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March 30, 2003
Take a look
Take a look: Imagery of Baghdad over at Space.com. Now if only they could have that in real-time. Ah well - next war I suppose.
Posted by Matthew at 03:59 PM | Comments (0)
BlogShares
BlogShares: Fun stuff to see how your weblog ranks..
Posted by Matthew at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)
Plastic War Games
Plastic War Games: Anyone else noticed that children are playing more with the little plastic toy soldiers and tanks nowadays...
Posted by Matthew at 10:53 AM | Comments (0)
March 29, 2003
3G: Going, going, gone
3G: Going, going, gone: On the future of 3G.
Posted by Matthew at 09:59 PM | Comments (0)
HG Wells - listen up
HG Wells - listen up: Time traveller busted for insider trading. Too good to be true.
Posted by Matthew at 09:24 PM | Comments (0)
Russell goes Cocoon
Russell goes Cocoon: Russell is taking a look at Cocoon and finding things tough at the beginning. That, unfortunately is a problem. The learning curve is steep at the beginning - but once you get your brain around the concepts and start seeing how effective technologies such as XSLT, XSL:FO, Deli etc. are incorporated - then you'll realize where the advantages are. Stefano Mazzocchi often says: The more complicated the project - the more suited Cocoon. And especially if you are thinking of targetting mobile devices, then there is no real alternative. Also nice to see colleague Guido pointing Russell towards sunBow - our Eclipse plugin for Cocoon/XML.
Posted by Matthew at 08:36 PM | Comments (0)
March 28, 2003
War Spam
War Spam: Just a quick observation - an increasing amount of the spam mail I receive has war-related subjects. The actual messages themelves are still the same as before and have little to do with whore. ooops.
Posted by Matthew at 01:17 PM | Comments (0)
Back-to-Iraq-In-Turkey
Back-to-Iraq-In-Turkey: Christopher Allbritton has made it to Turkey. Read his reports here. Of course I do hope he really is in Turkey.
Posted by Matthew at 11:23 AM | Comments (0)
sunBow 1.0 announced
sunBow 1.0 announced: Read all about it.
Posted by Matthew at 10:16 AM | Comments (0)
Pocket PC Outliner
Pocket PC Outliner?: I'm looking for an outliner application (like the outliner in Radio or OmniOutliner for Mac OS X) for Pocket PC 2002 - any ideas?
2 minutes later: Ok, here's one - and here - and here. But which one is the best? My choice would have to be able to export the outline in a variety of common formats and be easy to use on the go.Posted by Matthew at 08:32 AM | Comments (0)
March 27, 2003
10 years ago today
10 years ago ago today: Married.
Posted by Matthew at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)
We're famous - almost
We're famous - almost: Mobitobia is linked to from the Guardian.
Posted by Matthew at 06:19 PM | Comments (0)
Publishing a project weblog
Publishing a project weblog: Jon Udell writes on using weblogs to manage projects. Added comments are here.
Posted by Matthew at 05:08 PM | Comments (0)
The War is .. mobile
The War is .. mobile: Which mobile-network should be established in Iraq? Well, the Americans are already working that one out.
Posted by Matthew at 04:42 PM | Comments (0)
Macromedia to announce new product
Macromedia to announce new product: Dave is blogging a little heads-up on a new Macromedia product to be announced later today.
Posted by Matthew at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)
XMLForm forked from Cocoom?
XMLForm forked from Cocoon? It would seem that the Cocoon tornado has not yet left.
Posted by Matthew at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
The First Internet War?
The First Internet War? Ben has written a good summary on war, weblogs and the Internet for the Observer.
Embedding reporters (over 600 of them if I heard right) in with the troops was a stroke of genius. Trouble is it only works - if you are winning comfortably. It will backfire on you big-time if you start losing. Imagine the first journalist shot live on CNN as the videophone is rolling.
Posted by Matthew at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)
Time passes on interesting applications
Time passes on interesting applications: At last year's OSCON I met a couple of very nice and interesting guys - I then hung out with during the week. One of them is Steve, with whom I still have a rapport. Someone else was Greg Elin. At OSCON he showed me a version of a tool he is working on called fotonotes . It allows you to annotate pictures and include information on parts of the image in the actual image itself. Even the first version I saw back in July 2002 looked very interesting. And what do you know - here it is on Dan Gillmor's Weblog.
