As anyone who knows me will already know, the last April 1st post was indeed an April Fool’s joke (or at least attempt at one). Apple and I go together like peanut butter and chocolate and what a tasty combination that is! mmmm, resse’s pieces…
Just to clarify, my last post was sarcastic as I have had a much better overall computing experience since the early ’90s using Macs. I’ve spent a number of years using PC’s for work and found them to by MUCH more problematic, virus ridden, graphic-less and overally frustrating to use on a day to day basis. Overall, the Mac OS has been far more produtive, problem free and pleasurable to use day to day then any Windows or Linux version I’ve tried to use. The fact that its really only my PC friends who ask for help or advice to ‘fix’ their computers, where as my Mac friends only ask, how do I create this or that IS a testament to the stability and different computing nature of the two platforms.
Neither Mac or PC is perfect by any means, but the Mac is far more an elegant, refined and productive OS with just as aesthetically pleasing hardware to boot. Truth be told, if I was to match up the features and hardware of a PC from Sony, Dell, HP or any the other main brands I’d be paying as much or even more then a comparable professional Mac, which for me being a creative professional is absolutely perfect. Add to that there are so many other little details in both hardware and software you just don’t find on the PC side. PLUS, I can STILL run a full version of Windows XP Pro INSIDE my Mac OS X, running both OS’s at once, for the occasional testing of websites for clients – and it all, just works.
Since 1995, I’ve only ever run into 1 hardware failure (old Mac died), 2 viruses (harmless ones in ‘98 that simply kept restarting the Mac) and only ever lost files because of my own ‘tinkering’ with Unix commands (d’oh!) and with each version of Mac OS X am finding having very bad crashes only happen, at most 1-2 times A YEAR. The rest of the time I can just keep working away happily without much hassle at all.
Definition (courtesy Wired.com): The Internet treats all data equally. That riles some ISPs, which would like to charge certain companies, say, Google, big bucks to provide faster service. Over the past year, Congress has considered four bills that would either codify an equal-opportunity online environment or explicitly legalize tiered service. A non-neutral Net probably would create crippling costs for the Googles of the world — which is why the search giant has opposed it. On the other hand, it might help ISPs fund long-overdue service upgrades.
Net neutrality goes beyond just media companies and delves deeper into the ISPs and other companies who host and manage the net as we know it. Sure we can make a network among our neighbours ‘free from media’ but then all you see is each other. What if you want to see YouTube? Research something on Wikipedia? Learn about the history of African cultures, etc, etc, etc. You can’t do that unless you are ON the internet.
The threat to net neutrality is that the companies who control our gates, or access, like the Rogers, the Bell, the AT&T, Sprints, etc. WOULD love to charge us and extra ‘fee’ for downloading or accessing higher bandwidth content like videos. Apple & iTunes is not immune – think of this – you want to download an HD movie you bought from iTunes, you click the link, your card is charged and you get ready to download the video but wait! Rogers pops up a window saying that the content is deemed by it to be ‘high broadband and you need to upgrade your plan another $20/month to access it. This, after you already paid for what you thought was ‘high speed’.
Rogers and Bell already have been forced to admit they do ‘throttle’ your speed regardless of what you pay as THEY seem fit – notice how the term ‘unlimited download’ nolonger exisits on all broadband plans? Its all about the money and greed and essentially does create a divide where those who want to get access to the ‘broadband’ content will have to pay extra ‘access fees’ and once you let that happen, you bet your ASCII that the media companies will follow suit and be ready to charge you for premium content.
Rogers is already ‘testing’ this type of ’service’ for its customers – link on the Star
I came across an excellent and enlightening article about Autism and one woman’s battle in trying to explain her view of her condition is not exactly what the medical community understands it is – and indeed, her videos she posts on YouTube have gained alot of exposure and interest as she attempts to translate to us what she calls ‘her language’. This story and video below will make you rethink what defines communication and thought …
Description of the video below: The first part is in my “native language,” and then the second part provides a translation, or at least an explanation. This is not a look-at-the-autie gawking freakshow as much as it is a statement about what gets considered thought, intelligence, personhood, language, and communication, and what does not.
OK, so its been long awaited since February 2005 and today its is semi-launched … I know, I know, what IS the hold up you ask? Well for one, far too much work during the day and night leaves hardly any time or energy to really be creative on my own projects. With that said, I have managed to offer a little something to view for now – have a look!
