Access keys used on this site are numbered 0-8
Skip to Main Content
Contact Me
If Issues in the display, click here

AntoineRJWright.com

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Suppose They Fixed the Web Browser, Then What?

Image: Carnival of the Mobilists selected post

Since the iPhone made its introduction, a high complaint leveled at mobile devices has been in the quality of the web browser. Opera Mini and others have tried to address this, but when it comes down to it, users of the mobile internet have to ask a very important question, when the browser is fixed, then what? In my latest editorial at Brighthand I open the can that answering this question brings, and its not at all a simple answer. Here is a snippet of that editorial:

...One thing mobile browsing will have to address more than desktop browsing ever has is the importance of what and how things are displayed. No one wants to have to scroll through three Flash banners before even seeing the page title. Mobile browsers will have to address the "what" to display question after they have gotten past the point of just being able to display it.
On a mobile browser we download pages and read them, but we also do things with the content. Either we read about an event and want to know more, or search for a restaurant and want to call and make a reservation. Mobile browsers will have to address our ability to associate content with other content. If you will, it will have to be able to read meaning into what we are looking at, and provide a means for us to relate it to our world around us...

Read the entire editorial at Brighthand.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists, mobile, mobility

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Poem: A Dream

Eyes, closed
Day, bright
Standing, waiting, walking towards
Hand, held
Vows, made
Turning, hoping, living right

Eyes, teared
Loud, sounds
Sorrow, mourning, loving no more
Hands, loosed
Happiness, left
Eyes opening, two dreams over.

Labels: poem

Monday, January 28, 2008

Another Coffeehouse Episode

This is the story of a recent episode in my life. I've had a few of these where I'm left with just as many questions as answers. Since some of my friends say that they can live their lives through me a bit, this is a bit of insight into people-situations that I come across.

There was a woman at the coffeehouse; she had no reason to be there for she was just exploring. There she spoke wisdom to me, the man who said idly waiting for something.

She told me of how everything is monitored; how everyone is being watched by someone. She told me of her daughter who would change the world from as early as 2nd grade. She told me how I have to remain in places for more than just to stay afloat. Change comes from the top, for the head has to move for the body to move.

She spoke of her hopes; of her fears she tried not to dive so far. I revealed that it was by faith I came here; she revealed how faith is not her's. I listened. I told her things can and will change.

Then she smiled.

She came to Matthews for just a drive. She stopped; intending to get a drink and leave. She smelled smells and saw a place of restful music. She had a conversation and left with hope. I didn't do more than listen and respond, yet she left with hope.

Is that what I am to bring here? Hope is only the potential to change: is it ever change manifested?

Looking at her, maybe it is.

Labels: commentary, community

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Getting (Online) Social

I've been a lot reluctant to engage in the use of various social networks online. mainly because I prefer to have a service that works on a mobile device easily, and then it has to be something that fits where I don't need to pay a lot of attention to it. MySpace, Facebook, and even items like Netvibes and Digg rank really low on the list of those that I want to engage in. Honestly, making friends isn't that hard for me (never has been according to some folks), and neither is managing how I share and connect with them. Online social networks should be the same.

However, lately I have been jumping into a few more often than not. Here's a few, and the reasons why:

LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of my favorites because it allows me to keep ties to contacts that I've worked with or those that I know from online. Besides the whole "six degrees of separation" feel, it has a sense of processionalism that many social networks just don't run for. Besides Jaiku, this is one that I wish directly tied into my mobile's address book. It would come in handy for the amount of questions that I get that lead to recommendations for services or work.

Jaiku
Jaiku is so far my favorite. Besides being a micro-blog, it is also a feed aggreator. And combined with the mobile application on Symbian S60 devices, it makes for a solid solution. The thing I like best about the application is that it connects right to the address book. This makes connecting those online and offline a breeze. It also has a presence indicator that can show things like how many people near you are on Jaiku Mobile, if you are on the phone, or even the name of an event if you are busy.

Now if I could just get more folks to use smartphones :) then maybe Google will make this a lifestyle application to the nth degree.

last.fm
last.fm is relatively new to my library. I started using this because I am now singing with the praise/worship team at my church and because of our various backgrounds, there's a lot of music that we need in order to make up a library of singable songs. I use last.fm and the ability to search artists in order to find those that we know, and recommendations to those I don't know. And best of all, I use the Vagalume application on my N800 in order to have last.fm be a suitable mobile application. Not only suitable, but timely.

