new gadget and play with it yourself in the Apple Store the next time you're at the mall.

Has anyone else noticed that the cookie aisle at the grocery store is shrinking, but the flavors and types of Oreos seem to just keep expanding? the Oreo section is as confusing now as the toothpaste section. It can be as much a challenge to find just the regular Double Stuf Oreos as it is regular straightforward Cool-mint Crest.

Audio, Video, Pictures, and Text. Am I missing anything there? Just an endless supply of that stuff now isn't there?

It appears there was an Occupy Grand Rapids event downtown. They held it at the Calder (that big orange red modern art sculpture that you see on everything "Grand rapids"). The Calder is really out of the way for the most part. Certainly that area is not busy at all on a Saturday. But there is ample underground parking on the weekend under it, so I'm sure that was convenient for the demonstrators. the Calder makes for a nice photograph, but as a protest location goes, it's fairly out of the public eye.

Did you know Bureau of Labor and Statistics (sounds like a department that David Letterman would make up doesn't it?) has a page called the American Time Use Survey it has all sorts of population reports that show how American's of different ages, employment and family size spend their time. I thought it was interesting to browse through some of the different reports.

There's no more Doctor Who (except for the Christmas special) for about a year. There's Tera Nova on Monday Nights. The two episodes I've seen are ok so far, it's not as good as the UK Outcasts show, but it's watchable, and hey, there are Dinosaurs in it. Young Justice has been back on Cartoon Network on Friday nights. Such a good take on the DCU, better than anything in the New DC 52 relaunch so far.

Most of the people on my twitter seem to be diving into various show back catalogs on DVD or Netflix. Well that and Football (and at the moment Baseball). Sports in person is entertaining, but I'm not much a fan when it comes to the televised variety.

I looked at the list of upcoming movies for the rest of the year, and there isn't much of anything on my must see list. Is there anything I'm overlooking that I should be wanting to see?

I want to hear your




Wed 10/05/11 9:12pm #

I want to hear your




Tue 10/04/11 8:05pm #

Apple Event Thoughts

iPhone 4S seems like a perfectly fine bump up from the 4.

Watch their presentation.

More interesting though, is the that the iPhone 3GS is now Free with 2 year contract. Ubiquity is more interesting than cutting edge. Couple a free 3GS with Sprint also selling the iPhone and things just got real interesting and real competitive for Android. To anyone still waiting to jump on the smartphone bandwagon, ie: late adopters, iPhone 3GS is going to be far more user friendly than any free Android offering, plus the people who get it, can still say they have an iPhone, and that's going to have a lot of appeal for a lot of people.

Cards is the most peculiar out of the blue app demo that I'm pretty sure no tech blog saw coming. Take a picture, create a card, and Apple prints and mails it for $3. Sortof stupid, but I'm guessing they are going to make a lot of money on those (especially if they find a way to include iTunes or other Gift Card codes with the card.) In any case, probably more people will do the iCards than do those Apple Photobooks that they trotted out several years ago.

Siri is novel, but I'm not sure I want to use it on my phone, I think I'd rather use it with my desktop. There's a reason that many people text more now than talk on the phone, a lot of times it's just not convenient to talk when out in public, even if you are talking to your phone.

Phil Schiller did a fine job, but it's not the same without Steve Jobs is it? I'm guessing Steve Jobs could have convinced us that we really needed the 4S and Cards. Apple is probably going to have a long term problem if they don't have Steve's reality distortion field. They are still leaps and bounds beyond most of their competition, but good products can only take you so far. Steve pitching iCards would have been a totally different experience I think.

I'm looking forward to the iOS 5 upgrade next Wednesday. Very much looking forward to the Notification area upgrade, and the read it later (between the Touch and iPad). I could potentially see myself using my iPod Touch more than my Android phone at work again just based on the Notification upgrade. Notifications on Android suck.

I got an HTC Evo the last week of June, which basically means I'm only 3 months into my 24 month contract. No idea what it means dollarwise, if I want to upgrade 3, 6 or 9 months from now. Not in any hurry to particularly and honestly with iOS on the Touch and iPad 2, I'll probably wait at least until the iPhone 5 before I switch to all Apple.

With any luck, Android Ice Cream Sandwich will come out soon for the EVO and throw me a few tidbits to tide me over. :)

I want to hear your



Ptw Beautiful weather right now

Ptw Beautiful weather right now
Taken with Magic Hour

Flickr: Tue 10-04-11 15:57:04 -0400



Tue 10/04/11 10:30am #

Hyperdazzler

Cartoon I threw together


-Yeah, my Tuesday is still feeling like a Monday.

I want to hear your




Sun 10/02/11 9:33am #

Artprize

Went downtown with Jenn, her parents and her brother and wandered around looking at Artprize stuff. Overall a much smaller showing this year than the last couple years.

Lots of people though, by the size of the crowd, you don't have to be a market research type to see that West Michigan needs more attractions and more to do. There were alot of people down there.

Some pictures below.

Paperclips

Paperclips - Not sure it's art, but it is an interesting decor idea. hundreds of paperclip strands with little bits of magazines wrapped around them. Could be interesting to try with comic books.

Performance art

Performance Art - This guy had a large magnifying lens and was using it to focus the sun and burn/etch drawings into wood board. Neat.

Driftwood
Driftwood - Neat ocean themed driftwood sculpture/carving at the BOB

Praying Mantis

Praying Mantis - Look! A giant bug made out of metal!

Art at Dowtown Taco Boy "Gallery"

Art at Dowtown Taco Boy "Gallery" - Even the fast food chains get in on the act with this bottle cap bridge creation.

Barrel of Bridge Monkeys
Barrel of Bridge Monkeys

Giant "Barrel full of monkeys" made of metal hanging from the bridge. - These are interesting.

I want to hear your



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