Related link: https://www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oscon2004/friday/index.html

When everyone filed into the big Ballroom for the final event of OSCON 2004, some may have wondered why the stage was covered in plastic. Well, Dan Sugalski had lost a bet to Guido van Rossum that Python will run faster on Parrot, and it was time for payback — in the form of a cream pie right in the ole kisser. And just for good measure, Dan agreed to take a second pie as part of a fund raising endeavor.

I captured the whole sequence using a Canon 10D digital camera. For those of you interested in specs, I attached a 50mm f-1.7 lens and set it wide open. I then set the ISO to 800 and the white balance to “auto.” These settings enabled me to shoot with existing light in burst mode without being slowed down by a flash that never recycles fast enough. Thanks to decent stage lighting, I was able to fire away at 1/125th of a second, allowing me to freeze the action as it took place.

If you want to see how Dan got creamed, you can check-out the series here.

As I looked out the plane window flying home from the Open Source Convention in Portland, my thoughts returned to the next big O’Reilly show on my plate: the Mac OS X Conference coming the last week of October.

We had made pretty good progress putting together the program before OSCON dominated our consciousness. Now that OSCON is behind us, it’s time to add the missing pieces and complete the planning for what I believe is going to be a terrific Mac event.

Many of you reading this weblog have contributed your ideas to our conference proposal system. Some of you have heard from us. Most of you have not. Since I know it will probably be at least another week or two before our entire batch of “accept” and “decline” letters go out, I want to give you all an update right now.

First of all, I want to say that I really appreciate your patience while we work on this program. The caliber of submissions was very high. Many of them were close to what I was looking for, but not exactly on the mark. I had opportunities to corner speakers who had proposed talks (that I wanted to accept) at WWDC and Macworld Boston this month. Even though this slows down the proposal process somewhat, it’s also very valuable to meet with people in person to discuss ideas and shape talks.

But there’s another layer to this cake. For marketing reasons, we had to accept some talks and post them on the conference web site so we could begin promoting the event. There is a natural tension between the program chair (me) and the marketing folks (my partners with this event) when it comes to timing. I want to wait until I see what happens at WWDC and Macworld before making any final decisions. But the logistics of pulling off a successful conference don’t allow that luxury. So we compromise, and a portion of the program is built early and advertised.

You may know someone who has already been accepted as a speaker. He or she was part of that first wave that allows up to frame the show, hopefully inspiring others to consider attending. But there is more work to do, and more talks to add — including keynotes.

We have a very detailed process for reviewing submitted talks. Even after I and the program committee have weighed-in on the evaluations, the decisions are kicked up to the executive staff for review. We take your proposals very seriously. Our process is meticulous and considered.

As I mentioned earlier, we still have some work to do before we reach our final decisions. I know it’s been a while since many of you have submitted your proposals, and again I want to thank you for your patience. If I could, I would accept about twice as many talks as room allows. Your ideas have been that good.

In the meantime, until the letters go out, I’ll do my best to keep everyone posted on this conference as it comes together. In the end, I feel confident that our efforts will have a positive outcome.

One last note. While we were all in Portland, the conference chairs and staff met to discuss this process. We want to retain the quality of the presentations, but improve communication. We came up with some good ideas that I think you will appreciate in the future.

Related link: https://www.wifi-toys.com/wi-fi.php?a=articles&id=21

Wi-Fi Toys author Mike Outmesguine and some friends put together a system out of off-the-shelf parts that beamed a Wi-Fi Bluetooth signal for a distance of one kilometer.

Despite my passion for cutting-edge technologies, I must admit that, up until now, I have been fairly conservative when it comes to gathering information… I had my little bookmarks folder in Safari and, 8 or 10 times a day asked it “open it in tabs”. Sure, the news weren’t up-to-the minute but, like most simple systems, it always worked well.

Well, a few weeks ago I decided that, as charming as old fashion is I had to get into the RSS movement, so I downloaded a good news reader and filled it with my usual collection of sites — which, luckily all offered RSS feeds. For fun, I added a few other sources, recommended by various friends and off I went to work.

