May 2003 Archives

Combine two of man's passions -- golf and racing cars -- into one advertisement and you have a sure-fire winner. This one is no exception. Check out this online streaming ad from Tag Heuer. What a watch company has to do with golf and racing, I'm still not quite sure, but this is a pretty darn cool piece of marketing.

Today, it was announced that AOL will license Internet Explorer from Microsoft for several more years in exchange for an out-of-court settlement and $750 million. This upsets me in that it seems quite likely to seal the fate of Netscape, which has been neglected by AOL ever since it was acquired back in 1998.

I've used Netscape since 1994. For nearly 10 years, I've enjoyed knowing that I supported one of the very "founding fathers" of the World Wide Web (back when it was actually referred to as that). Now, I don't want to sound too sentimental, for being a technology addict means you can't get too attached to any one piece of gear or tech in particular -- new things are always coming down the pike. But what irritates me the most is that Microsoft has now won the browser war -- effectively committing "browsercide" -- using the same tactics that it was sued for by the US government, yet it has faced no real consequences (other than an ever-increasing cash balance) for its anticompetitive, illegal actions.

While I have no compunctions against criticizing Microsoft when it needs bashing, I can also praise the Redmond giant when it does something right -- I think Windows XP and Office are two pretty darn good products, and I recommend them regularly. However, the way Microsoft has participated in its industry is shameful and merits corrective action. Moreover, we see the gains from those improper actions (i.e., its enormous cash reserves) being constantly employed to help extend its reach.

The past wrongs have not been corrected, and the fruits of those wrongs help Microsoft to perpetuate its will regardless of the appropriateness of those actions. Now, instead of hard-lining its competitors and partners the way it used to in the 1990's, today it can just spend its way to whatever solution it sees fit (e.g., the huge losses it sustains year over year in several product areas). That is testimony enough to suggest that we need to keep an ever-vigilant eye on the software industry in general, and Microsoft in particular.

Well, it looks like my rantings, including this blog entry, haven't fallen on deaf ears entirely over at Sony. ‹vbg› It just hinted at a new model of Clie, which looks to be a clamshell format with 480x320 screen (shown to the right). We'll see what the keyboard, if there's a keyboard, looks like, for that could make or break the design. Well, that and Sony's insistence on using proprietary Memory Sticks for expansion. Read the whole story at Palm Infocenter.

I've posted new photos in the Photography area of my website at http://craig.dynup.net/photography. Specifically, some select shots from our trips to Alaska and Hawaii (in 2002) were posted, and I added some sections about my camera equipment and some links related to digital photography. Enjoy.

A few posts ago, I mentioned that I maintain a dedicated MP3/music server at home. Here are the details in case you're considering setting something similar up or you want to let me know a better way to do it (I'm sure there are lots). Keep in mind that I wanted to do this for the absolute lowest cost reasonably possible.

First, I started off with a desire to be able to convert our complete CD collection into some easy-to-access, streamable format. Due to the ubiquity of MP3, and the limited options when I started this project, I picked that format and began ripping CDs using CDex. CDex is a great freeware utility that is constantly being updated and supports a variety of formats, including both MP3 and Ogg Vorbis, a wonderful open-source digital music format.

After generating about 15 GB worth of MP3 files (about 40% of our CD collection), I began to seriously look at exactly what hardware and software I was going to need to achieve my desired end state. I determined that I could set up a PC in the basement and feed an audio cable from it up to the family room on the first floor (where our main stereo system is). As I said, there are many ways to get your MP3 to feed into your stereo, but this was the easiest and most cost-effective option for me.

