What next? I hope that I can drop the keyboard and just think the words onto the screen….

Kite surfers catch the last of the daylight at the end of another beautiful day in the Netherlands.

• First stop, Animal House Quotes at imb.  Not for the easily offended.  But a classic nontheless.
• Then I opened up KCCN FM 100 for good tunes for my web stroll.
• Next up, a quck review of indifference curves via a Google Search…I drilled down into a few sites, but Wikipedia was the one I relied on for comprehensive information…
• And from there, I linked to LaTeX (pronunced Lay-Teck) to see how they represent math equations….surprisingly, the Wikipedia description was far more informative than the official web site. 
• Somehow–I can’t recall how–I ended up at a WordPress themed blog tracking down some informaton on LaTeX.  The blog had some interesting information, but more importantly, it had a great design.  So I had to track down the design called Notepad Chaos created by Evan Eckard for Smashing Magazine. 
• The comments in that article mentioned how Notepad Chaos looked a lot like Web Design Wall.  So I stopped over there to compare….Once at WDW, I found myself wandering down lots of Internet Rabbit Holes (IRbHs) from the links in various posts and articles. 
• The first tunnel was over to  Ma.tt where I learned how the WordPress creator spends his day.  I would love to leave my office empty for 6 days a week… 
• From one of those articles, I learned about Gravatars, images that you can use all over the Internet without having to upload new images to each and every blog, website, forum, etc, that you might visit.
• Of course, I had to visit the parent site for WordPress, Gravatar and others….and that is Automattic. Great stuff.
• And I’ll bet you didn’t know that some people intentionally remap their keyboard and type in other than QWERTY keyboards.  There is DVORAK and AZERTY…who knew?!  I had no idea. Not sure if I can switch but I’m intrigued.
• A link in one of the articles took me over to The Power of Less.  Something I could clearly spend some time reviewing!  Focus is good. I’ve already modified my computer usage to shut down Outlook when I’m trying to focus on other things.  I am going through withdrawal, but a little concentration will get me past this.  I no longer visit my Facebook page either…Less is more. More time for me.
• And while enjoying the great web designs I found, I decided to go looking for more WordPress Themes and ended up at WordPress Theme Park.  Nice.  I’m thinking of using some of these graphic ideas in a logo I’m designing.
• And without dragging you through the mud, I’ll just say that I hit about a dozen other sites related to logo design, internet design, and graphic design in general.     
• Finally, I’ll close this list with the last link I visited before heading outside to enjoy the evening by jogging through Den Haag for a couple of hours– Tim Ferris’ blog–where he talks about his 4-hour week.
• The timing of visiting that final webpage seemed appropriate as I later stood on the beach in Scheveningen, NL .  There were crowds and crowds of surfers, windsurfers, and kite surfers who had been in the water for most of the day.  Here in the NL, most businesses seem to close promptly at 5 or 6 pm and only stay open late one night a week.  Which got me to rethink the idea of working hard and working late to get more done…all I have to do now is take up kite surfing….

And with that in mind….why am I still sitting here writing this blog?  Time to go work on another project.  Signing off for now.  Peace to you and may you enjoy life.

:>D
ylan

Don’t get me wrong, these are all great uses of the computer, but you don’t need a high-powered computer to do these activities.  Cell phones are now very capable of handling these functions.  It all boils down to the software.  Can you program enough lines of code to make the computer interact at a higher level?  Can we get semi-autonomous machines that control the light in our house, turn on the lights when it gets dark, control the temperature in the house etc…?

But I digress.  This post is about not being able to keep up with the changes on the internet.  Recently, I discovered Chrome when I downloaded Google Earth.  I also found CoolIris when I was looking for a plugin for Lightroom.  I just signed up for Facebook and have been wondering who else I might know with an account.  I just updated the underlying software for this blog.  I am now using WordPress ver 2.7.

Change is great.  I like the new features that come with new toys.  And with the exception of Lightroom, all were free!  How does this work?  Who is paying for these programmers to pay their rent and electirc bills?  Again I digress.

Chrome is great.  I like being able to search by typing directly in the address bar (I just discovered that IE also allows this…funny I never noticed before…) Hard to keep up.  I like the graphical display (a mini page shot) in Chrome that shows the sites you visit most frequently.  Cooliris is neat but a little disorienting.  I feel like I’m on a boat in the ocean with gentle waves lapping at my boat….I couldn’t stop the screen…it keeps moving a little after your mouse stops. (Turns out you can turn of the gently scrolling feature to make it feel like you are on terra firma). But again, a neat graphical represenation of your searches on a huge wall that spans left and right as far as you like.  Much more fun to search this way than with the simple text responses from google.  But alas, something is missing and I gave up. Too much splash and not enough content….But a step in the right direction.