I'm trying to figure out how to get that RSS feed in Jaiku of my recent plays, and then maybe add the playlist radio here without breaking things. Thankfully finding good music isn't so hard as CSS issues.

Update: There's an article on last.fm at ReadWriteWeb speaking about how its looking to create communities around content (instead of communities just around people). Nice piece and gives some additional insight as to how social networks enhance communicative practices.

Opera Link
Opera Link is an interesting take on being able to take your bookmarks from one computer to another. It works best with the beta version of the Opera browser as it syncs there; but it will work just fine as a portal page from any other web browser. I see services like this as having a lot of potential for connecting users and the information in browsers better.

I do need to take better advantage of my Opera Link account. Since giving away my laptop, I've not been on the beta version of Opera, and the current version in my desktop(s) don't sync with it.

3HLive
3HLive is the holy hip hop end of things. Its built on top of the Ning social network. Ning is essentially a Facebook/MySpace competitor, but allows groups to create social networks of their own. 3HLive is great for getting HHH music that you cannot find other places, and connecting with the folks in the MD area that I miss hanging out with.

One thing about 3HLive that I don't like is that the site is so heavy with AJAX that is loads slow. That takes away from what is basically a solid mix of MySpace and last.fm.

Events and Calendars
As a note, I don't currently use an online calendar because if there's an event I tend to keep my options open. But social networks that use upcoming, Evite, and others rank high as those that are pretty slick towards getting to events with folks I know in the above social networks. When it comes to events, I prefer anything that can export into vCal/vCard formats as you can SMS/MMS the events, as well as let people bring them into a calendar of choice.

There's bound to be a few more that tickle my fancy as time goes on, but as you can tell from those that I use, I'm deliberate in what I share, and how I share information. Sure, there's a really good chance that I can be a bit too consumed in all of this at some point. And that is something to guard against on several turns.

I do know though that when I need to get social for one reason or another, I do have some spokes in my wheel that I can take advantage of. And those keep me connected, not just online, but offline to those that matter to me.

Now, here's some advice that might be good for you if you are looking to get a job, connect with people, or just find out what's going on in life around you. Start with the websites that you visit (news, MySpace, etc.) and start clicking on those links to social networks that people you know are connected with. After that, do some investigating if it is safe and worth spending the time in making a profile. After that, just get connected. You never know what might happen.

Labels: commentary, community, events, jaiku, mobile

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Prewritten: His Word Has Come

I was in prayer earlier this week about a new endavor that I'm involved with and just got a lot of solid direction towards how to go about things. God took me from making a solid action plan (something that will take months/years possibly) to just simple things that I can do now to just prepare and live. It's a return to how I lived before I got to Charlotte. Everything that I had done before moving was aimed towards getting me to this point of moving down here.

So as I sat to write and listen to God as to where to go with things; He assured me that I'd know before the end of the week towards some connections that have been happening how they will play out. That there's some changes that will be happening in my life from this point on.

Simply speaking, His Word (via prayer) has come through as true. And though I am writing this before the week is over, I'm encouraged to know that I have and will receive encouragement that I'm doing the right things in the right place at the right time.

So what does this plan and endavor look like? I'm not sharing here, at least not for a while. I'm not even sharing with a lot of people whom are close to me what this plan is. Its not time to display the flower if you will. All that's happened is planting and some shaking of the pot. For now, its the winter time and roots are being formed. When something blooms, then it will speak for itself. That much I'm sure of.

There's a plan I'm on course towards again, and I'm again walking it out.

---
Walking Life Out By Listening
Some people ask how it is that I "hear God." Sometimes its audible, other times its the beneift of a song or something I've read. But its almost always something that ressonates with the ticks of my heart. When its Him speaking you just kinda know. Its not always clear. And I can tell you the truth that I sit on the sidelines a lot investigating if I had heard right or not. Then I have those moments where I just know, and I just move.

This plan that I'm walking out, I've been walking out for many years now. I've been doing things right and wrong throughout, yet I've had in my mind and heart one vision that's His to display. His Word has come, I just live it out.

