AntoineRJWright.com

 

Saturday, September 30, 2006

The Question of the Night
I have made my way here to VA and in about 11 hours will be my grandfather's funeral. There seems to be much ado going on, but all in all everyone seems very much bent on making this a day of honor for Grandpa.

As it is my usual custom now, I have come to my Aunt YoYo and Uncle Kraig's place to stay while down here. Its almost like a spiritual bootcamp and a vacation while here. I get to learn about what has been going on with them (and especially Erin) and also to just rest. Its a good rest here, and there are toys (Erin's but toys nonetheless).

My aunt and uncle told me of a word Erin had recently been saying. They were not sure if whether it was Spanish or Holy (read: speaking in an unknown tongue). They told me the word she was saying (apajukesten) and it was so interesting and mysterious that I dug in to find out if I could figure it out.

Well, I won't spill what came out of it here, but I will say that we did come to a near conclusion as to what she was saying. And it was most probably Spanish (Erin is learning spanish as a 2yr old - simply amazing if you ask me). But it was amazing the light that doing that search did for Auntie YoYo. She really was able to catch onto not just what Erin was saying, but other things that have been going on clicked too.

I like the gifts of the Spirit, and especially when they are used in such a way that magnifies where the Body is edified by their use. Much better than that internalized and prideful stuff some would have you walk out.

And having said that, I am going to bed. Its going to be a wild weekend, that much seems much assured at this point.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 3:40 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Friday, September 29, 2006

Friday Musings
New Post: One of those things that I enjoy about car service times is the time that I get to read a bit slower all of the things that I usually compress into a 30min train ride.

An article at The Blogging Times was one that caught my eye. Not so much for the conclusions it was trying to make but for the attempt that it makes to help explain the reasons for a net-connected life being beneficial for some and not so much for other.

I'd personally like to think that $$$ is not a reason for .any of the things we do, but there is an element of $$$ that comes into play in making and keeping net-based relationships. We would like to believe that we are getting at least some of what we pay for (lest your Imternet is free, in that case you might be giving up more than you are gettting).

I have nearly 49,000 miles on my car (purchased May 05). That is one crazy amount of driving.

Even though I write for Brighthand and enjoy it very much, I wish at times that I could get my hands on more devices. Or, at least get to conferences where I can play with devices like Matt Miller/Palmsolo can. The recent Mobus conference (Microsoft's mobile devices and mobile use trends).

As I type this using the thumbboard of my Treo, I wish for an updated version of Mo:Blog that did not need as much tapping on the screen.

Screw Mo:Blog - my car bill is thru the roof. Inspection (failed and so things have to be fixed) and regular maintenance came to over $1000. In a word - OUCH!
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 9:02 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Just A Lil Bit More

...then Ima head to bed.

I find it comforting in a sense that this is a personal site that is one part rambling about whatever is going on in my life, and the other part of it is touching (in various ebs and flows) on those aspects of mobile tech and the Internet that makes me stay up until late hours.

I just found an article by Howard Reingold at SmartMobs. Even moreso than the topic that I find interesting (Howard Rheingold on DIY media by youth, public voice, & moral panics), I am just quite happy to have found again recent writings from a person whose writings very much infulenced the exploration of mobile and Internet tech while I was in school. Not to say that I wouldn't be here without him, but Mr. Reingold contributed a lot to the questions that I asked, and many times had to research and invent the answer for, concerning the relation of the Internet to public relations and social funciton.

Of course, being online right now gives me a chance to oddle a bit more at a phone that won't be here (at least in this form) ever. But, that never keeps me up too late ;)
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posted by Antoine @ 12:02 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Displaced Perhaps (rewrite)

I had to come back and write this again because of some weird memory leak in FireFox that made my browser crash. And so the three following paragraphs don't sound anywhere near as good as they did when I first wrote them. And considering that I am doing this in MS Notepad before going to Blogger with it, I think my point in the last paragraph is most made clear
Image: photo of sky from Google Images
Ever have that feeling that you are not where you think that you should be. At this moment, I am feeling a bit like that. No, not because there is anything not going right. But, the upcoming events of tomorrow and this weekend have given me a bit of a pause to think a bit and it seems that while it is that I am on the right path (God's ordering this), that I am probably not quite lined up right.

When I look at things spiritually, I see me as a person who is in a good (enough) church. One who has taken hold of some issues, and others are still lingering. I see a person who is both bold and compassionate, and who is looking for God's passion to be made evident in everything. This is all well and good, but I also feel like I could be a bit more shifted to one place or another. Whether that is leadership roles, or just eating more rolls, I sense that where I am is right, but not quite optimal.

Then I also look at me physically. I had the dream and vision for the longest time of getitng to North Carolina and settling down there. That is not to say that the idea is still not very attractive (the colder it gets here, the better that though sits). However, I don't see myself here in MD as being in a very good place. There is something better, and its probably connected to the fact that in the past few days that French/Canadian women have made me consider life that has a scope a bit larger than the English that I write and speak.

Then there is that last part called technology that is a mystery to me, but to those who know me it seems a God-sent barrell of love for them. I do things differently. Heck, I use a bulky phone that does email, video, pictures, music, Internet, plays the role of newspaper and Bible, and even the occasional website editor. Its not a normal use of technology here. However it is an explored thing in other places (MMM and the various sites mentioned at Neo-Nomad). To think that my life is made to sit at a computer for communicative interaction seems like it shortchanges the inventors of this tech who wanted people to reach in and touch each other just a bit better than they had before. I wonder if this view of tech makes me displaced, and moreso loathed rather than appreciated.

Perphaps this is a moment of being displaced, and I am working now on learning and getting to that right place with God and life. But who knows but God? And even then I cannot push things, I just am asked to sit back and relax.
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posted by Antoine @ 11:19 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

4am and What Am I Thinking?