Google Earth is a great way to view the world.  Wonderful mapping and 360 pictures are eerie.  It is fun to jump into pictures and see where I am jumping.

Lightroom is finally working well for me and I just wish it could handle video images.  Now that the Canon 5D Mark II DSLR can take video (probably not its claim to fame, but it appears game-changing to me), it seems appropriate to have Lightroom pick up the marker and move the ball forward.  Now anyone can use high quality lenses to make movies on a Digital SLR. Wow.

And Facebook.  A neat idea, but can I have a system that allows me to “rate” my friends?  Not everyone comes to my house for dinner and so, everyone on facebook should not be allowed the same level of access.  I have acquaintences, and friends.  I have family and really close friends.  I should be able to rank my contacts to change how much of my Facebook they can access…Not everyone needs to write on my wall.  And those applications that are so neat…why do they have to access everything on my page (to include my friend’s information)?  I would love to try those apps, but if I play, all of my friends content is opened up to the app and then by extension, to google and search engines.   There should be a better lock for this…Maybe I’ll have to make my own “facebook” page… I think I’ll call it “myspatula.com”.  Cause you’ll be able to “cook up”  any scheme you like for keeping track of your contacts….

But I’m just dreaming on.  The more things change, the more humans stay the same.  Technology changes, but will these changes become permanent useful fixtures (like the car, telephone, or Internet), or just road markers on the way to something better (Disc Cameras, Cassette Tapes, Neckties)?  

People like their technology to be transparent.  The only people who brag about the size of their memory card or the number of pixels on the screen are geeks.  The rest of the world just wants to use their toys, watch their DVDs, and enjoy the fresh air….We don’t want to fight the technology, we just want to get by and have our lives be a little easier. But its hard to keep up with the newest gadget…. Got a new gadget you want me to try…Post a comment and let me know about it….

Eventually we will not wear ties.  But I digress…

D

So the question is now what?  What do I replace this venerable workhorse with?  Naturally I want a fast and quiet machine. One that won’t wake the family when I power it up.  And hopefully video rendering times will fall rapidly from 12+ hours to something much more reasonable.  I can only hope.

I tussled with buying a Mac, but I know Windows.  Mac will have to wait for a botique opportunity later.  I need this machine to work with all my current software.  And I like being able to right click <grin>.

So I went to Dell since they got such a good write up in one of the video editing forums I was perusing online.  Dell online customer service recommended the XPS630.  Great looking machine.  They even offered it with Windows XP.  So I got interested.  I configured my machine as best I could and then asked Dell to look it over.  I couldn’t find the option for wireless NIC nor internal card reader so I asked.  They couldn’t really help there…the “system” gave the combinations and the sales folks just sold those combinations. If I clicked on some of the other XPS 630 “configure me” links, I got different options for processor, HDD, video, and keyboards.  Bizarre.  I thought they were all the same XPS 630s.  I guess some are more equal than others. 

The Dell responses got slower and less focused.  They really were nice and wanted to be helpful within the sphere of what they were allowed to do.  But they couldn’t give me everything I wanted. So reluctantly, I began searching the web for something else.  Something more responsive.  I stumbled across Puget computers while visiting consumersearch.  Puget’s website actually explained each component.  And different builders/sales folks gave different opinions on the same product.  But each of these opinions  made sense even though they often differed, and yet were sometimes not what you would hear from a sales guy.  Things like “we do not recommend this one…” or ” a little loud, but the price is right” (I’m paraphrasing to protect the innocent….)  It was like having a real conversation with real people about a product in which they offered their real opinions, but were also the experts and not just random comments…

I liked their style so much, I configured a system and asked for a review.  I got an answer in less than an hour.  Not bad for a company that says they would get back to me in 24 hours.  They gave good advice, I made some more choices, and now they are building my machine.  Will let you know how it goes…(I get to see my machine being built…they post online updates.  So far, I see that they ordered the video card which arrives later today.  The rest of the parts are in stock and get built as soon as the video card arrives….  This is almost as exciting as watching maple syrup drip from a tree.  You can’t take your eyes off it when it first starts to flow, yet there is nothing supremely unique in the process itself.  It is just good business with great customer service.  It is a wonder that we crave this so much, yet experience it so little.  Just like good maple syrup.

**********************************

Here is the progress from the online build screen at Puget.  Every day they kept provide me an update.  It is almost like building it myself…almost.  I get to watch the progress without the pain. I will keep this blog post updated as the computer gets built, tested, delivered, and then used in my home!  

