bitdot | a whimsy…

Yup, there’s always something new to learn.  That goes double for computing.

Current Internet browsers have tabbed browsing–multiple web pages in multiple tabs, all in one tidy  browser window.  Click a tab to view.  Ctrl-click to open a link in a new tab.

But… if you have a mouse with a clickable scroll-wheel, aka  Mouse Button 3, (or an old mouse with three buttons sans scroll wheel), just click that–keyboard not needed.

I discovered this on the Google Chrome Blog.  I’ve been testing out Chrome as an alternative browser–have to say, very fast.  Of course, the rest of the popular browsers–IE, Firefox, Safari–do this, I just didn’t know!!!   (Man, it hurts to admit that.)

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Nirvana for wireless network providers has to be when subscribers start using their network for all their communication needs.

I have many friends who exist, sans a land line, with only a cell phone.  And I think that’s just fine until you have to troubleshoot a problem with said cell phone–particulary a smartphone.

Let’s use AT&T Wireless for an example (currently, my favorite whipping company)…

They MUST do snoopy dances every time a subscriber picks them over a landline.  It probably goes something like this…

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Apple, AT&T, iPhone, iPhone 3GS, Wireless

Sync Errors…

If there ever was an example of the colorful acronym, SNAFU (Situation Normal: All F—-D Up), Technology would be the poster child–at least when it gets into my hands.

My wife is frequently telling me that for a guy who makes part of his living as a personal technology consultant, I sure have a lot of problems (we’re only talking tech problems here, you know). I personally think it’s bad karma–I might have been a cylon in another life.

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Apple, AT&T, cylon, iPhone, iPhone 3GS, iPod, Palm, sync, Vista, Windows, Windows Mobile, WinMo

Yes, I admit it. I have a terrible affliction. Some call it genetic, others, a blight upon the soul. Whatever it is, I will acknowledge and take responsibility for it. It is called… dun-dun dunnh!… Camera Envy (notice the caps).

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Cases & Virtual Keyboarding

Spent an hour in a very crowded NYC Apple store looking to nab a case for my WinMo AT&T Tilt replacement, the new 32 GB iPhone 3GS.

What I found was a whole lotta not much–some were cool, but many crappy.  And I mean “what were they thinking!” kind of crappy, too.

After some mildly obsessive research this past weekend, I had already narrowed the selection down to two possible candidates, neither of which are currently available–one ships in July. The other, “back-ordered”.

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Apple, AT&T, iPhone, iPhone 3GS, iPod, mobile, NYC, Safari, speed, Subway, web surfing, WiFi, Windows Mobile

Finally, my first couple of work days using my new iPhone. I must admit that i was a bit worried–my phone/PDA is my life-line to the world of the self-employed.

Before we move on, I’d like you to meet my new friend, Toki Tori. More on him after the bump.

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Apple, AT&T, iPhone, iPhone 3GS, iPod, love, Windows Mobile, WinMo

Continuing my experience with switching from the Windows Mobile AT&T Tilt to the iPhone 3GS.

Looks & UI

I have to say that while I was pretty impressed with my new, sleek, shiny little toy, the user interface kind of blew me away. “Dead Simple” doesn’t even begin to describe it. Not having to pull out and use a stylus while pressing a bunch of buttons to navigate as in WinMo? Priceless.

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Apple, AT&T, iPhone, iPod, iTunes, Win, Windows Mobile, WinMo

Finally got me an iPhone.

I’ve been playing wait-and-see since the 1st gen model came out in ‘07, wanting to give it a chance to flop or mature before I dipped my toes into the Apple mobile pond. I’ve always been a fan of Apple, but I was honestly a bit pessimistic about the 1st gen due to some missing items: 3G, multi-tasking, 3rd-party apps, physical keyboard, tethering and push email to name a few.

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This is an image used in a Seattle litterbug campaign. The enraged dude with the paddle? That’s exactly how I feel when I see people littering–I want to smack spank the living crap out of them.

For years I’ve been working up my nerve to ask litterbugs to pick-up their litter and be responsible. However, it was hard to maintain the veneer of civilized folk and politely ask them to pick-up their mess, when all I wanted was to kick them in the ass.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve managed to calm down a bit and contrive a less confrontational means of accosting the litterbug.

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