AntoineRJWright.com

Hello all, just here to say that I am still around. Still chillin. Still working. I have begun working some more with BargainPDA. Due to my extra time online, I have been able to find some really good new about new and upcoming PDAs such as the Tungsten T5 in the pic above. That one should be coming out in Oct/Nov. Personally, I would like to upgrade to it if it is as advertised. I am also just doing some more web work. I have a few sites that I am working on now that I hope will turn into some good contracts. Other than that, I am having a good time chillin. I met a few neighbors the other day and that was kool to get out the house. It rained today so that didnt happen. But there will be other times. Have a blessed day if you are in the mist of it already.
~Take it easy.Read More

I have a new reason to love today. Usually, love would be a combination of feelings and actions, words and reflections, just a whole psalm of who I am. Tonight, I listened to my ladi, Kyera, as she used words and reflections to give me her feelings and devotions for her heart for God. I would not do her the dishonor of trying to repeat any that I heard, as that was part of her journal. Rather, I listened and felt a tug in my heart for her that I had not felt. It was like, "wow! I love this woman. God really set me up with a ladi after His heart." She usually sees me act comedy to reflect my feelings, but tonight she had left me speechless. And as I tried to muster a response, I could only think of the late night poetry runs that K-Gat and I would do to just tell each other what is going on. This time though, it was that love that I had written about for so long being the one to speak towards me. I never heard such love before. That is why I post tonight. I have a new reason to love Kyera. She opened her heart to show me a part of her that I had never seen before. And it was a petal falling on my heart. Soft, yet effective in making the point clear: if I love her for dropping one petal of her heart, wait until I know her better. Sweetie, may the Lord set His face to shine upon you. And may that love that I felt from you, be fully received by Him. Good night all.Read More

Today is the day where Fox will be showing four eposodes of Family Guy in preparation for the return of Family Guy to Fox. Personally, I am really glad that it is making a comeback. I hope that Fox decides to put it on a good night, and not switch it up like they used to. I watched just about every episode that Cartoon Network would show, and I am glad to say that I am ready. Are you ready?Read More

I came across this today while I was reading Palm news. Most people who are not into computers will not get all of the references, but it is fun nonetheles. If you are interested, check it out here.

This was how I did.

Which OS are You?
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I have a HP Pavilion laptop for sale. It runs Windows ME and has a 9GB harddrive. Depending on the offer, MS Office may be included. It will be sold as is. It does have an AC adapter, and I will throw in a case too. Email me if you are interested in it. Or take advantage of the new comment feature and place your comment about it there.Read More

Here is a recently published editorial (8/16/2004 BargainPDA.com - http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=2185) that I wrote concerning developers and electronic sale distributors for mobile software.

Most of us have at some point or another have looked at the software on our handhelds and wondered if there were better versions of what we use most. Maybe a better calendar or word processor would appeal better than the ones that came with your device. Sure, there are many free programs out there, but it is a bit of a pleasure to find a piece of software that, for a low fee, can make owning a mobile device (PalmOS, PocketPC, or Smartphone) a better experience. To that end, electronic software distributors (ESDs) have been created to be portals to these programs of note. Some of the more popular portals (Handango, PalmGear, PocketGear, MobileGround, and Pdassi) see many visitors every day who are looking to download the latest version of a current program, or that diamond in the rough program that can probably change the way one looks that a PDA.

For a budding (or even well-established) developer, just the fact that your application will have a chance for hundreds of thousands of views a day means that the chance to make a number of sales is good. Really good in fact. Some of the larger ESD websites can get over 1 million unique page views per day. That is a whole lot of people that are checking out software. For developers, that could be hundreds to thousands of people downloading software they may eventually purchase. A developer could do well going through a portal to sell their software. The portal, in turn, could also do well if they provide a good user experience to the consumer (repeat customers are always the best customers). The developer would be free of the need to maintain an ESD; and the portal would be paid a portion of each sale (that way they can maintain the hosting, credit card processing fees, etc. that go into keeping a portal going).