...her
Image: Yasmine Abbas, curtosy of M-Trends

I have just banged out a redesign for MMM, but even after doing so, thinking about my Grandpa, and just idle surfing, I come back to thinking about this woman and the interview that introduced me to her ideas towards mobile tech, culture and "what's next."

The interview was excellent. One could swear that it was just a great conversation that just happened to be typed out. But at the same time, there is much fruit within the answers (and even the questions). While it is that I have a vision of using mobile tech to help Christians better undertand the mission we have as believers, using a mobile device really does go further than that. How we encourage and enable one another to excell beyond the economic and social ceilings of times past is what intrigues me about this technology. This interview really stroked the fire of this thinking.

I think Mary was right in saying that I appreciate a good challenge. Ms. Abbas is a challenge indeed. I'd honestly like to meet her, and at the same time - I'd have no more words for her then than what I do now.

A guy who rambles on knowing that he is ever intrigued by the flight of a butterfly that is just ever so out of reach...the sun will rise on that chase again, but not before he meets her wings

Yup, I am not just tired, but my mind is going too, off to bed now.
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posted by Antoine @ 4:20 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Too Late, But Posting Anyways

I know, I need to be in the bed, but as I am wrapping up my dealings online now, I am finding that I do want to end the night in nothing on my "journal" the thoughts that have passed thru today.

I am still thinking about Grandpa. I find myself remembering his smile and just the way that he spoke. There was always much peace about him speaking to me, even those times when he was telling me something that I'd better observe for my own good. I'll miss him a lot.

Speaking of Grandpa, I shall be working on getting this theme for the site nice and clean. I need to do some browser testing and then clean things up, but I am only really concerned about getting this done right. I dont know how long it will take with my energies and thoughts elsewhere, but I shall work on this quite much this week and the coming days.

In doing this theming of my site, I am going to transistion to using Dragon Edit to doing the CSS work where possible. Between that and Devotions, I should have plenty to do while traveling to and from work this week. I imagine that I will enjoy the quiet time that the Treo allows for working when I am doing so as well.

If you are wondering how it is that I am doing what I am doing to my site, here is a good article from Adobe about CSS used in website design. Its a beginner article for those looking to get into it, but the concepts are simple enough to get a hold on for nearly everyone.
Image: Nokia N95 from All About Symbian
From that article, I can take you to a few other thoughts that are quite interesting. Here is one of a new phone/camera/computer that was released today from Nokia. I am not at all a fan of Nokia phones, but this one has had me turning my head all day when I have seen an article about it via RSS. The fact that there is so much packed into a phone is awesome.

Then here is talk about the .mobi domain as (now yesterday) was the first day that the general public could buy domains names for .mobi. I for one do not like it, but there was at one good site out there that does help with getting sites up to speed. This emulator helps developers to figure out where they need to better work. And if you put this site in there, you will see that I need to do a lot of work here for certain mobile phones.

I'll finish with pointing to a posting that was really good today. There is a thread at TreoCentral asking why does one need a Treo. It was a good moment of reflection today (in the mist of the busy day) and reaffirmed some things, and made me consider others. But this I do know, I dont want to sit here forever more doing this Internet thing, the content moves and so should I.
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posted by Antoine @ 1:23 AM  1 Comments Links to this Post

Monday, September 25, 2006

What Is Possible and Ignored
I know that in some respects that I might be a bit wrong in writing this, but in the busyness of my day, I was able to read a few websites and see what has been goung on in the area of mobile tech and specifically the mobile web.

I was just sitting here on the Metro and designing a new layout for this site and it bugged me that I read today one article where a company wrote a browser for just one platform Now, I can understand development costs and such, but the reasoning in the article about the pripotery nature of the Windows Mobile and PalmOS platforms and then to develop on another one is just stupued IMO.

The other article was at BBHub and they talked about this new BlackBerry resource page. Basically, it is an HTML page formatted with info just for BlackBerries. That is all well and good, but why is it that the page was developed using outdated and inaccessible coding techniques.

I think of a simple page such as my site (which saw an update bwtween the starting of this post and this paragraph and after) and wonder why is it that people/companies insist on supporting inaccessible and flat out non-versatile websites. the BB page is one example of a horribly designed website. Outside of the colors being all over the place, the design in laid out as such that wide-screened BBs will have some trouble with it and will reflow content where they do not need to.

Ifthere is anything that can be said now it is this: there is almost anything that the mobile web can do, but so much of it is ignored out of fear, greed and ignorance such that no one will benefit from it.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 11:12 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

In Memory of Grandpa

Seems like whenever there is a major change in the romantic relationships in my life, that there is also a change that is even more major on the family side.

My grandfather passed today. Grandpa Huey was a quiet man with an uncanny ability to put a whole room of people at peace without saying a word. Even as I worked on this stylesheet (that is only missing a picture of him to complete it), I could see him smiling and could do nothing but smile.

It was Grandpa that made it easy for me to take martial arts and like it, but it was also him who made me see that it was a lifestyle and not just something to play with.

I don't know many other men in my family who lived to see his greatgrands, but he was one of them. That is one of many steps of his that I wish to honor him in following.

Grandpa, I will most definitely miss you. Going to VA just won't be the same without your smile to greet me when I get there.
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posted by Antoine @ 10:01 PM  2 Comments Links to this Post

Before Da Bed

Before I head to bed, I am back to thinking about mobile tech and where it fits into my life, or even the lives of most of the people that I come in contact with. An article that I just finished reading talks about the lack of understanding and utilizing correctly of mobile tech. Something that I think is a really big deal, and will only get worse until content and manufacturers step up to the plate in making sure that products are not just "cool" but they are designed to solve real world problems without costing an arm and a leg.
Image: Palm Treo 680 from PDA 24/7
And while it is that I read that article that looks at things that way. Another thinking-type article speaks about the new Treo that is coming and exactly where it will hit and why that is a good thing not for those who own one and want to upgrade, but for those who never owned one and want to plug-into the productive (and not overly so) end of smartphones. Personally, I think the 680 will be great if the price is under $200; and if that is the case, there will be quite a few people getting this recommended to them from me personally (heck, if it had high speed internet - 3G or UMTS as the technical name is - then I'd get it to replace my current Treo).