Posted by Matthew at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
Congratulations
Congratulations: Mum manages to connect her HP 320 printer up to her new Toshiba laptop. On her own! Need help with your hardware - call her - she knows stuff.
Posted by Matthew at 10:51 AM | Comments (0)
Blog sends him back
Blog sends him back: Christopher Allbritton has raised over $10.000 via his weblog and is now going back-to-iraq to report from there.
Posted by Matthew at 10:41 AM | Comments (0)
Twingle, Twingle, little star
Twingle, Twingle, little star: Twingle is an developing story in the CMS client arena
Twingle is a tool for content authors to work with networked information. The project is focused on improving three parts of the content management experience: Locating, Creating, and Collaborating. Each of these will be simpler, faster, and more powerful for average people that work with WCM (web content management) systems.
The client is written in Mozilla and uses standard HTTP methods for communicating with OSCOM content management systems.
Although Twingle is aimed at OSCOM content management systems, the description shows that it will be able to communicate with other CMS if they support the standards.
Posted by Matthew at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)
Mac OS X 10.3 details
Mac OS X 10.3 details: MacRumors is reporting some details on the upcoming version of Mac OS X.
Posted by Matthew at 08:43 AM | Comments (0)
Musicians turn to Net
Musicians turn to Net: In a strange twist of events, musicians in the US are actually turning to the Net as a way of getting the message out. Anti-war songs are not popular on US radio stations at the moment and so stars like REM are distributing their songs via the Web. For free.
This is the strongest voice I could think of to send out there.
We had to send something out there now.
We are praying and hoping for the lives of all people involved,
the troops, the Iraqi civilians, refugees, pow's, families of troops, the innocents--
that they are safe and okay. Safe home, all. --Michael Stipe
Posted by Matthew at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2003
War kills blogs
War kills blogs: Anyone else have the same feeling as I do currently? At the moment it seems that blogging stuff other than the war is hard to do? At the same time everyone is blogging about the war - so what's the point?
Synchronicity Mapping at its best.
Posted by Matthew at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)
Joystick shopping
Joystick shopping: Frank is pointing to availability of the all-in-one Atari retro joystick - soon to be available here in Germany for 30 €. However the first tests I read were not all that good - but hey - 30 €. And the memories are probably worth it anyway.
Posted by Matthew at 05:32 PM | Comments (0)
Win or lose
Win or lose: German historians are predicting that the Coalition will lose the Iraq war. From reports coming in today it looks as though Iraq is planning an offensive (yes Iraq). Although interestingly enough I can only find this report on German news sites.
Later: Fox has this.
Posted by Matthew at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)
March 25, 2003
Who's counting?
Who's counting? Tommy Franks isn't - this site is.
Posted by Matthew at 05:06 PM | Comments (0)
T-Shirt idea
T-Shirt idea: I'm going to make me a T-Shirt that reads:
Ask me - I'm embedded!
Posted by Matthew at 02:41 PM | Comments (0)
Let's buy Iraq
Let's buy Iraq: Frank also has a good comment on the cost of war.
President Bush seems to have miscalculated the war, why else would he ask for $75 billion more (hey, I'd think he could just BUY Iraq for that sum...).
Posted by Matthew at 01:11 PM | Comments (0)
Toys for dads
Toys for dads: Frank points to the release of the new Gameboy Advance SP in the US. I want one too. German release is set for Friday. While on the subject - is there a way to play against someone else via a wireless connection? Must check.
Posted by Matthew at 01:09 PM | Comments (0)
Mobile fashion
Mobile fashion: Get them while they're hot - Mobitopia on your body!
Posted by Matthew at 01:03 PM | Comments (0)
March 24, 2003
New Desktop picture
New desktop: Interested in a new desktop picture? Then check out Ben's eye. Scary :-).
Posted by Matthew at 04:25 PM | Comments (0)
The semantic web
The semantic web: Tim Berners Lee spoke at PC Forum 2003. His slides are here. (via Doc)
Posted by Matthew at 03:46 PM | Comments (0)
Morning music
Morning music: This morning I have OMD's song "Enola Gay" tripping around my head. I wonder why...
Posted by Matthew at 08:27 AM | Comments (0)
March 23, 2003
Where's the dollar
Where's the dollar? Mum put this up on Friday - and I still can't work out where the mistake is.
Later: Armin Grewe sent this in by email - Thanks Armin!
There is no dollar missing: The bill is $25 + $2 tip = $27. Exactly what they paid: 3*$9 = $27. So where's the problem?