What was my surprise when I noticed a few minutes later that I had 158 news items to read… That’s impossible I thought… There can simply not can be so many news in the Mac world on an ordinary Thursday… Well, there were and I am happy to report that I was kept up-to-date about new cartridges, colored diskettes and Mac-powered golf carts by my faithful application…

All in all, this is a great experience : more news, less consumed bandwidth, and the possibility to be always in the know. I must say that despite my initial (unfounded) fears, I have come to love RSS.

There is however one issue that I cannot seem to overcome : with all this flow of information, picking out what is most important and what is secondary requires more work. This is all possible of course but the learning curve is interesting : it made me realize how much the way I read and memorized information was tied to the place in which I was reading it… When everything arrives formatted in the same way, from the same source, these visual clues I used to rely on are of no help.

All in all, my switch to RSS is a very positive experience and I am looking forward to reading more about this fascinating technology. But it was more than a workflow change for me : it was also an occasion to think about how I processed information and allowed me to see weak links in the chain that I definitely have to look into.

Until next time, dear Mac users, enjoy thinking different!

Related link: https://www.parliant.com/

For the last few days I’ve been completely enthralled with the latest version of Phone Valet from Parliant. I’ve been using Phone Valet with my home automation system for some time now, and I’ve grown to depend on its ability to announce calls when I’m at home, and automatically forward Caller ID information to my cell phone’s email account when I’m away.

The latest update adds some long wished-for capabilities, plus some surprises. The new Phone Valet hardwre lets you completely replace your voice mail or answering machine with an intelligent Mac-based solution. It’s nicely integrated too, with thoughtful touches scattered throughout. It’s clear that Parliant is taking customer feedback seriously; they’ve made it much easier to see a list of the newest calls you’ve received, and optional menubar extra now blends in nicely with those from Apple.

Home automation enthusiasts will be especially pleased with its ability to offer remote control of your computer, and hence your home, simply by dialing in and pressing buttons that launch AppleScript automations. For example, if the weather is particularly warm, you could call home and turn up the air conditioning so the house is comfortably chilled before you arrive. Doing this is as simple as writing an AppleScript that tells XTension or Indigo, to send the appropriate commands to your X10-controlled thermostat.

if you already have a Phone Valet, you’ll need to upgrade the hardware to get the new recording capabilities. But otherwise the software update, which is free, is well worth your time. For me, the best new feature for existing units is the ability run an AppleScript when any phone in your house is taken off-hook. I have my home automation system make announcements with text-to-speech, and now I can temporarily silence it when someone is on the phone. Sweet. It was snap to set up by adapting a script that comes with the update. That script automatically mutes iTunes when you pick up your phone. If you have an AirPort Express, imagine how nice that would be!

And Parliant hasn’t missed the boat on taking advantage of the white-hot iPod. The phone calls and messages that you record with Phone Valet can be automatically added to iTunes, and copied to your iPod. This could be very handy if you need to review or transcribe calls later, or just want to let your friends listen to your latest reading from the Psychic Hotline.

Telephone and computer integration is one of those things that many people scoff at, thinking “why would I want to do that?”, but Phone Valet has just moved the whole concept a little more towards the mainstream with a product that not only makes it approachable, but useful too. If you’re at all interested in this sort of thing, it’s well worth checking out.

Isn’t it time that your phone and computer got introduced to each other?

As part of my preparation for a new book I’m working on, I did some research on the process Apple is currently using to get new owners up and running as fast as possible. Last night I looked over a friend’s shoulder during the unveiling of a sleek 15″ PowerBook, and I noticed something I don’t remember from before.

The Set Up Assistant presented a screen that asked, “Do you already have a Mac?” If you click on the “yes” radio button, it walks you through the process off connecting the existing Mac to the new one via FireWire Target Mode. The assistant then lets you choose the information you want to transfer to the new computer. This utility dramatically reduced set up time. The only gotcha was that Apple doesn’t provide you with the FireWire cable, so hopefully existing Mac owners have one dangling around the house.