Labels: commentary

Friday, January 25, 2008

A Robotic Pet

Something about robotic pets is really cool. There's that whole cleaning and feeding them part that while fun when its table scraps, makes your nose go crazy when its a litter box or poopoo bag. That's what's always made me look at the Sony Abio with a good bit of interest. Granted, its no longer in production, but there's now a replacement that's nearly as fun, and a bit on the prehistoric-Flintstones side of things too.

The Ugobe Pleo is currently being reviewed at Gear Diary and a few others places. I really like the way that it interacts with the world around you. That aspect of artificial intelligence (AI) is just neat.

Considering the price ($300-350), its not as bad as the Abio in terms of a financial hit. But its not something I need.

It would be nice to have some company in the apt that doesn't add to the rent though.

Labels: commentary

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Getting Along Without A Treo Just Fine

Image: Nokia N81 image, via Palm Addict and Photobucket

From the good folks at Palm Addict, some thoughts I've composed about life after Treo. Here's a snippet:

...Right now, I am reviewing the Nokia N81 8GB. This is an impressive, albeit entry-level device. 8GB of internal space makes it an ideal candidate as an at-work device for music all day. And the rest of the device is just slick in looks. I've got a few niggles with it, and the Treo is the reason why. Some parts of the design are there, but don't seem effective enough for touching. Whereas on the Treo, the parts that were "touchable" were very much functional areas. I even like how the N81 8GB duplicates the mute button at the top of the device like the Treo - though in this case the button doesn't mute, but locks the keys...

Read the rest of this posting at Palm Addict.

Labels: mobility

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Reading Simply UPDATED

I was talking with my bro last night, and we got on the subject of orthodoxy and just reading the Word as it speaks, without our personal or cultural biases. The conversation was very helpful, and parts of it more so than others in understanding that reading the Bible should be a matter of just seeing life simply as His.

For example, we talking about the idea of Jesus as Lord and the discussions that make the statement that we cannot make Jesus Lord because He already is. And further down that line of thinking, we cannot accept Him as Lord because He is. Lordship doesn't require acceptance, it is what it is: a smaller party yielding to a larger and more powerful one.

We talked some about a methoodlogy that i have bene working through for some years now: that idea of being a church that goes out, not one that expects people to come to me. How this idea of proactive engagement is directly opposed to the passivity that as men we have run into since Adam.

Speaking of Adam, we chatted about the male and female roles as they were created. One of the statements of the night was that we recognize that God created women strong; so much so He asks them to go from strength to strength in respecting men, rather than trying and wanting to exercise that strength.

That discussion came from a discussion we had before about "as unto a weaker vessil." Just reading that in its corerect grammar lends the simple understanding. She's not weaker, but abide in your role (man) as protector and treat her with the value and sincerity of something that is weaker. Take her within yourself as Christ did the church.

Amazing what happens when the Bible is read simply as it is.

Addition: I forgot that we dug into the Book of Common Prayer towards the end of our call. Just how some of those prayers just dig right into the center of the heart of how we should relate to God and each other are just impressive on the heart on so many levels.

I guess that one of the things that happens when you haven't been to seminary is that your library towards what you will read is quite large, and very eye opening and convicting.

Labels: commentary

Monday, January 21, 2008

Change a Comin'

Image: Album cover of Fred Hammond's Purpose By Design

My knee has been hurting some like there is rain coming. Then there is that thing of me just listening to a song on my tablet by Fred Hammond from the CD Purpose By Design (Yes He Will) and it really hit...no it was definitely like God saying, "don't forget!"

Its a staunch rememberance that I should not forget that God has spoken that change is coming. I read these verses over and over; I'm not here for me, and my life will be required. Such a day to be called out on some things.

Change is a comin'

Labels: commentary

Friday, January 18, 2008

Carnival of the Mobilists 106

The 106th version of the Carnival of the Mobilists is now up at Xellular Identity. Outside of the usual gamut of solid mobile views from around the mobile industry, there's also a splash of pink to liven the reading. Enjoy.

Labels: Carnival of the Mobilists

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Mobile MooMoo

I am writing this days before it will be published, and probably days after I feel like this and have felt this again. But ahhhh, its mobile devcies and me. And getting more associated with what I want to do on a mobile is one part fun, and another part bank breaking.

