As you know, I was thinking about getting a new hard drive to house my raw search recap videos. So I swung by Best Buy and bought a Western Digital My Passport Essential 320GB External USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive in the Intense Blue color. Why? cause it was on sale and I had a $150 Best Buy gift card.

What I hate is the box it comes in. The thing is wrapped in this hard clear plastic. You need a mini chain saw to cut it open and get the hard drive out. I have a sharp razor blade, which did the trick. But I had to be careful not to cut myself on the razor and even on this hard plastic. Here is a picture:

So, tell me, why do they come packaged like this? Just to annoy customers or for protection and style?

Posted at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Shopping | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I have many hard drives for my personal computer. I have a hard drive to mirror my main hard drive. I have a hard drive for doing Time Machine backups. I have an old mirror hard drive that I don't use anymore. Of course, I have my main hard drive in my laptop. And, my office, I have several network storage hard drives.

But I think I need another one. I have been doing lots of videos and videos take up a lot of space. Recording, processing, editing, producing and sharing video really takes up a lot of space. I have been doing this all on my main hard drive, which only have about 2GB of space left. So I need to either delete stuff quick or get a hard drive to use for my videos.

I do have a best buy gift card that I have in my wallet that will cover an additional hard drive. The only thing is, I don't have any more USB ports to run Time Machine, the USB Mic, the keyboard, and my other USB devices along with an additional hard drive. I guess, when it comes down to it, I will make it work, some how.

Posted at 9:27 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One feature I would love to see from Gmail is a way to specify that you want certain spam to be auto-deleted.

As many of you know, an email is marked as spam automatically if the spam score meets a certain number. Now, the score is made up of many factors, such as words in the email, message source, location, and so on. Some emails marked as spam are less spammy than others.

What would be nice is if Google somehow showed us the spam score of each message and then allowed the user to define which spam messages should be auto-deleted.

For example, if after several days of reviewing spam email, I notice that any email with a spam score greater than 5, is always spam. Then, I would love to tell Google, delete any spam emails from my spam folder with a score of 5 or higher. The rest I will review at a later date.

There is a way to delete all spam right away but that is a bit risky.

Also, I see why Google might not want to show a spam score. If they do, spammers can learn from the score and create spam emails that break through. However, virtually all spam filters do show a score of some kind.

Posted at 9:40 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Any chance I get, I'll mock Microsoft, in any way I can. Ronnie, my brother, spotted and blogged about a funny typo on Microsoft's remote desktop for Mac product.

When they came out with a new update, they asked you to download the latest version. But spelled latest with an extra S, as "Lastest."

So, it comes out as Lastest. Screen shot:

What I can write from here, is almost endless - so I will end now.

Posted at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I just got my USB Microphone, the Samson C01U mic. I plugged it in to my Mac, and presto, it showed up in the list of input devices under my audio settings. I decided to scan the owner's manual and it had three full pages on how to set up this Microphone with a Windows PC. Mac? Just plug it in and it works. Too funny.

Anyway, here is me testing out the mic:

More details on what I am doing with this microphone can be found over here.

Posted at 5:57 PM | Permalink | Category: Blogging , Computers | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I use the MX Revolutions mouse from Logitech. I have had tons of mice, including Apple's Might Mouse, then I switched to the VX revolutions and now I have the full size MX revolutions.

The MX rocks! It does so many things and makes me seconds faster hundreds of times throughout the day, saving me invaluable time.

Anyway, I spotted a deal on Deal News for this mouse. It is $69.99 with a $30 mail in rebate and then add on some shipping. A seriously solid deal for a device that will save your hours per month.

Posted at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Honestly, I think Vista is one of the main reasons many people are moving from PCs to Apple Macs. Heck, do you think we will see Bill Gates using one soon?

From Gizmodo: Did Bill Gates Just Say Windows Sucks? Watch the video:

Too crazy!