And then again, another side of the mobile me says that there needs to be content made for mobile devices, and not just ringtones, but those things that make and create community in such a way that people are not just using these as tools, but breaking into areas of community and communitation that actually makes it possible to change the way that our world thinks about the important things (life, liberty, and the pursuit of God's heart in the mist of all of this).

Just me thinking aloud before I get to bed...
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posted by Antoine @ 12:34 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Sunday, September 24, 2006

More Weighty Things
Since I spent all of the posts yesterday, and a comment today, talking about the new design and CSS, I thought that while I am burning time (that I don't have) before church, that I should chat some about those things that are weighty to me.

One of those things has to do with mobile tech and the software that I use. For one reason or another, I have gotten out of trying so many new software programs that are out there. In one respect, I don't because doing so makes one's device unstable, and I cannot afford to have an unstable Treo. But then, on the other side of that, I have found that many programs just work for me.

However, a recent posting (and comment) at MMM talking about mobile Bible software got me thinking that I at least need to see what else is out there so that I can make healthy recommendations, and in general to see where things are. Bah humbug, who wants more software.

Other weighty things on my heart have been the breakup and figuring out of a friendship between Kyera and I. Tis hard to find those boundaries, and I am admitily still hurt in areas. But she is a good lady and well worth a friend to keep around. Its just hard to do so and still not have old feeling rush in and dominate the conversation (non-verbally) on my end. Learning to control the emotional aspect of me isproving to be extremly hard.

Then there are the friends and fellowships that I have been making. In the past two days I have met about 25 people, and all have been cool, but it is clear to me that in some parts I fit in and in others I don't. This is not to say that I cannot befriend someone, I am just realizing that my time when not working is incredibly short and valuable, and I cannot stretch myself like I used to. Its still fun to try and keep up with some folks though. The challenge of keeping some good ties just makes all of this connecting people thingy fun.

Well, I do hope that if you are reading this that you have had a good weekend. I am stil waiting to hear from LaRosa Johnson as to whether his 3rd has come into the world yet. That will really be exciting. And though I am no where near NC, it is almost like I can share in that with him as if I am there. Tech is good in that respect.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 9:55 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Saturday, September 23, 2006

That Footer Message

That footer message is kinda outdated now. But you probably get the picture that things have changed from this to this.

Change happens ya know (mobile and abstract styles to come next - I hope)
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posted by Antoine @ 2:07 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

A Refresh

One of the things that I like about CSS is that you can change the design and layout of a website, but not even worry about touching the content. That is what I have been able to do here and hence the new look and feel.

You will notice that I lept the logo at the top right, and then the links to skip to content/what's going on have been kept as well. I did not want to touch the HTML that makes up the content of this page at all, and to that I have not except to add in the reference to the new stylesheet.

This layout is a lot more commonly seen, but I thought that I would use it for a while. Since it is built from scratch, there is a lot less CSS code than before, and it really does make for a lot cleaner and smaller download whether on a mobile device or not.

The only real thing is that I haven't looked at this in Opera and IE6 (one of those is bound to show me with some issues). I will fix that in time. In the meantime, I will be working on a stylesheet switcher, and possibly some updates to the content so that the previous design is not lost completly.

Let me know what you think, what needs to be change/fixed via the comments.
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posted by Antoine @ 1:21 PM  2 Comments Links to this Post

Issue on Webbing

I am sitting here enjoying that there is not too much to do at this point on my Saturday and wondering why I am on my desktop viewing the web, and not using my Treo. While I do want to wonder, and say that there is some massive, unconscious effort going on, I realize that it really isn't the case, and that my preference for reading some sites on a non-mobile platform is because the content is formatted very nicely. I wonder, if the browsrer for my Treo was as good as Firefox/Opera/Internet Explorer is on my desktop, if I would feel the same way. It is a good question, but for now I am webbing here.

Ran into a great site today. Check it out for yourself and get ta reading.

Then I ran into sites talking about the new PalmOS Treo 680 (I won't be getting that one as it is clearly a downgrade from my 650 in some respects). However, if you don't have a Treo, then I would most definitely recommend it as it will be coming in at the under $200 price range from Cingular quite soon. Its not like most of you need the internet on your phone, but a phone that does calendaring, contacts, and can manage a small tasks list and a few pictures better than the cheapie phones out there with supersmall screens would be a considerable productivity advantage.

I just downloaded my HTML of this page, and will get to working on the stylesheet pretty soon. If all goes well and I can get a new style going, then I will add back the old style and then a nice button that will switch to the new style. They should be completly different too, making a case for accessible and usable web design that much more fun to speak about and explore.

But that is just if I feel like it. I need to rest my brain and body, twas a busy week and next week shall play busier.
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posted by Antoine @ 11:28 AM  1 Comments Links to this Post

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Tonite's Excited Moment
I was really just in the bed not too long ago nice and happy that I was in the bed early, and knowing that it meant that I would get out of the house right on time tomorrow. Then I went ahead and started using this beta program for my Treo called Type Right. Basically, it is a program that relies on search queries to find information and applications on your device. Besides allowing you to find things, you can also map many commands to a press and hold feature of nearly every button on the Treo so that you can contact people, launch applications, or a number of other tasks. Basically speaking, I started using this and got so excited that I have been wide and awake since.

When I sit on this site, I tend to think the same way though. I think of the mobile computing side of life and what needs to happen before it really becomes something worthwhile to the ordinary - check that American ordinary person. When I read articles such as the piece on Japan's mobile app and web usage at Read/WriteWeb, I get excited at what has happened, and what will happen as people get a better hold of what can happen. Sure, I am aware of the dangers of being too connected - mark of the beast anyone - but I also know that fear coming from the lack of understanding is worse than just being taken out but a strong foe.