For example, this post at JK on the Run describes (mostly) what I can see from myself in being a mobile device user. But more than that, I can see just these two devices being my main setup. I don't see any other reason for more.

Of course, the N95 would be replaced with at least the N95 8GB NAM, and the N800 would need a few UI improvements, but I could basically do with most of my computing and home entertainment with just those.

Hence the "moo moo." I am beinging to sound like a cow with all of these ramblings about mobile devices. I need to think more on solutions, not just devices. That's where the real milk is ya know.

Hopefully, my run with Rapier will start me on that suitable road to those things solid and cookied.

Labels: mobility

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

New Device Pics

Updated Post

Just a small update to fix from formatting things with this. I am using a service called Shozu on my N75 in order to get pictures onto my Flickr stream. It seems to be ok, but I will have to figure out why it only posted one of the three pictures. Ah well. A new device is in hand, and maybe it will work a bit better.

Labels: mobile, Photos

I Am The Key

In the mobile web world, there is this aspect of things called the "long tail." Essentially, it is that aspect of where technology trickle down the chain towards all people, not just techies, not just influencers, and not just industry specific; but where that tech really does reach and have a major effect on all people. This is a concept that is not lost on me, but as I sit here sick and writing on an Internet Tablet, I realize that the key for the long tail in mobile tech to come lies with me - not with governments and industries.

Let me explain. In my circle of family and friends, I am well regarded as the techie. Basically, that guy who does and plays with everything before they do. And if I am signing off on something, then it is legit. In the same light, if I am not signing off on it, then they will question why as well.

If I don't make responsible decisions with regard to technology use and adoption, I lead them into a ditch. If I don't ask questions, then I don't understand - they don't understand - we all are swindled. I see now more than in times past that its not just enough to know about things, but if I want to see a change happen, that I have to be the catalyst for it to happen.

I don't know all the specifics yet though. In terms of exactly how I will do it; I just don't know. I do know that I'm ready to start taking those steps towards that next side of the dreams that I have.

I look at initiatives like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Philadephia School of the Future, and the like as the areas where I want to most use technology to effect change and effectively share Christ with the world around me. I see the opportunity in a lot of places to do so, but not yet do I know all the steps.

I just know tht I am the key. If I don't do it, I cannot bemoan another person for not doing it either. And I also know that if I don't get all the way, that I have to be like David and set the stage for someone who comes after me to do it.

That's part of what I've been designed to do. And its part of what I run towards.

Labels: community, mobility

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Transistions Aplenty

Here's a piece of a posting of mine that's at Palm Addict:

...That being said, I am content (mostly) where I am. I see computing through a completly different light these days, and that is in part because of what I've read and shared here and other places. Mobile tech seems in so many ways to be what the point of part of computing is, and as my devices have changed, so have I in understanding that...

Read the rest at Palm Addict.

Labels: mobility

Monday, January 14, 2008

me and kids again

A Bearable Tablet Life

I am still trying to work things out in terms of living life on an Internet Tablet. But considering the nature of this device as being a hacker's paradise, it just has a long ways to being something that anyone can pick up and just living with it. In comparison, the Apple iPod Touch does just that, it is a device made for one to use without thinking about it. But that's different than the N800, and probably what makes tech fun. There's something out there for everyone, and sometimes what you don't know can be hell or fun.

I started writing this on the tablet, but the combination of the small screen size, the near-white text when in this editing window, and the typing errors from the bluetooth keyboard have just made me again run to this point of writing in a full computer's screen. Add to that, it seems that any instances of heavy JavaScript seems to slow the N800 browser to a crawl. Ironically, I notice this same bug with Opera 9.5 beta and FireFox 3 Beta. Hopefully, coders will get better about writing JavaScript, and browsers will get better at parsing it.

There's a well done Notes application on the tablet; for all the "hackability" that is invited by the table, why doesn't it plug into various webmail and blogging services. Basically making an offline editor that can upload content (or download and edit it) when needed.

Then there is the really abrupt application screens. No transitions, hard to find menus; and a system that begs for touching, but you end up pulling out the stylus because other things are too small (I am not the only one to harp on this UI issue).

Its still way too hard to install programs. And finding what I want to use is another thing entirely. This is the kind of system that requires a lot of patience, and at the same time, requires a lot of tenacity (just doing a Bible has proven frustrating).

