Midspot

Have you ever noticed that whatever year or decade we are in, we think that we are the most advanced, technologically speaking, of any other previous year or decade. This makes sense because it is true. But what is really amazing is take that line of thinking and apply it to years and decades back.

In the forties, people thought they were the most technologically advanced of any era to precede them. And they were right. Look how many things have happened since then: the Internet, color TV, Wal-Mart, etc. All happened and became mainstream in society since then.

Think back to the turn of the century and look at how many inventions have happened since then. It’s amazing to think about all the stuff that has been invented. A lot of times I think that we have peaked and there is nothing more to invent, and then I realize that many people probably thought the same thing back in 1906.

It really makes me wonder the things yet to come. What will I see yet in my lifetime that will become mainstream that doesn’t even exist yet today?

Technorati : Internet, civilization, inventions, new, tech, technology

We just booked our tickets to Las Vegas for the first weekend in November. Actually we are going for almost a week (Nov 3-8). Should be fun. I haven’t been out there for a couple of years and I swore the last time I went that I would go every year. Actually this is the first time I’ve taken a vacation where I have flown to my destination.

Technorati : Nevada, las vegas, vacation, vegas

If you are like me you probably had a point in your life where you needed to create a .exe file from a .bat or .vbs file. Well Windows actually includes a program called IExpress.exe which allows you to do this. Why Windows does not advertise this handy little program is beyond me but a great write up on how to use this fantastic little piece of software can be found here.

Technorati : Windows, bat, creation, exe, free, installer, utility, vbs

Want to browse the web at work without getting caught? Try out http://www.workfriendly.net/. This site converts any webpage to look like MS Word. It even has a quick “Boss” button to hide your browsing in case you have someone peek into your office or cube. It mainly just strips the images and arranges everything like an outline and then surrounds it in a header that resembles the tool bars of MS Word.

My thoughts are that, if you need to hide your browsing habits at work you either browse too much or you need to find an employer that isn’t so strict.

Technorati : browser, web, web browsing, work

Look I’m Web 2.0 compliant! Actually I just used this Web 2.0 logo generator. Pretty neat stuff. Now go make your own. VC funding not included.

Technorati : cool, generator, logo, new, web 2.0, web2.0

Apparently a lot. I just realized I have had the same cell phone number for about 10 years. That’s almost as long as I’ve had a cell phone. In fact this mobile number is only the second cell phone number I’ve ever had. (220-3021 was the first).

What is the big deal? Why would I keep it that long?

Plenty of reasons. I can think of many times that old friends have called just to see if I still had the same number when they switched to a new phone. I’m guilty of this too. Whenever I switch phones or when I have a few hours to kill and am cleaning out old numbers I call the ones I don’t talk to on a regular basis just to see if it is the same number. Never have I had a bad phone call from having the same number.

In fact I stayed with the same service provider for years until number portability came about just so I could keep my number. I don’t think I’m the only one either. Plenty of my friends have had the same mobile number for years although their house number may change as did mine over the last 10 years quite frequently due to moving and just plain turning off service unless I got a better deal by bundling it with my cable TV.

Land line phones I never got attached to. The longer you have a land line phone the more telemarketers you get. I don’t get that with my cell number. I have no reason to change it. Do you?

Technorati : cell, land line, mobile, number, phone, pots

I’m getting kinda worried about Fo0 over at forgetfoo.com.

His site says he is just taking off a week or two but I find this unusual because I have been reading his site for a couple of years now and don’t remember him ever doing that before.

Hope all is well in foo-land…

Technorati : blog, foo, forgetfoo, vacation

Today, Google launched a WiFi network in our hometown of Mountain View. Radios hanging on lampposts throughout the city are now broadcasting a “GoogleWiFi” wireless (802.11b/g) signal that brings wireless Internet access to the city’s residents, businesses, and visitors. All anyone needs is a laptop or other wireless-enabled device and a web browser to get online. Then Mountain View users can select the “GoogleWiFi” signal, open their web browser and sign in with a free Google Account. To learn more about the network’s coverage area and the location of the WiFi radios, we’ve published a map

Link Here

Cool, I wish we could get a service like that here in Bismarck. We have had a couple of startups but nothing that has made it, yet…

Technorati : Google, GoogleWiFi, Mountain View, WiFi, tech, wireless

Why is it that every application in Windows has to fight for the foreground like a bunch of little rich spoiled children vying for attention?

It drives me nuts.

It is the number one thing that I don’t miss, now that I use Linux a majority of the time. I can open windows and go on to something else and the previously opened window will not push it’s way to the front when it’s not even done loading.

Technorati : Windows, annoying, application, behavior, rants

I have been recommended this book a million times and have never taken the time to read it, but it is now on my list of books to read yet this year…

Technorati : books, effective, habits, people, toread