In the world of mobile computing, portals have become the shopping malls for many programs. Handango and Power By Hand (the people behind PalmGear, Smartphone.net, and PocketGear) have even gone as far as having mini-stores on many of the PDA news and fan websites. For a developer, this means more profit and for the consumer, more support and (possible) functionality. The problem comes if a program is too expensive compared to similar software; or, if the commission rates of the ESDs prevent the developer from wanting to do business via the ESD. The lack of monetary compensation will drive some developers to not creating new software, or supporting older software. Therefore, the portal becomes a powerful device to both the developer and the consumer. If a portal can allow for a developer to sell his or her software at a competitive rate, compared to similar software, the chance for making a sale is greater. On the other hand, if the commission rates are too high, a developer will not want to support their software for the reason of that developer feeling that he or she was being cheated out of a fair sale. This former reason is why the ESD Union (www.esd-union.com) was formed.

ESD Union?

What is the ESD Union and why should it concern you? The ESD Union is a common voice mechanism made up of many developers of the popular software that is sold at ESD portals. These developers have a common goal of establishing the right for the developers’ margin on software sales (75% for the developer, 25% for the ESD). The ESD Union was established to give developers a larger voice in speaking to the companies that are charging more than 25% per sale. It concerns the consumer because like any union, the ESD Union exists to make sure that consumers are treated fairly in price and availability of software. Most have heard of unions being established for everything, from transportation workers to secretaries to teachers. This union seeks in similar, a just cost to do just business.

The Issue

Since 1999 (when the commission rates were at about 20%), ESDs have taken a larger slice of the pie when it comes to the purchase price. According to the ESD Union website, that number is 40% or higher with some websites. The ESD Union wants to know the reason for this increase, as well as what happens to their monies in the time between sale and the date of monthly payment. This affects the consumer in that a product that a developer pulls from an ESD due to not being paid effectively falls off the map. People are pretty much simple. If we can go to one place and find all that we need, we go there. But if that product is no longer there, we are inclined to believe that there was a problem with the product, not the distributor.

What Does This Mean?

Right now, this does not mean that one needs to stop shopping for applications at PalmGear, Handango, and other ESDs. It does mean, however, that you should have an understanding of where your funds are going. I was always under the impression that a developer got 65-75% of the purchase price of an application. If it is less than that, then I would expect to see a different price when I would go to the developer’s website. As a consumer, I have a right to support with my money whom I want to. If ESDs are prohibiting this free(er) marketplace; then I will have to get along without some applications.

One thing that has been happening, on the side of the ESDs, is that there is a consolidation of who is out there. Power by Hand (PalmGear, PocketGear, and Smartphone.net) and Handango make up the bulk of where I see applications being sold. When I first started with handhelds, I didn’t know anything but PalmGear and Handango. As I started downloading and learning about more programs, I found that there were more ESDs. But, slowly over time, they have been disappearing, being bought out by the larger two. I know that there is this law of duality that says that for any given industry, that competition always boils down to two major players, with smaller companies fighting it out for the small percentage of sales that are left. It seems for the ESDs that this is also happening. PDAGreen has been bought out by Power by Hand, and according to marketing conditions, this may happen with others. Fewer places to advertise for developers mean fewer opportunities for making a sale, and fewer places for consumers to purchase software. Having the ESD Union in place will not prevent the consolidation of the ESD websites, but it will ensure that with consolidation, all developers within the ESD Union will be heard.

What Can You Do?

Personally, I would not tell a person to not shop at Handango or other ESDs, as they have some of the best selection of applications for mobile computer platforms. I would encourage that you email the respective companies about their support for the ESD Union. If they do not support the ESD Union, you may want to either look to purchase directly from the developer, or search for other ESDs via Google and other search engines.

If you are a developer, you may want to look into being a part of the ESD Union (www.esd-union.com). Having a unified voice in the sales community will enable all developers to gain a fair share of all sales. From my conversations with some members of the ESD Union, not all developers can be named amongst ESD Union members due to pressure from some ESD companies. I do not agree that they should be prohibited to join the ESD Union.

If you are an ESD company, you may want to look at having a contract with each developer that will indicate how they will be charged over time per sale. From my point of view, it seems that there has been no indication given to developers as to when rate increases will occur, and what those increases were for. Clear communication between the ESD companies and the developers will keep this kind of issue from occurring on a public scale. My recommendation would be for a sliding scale: 25% for those newer developers, or those that do not have above a certain amount of sales; up to 40% for established developers with more than a set number of programs (more than 12-15), or for programs that bring in a certain amount each month. This would make it fair on the part of the developers as well as makes sure that ESD companies are compensated for their services.