I assume the missing dollar comes from a $30 - $2 tip = $28 calculation? Only that's the wrong assumption.
Posted by Matthew at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2003
Embedded
Embedded: If I hear that word one more time on TV - I'll puke. Notice how the reporters are getting closer and closer to the action with each war? Next time, why don't we just send them in front of the advancing troops instead of embedding them? Speaking of live and free reporting from areas of conflict (where we?) - Kevin Sites has had to close down his site. CNN obviously fears what he might say will get them into trouble with the babysitters.
Posted by Matthew at 08:32 PM | Comments (0)
Making mistakes
Making mistakes: An interesting website on math mistakes.
Posted by Matthew at 08:26 PM | Comments (0)
OSCON 2003 details
OSCON 2003 details: Details on this year's O'Reilly Open Source Convention are up. From a quick glance, the number of themes has been expanded and there is definitely a lot of stuff to take in - if you go.
Posted by Matthew at 05:47 PM | Comments (0)
Just say No!
Just say No! Russell gets an offer he can refuse.
Posted by Matthew at 04:31 PM | Comments (0)
Jumping at the sound
Jumping at the sound: I must have been watching too much CNN the last couple of days. At 12:15 today I jumped when the fire siren went off near where we live. Only the weekly trial sound-off - but I jumped at the the sound nevertheless.
Posted by Matthew at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)
March 21, 2003
Pass the Gamecube
Pass the Gamecube: Watched a lot of CNN last night and wow that game (it's called "Iraqi Freedom") is good! Although I'm not sure why they are showing this game for so long - probably nothing else of interest going on in the world.
The graphics are really really good. Ambient lighting, environment mapping - the works. It works like this: You see a neat satellite image of Baghdad and then get to choose your position (1, 2 or 3). After you've selected that position you see shots of things going on in the distance (flashes, explosions the lot). The whole thing is in real time - so when it gets dark you have to remember to put the night vision on.
You have the option of then switching your view to advancing troops in South Iraq (man they even add distortion so it looks like a satellite phone is being used - and check out how they mapped the sand - awesome!). But the key to the whole thing is a three dimensional display where you see AWACS airplanes flying around and ships moving. If you're playing the licenced version you even get to see the Stealth bombers! Now the trick is that you can zoom into that part of the game and start moving the vehicles and planes around - or even backwards in time. A nice effect is that you can set of sirens and everyone starts hurrying for the shelters or bunkers (of course only if you remembered to build them in the previous stage of the game).
Unfortunately CNN didn't mention which plattforms the game's available for. I hope they bring it out for my Gamecube. It really rocks! If I didn't know better I would think it was real.Posted by Matthew at 09:34 AM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2003
Anniversary book
Anniversary book: I've just realized that I wrote my first book 10 years ago this year. Wow - I am old. It was the second (yes the second) German language book on the subject of email and usenet news. Using UUCP back in those days. Lots of additional "good old" subjects are discussed in it - things such as Archie, WAIS and Gopher. Of course you can't buy it anywhere now.
Posted by Matthew at 04:02 PM | Comments (0)
Looxing around
Looxing around: I wrote up some first impressions on the Loox.
Posted by Matthew at 11:58 AM | Comments (0)
iPod firmware update
iPod firmware update: Well at least some good news today. Apple have released a firmware update for the iPod. From the description they seem to have done some work on power management.
Posted by Matthew at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)
West Wing quote
West Wing quote: From one of the three episodes I watched last night.
Information breeds confidence - silence breeds fear.
Posted by Matthew at 08:30 AM | Comments (0)
Good (?) morning Europe
Good (?) morning Europe: Breakfast talk this morning was explaining to Christopher (8) what the night's developments were and how they differ from Jeanne D'Arc. How that came up? He plays Age of Empires and there is a campaign in there that....
Here in Paderborn, there is no change (as yet) in the security around the British barracks I ride past. In other news, a demonstration is forming in the middle of the city and I saw lots of schoolchildren headed there around 8am.
Posted by Matthew at 08:27 AM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2003
Loox and Wardriving
Loox and Wardriving: Just installed PocketWarrior and now I'm off to see what I can find. See you on the other side of the deadline. Notice how those two things are connected and yet they're not. Get me?
