Day 5: No junk software? Looking for a MBP 13" Unibody case...

I am trying to find a hard case for the MBP Unibody, apparently, since it is brand new there aren't any quality hard cases that clip onto the MBP. I found some on eBay. I don't know if they are perfectly suited for this version of the MBP. I'll keep looking. I also noticed that there is NO other software other than the Apple applications. I like that. No stickers on the computer either. Every computer on the PC side has a half dozen stickers all over it.

Some information about various things discussed in class yesterday.

So, I'm in my advertising class, and a couple of people are interested in online communities [Social Media] and branding [Domains, and acquiring vanity names on services]. So, here is what I told them.

Use Dotster.com, it is only going to cost about $10 a year for a domain. If you are interested in a branding opportunity online, it starts there. Dotster.com has a fast, and easy, interface. Minimal push sales through the domain registration pages. This is NOT like goDaddy. I don't like their interface at all.

If you are curious about trademark issues, visit USPTO.GOV, there is a search function on the left hand side. Pretty straight forward. Do a search if you want to minimize the risk of a lawsuit for trademark infringement or a cyber-squatting fiasco.

Those two are where I go when I start a project. I currently have 100 domains, each relate to a project with a specific purpose/goal in mind. I've had greater and fewer than 100, but I have always had this goal of launching 100 businesses in a year. We'll see if that happens... moving on.

Social Media sites are pretty much centered around the users interacting with the service instead of the service providing itself to the user. YouTube, for instance, is a social media site. Reddit is as well, so is Digg; the left and right of link aggregation. Search engines like the one Mahalo wanted to be, was powered by people to provide quality increases in the results. It shifted to a Wikipedia format this year. Seems good intentioned, but I don't like the idea of compensating users with something other than cash/goods on a 1:1 ratio. Mahalo has an interesting business model. I'm interested in how it works for the management team.

In all of these cases, and more, like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn; You have to capture YOUR brand as an individual. Not just your business identity. If you want to maintain your brand recognition [search for James Hatch on Google, depending on your search trends, I'll be in the top 5, usually behind the Professor], you must capture your name. So, I own my name www.JamesHatch.com and my spouses name. I own the domains for my projects, as well as some of them on Twitter. I also own my name on Google. Albeit sometimes it requires me to include my middle name... I'll be first in line to grab my non-full name when the opportunity arises with other services. If you look to the right, the third panel contains the places I visit or own, and have my name brand.

One of my projects: MobWatch.com [which I don't advertise] is an online reputation manager. Basically, the idea is to allow individuals to link to the profiles on other sites, and discuss the personality and actions of the user outside of that site. I intend to make it so that identical names can be pulled up, and everyone can analyze the tone and nature of the online persona's to see if they are one in the same. Obviously it is not a scientific analysis, but is might present some interesting results.

Another project: JDrater.com [again, I don't advertise] is a rating and review site intended for individuals to comment on how they were treated by attorney's and firms. It follows on the same platform as MobWatch in terms of interface. I love social aggregation, the idea of mob rule is fascinating. Attorney friends say that the jury gets it right whereas individual decision making fails due to bias. The problem is that the jury sometimes gets its wrong. I'm interested, as an offshoot of JDrater development, if the size of the jury makes a difference. According to my marketing research professor, as it applies to sampling... the size of the sample shouldn't make a difference.

More to come... I just needed to break from reading code. I'm starting to respond in a series of short beeps and whistles.

TEDtalks - Go visit the site.

TED

That is All.

Day 4: Look Mac, don't give me that stuff about your battery.

So, this is Day 4 of Once you Go Mac, you never go back.

Seems true enough, my desktop fell asleep, and instead of sitting down and letting it boot up. I left it to sleep quietly on the floor and grabbed my MBP. Since I'm putting in somewhere between 3-8 hours a day to learn Objective-C and the iPhone SDK, it makes more sense anyway. It is pretty hard to learn the Apple coding routine when you boot to Windows 7.

So, I'm sitting at school going through some tutorials and reading all things mac and notice my battery draining faster than the desired 7 hours on the 13" MacBook Pro unibody. Yes, it was just because I had the screen on max brightness, the Wi-Fi was running, as was bluetooth [just because I can] and I was watching video while listening to my iTunes library. I was still there, without power umbilical for about 4 hours. Yah, my HP Tablet would have done one of the following: Died due to battery failure, or exploded due to over working.

So, everyone needs a break from studying... I play World of Warcraft. The only game I've ever played for more than an hour as an adult. It is a fun distraction, and brings me back to my youth when I played AD&D with 5-8 people around a large table with *GASP* pen and paper. Yah, I don't know what those even look like now. Warcraft puts the MBP through the paces. If I turn everything down, I get anywhere from 22 frames per second up to a whopping 140 frames per second. But in all instances, the MBP heats up to the point where if you were doing this on a park bench and had it on naked thighs, you would be in the hospital with a nice third degree burn. At least, that is my perception of things. The case becomes so hot, you can't help but warm yourself by the fire. Unfortunately, the place it heats up most [over the AWSD portion of the keyboard] is where you put your hands most often while playing WoW.

