Macworld 2008

Ok, so I'm more of a linux and windows nerd, but I wouldn't be a true nerd without keeping up with Macworld. If nothing else, it's something to laugh at.

They have some great new updates for the iPhone. Considering my $120 Nokia had the ability to send multiple SMS 4 years ago, what made Apple think this was an amazing new feature?

Also, what I found truely hilarious, they have decided to give the ipod touch users the apps they've been demanding since release - you know, the same ones on the iPhone. They've updated it for free on all new touch purchases, but are charging $20 for them for existing owners. What the hell?!?! Steve said just minutes before that it uses the exact same software. Why charge for something that has already been writen for the iPhone?

The new maps thing is alright, but probably is useless in australia, since we have no free wireless hotspots

But, I do have to admit that the Apple TV Take 2 has been properly fixed. It seems that you now don't need a computer to connect it to - everything can be done through the box itself. Aside from the lack of divx and other popular formats, it is a decent system. Even better, it's a HD device.

BUT, the most increadible thing that happened, was the amazing anouncement that the new "Family Guy" Blue Harvest DVD will come with a digital copy for the ipod. FREE OF CHARGE!!! It's about freaking time!!
Also, they announced the new laptop "Air". Looks good, but starting at $2500, it's REALLY expensive. Dare I say it, it's a marvel of modern technology. The only thing they seem to have compromised on is cd/dvd drive. Even then, they've made it possible to use a desktop drive through a network. I usually hate Apple and their gimicky products, but this is amazing. I'm speechless. It is the ideal laptop for business. And it even gets 5 HOURS BATTERY LIFE!!! They've even thought of the environmental impact of the machine. I neven thought I would be anywhere near as impressed by an Apple product as by this machine.

Just let it be known that it takes an awful lot for me to wonder anywhere near the "dark side", but this has got me close.

Anyway, thankfully it's expensive, which should keep me from any meanderings to the Apple stores anywhere in the near future.

So, that was Macworld. If it weren't for the Air, I would be regretting the waste of bandwidth the video was. Not to mention how the audio kept dropping out. Stupid quicktime. Feel free to discuss.

Acheivement

I don't know whether it's because it's the beginning of a new year, the fact that I'm starting to feel relatively old, or (most likely), I'm getting bored now the work shifts are drying up, but I've been somewhat philosophical lately.

Quite a strange feeling for me, really, considering that my last philosophical mood led me to ponder why people say "tomato", "mall", and "castle" differently (yep, it's definitely boredom talking). Nevertheless, the current topic has at least some merrit:

During school, particularly in later high school, students are led to believe that they must be high acheivers. Not always the best, per se, as society wants to encourage children that it's "what we are on the inside that counts". Instead, it is generally assumed that each person's gifts and tallents are indeed capable of (to some degree), perfection, and as such should be clearly demonstrated. It is therefore assumed that should that person fail to acheive at least a reasonable level of standing, then they have either not put in enough effort or the system has failed them.

I bring this up because it occurs to me that this attitude has impacted a great deal of school leavers, myself included. By this I mean to focus on the pressure to choose a career. Throughout the later years of high school it is widely believed that the student should have an idea of where they are headed - ergo, their final year of study is supported with "advice" from people who are assumed to be knowledgable in such matters.

The problem with such a system is the presumtion that one knows the path of their career. In fact, having being raised in a christian school, we were frequently encouraged to "pray upon" the issue and talk it over with parents and careers counsellors. When these people are inexperienced, or the person involved is undecided, the course selections can go horribly wrong - like mine. While I have a very general idea of where I'm headed, I still don't have a clue about what the future holds tomorrow, let alone the rest of the year. Will I work? Will I study?

Ultimately the success or failure of such ventures are (I believe) not in the success or failure of the venture itself. Rather, without another's failure to compare it to, how do we know to which level we acheived? In a society that prides itself on high levels of acheivement, we almost take perverse pleasure in the failures of others.

In fact, the same applies to intelect. Take the Wright Brothers, for example. The managed to create the means of flight. This was not amazing simply because they did it - it was because everybody else failed to do it. A C average looks insignificant when another gets straight A's.

I believe quite strongly (to borrow a quote) "it's not what we are on the inside, it's what we do that defines us". There is no doubt that without the ambition of acheivement, our society would be no where near the same level of advancement today. Without our actions, belief and moral standing doesn't affect much at all. But, at the same time, I also believe that we have an unhealthy obsession with the failures of others.

Anyway, that's enough of my ranting. Any thoughts/conclusions?

New Look

The astute of you will notice a new look for this blog. Being, as yet, an incomplete work, there will be issues - a few of which I know about which are:
1) The search bar doesn't work: not urgent, and will fix if I can be bothered.
2) The site is sometimes all in text.
Number 2 is a big one, and I only just noticed. It seems that the site I got the template from hosts all their pictures on a server somewhere, and it locks everyone out once it exceeds bandwidth. This means that during busy times, the site will all be in text! I'll work on it and see if I can fix it up ASAP.

Also, as a side note, I randomly signed up for a facebook account a week or two ago to see what it was all about. To be honest, I forgot all about it, but I opened my emails today and found that megan added me. I might as well keep going with it (after all, people keep pestering me to get one), so if you want to add me you can.

What is most important of all, beyond the importance of just about anything that I could think of to blog about (which, admittedly is a poor selection), I have big news. Awesome new. But it doesn't involve ninja's. How so, you say? Because "Prince of Persia" has come to Xbox 360 Live Arcade!!! That's right, the original Prince of Persia from the late 80's in all it's side scrolling briliance, has had a high definition makeover, and is available for 800 points. Which is equivilant to around $12. Which may sound expensive for a game that's been around for 2 decades, but it's still worth it. Because now you can actually see the cut scenes! The only down side is that the doors don't make the same clanking sound when they close. Strange thing to pick up on, I know, but I'm a stickler for detail.

Anyway, keep your comments/suggestions comming, and I'll do my best not to delete them (accidentally, of course).