I determined I would need an 80 GB hard drive to provide enough room for our existing collection (about 50 GB) and allow for growth. For backup, I merely copy changes to the contents of one hard drive to a second hard drive in the same machine on a nightly basis using Second Copy 2000, a schedulable back-up application (well worth the measly registration fee). Better backup setups certainly exist, but mine is zero effort, automatic, and relatively safe (unless the entire PC is devastated, at which point I have bigger problems). The PC I use for the server is a rather meager 750MHz AMD Duron machine running Windows XP. While I could have stuck a nice sound card in it, the on-board sound seems adequate for my needs (at this point, at least). For $220, I got the base machine, and the two hard drives added another $200. Now, I needed to connect it to the rest of my LAN, so I dropped $60 for a Wi-Fi adapter card (running CAT5 from the 2nd floor of our 101-year-old house clear to the basement was not an option). So, total cost for the actual server was $480. A spare 17" monitor, keyboard, and mouse completed the basement installation (or so I thought).

So, with the server physically set up, storing the MP3s is no problem. However, now I need a management system -- some way to organize and play the MP3 files. After much searching, I settled on Real One Player, which is free and provides a really nice interface for cataloguing your tracks by artist, genre, etc. While it doesn't do everything I like, and it's a bit clunky in some areas, it's the best no-cost solution.

Now, when I ripped all my CDs, I didn't take the time to employ a rigorous genre categorization scheme. After all, my wife would have to OK all those decisions anyway. ;-) Plus, CDex at the time couldn't write both ID3v1 and ID3v2.3 (or v2.4). Given that I'm pretty anal about how my stuff is catalogued, this would never do (plus, it rendered the genre sorting function in Real One Player totally useless). So, I looked around for a good mass ID3 tag editor that would work across a network. ID3-TagIt fit the bill wonderfully -- I highly recommend this freeware app if you do much ID3 tag editing.

With the MP3s all ripped, categorized, and playable, I was ready to enjoy my MP3 server. Then I realized one glitch -- I either had to operate the server remotely, such as by using VNC, or I had to run down to the basement and operate the server directly. Neither of these options was acceptable, as they both required running stairs to start, stop, or change the music (the nearest VNC-equipped PC was on the 2nd floor).

The best solution turned out to be pretty interesting. I ended up running the video feed (TV out) from the server to the television that was next to our stereo system by fiching a second wire up the same route that the audio cable followed (thank goodness for 20' S-VGA cables). Now I could see the server from the same place I could control the volume, but that was only half the solution -- I still needed to be able to control the server. For doing that, I found a wonderful piece of tech: the Gyration Wireless Mouse and Keyboard ($99). The base receiver plugs into the MP3 server in the basement via USB. I mounted the receiver on the basement ceiling to get it as close to the family room as possible. The keyboard and mouse now live in the entertainment system armoir, taken out whenever I need to surf the web, control Real One Player, or do other music- or net-centric stuff in the family room.

For streaming, I use ShoutCast being fed by WinAmp. This works really well, especially now that I added the plug-in that lets me send WinAmp HTTP instructions to start playing, stop playing, etc. If you want, check out my setup (yes, you can actually hear what's on my MP3 server...just don't tell RIAA). All the streaming software is free for personal use.

So, what's the total cost for this project? Let's add it up: $480 for the server, $99 for the wireless keyboard/mouse kit, and about $30 in miscellaneous cables, adapters, etc. So, the grand total comes out to be $629. Not too bad, IMO, given that I can now use my family entertainment system as a true multi-media PC setup with really good audio (compared to most PC speakers, that is).

How would I change things if I was doing this today? Good question. As good and open as Ogg is, I would probably still stay with MP3, mostly because I have an MP3-friendly CD receiver in my car. I don't seem to need any faster PC for the server, so that's fine. Probably the only thing I'd do differently is get a better TV. Granted, this doesn't fall into the "lowest possible cost" category, but a nice LCD HD television would make for a rockin' monitor for this setup. Instead of running at 640x480 and having to guess at certain small fonts, I could run at 1280 x 768 (40" Samsung LCD) or 1366 x 768 (37" Sharp Aquos) or a mind-boggling 1920 x 1080 (the forthcoming 54" LCD from Samsung). I'm saving my pennies, for sure.