Conclusion and Comments

I believe that this issue has come from missteps in communication by ESD companies as to why they are charging what they are charging. Insurance companies and consultant agencies have the same problem when they charge something other than what had been agreed upon. The difference here is that this is a totally electronic matter that occurs in online space more than offline. If Wal-Mart stops selling a particular item because they are charging too much to the manufacturer, then the manufacturer should have a chance to negotiate something different before they lose that avenue of sale. Many mobile program developers do not have the pull to just jump from one ESD to another. Supporting the ESD Union is a means to make sure they get a fair slice of their program’s pie.

I took the opportunity to write this editorial because I believe that everyone should be fairly represented when they are doing something that they love to make a living. Groups like the ESD Union should be supported, as they are not looking to bash or steal, just to make sure that they are getting a fair share of profits from their programs. I do not speak for BargainPDA, or any other website. This article is purely done on my own, and via my own research. If there are any comments about the content of this article, please feel free to email me at pda@antoinerjwright.com or post a message in the forums. I will be more than happy to answer what questions that I can. In the meantime, be an educated consumer with PDAs just as much as you are with other purchases. Here is a list of some of the more popular ESDs:

* http://www.palmgear.com
* http://www.handango.com/
* http://www.pocketgear.com/
* http://www.smartphone.net/
* http://www.pdassi.de/
* http://www.pdassi.nl/
* http://www.pdassi.it/
* http://www.pdapointer.com/
* http://www.mobileground.com
* http://www.clickgamer.com

Check them out and see if any may offer different prices or service quality than what you may usually use. Exercise your right to getting a good price and quality service, I am sure that developers will see where you put your money and place their resources there as well.Read More

If you can see the picture above, you will probably just see a bike. This is a picture of a two-wheel drive bike. When you pedal, the front and rear wheels can move. Why am I posting about this. It is 2am and there was an infomercial on about an automatic shifting bike. I had one, but the chain broke in 5 days and just under 30 miles of riding. I knew from that point on that an auto shifting bike needs a bit more fine tuning. I decided to take up an old search of looking for the two wheel drive bike. Well, now I know that the Ebony magazine that I saw over 10 years ago was actually written. It was great to see that there was someone, a few someones, that have tried to develop the technolgy. I wanted to see how much it would cost, and the starting price was in the $3000 range. That is about the entry price for the high end bikes, but in this case you are paying for a really innovative setup. The bikes are actually designed to be rear wheel only until the rear wheel slips. Then the front wheel engages. And it does this without a differential. There was also a model that had a switch to be rear, front, or both. That is really kool. The bikes were under 30lbs too. That is a good thing. My bike that I just sold was 32lbs. I am looking for a new bike, but won't get one for a while. In the meantime, I will be enjoying searching for old news and looking at bikes to come.

And if you are wondering, my dream bike is the Trek Fuel. Happy riding.Read More

I know that the Bible warns about being too happy with ones work. It really is by God that one gets the ability to create and perform things. Tonight, I started to write here about how pleased that I am that I have just created an e-card for my g/f. For me, I enjoy the fact that God has blessed me with tools such as Flash and an imagination that would allow me to use my computer in such fun ways. Then there is that matter of being so prideful that the work really doesn't mean a thing. I do not want to take away from the work that was done, nor God's hand that has made it possible. So yes, I am pleased that I have been able to take a thought, and create something out of it. But, I am more excited that God did even more than that and made out of His thoughts us who think like Him. We are really created in the image and likeness of God. That is work to be pleased at. Be blessed.Read More

To me, life can sometimes be extremly weird. There are those days where one knows where they are going and what they are doing. But those days are short-lived, and other aspects of life seem to get in the way. There are other days where you feel like you have the world in the palm of your hand, only to see that the world you have is not the one that everyone else lives in. With all of this topsy truvey world stuff, my purpose for being here is challenged. I have the option of taking life by the horns, or letting it take me. Today, I realized that I am deisgned for this life. And that no matter where I am, I am designed for a specific purpose. That's why I have Bucky as my pic today. This is a cat that never searches for a purpose, he just lives by its design. Some way, shape, or form, Bucky will make it known that he is a cat and needs to be respected. I am no cat, but I learned much from one today. I hope that you take the time to learn your reason for being designed where you are as well.Read More