Posted by Matthew at 05:49 PM | Comments (0)
Synchronicity Mapping Instruments II
Synchronicity Mapping: The next few hours will see a rise of the Synchronicity Mapping Instruments I was talking about here. Stay tuned. Can I patent that term???
Posted by Matthew at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)
Don't bug me
Don't bug me: Bugging devices found at the EU. It will be interesting to see how the EU comes out of all this - when it's over.
Posted by Matthew at 03:38 PM | Comments (0)
Loox update
Loox update: 24 hours of playing with my Loox and already I've updated the firmware. The version installed was old and there have been 2 new versions since the one I had. Update went without a hitch and at least the flickering screen that annoyed me today seems to have been corrected.
Posted by Matthew at 03:36 PM | Comments (0)
Cocoonland - loosing its innocence
Cocoonland - loosing its innocence: Carsten shows his frustration at the goings-on in Cocoonland of late.
Posted by Matthew at 03:28 PM | Comments (0)
Freedom of blogging
Freedom of blogging: Heise Online has a (German) article on blogging and free speech - American style.
Posted by Matthew at 01:21 PM | Comments (0)
Eve of destruction
Eve of destruction: At last a piece out of the US I can agree with.
Posted by Matthew at 09:55 AM | Comments (0)
WW Season 3
WW Season 3: Is it me or is the third season of The West Wing not quite as good as the first two? Still good...but not quite as good. Only up to episode 5 at the moment so maybe it will get better.
Posted by Matthew at 08:51 AM | Comments (0)
Someone likes us
Someone likes us: This article appeared in The Register and it mentions Mobitopia.
Right now, there's nothing to see here except last year's WiFi bubble: so get a passport, bunk off, live abroad, read Mobitopia every day until your eyes are sore, and go ....
Posted by Matthew at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2003
CeBIT cooling
CeBIT cooling: On the subject of slumps - CeBIT closes its doors tomorrow and from what I've heard (I wasn't there this year) from colleagues - that Party is over too. Turning into a very consumer-oriented fair (which seems very true judging from the releases I've read) it would seem that the traditional - more business application oriented - part of CeBIT is being replaced by more and more consumer devices. Of course there really is very little reason to go to CeBIT as you can find better and more timely information on the web. And the parties sure aren't what they used to be either. Now back in 1989..when I first went...
Posted by Matthew at 05:25 PM | Comments (0)
Going under
Going under: Lots of posts to the tune that the publisher Wrox is insolvent (or going to be). Wrox authors are wondering what to do with their manuscripts. Not the best time to be writing or selling a technical book ... he says....Hopefully the slump will not last that long and the Wrox authors will find a new home. I know how much work goes into writing and it must be heart-breaking to see your publisher disolve.
Posted by Matthew at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)
First Loox
First Loox: Ok, I have my new toy hooked up to the desktop for synchronizing. Everything seems to be working and hopefully I will give the WLAN a whirl tonight. Now I'm looking for some "must have" software recommendations for my new friend. Bring 'em on!
Posted by Matthew at 04:54 PM | Comments (0)
A letter to George W
A letter to George W: Michael Moore has this to say to GW. (via Steven)
Posted by Matthew at 01:07 PM | Comments (0)
Ranting
Ranting: Mum is ranting on the goings-on in the UK. Also read this to see Blair's cabinet disolving. German chancellor Schroeder spoke on TV this morning condemming any attack on Iraq. The Party is over.
Posted by Matthew at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)
New toy
New toy: A new toy just dropped onto my desk- complete with WLAN card. So little time to play with it at the moment. Boo.
Posted by Matthew at 11:06 AM | Comments (0)
And off we go
And off we go: The news today is bought to you by the number 48. If like me you weren't up to watch the speech at 4am CET this morning you can read it here.
Later: It was of course 2 am CET - but what's 2 hours between friends.Posted by Matthew at 08:25 AM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2003
Carsten's back
And he's back: Yes he's back....Carsten. Blogging again.
Posted by Matthew at 04:16 PM | Comments (0)
Tulip clock
Tulip clock: Here is a thought I had at the weekend: If you buy a bunch of tulips and put them in water - they grow. This means you have to keep cutting the stems back to keep the flowers at the original height. Now do all tulips grow at a constant rate - given access to water? If so, could you build a clock based on this principle? 
Posted by Matthew at 04:01 PM | Comments (1)
Licenced!
Licenced: I have just licenced my version of NewsGator. The licence expired yesterday and today I have really missed having the feeds update. As such I want to reply to Greg's request for comment here and say: YES please!