Anyway, let me know if you have questions or suggestions -- both are welcome.

The PDA you see to the right may just possibly be the world's perfect PDA.

It features a hinged design akin to the Sharp Zaurus SL-C series. Unlike the Zaurus, which runs on Linux, this device runs on Palm OS 5.2. Its feature list is impressive, including:

• Transflective 480x320 screen, 64K colors
  
• 64 MB of RAM and 32 MB of flashable ROM
  
• 400 MHz ARM processor w/ power-saving modes
  
• Full QWERTY keyboard (actual keys!)
  
• Dual expansion slots, SD and CF (1 each)
  
• Integrated GSM + GPRS (Class 10)
  
• Integrated Bluetooth
  
• Voice recording
  
• USB2.0 port (for synchronization or accessories)
  
• 1800 MAh Lithium-Polymer battery, user replaceable
  
• Estimated dimensions (closed): 5.2" long X 3.0" wide X .75" thick, 9 oz.
  

Unlike other devices, this unit does not have a hamstrung headset jack -- it accepts standard "mini-jack" stereo headphones or it will accept a 3-band headset for voice communications. However, voice communications can be done without a headset, as this unit features an external mic and speaker that can be used for placing phone calls as well as creating (and listening to) voice recordings. Voice recording can be done without opening the unit, accessed by an external button.

Some may criticize the lack of any 802.11x wireless networking, but it seems that with two expansion slots, the user can decide what kind of networking (b, a, g, etc.) is best for his needs. In addition, future upgrades to newer standards is much easier if done through an expansion card rather than buried internally. Also, this is an advantage, for expansion slots mean exposed antennae, which yields better range and lower power consumption than if the antenna was enclosed inside the unit.

Yes, this could be the ultimate accessory for that road-warrior tired of schlepping heavy laptops through the airport, or for that student already lugging 23 lbs. of schoolbooks, or for that executive needing a comprehensive portable communications solution. Granted, it's not exactly a "dump-in-your-pocket" kind of device, but given that it likely replaces your PDA, your cell-phone, and your laptop, this might be the perfect compromise.

So who is making this device? That's the problem -- nobody. Now we just need someone to actually build it.

8:55 PM -- I just ordered a Hawaiian pizza from Donato's online. My confirmation email said it would be delivered 45 minutes from now...let's see if this works (I'm skeptical).

9:16 PM -- Holy crap! My pizza just got here. 21 minutes?!? That's darn fast service. And they even got the toppings right...amazing. OK, so this works, and works pretty well. Now if I can just get the delivery guy to slip the pizza through the mail slot, I wouldn't have to talk to anybody throughout this whole process.

Note to self: request less cinnamon on the Hawaiian.

Will digital music formats ever settle down and standardize on something that everyone can get behind? We thought it would be MP3, but then we found out that MP3 is fettered with licensing requirements and it's not DRM-able...go figure. Sony came out with ATRAC, and now Apple is pushing forward with AAC. Ogg Vorbis is pretty awesome, but doesn't support DRM (to my knowledge). Then there's WMA, MP3Pro, and the list just keeps getting longer. So just about the time that I'll get my 50 GB MP3 collection all organized, I'll have to switch it all over to a new format. And then my car and personal MP3 players will need to be replaced. Of course, given that MP3 playing is being embedded in everything today from PDAs to phones to toasters (well, practically), how easy will it be to dislodge this as the standard any time soon?

Speaking of digital music encoding, CDex is an awesome GPL'ed utility for converting most anything to most anything else (especially handy for ripping CDs).

I just saw A Mighty Wind and I loved it. This is the latest mockumentary from the hilarious and warped minds of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Eugene Levy and others. Like their previous films, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, and the grand-daddy of all mockrockumentaries (are there any others?), Spinal Tap, this movie presents a variety of oddball characters engaged in a rather mundane event. Hilarity ensues.

Save up your pennies, boys and girls, for you will be wanting the forthcoming product from a pretty wicked little startup called Tapwave. This holiday shopping season should see a new handheld gaming device on store shelves, or at least available online.