After this pleasant experience that allowed me to move on to my next project hours earlier than I anticipated, I started thinking that this would be a wonderful stand alone app. I’m constantly reconfiguring my laptops to meet specific needs, and this little piece of software could really lighten my load. So, here’s what I’m wondering:

• First, have you experienced this Setup app? And if so, what’s your opinion of it?
• Is it included with currently shipping iBooks too?
• I checked the PowerBook support page and couldn’t find any info on it. Do you know if it’s available as a stand alone?

Please post your comments in the TalkBacks section. I’m very interested in what you have to say…

Related link: https://www.computingunplugged.com/issues/issue200407/00001329001.html

The latest isssue of Computing Unplugged has a how-to article for playing DVDs on your PDA, either Palm or Windows. It requires the use of an application called Pocket-DVD Studio from PQDVD.com.

Related link: https://www.apple.com/airportexpress/

About a week ago, I saw that the Airport Express had started shipping. That day I put in the call to my local Apple store and had them hold one in my name. Shipping times on the Apple site were 3-4 weeks, but I got the call on Tuesday that it had arrived.

The rest of the day was spent anxiously waiting for the work day to end so I could drive over and pick up the little gem. Once again, I was impressed with Apple’s packaging. The Airport Express comes in a case that is roughly half the size of an iPod cube. I’m sure this is so they can pack two of them side by side in the exact same space an iPod takes up. Apple’s shipping carrier must love them.

I got the treasure home safely, tore off the cellophane, and greedily opened the extreme blue box to find the Airport Express gleaming in Apple snow white. A quick glance at the fairly beefy manual and I realized I’d need to install an Airport Express Assistant from an enclosed CD. Did that, rebooted (*grumble*) and then hooked up the Airport Express while I was waiting.

I’d decided to use the Express to replace my existing access point. I had been using a Linksys WAP11 with great success. I live in a rather small house, so one access point easily does the job. I swapped the units and worked my way through the Airport Express Assistant. After a couple of minutes, I had the unit up and running with my usual settings.

I wanted to make some changes to the device’s configuration and was quite pleased to find that the Airport Admin Utility had no issue working with the Express. I was also happy to see that all of the standard settings are there, plus a couple of new ones for AirTunes.

AirTunes is my new Most Favorite Thing in the World. It gets this prestigious title by allowing me to stream music from my PowerBook to my home stereo. No noticeable degradation in audio quality and it’s terribly simple to use. When iTunes detects the unit, a little pop-up selector appears, allowing you to choose where you want the output. Your Mac’s speakers are the default, while you can choose your Express unit to stream to it.

I’ve also found that by bringing Salling Clicker into the mix, I can control iTunes on the PowerBook, allowing me to remotely control playback and view track information . Some have lamented the lack of a remote and I think that the Clicker offers a great remote for the Express. Albeit indirectly, it still does the deed.

Overall, I’m quite impressed with the Airport Express. I’d been waiting to get my hands on one since they were first announced. Now that I’ve been putting one to use, I’ll have to be waiting again. I think I’ll order up a second one for the kitchen now…

Do you have AirTunes floating through the air in your home?

Related link: Bottlecap Tripod

The Japanese Bottlecap Tripod that hit the blogs a couple of days ago has spawned at least two DIY versions. Here’s my favorite, from Jake Luddington.

Related link: https://www.apple.com/ipod

Almost three years ago, I walked into a brand-spanking new Apple retail store. I was a recent convert, having switched over to the Mac mere months prior. I approached the table and admired the perfectly cube-shaped boxes stacked atop it. Opening day for the store and one of the first days for the iPod.

I stepped out of the store with a wallet $400 lighter and stepped into the wonderful world of portable MP3 players. Well, it wasn’t so wonderful back then and to be honest, the iPod wasn’t my first foray into that world. I’d suffered with the tiny 32MB Sony players. I struggled with an original Rio and later the Rio CD player. I even had the Samsung cellphone/player. Then, Apple came in to lift me out of the quagmire, just like they’d rescued me from the Windows world.

The iPod was instantly a constant companion. Chock to capacity with a carefully constructed collection of cherished composers, myPod was always in my pocket or on my car’s console. But then! The capacities grew and the new solid state wheel control drove me to sell my little love to a friend to help fund another iPod.