• Quote Submitted – 2008-09-08
  Original configuration submitted by customer.
• Order Submitted – 2008-09-09
  Order submitted by customer.
• Waiting for Part(s) – 2008-09-09   Updated By: Melissa
  Video card is ETA 9/10 (tomorrow), beginning assembly of everything else.
• In Assembly – 2008-09-10   Updated By: Melissa
  All parts arrived, including the adjustment to a different case and PSU.
• Ready for Installation – 2008-09-11   Updated By: Jeff

So if all parts have arrived, I wonder when they start building….

***********************************

Just checked on line 12 hours after my comment above.  Looks like my question was answered!  See the progress below:

• Build / Assembly Section certified completed by: Ruben  
• Test the power supply for adequate voltage levels    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:03 AM
      Your power supply is tested for stable output of all voltage levels (3.3V, 5V, 12V rails). 
• Check for post of mb/cpu/ram before mounting    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:05 AM
      Your motherboard, CPU, and memory are tested outside your case to ensure they are in working condition before we take the time to assemble the whole computer. 
• Assemble the rest of the system, verify all parts    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:06 AM
      Your system finishes assembly! We also double check all the parts on your order at this step, to make sure they are all correct, present and accounted for.
• Check for post of fully completed system    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:08 AM
      The completed system is turned on for the first time!
• Update BIOS    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:10 AM
      Your BIOS is updated to the most recent stable release.
• Set Memory Speed, Timings, and Voltage    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:11 AM
      We verify that your memory is running at the correct settings for best stability and performance (sometimes the motherboard does not automatically select the right speed).
• Set QFan and fan monitor settings    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:13 AM
      Special features are turned on to keep your system running quieter.
• Set SATA controller mode    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:14 AM
      We set the SATA controller to either IDE or AHCI mode according to the operating system.
• Set Boot order    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:16 AM
      Your boot order is set to Floppy -> CDROM (top drive) -> Hard Drive
• Disable all unnecessary onboard devices    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:17 AM
      All onboard items that are not needed are disabled (RAID, sound, video).
• Verify all cards and cabling is hot glued    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:19 AM
      All loose connectors and cards are hot glued in place to help prevent them from being knocked loose in shipping.
• All bundled items boxed and area cleaned    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:20 AM
      All manuals, CDs and accessories that came with your components are bundled and placed with the computer.
• Phase 1 Testing Section certified completed by: Jeff  
• All fans spinning at correct RPM    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:27 AM
      All fans are confirmed to be spinning and properly controlled by any included fan controllers. 
• Front LEDs functional    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:31 AM
      All front LEDs (hard drive, power) are confirmed to be properly hooked up.
• Hard Drive Test    Ruben – 09/11/08 09:28:30 AM
      Your hard drive has passed a full test by the manufaturer’s diagnostic tools.
• CPU Test    Jeff – 09/11/08 12:45:28 PM
      Your CPU has passed testing at full speed.
• Memory Test    Jeff – 09/11/08 12:45:30 PM
      Your memory has passed testing with MemTest86
   

**********************************

Update:

In Assembly – 2008-09-12   Updated By: Jon
Motherboard had a fault (it didn’t properly detect the hard drives). Replacing with new motherboard, and OS installation will commence on Monday.

***********************************

Update:  I got a MOBO upgrade since the one that was destined for my machine is no longer in stock.