I know that there are some that say there is no need to be up all night. Well, burning the midnight oil, and the dawn and soon to be noon oils too have resulted in the completion (except for the forms) of the Website Services and PDA@AntoineRJWright.com sections of this website. Feel free to click on the menu items to see what my hoopla is about. I have been working since about 12midnight, and now I am getting ready to retire for the what is left of the morning. As usual, comments can be emailed, or affixed to the end of any posting. Peace and blessings.Read More

The PDA Services has just been updated. Give me a few minutes more and I will make the update to that section a bit more fun (at least for PDA users). Enjoy.Read More

Once again I have updated my website. This time I have nearly completed the Website Services section. I have uploaded it as it is now. I am waiting for my hosting company to get back to me so that I may be able to finish off the contact page correctly. When that is done, one will be able to send me email using the contact form on the website design page.

You will notice that the new page opens as a pop-up. If you have a pop-up blocker, you will have to click the button to open the page. Next on the list is the PDA page. It will be extremly interactive. I plan to have a cool contact page there as well. Stay tuned.Read More

I am back in the Philly area. I have just spent a few days in the Lancaster area. I was there for a few things, to see my ladi, Kyera; and to minister some poetry at a tent service at Crossroads Mennonite Church. They were doing a set of services called Taking it to the Streets on Wed, Thurs, and Fri. I had a good time in fellowshipping with them. At Kyera's place, we cooked a dinner for our pastor and his family. That was good to get back on the stove. I made a mango chicken salad. Kyera made a chocolate chip chocolate cake. Her roomade made a strawberry and rasberry desert on a biscuit-like thingy. It was great as well.

After I got back to Philly last night, I went to Sharon Baptist church and their Christian Cafe. That was great. It was more like a house party than a cafe. There were many gospel rap artists and a few poets out there. I did a poem titled Many Lines of Grace. But I did not go up until near the end of the cafe. I got in at about 2am. I then checked some email and ran across a few websites and then went to sleep. I have slept most of Sat away (at least the morning). I will be chillin out from here on. Until the other side of a blessing, peace.Read More

My mom is selling her laptop for those who are interested in getting a laptop. It runs Windows ME and has a 9GB harddrive. Depending on the offer, MS Office may be included. It will be sold as is, meaning that the battery is the only thing that is not well. It does have an AC adapter, and I will throw in a case too. Email me if you are interested in it. Or take advantage of the new comment feature and place your comment about it there.Read More

Hey, guess what. Now you can comment on the different aspects of my postings and stuff. There is a link to add your comment to any of the postings that I have added. Have fun, just don't critique my spelling too much.Read More

Today was not a normal day. I guess that I can say that becasue I decided against my wnat to stay in bed that I was going to church with mom. My mother attends my old church, Sharon Baptist Church. She works at the credit union that they started. We got there early and that was just the start of an interesting day. I saw a friend who went to Ville. I got the last part of an interesting message based in the book of Nehemiah . I then saw a guy who I had not seen in a few years. He was a big brother to me and it was good to see him. I sat with Rick throughout the service. He invited me to dinnner at his place. After church, I went to visit my Grandma. There, I was surprised by my Aunt Mary, who was visiting from the other side of the country. That was a plesant surprise. My cousin Basil was being silly in his pool. I then went to Rick's place for dinner. He and I talked a lot thrroughout the night. He made a honey and green pepper spagetti and meatballs dish. Very good! His brother and sister in law came and I finally was able to give them a happy married and new baby hug. I had not seen them since before they were married a few years back, and now they have a cute 2 month old, Jahel. Jahel and I chilled most of the night. I was able to sing him to sleep and he stayed asleep on me for about a half an hour before he decided that he was too hungry to fall asleep. After Rick took a nap, we took Ivory, Arnelda and Jahel, and then myself home. It was a long day, and I am really just getting in good at 1am. But I had a good time enjoying the stories and happenings in the lives of my olf friends.