Posted at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

We have been using Fonality for our phone system for well over two years now. In fact, I wrote a quick Asterisk code-base, an open source PBX project. We love Fonality because:

(1) It comes with a ton of pre-built solutions so we don't have to build it up ourselves via Asterisk
(2) It is continuously upgraded
(3) We have phone and email support for hardware and software support if needed
(4) We can hack the heck out of it and build it into our PHP solutions because it is Asterisk based

Last night I was emailed that they have automatically upgraded us to the 4.0 version. The main feature in 4.0 is the "FindMe with Boomerang Mobile Integration" that basically is a FindMe feature (i.e. if your out of the office, you can have the system try calling you at different phone numbers and if you like, you can answer it. Then with "Boomerang" when you get back to your office phone and you are still on the call, you can send the call back to your phone at your desk (I could have used that feature a billion times). Here are screen captures of how it kind of works:

You go to your features tab and then you can click on the "FindMe with Boomerang Mobile Integration" and you are shown a screen. Select, "FindMe Using a schedule" and you will see this:

Then based on the schedule you can set up a billion actions based on certain cases. Here is a screen capture:

Schedule is nice, but HUD status is really where it is at. If you use the Fonality HUD feature and set your status to available, away or offline and it will do different things based on that. Here is a screen shot of that screen:

Then at the bottom of each of these options are "FindMe White Lists" and also "VIP Lists" which are self-explanatory.

There are a ton of new features in 4.0 that I need to explore. Here are some:

• Calendar-based Scheduling
• Night mode feature
• Cards pages
• Faster reports
• Faster UI
• New set of alert notifications
• Many more features which I can't list

There is however a large debate on if Fonality should sell this product. The open source community or at least some of them, are upset Fonality is profiting on this. Personally, they are providing huge value to me at a low cost, so I am all for them selling this. This is seriously a large corporation phone system at a small business price.

Posted at 9:55 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Now that Ask.com ripped my heart out, I need to replace them as my default home page. I was thinking of going back to my old home page, Yahoo.com but then thought I would ask others what they use?

I also thought that since I rarely use a home page button, maybe I should make it one of my sites? What about Google personalized home page? I am not sure. My main sites that I use every day and all day are always open, heck I wrote about speeding that up. But now I have this home button that does nothing for me. I can always search Google, Yahoo, Live, or even Ask using inquisitor, one of my used tools on my computer. So I don't want a search box to be my home page anymore.

Any ideas? Take the poll or comment...

Thanks!

Posted at 3:52 PM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

This is incredibly frustrating. I put like 30 minutes into making a video in iMovie. I then upload it to YouTube directly from iMovie. The video is then visible but then after five minutes it says "This video is unavailable." But it is available!

Here is what I see in my video's section:

It says "Live," yes, live. And so far, three people viewed it and no one else because its not available anymore, even though it still says live.

Here is what happens when you play the video:

Again, it says live on my side. If I try to reupload it, it says there is a duplicate version and you can't upload it. Trust me, in a couple hours, the video will be playable again. I just don't know when, so this is frustrating, to say the least.

Here is the video, SMX West 2008 Highlight Video...

Posted at 4:23 PM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

It's me again, on the plane. I just finished my blog entry on how I ended up writing this stuff. In the seat in front of me, in the opposite row - there is this guy with a 17" MacBook. Yea, it is a bit tight for him to type and use his computer.

I can't help to notice but the fact that he has dozens and dozens of sticky notes covering his desktop. They are everywhere. Stickies, as my Mac calls them, are basically virtual sticky notes.

Now, explain to me how sticky notes keep people organized? Heck, if you ever look at sticky notes, they are the most messy and disorganized looking pieces of paper one can imagine. To have them stuck in random order throughout your home and on your laptop makes no sense to me.

Do you use sticky notes to organize your daily life? If so, how do you do it?

Posted at 10:41 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

When I was driving to work this morning, the whole 7 minutes, I was thinking about my old cell phones. It is a shame, I think I forgot about some of the phones I had in the past. So I thought I document what I remember now, before I forget it all. Hopefully, I will remember to update this blog post as I upgrade.

My first cell phone was when I spent a school year in Israel when I was 17 or so. It was the best mode of communication. I don't have a picture of the cell phone, but let me describe it. It was almost like a brick. I used to pretend it was a back pack. Why? Because my friends had these small cool phones, I had this huge phone that looked like it came from Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell (I am impressed I remember that show). In any event, it worked semi-well. I remember when I was in the old city, with a ton of brick all over the place, I had to walk to certain areas to get reception. In any event, it lasted me the year in Israel. How I wish I had a picture of that phone.