I paired my iPhone to my MBP as well... nothing happened. I'll have to go back. I coded [with a tutorial] a ToDo list which will evolve now into what I wanted to fix a little issue I have, more on that if it develops. I say if, because although Obj-C is very straight forward in terms of how to code, you really have to know what is available to code. Otherwise you are just going to sit around coding "HELLO WORLD" type of basic software. I want more. I haven't seen the inside of software in over 6 years though, so we'll see how long this takes.

One last thing... EVERYTHING needs a cable/adapter/dongle/thingy. I can't connect my monitor(s) from my Desktop without a cable [for one monitor] and I need a smart splitter for two, but there is no Mini-DisplayPort splitter for two monitors without paying something like $400. That isn't going to happen. I want the Cinema Display 30" but that comes in at $1500. I better find a job or start selling blood.

Day 5 is now here... I'll post something if it is interesting to me, and I don't know if it is interesting to anyone else. My first few months of blogger without telling anyone I blog is more an outlet for me than an inlet for readers.

Day 3: MacBook Pro, Transition is nearly complete. Kool-Aid refills wanted.

NOW I know why people drink the Apple Kool-Aid so deeply. I am not a programmer by any stretch (programming seems very straight forward), but Apple coders seem to have a unique blend of fanaticism of those who love Unix [its core is a *nix variant], and those who love graphics, and those who love quality. Although it is aluminum, the Macbook Pro is lighter than my former tablet PC, and feels much more solid. I wish I could get the 8GB upgrade for this little monster, but at $1200-$1500, that just isn't going to happen. It can access the full range of memory, which allows video to be pulled in and modified faster than I ever could on my PC. My PC has 8GB's of RAM, but doesn't seem to utilize them so well. Since there are all kinds of differences between the two platforms in terms of hardware and software, I'm trying to keep this within the realms of personal user experience. That means nothing technical. There are many more people out there who have never seen the inside of their computer than those like me, who can't help but rip something open within the first 24 hours to see how it ticks.

That being said, the inside of the MacBook Pro is pretty sharp. The small hard drive I got with the purchase was replaced immediately with a 500GB HD. It was a snap to install (10 external case screws, 7 of which were short, 3 were long and I don't know why). There were 4 screws holding bars in place that acted like shocks/pressure plates to keep the hard drive in position. Easily removed, and restored with the application called "Time Machine" that is built into OS X. It took a short bit of time to do the deed, but it was done perfectly.

Since I didn't know anything about the Mac, I had BestBuy install the iLife application for me, along with a MobileMe subscription and some rebates as a deal by the Apple Kool-Aid drinker in charge. (Paul, I said it twice while we were talking, and now I'm drinking it too.) I wish they hadn't named my directory as my full name. It is a pain to change from what I've gathered [it being Unix, I can see why] But I'll figure it out and change it to what I want. I don't really like the idea of people looking over my shoulder and reading my name in the top left corner of my brilliantly bright monitor. This thing could probably double as a small sun to power a solar power array.

Enough for now... Day 3 is nearly done, I'll update if anything amazing happens today.

ps... keyboard commands are slightly different. cntrl-c = command-c on a Mac. I have a lot to learn.

Day 2: MacBook Pro, iPhone, platform transition in progress.

I have managed to move about 75% of my time and files from the PC platform, to the Apple platform. It is interesting, and easier in every sense of usability. From upgrading the hard drive and partitioning on the fly, to utilizing my computer as a teaching platform [Piano + USB Cable to Midi Cable + MacBook Pro = semi-custom and professional teaching, next is Guitar], and the only problem is what to do with my PC software. LawNerd isn't particularly interested in changing platforms, but she hasn't USED this MacBook Pro yet. She said the same about Broadband internet [who needs it], and the iPhone [my phone is good enough] and now she is an internet demon [15 browser windows open at a time] and downloading apps [Whoa! I just got an app that shows me where everything is within 5 miles, "Whats for dinner?"].

I'm learning to use Xcode now, along with learning the ins and outs of the entire platform. Office is no longer a necessity. But I miss my Tablet already. The new owner will be happy with it. It was put on eBay, and was scooped up within two days. Takes the sting out of dropping money for an entire hardware platform change. More to come from days experiences...

ps... I have not used "Shareware" since I was first introduced to the PC market back when I was half my age. The Apple site links to all kinds of shareware products, and that brings back memories of software I didn't like, but didn't know it until I tried it out. This was before 15% restocking fee's. When I was working in the software retail industry, they would reshrinkwrap hardware and software after making a slight effort to verify everything was there. And then it would be restocked at full price. NOT worth a 15% restocking fee, and the reason we were told it was going into effect, was to minimize people purchasing and returning software just to see if they liked it. I hated that policy. I wouldn't be surprised if that is part of an increase in software, movie, and music piracy. I might have to do a study on that.