That all being said, I am finding that just viewing the web is sometimes a lot less of a chore than anything. Sure, there is not the tabs on the screen, but clicking from one window to another is just a very simple (thumb) process.

I guess the main thing with the N800/N810 is that if this were to be the kind of device that I would recommend to another person, I would have to know the kind of techie that they are to get into it. Its not like a Palm where everything is pretty much right there, its designed for that not to be the case. That's good, but not OLPC good. You have to come into the IT with a bit more than just some grandiose vision of what computing should be. Because the device clearly shows that computing is just not at a simple, personal place yet. But that if we put in the work, it does become more than bearable.

Labels: mobility

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Number 1000

This is the 1000th post on this site. I've been online-journaling for almost four years and finally hit #1000 with this post. Now, this should be a time of reflection, repurposeing, or something. But you know something, I don't really know what it means other than what life as meant for me since June, that a new beginning to my life is upon me, and I have to embrace it.

Those zeros really do make this seem a lot bigger than it is. But there are a number of reasons why I feel that this 1000th post means more than a number.

Note: this is one of those posts that I've composed over a few days/week and so it might be a bit disconnected.

The blog has been a venting point for me. A journal on the ins and outs of some of those things that I've deemed important.

I've been told to fix spelling, and to remove content.

The site's design has changed a ton of times (and still does).

I've gone mobile, back to laptop, mobile again, and mobile further towards what I use to post and edit things here.

I've cried here.

I've smiled here.

I've tried to share my life appropriately here.

I've tried to hide here.

To me, it is kinda funny that the 999th post was about a site being down. Becaues this site has had some remarkable up-time.

Its been a heeck of a blessing to be this far with things. Seriously, I had nno idea that this blog would be famous for a moment, and the infamous for another. I amm happy with where I am, and wher it is.

The only realy question aabout things is where the next thousand will take me.

Labels: commentary

MMM Down

Well; so far no emails about it but MMM has been down the entire day. I am not sure why and have been in bed sick all day and so it is not something I can address completely.

Interestingly enough, the site beig down makes me think again that I should consider a mobile web server on my phone. That way I would be totally responsible for it's up-time.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Fustrations

When people call me a techie, I guess it is because they do so out of a perspective that I understand something that they don't. Well, I don't; I just tend to like to play with a lot electronic things that others could care less about. But one thing that I do care about, and that frustrates me to no end is the user experience and user interface that most software and hardware gives to me. And because of my job, I interact with this a lot more than others, and see first hand so many issues that could just be solved if people just too some time to think outside of themselves a bit more.

For example, I would think that it would be a smart process to design a bible reader that acts in a fashion that is conductive to how people use one. Most times people search for something; other times they search to read and note. Did you know that none of the Bible software (online or offline) takes this into consideration. None. For a lot of software, to just find the search button takes work. And you are not even guaranteed to find what it is you are searching for.

Or take for example the Internet Tablet that I am typing this on. Its designed to be an entry point to the web; but with a smaller screen one would assume that its browser would have a mode that is conductive to easily zooming in and out of large pages to navigate. I am even suffering silly issues with just trying to type this in the note pad (see the dupes). Frankly, the attention to user experience in a lot of this stuff sickens me, and as a techie, it frustrates me to no end that only two companies seem to get it (Apple and at one time Palm).

You should not have to over think to use a piece of hardware. Yes, there should be some aspect of learning how it works best, but that should always be simple concepts to more complex ones. Even mobile phones seem to miss the point in this. Trying to stuff so many features in front of you that you miss the blessing of having something that opens the world to the palm of your hand.

Maybe I am being a lot simple in this way of thought. I am not a user interface developer, nor an engineer. I don't know the complexities that Apple faced in making the iPhone, nor the hurdles of accomplishing the vision of people far ahead of their time like Palm.

I only know that somethings work and others don't. And most times, they just don't. That is frustrating, because it should not be end-users blamed for this, but us who build these experiences shouldering the responsibility to engage people better. Yet we don't admit that failing, making my frustrations greater because the finger is pointed at myself.