When I came back from Israel, I attended Baruch College, and needed a cell phone to communicate while I was in NYC. I also ran the early stages of RustyBrick while in college. So a cell phone was necessary. In any event, I remember having a Motorola flip phone. It worked well, no real complaints that I can remember. Again, I wish I had a picture of it or remember the name of it.

After that phone, I got myself a StarTAC phone. Those phones were the coolest phones back then, I was a little late to get one but I got it eventually. It worked well and I liked having it. I had a gray cover on mine but here is a picture of one.

After that, I think I had one or two, maybe three, phones - but I can't remember what they were. During this time, I also had palm pilots, I had many different ones - so I was addicted to mobile pant to hold all my gadgets comfortably.

Eventually, I upgraded to a the Palm Treo 650 and I was part of the smart phone group. After about a year or so, they came out with the Treo 700p and I got it on August 17, 2006. I really loved that phone - well, not the phone part but the mobile email stuff. I did a ton with it, including tethering the phone to my MacBook so I can use the Internet connection when traveling and it worked.

Then, in July, I broke down and got the Apple iPhone.

By far, this is my favorite phone. The web browsing is really web browsing, not fake web browsing. The email is awesome, there are some things I miss from the Treo - but its worth it. The phone is a 100X better than the Treo. The iPod rocks to have in one device. I live on this phone. Google Reader, Email, RustyBudget, text messaging, stocks, weather, photos, calendar, etc - it all syncs with my Mac perfectly.

What is next? I suppose a new iPhone when the 3G model comes out. But time will tell.

Posted at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

You often see how I use these high-quality images of products I use on my Mac, when describing those products. Here is how I get those images uploaded to Flickr.

(1) Go to the application in the finder window:

(2) Highlight the application and select "Get Info" or Apple I.

(3) When the info screen comes up, click on the icon at the top left of that small window. Then when the icon is highlighted, select "Copy" from the edit menu or click Apple C.

(4) Then open Apple's "Preview" under your Applications folder. In Preview, select "New From Clipboard" in the File menu.

(5) It then should open up as so:

(6) Go to "Save As" in Preview's file menu and select the JPG option (the Gif option will make it an animated GIF, so don't pick that one).

(7) You should then get this single image, which you can upload to Flickr or use on your blog as you see fit.

Here is a video of me going through the steps in real time...

Posted at 11:56 AM | Permalink | Category: Blogging , Computers | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Now this display from Alienware, being curved and all, is really sweet!

Thanks Jimmy.

Posted at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I try to be a nut when it comes to backing up my computer and office computers. My office computers are backed up on an NAS device, plus backed up off site on at least one other computer. Our production servers are backed up so often, in so many different ways, you would think I was a nut.

Personally, I use to back up my laptop a few times a week using SuperDuper. SuperDuper does a direct clone of my hard drive, onto an external hard drive. This way, if my hard drive blows up, I can theoretically pop in this other hard drive and get going from my last back up. The thing is, SuperDuper has not yet come out with a Leopard compatible version and it has been stressful to say the least.

So I finally took the plunge and bought a new hard drive so I can run Time Machine on my Leopard OS. Yesterday, I got the drive from Buy.com, a Western Digital My Book Essential 500GB version, and started the backup at about 2pm. It finished the 90GB backup at about 6:30pm. That was my first backup. Now every hour, when this hard drive is connected to my laptop (only when I am in my office), it backs up every hour. It stores hourly back ups for the past 24 hours, daily back ups for the past month and weekly backups until this drive is full. The UI is amazing for restoring lost or old files, simply amazing.

My hope is that when SuperDuper releases a Leopard compatible version, which I am excepting within a week or two, I will run both SuperDuper and Time Machine as backups.

SuperDuper will give me the bootable clone of my hard drive from my last run of that backup. Time Machine will give me the file by file capability to restore files historically. I think I will feel completely at peace once I run my first SuperDuper backup on Leopard.

Posted at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Computers | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I bought my PS3 about 10 months ago. I used it maybe a couple dozen times. It was a bad bad investment, stupid purchase and in hindsight - I would not have purchased it.