Posted by Matthew at 03:57 PM | Comments (0)
War is imminent
War is imminent: And it has been from the start.
Posted by Matthew at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
The week ahead
The week ahead: Looks like this picture from Spiegel-Online gives a good view on what the coming week will bring.
Posted by Matthew at 03:16 PM | Comments (0)
Weekend wrapup
Weekend wrapup: Late wrap-up of the weekend. Nicolas celebrated his 4th birthday and I went for another 10k run. That's it in a nutshell.
Posted by Matthew at 03:07 PM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2003
Pocket Browsing
Pocket Browsing: Looks like I will be the proud owner of a new gadget next week and so I am already on the lookout for cool applications. This looks as though it should be worth trying out - although the business model (you rent the app for 50 $ / year) is umm...strange. (via Erik)
Posted by Matthew at 08:30 PM | Comments (0)
Send me to Iraq
Send me to Iraq: As mentioned elsewhere (so you've probably already read this), Christopher Allbritton is an independent journalist who wants to journey to Iraq and blog his way through. He's looking for donations and promises to send the donators his news articles a day in advance.
Posted by Matthew at 08:13 PM | Comments (0)
Warblogging
Warblogging: On the subject of blogging global events, everyone is pointing to Kevin Sites, a CNN correspondent who is (will be) blogging directly from Iraq. "First-person account of a news correspondent's life on the front lines.". No doubt he will have first hand pics and entries when things get started....just as Peter Arnett did back in the first version.
Newspaper, Radio, TV, Blog
The media changes - but the message still stays the same.Posted by Matthew at 06:35 PM | Comments (0)
Toyz for boyz
Toyz for boyz: Guido and I are out to get new mobiles soon. We both like the Nokia 3650 which will be available soon at our local provider. So I can extend my subscription and hopefully pick up the phone for around 150 €.
Russell has a list of his favorite 7650 applications - which we will need to take a look at once the Nokia arrives. I am particularly interested in taking some videos with it.Posted by Matthew at 06:18 PM | Comments (0)
French Toast
French Toast: No, not another link to the name change in the US. Because of all the talk lately about this dish, I've decided to make some tomorrow for a birthday brunch. Tomorrow Nicolas turns 4 and we are having a typical America style breakfast for a change.
Posted by Matthew at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)
Economic slump - no way!
Econonmic slump - no way: While the rest of us are watching the stocks drop way below the "they can't get any lower" level - and IT jobs go the same way - our Mountie Steve seems to be on a roll. Where will happen next?
Posted by Matthew at 06:01 PM | Comments (0)
Synchronicity Mapping Instruments
Synchronicity Mapping Instruments: Everyone is geared up for War: No, not the army, the politicians or your local baker - Weblogs. Notice how everyone seems sort of poised or waiting for the big event. Weblogs are synchronicity mapping instruments (or SMIs). Wait for a global event and then go take a walk through your blogroll. You'll see what I mean.
Posted by Matthew at 05:58 PM | Comments (0)
Measured Running
Measured Running: Today I took my Timex/Garmin Speed and Distance GPS watch and measured the distance I ran the other night. Only yesterday did it occur to me that I didn't need to actually run with the GPS but that I could ride my bike and still be able to measure the distance. Duh. 10.5 KMs in total so just right to train for the Easter run.
Posted by Matthew at 05:54 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2003
Walk - don't run
Walk - don't run: I'm still trying to get up to speed for my planned Easter run. Yesterday I managed a run of 80 minutes at a relatively slow speed - as I was aiming for the distance and duration. However I have just come accross this article which suggests that walking is in fact better than running - if you run slower than 8 Km / hour. Still, I hope to increase my speed as we move towards Easter. Yeah. Right.
Posted by Matthew at 10:02 PM | Comments (0)
Happy Birthday Einstein
Happy Birthday Einstein! Google reminds me of today's Birthday Boy. I wonder what his comments on today's state of the world would be.
Posted by Matthew at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)
Too much may be a Bad Thing
Too much may be a Bad Thing: Russell has an interesting report up on the CeBIT WLAN problems. There seem to be so many different networks up - that they are interfering with one another.
Posted by Matthew at 08:38 AM | Comments (0)
Asian Alliance for open source
Asian Alliance for open source: According to this article, an Asian Alliance has been formed to jointly develop open source alternatives to Microsoft offerings.
