Death of PNG?
Ric notes a News.com story about the impending expiration of the patent that controls the GIF file format, and what that may mean for the PNG graphics format. See, LZW compression forms the basis for the GIF format, and Unisys owns the LZW patent. A few years ago, Unisys began to flex its muscles in enforcing the LZW patent, and this basically meant the death of free and cheap shareware GIF creation/manipulation software. To compensate, the PNG graphic format was created, and a movement to rid sites of all GIFs was born. Well, Unisys's patent expires in the U.S. later this month; in the rest of the world, next year. The PNG format, despite many advances over GIF, has not caught on heavily outside the geek community. And it doesn't do animation, which GIF does. Personally, I like the PNG format, and use it when possible over GIF. (Unless I'm using someone else's graphic, though I have converted them in the past.) Most modern browsers support it, though perhaps not fully (viz: IE). So after the patents expire, are we going to see an explosion of activity in the GIF creation/manipulation software market? If so, you may see the PNG format remain a second-class graphic file citizen, or worse.
Cursive is dead
So sayeth the n3rdling. (And CBS.) I have to agree; the only thing I write in cursive any more is my signature. My handwritten print is much better, and cleaner. So much so that someone is supposed to make a font for me, at some point in his copious spare time. Even then, like Jon, I'd much rather type it than write it. Jon brought up a good point in our discussion about it: if you type it--which nowadays means in to a computer--you can index it, search it, publish it; the possibilities are endless. This is probably why my feeble attempts at journaling have all ended in failure. Printing is just too slow, cursive is too messy. I may fill up a couple dozen pages in a journal, then it tapers off to nothing. I guess what I need is a decent journaling app, where I can print out the individual entries to put in to a binder or some other hard copy product.
The Samsung Way
The current Business Week's cover story is about Korean tech company Samsung, and its ascendance from third-rate copycat to bleeding-edge envelope pusher. Apple gets quite a few mentions throughout as well; Samsung's MP3 player line is third in the market worldwide, behind Number 2 iPod. Good article, showcasing how Samsung defies the conventional wisdom with its old-school processes, though it begs the question of how long the company can keep that up. Speaking of Apple and Samsung, Jon pointed me to this article, wherein they discuss Apple's threatened lawsuit over the Korean tech-maker's latest revision of their Yepp series MP3 player. Seems it looks just a little too much like the iPod. Samsung's agreed to go back to the drawing board. Seriously, though: I love my iPod, but how many different ways are there to design a good MP3 player? Cool your jets, Steve-o. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. As long as it's not an exact, specification-for-specification, look-by-look copy, let'em go. The iPod will still spank'em.
Change of address
DNS address, that is. In preparation for the move to our "new" server, we're changing out our DNS name servers some time late this afternoon/evening/weekend. So if you can't get to the site later tonight or over the weekend, it's just because the DNS is repopulating, and that kind of takes a while.
Brain usage
So, at Dan's urging, I took Mind Media's Brain Persuasion Test. My results:
Your Brain Usage Profile
Auditory: 60% Visual: 40% Left: 50% Right: 50%
Chris, your hemispheric dominance is equally divided between left and right brain, while you show a moderate preference for auditory versus visual learning, signs of a balanced and flexible person.
Your balance gives you the enviable capacity to be verbal and literate while retaining a certain "flair" and individuality. You are logical and compliant but only to a degree. You are organized without being compulsive, goal-directed without being driven, and a "thinking" individual without being excessively so.
The one problem you might have is that your learning might not be as efficient as you would like. At times you will work from the specific to the general, while at other times you'll work from the general to the specific. Sometimes you will be logical in your approach while at other times random. Since you cannot always control the choice, you may experience frustrations not normally felt by persons with a more defined and directed learning style.
You may also minimally experience conflicts associated with auditory processing. You will be systematic and sequential in your processing of information, you will most often focus on a single dimension of the problem or material, and you will be more reflective, i.e., "taking the data in" as opposed to "devouring" it.
Overall, you should feel content with your life and yourself. You are, perhaps, a little too critical of yourself--and of others--while maintaining an "openness" which is redeeming. Indecisiveness is a problem and your creativity is not in keeping with your potential. Being a pragmatist, you downplay this aspect of yourself and focus on the more immediate, the more obvious and the more functional. Gee, who would have thought I was balanced? :) This does explain a lot about me, however. How I seem to be at war with myself at times, creativity versus technical interests. How I can do ultra-basic stuff in Photoshop or OS X's Terminal, but haven't become more of a power user in either, despite my intentions to do so. Thank goodness I use an OS that allows me to consistently work both sides of my brain. Feel free to take the test yourself and leave your results in the comments.