But now that I have it and reselling it on eBay doesn't look good with them lowering the price for this holiday season, I had to make a decision.

I decided to recycle the gift for Chanukah. I will give it to my four nephews for them to use. They already have XBox, which I bought for them years ago. But I guess a PS3 isn't bad to have with the XBox.

So now, they will have both.

If I ever get the urge to use the PS3 or even XBox, I am just around the corner from them. So I will stop by and play. :)

Happy Chanukah!

Posted at 10:56 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Homey | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Remember I wanted to cell my Treo 700p? I blogged about CellForCash a place to sell your cell phone with ease? Well, I finally got my check for $48 from them.

Here is the timeline:

October 11th - Submitted Request
October 12th - Box Mailed to Me
October 22nd - They Received My Phone
November 29th - I Got My Check

Here is the check:

Posted at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Last night I reorganized the devices I want to have on a battery backup, just in case the power goes out.

I placed low cost battery backups in a couple strategic locations throughout the house. I then made sure the following items still have power, even if the power goes out.

1. FiOs wireless router
2. Vonage box
3. Upstairs WiFi router
4. My alarm clock

So this way, if the power goes out I still have Internet access for a little while. Plus, I still have phone access for a little while (until the Internet goes out or the Vonage box goes out). Oh, and if the power goes out in the middle of the night, I hope my alarm clock still goes off.

Site note: Buy.com has a great deal on a battery back up... It goes as low as $28 if you buy it under a brand new Google account with Google Checkout, after rebates... Here is my aff link:

Posted at 8:46 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Homey | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

My brother-in-law is a Blackberry guy, yea - I know, one of those...

He downloaded an "iPhone theme" to his phone and I snagged a picture. Here is my iPhone side by side to his Blackberry with the iPhone theme.

But Blackberry users, there are tons of iPhone themes out there for you guys. Just do a search and you too can try your best to be an iPhone user. ;-)

Posted at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

A few weeks ago I wrote about my dilemma in picking a Internet, TV and Phone provider. This week I finally made a decision, thanks to the helpful comments and advice. So what did I choose.

I picked three different providers.

(1) Internet: How can I not go with Verizon FiOS. It is super speeds and nothing, to-date, compares. So I picked FiOS. I have an install date.

(2) Phone: Vonage. Why? Because Verizon and Optimum both required that I get a new number, since I am moving to a new zip code. Vonage allowed me to transfer my number. So I ordered Vonage, it is being delivered soon. I requested a transfer of number and I plan on using Vonage at my current residence and then moving the box with me to the new residence.

(3) TV: Optimum via CableVision. Verizon didn't have TV service available in my area, so I signed up with CableVision. No other choice outside of getting a satellite provider or using an antenna.

If Verizon comes out with TV, I will likely switch because I rather pay one bill but this is the best I can do now.

Posted at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Homey | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Major geek factor here.

A teen hacked the iPhone so that it is now unlocked and working on a non-AT&T network. The teen is 17-years-old and Glen Rock, N.J. Which is not too far from me.

Teen Trades Hacked IPhone for New Car from the AP writes:

The 17-year-old Hotz said he will be sending the three new iPhones to the three online collaborators who helped him divorce Apple Inc's popular product from AT&T's network. The job took 500 hours, or about 8 hours a day since the iPhone's June 29 launch.

View Larger Map

His name is George Hotz.

George made a deal with CertiCell. CertiCell is giving George a Nissan 350Z plus three 8GB iPhones, in exchange for the unlocked iPhone.

He unlocked the iPhone on Friday, Aug. 24, 2007.

Now that is one killer summer gig.

Posted at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Computers , Just Interesting | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

As some of you know already, I was house shopping. It looks like we pretty much agreed on a house, so I decided to call Verizon about their FiOS offering last night.

The representative told me that Internet and telephone are both available BUT the TV connection is not. Ouch!

I seriously wanted to have all my networking items with one company. TV, Internet and Phone - all in one.

So then I called Optimum to see what the deal is with moving, since I already have Optimum. They said that you have to disconnect your service before the new service is moved and installed. Huh? So I have to go without phone, Internet and TV in the new house? I can't insure that both are up and running, so I don't loose anything? Technically, if I am moving, I have to be disconnected first, the rep told me.

