Leopard on the prowl

One of the frustrating things about technology is that it's always changing.

One of the coolest things about technology is that it's always changing.

I am often amazed that the thing that I both love and hate about new software and gadgets is its constant turn over.

I hate it because once you finally get confortible with something, you know where all the buttons and nobs are, you know all the glitches and hang ups, something wisenhiemer comes along and changes everything.

All the new Microsoft products are a wonderful example. I have the new office 2007 suite in the office, and I just upgraded one of my computers at home to Vista and everything is messed up. Things are hidden behind buttons, and menus completely changed. Every PC program up to this point hand a standardized menu that read: File - Edit - View - Tools - Help (or something along those lines), and BLAMO, gone.

Now have to learn everything all over again.

I hate that.

I love that.

See we are a creature of habit (not to be confused with hobbit), we fall into a rut and that's where we stay. We never grow, we never improve. If we didn't know it or need it before, why do we need it now? When things change, we are forced to relearn things. But in that relearning, we always discover new places that we've never been. We expand our knowledge and add new tools to our work flow.

It's exciting (and dreadful).

This week Apple announced that it's releasing it's new OS (operating system) on October 26th called Leopard (they new all there OS X releases after major cats) and I am bursting at the seams. I've got my copy pre-ordered and once I get back from Seattle, it'll be waiting for me.

This is my first Mac upgrade and I'm finding the experience completely different than my PC ones. I've drug my feet on Vista for nearly a year now because I am afraid that all the stuff I use is going to break. That I'm in the end going to have to back up all my files, format the computer and start all over again (I ended up doing that, but I choose a computer that I didn't use a whole lot). With my MacBook, I'm stoked to see what new features it's going to have, and all the new fun things I can do.

I don't even have a concern that any of the things I've installed aren't going to work.

That's kind of cool.

In any case, I'll let you know how it goes.

You've gotta love technology.

When your desktop needs a new coat of paint

I don’t know about you, but I get bored looking at the same boring background on my computer.

I need variety. I need change.

I need InterFaceLIFT.com.

If you’re looking for a place to get great new images sized for any possible screen you might have, from your iPhone to your super huge 16:9 formatted Mac HD Cinema display, look no further than this website.

Backgrounds, icons, themes, you name it, it’s a virtual visual candy store. Best part of all… it’s free. So give it a gander and see if you don’t find something new you can paste up on that screen of yours.

Enjoy your week free of quizzes and questions.

It could happen to you...

For me, College was an informational void. I didn't read papers, I didn't own a TV, let alone have cable. Computers were just recently invented, and the internet was actually things called bulletin boards (go Legend of the Red Dragon!) - I actually ran a BBS called, "The Shadowlands" (3 lines in baby!) and I was called, Dark Angel.

In any case, in the event that your life is devoid of information, a jury found a Minnesota woman liable for piracy, Awards $222,000 in damages for 24 songs.

Yep, you read that right. $222k. A little over $9,000 per song.

Every student with a computer denies being involved in piracy. For some that really is true, for others, they are simply ignorant of the fact that they are indeed doing it.

“Oh, snap! Is that the new Foo Fighters CD? Sweetness (sorry, that’s probably more of an 80’s phrase), do you mind if I borrow it? I’ll just dump it to my iTunes and listen to it later.”

That’s right, you just committed piracy.

Every greatest hits or mix tape you made for your gal or fella. You broke copyright law.

If the music company is serious about anything, it’s about its money, and if they think you’re keeping them from making more of it, they are going to come looking for you.

Now I have my own opinions about file sharing, and music swapping (I have quite a few friends who are indy musicians). But I think my general opinion can be summed up by this “Weird Al” Yankovic song (did I mention I am a HUGE nerd?):



In any case, be aware that file sharing and music swapping is illegal. I’m certainly not going to judge you, but before you download, know that there are people actively out there looking to nab you (think speed trap) and if you get hit it’s going to cost you a lot more than you’re saving. Too many people have worked to make music more accessible and affordable. Trust, the new Matchbox Twenty isn’t work $222,000 dollars even if Rob Thomas is hot.

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Enough said.