Posted by Matthew at 08:20 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2003
The truth is out there
The Truth is out there: Sometimes we nerds (me being an old nerd) get carried away and our view of the Real World is clouded by the hours we spend in front of the screen, connected to the void via WLAN, bluetooth, DSL and the like. Email and Web are our modes of communication - and we expect you to use them too. Especially if you put that Web-site up that entices me to think that you are a like-minded surfer of the cloud we call - the Net.
So anyway (got carried away there for a moment) - interested in buying a new car I visit the Web site of a leading German car company and use their car configurator to build the vehicle of my dreams. Add a few "personal" lines to the car dealer, request a couple of different offers and off the whole thing goes via the click of a button. Simple, Easy, Good. In my request I state clearly that I expect a response via email. Simple. And then nothing happens. No reply. No nothing. A day passes, then another, and another. In total a week passes before something happens. I get a phone call from the car salesperson. Now note I did not include a phone-number in my message - so they looked it up in the phone book (smart guys them sales people). When he calls me the guy rattles out a list of figures - too quickly for me to write down and proudly states "we got the email - we're on the ball!". Thanks.
Posted by Matthew at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)
Weather report
Weather Report: Steven has posted another community report.
Posted by Matthew at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2003
Amazon contemporaria
Amazon contemporaria: According to Ben, Amazon.uk is opening up its webservices API to mirror what Amazon.com offers. Also notice how Ben adds conteporaria stuff to his postings. That's neat.
Posted by Matthew at 01:07 PM | Comments (0)
RSS to go
RSS to go: Frank points to PocketFeed. Looks like a cool way of viewing RSS feeds offline on your Pocket PC (unfortunately I don't have one...yet).
Posted by Matthew at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)
Daypop junkie
Daypop junkie: Although not new I am slowly beginning to frequent Daypop more and more to find out the stories that are the news.
Posted by Matthew at 09:17 AM | Comments (0)
McDonalds gets it
McDonalds gets it: McDonalds will be offering an hour of free wireless Internet access with specific meals. They get it. They really do.
Update: Papa Scott complains about the coverage of this promotional offer. Read more on the offer here or here. Although the press release was issued by Cometa networks, the mcdwireless site does support the whole thing. But he's right - at the moment it is only a trial limited to small area. And I still think they get it - because the wireless access is free. Hopefully it stays that way after the trial is over. Because eventually it will be free anyway.Posted by Matthew at 09:16 AM | Comments (0)
Red noses
Red noses: Mum writes about Red nose day / week in the UK. For the first time there will also be a Red nose day here in Germany. Only took Germany 18 years to catch on to a Good Thing.
Posted by Matthew at 09:05 AM | Comments (0)
Problems
Problems: Mobitopia and Russell seem to be down.
Posted by Matthew at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)
March 11, 2003
The buzz is back
The buzz is back: Russell points to Joi meeting Kim Polese. Russell has also posted an interesting business plan for mobile services.
Posted by Matthew at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)
Steve gives us the pic
Steve gives us the pic: Steve has redesigned his weblog. Note to Steve: Shots like that may actually scare people away :-).
Posted by Matthew at 08:54 AM | Comments (0)
Pluto going non-planet
And I wanted to move there: Looks like Pluto is about to become an "I used to be a planet" thing. Amazing that there do not seem to be any exact rules defining what makes up being a planet.
Posted by Matthew at 08:52 AM | Comments (0)
Wet and dreary
Good morning Europe! A wet and dreary day here in the Hochstift (look it up :-)). I hope the weather in your part of the world is bright and cheery. Let the sun shine! My, what an upbeat start to the day.
Posted by Matthew at 08:50 AM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2003
CeBIT this week
CeBIT this week: The big IT fair CeBIT starts this week and if you're looking for the mobile news from there - then also check out Mobitopia - where a few of us are keeping track of the mobile goings-on in the world.
Posted by Matthew at 05:30 PM | Comments (0)
This week in history
This week in history: No not this week last year - I'm talking about this coming week. Where will we be at the end of it or in one weeks timè? Who knows. It sure doesn't look like it's going to be a quiet one.
Posted by Matthew at 05:27 PM | Comments (0)
Quiet
Quiet: A couple of quiet blogging days as a lot of other things are happening - in particular work wise so this is keeping me on my toes a bit.