So I have a few options. Get Internet and Phone with Verizon FiOS. And then sign up as a new customer with Optimum for cable. OR I just move my current Optimum over to the new house, but probably have some down time. TV is no big deal, but Internet and phone are.

Any advice?

Posted at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers , Homey | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Chris Pirillo twittered that he sold his old cell phone on cellforcash.com for $110.

He said he thinks you should, too.

Should I?

I can sell my Treo 700p for $63. Seems kind of low, but I suspect there isn't much hassle involved with that type of sale.

What do you think?

Want to buy my Treo for more?

Posted at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

This phone keeps getting cooler.

I actually learned how to make popcorn with it. Check out the video to see how it works.

Pretty cool, eh?

Posted at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Computers , Just Funny | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

I know I have been posting a lot about the iPhone, but I am still amazed by it. Anyway, today, I accidently found a new way to delete email while using your iPhone's mail program.

When you are in your list view, displaying your emails... You simply glide your finger from left to right over one email message. Up comes a delete button.

Here is a video demonstrating it:

This saves you a step or two.

Either you have to click on the email and then click the delete trash can button at the bottom of the email. Or you can click the "edit" button at the top right of the list view and then click the red circle icon on the left of the email and then click the delete button on the right of the email. So this is a third way to delete email.

Posted at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Computers | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I use to have this problem with my original Treo 650. When I got my Treo 700, the problem went away.

For some reason, the iPhone causes interference with my external speakers. Now, I am not even connecting the iPhone to the speakers. The interference is random sometimes and is also triggered by when I get a phone call or text message or when I sync with my Mac.

I am far from the only one who is experiencing this interference. There is a large thread at Mac Rumors on this topic. Also, MacWorld covered the issue.

The image at the top right is an setting you can configure when you hook up your iPhone to speakers. Note, I do not get this option, because I am not hooking up my speakers to the iPhone. It just causes crackling and popping noises that come out of my speakers. Turning off the speakers don't help. I can turn on the airplane mode feature, but then I won't get calls, text messages, emails and web.

One person said, you will just get used to it...

blackberries do this all the time. After a while you just get used to the sound

I try to put my phone a good distance from my speakers, which helps a lot.

Posted at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Computers | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

I got the Apple iPhone, as many of you encouraged me to get.

All synced up and ready to play. My number even transfered within minutes...

Here are pics, more details later, I need to go play.

Posted at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Category: Apple Macs , Computers | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

I think I may have figured out a way to get the best of both worlds.

Currently, I have a data and voice with Verizon Wireless. If I removed the voice service from my plan but kept the data plan, I can then get an iPhone. Work with me on this...

My voice and data plan with Verizon cost me about $120+ per month. The data plan is $60 from Verizon. If I just use the data plan, buy myself a Verizon Wireless V740 ExpressCard for my laptop and drop the voice plan. That will save me about $60 per month. Now, I can add iPhone/AT&T's cheapest plan of 450 minutes - which is plenty for me and I am back at $120 per month.

The major draw back is that my cell phone number would change. Because I would have to keep my current plan, i.e. my current number, with Verizon not to be charged the early termination fee. But then again, it doesn't bother me if I have to get a new number. So people who haven't called me in a while, they won't know how to reach me. Not a big deal, seriously.

Thoughts?

Posted at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (20) | TrackBacks (0)

Remember, I said I was trying out CallWave? It is basically a service that overrides your cell phone provider's voicemail services and replaces it with theirs. They add more features and conveniences.

So I stuck with it.

The other day, I noticed I got a weird text message. It turned out that the text message was a new feature from CallWave that turns converts a voicemail to text. In the past, CallWave would text message me that I got a voicemail from person a, at this time and for this long. Now, they send that, plus they convert the voice message to a text message. I love it.

I can now see, immediately, what the message was all about, via a text message.

The example here, shows a message someone left me. Funny how they converted the word, "Kleenex" to "Clean Acts" - but I understood it.

I love the widget CallWave has also.

Posted at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

So, Google bought GrandCentral last week.

GrandCentral basically gives you a centralized location for all your telephone numbers. So they give you one number that will call your other numbers. There are also tons of features.