So I am sitting on my Treo now, no need to put the big ole computer on to do postings and emails. And though I would like for my Treo's email client to be better about cleaning messages off the server, it does do the job for me in terms of getting to me the email that does need replies.

The next thought for me, how can Bible+ be built like TypeRight. That would be my perfect app; heck that would nearly mirror exactly what I have been doing lately with eBible.com minus the tagging of course.

Night yall.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 11:44 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Just Where Am I Going With This...

...well, here

I just got out of a full staff meeting where I got to hear directly from the CEO (and also stand for 90 minutes because of no seats, my back thanks me later) and it was really impressive to just hear the bits of direction and focus that this company has. Yes, I have been thru those "president comes to speak vision to you" speeches, but I found myself really saying that I could see myself being a benefit and asset to Fleishman in the short, as well as long term. Twas a bit of amazement on one end, and a challenge to get back to that aspect of me that pushes really far out and ahead of most thoughts and actions.

...and/or here

So where does this leave me? If it were me, most of what I do online would lead to a mix of early Christian commnities and the current Japanese mobile tech culture. It would be using mobile devices as a means to facilitate transactions communitate, but even further would be the tool used to show people who have little hope a world outside of themselves and then reach into themselves and see that God given talent and ability that does speak to the glory of God and fulfillment of the Gospel.

...to end up here perhaps

I know, I know. Its nearly impossible to keep talking and thinking like this. I don't see this mindset anywhere just yet in teh Body. But in time that will change, and who knows; maybe I will give a speech for Flieshman or some other group on how moving and growing into new areas is not just a sign of the times, but a sign that people want what God has constantly had for them.
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posted by Antoine @ 2:55 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

That CMS Thingy

Most people that visit here have no idea what a "thingy" is, let alone CMS. But I can explain the latter better than the former and so here goes.

CMS, or content management systems, are a software driven but user managed means of updating web content, and organizing offline content in such a way that one does not have to be very technical in order to use it. Now ther are many levels of CMS products, and even many more abuses, but one has to think that at some point we will all get it (or the web will drown in a non-usable mess of content).

The key for managing any content anywhere is that one needs to have a system that is pretty rigid, and very versatile. For example, a CMS prodcut may say that they make it easy for you to post content to your website, but that only works when there are delegated persons who post that content (not everyone).

Most are somewhat familiar with CMS products and dont know it. If you use a blog, that is a web browser driven CMS. MS Outlook is also a type of CMS, but more client based than web based (for now). All in all, it is a means of getting your info from one format, to a wide audience in as simple means as possible. And no matter what, if you have something to say, its good to know and have a product that does it.

But for God's sake, and us web developers too, be organized about it and dont just throw things out there expecting ooze to turn into a human overnight.
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posted by Antoine @ 10:32 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Just Another Web Note

I know, I can answer many questions, but sometimes others just have things out there already answered and make them simple enough to understand and catch on.

If you know anything about HTML, or wonder why I am way too involved in it and want to see more of the inside of why, this article is just a really nice tip of the iceberg.

This by no means means that you will be able to make a website, nor that I will make it any better. But when you know why certain patterns of design, or design choices are made, then you very much have a good basis as to why a website is a profitable means of showing information that may need to get to more than the people you see every so often.
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posted by Antoine @ 3:13 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

My Style of Slide Show

I posted this at MMM, but it works here just as well, if not better. Of course, after reading this, I really need to go back to the last presentation that I did, and work it a whole lot differently to match my own dogma.

In my constant looking for ways to not have to do more work than what is needed to illustrate a point (seriously, I don't like paper handouts in a room full of computers and handhelds, nor do I like speaker notes in one file, a presentation in another, and then note cards - one file can do it if preparation is done). In my wanderings on the web, I came across an illustration of using HTML to make slide shows.

Now I know, why would one want to use a web browser to show slide shows when PowerPoint is dang near everywhere? Simplly becaue PP isn't. Many times your users want to download the presentation later (and hosting large PP presentations adds up) or view the presentation on alternate mediums (mobile devices, wide screen laptops, print, etc.) and hard coded PPs do not always fit the bill.

See this HTML slide show, and I would definitely recommend it the next time that you are looking to do a presentation. Yes, it is a bit harder to setup than going into PP and just making something from there. But in this case you can use it more places with fewer headaches.

Another reason to look at this format is that even if you are not graphic savy, you can have someone in your organization who is work on the graphics (if that is their specality) and then you would just be left to create the content, further putting various aspects of the Body to work for a combined vision.
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posted by Antoine @ 3:10 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Monday, September 18, 2006

Tis Just Me

There is nothing wrong with your browser, I just removed the stylesheet. This is what my page would look like with no stylings whatsoever. And until I get the stylesheet switcher in here and working, and then a new design (not just a new layout, but a design) then I will put it back on.
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posted by Antoine @ 3:02 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Mobility is About a Change in Approach

...But when you build a browser-based app, then why not optimize the design for the Web and introduce new UI paradigms that weren't possible in the desktop era? That may be the early adopter in me speaking, but the innovation you do now will be the norm in the long-term...

This is one of the best points about the mobile web that I have read. Tis something that is in my own mind, but its not so complex either. Gratned to do this means tha developers need to change their approaches to design adn functionality, but if we don't do that, then what about the web is really mobile (i.e., just giving someone a cut down version of something cannot really be what the web is about).
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posted by Antoine @ 12:23 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Can I Be A Part of A Bigger Thing
As I sit here in Crossroads I am thinking about this message about the Babel community versus the Penticost community and then also the earlier message about being a pixel in the big picture of things God has for the world. I wonder at times if with all that God has given me, the imaginations that I have, and the multiple people that I know, I wonder if all of that makes community. Like, I know that I have many friends, many of whom we have bonds over times and distances that are just wowing to me. But I wonder if there is a way to make a community out of all of those people and events that hold us together. I wonder if I am part of this bigger thing, and if it is possible that God will continue to break and use me in ways that have or never happened before.