The specs on the device are mondo impressive, including a super-bright 480x320 (that's half-VGA landscape) screen, ARM processor, a full set of analog and digital gaming controls, sound and graphics acceleration, built-in Bluetooth, dual rechargeable batteries, and much much more. The Bluetooth is there to support multi-player head-to-head gaming (read "fragfest in Physics class"), which should be popular with gamers of all ages. What's more is that, because it is based on Palm OS, it will run all those same PIM apps and stuff that you need to survive each day -- Addressbook, Datebook, etc.

I was lucky enough to be invited to Tapwave's launch party on May 5th, at which I was unlucky enough to get to fondle one of these devices. Why do I say I was unlucky? Well, because now I have to wait 5-6 months until these things get released -- 5-6 MONTHS!! I'm just not that patient for new gear, especially gear as sweet as this. And believe me, it's sooo sweet. [insert Homer drooling sound here]

Well, more as I know about it. If you want to discuss this device in the meantime, check out the Tapwave_Users group over at Yahoo!

I just saw X2, the new X-Men movie, and, well, it totally rocks! All the good guys you love, and the bad guys you love to hate, are back, and several new faces have been added just to spice things up. The plot has enough ups and downs that you'll leave the theater exhausted from your 2-hour, 14-minute, action-packed adventure. I thought it might be hard to make a movie as fun and true to the comic as the first X-Men movie, but Bryan Singer and cast have done it again. Alan Cumming, as Nightcrawler, was perfect, and nearly every other cast addition was just right on. While we didn't get to see much of Colossus, the fellow cast to play him, Daniel Cudmore, seems about perfect -- big, ridiculously muscular, and did I mention big? While the official movie website has all the info you could ever want, the IMDB entry is, of course, much better organized (thanks again, IMDB!).

I'm all about reducing the weight of the stuff I have to carry when travelling, so I just shudder when I think about having to lug my 7-lb. Dell Inspiron with me on trips. That motivation, along with my blog entry Honey, I shrunk the PC, got me to wondering how light I could go and still have access to a full installation of Windows XP and Microsoft Office. Here are some interesting options I turned up.

• Often touted as the standard in sub-notebooks is the Sony Picturebook series (pictured above right). At just over 2 lbs, these little dudes are marvels of engineering. As always, Sony's notebooks have terrific screens -- I just wish Sony took better care of its customers when they have problems.

• In the not-yet-available category is this Vulcan Mini-PC (shown to the right). It's supposed to meet up with standard laptop specs, but feature an 800x480 5.8" screen and weigh in at about a pound. Gizmodo suggests, and I might agree, that the keyboard looks really crummy -- let's hope the final product is more finger-friendly than the mock-ups appear.

• Another amazing lightweight notebook is the Fujitsu Lifebook P1000. This has the standard notebook physical form factor, but also includes a WXGA touch-screen, and all for 2.2 lbs. Pretty impressive! If I could fold the screen 360' around, so that the screen was on one side and the keyboard the opposite, that would make for a pretty keen Tablet PC-esque setup. Granted, cooling would be a challenge since you just smothered the bottom of the notebook with the back of the screen, but if it runs cool enough, this should be possible (and it would get rid of that big ugly hinge on so many of tthe convertible Tablet PCs).

Let me know if there's a micro-notebook on your wishlist (or better yet, already in your bag).

The modem in my freaking TiVo died...AGAIN! This is the second time in the 18 months I've owned it that the modem has gone out. The first time required a $95 fix and this time it will likely be something similar. Man, what a joke. I can't believe some hungry class-action lawyer hasn't seen all the Usenet postings and filed suit against TiVo, Philips, Sony and anybody else involved. I know there are a ton of hacks and mods that you can do to the TiVo, but most of these are fairly expensive and, after all, since it's my wife's TiVo, I think she'd object to it undergoing any major surgery. :-)