Earth Hour 2009

Miss 604

http://www.miss604.com/

I like Rebecca Bollwitt’s blog, I came across it from when searching for Matthew Good related information. I read it from time to time, I am bit Jealous because it’s so beautiful.

Sean Shannon of Expedia.ca Side Project

http://www.integeris.com/

Leading the Canadian arm of Expedia means travelling regularly from Toronto to cities such as Seattle, Dallas, Montreal and San Francisco.

Mileage: About 18 trips a year.

Must-have carry-ons: Photos of his kids -- and his BlackBerry.

Most memorable airplane seat mate: National Hockey League star Alexander Ovechkin, on a flight from Turin, Italy. "I got him to sign something for my kids. My kids were more excited to see the signed hat than me!"

On airline radios: "I can't listen to those stations. . .It's elevator music."

Most eventful business trip: To New Orleans on Fat Tuesday -- the last day of Mardi Gras. "I flew out of Toronto early and 18 hours later I was back in my house. I struggled to put the key into the door. . .Wow, what a business trip."

Favourite out-of-town restaurant: Jimmy D's steakhouse in Cincinnati: "The best steak I ever had."

Worst hotel experience: "Actually, the best and worst are related." Checking in late to Vancouver's Pan Pacific, Shannon was upgraded to a royal suite. "There was a portrait of Diana and Charles. The suite was bigger than my house, like a mansion." Too bad Shannon had to leave at 7 a.m. He got to sleep like a royal -- and not much else.

Ideal business destination: Las Vegas. "There's so much to do there for fun."

~Diana Pereira of The Globe and Mail, May 2006

Inspired Illusions.PNG

http://inspiredillusions.wordpress.com/

I like this blog, I like the look of it. I don't like Wordpress then again I don't like Blogger. I have had this web site listed in my favorites for six months plus. I thought it was a software patch for Photoshop, guess I was wrong and here it is. I'll have to read the blog, I'm sure I had it booked marked for good reason. I'll assume its Matthew Good related somehow.

When I posted this I was listening to Flashdance II by Matthew Good

EEE PC

http://eeepc.asus.com/

I have one and I love it, cost C$350 new in the box. Its not for everyone, the screen is small. I don't have Blackberry because it doesn't do enough. My desktop take's up too much room, I have a super portable computer. I recommend installing Linux, currently I have Windows FLP ( Same as Windows XP but smaller). My work place require me to use Windows products, I am minor anti-Microsoft. A close friend named Fabio turned me on to it, I have seen it on TV shows like IT Crowd but didn’t know what it was. It makes me feel super important and super nerdy. IM using Google Docs and or OpenOffice. Star Office would be nice but meh' I don't want to reinstall my software. Portable Apps is amazing get on it... FireFox on USB key/ SD Card and your life will change. No more setup, Web Browsing they way you like it or get an EEE PC.

After months of speculation, rumor, and leaked photos, the Eee PC 901 was officially unveiled at this year’s Computex. The official North American version’s release date is yet to be revealed, but that didn’t stop us from combing the computer markets of Taipei to get our hands on the much-anticipated Intel Atom-powered update to the Eee PC 900.

The Eee PC 901 12G XP shares many of the same features of its Windows XP predecessor (a 12GB solid-state drive, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, 1GB of RAM, and a multi-touch interface), but there are a few new additions both on and under the hood that make the 901 the best Eee PC to date. However, advances by other mini-notebook manufacturers prevent us from making this machine our Editors’ Choice.
Slick New Appearance

We never had any major complaints about the aesthetics of previous Eee PCs, but we welcome the visual update. The matte lid found on previous models has been replaced with a smooth, glossy lid with Eee PC branding in cursive script in the upper-left corner. Despite the shiny top, the lid, thankfully, doesn’t attract many fingerprints. Where the display meets the deck (which also features the glossy coating) is a new circular, silver hinge, which, in tandem with the new lid, gives the 901 a far more sophisticated look; the Eee PC 901 is the first in the line that doesn’t scream “budget.” Unfortunately, neither does its price: When the Eee PC 901 hits the North American market in late June or early July, it will cost $599.

The 8.9-inch screen looked sharp from a variety of angles when we watched episodes of Arrested Development on Hulu, but the colors were somewhat muted. Above the display is a 1.3-MP webcam that served up bright images and solid colors when videoconferencing with friends and colleagues using Meebo.
Improved Audio Punch

The inclusion of Dolby Sound Room stereo speakers to the 901 gives the Eee PC 901 surprisingly good sound despite being located on the bottom of the machine. Bass (understandably) was a bit lacking, but while streaming music from Slacker’s blues station, we enjoyed crisp, clear audio that had enough punch to fill a small room. When we plugged in a pair of Sony MDR-V150 headphones, a program launched that let us tweak audio settings.