Am I truely effective in making community out of all of those relationships, or am I really just doing with no purpose (see today's message at MMM)? That is what I wonder right now, and just will take into my prayer as I leave this place and just make my way home into God's hands tonite.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 7:19 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

While I Am Out Here...
There is a group having a barbicue out here d the one guy just mentioned about the Eagles game (doh) and so while I am out here I just took a gander and saw tht the Eagles are doing up the Giants 14 to 7 in the 2nd quarter. Most def a great reason to have a smartphone, but then again, there are some phones out that would make it fun to even watch the game right over my phone as I am out here chillin.

Of course, I am also emailing people, checking news and cleaning up my calendar. Mobile tech is good for this stuff, even when ouside resting.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 2:23 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Stretching Some
I am not long out of a meeting at chruch where we talked about getting the church database up an going. Twas a good meeting, and really plugs into my heart for using IT to the glory of God. The more than I am asking questions and making myself available though, the more than I am just awed at how much we need to know Christ is present in every area of service, not just the upfront ones of preaching and teaching.

I am sitting now at a park that is not far from the church. I didn't want to go home and it is really a good day and on worth spending outside. Funny, that it is that I am spening time outside with my Palm and keyboard, but that is what I am doing. Kinda makes taking a break have a bit of a double meaning, as it is that I am working to a degree. Life is weird with me like that I guess.

Make sure to check out MMM. Moreso that this site, that is a site and ministry where it is just possible to hear God and how He is working in the area of mobile technology. Its not just about the devices or the services, but how those come together to share God's heart with others.

As for me, I am going to continue my break out here, and who knows what else can happen as I am just a guy in a new place (for me) and streching out to rest some.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 1:57 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Treo Dun Did Well

I have to say that there are some times when using this Treo that I am fustrated, and other times when I am quite amazed. Right now is one of those amazing times. The modem program that I have been using has been quite flaky all week and it has really bene a burden in getting a few (extremly large) emails off the server. But today I was able to connect via dial up networking (DUN) under the Bluetooth preferences, and from that point, my net has been pretty solid. I have even been able to take a phone call witout it crashing my Treo. Tis a good thing that my Treo dun that is amazing to me.
Image new HTC phone from Engadget Mobile posting
Speaking of mobile devices, there are a ton coming down the pipe (and a few that are here. There is the Cingular 3125 (basically a RAZR that runs Windows Mobile, aka much better OS for the phone than what Moto did); a Moto Q challenger called the Excabular is coming to T Mobile (has wifi, looks like a Tre/BlackBerry, and is slightly smaller than the Q) which should be nice if priced right; Nokia released its E62 on Cingular this week (@ $150 too, a nice price for a phone that really is better than the Q too); then Palm introduced a new Treo for the Euro audience (with no antenna sticking out and slightly smaller, neato); and there were a few others. All in all, a lot of mobile fun going on. The trends are pointing to smartphones going lower in price and coming down to the point where not-so-techies would look at them. Great for people, but the carriers won't let that be for long. I am pretty sure that unless something breaks thru, that carriers are going to have the say on how we use our devices, and how we access data to our devices.

EDIT: I should mention the >BlackBerry Pearl too. It ain't ugly, but I cannot stand BES/BIS. It ain't right to be so tied to a network.

As for me, I need to get ready to bounce to a church function and probably not too much Treo usage (then again, who am I kidding, I will be getting a slew of emails and maybe a few phone calls). Treo-ooooooo awwwaaayyyyyyyy...
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posted by Antoine @ 12:01 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Friday, September 15, 2006

A Quick Week
Yesterday I made the statement, "man, its Thursday already?" I was not sure of the calendar. In some ways I hawve totally lost track of the week with Tuesday's day away from work. It kinda caught me off guard that today is Friday. I didn't believe it when I was helping Jay with his website, nor when I woke up this morning. Hope the rest of this day doesn't go in this fashion.

I did get word that my abstract is being considered. That is great news, but I still need to get on board with updating it and outlining the scope of the papers.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 8:59 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Not Enough Words

This story is enough to just give you some pause.

...I wondered? We hardly gave you enough money to keep your family alive for the next day. Yet now I realize that might have been the reason for their gratitude: Their family would be alive for one day longer. I asked the people there if I could take their picture: "Boley Ambeel Sieya Photo?" They laughed agreeing to my inquiry (probably laughing at my pronunciation). As I took some pictures, kids were crawling over each other laughing hysterically as they tried to get their face in the photo in order to find themselves in the camera's screen. "Why are you all so happy?” I was thinking. "How can you take so much joy in such an average thing as having your picture taken? You've lost everything! What is going on here?!?"...

Here is the rest of the article. One should consider how your value the moments that you are given in your life. This summer has taught me that it is better to have a moment in life that you can enjoy rather than always pushing and pestering God for more and better. I can say that while I am not happy with how everything has turned out, I am at peace about it and can enjoy this day that was given.
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posted by Antoine @ 5:23 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Kicking Myself Really Badily Now

I am so mad at myself right now. I messed up on what was a really great opportunity. You see, there was this call for papers a few weeks ago and I had been debating about whether to do the abstract in the hopes of being selected to present my paper on mobile tech and ministry (in progress, no sneak peeks just yet). But as I was sending the abstract out to a few folks this evening, I realized that the due date for the abstract submission was the 10th (a full three days ago!!!).

I sent the abstract immediately to the people that it has to go to, without getting any type of feedback at all. I do hope that the subject matter is such that they do approve my abstract. I really would like to see if writing an academic-type paper/presentaiton is something that I can do (never did it before, so I just don't know).