•  Install / Setup Section certified completed by: Jeff   Install Base OS    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:02:31 PM
      Your hard drive is pre-loaded with a base level install of the operating system, which is later customized to your order.
• Install / update device drivers    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:41 PM  
      All the most recent drivers (downloaded from the manufacturer) are loaded for your devices.
• Uninstall Unnecessary Device Drivers    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:41 PM 
       All software used for unnecessary devices that we disabled earlier is uninstalled, to keep Windows as clean and fast as possible.
• Check Partition Sizes    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:14:32 PM 
      We make sure that all your hard drives are correctly partitioned, and that any special instructions about partition sizes are followed.
• Install Temperature Monitoring Utility    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:09:38 PM 
       A temperature monitoring utility is installed to help us check your machine for adequate cooling. When the system is ready for shipping, we uninstall these utilities to keep the install clean.
• Synchronize time with server    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:43 PM
      Your time is synchronised with an atomic US govenment clock.
• Run WindowsUpdate.com    Jeff – 09/15/08 04:28:21 PM 
       All Windows updates and service packs are applied.
• Install all software and updates    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:42 PM 
       All software on your invoice is installed and any applicable update packs are applied.
• Update optical drive firmware    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:07:40 PM 
      Your optical drive firmware is updated as applicable, to ensure best media compatibility.
• Copy Feedback Icon to Desktop    Jeff – 09/15/08 03:09:40 PM
      A link is placed on your desktop to leave feedback about your computer.
• Verify front ports (USB, firewire, sound)    Jeff – 09/15/08 05:12:47 PM
      All front ports on your case are verified to be functional. In some cases, it is not possible for all ports to be active (ie, if you have a sound card with no front audio support, we cannot hook it up to the front sound port on a case).
• Verify floppy drive, DVD-ROM, card reader    Jeff – 09/15/08 05:15:40 PM
      All removable drives are confirmed to be included in My Computer.
• Phase 2 Testing Section certified completed by: Jeff 
• Double Check System Specs    Jeff – 09/16/08 07:26:21 AM
      Your system specs are double checked for any mistakes, using an automated utility we have built that not only checks for the right parts, but that they are configured correctly.
• Test Standby Mode and Power Off    Jeff – 09/15/08 05:10:44 PM
      We put your system into standby and back, and turn system completely off and back on, to verify normal behavior.
• Test Wireless Connection (if applicable)    Jeff – 09/15/08 04:50:38 PM
      If your configuration includes wireless, we check for normal reception, and test the component by copying a large file over our office wireless connection.
• Test DVD-RW Burning    Jeff – 09/15/08 05:14:43 PM
      If you have a DVDRW drive, we burn a short movie to a DVD to test the drive. This DVD is next used to verify DVD movie playback.
• Play Movie DVD    Jeff – 09/15/08 05:15:41 PM
      We play a movie DVD in your drive to confirm drive functionality, as well as codec installation. DVD playback software is installed if needed. Not applicable if you do not order a DVD drive.
• Check for sound output    Jeff – 09/15/08 05:15:40 PM
      Your sound card is confirmed to output sound.
• PCMark2005    Jeff – 09/16/08 01:45:20 PM
      Various aspects of your machine are fully tested with PCMark 2005.
• 3DMark    Jeff – 09/16/08 01:45:22 PM
      Your video card and 3D software is fully tested with either 3Dmark 2006 or 3Dmark Vantage deepending on the OS.
• Upload Bechmarks and Temperature Logs    Jeff – 09/16/08 01:49:50 PM
      All the benchmarks taken during the phase 2 testing process are recorded on our server, providing you with benchmark scores, and providing us with statistical information that will help us assist future customers. We also upload our temperature logs, giving you a baseline you can compare to after you receive the system.

*****************************

Update September 20, 2008.  The machine is built and has been shipped.  Now all I have to do is wait and then *play* with the new *toy* when it arrives!

For comparision, I have tried Drupal, e107, and Joomla.  I also keep some other websites running using my own scripts and hand-coded php pages with MySQL backends, and some flat-file websites that I keep running with TextPad and ftp. I use Macromedia Dreamweaver 8 (Now called Adobe Dreamweaver CS3)  to help design some of the pages, but I am not confident in my use of Dreamweaver to build an entire site using the capabilites within.  

Unfortunately, I’m old school and tend to build my webpages using raw HTML.  Not because I’m good at it, but just because I don’t know a better way.  As you can imagine, hard coding pages is tedious and time-consuming.  I use a lot of php includes for headers, footers and menus, but even so, it is a lot of work.

In my brief search for a Content Management System, I stumbled across WordPress (someone was using it for their blog), and I have been a happy customer ever since.  Always looking for a better tool, I tried the other packages. 

By far, WordPress impressed me with it’s ease of use and intuitive menus. Simple is good.  I can schedule posts to appear at a predetermined time, can manage links and other pages, and have great control over the look of the site through a wide array of themes and color selections.  It is well thought out.

I have not had the same success with Drupal, Joomla, or e107.  I found that I needed to read a lot of poorly written how-to manuals and forums (I think they are written from the perspective of someone who already knows how to get the system up and running, so there are details missing that I am unable to interpolate), do a lot of trial and error, and yet, I still cannot get the look I want. 

I have not given up on trying other Content Management Systems, but while I struggle with those other software packages…I use WordPress when I want to get my blog up and running with no fuss and minimal maintenance.  It just works.

But it is not yet perfect.  I don’t know how to view a list of my posts, by title under each category, on the right side of each page.  I have seen other WordPress sites with this feature, so I know it is possible, I just haven’t figured it out yet. If you know, please feel free to direct my attention to the proper setting or theme. Thanks!

P.S. While I was out surfing, I Just came across this list of other CMS packages. I was naturally intrigued to discover there are so many…10 years ago it was difficult to find even one!  But now there are literaly dozens.

But I feel I must do two things….learn to use WordPress reasonabley well (It is now up to version 2.6). And then see if there is anything else to compare with the ease and ability of the CMS capabilities inherent in this blogging software.

But that is not what this post is about.  This post is about the design of the webpage that talks about the hack.  I am impressed with what can be displayed using only your browser.  No doubt the future of the Internet lies in the interface.

http://osx.portraitofakite.com/index2.htm