Personally, I am not going to use it much. But if you want an invite to use it, I have about 7 left. Just comment below, make sure you have your email address in the comment form and Ill hook you up.

While supplies last. :)

Posted at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (118) | TrackBacks (0)

The other day, I wrote The Fastest Fiber is Comparable with the Fastest Cable & DSL where I showed tests that showed Optimum Online's internet to be almost as fast as Verizon's FiOS. I wanted to put that to the test.

First, I did a speed test using my Treo over the Verizon Wireless broadband network. Here are the results:

Not bad.

Then I did a test of the Optimum Online cable network from my home. Here are the results:

That is pretty quick.

Here is a test from the same provider, Optimum Online, in the morning, in my office. Here are the results:

Now, let's try the Verizon FiOS connection from a location in New Jersey.

That is blazing quick! Blazing!

My father's area just qualified for FiOS, he should jump at it. I am just waiting for my home and office area to qualify.

Update: Just after posting this, ARS Technica posted a review of Verizon's EVDO network.

Posted at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Tons of rumors all over the web that PlayStation would be dropping the price of the game system.

Well, now it is confirmed.

We confirmed today that we are lowering the price of our current 60GB PS3 by $100, to $499, effective immediately in North America.

And in a few weeks, a new PS3 is coming out priced at $599 that has a larger hard drive. The hard drive is 80GB and the PS3 comes with MotorStorm.

Yea, I got a PlayStation 3 a while back. I honestly do not use it as much as I should. I think it has been a few weeks since I last played. Just lots going on right now, I guess.

Posted at 8:09 AM | Permalink | Category: Computers | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Like I said in the past, we are in need of server upgrades and new hardware. A bulk of the stress on the servers come from the blogs we have on the boxes. The largest blog by far, is the Search Engine Roundtable.

So we need to upgrade the operating system, streamline the software on the boxes and then move over applications, such as this blog software, on new machines. This all costs a ton of money. So like my buddy, Shawn, did with his donate page, I thought I can take some ideas from him.

I have been writing on search since 2003. We do accept ads, but they don't cover all the costs, especially of this major server upgrade. So I am hoping to earn more money from a special Search Engine Roundtable Donations page.

Like Shaw, I am giving an advertisement on that page for anyone who gives $500 or more.

I also added a FeedFlare button to go directly to the donations page, so look for it on the main site under each post, or in the feeds.

Thanks for your support!

Posted at 3:38 PM | Permalink | Category: Blogging , Computers | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The iPhone reviews are out and overall, the reviews are mostly positive. Here they are:

The iPhone is Breakthrough Handheld Computer, Wall Street Journal

Expectations for the iPhone have been so high that it can't possibly meet them all. It isn't for the average person who just wants a cheap, small phone for calling and texting. But, despite its network limitations, the iPhone is a whole new experience and a pleasure to use.

The iPhone Matches Most of Its Hype, New York Times

But even in version 1.0, the iPhone is still the most sophisticated, outlook-changing piece of electronics to come along in years. It does so many things so well, and so pleasurably, that you tend to forgive its foibles. In other words, maybe all the iPhone hype isn’t hype at all. As the ball player Dizzy Dean once said, “It ain’t bragging if you done it.”

Apple's iPhone isn't perfect, but it's worthy of the hype, USA Today

The mania over Apple's iPhone launch has created stratospheric expectations that are near impossible to live up to. Yet with a few exceptions, this expensive, glitzy wunderkind is indeed worth lusting after. That's saying a lot. After months of hype, Apple has delivered a prodigy — a slender fashion phone, a slick iPod and an Internet experience unlike any before it on a mobile handset.

At Last, the iPhone, Newsweek

Certainly all those people lining up to buy iPhones will find their investment worthwhile, if only for the delight they get from dazzling their friends. They will surely appreciate the iPhone’s features and the way they are intertwined to present a unified experience. But in the future—when the iPhone has more applications and offers more performance, with a lower price—buyers will find even more value. So smart consumers may well wait for that day. But meanwhile they can only look with envy as the person sitting next to them to them on the subway, or standing ahead of them in the Whole Foods line, is enjoying the phone that finally fulfills the promise of people-friendly palm-top communication and computing.

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