The really bad part was that I was so hyped about this after talking to Rebecca today. She is not so much the techie but said that it did interest her (she got a sneak peek of part two). Here's hoping that something happens. Below is the abstract for those who are interested in what I am writing about:

Exploring the Training of the Mobile Minister within Mobile Technology

The paper takes detailed look at the oncoming uses of mobile technology as a social and lifestyle element for ministerial pursuits on local and global levels. By first looking at the historical changes in communication technology as it has pertained to the Christian church, one assumes then that the Internet and mobile computer technology is next to take a foothold within informational and applications-based services and programs performed by the Christian church. This is not a separate course from the original mission of the Christian church to share the Gospel and good service (Matthew 28: 18-20, New Testament), but this paper aims to show that a rededication to that original vision within the range of mobile technology will have far reaching effects in making permanent the positive benefits of the Internet and mobile technology throughout all levels of society and culture. The significance of this realization on the part of the Christian church gives a much needed frame of reference to the current generations of people who did not grow up within the confines of Christian-led church societal norms of the church’s relevancy in day-to-day matters, and also positions the Christian church as a standards bearer of the moral and ethical aspects of computing that consumerism cannot (by its very design) contain.
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posted by Antoine @ 11:17 PM  1 Comments Links to this Post

One to Make Me Think

I did say that I was not looking at a new PDA, but there has been one that has caught my eye mainly because of its slick (and memorable) industrial design. The HTC Artemis is reviewed here (note: this is translated) and I knew that it was a sleek design, but had no idea it was this sleek (image here).

Wow, and to think that I had a Palm T5 that was this small, but did not have nearly as much wireless fun within it.

And that isn't the only new mobile device out the new BlackBerry Pearl is making some waves too. But I would never willing get one of those, I do not want IT managed email (at least not in teh BB way).
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posted by Antoine @ 5:24 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

That Newly Time Honored Question: Redesign This?

I have to admit that I am a sucker for redesigning websites that I have designed previously. Besides the obvious aspects of getting to try new things (and sometimes enver finishing them), I have this enjoyment that something on the web is never really finsihed being created.

And then I read an article like this. I tell you, the haphazard way of redesigning is just not going to be as fun anymore. Granted, I (and other designers) can continue our habits of redesigning for the fun of it, but without a clear purpose, things just tend to go awry.

For this site, the key goals were CSS instead of Flash for presentation, and then mobile accessiblity. In many respects, those goals have been met; but there is more than I am learning and more that can be done. It probalby won't be for a while that I'll redesign this site here, but at some I will and besides being a breath of fresh air, it will hearken back to my times of design here I was a good deal more abstract than what I have been in the past many designs here.
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posted by Antoine @ 2:58 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Day Away But Not Off

I had a day away from work today as I had to take care of some legal issues today. And though I had the day off in some respect, it was not exactly an off day.

Right after I left one place today, I came right up on the scene of a serious accident. It was really bad as one person was out of the car and on the ground, and another was basically crumpled into their car and bleeding really badily. I did not want to be one of those that was just sitting impatiently in their car, and so I pulled to the side and immediately offered my assistance to the few officers who were on the scene. It was a trip I tell you that.

It did make me think of the reality of life being taken at anytime, and whether we are all really ready to meet God. And as much as I wanted to be "super Christian" and evanglize to a possibly dying man there, it just seemed out of place to do so. I was more conerned with making sure that help got to him. I don't know if that is a good thing, but somehting that I have thought about this day.

The other thing that has happened, while I am not at work but is work related, is that a site that is basically my first project went live today. The site is for the Discover America Partnership and it was a pretty neat project. Though, I notice some things have changed since just last night since leaving work, and I don't feel miffed, but I do feel a bit off-taken seeing that it seems to be issues that were not really (or completly) my fault. Here's hoping that this project does lead to others, and keeps me on my toes.
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posted by Antoine @ 7:37 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Monday, September 11, 2006

Where My Heart Belongs
I have been listening to this CD from an atist named JR from Crossmovement Records and it really has been ringing in me that my heart really needs to be with God and in His peace.

My friend Aisha and I were talking tonite and she was telling me that I really need to dig in and forgive. There is nothing hard about forgiving, but the situation that I am in requires that I forgive and not be bitter at all. I cannot say that I am not bitter some, but I do know that I have been allowing for God to heal me regardless of how I am feeling. It is my hope that a few other friends would be of a help in this area of healing as I know that is where they are gifted, and at the same time, that is where I admit that I need help where I have not received it before.

The song really calls upon my heart to make God my peace. (Jehovah Shalom).. Tonite, as I am about to rest and know that there is more within me that I know is there, I rely on that name of God alone to give me rest, and to heal my heart of it deep wounds.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 12:57 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Why People Can't Just Go Mobile
One of those thoughts that I have had this week has been why it is that many people just cannot seem to go mobile. With the amount of devices, services, and means of accessing the net and dynamic information (email, IM, etc.), one would think that people would prefer just using a mobile device and then going from there for simple wireless needs. Shoot, my mom is even in the camp of those that do not need a laptop all the time, but do need net accessiblity. A smartphone and wireless keyboard (my personal setup) would be perfect for her. However, there is an adversion to doing so. I did wonder why, but then I got to an article that just simply reminded me.

You see, part of the reason is the way the (at least in America) the internet has evolved. It is not just a means to communite but it is an experience of communication. It is not just finding something, but being able to comment and bring your own piece into things. A big screen and interactivity really helps that along, and in many ways takes the pain out of being online, and adds the person. However, what happens when we go mobile is that those things just cannot go with us. We end up not really embracing anything but the simplest means to info because browsers are not great, screen sizes are small, and content is very rarely adapted for mobile device consumption.

In this article, we see that there is a push to make sure that those who are mobile are able to interact, but then they are only given a shread of the complete feeling of being at a website. Of course, it is very hard to relate look and feel completely on a mobile device (even though Nokia's web browser in the E61/E62 models does a very excellent job, it really is the only one that does so) and so those end arounds are taken. Not that I am complaining or anything, but man, if there was a better or easier way to go mobile so that people can see that they don't need to be tired down, then I would be right in it.