Hearing it all makes me wonder what kind of story that I will be able to tell.Read More

Just another note while I am awake. There is a new link on the menu for the XML Feed. If you are interested in viewing AntoineRJWright.com on your mobile device, you might find that the XML version offers you the content without all of the pictures. It stays as updated as the rest of my website. Just an addition to have some fun with. At some point, I will figure out how to import it into Flash so that this whole front page can be Flash-ed out. Until then, Ima just settle down and get some rest. Peace.Read More

Ok, so I am a bit silly. If you were last here less than a hour ago, then you would notice that I have changed the site once again. I went back to the older design that I had on here because it would be a lot easier to extend and play with. I should be in the bed right now, but for some reason, when I get sleepy, I get in the mood to work on a website. According to the clock on my computer, I have been working for just over 2hrs. I think that is enough for today. At least I hope so. Peace and blessings.Read More

I tell you that for one that woke up late today, it has sure been a long day. I have been lookming for new work in the Chapel Hill area. I do hope that with all of the emails and applications that I have sent out that there would be some positive responce.

In other news, I just chillin. I think that I have been on the computer a bit too long. I hope that all of you reading this would be having a good day. If it is a long day, make sure that you take a break and watch a cartoon or take a nap. In the meantime, I am gong to kick back a bit. Peace.

Love ya Coffee Bean :)Read More

Hello all. This poem is called Open Pen. It is one of my latest works. Feel free to drop me a line with your opinions of it. It is just my way of speaking my heart and mind. Enjoy.

There are many times where I asked the pen to be my doctor; give me a diagnosis and be the one to proctor the prescription cause I’m a prime target for missing the Rock, ya heard of me the sin stained truth cat rolled in with intuitions, creative words and riff raff; I was the one who rapped with the Hype to believe the truth and forget that if you exalt yourself then you can expect to fall flat then call upon the one who gives transfusions like free mats. New life is included with this change in view; yet many times I took it for granted like walking in grass filled with poo; I stepped in it, fell in it and denied all the smell; I crept in it; gelled with it thinking wet ink wouldn’t tell; and yet here I am telling you about truth’s spell; that it’s not about how I look to them but if I can get up after I fell.

There are many times when I asked the pen to be my friend; give me smooth and healing words that would cleanse me from within; give me noted answers about the questions of a friend; give me advise on how to manage life with the God-breathed twin. Then I had a revelation that would get into my skin; the pen couldn’t save me raise me or begin to make the change that I needed to begin; dang it now my confidence in the pen is faint what will I do with this end. You see, the last write was about all of me; broke up, stunk up, cause I wanted to be on the tree; I wanted to be the one who’s blood stained skin people would see; then they would approve me and give me love for living life free. But it’s not about me; or the dry pen who was a friend; my confidence has to lie in God who knew me before my end; before half of me would take a trip down the caverns of sin to be joined and sign the contract that all my life deals with sin.

There are many times why I ask the pen to be my lover. The warm strokes of a pen are much better than a cold shoulder. Each letter and write filed into a mental folder; bookmarked to sound of a shot up and over. We were called together and yet I am scared; because each thought of joining with my pen causes me to lose my hair; and without it how would I fare; I mean as a red man with a white paper life would never be fair. I care though for the lines over there; wondering if there would be a pen that could script my lair; give me a peaceful residence without the looks or the stare that would remind me well enough that it doesn’t matter that I care. I am chasing my change and my pen is my partner; we were called to be together like best sellers and their authors; but the confidence in my pen is the downfall of my father; because when I asked to be loved the pen could only muster cough syrup.

I wish that it was true that the pen was my lover; but writes fade away. It is true that I wanted love like a pen’s whose script could brighten my day. It is true that I ran to the pen many times without delay. And even so that I would speak to the pen first when I started my day. But the love that I desire, the pen has shown it cannot display. The love I desire has to be fresh every day; has to be alive much more so than penmanship of my lower school ways. That’s why I run to a better lover; and not a part time ray; the words I run up under have been established in my heart since the start of eternity.

Labels: poem

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Hello all;
Just getting in from a weekend with my ladi. We had a good time going to the movies, seeing friends, and just spending good quality time with each other. Although I am only a few hours removed from seeing her, I miss her already. Ain't that a shame.

In other news, there isn't too much going on. In Lancaster on next Wednesday thru Friday there is an event called Taking it to the Streets. A few churches are getting together on it and it should be well. If you are interested in more info about it, or need directions to CrossRoads Mennonite Church, just send me an email.

Oh well, that's all for me. Holla at ya on the other side of a blessing.Read More