Labels: commentary, mobility

Friday, January 11, 2008

Moving to Symbian/S60: PIM Data Fun

As I've spoken before, I have moved to the Nokia N75 as my new smartphone. One of the issues that I had with it was getting my contacts on there from my Treo. In a recent article published at Brighthand, I spoke on what I went through to get those contacts on there, and ended up finding out a few things about the N75 that I didn't know before. Here is a snippet:

...I could have used Nokia's Intellisync to synchronize with Microsoft Outlook on my home desktop, but I don't even turn my PC on much anymore. I almost don't need it. However, if you're someone who wants to sync your Symbian/S60 with Outlook, Intellisync's synchronization protocols are built into a desktop application called PC Suite, and you can sync easily to Outlook there. But this set up doesn't fit my needs...

Read the entire article at Brighthand.

Labels: mobile, mobility

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Poem: Over Welled

Finding that there is no more recourse
I am not in that place that I used to be
I've walked past all that was them
And I have assumed the identity that I so wanted
Where I feel at last like I am in that place
My hands drop down for some water to finally feel refreshed
And I find that the water drops on me instead
Where I once could drink so easily
Now I cannot swim

In my hands is the facility to do more
To be more
Such was the old bucket that I was used to
The water over my ears is a faint reminder of this I used to dream
And now I am here
Being drawn out more and more
Being called out no more as I am here
And yet I am in over my head
Content to just stay in the bed and wait out my rest
The rules of the well are that you have to continue rolling with the water
Where I once could swim so freely
Now I cannot eat anymore
I need some help

This is the place where they say I've needed to be
That place where they say you find out whom you are
But I
Need
I
Am
Over the edge of the well
Being drawn out more than I can bear on my own.

Labels: poem

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Addressing Privacy

A brother and I were chatting at HCR about Google's Grand Central and asked me if I'd be interested in an invite. In declining, I realized that what I was saying to him was something that many probably do not think about when thinking of web services. What follows is what I wrote to him.

Sounds like a good reason. What in general do you not like in Google's privacy policy and is it something I should be concerned about?

My side job is that of a mobile device analyist; my main one is that of a web developer. I tend to take a more critical eye towards services because of those frames of reference. Add to that my very relevant work background towards several areas of information dissemation, I just have become one to follow his instincts when its come to internet and what information that I am willing to give out.

GigaOm recently did an article speaking about some of the issues of privacy that users need to be concerned with in doing things online. I'd recommend reading it (here), and then balancing what is said there (editorial opinion with some facts) to your personal convictions, to the privacy agreements of Google and others.

I tend not to try and skew the opinion of others with my own; but I will say that Googles activites do cause concern. Mainly because we have moved firmly into an information economy. The time is pretty much upon us where it is again like the pre-reformation era where those who control the information will subdue those who are not "in" towards keeping it exclusive. Entities such as Google, Facebook, etc. are in the business of making sure that you become identified by the information you search and attach yourself to. This information tracking and serving can/will lead to issues where persons can be denied access because they have a "mark" against them.

When I look at personal information such as phone numbers and addresses, I have made the call that such information I will not give out to online services unless absoutely necessary. Grand Central while great for what it does, puts me in a position that an aspect of my personal freedoms I am putting in the hands of a private company to whom I am not sure of in terms of their standing towards Our Father's ideals.

Taking all of this into consideration, I watch Grand Central and just about everything else that has gone mainstream, and I make moves carefully.

Labels: commentary

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Just A Touch

I've got only a few posts before I hit the 1000th and so I am being a bit on the purposeful side of things while I am getting there. With that said, here are a few thoughts to share and what have you.

From One of My Fav New Sites
Image: Why God Doesn't Go To Church, via The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus

Image: Why God Doesn't Go To Church, via The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus

This one is titled Why God Doesn't Go To Chruch. Just wow don't ya think.

Make sure that you get to the rest of the comics on this site. Seriously, they've made me assess a lot more than a lot of books I've read and people I've heard lately.

New Books on My Plate
I am reading a few new books. One about eating and living better, by a guy named Trudeau. And the other a basic Biblical understanding book by Grudem. Both are basically some firming up knowledge for me, but interesting reads at different parts of my day.

Ubiquitous Computing with linux
A really good article at GigaOM asked if Linux can be the center of ubiquitos computing. Linux is an operating system that is designed on a principle of community development and upkeep. To use it one basically has to agree to submit changes back to a repository and share what they've learned. What has been happening is that more and more manufactuers are using Linux instead of custom operating systems, or even more famous ones such as Windows. This keeps costs down, but also has allowed for them to explore different types of computing that meet needs more specifically.