Posted by Matthew at 05:23 PM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2003
Clouding over
Clouding over: There's a storm brewing in Cocoon land. Hopefully the sky will be brighter when it's cleaned the air. Storm clouds are here, here and here.
Posted by Matthew at 11:40 PM | Comments (0)
FM RadioStation
FM RadioStation: I've just downloaded FM RadioStation and am taking it for a whirl.
Update: After a brief trial, I have to agree with Simon. Of course I've also got quite used to the Radio client - so making a switch would probably take a real killer app.
Posted by Matthew at 07:06 PM | Comments (0)
Portal book - climbing
Portal book - climbing: Our portal book is now just over #900 on Amazon.de. Great!
Posted by Matthew at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)
Vodafone Boss gives Interview
Vodafone Boss gives Interview: Over on Mobitopia, I translated some of the questions and answers from a Christopher Gent interview he gave for the German news magazine focus.
Posted by Matthew at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2003
Mobitopia takes off
Mobitopia takes off: It has been a couple of mobitopian days now and slowly we are starting to get noticed. We've had a couple of articles hit the Daypop list and this is really great. Let's hope it stays that way.
Posted by Matthew at 03:35 PM | Comments (0)
Weekend todo
Weekend todo: Check out NoteTaker for OS X. I wandered past the product some time ago but never took a look at it. But this and this remind me to try it out.
Posted by Matthew at 03:24 PM | Comments (0)
Fly me to the WLAN
Fly me to the WLAN: Lufthansa equips first lounge with Wireless access.
Posted by Matthew at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)
Blimp me up
Some blimps are better off dead: Steve points me to this hilarious account of a floating menace.
Posted by Matthew at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)
WorldofEnds
WordofEnds: Doc Searls and David Weinberger strike again.
Posted by Matthew at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2003
Building Widgets for Konfabulator
Building Widgets for Konfabulator: Scott Collins is writing a tutorial for the would-be widget writer (try saying that quick) over here.
Posted by Matthew at 07:08 PM | Comments (0)
Business Alliances in Free Software
Business Alliances in Free Software: This article touches on some interesting aspects of business alliances in free software.
Posted by Matthew at 07:03 PM | Comments (0)
O'Reilly makeover
O'Reilly makeover: O'Reilly has made some changes to the weblogs section of their site (and about time too). They are also working on adding the various goodness other weblog software has supported for some time (RSS feeds, pinging weblogs.com etc). One of my postings made it onto the top weblog list.
Posted by Matthew at 09:04 AM | Comments (0)
March 05, 2003
Mobitopia - day 2
Mobitopia - day 2: I posted some stuff over on Mobitopia last night and today. I plan on putting any mobile related stuff up over there with the rest of the "mobitos". Looks like Frank has joined us also. Welcome.
This is the first time I'm participating in a group-blog and it will be interesting to see how things turn out.Posted by Matthew at 04:53 PM | Comments (0)
March 04, 2003
Mobitopia launched
Mobitopia launched: Russell launches the group-blog Mobitopia. Congratulations Russ! This is sure to be a favorite of mine from now on.
Update: I've joined the ranks of the Mobitopia bloggers and hope to add some insight from this part of Europe and in addition share what goes on in open source related mobile activities.
Posted by Matthew at 05:29 PM | Comments (0)
Steve to scrub xml.com
Steve to scrub xml.com: Yessir - trust the Mounties to bring law, order and cleanliness to O'Reilly land.
Posted by Matthew at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)
Sam hacks
Sam hacks: Sam has hacked up a 3-paned RSS aggregator in Python. I have just installed it because I was quite amazed at the size of the actual aggregator source. Now time for another episode in the long running saga of "Matthew learns Python - perhaps".
Posted by Matthew at 04:24 PM | Comments (0)
T610 announced
T610 announced: This is a mobile phone I like. SonyEricsson announced the T610 today but I held one in my sweaty palms last week. Nice.
Posted by Matthew at 03:30 PM | Comments (0)
Apple music service ripening
Apple music service ripening: I read this rumor on a Mac-rumor site yesterday. This link certainly seems to suggest that Apple will be bringing out their own music service. I bet it's a no-brainer integration to the iPod as well. (via Erik).
Watch for an announcement of new updated iPods and the music service soon (today?)
The new service, developed by Apple Computer, offers Macintosh users many of the same capabilities that are already available from services previously endorsed by the labels. But the Apple offering won over music executives because it makes buying and downloading music as simple and nontechnical as buying a book from Amazon.com, one source said.