Speaking of "<del>Rewriting</del> Living History"
As to the truths contained in Hillary's ghost-written tome, consider this: On April 29, 1997, Hillary told CNN's Larry King that she would never run for public office. Two years later...
Quote of the moment
"I will not read it, I will not buy it, I will not subsidize Hillary Clinton's retirement... Obviously this is a fictional version of what happened in the White House for eight years." --Sen. Jim Bunning (R.-Ky.), on Hillary Clinton's new book, June 11, 2003 Here, here! Now, if anyone wishes to buy the book for me, I would be happy to review it...
7135 first impression
As I stated previously, I went on my lunch break to the nearby Verizon Wireless store to check out the Kyocera 7135 SmartPhone. I was suitably impressed. Yes, it's a little thicker and bulkier than most phones out there, weighing in at 6.6 ounces. But playing around with it, I didn't find its size to be a deal-breaker. We are, after all, talking about a phone with a Palm PDA jammed in to it. Personally, I didn't feel that it was too much bulkier than my current Motorola StarTac, once it's folded over and in its belt clip/holster. Decided to do a little checking on the web. Walt Mossberg likes it, but doesn't like it. Walt's gripes do not overly concern me, especially the email issue. Call me old-fashioned, but I just haven't quite grasped the concept yet of checking my email on my phone. I like to stay connected and in touch via email as much as the next guy, but I honestly don't have the type of professional or personal life that would warrant such immediate need. Mike Wendland loves his 7135, and has had little problems with it under OS X. Since I'm no longer using iSync, I doubt I would encounter the same issues as Mike. (Said issues may have been fixed with iSync 1.1, but I haven't come across the post yet on Mike's site that may say so.) Reading through one forum on Palm Boulevard sounds like there was a lot of pent-up demand for the 7135 from November of last year to just this April. There's even an entire site devoted to Kyocera SmartPhones. I'm waiting to hear back from our VZW corporate rep, but I think I've found my new phone...
De-iApping
So today I de-iApped a bit. Viz: I had moved all of my contact and calendar info out of Palm Desktop, into OS X's Address Book and iCal. Then I set up iSync to sync my Palm m505 with my TiBook. The thought was that I could then sync this info with my iPod--which I've done once in about six months--and whatever new mobile phone I get when my current contract expires (end of this month). Seeing as how I've never used iSync to sync to my iPod (did it all manually the one time), and now I've got my eye on the Kyocera 7135 as my mobile phone replacement, I've ditched Address Book and iCal and moved everything back over to Palm Desktop. Syncing is way faster now. I think Apple is doing some really cool stuff, but the iSync Palm conduit just plain sucks. Address Book and iCal are now gone from the Dock. Yeah, I may opt for another phone, and that might mean that I'm doing all of this again. The m505 actually is provided by my employer, so if I went with the 7135, I'd have my own Palm, with a phone wrapped around it. I'm going to look one over during my lunch break.
Defend your family, go to jail
At least in New York, Brooklyn to be specific. Ronald Dixon discovers an intruder in his son's room, going through drawers. Intruder rushes Mr. Dixon, screaming to go upstairs with him. Mr. Dixon fears there may be others in the house that intend to harm him, his wife, and his children. Mr. Dixon shoots intruder twice, wounding him. Mr. Dixon legally obtained his 9mm pistol in Florida, before moving to New York. New York requires all firearms to be registered. (Why? To make it easier to trace them back to criminals, presumably. To make it easier to confiscate, at worst...) Mr. Dixon made an attempt to comply with the law and register said firearm, but was unsuccessful. Mr. Dixon was able to plead down to a charge of disorderly conduct, but he could still spend up to a year in jail; at least he won't have a criminal record when he's done. An anonymous letter to the Brooklyn D.A. sums it up pretty well:
"If you were in the same position that Mr. Dixon was in, I would be willing to wager that you would also use whatever means you had on hand to defend your loved ones, as any of us would.
