Month: July 2005

Presence Aware Software

by

I wrote about Bluephone Elite a few weeks ago. It has a few quirks, but I am still amazed at how simple and yet amazing this software is. Besides extending your phone to your computer by using caller id, Address book integration, SMS via a real keyboard, etc. one of the most amazing features is very subtle. For me this software is the first presence aware pieces of software. What do I mean? The phone I use has bluetooth in it. it is paired with my computer. That is how this software works. Bluephone Elite (via bluetooth) knows when you are on a call. It will pause itunes, or a DVD movie for you when you are on the phone. But it goes a step further. It knows when you are not around. Bluetooth has a 30 foot limit. When the software cannot see your phone it will think that you are out of range of the computer along with your phone. Once it knows that, it will pause any movies and music again. it will also mark your iChat as “on the phone…”. When you return into range you can have everything start up again, or have the software ask you if you want to return and bring chats back online.

Instead of RFID, this software knows where you are by a device (your phone) that it (rightfully so) assumes will be with you most of the time. Think of the other applications of this type of setup? I don’t know why there is not Windows software that can do this?

Needless to say once the trial period of this software ran out, I went out and bought the full license.

Vacation Planning

by

It has been over 2 years since I last took a week off (almost a week actually) and went on a vacation. Contrary to what Kai and everyone thinks my Cisco conference 2 weeks ago was not a vacation. On that note I have finally broke down (not mentally) and planned a trip. I am no getting excited to go. I cashed in some (a ton) points to get a free hotel for a few nights.

The hotel and plane reservations are all set. Now all I need to do is get some tropical clothing (no Hawaiian shirts for me) and maybe a little (very little) exercise. My SCUBA diving plans are now back on the table. I am scrambling to get a diving class setup for the trip.

The Beer Garden

by

I went to the last Beer Garden in NYC yesterday. John, Zee, Dave, a friend of Johns (forget his name all the time) and I went over to Astoria for the good food and nice alcohol. it was the perfect day for hanging out in the shade while drinking and doing not much of anything else.

We picked out a picnic table in the shade and hung out for hours. The sausage was fantastic. The drinks were cheap (for NYC). We were buying huge pitchers of good beer for $12. I was able to have my Jack & Cokes for $4. We had a good time.

I was so stuffed when I left. I just love BBQ. I couldn’t pass up some sausage and then cheese burgers. We were there for like 5 hours. We had to eat!

It was a great day to be outside!!!

Mobile Phone Etiquette

by

Even if Sprint isn’t your provider (there not mine), you should take the Sprint Wireless Courtesy Test. I scored a respectable 84, but it suggested some minor changes to my behavior. I probably wont change. I do allot of the “wrong things” when I answer calls for work issues. I know I shouldn’t, but if they are important I will answer.

You will be surprised what is considered rude by others. Living in NYC I see rude people all the time. Its not that New Yorkers are any more rude than other people. Their just happens to be so many people around, that one out of 100 on a subway car will be rude. It is just the law of averages! In a small town with everyone spread out, you get a smaller chance of someone being an ass.

New Theme On Site

by

Typepad upgraded their systems last night, and a bunch of new themes are out there. I treid one. I like the color palette but I have issues with how it keeps the middle (the posts) of the site so small. The other template I had kept the middle fluid so I could make it bigger if I made the browser window bigger. This one doesn’t allow that. I am going to keep it around for a few days and see if it grows on me, and others.

It is funny when a provider I use does maintenance and the first thing I think of is the time of day they did the work and the impact on their user base! I read their notice and was surprised they brought down the system at 5PM (8PM EST) on a friday. That is work that I would normally do at 1AM EST. It was just funny that I thought of that. I am too involved in technical operations I guess:)

I also uploaded all my Camera Phone Images from June.

Canceled Plans

by

I had plans to hang out with my friends Rich & Amanda today. That was until Amanda sprained her foot last night. She was in pain and not up for doing anything. It was a bummer for me, but I ended up doing some work instead. Work you say on a holiday weekend? I actually like getting work done on the weekends, since I can do it in piece and quiet. I get the stuff that I know I need to do but can’t do it during the week.

Tomorrow I have plans to hang out with John, & Dave. Not sure if Jay & Gretchen will join us or not, but you never know.

Mail Server

by

We have been having a problem with one of our Mail servers. It is the machine that holds a bunch of small domains we own, and our call center mail system. It wont allow us to log into terminal server. VNC keeps crashing, and LDAP doesn’t start. It serves up mail fine though. We have had this issue for a week or so. We have been trying to figure out the problem without causing more issues.

I finally broke down and configured the replacement box today. We put the new hardware up at our data center on Tuesday but had not had a chance to cut all the mail over onto it. I configured Imail, moved the mailbox’s and domains. All but our biggest domain is now cut over. Everything looks normal so far. I will cut the remaining domain over when our call center closes tonight. hopefully everything will go smooth. I should just need to update the MX record, and sync the mail. All the accounts are created, and copies of the mailbox’s are on there from a snapshot a few hours ago.

Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

Technorati Tags: ,

Hooky

by

I played hooky from work today, well sort of. I had an early conference call so I did it from home. then it was do a bit of work from home. Then it was the AC wasn’t working again and it was hot, the day before a holiday weekend, so I decided to take the day. After work I went with Jay, & Danny to see War of the Worlds. I hated it. It had good effects, but I hated it everything else about the movie. I compare it to independence day, and that at least had some decent story. This movie was just bad. But it doesn’t matter since it will make millions, and Tom Cruise will continue to be crazy…

I also hit Macy’s for some shorts. it is shaping up to be a hot one at work, so I need comfy clothing that will allow me to say sane. The lines weren’t too bad, so I was happy.

,