And the process repeated. Now, myPod II had 10GB to fill! Not a challenge, really. iTunes had made it all too easy to import my entire CD collection. Any new CD purchases were put in the computer and then right back in their cases. I hadn’t listened to an actual CD in months (and still haven’t now, years later). With a pocket full of MP3 love, who needs the bulk of a CD player?

Some more time passes and the 3rd generation of iPods was released. Ooh! Docks and all kinds of other goodies. myPod II was sold to the highest bidder and the 15GB myPod III came into my life. And then… the iPod mini was announced. While waiting in line to purchase myPod IV, a silver mini to match my 12″ PowerBook, I realized the true extent of my addiction.

Four iPods in less than three years? Perhaps it’s time for me to relax a bit and stop trying to keep up with the Joneses. At this point, I can’t fit my entire music collection on any of the available iPods, so I think I’ll stick with my well-managed mini this time around. It already has the beloved click wheel and it clips oh-so-nicely to my shoulder pack.

And to be honest, I’m not as impressed with the features this time around. The accelerated speech playback is interesting, but I don’t really listen to any audio books. Battery life isn’t a huge concern for me; I do much more driving than walking. Multiple On-The-Go playlists sound good, but I barely use the one that my mini offers.

No, nothing overly compelling, but the price came down. So I can certainly applaud Apple for offering a slightly revised product for a hundred bucks cheaper. And if I weren’t so happy with my mini and were still toting myPod III around, I’d probably make the jump. But, I’m sorry, Apple, I think I’m going to sit this one out.

Ready to upgrade? Waiting for a “bigger” mini? What are your thoughts on the new iPods?

Related link: https://www.mac.com/

Hi. I’m Michael Brewer. You may remember me from such articles as Dissecting Dot Mac and Dot Mac Reloaded. It’s that time of the year again for many people — Dot Mac renewal time. Dot Mac has been mature for long enough that there really isn’t much to warrant another article over. However, there is one pernicious detail that will probably be the key reason people decide not to renew this year.

It’s Google. How does Google affect Dot Mac? As you all know, Google has started giving away 1 GB mailboxes with its new Gmail service. Yahoo has followed suit and now gives away 100 MB of mail storage and for $20 a year will give you 2 GB. How much does Apple sell for $100 a year? 15 Megabytes. As you can see Apple is behind the times. Now, I know that Apple doesn’t place ads into the messages like Gmail and Yahoo (even on the paid account), but they’re considerably behind and need to step up their storage somewhat.

I’d like to see Apple provide 500 MB mailboxes and up the iDisk storage to 200 MB. That’d give Dot Mac subscribers 700 MB total allocated space, and I know it’d take a long while for me to even break 50% of that mail storage quota. This would also be a good way to get Dot Mac users to be almost guaranteed locks as Tiger customers. That much storage coupled with Spotlight would be insanely great. And it’d persuade me to renew this year. Otherwise, I’m not sure Dot Mac is worth it.

Do you plan to renew your Dot Mac subscription this year?

Chicago. The Windy City. Home to great pizza, Sue the T-Rex, and what looks like a pretty darn cool Apple Store. And this Friday at 6pm, I’ll get a chance to experience the Chicago Apple Store up close and personal as an invited speaker for a special .Mac night.

If you live in the Chicago-area and you’re interested in learning a bit more about what you can do with .Mac, I encourage you to come on down to the store. If you’ve purchased my book, Inside .Mac, bring that along and I’ll be more than happy to sign your copy, as well as those for anyone who purchases a copy of the book that night.

So come on down, it should be a lot of fun:

679 North Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-981-4104

Directions and parking information can be found on the Apple Store’s page.

Related link: https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/01/technology/circuits/01next.html

Anne Eisenberg’s article at the New York Times discusses a new technology that turns windows, doors, and other sold surfaces into touch-sensitive input devices.

Perhaps in the future, instead of reaching for the remote control to change channels, you’ll give the nearby end table a little rap. Or, mute your teen’s iTunes server by knocking on the wall. (Yelling “Turn that noise down!” will be entirely optional.)