On my end, I am using a Linux tablet for much of my computing outside of work now. The Nokia Internet Tablet uses a variant of Linux, and has a specific use that works for how I want to use it. This type of computing is pretty much the future of things. And if done right, most people will not even notice.

Nokia Officially Announces N95 8GB for N. America
Lots of excitment for the N95 as now a 4th version has been released. The N95 8GB NAM (read: N95 with 8GB of internal memory for the North American Market) has been announced and released. At $750 this is not a cheap device, but it is also without a contract. Granted, if you want something this good, a carrier cannot help you, really, devices like this just don't make a lot of money for carriers.

I've considered this, but I personally need more than just 8GB of space; I cannot wait till the next one comes, as that will be even better. Hopefully, that one will take this large screen and add some ability to touch along with it.

The Year of Privacy Awareness
I keep telling people that this year privacy will hit your radar more and more. And here is more proof that you need to be aware of what you do and what is going on with what you do.

Internal Debates
I am debating if whether I want to keep up the idea of being able to skin this site or just make it one stale design and leave it alone. While I like skinning, the move to another computing platform means that I want to make sure that it works well for viewing there, and some of the skins here don't. Granted, having read that, I can say that making a skin that is Internet Tablet friendly would be a good idea, doh.

I've got another debate on the personal side about proceeding in some friendships. Being that I am adamant about making roots here, I am sensing the need to just let go of some friendships. I don't know yet if or how to proceed there, but I know that something needs to happen. That being said, there are a few folks that are not in NC that I'd love to keep around. I've made it clear to some of them that this is a change that is happening on my end.

Been thinking about how to go about writing another short story. I want to do like I did before and post it here, but since I will be on the tablet, it will not be sitting in MS Word before getting here. I might end up using Google Docs, but not sure if I want to post it entirely every time that I write a chapter.

Prayer reuqests: online friend who recently lost her father; maturity in finances and social relationships; wisdom in when to speak when offended; maturity in those purpose-vision related items.

Like I said, this was just a touch, only a few more to go before 1000.

Labels: commentary, community, mobility

Saturday, January 05, 2008

Still A Treo in Tow

Before I wrote about the N75 Goodness, I wrote this ditty that was published at Palm Addict. Here's a snippet...

By now I am sure that many of you have read my Brighthand article about moving from a Treo 680 to a Nokia N75 as my main smartphone. And to be honest, I've only missed the Treo in spurts. But one area where my Treo still gets use is at work as my music player. The combination of an 8GB SDHC card and Pocket Tunes 4 has been very good and is something that currently my N75 just cannot pull through...

Read the rest at Palm Addict.

Side note: I've got 3 more posts till I make 1000 posts here. Woah.

Labels: mobility

Friday, January 04, 2008

Confession and Disappointment

Just posted on MMM. There's not much more to be said I guess. But I am disappointed ya know.

N75 Goodness

As I've gone on (and on) a few times, I am in the mist of a bit of a mobile computing shift. I've been using the N75 and really haven't had too bad of a time with it. For the most part its good, and like I said before, I can totally understand the dissappointment people have with mobiles - even those that don't know that they are. But today I did come across some goodness that I knew about, but had not thought to put into play until now.

That goodness is in the use of bluetooth headphones with the N75. Most of you are familiar with using a bluetooth headset with your phone. And that's great when speaking on the phone (I even have a really good headset that I use). But have you ever considered what it would be like to have a music player where you could listen to music without that wire? Now, if you are anything like me, those wires go dead within 3-6 months and you need to get a new pair. But if the headset is wireless, all you have to do is charge it and go.
Image: Moto Bluetooth Stero Headphones, via Google Gear Guide

Image: Moto Bluetooth Stero Headphones, via Google Gear Guide

Well, that is the case with my headphones. I have a pair of Moto BT headphones and they are ok (for a few hours anyways). With the Treo, I had to download software to use the BT ability, or purchase an adapter if I wanted to use it wired. With the N75, no adapter needed. Just pair it like one would a headset and just go. That's a good thing.

