The Blinker
People of Orlando, for the love of God, use your damn turn signal! When I moved to Orlando, Florida from New York a few years ago there were a number of cultural differences of which I had to adjust. Some adjustments were easy. I learned to love beef jerky, and I now understand what real barbecue is all about. The biggest cultural adjustment was sharing the road with so many pickup trucks. The Ford F-Series pickup is one of the top selling vehicle of all time, and by my estimate, 85% of them travel on I4 between the hours of 4 and 6. I eventually, sort of , got used to the truck being used as personal transportation, but I will never understand why Floridians refuse to use their turn signals.
Now, I'm to picking of Florida, and I'm not a New York snob. Trust me, there is a TON of things that irk me about the Northeast, and I will most likely blog about them in the future. I just cannot comprehend how an entire region of the country tries to merge onto highway traffic without the aid of a device that was invented 1907. Traveling on Orlando roads, you will see drivers desperately trying to get over two or three lanes, the worried expression on their faces as if to say, "I wish the other drivers knew that I have to get across all these lanes to make the left turn. If only there was an invention that would allow me to signal to them that I need to turn!" Eventually, the driver gets over and makes the turn but not before almost killing a van full of nuns. I think they were nuns. They may have been penguins being transported to Animal Kingdom.
Even worse than the 'lane traveler' is the 'merger'. This driver thinks the white line on the right side of highway ramp is a virtual 'rail' that they can ride from the side road onto the highway. This driver believes that he has the right of way, and that every other driver must make a space for him because, like it or not, here he comes! Of course, there's the 'cowboy' too. He's the guy who is weaving in and out of rush hour traffic, trying to get to the next traffic jam before you do. This driver will knock the rain drops off your bumper as he squeezes between you and another car. Man, if you did that in New York without using your turn signal...well, let's just say that EMS would be involved at some point in the future.
Avatar Review
Below is my review of the 2009 James Cameron film, Avatar. Please note: this review contains plot description and other 'spoilers'.
I don't get to the movies much anymore. It's not the ticket prices that have kept me away, it is the other movie-goers. I can't stand all the talking, cell phones, and general 'rustling' of candy wrappers...not to mention people with weak bladders getting up 3 times during a 90 minute flick. I'll wait for the DVD unless a film must be seen on the big screen. Avatar is one of those films. To date, Avatar has made a zillion dollars in box office worldwide, surpassing Cameron's own Titanic as the biggest grossing film. Well, sort of. In constant dollars, Gone With The Wind is still number one (as of the date of this post). So, I'm a little late in my review, but as I said, it takes a lot for me to venture into a movie theater these days.
Avatar is a visually revolutionary film. I saw the IMAX 3D version, and although the IMAX screen at the theater where I saw the film was much smaller than the other IMAX screens I have seen (Sony Theaters Lincoln Square New York, Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, Liberty Science Center), it was still an awe inspiring visual experience. James Cameron's combination of live action and CGI characters is the best to date in a feature-length film. With that said, when the story switched between the 'real' scenes and the CGI action, the contrast was a bit jarring and distracting.
A friend of mine cautioned me about seeing Avatar in IMAX 3D. He said his eyes were 'seriously messed up' for a week afterward. I didn't care. James Cameron needed my $15, and nothing was going to stand in my way of supporting this struggling filmmaker. I had no issues with the 3D. Perhaps the smaller screen helped? I would like to see the movie in 'regular D' to judge the difference,because I'm not sure how much the 3D added to Avatar. In any event, there were no 3D gimmicks in the film. In fact, after a bit I didn't even notice, I just got lost in the stunning imagery and flawless motion of the CGI characters. Then there was the story...
Max iPad
Apple unveiled the iPad today. Seriously, it's called 'iPad'. Before I read the specs, I thought it was a device that would warn the user of possible toxic shock syndrome by monitoring pH levels and sending an email to the user's iPhone, all the while allowing the user to enjoy the active lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. The big question in my mind was 'does it stay in place and does it have wings?'