It can claim, however, to have defined a segment that until not long ago didn't even exist and the Eee PC name has become as synonymous with this kind of product as the name Hoover has to the Vacuum Cleaner. And, with Intel delivering the first custom designed ‘NetBook' CPU, the Atom, the Eee PC finally has a CPU that's meant for the task.
Yes, that's right, after all the anticipation the Eee PC 901 is the first Intel Atom powered Eee PC. Running as standard at 1.6GHz the Atom processor is designed to be as frugal as possible, while delivering the performance required to browse the Internet, watch videos, listen to music and plenty else besides. This may sound simple enough, but the achievement is nothing short of remarkable.

Not only does it mean you can do more for longer, it also makes for a cooler and quieter machine as well. This is reflected in the smaller and slimmer air vent on the 901, one of the most obvious differences between this and the Celeron-powered Eee PC 900 we looked at back in April. During use, particularly in power saver mode (more on which later), the 901 is as close to silent as can be. You have to put the fan up to your ear to clearly hear it whirring away.

This is helped, of course, by the fact that the 901 continues to use NAND Flash for storage, 20GB in our Linux-based sample, rather than a mechanical drive. A lack of moving parts means less heat, more responsive performance and greater durability and in a machine this size these are great qualities to have.

And, since we're on the topic of durability, for what is still a relatively cheap machine - we still contend £319 is astounding value for what you're getting - the Eee PC 901 is incredibly well made. Its small, compact chassis feels strong and well put together and the screen hinge is as chunky and secure as the screen is well protected. Moreover, the provided slip cover means you can chuck the Eee into any bag and not worry a jot.

While the inclusion of an Intel Atom processor is the headline grabber, this isn't to say Asus has been resting on its laurels. Knowing that the likes of MSI Wind, HP 2133 Mini-Note, Acer Aspire One and Dell Inspiron E and E Slim are snapping at its heels, it has given the 901 a subtle but timely makeover. Gone, for example, is the slightly toy-like pearlescent finish, replaced almost entirely by a classy and familiar feeling glossy finish.

Another improvement is the previously mentioned screen hinge, which is both larger and slightly narrower than that on Eee 900. It is, however, a pretty insignificant change compared to greatly improve touch pad. Whereas previous Eee PC touch pads were something to be tolerated rather than admired, this new one is a massive improvement. Its new silver fringing is particularly fetching and the larger size and seamless integration makes it great to use. Indeed, the only complaint is that the buttons are a tad tough, but this is really a trifling issue.

Asus has also gone to town and come back with an assortment of new features, without actually increasing the price. As such, in the 901 you'll benefit from niceties such as Bluetooth, Dolby Sound Room audio (XP version only) and, incredibly, high bandwidth Wireless-N Wi-Fi. Doubtless many won't see the benefit but it's a great feature nonetheless and when you consider the wealth of excellent features already present in the Eee, such as the 1.3 Megapixel camera, dual integrated microphones, multi-touch touch pad, SSD storage, three USB ports, and excellent 8.9in 1,024 x 600 screen, the Eee boasts a feature set to match and surpass many of the machines aspiring to its crown.

The good news doesn't end there, though, because there's one other new feature that's probably the most significant of the lot: the battery. Previously Asus has been rightly criticised for not providing the battery needed for satisfactory long-term use, but the 6-cell 6600mAh battery supplied with the Eee PC 901 changes all of that.
Though it pushes the weight just a smidgen over 1kg, to 1.1kg, it finally gives us the thing we've been craving: longevity. Previous Eee PCs tended to keel over at around the three hour mark or below, but when used with the screen at full brightness, with wireless active, we managed a very impressive four hours and 45 minutes of real-world use.

Asus, in fact, claims up to 7.8 hours and though we haven't had the time to re-create the conditions required to test this claim, given the large number of brightness increments and potential power savings it's a claim we can believe in. Moreover, regardless of what the exact figure might be, the 901 delivers the kind of battery life that provides freedom and flexibility.

So, that's one aspect of performance dealt with, what of the rest? Well, we can happily report that the Atom processor performs admirably. Combined with the lean and mean Linux OS, performance is snappy and responsive. With 1GB of RAM in support you can even have two or three programs open at any one time and not encounter any major problems unless you want to watch video, in which case it's best to close other programs - particularly memory heavy apps like Firefox and OpenOffice.

As with the MSI Wind, Asus has also adopted a CPU throttling scheme that it is calling Super Hybrid Engine - catchy, eh? It has three performance modes, Power Saver, High Performance and Super Performance. When left to its own devices the system will activate the Power Saver mode, which clocks the CPU down to 1.2GHz, when unplugged and activate the standard clocked 1.6GHz ‘High' Performance mode when plugged in.
You then have the option to switch up to the Super Performance mode to gain an extra 200MHz, moving up to 1.8GHz. This might be handy for those moments when you're doing something unusually demanding, but the rest of the time you probably won't need this mode and it does mean the system runs warmer and more noisily.

