technological

Just added the capability to send a text direct to my iPhone from this website. Just click the "Text Me!" icon in the sidebar and away you go!

Something tells me I'm going to need to start blogging again; 2008 seems like it's going to be an eventful year. There's just something in the air. Can't put my finger on why, but I think it's time to start processing some thoughts online again.

After months of procrastinating, I finally got around to updating my server, fixing security holes, and doing some general housekeeping around here in order to prepare for some new content. Don't expect daily posts just yet, but hopefully I'll fall into some kind of regular rhythm.

I got Apple's latest version of iWork when it went on sale on Tuesday. When I paid with a credit card, the guy at the Apple Store Briarwood apologized for having to check my ID, “Since you're in here like every day.” iWork is pretty freakin' sweet. The new Excel-killer, Numbers, is quite sophisticated for a first-gen product, but the lack of pivot-tables keep Excel alive for me.

The main reason I upgraded was for Keynote, Apple's best piece of software. I'm using it to prepare my presentations for Student Leader Training next week. It is pure joy to use. That said, it's Saturday evening, and I've been working on this presentation all day. I still have a bunch of things to get ready for Monday morning's Cabinet meeting, and I've worked from early in the morning to late at night almost every day for the past week. With the beginning of the semester ahead, life could not be busier -- which is why I haven't played with iLife yet.

So, I've finally decided to start twittering. I'm not sure that I really get it, but I guess combined with Twitterific, it's a pretty easy way to keep folks updated on what I'm doing. I've added my status to the sidebar on the right.

The new web technology that I'm really enjoying is Joost, an on-demand video program. With major backers such as the WB, MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, and Nettwerk, it has great potential to revolutionize the way people watch TV. I'm sure that Mark Cuban would disagree, but it has a decent user interface, easy navigation, and is a nice TV/Computer hybrid. I'm very interested to see what social networking components it will add.

Update: I have 3 Joost invitations left. If you'd like one, let me know.

I'm off to Vegas for the week to participate in the 2007 Sunguard Summit. It should be a good conference, as it combines my love of higher education with my love of technology. A couple of the less academic highlights will be a keynote by Dilbert creator Scott Adams and a private concert by everyone's favorite 90's acoustic alternative band with a non-white lead singer, Hootie and the Blowfish (yes, they're still around). I'll be staying in a nice suite at MGM's new hotel, The Signature at MGM Grand. I'm all packed and ready to go with episodes of Lost for the 4.5 hour flight.

ARTISTdirect is offering free mp3s for your Zune. This offer features some great artists (Spoon, David Byrne & Brian Eno, Postal Service, and Joseph Arthur), some OK artists (Ani Difranco, Belle and Sebastian, Moby, and Josh Ritter), and some artists that are sooo like 2005 (Sufjan Stevens, Barenaked Ladies, Aimee Mann, and The Shins). Download your favorites here.

P.S. - These will also play in one of those iPod things, in case you don't have a Zune.

P.S.S. - If anyone ever offers threatens to squirt me with their brown Zune, I will hurt them.

This week I joined Washtenaw County Recreation Center in order to put off my inevitable future a few more years (see picture). Over Christmas, Joel and I had fun playing with Photo Booth on my MacBook Pro. Some of the pictures are really quite amusing, so I decided to make a gallery of them. It's funny how a piece of software can motivate a workout or two. I've been hitting the eliptical every weekday morning at 7:00. We'll see how long I can keep it up...