August 30, 2002
Last night I finally got
Last night I finally got around to...
Last night I finally got around to setting up Plucker to replace AvantGo on my Palm Vx. (AvantGo has no OS X support and it looks like it is not forthcoming.) One of the best uses I've found for Plucker is reading my Radio News Aggregator page. I created a "lite" version of the news aggregator without the navigation bar in a few minutes—Radio's CMS rocks!—and pointed my Plucker home page at it. Setting the link depth appropriately means I can follow each link to the original source, and turning off images cuts out about 500K to produces a database of about 1.7 MB containing all the links in a self-contained format which I can read on the bus. Here's what it looks like...One tweak I did was to exclude the links reachable via the "POST" button, by adding to my ~/.plucker/exclusionlist.txt file the line 0:-:http://127\.0\.0\.1:5335/\?idStory=.*.Plucker's Palm OS client is extremely featureful and has excellent usability. The only bizarreness I noticed was that the auto-scrolling feature defaulted to scrolling up rather than down, but it was easily fixed. Especially given Plucker is a free software project, I'm very impressed.Versus AvantGo, Plucker's design is more sensible. The ability to do Web page fetching separately from uploading is great, as are the multiple separate databases, and support for local Web pages and automatically segmenting long files. The only feature I miss in AvantGo is support for tables; the bus schedules turn to mush when viewed in Plucker. [Nicholas Riley]
No strike
Baseball Strike Averted - Is It Just Another Stopgap Agreement?
Plastic::Media::Sports: The players and owners have stopped a strike, but it leaves the question as to whether the agreement will really do anything to help the game. [Plastic]
Good night
Wow, I haven't been up this late for a while. I couldn't stop clicking from NetNewsWire Lite to Kung-Log to Movable Type, listening to everything 'dub' in my iTunes library. Time to stop now. I just checked espn.com to see if there was any news on the baseball strike, but nothing so far. Maybe there will be news when I wake up, but I'm not getting my hopes up.
Weekend project: setting up my new Netgear Wireless Router. It will be fun getting rid of some of the cables in the house.
Killing the College Radio Star
Killing the College Radio Star
New federal rules that require radio stations to track and pay royalties on all webcast music may force shoestring university operations off the air. By Brad King. [Wired News]
Scriptable Audioblogging?
AppleScript in Mac OS X: Text To Audio File
One of the new features of Mac OS X v10.2 is the ability to convert written text into an AIFF sound file. The following scripts can be used to accomplish this conversion. To use them, place them in the Scripts folder in the Library folder in your Home directory. They will now appear in the Script Menu at the top right of your desktop. [Studio Log]
Ambient Findability
Semantic Studios: Ambient Findability . I...
Semantic Studios: Ambient Findability. I want to be able to find anything, anywhere, anytime. What's surprising is how close we are to making this impossibly strange dream a reality. Ambient interfaces, sensors and small tech are about to intertwingle the physical and virtual worlds in shocking ways that will make history of the Diamond Age. [Tomalak's Realm]
Lights out!
Home Control
Gimpysoft: Fort Awesome Control Panel
Ryan invites you to play with his light switches... [jenett.radio]
Free Radio on Free SoftwareIf
If you're involved in the free software movement, you'll probably enjoy this radio interview which humorously and interestingly covers all the big issues and talks to all the major people [Seth].
[Aaron Swartz: The Weblog]emusicAlbumDownload 0.8b- emusicAlbumDownload is an
emusicAlbumDownload 0.8b
- emusicAlbumDownload is an application that aids in downloading albums from the emusic web site. It can also add an album to an iTunes playlist automatically. Version changes: Updated application for OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) compatability. [AppleScript Info]
August 29, 2002
IBM hooks dorm washers, dryers
IBM hooks dorm washers, dryers to Web.
Reuters: IBM hooks dorm washers, dryers to Web. I can't wait to see the commercial for this. [Hack the Planet]
Christmas is coming...
iMac-style "laptop dome" stand
Check out these awesome laptop stands styled after the iMac's base. My physiotherapist has sternly warned me to start working with my iBook at eye-level and so I've been perching it on a spare oscilloscope on my desk, but this might be even more stylish.
(Thanks, Mike)
Mac Home
The Mac Home
From Herbie Hancock's Interview:
"Something else needs to happen for the computer to become the center of the living room," he adds. “I think things like the Xserve will give you the possibility of having your server in the stereo component rack. All of the sudden, you could have your server streaming audio and video, making it possible to pipe audio and video through the whole house. That’s how I see people configuring a computer into the entertainment system in the future. [MacMegasite]
I may have to do this without an Xserve, but it is what I dream of for my house.
Apple interview with Herbie Hancock
Apple interview with Herbie Hancock
Since he pioneered Jazz/Fusion with his 1973 album Headhunters, Herbie has always used the latest technology while remaining true to his jazz roots. He was also an early Apple user from the days of the Apple II and Lisa.
His new album, "The Future 2 Future" is Hancock’s first visit to the genres of house music, acid jazz and trip hop ambient music and reinterpreting that music with the assistance of producer Bill Laswell. [MacMegasite]
Laswell! I've got to check it out.
The Myth of Newton ResurrectionLeander
The Myth of Newton Resurrection
Leander Kahney's latest
examines the "consumer myth"-cum-NYT-fit-to-print of the resurrection of
Newton, the latest incarnation being the iPhone.
The Newton community is locked in a paradox. On the one hand, the Newton
is very much alive; it's a usable, technologically sophisticated device
that continues to develop through the efforts of its fans.
On the other hand, the Newton is on life support. Every year it gets more and more outdated, and the supply of usable machines is always dwindling.
...