Sure, I have to charge them once a week. But they can also be used wired, which is great. At the moment I don't have but a 2GB microSD memory card, so the amount of music I have is quite small. But its enough to enjoy some solid sounds while at work or biking.

This lil phone is really capable. I might have to trumpet it a bit more (can I be like Rita and request one from Santa or the next holiday wish-granter, lol). Its a lot more accesssible to people than an N95 is in the US (cost more than anything), and not so far out there with what I am able to do that it puts people off. Uhmmm...

Labels: mobility

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Pray Like This: Hallowed Be Your Name

Thanks LJ for this nugget (via Desiring God)...

...The phrase "hallowed be your name" (hagiastheto to onoma sou) in Matthew 6:9 means â€œCause your name to be hallowed.â€ It is a plea that God would do something about his name. It is a plea that God would cause it to be hallowed in our hearts and in the hearts of all people. And what does hallowed mean? It means literally sanctified. But what does that mean when it refers to the infinitely holy name of God? It means that we are praying that his name be set apart in peopleâ€™s hearts and minds and lives as the infinitely great and beautiful and valuable reality that it is...

Read the rest of this post, there's a podcast too. Blessings.

Labels: commentary

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Redfly Mobile Companion Revisits the Foleo Concept

I really would have liked to see Palm come through on this. According to this story at Brighthand, there is yet another company that is looking to do a laptop-shaped device that extends the capabilities of some smartphones. Even though this device is focused on the Windows Mobile side of things, it seems to be an answer to a question that a lot of techies have in terms of cutting down clutter.

Read the entire story at Brighthand

Labels: mobility

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

And You Think I Am Bad

Rita's got the latest Nokia N-series device and this is the result. Me, I can be just as bad given a gift and a bit of time to tweak my setup :)

I will get there (again) though, and it will be a bit of a paradigm shift on a lot of ends.

Labels: mobility

Its A New Year, and...

I cannot speak for most, but the New Year turnover seems less and less like a new year for me. I guess that's its because I have a few types of schedules that I run on, and the most important of which is the one where I set my poems in order. For me, that June to June time is my year (13 month year at that), and its in that where I find a real purposing of things to and fro.

Spent some great time at the beach yesterday with family. It was good just to get some sea air and just kinda relax. Every time that I get on a beach or near a really large body of water, I tend ot recognize just how small I am compared to everything else. I mean, this world is immense. And yet, I am here. I have my place, you have your place. All in all its a really neat thing to have in front of you, especially when you aren't the one running things.

Back in CHarlotte and I am back where I can get a non-wifi internet connection. It was a good bit silent because of that on my end, lest I got near a computer, but great nonetheless. I'm still getting used to my new phone, but definitely need to make changes in how I do life mobile. I cannot stand being on a computer so much just for little things like posting.

I need to get myself in gear because the year is here and I need to hit the ground running. I need to do a few internal things, but show forth my life a bit more to those around me. This will be the challenge of the poems that come forth next. But fun still.

"A good life is one lived in front of others, not just the good testimonies."

That was something shared with me yesterday, and I hope to remember it for a long time.

Off to do life, enjoy your new year no matter when or how you are celebrating it.

Labels: commentary

Archives

MMM/Inner-Linked

Visit Mobile Ministry Magazine (MMM) to learn and explore about the intersection of faith and mobile technology.

Visit Inner-Linked to learn how I can help you or your church/organization better utilize mobile technology and web resources.

Photos

View more at Share on Ovi.

View more photos at Flickr.

Connect

Antoine RJ Wright

Mobile Lifestyle Evangelist, Mobile Minister

http://antoinerjwright.com
a.r.j.wright@gmail.com

Charlotte, NC, 28212 USA

Mobile: +1-717-201-4917

QR Code: Business Card

See my social graph and other connections.

Jaiku

last.fm

View My Recently Played Tracks

Posted Topics

Site Terms/Contact

Image: Powered by Blogger

The comments on this website are my own unless otherwise noted. They do not reflect the opinion of my family, friends, employers past, or employers present. While I am apt to say things that offend and challenge convention, you can comment on any post towards any item and I shall use my own discretion towards answering you directly. To contact directly, please comment to the latest post or use one of the social networks linked on this site.

Its not that the site is broken, its that Internet Explorer 6/7 is. You'd be better off using Firefox, Opera, Safari, or even the beta of Internet Explorer 8.