"By prosecuting Ronald Dixon on spurious charges, you are sending a very dangerous message to the residents in your jurisdiction: Defend your family, go to jail. You are also sending an equally dangerous message to the criminal element, who would realize that law-abiding citizens would now be hesitant to defend themselves for fear of criminal prosecution, and therefore make prime targets for violent crime." A naturalized citizen, Mr. Dixon immigrated from Jamaica, and served in the U.S. Navy for three years. He works two jobs seven days a week to provide for his family. And now his American dream has been crushed by an anti-gun, anti-personal protection, anti-liberty district attorney. Kudos, D.A. Hynes.
Rome's iman supports suicide bombings
From the Religion-of-Peace department: the leader of Europe's largest mosque stated support for suicide bombings against Israel in a recent sermon, as well as in an interview granted to an Italian daily. It is so refreshing to see Muslim leaders extending the hands of brotherhood and tolerance, when so many around the world have done the same for them. I suppose the difference is that those Muslim hands hold detonators and knives...
More freedom of, not freedom from
D. James Kennedy reports on recent U.S. Department of Education guidelines "that require the Secretary of Education to issue guidance on constitutionally protected prayer in elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines clarify what it is that public school students are allowed to do on campus." He goes on to offer an outstanding layman's overview of the whole "separation of church and state" issue, and why that is a complete fallacy.
Incredible teaser
Steve Jobs' other company has released a teaser for their next film, The Incredibles, due out in November next year. Consider this your splatter warning.
Cup Hat Trick
I know, it's not three years in a row, but it is three in the last nine. The New Jersey Devils stomped the Mighty Lucks of Anaheim 3-0 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight. Though he was unable to play in the Finals, former Star Joe Nieuwendyk became only the 6th player in NHL history to win three Cups with three different teams. I'm not shocked the Devils won, and I'm quite happy about it. I'm not shocked that this series went to seven games, though I am disappointed. Whether or not the Mighty Lucks have what it takes to get here again will be seen in the coming seasons; don't count your lucklings before they hatch, Anaheim. You were never really in this: the Lucks were shut out 3 of 7 games; 2 games were won in overtime. I will say that Game 6 was a phenomenal display of hockey, and the Lucks deservedly won that one. So, Commissioner Bettman, you got seven games on ABC in prime time. Congratulations. Starting in October, let's see you ensure there's an NHL game on ESPN or ESPN2 every single night at least one game is being played in the league. Then we'll see professional hockey, with the oldest sports trophy in North America, start getting the exposure it deserves. (The Stanley Cup is 110 years old.)
Notes on San Diego
So my lovely bride and I have this relatively new tradition (3 years old now) of going for a 4-day weekend the week of our anniversary. This year, our trip took us to San Diego. We took in Seaworld, saw Shamu. My favorite had to be the dolphin show (with a couple of pilot whales). What can I say, I'm partial to dolphins. Kel really enjoyed the sea lion show, which was an outstanding comedy. The next day was spent at the world-famous San Diego Zoo. While we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, there were many times when we wondered, what's the big deal? There are other zoos with better exhibits/enclosures, and far better layouts (Audubon Zoo in New Orleans springs to mind). SDZ does deserve its reputation, however, because of its fantastic research programs; it outspends and outperforms any other zoo in the country; pretty much the world. Our last full day was spent driving up the 101, aka SH 21, alongside the coastline. Let me say, this was a profound disappointment. While lunch in La Jolla (say La Hoya) was nice, overlooking Scripps Park and the Cove, we only saw the ocean three or four other times, and only briefly as we drove past. Much different than the drive south from San Francisco to Carmel, where you're hugging the ocean--albeit a few dozen feet up a cliff--nearly every mile. And California road signage sucks. Sucks. I'm talking enormous, Oreck/Kirby/Hoover suckage. We ended up at the south gate of Camp Pendleton, turned back through the Oceanside Marina, then popped over to I-5 back to downtown San Diego. We roomed at Prava, a three year-old hotel and spa, converted from a time-share property. (They still maintain a relationship with time-share companies, which is how we stayed there.) Located in the heart of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, we had plenty of great places to eat within walking distance. Prava makes the Retrophisch Recommends(tm) list of places to stay.
Back to Omaha, baby!
The LSU Tigers crushed Baylor 20-5 in game three of their NCAA super regional to earn their 12th trip to the College World Series since 1986. Yeah, that's right, bub: LSU has been one of -four- eight teams in the CWS 12 times in 17 years!