HP Tablet PC
The iPad is a large iPod Touch that can run iPhone apps and custom iPad apps. It comes standard with wifi and can be purchased with 3G from AT&T. It runs a custom iPhone OS, has no physical keyboard, and employs multi-touch touchscreen for user interaction. Like the iPod Touch and the iPhone, the iPad does not support Flash, so despite the 1024 x 768 real estate, it won't give you a true web experience like you get on your computer. By not supporting Flash, Apple continues to exert its dictatorial control over every aspect of the technology experience. With the iPad, Apple wants to expand its dominance over content distribution as it did with the iPod and iPhone: first it was music, then proprietary applications, and now magazines, newspapers, and textbooks. It is more a competitor to Amazon's Kindle than a traditional Tablet PC since it is not a full computer. Microsoft and the OEMs invented Tablet computing back in 2001 with Windows XP Tablet edition, and they are still produced today with multitouch enabled Windows 7. These expensive computers never caught on with the general public and are mostly a niche product.
The iPad (I can't stop giggling over this ridiculous name) is a new category of portable electronic device, and Apple's first misstep in a long time. I'm sure it will initially sell in big numbers due to Apple's marketing genius and their enthusiastic customer base, but I can't imagine this device being a huge success. The iPad is too big to be carried as a smartphone, and if you're going to carry a device in a case then why not just buy a netbook or light laptop?
I think the iPad will be a flop in the long-term, but I could be wrong. Apple hasn't made many mistakes over the past few years. They have thrived in the Great Recession selling million of iPhones, gaining PC market share, and posting huge profits, so they must know what they're doing, right? Not this time. The iPad will be about as successful as Apple TV and the Mac Mini.
Overall, my impression of the iPad: "meh." It is not the revolutionary product that I have become accustomed to seeing from Apple. I think Lenovo is closer to being on the right track with the IdeaPad U1 Hybrid Notebook (kinda rolls off the tongue, doesn't it. Sheesh.) The U1 is a Windows 7 netbook with a removable 'slate' computer, but even this, while cool, still seems like a answer to a question that nobody asked.
The Future is Almost Now
Last night I was reading about the history of the BlackBerry, and I was (once again) struck by how fast technology moves. The article described that Research In Motion (possibly the coolest tech company name), the maker of the BlackBerry, started out producing two-way pagers before developing the now ubiquitous Blackberry smartphone, and this made me nostalgic for my old beeper. Man, I loved that thing. I wore it on my belt like a pocket watch. It was so simple. One triple-A battery would last weeks, and the device was always on. When introduced, the pager was cutting edge, but now I look back at it as 'a simpler time'. A time when life moved more slowly. A movie only cost $7, and you would only lock one deadbolt on your front door. Ah, beepers... You future was so bright... Right before 'easy' access to the web came about, my brother bought me a device that hooked up to my TV, and using the paging network, would display news and sports stories. I wish I remembered the name of the service. I think it was in business for about a year before "You've got mail!" hit the scene, and we were all cursing AOL and that damn busy signal.
Kaypro Portable Computer
I used to think that nostalgia was something old people felt when they heard a replay of Amos & Andy radio plays, but my generation, which is not so young anymore, can get misty-eyed about 8-bit Nintendo and the IBM PS/2 Model 25. Case in point, The DigiBarn Computer Museum contains some of the coolest old computers, and I can spend hours reminiscing on that site. "A Kaypro portable! NO WAY!" Remember the original Cray supercomputer? I have more computing power in my digital digital watch than the original Cray!
This is a wonderful time for technology. Competition is driving innovation up and keeping prices down, and we're finally seeing some Star Trek tech come to life. My Garmin sweetly guides me home, speaking to me in dulcet tones, "In 300 feet, stay left on State Road 417..." My Droid listens to music and identifies the song. It tracks my progress while I walk the dog and maps it on Google maps. I can virtually fly over New York City and zoom in on my old apartment building in 3D using Bing maps, or I can just view the streets from eye level using Google Street View. I can set my phaser on maximum and vaporize my enemies with just a push of a button! Well, maybe some day. For now, I'll have to settle for using the Droid to scan bar-codes, translate my spoken words into foreign languages, and doing visual searches on the web with the camera. Still, vaporizing my enemies...***sigh ***
Buyers Remorse
To some extent, I always regret what I purchase. As much as I may love the item, parting with my hard-earned cash always takes a toll on me. As a result, I am VERY critical of every good and service that I purchase. I wouldn't have it any other way. When you buy a car, rent a DVD, or dine out at a fancy restaurant you have not only purchased that good or service, you have also purchased the right to bitch about it!