Further praise must also be heaped on the Eee's custom Xandros Linux OS and the comprehensiveness of the pre-installed software. As an interface it's effortlessly intuitive and once you know where everything is, nothing important is ever more than a couple of clicks away. As for the software itself, practically every base is covered. Be it instant messaging, Skype, web browsing, productivity or media playback, there's something on hand to get you going and updates are downloaded automatically. It's particularly refreshing to see Firefox add-ons installed as standard, with handy quick zooming and preview pane functions joining full support for the various web based media players.
Bizarrely, we've also come to rather like the voice activation application installed on Linux. When running it you press F10 and then launch programs, or even websites, simply by saying its name. It works surprisingly well, even if the recorded instructions are a tad annoying. Another useful addition is the YOStore online storage, which enables you to store up to 20GB of data online - useful if you're using the Eee as a second laptop, as many will.

Overall, though XP remains an interesting option for the "power user", many should and will find what's already on offer just perfect. Obviously the Linux OS is faster than XP, particularly at boot-up and shutdown, but the simplicity of it all is also very appealing and with the extra storage you get from sticking with Linux, this is definitely the version we'd recommend - you can always install XP yourself after all.

There is, however, one area where the Eee PC 901 is still usurped by its pretenders: the keyboard. Yet, it's an issue that can be really overplayed. For starters, the keyboard isn't as bad some might suggest. Key response, for example, is very good and though the small keys and slightly cramped layout don't make it ideal for writing long documents - e.g reviews - is the Eee really meant for such tasks?

If we're talking about the Eee PC 901, then the answer is a definite no. At most it is meant for writing the occasional email, notes in a lecture or seminar, or for instant messaging, not for writing long documents of import. You use a proper PC or notebook for such activities, leaving your Eee PC for those moments when you want to quickly check through something on the train, or plane, surf the Internet and watch videos.

Of course, others have taken a different approach and this is reflected in our comparative shots with the HP Mini-Note, which is considerably wider to allow for its admittedly excellent keyboard. Ultimately, whereas many recent/imminent arrivals seem more intent on trying to be a bit like proper notebooks, the 901 is content with what it was meant to be in the first place; a cheap and extremely portable computer that can fit in a small bag and be enjoyed anywhere.

And in this the Eee PC 901 is still without peer. Now, with its Atom CPU and prodigious battery life it feels like the natural culmination of what we first saw back in October. Having ironed out the edges and rectified the issues raised, Asus has produced exactly what was required of it and more. With the 10in Eee PC 1000 due soon as well, with a larger more comfortable keyboard, some might prefer to wait for that, but even with its compact keyboard the Eee PC 901 is quite superb.

Verdict... Brimming with features and with a new CPU and better battery, the Eee PC 901 personifies exactly the spirit in which the original was created. It may be a bit more expensive than the original and lack a more comfortable keyboard, but for a balance of features, size, usability and value, the 901 has once again set the standard. For the moment, at least, the (new) original is still the best.

With the new Intel Atom CPU beating at its heart and a better battery to keep it going for longer, the Eee PC 901 is an impressive refinement of the original Eee. It may be a bit more expensive than said original but for a balance of features, size, usability and value, the 901 has once again set the standard.
~Credit

Facebook

Facebook


I don't have Facebook, I don't care. I don't like it, I would join if I could make money from it and I don't see that happening. The image above is my Facebook account, the cover page. I seen picture of my self on it, but that's it.

In September 2007, Microsoft approached Facebook, proposing an investment in return for a 5% stake in the company, offering an estimated $300–500 million. That month, other companies, including Google, expressed interest in buying a portion of Facebook
On October 24, 2007 Microsoft announced that it had purchased a 1.6% share of Facebook for $240 million, giving Facebook a total implied value of around $15 billion. However, Microsoft bought preferred stock that carried special rights, such as "liquidation preferences" that meant Microsoft would get paid before common stockholders if the company is sold. Microsoft's purchase also included rights to place international ads on Facebook.
~Wiki 2008

Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/

I love Flickr, I spend hours looking at images. I have slow internet from Rogers, I find YouTube slow and the quality is below amateur. Google Video is better than YouTube however YouTube is established. Yes I am aware Google owns YouTube. My argument is still are more artistic then motion. Flickr is the best product of Yahoo, I have a Flickr account but I use it like a database. In time I will post my personal photographs, I would like to take up photography. As a child I would paint the thrill wore off and the world crush my spirits, I blame my parents for my lost passion. I am so tired but I can't sleep.

I am listening to Matthew Good - Hello Time Bomb (In A Coma)