The mind reels at both the possible applications for home automation, and the resulting confusion as one struggles to remember the knock-sequences and sweet spot, that trigger commands.

Visit Sensitive Object to view an intriguing, if not mildly puzzling, demonstration video.

What do you think? (Please, no knock-knock jokes.)

Related link: https://www.gocc.gov/

Government Technology magazine reports on the GOCC (Government Open Code Collaborative) effort to collaborate and share code developed for and by State and Local Government agencies:

State and Local Governments Join Together to Share Computer Code

And, yep, the GOCC site looks like a Zope/Plone based one :-)

Any other inforamtion regarding government bodies sharing Open Source code with each other?

Related link: https://fjzone.org

As many of you know, I have spent quite a bit of time lately redesigning my web site, FJZone.org. This time, I tried not only to give it an appearance I liked but I also upgraded the code that runs it all to get rid of unnecessary tables and switch to an all-CSS layout.

This was all very well and, after long nights of work, I finally came up with something I was actually pleased with. All my Mac browsers were able to display the site properly and, according to W3C, it was perfectly standards-compliant… Confident that I had done my work, I put the site online and went back to my regular publishing and researching activities.

Well, this was too good to be true… A few hours later, one of my friends sent me a worried mail, explaining in a very convincing way that Internet Explorer for Windows was simply unable to view the whole thing… And by “unable”, I mean “unable” : apparently, CSS, transparent PNG images and favicons are highly problematic with IE…

It was back to the drawing board for me and in a hurry… With the new site online, I couldn’t really afford to keep it as it was. Of course, most of my readers do use Macs but I still felt bad for the few percents trapped in a Windows PC at work. I am pleased to report that, after re-writing the whole CSS layout, the site finally does display in IE : in fact, I “just” had to stop defining elements normally and only use a fixed number of pixels from the left margin… Sounds strange ? I can tell you it’s as strange to write such code !

Of course, I realize that saying how non standards-compliant Internet Explorer is does not make an interesting blog. Nevertheless, these carefully planned incompatibilities made me realize what part of the Internet we are missing. To fully unleash the power of the Internet, creating sites and interoperable services should be easy. Thinking that the typical Windows XP PC running Internet Explorer is not able to display some transparencies (some of them are handled of course) or CSS positioning makes me wonder how much better (graphically and technically) the Internet could be and how much we are missing…

Until next time, dear Mac users, enjoy thinking different !

And you, have you experienced such issues first hand ?

Related link: https://www.oreillynet.com/cs/user/trackback/cs_msg?x-lr=cs_disc/8691&x-lr2=wlg/5…

A few dozen WWDC attendees got together to chat about Home Automation Using Mac OS X at O’Reilly’s BOF session last night. We heard from experienced, and beginning, home automators who shared their wish lists and tips for living in a wired home.

Here’s a list of some of the tools, products, and websites that we discussed. Plus, I’ve added a few other resources you might find interesting.

Home Automation Software

• XTension
• Indigo
• Thinking Home

Hardware Products

• Smart Home (Plug-in Bridge, Signal Booster, Noise Filter, and PowerLinc USB)
• X10 Starter Kits –X-10 Corp
• Leviton
• Direct-to-Computer Wireless WX800 — WGL Designs
• Network Cameras — D-Link
• High-End Automation — Amazing Controls
• BIK Proximity Detector
• Pronto Remote control
• Data Acquisition — Labjack
• BlueBox Tech
• I/O Warrior Starter Kit — Code Mercenaries

Telephone Integration Products

• Phone Valet
• Phlink
• Salling Clicker

Introductory Materials

• Home Automation on Mac OS X by Alan Graham
• Living In The Digital Hub - 2003 O’Reilly Mac OS X Conference

Thanks to everyone for coming and sharing so freely, it was a great example of why conferences are so valuable, and I think we all left with some neat ideas and approaches to explore.

If I missed any URLs, or you have some more to add, post a comment or trackback below.

What was your favorite tip from the session? Got a good link to share?