Mars Mission Patches
Dan notes NASA's sense of humor with regard to Mars rover naming conventions and mission patches. This is what happens when guys our age, who grew up with Looney Tunes, are put in charge...
Can you feel the love?
Barbra Streisand is suing a fellow environmentalist. Why? Because he took an aerial photograph of her Malibu coastline estate. Along with 12,000 other pictures of the California coastline, all as part of creating an aerial photographic survey of the coastline to document erosion over time. Shhhhhh. Don't anyone tell Barbrat about the Keyhole spy satellites the NSA could retask to sit over Malibu if it wanted...
One for the conspiracy nuts
Speaking of the Stanley Cup Finals, specifically the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, ponder this: ( Please note that I do not believe my theory, though certain parts are true. ) The National Hockey League has an exclusive television contract with EPSN/ABC. A television contract that, to no one's but Gary Bettman's and the NHL's surprise, is not gaining hockey the expanded audience it seeks in the United States. Viewership has dwindled from the days when Fox carried games for the league (with far more than I've ever seen on ABC). bq. So, what has happened is, Fox has turned to Nascar, ABC is turning to the NBA and ESPN is turning its nose up, cutting 30 percent of its coverage while burying what's left on ESPN2. So, the NHL wishes to increase television coverage for the Stanley Cup playoffs, especially the Finals, and league games in general. ESPN/ABC would, of course, like higher ratings so they can charge advertisers more. ESPN/ABC are owned by Disney. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are owned by Disney. If you're looking for a conspiracy, it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure this one out. The Ducks have talent, that's for sure. Paul Kariya has always been one of the NHL's top players; he's just never had the rest of the team to play with. Giguere has shown that he is one of those top-flight French-Canadian goalies of the Roy-Brodeur caliber. (Can we please stop with the "Gettin' Giggy with it" lines?) But overall, this is not a championship team. Yes, I know there is always a time for Cinderella teams, but the Ducks are not a Cinderella team. Not without help. Look to this season's Minnesota Wild if you want to see a true Cinderella team. The Ducks take out the defending Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings, in a four-game sweep? Does anyone out there honestly believe the Ducks are that talented? Granted, Detroit didn't seem to play as hungry as the Ducks, but still, a four-game sweep? You have better odds of winning the lottery. Of getting struck by lightning. Then the Stars. At least Dallas handed Anaheim its first losses in this year's playoffs. But again, the Ducks had help to get through that six-game series. I was at Game 2. It had to have been the worst-officiated hockey game I have ever witnessed, in-person or on television. It was atrocious, from both the refs to even the two linesmen. You know there's a problem when the game's referees are announced, and there is a collective "Oh no" from those in attendance. I kid you not. The Stars do not blow leads late in the game. Again, the Stars did not look like the Stars of the regular season--the Stars that thoroughly dominated Anaheim in all but one game they played in the regular season--through all six games, and this certainly contributed to the Ducks "success." Now you can make a case for the Western Conference Finals, and the four-game sweep of the Minnesota Wild. The Wild came off of two seven-game, come-from-behind series to make it to the conference finals. The Ducks, by comparison, coasted in. The questionable calls, however, continued. (Don't think the same thing wasn't happening in the east, either. I'm a little shocked that the Devils were able to fight their way through some equally atrocious officiating, especially during the Eastern Conference Finals against Ottawa.) So the Ducks are in the Finals, playing the New Jersey Devils. You know, the Devils, who have played in the Stanley Cup Finals in three of the last four years, including this one. The Devils, who have won the Cup twice. The Devils, with oodles and oodles of talent, and playoff experience to boot. Not surprising, the Devils crush the Ducks in the first two games of the Finals, not allowing a single goal from Anaheim. Could it be? New Jersey will sweep the Ducks in four? Capturing the Cup in Anaheim? Someone at the NHL/ESPN/ABC hits the panic button. Lo and behold, the series is now knotted at two games each. Providence certainly does shine on those incredibly lucky Ducks. Incredibly lucky Ducks. The series will now go to at least six games, and the price of advertising goes up. Oh, did I forget to mention that the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim are for sale? Gosh, an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals is certainly worth a price mark-up. A Cup championship team would command a premium. The next two, possibly three, games will be interesting to watch. Of course, it's all just a theory...