July 1, 2007 by phillip.

When I say Haiku I’m not referring to the poems nor is it a misspelling of the social networking site Jaiku.  I’m talking about the open source operating system being built.  It’s still in Alpha release and you can’t download an installable copy yet but you can get a vmware virtual machine of it.  My only conclusion… please… Let Be OS die peacefully.

Here’s the history.  Once upon a time someone made an operating system call Be OS.  I remember checking this out in the mid 90’s and it looked great!  It was made to take full advantage of your PC and originally ran on it’s own hardware (BeBox).  Sad as it may be it was just one of those things that never took off.  Palm Software eventually bought the company and that was it for Be OS.  Out of it’s ashes came Haiku.  People are still working on making it like Be OS but it’s just too late.  All the cool stuff is in Linux, and BSD (which in turn benefits Mac OSX) now.

Why stop?   One reason above all others… Help the team to win.  The resources that people are putting toward this could be used enhance Linux and BSD.  If they enhance BSD then Mac OSX will get these benefits added to it’s Darwin core.  I’m a big believer in breaking off and treading new ground but from what I can see.  You’re not.  I favor you helping Linux but let’s just all be friends and make cool software that enhances everyone’s life.

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June 20, 2007 by phillip.

I have run into the raging debate over what portable player to get and here’s my stand.

I’m an MP3 player guy and not just because I don’t like being locked into iTunes.  MP3 players are usually cheaper for the same audio quality.  Allow you to just drag files over without conversion (less time).  Are operating system neutral so they’ll work on anything as a memory stick, etc.

iPods look cool.

Please rip me to shreds on this one if I’m wrong because I want to understand ANY other logic.

P.S.: Don’t even compare the video iPod’s to MP4 players because the same things apply.

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June 17, 2007 by phillip.

To all you men out there that love your technology. You know you probably didn’t get the gift you wanted because you’re the only one that knows the tech you want. Go buy yourself something nice online. Nobody will have to know. Well, unless your big screen plasma is a little too big to not notice.

Posted in Announcements, Uncategorized | No Comments »

June 12, 2007 by phillip.

“Click on my pop-up. Read my blog to success. We have the cheapest prices.” The Internet is a scary place for the unknowing wanderer or the easily convinced mind. Those prone to cult-ish behavior or obsessive compulsive routines will get grabbed by the hand and led into the abyss. It’s kind of like the myth of falling into a whirlpool in the ocean. They say if you hold your breath it will spit you back out. The difference with the digital whirlpool is that it will spit you out when your credit cards are dry.

I’m sorry if I scared you because that’s not the point of my blog. In a moment of self-analysis I tried to see the point of what I do and if it is helping the average person that wants to use technology as a tool in their life. It shouldn’t be complicated or puffed up to be more than that. A door lock serves it’s purpose and does it well. So does a computer and the Internet given a little bit of know how and healthy skepticism. I wouldn’t want you to open Pandora’s box. Oh, you don’t see it? Yes, that’s exactly what it is.

Take for instance a friend of mine. He’s a good person, isn’t out to hurt anyone but he listened to Joe Blow internet guy and said to himself, “He’s doing big things.  I’ll do what he said.”  He buys computer product only to realize that later on he neither enjoys the benefits of this product nor needs it.  He’s been pulled into the abyss and will continue to till his pockets are dry.

“Why listen to Phillip Banks then?” You may ask.  Great question!  For one, you should check into things more yourself (if you have the time) and not totally rely on me.  I’m not given a huge budget to work with every piece of software but I try to work with people whenever they try anything because I want to know.  Second, feel free to email me and call me on my crap.  You may be right and I haven’t seen the grand scheme of product XYZ.  The one thing you will get is an honest opinion from a person that doesn’t buy things just because it’s there.  My unique perspective is seeing the similarities in things.  Something announced for $10,000 may just be a $100 product with bells and whistles you can add for yourself for $50.  A lot of the big podcasts, and videopodcasts seem to not take some of these things into account.
My moment, of self-analysis let me to look at my blog stats.  I must say I was shocked that I’m not just shouting into the digital darkness and would enjoy hearing from any of you about ideas you want me to look into.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

May 29, 2007 by phillip.

Maybe it was watching Star Trek when I was a kid and realized that the whole world came together when we realized that their were other people out there in space. Maybe it was the first time I looked at an ant hill and saw them all bringing food back so that they could split it up and save it till later. Maybe it was being 4 years old and my sister hoisting me up to go into the cookie jar on the shelf so we could get some cookies.

I don’t know what it is but I love people working together. Maybe that’s why I love seeing more wireless access points around town that are wide open. Open source software like Firefox, Linux, Apache webserver, and Wordpress (that I’m using right now to write this blog). Everybody helps write this software and makes it free to others. BRILLIANT!!!
Share some wireless today for your fellow man today. I might to download some directions in your neighborhood until I get my navigation system one of these days.

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May 18, 2007 by phillip.

In an article on Time Magazine’s website (link to article), the government is cutting access to some websites for soldiers overseas. Those websites include: MySpace, Youtube, and 11 other popular websites.

This really proves my last post that we are really addicted when your life is in danger and your sitting inside the hollow shell of building wondering if you have any new friends on MySpace. However, please people. Can’t we let them have a little fun when the bullets aren’t flying?

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

May 14, 2007 by phillip.

My wife has been getting on me about getting back to my blogging so I’m going to keep this site full of content for you starting today.