It has been a very long time since any one person has so impressed and inspired me into what a true politician can be portrayed and possess true humanity. That person is Barack Obama. Every speech, interview and story I come across only continues to resolve my faith in a man who truly embraces truth and hope in a world that has fallen too far into dishonesty and pessimissim, just as his past November visit to Google clearly demonstrates [ view it hear - 64 mins ]
Beyond that, I had come across his website out of curiosity and was impressed with the overall design and layout. The site is an excellent example of good, modern web design – navigating the site is simple and clearly marked; key buttons and areas are quick and easy to find; easy to read and well spaced fonts and gorgeous colour choices with a very aesthetically appealing use of graphic design; overall the website IS one of the best examples of good web design I’ve seen. Have a look here – its very well done.
Though what is even more reassuring to my mind is Obama’s recent strong showing in the US Primaries, running a very close second to Hillary Clinton. His ideals of a need for change has truly struck a chord throughout the US populace, which is important to note because like it or not they still have a strong influence in the world, especially North America, and the last 8 years of unconceivable damage done by the Bush administration to the image of Western society to the world at large needs someone with a strong clear vision to reverse and fix. His words and wisdom I can only compare back to the days of John F. Kennedy, and maybe early Bill Clinton, and his thinking reflects a vision to address the challenges and issues held both continentally and globally in a positive way. I only wish we had far more politicians like Obama, especially in Canada where our own politicians seem so conservatively boring and uninspiring and lacking any real vision at all.
The US, Canada, and the world NEEDS Barack Obama for a more positive, hopeful and honest future. I would even go as far and wish I was an American just so I could vote and support this man. This video is an excellent demonstration of the strength behind his message and how it inspired a host of stars to come together on very short notice to answer that ultimate question that asks ‘can we as individuals help shape and change a better future?‘ The answer, YES WE CAN…
Website: The Art of Productions Inc. was started up by a few friends of mine with the idea of creating live presentations with some of the world’s leading visionaries in their respective fields:
The Art of Productions Inc. designs and produces a collection of world class live events. Each event educates and entertains audiences from communities of interest by bringing together leading authorities and internationally renowned presenters. The “Art of…” events are learning experiences where participants gain key concepts that can be applied to their professional and personal lives. Engaging and informative programming guarantees an educational and empowering experience.
Note: This is my most advanced website to date that utilizes CSS for the complete layout, look and feel. Tables are only used rarely in a very minor supportive role (ie forms) and I’ve even gone as far as having custom stylesheets for IE 6 & lower, IE 7 & higher, and all other browsers to ensure the integrity of the site design is consistent across a wide range of browsers on Mac & PC.
Today I’m starting a new feature that will showcase some of the client work I develop and design. I invite you to have a look and learn more about the client and project as a whole – you just might find something your interested in.
Website: CurraghmoreFarm.com is a website I designed and launched just before the holidays for Mike and Vera Curraghmore and their Waterdown, Ontario based farm dedicated to the high-quality care of race horses:
With select accommodation for an exclusive clientele, the paddocks of Curraghmore Farm are gently nestled within hard-wood tree lines and woodlots on the mineral-rich limestone cap of the Niagara Escarpment. Restricted herd size ensures unquestioned quality management of both mare and foal and contributes to our outstanding success of producing three times the North American average of stakes winners. If you are looking for the perfect farm to raise and care for your equine investment, you have come to the right place.
Thanks to the evil, vile and most undesirable scum of the earth, otherwise known as SPAMMERS, I have turned off user registration until my army of web monkeys can figure out a way to prevent these ingrates from creating fake subscriptions to post spam – not on my blog be-otch!
For those who would like to subscribe, send me an email and I’ll hook you up – cool?
Facebook has been absolutely amazing in how it continues to surprise me in how it hooks me up with friends new and old and once thought to be lost and forgotten. Just today I reconnected with yet another friend who said she simply spotted me by following the Toronto network link (I’m a member of it, as is most of my friends). I didn’t realize the significance of this until today, because as it turns out you are essentially invisible to most people until you join a network, and with Toronto being one of the largest on Facebook, chances are if you grew up or know people in the GTA, you will hook up with an old friend!
It amazes me all the more because I’ve been online, with emails and my own websites, since ‘95 and in all that time I’ve only had business contacts get a hold of me with the odd friend here and there – but Facebook somehow changed all that and just made it easier then looking through Google or Yahoo.
As anyone who knows me will already know, the last April 1st post was indeed an April Fool’s joke (or at least attempt at one). Apple and I go together like peanut butter and chocolate and what a tasty combination that is! mmmm, resse’s pieces…