At least, I would be in it from a content end of things. Devices and wireless standards are another hurdle that is a much larger and more unwilling to move end of the conversation.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 4:20 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Making A Note
I had a good time in Philly yesterday. So good in fact, that I just got up from a nap and I am still tired. I am debating if whether I will go to Crossroads (evening service) tonite.

Got to see many people whom I haven't seen in a long time yesterday. Folks go married, others we just hadn't seen each other in a while, and one sis I was able to encourage her some with missions. Tis was a good time.

Got to see my cousin, mom and grandma too. Those were probably the best visits.

Making a note of this moment. I have this new song in my head that simply say, "and may this joy be complete, as I worship at your feet, you are my Jehova Shalom." Most definitely words that I need to constantly meditate and get into my heart as there is still healing and peace that is needed for me at this time and in the forseeable future.

To my bro Jaron, may the Lord soon bless you with a new job bro, and may your family reap a bountyful crop from that job when it does come as a blessing.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 4:09 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Friday, September 08, 2006

A Mobile Thing
I am way to into mobile devices sometimes. lie a few minutes ago, s woman walked onto the Metro, but when she pulled out her Moto Q I was totally into the Q. That is just sick ain't it?

But there is one thing I am noticing, and that is that I will probably want to upgrade sooner rather than later. The Treo is great, but I want something a bit more powerful, snd with a solid future ahead of it. Granted, I have not made it to the 12 month phone ownership time, but I know me and this itch, something new will come soon enough and I may just upgrade then. This is just sick ain't it? LOL
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 9:13 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Thursday, September 07, 2006

So Who Reads My Blog Anyways

I know that I have been writing a lot lately, but really, who reads this stuff anyways? If you do, please do throw a comment or two down in here sometime. Plus, it will let me know if I am saying something right/wrong and if I need to pull back some.
Image: Devotionals on a T5, curtosy of Devotionals
Was just at Palm Addict and read two really neat posts. The first was about daily devotional software for my Palm, but the second was a lot more profound than devotions, and in smoe respects gives a bit of measure to the life I have led already.

...If there is one thing that I have learned to be the absolute truth over 5 decades it is this: You only get one chance at this thing, so ignore the politically correct, the timid and the corrupt. Be bold, make your own choices and accept the consequences. It might not make you a Captain of Industry, but it will make you alive...

Very profound, and very much some good words to hear.
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posted by Antoine @ 10:03 AM  2 Comments Links to this Post

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Just Rambling
For a minute there, I thought that I was going to have to type this out by thumb, then I remembered that I had batteries...whew

It is very much true that I am writing a lot on here lately, and spending more time on my personal site. It is not just because I have more time to myself and to write, but also that this week I have taken a vacation from MMM and so there is a lot of excess writing that I do because it is in some respects an overflow. Granted, the subject matter is different, and that is by design, but it is a fact that I write. And sometimes I write a lot.

I got a call today from my aunt and she told me that my Grandpa was not doing so well. He has been in a lot of pain. He is one heck of a resilent man, I never seen someone live thru so much, and just continue to take things one day at a time. Granted, I haven't seen him in a while, but I do hope to get down there. Grandpa always brings a smile to my face.

Weird timing of the phone call, I was clearly not in the mindset that I should have been, and there it came. Tis quite interesting, and at the same time made me ask God a few things about where I need to be, versus where I am.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 11:25 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Blogging, Life and Well Stuff

As I sit here at work, it is one of those dreary days in the office. Not that it is not as busy as usual, just that things seem a bit more down than usual. It has to be the fact that it's fall and the weather isnt so summer-like. Oh well, time to look for a winter home in St. Thomas ;)

While most of my day is spent working on HTML and CSS (building a website), occasionaly I get some news and fun in. First off, I got to speak to my old friend Rebecca, whom I caught as I installed the latest version of Yahoo Messenger. She is a very classy lady, and I am really glad that we were able to reconnect. Seems like just a little bit ago that she and I were chilling with folks at Millersville (freshman year, 1997). My does time and life fly.

On the more newsy side of things, I read a very interesting and knowledge-filled article at Mobile Opportunity. This one spoke again on the differences in European and American mobile tastes. It's a very good article, and nicely opening up to the culture differences that is technology in different places. I am sure that many can agree that Americans see mobiles more as a tool than a lifestyle, though I can bet that the more tech savy of us are moving towards the lifestyle direction as we get a better handle on data, voice, carriers, and legislation.

I again set myself to look at another Adaptive Path article as integration and user interface has been something that has been more on my heart lately when it comes to web and mobile devices. I do see mobiles as a lifestyle article, but wonder when and how interfaces, hardware, and software services will get to that critical point of being able to serve, while offering the revenue needed for companies to thrive (without killing people at the wallet - see Sprint's latest snafoo).

You see, I still see mobile tech as being something that is an enablement first, and then an enjoyment. Last night as I thought aboout how I coudl not get online via my computer because I left my BT dongle at work, I realized that it was not an issue of not being able to do things (albeit some websites work better on mobiles than others), but a change of mindset that truely anything should be possible on a mobile device and content should not be barred (given the right circumstances) from a mobile. I think we will get to that point soon enough in terms of content and interaction being better hewn towards culture and devices, but it will be a while yet.

I tell you though, a CMS for MMM that works over my Treo would be great though. I so want to find one that does because it would so be helpful there.
Image: Gail and Dominique
Finally added those pics to the photo blog I talked about in the last post. Thanks for waiting if you were looking for them. Despite some ads about deleting people out of your mobile and therefore out of your life (really good write up on the ethnography of the ad here); I find that I enjoy the memories of my pics, and that I have a chance to make more memories as life goes on. I think that should be more the point of doing all this stuff online anyways. Who says that life just has to be pen and paper in a ton of boxes, why not add a few servers to the mix as well.
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posted by Antoine @ 12:50 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Dang Late Me Again
I so planned to get to bed earlier tonite, but here it is nearly 1am and I am writing emails and one last posting.

