Archive for August, 2005
August 22nd, 2005 -- Posted in 11010011 |
Google released the second major version of its Google Desktop software. The story can be found here and it can be downloaded here.
From the little I know about this piece of software which I have NOT used extensively, version 1 basically indexed the textual information on your desktop google-style. This made it easier to search documents on your personal machine and there was some integration with the google website w.r.t. search results that came up.
Version 2 has added a bunch of side dishes. The biggest one I’d like to note is the Sidebar feature which basically brings together a bunch of consumer-oriented information (RSS feeds, stocks, weather, to do lists, news headlines, etc.) into one “utility” bar (a la Trillian, but no IM).
I can’t get it to function at work right now (poo on the firewall) but my initial impression is that it reminds me of Yahoo’s recent purchase of Konfabulator. This does almost the exact same thing. The only BIG visual difference is that the Google Desktop brings it all under one interface whereas Konfabulator brings it up under separate windows (splitting hairs here really).
The cool thing about Konfabulator is the extensive set of plugins (widgets) available. I guess it could be a lot cooler if they had a more impressive set to pick from, but currently you could download plugins for grabbing different data (e.g., a Google Maps). The other selling point of this is that there are contributors from the developer community.
Lo and behold, Google desktop does the same thing! How surprising.
I wouldn’t say that one necessarily copied the other, but there is this movement towards aggregating data in this one-stop-shop way for the user.
August 17th, 2005 -- Posted in ?:] |
Today, I had a random memory of my Europe trip. It’s my memory of when we first go to Paris. It’s not from when the plane landed or even on our subway ride into the main center of the city. It was when we got off the subway, picked a random exit and, with bags in hand, curiously stuck our heads out. We were strangers in a strange land.
The train from the airport into the city.
When I think back to that moment, I can recall that feeling of anxiety, excitement and wonder. What does it look like? What do the buildings look like? What do the people look like? How are the people? Where are we?
Our exit, Jaures (Jwah-ray), opened up onto a the corner of a major intersection. There were multi-lane roads, moderate traffic. It was late afternoon on a Saturday and above the street was a subway rail.
Artsy picture of Jaures by Neelesh.
I recall how the weather was a bit on the warm side. It was very mild and welcoming. Right there was a cafe on the corner (yes, I know, it’s France!) where people relaxed and chatted.
The intersection outside, right in front of our hostel.
We were busy trying to orient ourselves so we could find our hostel which turned out to be not too far away.
Anyway, what a joyous feeling it was. That initial feeling that you’ve reached the beginning of the beginning. That anticipation of a new adventure where you do not know what lies ahead.
August 15th, 2005 -- Posted in >:O |
Well, Technology really isn’t dead, but my laptop is. Not completely dead. If it were in a war, I’d say that it lost an arm but will probably live through the war. The video card is beginning to go. At first I thought it was a driver issue, but now I’m pretty sure it’s hardware. Poo. At least I was able to recover all my data off of it. Thank goodness for safe mode.
The good thing was that I got a new laptop. Yippee! Dell, here I come. Don’t let me down!
I went to a White Stripes concert last friday. It totally rocked! Definitely the quintessential minimalist American Rock. I want to put pictures up but am waiting for the new lappie until I can pull pics off my digital camera.
Lastly, I went kite flying on Sunday at the Berkeley marina. That place is always so windy you could fly brown sandwhich bags if you wanted to. I saw the scariest thing though: a 30 ft long fish (??) kite! Pictures of that will be up soon.
Unrelated quote from a sig I saw from someone on Slashdot that I find amusing:
Nietsche: God is dead.
God: Nietsche is dead.
August 15th, 2005 -- Posted in >:O |
Well, Technology really isn’t dead, but my laptop is. Not completely dead. If it were in a war, I’d say that it lost an arm but will probably live through the war. The video card is beginning to go. At first I thought it was a driver issue, but now I’m pretty sure it’s hardware. Poo. At least I was able to recover all my data off of it. Thank goodness for safe mode.
The good thing was that I got a new laptop. Yippee! Dell, here I come. Don’t let me down!
I went to a White Stripes concert last friday. It totally rocked! Definitely the quintessential minimalist American Rock. I want to put pictures up but am waiting for the new lappie until I can pull pics off my digital camera.
Lastly, I went kite flying on Sunday at the Berkeley marina. That place is always so windy you could fly brown sandwhich bags if you wanted to. I saw the scariest thing though: a 30 ft long fish (??) kite! Pictures of that will be up soon.
Unrelated quote from Slashdot that I find amusing:
Nietzsche: God is dead.
God: Nietzsche is dead.
August 9th, 2005 -- Posted in Random |
The quintessential form of warning someone is the use of the finger. Usually used by a parent to scold a child, it tends to have a condescending feel to it.. at least in American culture. That’s why I was amused when I saw this story in today’s New York Times Online: Bush Suspicious of Iran’s Nuke Ambitions.
It’s not too amusing until you see the picture associated with the article:
Bush says, “No no no.. no nukes for you Iran.”
My brother aptly pointed me to a very similar image but of another person:
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