Flock

I’ve been using Flock for a couple of days now, and it’s starting to grow on me.? For “normal” use, I am still an IE user, mainly because of the plug-ins for Pluck and Password Manager XP.

However, for pure browse+blog usage, Flock is really nice.? It’s easy to create blog entries, I like the multi-tab layout, and having my Favorites=my.del.icio.us links is really cool.? It will definately stay on my Desktop, and (at some later date) might even replace IE…? (yeah, I know…)

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Bubble 2.0 - The Social Software Weblog - socialsoftware.weblogsinc.com

I suppose if there’s a diagram, the bubble is over already…

Looooove it!  It’s social-AJAX-podcast-goodness…  Mmmmm….AJAX…..

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I wrote the last 2 entries sitting on the (closed) toilet seat, watching my kids enjoy bathtime, listening to some of the latest stuff downloaded from eMusic (on my Sony wireless speaker see post below).

I’m amazed at the attraction bath-time has for Alex and Leah - they could spend hours in the tub, especially if you add in popsicles (our standard dessert-fare for kids who finish their dinners).  Throw in a TV (which we do NOT have in the bathroom), and they could stay there all day.  Not even the water getting cold would deter them…

Hairwashing is usually the end of bath-time-happiness - a much-needed step in the whole bath cycle (is that like the Wagnerian ring-cycle?), but not one that the kids enjoy.

As I just told Anne, I realize that Flock usage is increasing my blog-frequency.  Now I just need to (re)start my kid blogging…

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Sony 900MHz RF Wireless Speaker System

One of the techno-gadgets I use on a very regular basis is my Sony wireless speaker.  This is a 2-piece unit; the transmitter that plugs into the audio-out of the computer, and the speaker itself.  It’s a 900Mhz system, so if you have an older cordless phone system, there is the possibility of interference.  However, during a couple of years of use (with a non-900Mhz cordless phone system), I have to say that it’s a tech solution that I really like.  The speaker has a rechargable battery in it, so although we usually keep it plugged in in the kitchen, I can unplug it and take it out to the back deck for parties, or down to the basement for doing laundy, or to the garage for clean-up work.

Add the speaker into a solution where you have a VNC connection to the remote computer, and you can control your music from anywhere in your house/apartment.  Pretty cool.

Well worth the $75 I spent on it - look around, maybe you’ll get a good deal on one at Dealnews…

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The third TechCrunch meetup was a disaster for remote attendees. The plan was to have dozens of people using a video conferencing software called Festoon to be able to witness the third TechCrunch meetup remotely. Unfortunately, the Festoon software was horid and didn’t work well at all. The software was so horrible that remote attendees could not hear the presentations taking place at the meetup.

TechCrunch Wiki :: third_meetup

So, I had just added the Festoon link to my del.icio.us because I was looking for a solution to do video IM with Helen in Switzerland (Festoon is/was vSkype).  Too bad, because this was the frontrunner.  I still might try it - maybe it will be better point-to-point…

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Went to the WSA Dinner Meeting last night, and Chris was on the panel.  He has a good recap of the discussion where he hits his high points, but as I told him, I’m pretty sure that the room had never heard so many “that sucks” at one time.  Too funny - Chris is quite the “disruptive technology”.  However, when all is said and done, it was one of the better panels I’ve seen.  Looking forward to catching up with Chris at Seattle Mind Camp.

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Okay, so I’m trying out Flock.  So far, it’s…interesting.  It’s a “social browser” - it uses tags, and has support for creating blog entries (which is how I’m creating this entry), and links to del.icio.us and flickr, etc etc.  Looks promising - still in alpha/beta, so we’re shaking out some bugs.

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So, I started my quest to build a PVR. My VCR is starting to work less often (tapes get stuck, won’t record, etc.) and, well, a digital PVR setup is cooler.
Step one was to get a MediaMVP unit (on clearance from Radio Shack for $40). Hooked that up to the Ethernet hub in the living room, plugged it into the TV, loaded the Hauppauge software on the computer in the den, and we were watching AVI movies on the TV. Very slick, and very easy. Now I can go ahead and get the GB-PVR software loaded up, and look for a good deal on a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 at dealnews.

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