I have to admit that having a relationship no more is hard. There are those spots in my day where it just hurts a lot worse that other times. My hope is that God does a number on me in terms of healing me up. I know that it will take time, but I know that I will be no good to anyone (especially God) if I continue to walk around wounded/bruised from past relationships.

I don't know why I felt the need to get this online, but it's how I see the net. This is both the place where I can talk techie, and then also get out those moments where my heart needs just a bit of prayer and a spoonful of honey. It does feel better to write it out, that's for sure.

Pictures will be on the photo blog soon. I took a few pics while visiting Gail and Norman in Lancaster on Monday. Dominique is a cuite, but I have to tell you, she can sure lay some bombs, that lil girl (2 weeks) was in my arm helping me to feel the vibrations. Peee-yooooo!

LOL. It's all love though. I'd love to babysit her when she gets a bit older and can take being around a stranger for a bit.
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 12:57 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

A Long Day
I am on the Metro after a longer than normal day at work. It took 2 hrs to get in and so I stay led a bit later. I wanted to work tgis late all week anyways and certainly have enough work to keep me busy.

A funny thing happened om the way to work. I was flurted with. I saw the lady when U went out on my lunch walk and this time there was a bit more of a covo (a small one). Tis funny to me as life is already throwing those curves once again. All this bro wants is some healing and some stability in heart and mind, from there then life can happen.

She was cute though.

I was reading an article about Interaction design and ut was really interesting. I guess that in some respexts, naking sure people can access tgings fluidly is how I go about web design. There are so maby tweaks and quirks to remember though. Today, that fustrated me, but at the same time that artcle encouraged me. As I learn more about myself, I guess that will happen more and more.

Gotta love the metro. It can be really peaceful. when the sun goes downam and also a bit different of a trip. Off to the secomd leg of my trip now.
- sent from Treo

EDIT: fixed that link, see what happens when I let the Treo run things LOL
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posted by Antoine @ 8:11 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

A Message for One of My Closest Friends

Seeing that this has been a rough and good weekend, I just wanted to leave a loud yet personal message to 'a friend.'

Not everyone has my personal email address. Only those that are truely close to me. Not everyone gets a hug from me, just those that I want to know how I tend to want to communicate. Not everyone knows this JB, but you do. Somethings have to change, but some friendships I endavor to keep for a long time.
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posted by Antoine @ 12:08 PM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Monday, September 04, 2006

Opera Musings, Life and Well, Life

I have to say that adjusting to this point of my life is a hard one. For one, not being with Kyera has been an adjustment, but even more so in that I know that I am single, but I don't want to get out in a relationship with anyone because I know that there is a good deal of healing that has to go on in my heart. I know that the web is a really weird place to admit this, but for me, I have had to come to grips with being transparent and kind of letting life live, and not trying to be in control.

Then again, there is my choice of web browser. Last week, I made an attempt to use the Opera web browser at home for most of my web usage. I say most because there were a few times where using Opera just did not pan out. It probably had to do with my connection, but it seems that it was not always cut out for the slower connections. Of course, if I were like this person and had a mobile device that could use the mobile version of the Opera browser, I proably would be a little more accustomed to the quirks involved in using it.

That is not to say that Blazer on my Treo is always horrible. Since finding out a bit of DNS changing that I could do (via a recent article at Brighthand), things have actually been a lot better, and even to the point of being plesant. But there are still some secure and frames-based sites that I cannot visit and that tends to get ot me. The web should be fully accessible, and my software should not be the lock and chain keeping from getting to that point.

But that is life at this point for me. I do the mobile tech thing when away from work, and then at work I am playing HTML and CSS. God knows that in some ways that this is quite idea, but I know that there are a few pieces missing, some of which has been recently taken that I do understand that I need to be firmly planed before running those stems again. It's my life though. Not at all like I will sit and complain about it, but I will say that it does make me want to write and sing about it.

I should have went to try out for American Idol, though I know that I don't really have a story that will really pan out. Oh well, maybe one day. Or something better would happen where I could sing in a public place, and just make the right smile appear to that one who needs to smile.
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posted by Antoine @ 12:49 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Sunday, September 03, 2006

A Night Out, Treo Stuff Too
Sometimes I think that I am too into this Treo stuff. I just spent a good night out with my brother Rick from church and it wasa good night. We took a drive up to Frederick, MD but for some reason I kept thinking about this damg Treo.

And of course, now that I am in bed, I read news of the newest Treo and have to say that I have to be some nut to be thinking about thia at this hour.

But back to tonite; I am glad to have a person like Rixk to chill with. It makes this transistion time a lot easier to deal with. And then there is Shane who is auditioning for American Idol tomorrow. Two really cool dudes.

On Monday, to PA to deliever a Treo and then spend some time with James. It's a weekend out, but you know that thinking too much about ttgis Treo is something that is not hard to do either. Hope Treos don't dance in my dreams now...lol
- sent from Treo
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posted by Antoine @ 1:56 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

Friday, September 01, 2006

This Web Thing

Image: MS NY Times Reader via Read/Write WebA lot of times, I sit and ask myself why I am so into this web/Internet thing. I mean, there is really nothing great about it, and in some respects it is a bit harder to get things going and maintained than other media. But then I see things like this and it makes me totally get back on course. I mean really, I don't even care for the NY Times, and formatting of their website is a big reason why (and therefore I use RSS via QuickNews for dang near all of my news reading). But this new reader is kind cool (albeit quite an MS-only deal and so it doesn't appeal to me on that level). But it is neat nonetheless. I personally wonder what format they are using and how things will flow from knowing that to others who might want to use this platform.

One thing I can tell you, it will not look that nice on a handheld. That just won't happen until display technologies get as good, if not better than paper.
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posted by Antoine @ 9:41 AM  0 Comments Links to this Post

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