Day 1 : Working with the MacBook Pro (Happy 4th)

The interface for the Mac is very intuitive as expected, it has been years since I used OS X and its earlier iterations. I'd like to use Chrome, but it isn't operational yet. Firefox is, and I'm trying to figure out how much software is compatible and easily installed [installing software on a Mac when I was a kid was like pulling teeth without painkillers, at least, if I'm recalling it correctly, it has been a LONG time since I was a kid.] and this is causing me some pain and suffering. I have Photoshop CS3 for the PC platform. I haven't asked if its possible to swap it for the Mac version. The last time I interacted with Adobe, it involved de-authorizing my wiped computers, and they made me feel as if I had hugged the queen of England. Anyway, I'm starting to learn to code for the iPhone and Mac platform. A lot is going on, and I start another semester of school, only 2 classes left for the completion of my MBA. I have some decisions to make within the next 6 months. In the mean time, I can't say enough about the Apple platform. After 25 years (maybe longer, but Again, I don't want to talk about it), picking up a new platform entirely is a lot of fun.

I'm considering this my Independence Day... I'm going to learn programming, and the MacBook Pro seems pretty easy to work with. It even connects to my Piano to help me learn to play better. My wife wants me to learn to play the guitar, and GarageBand is built into the OS, so I don't need to purchase another application. It even has free lessons to download. And so much more, I'll have to start breaking this up into individual blog posts. HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Big Change here at Hatch Central...

I'm changing my primary platform from PC to MAC, and will talk about my transition here on my blog. I'm also going to learn to code for the Apple platform, specifically for the iPhone. I have about 8 ideas for applications. Since I'm pretty much unskilled in the area of coding [I can direct a team, but can't code for beans], I'm going to learn from nothing to something. I'm an old-school HTML coder for websites, and can do my own graphics, so that will come in handy, but it is an entirely new platform. I'll put it this way... the last time I used a Mac... it was called an Apple IIe. Bang! I said it. If you can do the math, you can date me without cutting me in half and counting the rings. I don't want to talk about it. Moving on.

Since purchasing the iPhone, I've come to realize the PC platform is in a sad shape of complacency. Nothing truly revolutionary in form or function, especially not in the user interface has come down the pipe since Windows was originally launched. The Apple platform has changed shape and functionality at its core level. Becoming smaller, and now, even focusing on battery life and longevity [even if their motto appears to be "New Every Year!"] which means the Mac Pro laptop I just got is going to stay with me for a long time. If it doesn't, the value will remain at a higher point than the PC market. I'm forced to sell my Tablet PC for around half the price I purchased it at even though it is in like new condition and I still have the box it came in. And just a year older. The Mac market holds its value around 80-90% from retail.

I might even sell my desktop. It is a huge DELL XPS 600 that I've had for nearly 5 years. It is stable, and hasn't needed a restoration until I installed the BETA version of Windows 7. Which, thankfully, I can now cancel the order of from Amazon. I think I'll go do that right now.

Saw this with xFeed today - Chevy Volt + xFeed quick review.

Trying a new App called xFeed.

This shiny little black car is the first real Chevy Volt—the first of many hand-built but bona-fide production-intent prototypes that will roll out of GM's pre-production workshop in the coming weeks. This car is the next big step in the production process after the testing of the Volt "mules"—test cars with a Chevy Cruze body and a Volt powertrain. (We drove one of the mules last month; see our full review here.) <-- That "We" is not Me, and I am not them. It was just part of the submission. Since you can't remove anything from the web once you submit it; even if you tried, it is usually cached somewhere within the blink of an eye, it usually pops up somewhere.

Although it doesn't format my submissions the way I like them [Full Justification], this application is pretty good. Look it up on the AppStore. xFeed, a free RSS reader that appears to be gathering a following. And, you can check out the Chevy Volt as well.

Strip Search of Student with Ibuprofen ruled...

So, it took the US Supreme Court to rule against a search of a student suspected of carrying Ibuprofen. In an 8-1 Ruling with Justice Thomas dissenting; finding it legal and that the ruling could backfire making the statement "Redding would not have been the first person to conceal pills in her undergarments", the Court found that they believe the officials cannot be held liable in a lawsuit. I find that particularly distracting in all of this ethical dilemma I am swimming around in. They do suggest though, that the lower court will have to determine if the school district can be held liable. What seems to be lost upon Justice Thomas is the fact that the student was 13 at the time of the strip search. A strip search. Let me say that one more time; STRIP. SEARCH. Of a 13 year old girl because she had Ibuprofen. I certainly do not believe that liability for the strip search should fall upon just the school district, or at least the district at all; but completely upon the person(s) who permitted the search and performed it. Either you KNOW she has an illegal substance on her person, or you don't. And performing a search in the attempt to find contraband should be abundantly clear as a violation of ones Constitutional Rights. Not to mention these people were not part of the criminal justice system, they were administrators of education. One that should be instilling respect in their students, instead, they strong armed an impressionable girl into feeling victimized.

I understand that children have changed from when I was a child. The year I left my High School, there was an officer stationed at the school all the time. Until that time, I had never seen an officer on campus for any reason. But unless you are their doctor, or parent trying to remove a leech or fire-ant attack... you have no reason to strip search a person under the age of 18.