I have noticed that some people never negatively criticize something they have purchased, a sports team they follow, or anything on which they have spent money, time, or energy. I assume that they subconsciously feel that their choice of purchase reflects on them to a very large degree. Not me. I'll tell you straight up that I purchased a Chrysler PT Cruiser in 2002, and it was the biggest piece of crap that I've ever owned, but others would never admit it. They would defend the Cruiser and tell you how great it is despite their deep hatred for the car. This mentality is completely foreign to me. What's the use of being alive if you can't complain about living?!
If you are a regular reader of BackingIn, you know that I'm a Microsoft enthusiast, but don't get me started on how much I hate Microsoft Outlook. I live for the New York Mets, but I could do a thesis on why they suck out loud. I bought a 2009Volkswagen Rabbit, and it is a great car, but it gets horrendous gas mileage and the fit and finish are sub-par. I own a Motorola Droid, and it is way cool, but rest assured, I will give you a true assessment of it below.
Choose Wisely
If you are a regular reader, you know that Larry the Raccoon passed away in a tragic trash compactor accident. It is sad, but do not despair. Last night Larry came to me in a dream with an urgent plea. He told me that he was stuck in limbo and needed my help to find the door to heaven. Even though I was racked with guilt over Larry's death (I may have hit the 'compact' button accidentally when closing the dumpster door), and I had some extra spicy Pad Thai right before going to sleep, I'm confident that Larry truly contacted me from beyond and needs my help taking the next step to eternal happiness.
This is the dilemma that Larry is facing. Upon arriving in the afterlife, Larry was confronted with two doors. On either side of the doors stood two Gamorrean guards. A placard above the doors read:
Think For Yourself
"I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all."
—Thomas Jefferson
Former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has singed on as a regular contributor to Fox News. I certainly hope that Ms. Palin will take the cash advance from her recently published memoir, Going Rouge, and her Fox News money and stay far away from the 2012 presidential election.
I don't hate Sarah Palin, but what I do hate is partisan politics. I am a die-hard Independent. That doesn't mean that my views are middle-of-the-road. I am conservative on some issues, very liberal on others, and I take a moderate view on the balance. It seems to me that this country would be much better off if we abolished political parties. Imagine a political system where individuals would have to rely on their intellect and conscience to make political decisions instead of toeing the party line.
Luxury is an Experience
There is no such thing as luxury apartment living in Orlando, Florida. New York is a different story. Housing is so expensive in New York that true luxury apartment rental is a real market. In Orlando, housing is much more affordable, so more people own homes. Those who rent apartments in Orlando due so mostly because they cannot afford to purchase a home because they are students, recently graduated and just starting out in their careers, or just can't afford to make the transition from renting to buying.
For a number of very complicated reasons, I find myself still renting. I'm not young , and I'm not just starting out in my career, but life threw me a few curves the past few years that prevented me from being a homeowner. I came very close to purchasing a home last year,
Shhh! Cool Tech…
Sony Vaio L-Series
Microsoft is making a big mistake. They have a great deal of amazing technology, but they are keeping it all a secret from the public. It's not just Microsoft. Many tech companies are failing to market their products effectively. It's not that they don't advertise, but they don't produce the right type of advertising, and in some cases, not enough.
Last week, two friends and I took a trip to the mall for lunch. After a quick bite at the food court, we strolled the mall and hit the usual spots. We stopped in the Apple store, browsed the over-priced gadget stores, and popped our heads into SonyStyle. Among the huge and brilliant LCDs sat an all-in-one Sony Vaio desktop computer, similar in function to an iMac but with a industrial look.
The Sony Vaio L-Series computer is an all-in-one desktop computer with a multi-touch touchscreen display and Windows 7. Prices range from $1200 to $2000, but the one we played with had these specs:
- 24 inch HD touchscreen monitor
- Quad-core processor
- 6 GBs of RAM
- Wireless Keyboard & Mouse
- 1/2 TB Hard drive
- BluRay
- Windows 7 64-bit
- TV Tuner with Remote
Adverts Dilemma
One of my biggest pet peeves is animated advertisements on the web. I'm talking about Flash ads that you can find on almost any popular website. The less annoying ones animate some text or logo upon load and then stop moving. More annoying are the ads that continue to animate as long as the web page is displayed. The most annoying animated ads have rapid movement or flashing animations.
Advertising pays the bills, and I have little problem with it as long as the reader understands that the website has sponsors, and their sponsors can apply editorial pressure on the content. The same can be said of BackingIn.com.