Posted by Matthew at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)
Birds and bombers
Birds are a sign of Spring: "Spring has arrived with the bombers" (Mum). B52s arrive in Norfolk, UK.
Posted by Matthew at 10:35 AM | Comments (0)
Mobile bugging
Mobile bugging: Nope, that's not a typo for mobile-blogging! My 2-year contract with my local mobile-provider expires in April and for the last 4 weeks they've been ringing me at home (for some strange reason not on my mobile) and trying to convince me to extend for another 24 months. Of course I'll get the newest and greatest mobile phone (they have) for cheapo Euros as well. Trouble is I can't decide which mobile to take - if any. I like what Russ has written about the Nokia 7650 - in particular all the applications that are available for it. Although I would prefer the 3650 - but T-Mobile don't have it (yet).
Posted by Matthew at 10:29 AM | Comments (0)
March 03, 2003
SMS takes over - your language
SMS takes over - your language: This is an excerpt from a Scottish schoolgirl's written report of her Summer holidays:
She wrote the whole report using the SMS language that is popular with people who message each other using their phones - because this was easier than writing normal English. If this is true (I have no other source as yet) - Then Be afraid.
My smmr hols wr CWOT. B4, we usd 2 go 2 NY 2C my bro, his GF & thr 3 :-@ kds FTF. ILNY, its gr8.
Need a translation?: "My summer holidays were a complete waste of time. Before, we used to go to New York to see my brother, his girlfriend and their three screaming kids face to face. I love New York, it's a great place."
Posted by Matthew at 05:56 PM | Comments (3)
Project weather report
Project weather reports: Steven posts a weather report on each Apapche project he is currently involved in. Very good! Now if you could just visualize that using SVG - that would be neat.
Posted by Matthew at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
Thanks - but no thanks
Thanks - but no thanks: Russell doesn't want a new job after all. My semi-serious post here sparked off a deluge of job-offers arriving in his in-box (no - not really a deluge). However he has other plans as you can read in his rebuttal. We'll see.......
Posted by Matthew at 03:02 PM | Comments (0)
Blogging your product
Blogging your product: Dr. Pepper is using a weblog to market a new drink here. Will it work? Well Doc doesn't think so and I tend to agree. You see the marketing is toooo obvious and so this is no more a weblog - but just "old wine in new tubes" as they say here. So it's just marketing blah blah that has been repackaged to look like a weblog. What they should have done is have the product development team (do they have that in drinks?) set up a weblog and describe how they are working on designing the drink. Just like Dave Hyatt has done for Safari for example.
Posted by Matthew at 02:57 PM | Comments (0)
Session planner up
Session planner up: If you're going to attend JAX in Frankfurt then go here to behold the session planner.
Posted by Matthew at 02:48 PM | Comments (0)
Running man
Running man: Yesterday I officially put myself down for the annual Paderborn Easter run (10 K). This will be my third time running in that event and so far I have yet to come in under an hour (71 mins, 64 mins to date). And I've just had a great idea :-):
I'm looking for sponsors! Send me an email indicating what you would like me to wear and I will get back to you with my postal-address and size. Photos of me wearing your stuff will be taken and put on this weblog - on the day! And as I am not one of the quickest - your logo is seen for a long time as I drag my way around the 10.000 meters.
Posted by Matthew at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)
Good WW quotes
Good WW quotes: Stefan often quotes the good stuff from the West Wing. Here are my 2 for today (still on Season 2):
Laws don't work like that - we don't ask for a show of hands.
There's a wrinkle in the situation.
Posted by Matthew at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
Rambo lives
Rambo lives: Rambo is alive and well and living in Irak - or Afghanistan - or... On Saturday I bought a copy of the current Spiegel issue - just for the title picture.
Posted by Matthew at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)
Helau Europe
Helau Europe! Today is Rose-Monday here in Germany (Rosenmontag) and the height of Carnival festivities. People get dressed up in funny clothes and walk around the streets and - later - the pubs doing funny things. I try to ignore everything. Every town or area has their own "carnival shout" - ranging from "Helau" and "Alaaf" to other incantations you don't really want to know about and which will not give you any better grades when you take your next German exam. All the carnival raving will be over on Wednesday and then hopefully the spirits of Winter will be so scared that they will not return again this season. And if I was a Winter spirit I would long be in Auckland by now.
Posted by Matthew at 11:03 AM | Comments (0)