The rumor-mongering is an essential process in the creation of the Newton "ideoculture," a group identity with clearly defined knowledge, beliefs, behaviors and customs.
Then again, there were rumours scarcely a couple of years back about
Apple's return to glory :-) Two out of two wouldn't be bad :-). Keep
those fingers crossed and wishes flowing...
Also, don't miss "Apple's Newton Just Won't Drop" and, of course, Leander Kahney's
"Cult of the Mac" anecdotes at the O'Reilly Mac OS X Conference. [raelity bytes]
August 28, 2002
Muse.Net
Muse.Net is "the universal remote control...
Muse.Net is "the universal remote control for your home media network." [Radio Bump]
Blogcritics: Cool Tunes - Radio Schmadio
Blogcritics: Cool Tunes - Radio Schmadio
Blogcritics: Cool Tunes - Radio Schmadio. "Please join me for my Cool Tunes radio show Saturdays from 10PM to Midnight (Eastern) through the airwaves (91.3) in the Cleveland/Akron area, or for the rest of the world, via the WAPS web site. I play modern rock, punk, electronica, jazz, reggae, ska, roots rock, Americana, blues, world, funk, hip hop, avant garde, and a fair amount of whatever." and "So anyway, back to radio: it sucks, so it is really great to have a place where I can do my thing, have a great time, and be appreciated for it. Check out the show Saturdays, why don't you." [Sounds like a thing, ya'know?] [Archipelago]
Edgar
Mariners Notebook: Count is long on Edgar
MINNEAPOLIS -- Edgar Martinez said yesterday there is a "real possibility" he would not return to baseball if the sport were to be shut down by a prolonged strike."If it's a long one that takes up most of next season, it could happen. There's a real possibility there," Martinez said before yesterday's 5-2 loss to the Twins in the Metrodome.
Buhner has bone to pick
The Seattle Times: Mariners: Buhner has bone to pick with baseball strike
Here's the lowdown on baseball's labor mess from one staunch Mariners fan on the Eastside:"As far as a strike, I think they're going to get something settled. They have to. As a fan and an ex-player, even I know if they miss the boat on this one, it will basically ruin baseball. Period."
August 27, 2002
Fans strike to save baseball
The Seattle Times: Mariners: Fans hope Web gems can save baseball
They're mad as hell, and they're taking their anger to the Internet.As baseball owners and players continue to teeter on the brink of Armageddon, the third side of this trinity ó the trod-upon, overlooked, beleaguered fans (as they increasingly view themselves) ó are trying desperately to make their voices heard.
And unlike past labor showdowns, when frustrated fans had no real forum to express their frustration, this first potential work stoppage of the 21st century offers the full power of the Web to organize all the roiling discontent.
August 26, 2002
mac.fryke.com
mac.fryke.com is a visually stunning
Blosxom-based weblog on the Mac OS X experience. [raelity bytes]
Texas paper on baseball strike
ESPN.com: MLB - Roundup: Red Sox pick up Agbayani off waivers
Texas paper to withhold baseball coverage
HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- The Huntsville Item has decided, after a poll of readers, not to run any coverage of major league baseball until Friday's strike deadline.In its Sunday editions, the newspaper reported: "Item readers have spoken. Asked to strike or not to strike, 82 percent of you said, 'Let's strike.' So, The Huntsville Item is going on a pro baseball strike.''There will be no stories about the Houston Astros or Texas Rangers or any other teams, no game reports, no boxscores and no major league baseball standings.The paper plans not to cover baseball until Friday. The self-imposed strike would be lifted if an agreement between owners and players is reached before then.The newspaper asked its readers last week how they felt about a baseball strike. Of 100 people who called, faxed or e-mailed, 82 said they support a boycott of baseball coverage, the newspaper said, and 18 said baseball coverage should continue.Among those in favor of a one-week boycott was Ronnie Choate, former athletic director at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.He told the newspaper he hopes there is a baseball strike as well, because, "That way, the current big-leaguers would be gone, replaced by hungry, younger players who take the field because they love the game.''
August 25, 2002
Little League wisdom
ESPN.com: MORESPORTS - Little Leaguers to big leaguers: Act your age
"They already make enough money as it is; why do they need more?'' said Louisville pitcher and shortstop Aaron Alvey, who had a record-setting performance in the title game on Sunday.
Omar knows best
CLEVELAND -- Contrary to what has been happening, if you look into the same crystal ball as Indians shortstop Omar Vizquel, the Mariners will recover from their current malaise and capture the AL West championship.
Radio changes to MT
My copy of Radio is hosed and won't post via ftp, but it will post to Movable Type via the Manila-Blogger bridge. So my move back to Movable Type starts now. Things may be back to normal(?) in a few days.
August 23, 2002
Baseball strike would bench Net
Baseball strike would bench Net fans
Perhaps the only people secretly gunning for a baseball strike come Aug. 30 are those currently leading their online fantasy leagues. [CNET News.com]
Or those that are hopelessly in last place and would like to have it end.
August 21, 2002
Testing Kung-Log
Here's a post from Kung-Log. I've long been a fan of Kung-Tunes, this looks cool, too.
August 19, 2002
iData Pro 1.0.3 is the
iData Pro 1.0.3 is the reincarnation of InfoGenie. iDataPro 1.0.3 (Updated 8/19/02) - ($39.95, $19.95 upgrade from InfoGenie 1.x-2.x; $29.95 competitive upgrade from FileMaker Pro, Now Contact, or iOrganizer) iData Pro has positioned itself as a poor-person's FileMaker Pro. It offers versions for Mac OS X, OS 9.x and Windows for transportable data, and it claims to be lightning fast at searching databases. The Web page says that David Pogue calls it a must-have application. It may be worth checking out. I haven't used it yet. [Mac Net Journal]